AP's Not out yet

[Sammie]

I am seriously beginning to think they are not going to offer any during this time frame and only offer the codes that are currently out.

Maybe we should flood them with emails concerning passholder discounts. There is a section on their email contact site for passholders.

This is the email address, then go to the Subject list and click on Message for the Passholder Program.

http://studio.go.com/cgi-bin/gmail/generic_mail.cgi?template=disneyworld/form.tpl

 

[lizzie64]

Hi Sammie,

Just sent them off an e-mail.

 

[pixiechick77]

Just e-mailed Disney....Come on all of you out there. Let's remind them that we deserve these codes!

pixiechick77

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Sammie, way ahead of you, tried this approach about 3 weeks ago, 1st I got a reply very standard about if you want resort ressies call 407-wdisney for resort information ...... and I wrote back with a very plain question, stating I guess you did not understand my question, I am interested in "when are the resort discounts for the summer months going to be released for this year?" and fired it back to them. I got an answer Sometimes we have offered passholder rates for resorts as an incentive and you never can tell when and if that will happen again, just stay tuned to your mickey monitor. ........ Trust me they where in no hurry to give me an answer. just thanks for your question and be sure to let us know if we can help in the future. ......

Here's hoping for something soon! MKY

 

[sherry8253]

Hi - I just sent an email to Disney too. I nicely reminded them annual passport holders are their most loyal patrons and that there are vacation sites other than Disney. I asked them to please have the backbone to announce that there will be no annual passport rates forthcoming rather than having us all sitting and guessing and tieing up their phone lines with our daily calls or announce the rates so that we can book. Maybe if enough of us send messages such as these they will get the point that they may lose some of us who are their regular customers.

 

[lizzie64]

Ok Guys here's the latest update on the Never Coming Out AP Rate Saga -

Spoke to the sweetest CM named Elta. She started laughing when I mentioned AP rates. She said she too was wondering when they were coming out. She asked if I would wait a few minutes while she spoke to a supervisor. I said SURE with visions of AP rates in my head.

She came back and said that they still have nothing in the system, but that her supervisor said that since the last set of rates run through April 9th travel dates, and that is tomorrow, they are expecting rates for after April 9th to be out soon.

So basically -

As of 7:30pm EST - Not yet - keep checking.

Off to watch and vote for CLAY

 

[Smee]

::drumming fingers in anticipation::

 

[franw]

I will send an e-mail also but I wonder if you shouldn't start a new thread as many folks have probably given up checking this thread by now. The more that participate, the clearer the message.

 

[sneezy1956]

I agree lets e-mail and also a new thread is fine. This one is crazy long! I never dreamed it would grow this way

 

[cinmell]

Originally posted by sneezy1956
I agree lets e-mail and also a new thread is fine. This one is crazy long! I never dreamed it would grow this way

Good morning!
Starting a new thread is a great idea!

 

[weluvpluto]

Still no AP rates past today!

I called at 7:10 AM CST 4/9.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by pixiechick77
Just e-mailed Disney....Come on all of you out there. Let's remind them that we deserve these codes!

pixiechick77

Huh? Why do you think you "deserve" these codes?

AP holders are NOT neccesarily the most loyal patrons. There are a lot of DVC owners that would beg to differ. Florida resident passholders would as well.

Anne

 

[DebbieB]

I think part of the problem may be that too many people who book AP rates are switching from a higher priced reservation. Disney wants AP rates to attract new reservations, not make current reservations cheaper. So they are targeting certain groups with codes instead. Florida residents are more likely to book an extra trip if lower rates are offered.

