Best Rate Program is the pitts!

[wdwgirls2]

I agree with the other Fl residents - without the Fl resident rate I either don't go or stay off site.

Michelle

 

[DMRick]

I am an AP holder, and I travel to WDW once maybe twice in a year does this make me less loyal??

I'm not saying your shouldn't also be considered a loyal customer. But because I make many trips during the year, last minute, does that make me "less" loyal than you? If they have both Best rate and the original AP rate, it will be the best of both worlds for the people who visit WDW the most. For the longtime planner, you can rest, and know you have your discount. For those of us, who may plan one of our trips, and have to count on discounts to take several more, well, when they have extra rooms, I'm hoping they will continue as usual.

 

[helenk]

I think that maybe we just need to wait to see what happens next week or so.
Last year the AP discounts for 9/30 to 12/25 did not come out until 8/25/05, so you could not make your last minute trips using the AP rates last year until August any way right?
Hopefully, they will use the old system along with the Best Rate Program, but I think instead of getting all worked up we should sit back, take a deep breath and see if they do release AP rates that can be booked over the phone.

 

[CPM]

I think that maybe we just need to wait to see what happens next week or so.
Last year the AP discounts for 9/30 to 12/25 did not come out until 8/25/05, so you could not make your last minute trips using the AP rates last year until August any way right?
Hopefully, they will use the old system along with the Best Rate Program, but I think instead of getting all worked up we should sit back, take a deep breath and see if they do release AP rates that can be booked over the phone.

I think you are right Helen. There is nothing we can do. Disney always does what they want anyway. Although, after many years of writing on comment cards that they should have Magical evening hours for resort guests, my dream finally came true! You never know.

 

[CPM]

I am an AP holder, and I travel to WDW once maybe twice in a year does this make me less loyal?? I think not... in those two visits I stay on site for approx 45 days (usually 3-4 weeks at a time) spending a max of 2 days at other parks in that time. So I am sure you do commit large amounts of $$$ but I believe all AP holders are valuable to Disney and we all commit large portions of our earnings to the house of mouse, this is not exclusive to FL residents.
Val
xx

Val, you have to understand that WDW is a business. They need the support of the local economy to exisit. If they lost a bulk of GA & FL residents that can frequent on weekends, then most liekly they wouldn't be in business.
You can see that even their own schedule is based around the local school schedule. Plus, if you ever went when Orlando schools have an extra day off you would see what I mean.
It doesn't make you less loyal but they need to cater to locals.
I'm sure that's true of any local toursist attraction in any state.

 

[Poohsmommi]

In the mean time they will be losing many locals that go up on spur of the moment trips. I can never book that far out due to my job. So, most likely I will be staying off site from now on.

You will still be able to get the FL resident rate. I would never book with the best rate program, as I frequently decide last minute I'm going .... I will still use the FL resident rate. It's really not going to affect us because it's the same rate the AP get ... we just don't have to book 4 months in advance like they do now.

 

[CarolB]

I was very upset by the new best rate program. We come from Maryland about 4-5 times a year and it is usually last minute, because southwest has a special and our AP give us a great rate. That being said, I just booked for Christmas and got $129 rate with best rate at WL when the rack rate is over $300 because it is holiday season. I never got that huge of a discount with AP rates. The $129 rate at WL this year was during Value season. I am shocked and excited about the holiday discount with best rate. I hope they bring back the regular AP discounts, but a chance to get about 60% off at the holiday season is a new one for me and I can't be more surprised.

Are you staying Christmas week? Do they have holiday rates available now through the website now? My AP has lapsed, so I can't get in through the site since I don't have my new voucher yet. Last year we had a great AP rate at the CR for Christmas week. Too early for anything like that over the phone yet.

 

[MDMOUSE]

We are staying through Christmas week and I had to use my AP number to log on. The rates are better than they were last year during Christmas time because they are giving what is the AP value season rate instead of the AP holiday rate.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I'm not saying your shouldn't also be considered a loyal customer. But because I make many trips during the year, last minute, does that make me "less" loyal than you? If they have both Best rate and the original AP rate, it will be the best of both worlds for the people who visit WDW the most. For the longtime planner, you can rest, and know you have your discount. For those of us, who may plan one of our trips, and have to count on discounts to take several more, well, when they have extra rooms, I'm hoping they will continue as usual.

I really liked the way you said does booking last minute make us less loyal. It doesn't. I think we are both equally loyal (as long as we are returning guests), but why punish those that cannot plan 120 days out seems to be the problem.... I think this program is definatly not going to be what it started out to be.. look what has happened already; they dropped the $50 modifcation fee, the have now added Christmas week into the rates after saying that they were excluded. That just proves that it isn't working the way they thought it would, they already have changed it.....

 

[A Mickeyfan]

In the mean time they will be losing many locals that go up on spur of the moment trips. I can never book that far out due to my job. So, most likely I will be staying off site from now on.

Not just your job, you also have to worry about cheering, soccer & baseball!!!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I was very upset by the new best rate program. We come from Maryland about 4-5 times a year and it is usually last minute, because southwest has a special and our AP give us a great rate. That being said, I just booked for Christmas and got $129 rate with best rate at WL when the rack rate is over $300 because it is holiday season. I never got that huge of a discount with AP rates. The $129 rate at WL this year was during Value season. I am shocked and excited about the holiday discount with best rate. I hope they bring back the regular AP discounts, but a chance to get about 60% off at the holiday season is a new one for me and I can't be more surprised.

