BRP really bumming my family out! EDITED

[TDC Nala]

There was nothing wrong with APers getting discounts for last minute trips. What was wrong was people booking multiple rooms, hoping for a discount, then cancelling out these unwanted rooms at the last moment some as late as the 5 day cancellation then Disney was stuck with them.

I agree it was happening, but the nonrefundable deposit should take care of that. Why also have a 60 day rule? Apparently they did decide that 120 days was too much.

And people can still book multiple nondiscounted rooms through CRO and cancel them when they do get a bargain. I'd assume they book when the best rate comes out and then cancel the others, since they can't get a refund on their best rate deposit.

 

[Sammie]

I agree it was happening, but the nonrefundable deposit should take care of that. Why also have a 60 day rule? Apparently they did decide that 120 days was too much.

And people can still book multiple nondiscounted rooms through CRO and cancel them when they do get a bargain. I'd assume they book when the best rate comes out and then cancel the others, since they can't get a refund on their best rate deposit.

You can't book multiple reservations at different locations now they track them.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I always wondered why they could not keep track of people who held multiple ressies for restaurants since they should be tied to a room/pkg number.

When I call they know a lot about me already. I do not mind them knowing more.

Slightly Goofy

 

[bicker]

Needless to say, none of us is explicitly privvy to all the reasons why the BRP was introduced. It does make sense that to some extent past abuses required certain aspects of the program, such as the non-refundable deposit. By the same token, I maintain that the unfairness perceived by many of us when were couldn't get through fast enough to get one of the few AP discounts available was also a factor. So it seems there were many problems with the old system. However, do keep in mind that as long as all the rooms that would be covered by AP discounts aren't already reserved by the 60 day point, Disney will likely make those rooms available in the traditional manner. That's probably the reason for the 60 day restriction: After that point, those rooms would be taken from BRP inventory and considered for other discount programs.

 

[DisFlan]

It does make sense that to some extent past abuses required certain aspects of the program, such as the non-refundable deposit.

We may be in the minority in thinking the non-refundable rule isn't unreasonable on Disney's part. I don't think it's unfair to expect guests to decide where (and when) they want to stay before they make a reservation. Things happen, I know, but I think the "change-itis" had gotten out of hand.

It looks as if the new measures are aimed at moving discounts to the package structure. This makes more sense financially than room-only codes. Combined with ME, they'll tend to keep people on site more.

I'd guess Disney is riding a fine line in trying to figure out how to offer discounts that fill rooms without diluting the brand too much. They've clearly overbuilt hotel rooms, especially the values. They're trying to put heads on pillows without giving away the beds. This is also one reason we'll see more DVCs built - they're pretty much a guaranteed cash cow. But I hope they learned the lesson about overbuilding. Even DVC can be overdone.


DisFlan

 

[TDC Nala]

It looks as if the new measures are aimed at moving discounts to the package structure. This makes more sense financially than room-only codes.

This is the best I can figure. Obviously annual passholders are not going to buy packages. I think they might prefer to have rooms open for last minute package purchasers rather than anyone who might want just a room.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

As far as the poster who said that they thought that there would be last minute availability because of last minute cancellations etc - I have been daydreaming about a last minute trip and had checked out Disney.com a few days ago and found that even tho I had requested a Value resort the only thing available seemded to be a suite at CBR for a much higher cost than I was willing to pay. Checked again last night, before the site went down, and could get exactly what I wanted and for ten days.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Sammie]

We may be in the minority in thinking the non-refundable rule isn't unreasonable on Disney's part. I don't think it's unfair to expect guests to decide where (and when) they want to stay before they make a reservation. Things happen, I know, but I think the "change-itis" had gotten out of hand.

It looks as if the new measures are aimed at moving discounts to the package structure. This makes more sense financially than room-only codes. Combined with ME, they'll tend to keep people on site more.

