Best Rate Program is the pitts!

[A Mickeyfan]

Here is a copy & paste of what is on the site now. I am not sure if anyone has posted this or not. They have indeed taken away the $50 change fee. It is not listed there...this is from the offical web site:
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Planning a vacation in a few months? Then it's time to try our Passholder Best Rate Program! Now Passholders booking a Disney Resort room online under the Passholder Best Rate Program at disneyworld.com/passholders can rest easy knowing they have received our best room rate offered to the general public* at that time for the room and nights booked. And, if we subsequently reduce our room rate to the general public for the same room and nights you booked online under this Program, we will automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate.

Rooms must be booked at least 120 days in advance and, unlike our normal cancellation policy, a non-refundable deposit of 1-night's room charge and tax must be paid at the time of booking. Currently this program is only available for arrivals through 2/15/06. The number of rooms and nights available for this Program is limited and rooms are not available every night. This Program is subject to change or discontinuance at any time and without notice.

For more details about the Passholder Best Rate Program, check out Frequently Asked Questions.

* Does not include group rates, auction rates or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements.

See Important Program Requirements below

Book Now

Enjoy this great rate at a great time to visit! Happiest Celebration On Earth is in full swing with new attractions, including Soarin'™, Cinderellabration, and Lights, Motors, Action™ Extreme Stunt Show.

As a Disney Resort Guest, you can also enjoy these Disney Resort benefits:

* Renowned Disney service 24 hours a day
* Spectacular pools
* A beautifully themed Resort in the heart of the Disney magic
* Complimentary Transportation (motor coach, water launch, or monorail) throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort

Important Program Requirements
Program only available to adult passholders booking online at disneyworld.com/passholders. Passholder may only book one room per reservation. Reservations must be made by adult Passholder with Passholder's credit card. Passholder must present his or her valid Pass at check in.
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Now that that has been lifted, it may be a bit easier for me to use. In the event of having to cancel & not throw my deposit away, I would be able to postpone a stay....just wondering if they allow you to do the change say 20 days out from original date & move it up to a stay within say 7 days?
Either way, it is of no use to me now for my December stay. My daughter boyfriend's family is going to buy their AP's tomorrow & plan on going the first weekend in Dec as well. I had to tell her that she was "too late" to get an AP rate. She feels as I do, she is going to wait a little longer to see what comes out ... we still have the FL Resident rates if they didn't do away with them... as of now, there is nothing for them either after 10/4.

 

[lillygator]

actually - I copied the site when it first came out and there was no mention of the $50 fee...that was just something I read on the DIS....anyone know?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

actually - I copied the site when it first came out and there was no mention of the $50 fee...that was just something I read on the DIS....anyone know?

The first time I read it, the $50 "modifacation" fee was there, that was why I called CRO the first time to question it. I am wondering if they are starting to realize that they shouldn'd have done that. I just went into the site now to see if any rooms were opened yet for Jan just to see the rates & nothing is available. The site is either not working as other posters have commented in a different post or it is down due to changes. I cannot see all the rooms booked & absolutly nothing available.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

C.Ann...
While I don't disagree with your recommendations...I do want to say that I voiced my concern in writing to guest relations and have not heard anything back. And that was back when this was first introduced.

Of course, had they responded, I know I would have received the same BS that everyone else received..."This is not the end of AP codes, but we can't say when those will be released" or something to that effect. But my favorite response was for those who were booking in the early to mid-Oct range and were completely shut out of BR program..."Sorry".

I decided to send them an email today... I also let them know that "had" I wanted to book at the exact 120 day out timeframe for last night, I wouldn't have been able to since the site was down & as of 10ish this morning it wasn't working correctly either...there was no way they booked all of the rooms for nearly every date & resort I tried...(just to see what would come up).
I will wait & see if I get a response, but like you, I don't think I will. Disney feels that they owe us no explaination. Maybe some feel that they don't. But good guest communications means an answer back...even if we do not like what the answer is

 

[z28wiz]

Yeah it does stink about the way they make us book online.

