Calling All Florida Resident?annual Passholders!

[usewickhouse]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this so please forgive me if it is not?

Also, I want to say this is my first RANT type post!

How many of you Fl resident or Annual passholders are upset that WE are getting the shaft when it comes to discounts at the resorts? This latest code was crazy...I am very happy that so many people were able to get the 40% off BUT why is Disney giving a better code to NON Fl residents and NON passholders? Yes, I know the answer but it still makes me crazy. They are drumming up more business and making it harder to say no for those who do not live here or have passes to come and spend their money. I get the it!! However, as a FL resident and a passholder I would have loved to have gotten 40% off in December. I saw in another thread that someone was quoted at the AKL pool view @ $138 per night. That is an awesome rate!! Just sad that I did not have a CODE/PIN and was not able to use the code floating around. Which made me wonder...how many Fl residents/annual passholders were mailed this code/pin? How many were able to use it even if it was not mailed or emailed to them? How many of you had a code attached to your name? I am not trying to start anything here I just honestly would like to know! I am not mad at WDW or any of you that was able to use the code/pin in fact I am in awe and very happy for you all. Due to living here in FLA we are able to make it over to Disney numerous times throughout the year. Some years we go more than 10-12 times. Okay I know that seems like a lot but sometimes it is for the day only. Many people go 10 or more days in 1 vacation and that is my dream. To get my DH to go for 7-10 all at once, do everything and stay where we want not just where the cheapest is. His philosephy is we live 2 hours away we don't need to spend all that money on a room. Which irritates me because I want to stay at some of the nicer hotels and take in everything Disney has all at once. I only need to do this once and I will be set for life. Then I can go back to the a day here and a day there. I just want to know how it feels to be there for that long and stay at a deluxe and maybe even split a stay to take in 2 deluxe hotels. I know this will sound crazy to most of you but living this close to the mouse does have its dis-advantages which is getting to stay more than 2 days, well at least thats my gripe. Thanks for listening and again all you Fl residents and annual passholders chime in and let me know who got to use the code. Thanks again!!!!!!!!

 

[Aidensmom]

I wish passholders could take advantage of free dining, but since we don't book packages as we already have our tickets, we don't get that benefit. I think they should have a special resort/dining package for passholders with the free dining.

 

[ilovepcot]

Usewickhouse, I'm in total agreement with you.

 

[lillygator]

I don't think we are getting the shaft...AP or FL discounts on the resorts don't come out for the year at once. The December discounts will be out in October or so. We stayed in Feb and March, both on discounted rates.

 

[lillygator]

I wish passholders could take advantage of free dining, but since we don't book packages as we already have our tickets, we don't get that benefit. I think they should have a special resort/dining package for passholders with the free dining.

I wish this would change as well...although we are renting DVC points for our May trip and are purchasing the dining plan that way....

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Ahh, try not to let it bum you out. It's all how you view it, anyway.

In all the years we've lived an hour or two away from the O-Hole, we've found much better places to stay than Disney hotels. I can see where staying onsite would be a big convenience to those traveling without a car or those not familiar with Orlando, but for FL residents, I'd assume you have a car and know your way around. WDW's decline in FL resident room discounts has actually turned us on to some very cool stuff in Orlando that we never did when we stayed onsite. Thank you, WDW!

Keep in mind you're paying less than a buck a day to go to the parks pretty much whenever you want. Add that to the knowledge of all the tips, tricks and secrets locals have about WDW and the Orlando area, I'm sure you're able to make very good use of your time in Orlando, as well as your $$$.

Lastly, how much did you pay last year in state income taxes? Zero? Me, too. And I like that. If WDW, SW & USO keep those tourism dollars coming in by offering new discounts to out-of-state tourists, fine by me.

 

[ducklite]

We have DDE and own DVC. Frankly it isn't an issue for us.

Anne

 

[GeorgeG]

Since we can (and do) go often we end up saving a bundle just in admissions and parking. We get a 10% discount on lunch at many restaurants on weekdays and do get discounts at resorts certain times of the year. I have no complaints.

 

[Quasi123]

I would have liked to get the 40% off code too. Too bad we can't the free dining either. Makes you wonder how much they value us.

 

[nbodyhome]

It doesn't bother me - I get admission to the park all year round. I get half price to Fantasia Gardens, free parking, I have the Disney Dining Experience, and I can get hotel and other discounts.

That is pretty good to me! I also will take advantage if they offer free dining - I can use the one-day base ticket to upgrade to a renewal AP (as I've done before).

I do miss some of the special events, like the Osborne Lights passholder events that they used to have. I don't go to AP days for new rides, I can usually go to a soft opening if I want to instead. AP days can be crazy! (like for Everest).

 

[Amity 3]

you can better rates at better resorts or hotels using FL resident options or if you're a Universal AP holder. the only restaurant we single out anymore is Crystal Palace.

the idea of dining at WDW anytime we wanted was fun when we first moved here. then you realize you can do as well or better offsite at better prices, the dining plan made us aware of that. counter service for lunch and dinner at Citywalk is our routine now.

Disney's AP's are the most expensive, and have no real benefits except for free parking.

WDW pimped the resorts and ticket prices out to FL residents after September 11th to bail them out financially. once tourism regained, they turned their backs on us.

 

[usewickhouse]

Thanks to all of you that have given your thoughts on this. Still curious if any FL residents got the "CODE"?

 

[ADisneygirl]

No, I've never had a code attached to my name, not even when we were still in New York and came here to vacation. I do ask when I call to make my ressies though, before I use my Fl. Res. discount.

I do wish they offered the dining plan for Fl residents though. That would be a fun little perk to try.