I'd guess Disney is riding a fine line in trying to figure out how to offer discounts that fill rooms without diluting the brand too much. They've clearly overbuilt hotel rooms, especially the values. They're trying to put heads on pillows without giving away the beds. This is also one reason we'll see more DVCs built - they're pretty much a guaranteed cash cow. But I hope they learned the lesson about overbuilding. Even DVC can be overdone.


DisFlan

Change-itis, I love it, I will have to share that one with my friends that work at Disney. I think you are right, there does at times to seem to be a huge amount of that going on.

I know when we book a reservation at the beach, we have to commit to 25% of the total charge as nonrefundable. We also have to pay the entire amount 30 days in advance. So I am used to deposits up front that are nonrefundable.

 

[CarolA]

I have no problem with non-refundable. My last "late" stay was booked at the Hilton DTD 2 days in advance.. At that point it was non-refundable. However, as I told the Disney rep, they just lost a sure fire room sale since all they would offer was a moderate at rack rate. (I got the Hilton using my corporate contract at $99!) If they had given me an AP discount I would have stayed there. SO I still go to Disney, they just don't get the room money.

 

[TDC Nala]

Now, I've considered going offsite in January like Carol's doing. When I factor in the cost of transportation (airport access, taxis, cars, getting back from PI closing) it doesn't work for me. Not only do they lose the surefire room sale, they lose whatever else I would have spent. Well, maybe they'll be able to get a family paying rack rate for a ticket package, and they will spend more.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

No problems here with last minute reservations being non refundable as that is only fair but it is the long term ones that scare me and usually keep me from making them at all. I would be fine with a reasonable cancellation fee though.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Janet2k]

I am just now beginning to plan my family's WDW vacations for next year. Of course, the BRP has been introduced since our August vacation and I have to learn the new vacation booking rules (arg!).

This thread has been very helpful. The BRP's "60-day" rule is bothering me. I was thinking about planning a January trip for my family, but since that trip would be less than 60-days out, I now will be looking to vacation elsewhere. I'm sorry to hear that Disney isn't offering any sort of discounted rooms for vacations that are less than 60-days out.

 

[Janet2k]

In case anyone from Disney ever reads these forums, I would like to add that my family's last-minute Summer trip to WDW was booked with less than 60 days of notice. That trip was a four-week vacation that was spent at the Value (PC & AS-Mu), Campgrounds (FW Cabin), Home-Away-From-Home (SSR), and Deluxe (GF & AKL) resorts. Four solid weeks in Walt Disney World meant quite a bit of money was spent across the full gamut of Disney's services: resorts, park passes, kids activities, dinner shows, boating, food & beverage, souvenirs, etc. Sure, most folks' last-minute trips don't turn into four-week vacations, however, the possibility does exist. I'd hate to think that Disney was overlooking that possibility, however slight it may or may not be. If I hadn't been able to secure AP discounts for the resorts, my family's WDW vacation wouldn't have happened.

Just thought I'd add comments from my side of the Peanut Gallery.

 

[Sammie]

First let me say I have enjoyed last minute trips with past AP discounts and would be glad to still be able to get them.

But I think a point some might be missing in all of this is; as long as Disney can fill the rooms without offering this type of discount, why should they.

I am sure many of you took trips that you had not planned on taking due to those past discounts. However if the situation has now become at Disney, that they can fill their rooms without offering these discounts of the past, there is no incentive for them to do so and many reasons for them not to offer them.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Hi there Janet! I cannot beat your month long trip as my current best is 16 days. Maybe one day. LOL If you are having trouble figuring out how to get around the new rules what hope have I? I got a discount email. Not great but better than nothing. Maybe you will get one. I did find that I was able to find available rooms yesterday where I had not been able to before so maybe something will work out for you. They would be fools to tick you off, would affect their bottom line big time!!! (smile)

Sammie, it has been my opinion that hotels rely on both the long term planners and the last minute guests. If enough people book far in advance AND do not cancel there would not be rooms for the last minute people HOWEVER if the hotel has rooms available at the last minute they are more than happy to get a reduced rate rather than have empty rooms. As a last minute type person I am willing to take my chances and besides I prefer doing most everything off season and off times rather than fight huge crowds.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Janet2k]

Just thought I'd mention that I composed a letter and submitted it to Walt Disney World a few minutes ago regarding my feelings about the Best Rate Program and the 60-day out rule.