I just checked the rates for 12/17 & 12/18 for WL & it gave me a total of $412.56. That is way more than $129. The only view they had was courtyard.... You were lucky to have gotten that

 

[MDMOUSE]

I just checked the rates for 12/17 & 12/18 for WL & it gave me a total of $412.56. That is way more than $129. The only view they had was courtyard.... You were lucky to have gotten that

I am sorry you didn't get cheaper. This whole system is so strange. I guess it's going to be hit and miss.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I am sorry you didn't get cheaper. This whole system is so strange. I guess it's going to be hit and miss.

I only checked those dates since it was close to the 120 days to get it in. As of now, I am going to Universal from the 18-21st. I figured if I was able to get Disney for 17 & 18, I would push my Universal from 19-22nd. I still do not like the idea of no refunds, but as long as they removed the $50 fee for any changes & the discount was steep enough, I would try for it. I am still waiting for something for 12/1-4th!! I have my tkts for MVMCP then Only time will tell what rates will be available for then....

 

[Sammie]

I really liked the way you said does booking last minute make us less loyal. It doesn't. I think we are both equally loyal (as long as we are returning guests), but why punish those that cannot plan 120 days out seems to be the problem.... I think this program is definatly not going to be what it started out to be.. look what has happened already; they dropped the $50 modifcation fee, the have now added Christmas week into the rates after saying that they were excluded. That just proves that it isn't working the way they thought it would, they already have changed it.....

And as many have said, if Disney sees that bookings are not supporting this program it will be modified. However if they do see enough bookings to support the requirements I do not see where it is punishing anyone. It's just like any other discount program, some can take advantage and some can't.

 

[CPM]

Not just your job, you also have to worry about cheering, soccer & baseball!!!

You're stressing me out Shar!! LOL BTW, it's cheering, baseball & golf this year!

 

[Cinders Mum]

I think I have been misunderstood. I was referring to a previous post which I read to mean that the poster felt they were being penalised because they book short notice and as FL resident they were the most loyal. My point (which I may not have made clearly enough) is that all AP holders are loyal to Disney, by the sheer fact they are AP holders regardless of the number of nights stayed or the volume of trips.

I know Disney is a business and it is pretty unique in it's position within the market place given it has such a strong brand domestically and globally.

I think as the best rate is still a triall system then we should hold judgement and perhaps there can be a happy medium between the two formats

Val
xx

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I think I have been misunderstood. I was referring to a previous post which I read to mean that the poster felt they were being penalised because they book short notice and as FL resident they were the most loyal. My point (which I may not have made clearly enough) is that all AP holders are loyal to Disney, by the sheer fact they are AP holders regardless of the number of nights stayed or the volume of trips.

I know Disney is a business and it is pretty unique in it's position within the market place given it has such a strong brand domestically and globally.

I think as the best rate is still a triall system then we should hold judgement and perhaps there can be a happy medium between the two formats

Val
xx

I don't think anyone here was saying that FL residents are the most loyal, what we (at least me) mean is that we are usually the ones that book on the spur of the moment & therefore are loosing out on the Best Rate Program since we don't (and some can't) book 120+ days out. Any one who is a repeat guest is a loyal customer, but Disney is forgetting the ones that pay for the roadwork that leads to their kingdom (not to mention that the state of FL pays the worst wages around & Disney themselves are guilty of that as well)

 

[A Mickeyfan]

This was just in my local paper..... found it interesting about Disney and the timing when the Best Rate Program was introduced.....~~~~~~~~~

Walt Disney World had flat domestic attendance in the third-quarter of its fiscal year, partially attributable to rainy weather, Prudential Equity Group estimated last week. In addition, rising gasoline prices could make tourists who drive to Orlando think twice about vacationing far from home. Drivers accounted for more than 70 percent of the domestic visitors coming to Orlando last year.

The figures released Thursday showed domestic visitors accounted for 95 percent of the tourists, or 45.2 million people. Florida residents accounted for more than half of the domestic visitors in 2004, and a quarter of U.S. travelers vacationing in Florida visited Orlando.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seeing that they had not increased in attendence, one wonders what was going thru their minds starting up the Best Rate Program when they did... does explain why they lifted the Seasonal Black Out Dates.... if they remain flat & gas continues to rise, I am sure we will see the regular AP rates again.. as well as FL Resident Rates (considering FL Residents made up 1/2 of the domestic guests in 2004)

 

[jarestel]

if they remain flat & gas continues to rise, I am sure we will see the regular AP rates again.. as well as FL Resident Rates (considering FL Residents made up 1/2 of the domestic guests in 2004)

This sounds logical to me. We may even see some additional incentive programs if this is the case.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

This sounds logical to me. We may even see some additional incentive programs if this is the case.

I would love that We just have to sit tight & see what rates Disney is releasing next... I knew they weren't up to what they had wanted to be at (figures & attendance) by what the CM's I know had told me & by them lifting the blackouts on the seasonal pass.