 

[franw]

I happen to believe that once a company (or anyone for that matter) sets a precedent by offering of giving something every year for year after year, they should at the very least offer a AP code that equals some of the other codes out there. That way everyone knows what is going on and can plan accordingly. I am sure Florida residents do the very same thing that AP holders do by holding a rack rate reservation while waiting for their discounts to come out.. I would imagine that most DVC members have APs as well. I don't think everyone was expecting or demanding better published discounts than everyone else. Just the courtesy of letting us know that that is the best they will be doing for whatever reason this year. Then we make the decision whether we want to take an extra trip during the year or whether buying an AP just doesn't make a lot of sense. So I would say Disney owes us simply a courtesy for setting the precedent, where we have grown to count on it year after year. Not that they "owe" us something that many other groups (nurses, teachers, Florida residents etc.) are getting. I have read that only 25% of people at the parks on any given day are return visitors so perhaps they are not looking at AP holders as being a major loyalty group. I just know that we spend a whole lot of money there every year, year after year. I would find it hard to believe that a corporation such as Disney would not have a loyalty program built into their marketing for us.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am a Florida Resident and AP holder and I don't book a room until there is a rate I can deal with. What incentive does Disney have to discount rooms if they are already sold? It is the most simple of economics, supply and demand.

 

[chunkster20uk]

I would love the AP rates to come out, I would love to be able to use a Florida Resident Code or even have a Postcard with a code on.

I will however have to pay the rate I have managed to get through Dreams, and also pay the price of our air fare from the UK. It would be nice if Disney recognised us here in the UK.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by franw
I happen to believe that once a company (or anyone for that matter) sets a precedent by offering of giving something every year for year after year, they should at the very least offer a AP code that equals some of the other codes out there. That way everyone knows what is going on and can plan accordingly. I am sure Florida residents do the very same thing that AP holders do by holding a rack rate reservation while waiting for their discounts to come out.. I would imagine that most DVC members have APs as well. I don't think everyone was expecting or demanding better published discounts than everyone else. Just the courtesy of letting us know that that is the best they will be doing for whatever reason this year. Then we make the decision whether we want to take an extra trip during the year or whether buying an AP just doesn't make a lot of sense. So I would say Disney owes us simply a courtesy for setting the precedent, where we have grown to count on it year after year. Not that they "owe" us something that many other groups (nurses, teachers, Florida residents etc.) are getting. I have read that only 25% of people at the parks on any given day are return visitors so perhaps they are not looking at AP holders as being a major loyalty group. I just know that we spend a whole lot of money there every year, year after year. I would find it hard to believe that a corporation such as Disney would not have a loyalty program built into their marketing for us.

You hit on some very interesting perspectives. Based on what I have been told by friends that work at Disney, that discounts were never offered at Disney until occupancy rates at the hotels fell off due to the economy, 9-11 and now the war. That Disney upper management did not like to discount rooms because people would begin to expect them and when they took them away people would be upset.

Disney does not offer a loyalty program because they have never felt the need to do so. Loyalty programs are there to bring people back. At Disney a small percentage of the total guest population comes back anyway and those that do have done so without any reward.

Marketing programs regardless of what they are, are only there due to a need. Until Disney sees a need for a steady discount program or rewards program it won't happen.

Disney's version of a reward program for the return guest is DVC.

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by franw
I just know that we spend a whole lot of money there every year, year after year. I would find it hard to believe that a corporation such as Disney would not have a loyalty program built into their marketing for us.

Boy, do I hear ya! My DH is always saying how much money we spend at Disney every year, and how they should have some kind of loyalty program for those of us who keep returning. I mean even Pathmark gives you a free turkey or ham after you spend $200 several times a year!!!

 

[DebbieB]

I do agree that by offering higher discounts, everyone expects them to be there all the time and at an increasing discount rate.

On my trips in the late 90's, I got a 20% MKC discount (Disney Club) and thought that was great! The codes that are being offered now are much higher than that and are still considered not enough. Moderates at $94, rack $144, is about 35% off. AKL/WL at $139, rack $239 is 42% off.

I know I've said this before, but I think Disney has really dropped the ball on this. By allowing the continous calling without any type of explanation of where the AP rates are is more damaging to them than just saying the codes are the best rates that will be offered. If I were a cm, being customer service oriented, I would be annoyed at getting all these calls and have no answer to give. I know at my job, I don't like saying I have no idea what is going on and have to try to make up some answer (although sometimes it happens ) .

 

[lizzie64]

by Cindala
I mean even Pathmark gives you a free turkey or ham after you spend $200 several times a year!!!

LMAO!!!!