Be ready to book AP discount.. or it might disappear!

[gullyf]

Be aware that something is indeed going on behind the scenes. After visiting a number of times with my pass and getting offers comparable to what is being reported, I am currently being told that no passholder rates are available no matter what dates or resorts I choose, or how many times I sign off/on. So I got curious and deleted my cookies, then signed in with my wife's AP, and I get AP discounts FOR THE EXACT SAME DATES AND RESORTS that under my AP I was told that there was nothing available two minutes prior (and yesterday as well). Unfortunately, I am not sure if it was deleting the cookies or the change in annual pass numbers, but I suspect the annual pass number. EDIT: because people are reporting a great deal of variability, it seems more likely it is info stored in a cookie rather than on their server...

The upshot seems to be that you had better be ready to book if you try this, and grab it if you want it, cause they are watching and won't offer it to you too many times...

Note that this is speculation, but I think this combined with other reports provides strong evidence that some kind of tracking and adaptive offering is in place... and I have answered my own question from a previous post...

 

[cindybasket]

I think this just may be the case! I believe I was offered a Best Rate 3 times and have never been offered it again since then.

Gosh - Disney! You guys are getting a little Goofy.

Anyone checking the boards that absolutely have no plans what-so-ever to go to Disney from 12/17-12/26 if they can check if any Best Rates plans are available ANYWHERE. I would love to know - not something that was booked yesterday or earlier - just anytime after this post will do.

I guess I am being THOROUGHLY penalized because I was unsure of what place I was actually going to stay. I did the silly thing by actually "requesting" particular places instead of a "no-preference."

I guess if this goes without anyone calling Walt Disney to complain (if this is the case mind you) then I guess we can all expect airlines and hotels on line to start doing the same thing. I am so glad that a lot of people know exactly what they are going to do before going into the website, but for ME I like to have at least a few options and get all my options on the table so to speak before I decide.

---- I will be trying to delete my cookies and re-try again --- I surely hope they are NOT doing this!


?? Who knows what's next? If you re-check the website later and find a different deal being offered and you cancel the Best Rate ressies (even losing your reservation deposit) are they NOT going to let you make a NEW reservation under another offer. Let's just say the current free dining plan works out better for your family situation at Disney and it still comes out cheaper for you to lose a one-night's deposit. They may just penalize you. I know that is a CRAZY thought but how many honestly believed just a day or two ago you could check out the rate differences and dates available? I guess they should also post a BIG WARNING on their website stating you are only going to be offered a Best Rate such and such times and after that you FINISHED.

 

[gullyf]

...I guess we can all expect airlines and hotels on line to start doing the same thing. I am so glad that a lot of people know exactly what they are going to do before going into the website, but for ME I like to have at least a few options and get all my options on the table so to speak before I decide.

Thanks for your post. I'll guarantee that a lot of sites already do exactly that! Amazon is renowned for it...
I emphasize that this is conjecture, but hope that it gets people experimenting and possibly saves someone from missing out if it proves to be the case. Note that all the time I was getting "no discounts available", others were booking discount rates, so that is what prompted the experiment. Please let me know if anyone is able to see a discount rate for the dates you question...

 

[Princess Mommy]

I ahve heard this happening too- during a particular week, trying every resort onsite & NONE are available with an AP best rate deal?

 

[tjmouse]

Funny, that's exactly how I finally got my Poly discount! I came to work and signed on with my dh's AP and voila! discount. With mine, nothing.

Hmmm....

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I definitely think it's a way for them to track AP activity and to get some many AP holders to stop calling about discounts and making changes to their ressies so often. If AP holders are booked into a ressie they can't change then it makes the job of the CRO a little easier.

 

[soccer mom]

Same thing here. When I tried to book with my son's AP (adult) nothing was available. Went right back on with mine and there were discounts.

 

[PamNC]

and I WON'T. I'm boycotting the new system because I'm totally against it. These stories are just more justification for me to not want to deal with it.

PamNC

 

[LisaS]

I've checked rates several times since the first reports of AP rates appearing on the Best Rates site. The Best Rates seem to come and go. Sometimes I see them and then a few hours later they are gone. A few hours after that, or maybe the next day, they are back again.

My own theory is that rather than put all the discount rooms out at one time, they are putting them out a few at a time. Maybe they didn't want to put them all out at once and have them all gone in 24 hours. Another possibility is that since this website went live before it was actually ready (and even at that, at least a week late since the program was supposed to allow bookings for Oct 5th and later but we were already into the 120-day window for those early dates), maybe they are still figuring out how many discounted rooms they are going to release. Or maybe they are having database problems and when someone checks rates at a particular resort, it is temporarily placing a hold on one reduced-rate room at that resort and not releasing the hold in a timely manner.