Have you been on the DCL yet? I have gotten great discounts on that, which allowed us to go twice so far. All the food you can stuff yourself with too, all included. Made going to AKL after we disembarked a little hard on the wallet when we had to cough up cash for every meal!

 

[usewickhouse]

No, I've never had a code attached to my name, not even when we were still in New York and came here to vacation. I do ask when I call to make my ressies though, before I use my Fl. Res. discount.

I do wish they offered the dining plan for Fl residents though. That would be a fun little perk to try.

Have you been on the DCL yet? I have gotten great discounts on that, which allowed us to go twice so far. All the food you can stuff yourself with too, all included. Made going to AKL after we disembarked a little hard on the wallet when we had to cough up cash for every meal!

Hi, where did you get the DCL discounts and how much if I may ask? My DH would love to take our girls on the DCL but I am so afraid of the cost!

 

[RitaZ.]

WDW pimped the resorts and ticket prices out to FL residents after September 11th to bail them out financially. once tourism regained, they turned their backs on us.

That's an interesting observation. I think you may be right.

I love WDW. I really do, but their prices are getting ridiculous. We do have the DDE card, but we rarely use it. I remember the first time I went to MNSSHP in 1999 or 2000, I think we paid $19.95 per adult ticket. What are they now, almost $40? We went last year and I wasn't impressed at all. They've increased the prices and taken away perks like the free pictures.

Our Seasonal Passes expired last year and we didn't renew them. In a way, I'm grateful because they have turned us to check out other Orlando attractions. I love SeaWorld, so we have their Fun Card. We'll be going to Universal in May.

Since last year, whenever we've called WDW to make a reservation, they are sold out of discounted (for FL residents) rooms. We used to be able to call a few days before our intended arrival and would get a discounted rate, not so anymore. It's rack rate now, when and if they have availability. So, we've been staying off site and checking out other attractions.

 

[Amity 3]

That's an interesting observation. I think you may be right.

I love WDW. I really do, but their prices are getting ridiculous. We do have the DDE card, but we rarely use it. I remember the first time I went to MNSSHP in 1999 or 2000, I think we paid $19.95 per adult ticket. What are they now, almost $40? We went last year and I wasn't impressed at all. They've increased the prices and taken away perks like the free pictures.

Our Seasonal Passes expired last year and we didn't renew them. In a way, I'm grateful because they have turned us to check out other Orlando attractions. I love SeaWorld, so we have their Fun Card. We'll be going to Universal in May.

Since last year, whenever we've called WDW to make a reservation, they are sold out of discounted (for FL residents) rooms. We used to be able to call a few days before our intended arrival and would get a discounted rate, not so anymore. It's rack rate now, when and if they have availability. So, we've been staying off site and checking out other attractions.

two years ago we could WDW DINE from inside the parks and get a dinner reservation for that evening practically anywhere.

the old 'Play4' resident pass was $99.00 for 4 days and were hoppers. now they're 'Play3' passes...3 days, no hopping allowed, and are $120.00. and they've got billboards everywhere proclaiming WDW for $40.00 per day.

sure, daily ticket prices have been raised, but those passes shot through the roof. we used to buy one for one of our daughter's friends and take them to all four parks for four days. now, we buy them a Power Pass at Universal for $99.00.

if you can get a resident rate for $99.00, you get an All-Stars. that's about equal to a Motel 6 room at twice the price.

 

[LuvDuke]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this so please forgive me if it is not?

Also, I want to say this is my first RANT type post!

How many of you Fl resident or Annual passholders are upset that WE are getting the shaft when it comes to discounts at the resorts? This latest code was crazy...I am very happy that so many people were able to get the 40% off BUT why is Disney giving a better code to NON Fl residents and NON passholders? Yes, I know the answer but it still makes me crazy. They are drumming up more business and making it harder to say no for those who do not live here or have passes to come and spend their money. I get the it!! However, as a FL resident and a passholder I would have loved to have gotten 40% off in December. I saw in another thread that someone was quoted at the AKL pool view @ $138 per night. That is an awesome rate!! Just sad that I did not have a CODE/PIN and was not able to use the code floating around. Which made me wonder...how many Fl residents/annual passholders were mailed this code/pin? How many were able to use it even if it was not mailed or emailed to them? How many of you had a code attached to your name? I am not trying to start anything here I just honestly would like to know! I am not mad at WDW or any of you that was able to use the code/pin in fact I am in awe and very happy for you all. Due to living here in FLA we are able to make it over to Disney numerous times throughout the year. Some years we go more than 10-12 times. Okay I know that seems like a lot but sometimes it is for the day only. Many people go 10 or more days in 1 vacation and that is my dream. To get my DH to go for 7-10 all at once, do everything and stay where we want not just where the cheapest is. His philosephy is we live 2 hours away we don't need to spend all that money on a room. Which irritates me because I want to stay at some of the nicer hotels and take in everything Disney has all at once. I only need to do this once and I will be set for life. Then I can go back to the a day here and a day there. I just want to know how it feels to be there for that long and stay at a deluxe and maybe even split a stay to take in 2 deluxe hotels. I know this will sound crazy to most of you but living this close to the mouse does have its dis-advantages which is getting to stay more than 2 days, well at least thats my gripe. Thanks for listening and again all you Fl residents and annual passholders chime in and let me know who got to use the code. Thanks again!!!!!!!!

Just a few of the reasons why we are no longer annual passholders. We watched the prices go up and discounts and perks go down. Disney can stuff it's 10% discount off a lunch here and there and their 10% discount honored at fewer and fewer stores. Frankly, the AP was no longer worth anything to us because it sure as hell wasn't worth anything to Disney.

For the first time in a good many years, we will NOT be going to WDW. The worlds a bigger place than just the World of Disney.