 

[yooperfan]

If we give Disney a hard enough time about room discounts, maybe they will discontinue them all together and save themselves the hassle. Then there won't be anything to complain about except the price of AP's

 

[C.Ann]

If we give Disney a hard enough time about room discounts, maybe they will discontinue them all together and save themselves the hassle. Then there won't be anything to complain about except the price of AP's

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It can go either way.. When people voice their displeasure, things may change for the better - or they may change for the worse.. But to roll over and play dead isn't a "one size fits all" solution..

 

[yooperfan]

I don't have a problem with the new program so I guess I don't need to "roll over and play dead." It just seems every time Disney tries something new, they get slammed for it. Wouldn't it be more fair to wait until the dates Disney usually releases AP's by phone to pass before making a final call on the new program? After all, there have been months with no room discounts in recents years anyway, so it won't necessarily be because of the new program.

 

[freakylick]

If we give Disney a hard enough time about room discounts, maybe they will discontinue them all together and save themselves the hassle. Then there won't be anything to complain about except the price of AP's

If they discontinue them altogether, then maybe the increases in AP's will be a little less and we won't need to complain about the prices of AP's.

Wouldn't it be more fair to wait until the dates Disney usually releases AP's by phone to pass before making a final call on the new program?

Fair would be to return a customers complaint. Fair would be giving a better response than "Oops, sorry" or "We aren't getting rid of codes, but we don't know if or when they will come out." But hey, I should be more fair to them.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I had several problems with the program when it first started. Every email I sent was answered by either an email or phone call. Luckily for me it was all straightened out and they even gave me $50 in Disney Dollars for the inconvenience.

 

[C.Ann]

I had several problems with the program when it first started. Every email I sent was answered by either an email or phone call. Luckily for me it was all straightened out and they even gave me $50 in Disney Dollars for the inconvenience.

---------------

I recall the problems you were having - and if you had remained silent or just "taken it on the chin", you wouldn't have those wonderful extra Disney Dollars.. Good for you! You're a good example of "it pays to voice your opinion.."

Have a great trip!

 

[srfrgrl07]

At least half of these trips are planned within 4 to 6 weeks prior to arrival at passholder rates. This program will virtually eliminate that possibility. Seems to me that they are putting the screws to those that are most loyal

If your trips are planned that close to arrival, there are usually "traditional" AP rates available for booking at that time over the phone. But many times the limited number of rooms are all booked up anyways. Look at the holidays, or FT Wilderness. Many people book those a year in advance and when people call even 6 months out they are faced with no availabilty, thinking they have planned ahead. As the saying goes, "the early bird gets the worm."

I understand why you feel the way you do, I'd be interested to hear any suggestions you have for making this program work for you so that you don't feel that you are being "screwed for being loyal." What do you think would be reasonable? If they lift the cancellation penalty, they risk the possibility of someone cancelling last minute and not being able to occupy that room. Should they release a certain number of rooms each day so that those who wait until closer to their trip have the same availability as those who plan further in advance? Just curious as to what would make this better for you, not meant to attack.

 

[srfrgrl07]

It's ironic to me that so many people are upset that Disney has not yet released the AP rates for beyond October 4, yet aren't willing to commit to a reservation at 120 days (not including those who want to book it but missed the deadline.) Personally, I think there are some improvements that could be made to the program. It seems like people want AP rates asap from Disney and Disney wants bookings asap. Looks like there needs to be some compromising done.

Also, for those that mentioned unforseen circumstances, I believe that Disney would make exception in those cases as they are usually pretty sympathetic in my experiences.

As far as the whole repeat visitor issue..I used to work at a wireless retail store and people would always expect a "free" phone because they had been a customer for X number of years and/or their bill was X amount of dollars every month, etc. For some, a year meant they were loyal and for others 10 years. For some, $70 a month was high and for others $370 a month was high. Loyalty seems to be relative...I have been shopping at the same grocery store for years and I don't receive discounts over those who just moved to the neighborhood. I shop there because it's a pleasant experience and it's familiar to me. I buy coffee, sugar, and milk weekly at my grocery store, but I don't see any savings over others that may purchase those items once a month. Same reason I chose Target over WalMart...Target is just more pleasant to me than the loud beeping noises of the WalMarts and the longer lines...the cost savings just doesn't make a difference to me if it means I can go home without a headache. It's the same reason so many choose to go to Disney during Value season over Peak season, or vice versa. Value season is less crowded, but peak season is when schools are out. Every chooses based on their own criteria, as I think has been more than expressed in this thread.