I've certainly noticed other strange things, like that my session doesn't seem to time out for a very long time. I can log in to check rates and then come back in an hour and get straight into the passholders site without logging in again. At other times, my session times out due to inactivity while I'm in the middle of checking rates, but if I click the "Back" button on my browser, the search resumes and everything is fine.

So my vote is that the reduced rates come and go either by design (releasing them a few at a time), or due to the fact that the Best Rates web application is still a work in progress, i.e., not yet fully debugged.

 

[gullyf]

I've checked rates several times since the first reports of AP rates appearing on the Best Rates site. The Best Rates seem to come and go. Sometimes I see them and then a few hours later they are gone. A few hours after that, or maybe the next day, they are back again. My own theory is that rather than put all the discount rooms out at one time, they are putting them out a few at a time. Maybe they didn't want to put them all out at once and have them all gone in 24 hours.

I am certain there is some of that as well, but when there is consistantly nothing for one AP and another AP has a choice with only a few minutes difference (and even IN BETWEEN tries) there is something else going on.

Another possibility is that since this website went live before it was actually ready (and even at that, at least a week late since the program was supposed to allow bookings for Oct 5th and later but we were already into the 120-day window for those early dates), maybe they are still figuring out how many discounted rooms they are going to release. Or maybe they are having database problems and when someone checks rates at a particular resort, it is temporarily placing a hold on one reduced-rate room at that resort and not releasing the hold in a timely manner.

I suspect the number of rooms available is known, but probably not as set in stone as you might think... I would think it is probably an algorithim that does most of the determination based on a number of varying factors. And I would also expect that some of the more temporary cases of unavailability are due to the database as you hint, but not any problems. They are rather due to the nature of transactions within such a system. Think about it: if you have 500 people looking at a resort with 5 rooms available at a discount, what is going to happen? What if they all decide to book? You either limit the number of people who can view those rooms, or you allow 495 of those transactions to fail, or a combination of the two. So what you are thinking is a database problem is *probably* an intentional mix of the two.

I've certainly noticed other strange things, like that my session doesn't seem to time out for a very long time. I can log in to check rates and then come back in an hour and get straight into the passholders site without logging in again. At other times, my session times out due to inactivity while I'm in the middle of checking rates, but if I click the "Back" button on my browser, the search resumes and everything is fine.

Timing out can be due to a lot of things, not just on their system but on yours also and on every hop in between the two. What's scary is that you are telling me that if you don't close your browser window pretty much anyone can get on your pc and reserve a room on your AP by just hitting the back button!!!!!! THAT IS SCARY!!! Hope you don't keep your credit card info there too!

So my vote is that the reduced rates come and go either by design (releasing them a few at a time), or due to the fact that the Best Rates web application is still a work in progress, i.e., not yet fully debugged.

So you are correct here, but don't discount the idea that they will limit the number of opportunities you have to make that ressie, because I think we are seeing that as well. And most applications are a work in progress, all have bugs of one sort of another, BUT the MAJORITY work fairly close to they way the specs are written (the way they are intended) first time out.

 

[notnothin]

Got a great rate on the new system for AKL! Now I'm just waiting on my refund for my previous 2 cancelled reservations.

 

[LisaS]

Timing out can be due to a lot of things, not just on their system but on yours also and on every hop in between the two. What's scary is that you are telling me that if you don't close your browser window pretty much anyone can get on your pc and reserve a room on your AP by just hitting the back button!!!!!! THAT IS SCARY!!! Hope you don't keep your credit card info there too!

There are two different session time-out related issues that I have experienced. The first is where I've used my AP info to log in to the passholder's website, checked some rates, then closed my browser window. Some time later (an hour?) I open a new browser window, go to www.disneyworld.com/passholder expecting to see the login page but am taken directly into the passholder's website without logging in. So I don't have to leave a browser window open for this to occur. The interval between visits to the passholder's site has to be pretty long before I have to log in again, so my session seems to hang around for a long time which is very unusual in my experience and not necessarily a good thing.

The second problem occurs while I am checking rates. I enter my travel dates and click Submit (or whatever the button says... can't remember) and it brings up the list of all resorts. I choose "Deluxe resorts" from the drop down and I get the Disney fireworks page with the progress bar. Then I get a message "Your session has timed out due to inactivity." The first time this happened I shut down my browser, brought up a new window and logged in again and started over. The second time this happened (which was about 5 minutes after I had logged in again) I was really annoyed and I just clicked the "back" button on my browser to see what would happen. I found myself back at the fireworks/progress bar page and then the info I had requested (list of deluxe resorts) came up and I was able to continue interacting with the application. This has happened to me several times and I am able to resume each time by just clicking the "back" button.