In my letter I stated that I was hopeful that the Best Rate Program would be changed in the near future to incorporate those folks who find themselves contemplating last-minute getaways to the most magical place on earth. I went on to say that I would rather see an empty room filled with a family who enjoys living life spontaneously than to see a room sitting idle and filled with only the echoes of what could have been.

That is all that I can do as a guest of Walt Disney World. In the meantime, I will be looking into doing something different for my last-minute trip. San Francisco might be fun.

 

[Janet2k]

SlightlyGoofy, you and the others here have all raised excellent points, in my humble opinion. I know that with your recent health issues, as you stated, booking anything too far in advance is very iffy. For me with my current situation, I am learning to live life more spontaneously after having been saddled with burdens for far too long. I would have loved a last-minute January vacation to WDW, but with no chance of securing any sort of discount due to the 60-day out rule, Disney has now knocked themselves out of the running for a little R&R with my loved ones. That's okay. It's a big world out there. The scary thing is that if I give another family vacation destination a shot (I have been itching to fly to Hawaii), I may become hooked.

 

[Sammie]

Hi there Janet! I cannot beat your month long trip as my current best is 16 days. Maybe one day. LOL If you are having trouble figuring out how to get around the new rules what hope have I? I got a discount email. Not great but better than nothing. Maybe you will get one. I did find that I was able to find available rooms yesterday where I had not been able to before so maybe something will work out for you. They would be fools to tick you off, would affect their bottom line big time!!! (smile)

Sammie, it has been my opinion that hotels rely on both the long term planners and the last minute guests. If enough people book far in advance AND do not cancel there would not be rooms for the last minute people HOWEVER if the hotel has rooms available at the last minute they are more than happy to get a reduced rate rather than have empty rooms. As a last minute type person I am willing to take my chances and besides I prefer doing most everything off season and off times rather than fight huge crowds.

Slightly Goofy

Oh I agree completely about long term planners and last minute guests. But I guess at this time Disney is not needing the last minute guests or at least not needing to give those last minute guests any discounts. That was my point.

My point was and is, if Disney can fill rooms without offering last minute discounts there is no reason to offer them, just because a certain segment of the guest population would like to have them, myself included.

I like everyone else would like to get the last minute discount, but if they are not available I understand.

Then the guest has to make a decision just like Janet is doing, go and pay the rate they can get or go elsewhere.

If hotels anywhere could fill their rooms at rack rate then they would. There was once a time at Disney that discounts were few and far between. Annual Pass and Florida resident was about it and they were only offered during the slower times of the year. AAA was not even offered. Then there was a travel slump and then 9-11 and Disney saw a need to discount rooms and sometimes discount them at the last moment to fill rooms. If that is not the case for them now, the discount programs will change as they have to reflect their needs.

I mean the first of December is a perfect example. There was once a time you could book a room for that time period days before arrival. Not this year.

 

[jcemom]

At first I wasn't very happy with the BRP. When they changed it to 60 days it worked for me. I book at least 60 days out anyway and I like booking and knowing that I'm getting a discount without playing the waiting game. I'm not crazy over the non-refundable deposit, but since it can be transferred to another ressie if the need arises I can live with that.

I think changing the program again to 30 days out would be a huge improvement and I would have no complaints at all then. It would be nice to be able to take advantage of some of those last-minute SW Ding airfares now and then and still get a great room rate in the process.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I would agree to a certain extent except that when I call for late bookings Disney has rooms....so I assume they feel that they can sell them to someone at full price, the hotels weren't full....