Another point I always try to remember is that for someone who lives far away from Disney (say Washington state, for example) more than one trip a year is alot...pretty loyal for a pacific-northwestener. For someone in Florida, more than one trip in a month is alot. Again, I think it's relative. Who decides what constitutes a loyal customer when the cost to "become" one varies by location? The person who visits from NJ every other month may actually be spending more consumer dollars on air, resort, tix or AP than the FL res who visits every month and pays only for gas transportation and gets a FL rate on tix or APs. I'm not trying to devalue any of the opinions posted in this thread, but I just wanted to approach this discussion from all angles.

Bottom line...book the vacation that makes you happy and you will always see the value and be able to justify the cost in your mind, at least in my opinion

 

[DMRick]

I do book THE (one) vacation I want yearly. However, the next 4-5 last minute trips to Disney, from upstate NY, are just because SW and Disney had a special (today, it's $49 each way, but we are staying at the Sheraton off site). Otherwise, I keep my money home or off-site. I think Disney will miss some of us, who come last minute because of bargains. Of course, I still don't think the regular AP's are gone. It's just not time for them yet. But if they are..we'll look elsewhere. If Disney doesn't have a problem with that, neither will I.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

You are very correct when you say:~~~~~~~~~

The person who visits from NJ every other month may actually be spending more consumer dollars on air, resort, tix or AP than the FL res who visits every month and pays only for gas transportation and gets a FL rate on tix or APs.
however, Disney isn't getting all of that money. I think when we are talking here about the money end, at least I am, is what Disney alone is getting from me. You are also correct in saying that you shop where you like to, where they are nice to you, most people do, but once again, if Wal-mart has a TV for $99 & Target has that same TV for $129, where would you get it? I know as much as I like the way Target treats me, Wal-Mart is saving me $29 & I like my pockets too Saying that, I stay onsite because I like the feel of the resorts & the discount. If I cannot get a discount (and with the amount of trips I make), I cannot stay onsite (maybe once a year). I will go to an equally nice resort & save the money. What it comes down to for most people is the $$$ that you can save. (and in addition for me, the non-refundable deposit & the 120 days out ressie..I just can't plan all trips that far out...sorry....)

 

[sherry8253]

It's funny. My main complaint with the Best Rate Plan is that they won't let you pay your balance until you check in. If they're not planning on lowering the rate, why wouldn't they let you pay your balance ahead of time? I want to know everything is paid for before I arrive and would love to have some money on deposit at the resort.

I, like you, was afraid to take the chance and end up with no discout so I booked using the Best Rate plan. But, I didn't realize I couldn't pay the balance in full until I checked in. I called yesterday to try to give them my money and they wouldn't take it. It is hard to believe that Disney doesn't want to take my money in advance. I like to have everything paid before I get there but it won't happen that way this year.

 

[CPM]

The program is specifically intended to reward folks who are willing to make the commitment that long in advance. It is a fine program for the folks who can make that commitment -- for the folks who are happy to use the program as it is intended. There is no requirement to use the program, so if the program doesn't meet your needs it is best to focus your attentions on other programs Disney offers.

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.

 

[Cinders Mum]

Originally Posted by alohaguy
At least half of these trips are planned within 4 to 6 weeks prior to arrival at passholder rates. This program will virtually eliminate that possibility. Seems to me that they are putting the screws to those that are most loyal


Now I might be misunderstanding you, and if I have then please let me know..... but here is my view
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. We do not have a car so all meals are taken onsite also. i plan my trips 11 months in advance therefore if Disney are willing to thank me for committing my $$$ early and for not holding more rooms than I really need then I am going to accept their offers.

However this doesn't mean I do not see the faults in the system, I am 1 of the many who have been left in limbo for Oct5-Oct16 (have codes for the remainder of my trip) which was frozen out of the new system.

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

 

[gepetto]

Personally, I would never book anything online with Disney as their website is unreliable.

no kidding.


if i can't get a good AP rate onsite, i will be just as happy in a nice condo offsite. not a big deal. aw:

 

[MDMOUSE]

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.