Anyway, my point was that I am seeing some strange behavior from this web app that leads me to wonder if it was insufficiently tested before it went live. So I could easily imagine all kinds of bizarre bugs lurking in the code. I agree with you that there is probably some sort of logic in the code that prevents them from offering more discounted rooms than are available to avoid either overbooking or pulling the rug out from under someone when they commit to booking it "Sorry, that discounted room was just booked by someone else." and depending upon how it's done they might be as slow in releasing those discounted rooms back to the pool as they are in closing my session after I've left the site.

I'm also surprised there is no "log out" button on the site. I know that not everyone would use it, but I'm religious about using one if it's there since I prefer to have my session deleted when I leave rather than having it hanging around on their server for who knows how long.

 

[gullyf]

There are two different session time-out related issues that I have experienced. The first is where I've used my AP info to log in to the passholder's website, checked some rates, then closed my browser window. Some time later (an hour?) I open a new browser window, go to www.disneyworld.com/passholder expecting to see the login page but am taken directly into the passholder's website without logging in. So I don't have to leave a browser window open for this to occur. The interval between visits to the passholder's site has to be pretty long before I have to log in again, so my session seems to hang around for a long time which is very unusual in my experience and not necessarily a good thing.

Did you check the "remember me on this pc" box? That might explain it.

The second problem occurs while I am checking rates. I enter my travel dates and click Submit (or whatever the button says... can't remember) and it brings up the list of all resorts. I choose "Deluxe resorts" from the drop down and I get the Disney fireworks page with the progress bar. Then I get a message "Your session has timed out due to inactivity." The first time this happened I shut down my browser, brought up a new window and logged in again and started over. The second time this happened (which was about 5 minutes after I had logged in again) I was really annoyed and I just clicked the "back" button on my browser to see what would happen. I found myself back at the fireworks/progress bar page and then the info I had requested (list of deluxe resorts) came up and I was able to continue interacting with the application. This has happened to me several times and I am able to resume each time by just clicking the "back" button.

Can't really speak to this.. could be a disconnect or their site under heavy use or a number of things. There are setting both local to your machine and thier servers that would determine how long a query can run without returning a response and "timing" ou out. They may have the threshold too low, though I haven't experienced this myself at all over the past couple of days.

Anyway, my point was that I am seeing some strange behavior from this web app that leads me to wonder if it was insufficiently tested before it went live. So I could easily imagine all kinds of bizarre bugs lurking in the code. I agree with you that there is probably some sort of logic in the code that prevents them from offering more discounted rooms than are available to avoid either overbooking or pulling the rug out from under someone when they commit to booking it "Sorry, that discounted room was just booked by someone else." and depending upon how it's done they might be as slow in releasing those discounted rooms back to the pool as they are in closing my session after I've left the site.

I'm also surprised there is no "log out" button on the site. I know that not everyone would use it, but I'm religious about using one if it's there since I prefer to have my session deleted when I leave rather than having it hanging around on their server for who knows how long.

The lack of a "logout" is very bad, most certainly. There is no way you should be able to reenter the secured site with just the back button in any case. And I suspect the number of rooms available is dynamic, not set in stone, though I couldn't possibly suggest just how they are determining it. Thanks for your replies...

 

[LisaS]

Did you check the "remember me on this pc" box? That might explain it.

Nope. I never check that on any web app that I access. I prefer not to have username and password info kept around, not even on my own system.

Can't really speak to this.. could be a disconnect or their site under heavy use or a number of things. There are setting both local to your machine and thier servers that would determine how long a query can run without returning a response and "timing" ou out. They may have the threshold too low, though I haven't experienced this myself at all over the past couple of days.

I don't believe it was a query time out because the query was running for less than 5 seconds. Hard to believe it was a true session time out either because I was able to click the "back" button and the query was still running and apparently my session had not been deleted because I was able to continue using the application for another 10-15 minutes after that!

The lack of a "logout" is very bad, most certainly. There is no way you should be able to reenter the secured site with just the back button in any case. And I suspect the number of rooms available is dynamic, not set in stone, though I couldn't possibly suggest just how they are determining it. Thanks for your replies...

Yep, I would prefer the option to logout rather than leave my session hanging around for at least an hour or more.

However at least I am not experiencing the problem you are having with the discounted rooms disappearing forever. I find they come and go. If there are no discounts shown, I go away for a few hours and when I come back, the discounts are back again. I don't have to log in with a different AP to get them back. Haven't tried deleting cookies when this happens so I'll do that next time just to see if that brings the discounts back immediately instead of in having to wait a few hours.

 

[mamalle]

I get system error and time outs when I try. when I did finally get through- there was no ap rate for dec 1-4th.

 

[LisaS]

I get system error and time outs when I try. when I did finally get through- there was no ap rate for dec 1-4th.

I am able to get in. Since you have CSR listed in your signature I checked that and got these quotes for Dec 1-4:
Standard view: $314.46
King bed room: Add $50.16
Water view: Add $50.16

 

[mickeyluv]

I just check for Dec. 17 - Dec. 23 at the WL and got Best Rate of $1070.40 for lodge view. Is this good?

 

[mamalle]

thanks lisa- I just went back and checked it again and it did come up with the $314 rate this time. must be alot of glitches in the system. what would make me mad is if I did reserve it yesterday when it said no ap rate I would of been paying over $450 for the 3 nights. its wierd how you get different numbers everytime. Im going to stick my my friends offer for a friends and family rate of $89 a night instead. not as good as last year but better than this. thanks.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I think this just may be the case! I believe I was offered a Best Rate 3 times and have never been offered it again since then.

Gosh - Disney! You guys are getting a little Goofy.

Anyone checking the boards that absolutely have no plans what-so-ever to go to Disney from 12/17-12/26 if they can check if any Best Rates plans are available ANYWHERE. I would love to know - not something that was booked yesterday or earlier - just anytime after this post will do.

I guess I am being THOROUGHLY penalized because I was unsure of what place I was actually going to stay. I did the silly thing by actually "requesting" particular places instead of a "no-preference."

I guess if this goes without anyone calling Walt Disney to complain (if this is the case mind you) then I guess we can all expect airlines and hotels on line to start doing the same thing. I am so glad that a lot of people know exactly what they are going to do before going into the website, but for ME I like to have at least a few options and get all my options on the table so to speak before I decide.

---- I will be trying to delete my cookies and re-try again --- I surely hope they are NOT doing this!


?? Who knows what's next? If you re-check the website later and find a different deal being offered and you cancel the Best Rate ressies (even losing your reservation deposit) are they NOT going to let you make a NEW reservation under another offer. Let's just say the current free dining plan works out better for your family situation at Disney and it still comes out cheaper for you to lose a one-night's deposit. They may just penalize you. I know that is a CRAZY thought but how many honestly believed just a day or two ago you could check out the rate differences and dates available? I guess they should also post a BIG WARNING on their website stating you are only going to be offered a Best Rate such and such times and after that you FINISHED.

cindybasket,

I checked your dates, and of all the resorts that came up, there seems to be availability, and in all views/categories! I didn't go through every resort (sorry), but here's what I'm showing:

Pop: standard or preferred available
CBR: standard, king, preferred, and water views all available
POR: standard, king, and water views all available
AKL: standard, water, savannah, deluxe (water and savannah), and concierge all available

Another thing you could try is letting a TA help you - maybe he/she would have good luck on their end coming up with available rates - and doing the leg work for you.

Hope this helps!

 

[gullyf]

I think this just may be the case! I believe I was offered a Best Rate 3 times and have never been offered it again since then.

Gosh - Disney! You guys are getting a little Goofy.

Anyone checking the boards that absolutely have no plans what-so-ever to go to Disney from 12/17-12/26 if they can check if any Best Rates plans are available ANYWHERE. I would love to know - not something that was booked yesterday or earlier - just anytime after this post will do.

cindybasket,

I checked your dates, and of all the resorts that came up, there seems to be availability, and in all views/categories! I didn't go through every resort (sorry), but here's what I'm showing:

Pop: standard or preferred available
CBR: standard, king, preferred, and water views all available
POR: standard, king, and water views all available
AKL: standard, water, savannah, deluxe (water and savannah), and concierge all available

That is actually the point, Tinkaroo. Cindybasket was seeing no availability, but that only means that she was being excluded, not because there was nothing available. What causes someone to see or not see a rate? Could be just about anything: number of times she requested a quote without booking, number of times she has used her annual pass in the last year, comparative amount that she has spent in the last year (not meaning to go orwellian here, but the more of a link that is established between a number and you, the more precisely they know what you did and what you spent... using a room key as a charge card, for example, will produce a goldmine of data on you, and now that it is biometrically linked...), or a combination of all of the above together with a few things I probably haven't thought of.
Understand too that this might not reflect an actual change in policy. It is entirely possible that this was happening before, it was just hidden from us and not linked to the AP #'s so strongly. It is not unusual for reservation systems in general to pop up special rates at seemingly random intervals. It is entirely possible that in previous times, you could call Disney reservations, request an annual pass rate and not get one, but someone who calls after you does. There would be just no way of knowing that was happening, and because the details were hidden you might think it more a stroke of luck ("well, someone must have cancelled") than anything else. The change now is that we get feedback in real time, and can compare notes.. ahh the wonders of the internet age!!!