Codes concern LONG

[CarolA]

I have debated posting this for a while, but I decided to go ahead.

I realize that there is a lot of disappointment over codes. However, if you have hung around here a while this is a recurring trend.

There's a trend to this..

1. Rising panic as codes don't appear.
2. Posts claiming there is no way they can go to Disney without codes
3. Post saying Disney "owes" us a code since we are "valuable customers" (Albiet not ones that want to pay rack rate which would make us more valuable to Disney)

4. Posts that the CMs are RUDE. (Do you think that there is any correlation between 3 and 4... I do. Reports of rude tend to come up more and more as posters get more and more irrate. Now I am not saying the poster who reports the rude CM was rude, but they may have gotten the DEMAND for a passholder discount on the call prior. They are not audio animtronics, they are humans with sales goals that determine thier take home pay)

5. Posts that "I am not going to Disney" without a code (variations include I am not going at all, I am going to SeaWorld, Universal etc.)

6. The ultimate therat "If Disney doesn't give me a code" I am NEVER going to Disney again.

7. At some point a code will be released... creating great jubliation for most.

8. And then there will be those who are going dates that codes are blocked out or that the room THEY want is not avaialble. (Return to steps 5 and 6)


Now, here a few considerations....

1. Diseny doesn't hate you... it's nota personal attack. Disney didn't look at my vacation plans and go "CarolA for you no codes" Disney has a computer system that tracks occupancy etc. That's how they decide to issue a code.

2. The fact that you can book A room is NOT a good indicator of resort overall occupancy. It's an indication that there is A room avaialble. The truth is that Disney does NOT want 100% occupancy a month in advance for a couple of reasons. They need rooms avaialbe in case the guest before you decides to have a rock star party in the room and trashes it. That room has to go off line until the room is restored. They WANT rooms avaialbe for folks like my friends. Decided 2 weeks ago to take their son to Disney. Called, booked and went. ALL at rack rates. Never even thought about a discount

3. As I posted on a thread that was closed for bashing my feeling on the Priceline rooms is that you notice ALL they have released that any of the bidding sites (not just the DIS) have posted winning is All Star Sports/Music for limited dates. Now if they released just AP rates for those two hotels can you imagine the UPROAR here..... Also, about the LATEST date that I saw when I was keeping up the summary post is June 11.


My suggestion (Which I took long enough to arrive at!) is that everyone calm down. Calling Disney 10 times a day, being rude to CRO, being rude to your fellow poster or getting furious are probably just wasting energy. (Although I know that calling 10 times a day will continue so I am really hoping for everyone just to step back and be nice to each other._

We have been down this road NUMEROUS times and when they release the summmer codes, we will start ALL over for the fall.....

Also, it is rude to accuse someone of not needing a code as much as you do. I admit that it is sometimes hard to feel sorry for folks posting that they can't stay at the GF Concerige without a code, but I don't have to tell them that.....

 

[Tissa]

I totally agree

 

[CarolA]

I totally agree

Thanks, Because when I went back and read it I decided that it may win an award for the worst written post ever!!! (There is a point in there someplace I promise!)

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I agree too, see the same trend every time I start watching a code thread.

Life is too short to get so wrapped up in this. I wanted a discount at a moderate in late June and it looks to me like I'm pretty much out of luck because there's limited availablity on my dates even if a code came out. So we'll probably keep our AAA rate at ASSp's and have a great time - I'll still be at Disney!

Hakuna Matata!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Good post, CarolA. Now if people will just read it. Makes a lot of sense. I see people worrying about summer codes. Since Disney released the free dining for Aug and Sept, maybe that will be it for the summer.

Even with the price of gasoline.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Our family has been going to WDW without codes and enjoyed every minute of it and our motto has always been...you get what you pay for. Now that we have discovered the DIS boards and realize that there are these thing called codes, I will pursue every avenue I can to get the biggest bang for our buck. I will not think anything negative if I don't find that magical code and if I do, then it was meant to be. Great post, Carol.

 

[tekmom]

That's one of the best posts I have seen on here in a long time. AP codes are great but like you said, WDW is under no obligation to give them. I'll enjoy my trip with my AAA discount and if an AP is released, that will be an extra surprise.

 

[baileygirlsmom]

Thanks CarolA, well said!

 

[travelin' tigger]

I agree with your post - if Disney feels the need to release codes, they will. But don't take it out on the rest of the world (CMs, DISers, the dog, etc.) if it doesn't happen. As LadyTrampScamp&Angel posted, life is WAY TOO SHORT. I think with almost 100,000 DISboard members out there, someone will post as soon as they hear of an AP/GP code and it's not necessary for everyone to call every day!!

That said, thanks again for posting this - hopefully it's a wakeup call to some!!!

 

[kinggoofy]

CarolA....well thought out and said. agree 100%.

Maybe we all should take a step back and realize what we are worrying about is actually a small pimple on an elephants rump.

There are ALOT more things going on in this world right now that makes this seem irrelevant.

We need to all be thankful for what we had, what we have and what we may have.

Does Disney "owe" us AP holders anything ? ...NO. It would be appreciated but as in life, nothing is a gaurantee.

Will we still go to WDW if there are no AP codes...YES and Im sure the majority of the posters will do the same.

For the majority of us, we are not sick, we are not hoomebound, we are not facing a life threatening illness. I have a few family members who are. I look at them and realize how lucky I am .

I also look at the troops in Iraq, whether you agree or disagree, we have our freedom and live in the best country in the world. Because of them.

So like CarolA said, lets all chill out and enjoy today. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is the present...that why its called a PRESENT. We all woke up today..enjoy it !!!!!!

 

[Esmerelda]

VERY well put CarolA and kinggoofy.....my hats off to both your posts.

I feel very lucky that I get to go to Disney at all...and am a DVC member. I feel very blessed that I can show this wonderful place to my kids as I can. My husband and I truly love the world and we both know that some families will never get to see it.

I agree...codes are very nice...but they should never be expected. Its sort of like a bonus from your empolyer...you never expect one but if you get one...it sure it nice!


many blessings...
Esmerelda

 

[scanne]

I agree with you completely!

We have a AAA rate and it's still a great rate! I never count on AP rates. I'm happy we're going (EXTREMELY OBSESSIVELY HAPPY ) so I don't care either way if a code comes out.

All I know is

I'm Going To Disney World!

 

[corndog]

People should also keep in mind that the economy is stronger than it's been at any time in the last 7 years. That means people overall have more disposable income. Thus, Disney doesn't have to offer as many discounts to entice people to come.

 

[PamNC]

Carol, I couldn't have said it better myself. In fact, I didn't. I've put a couple of replies out there on the ever so long 130+ page June code thread stating that calling and calling CRO isn't going to help. Typically, people got upset about my opinion. I agree that it's not worth it to get so obsessed and drive yourself insane. I've never been one to call every morning and feel like I have to dialing at 7:00 a.m. or else I won't get the resort I want. In fact, I booked POR with the current AP code and I didn't book it until about 2 weeks after the code came out. I still got it. I think folks make too much of it and then I wonder how enjoyable the planning process really is for them. To me planning is half the fun.

All this said, I get upset when there aren't codes for my trip. I know that being an AP holder doesn't guarantee any discounts, but they have always been offered and for us it's the biggest plus to having AP's. We usually visit more than once a year, yes - but the discounts mean a lot to us. We've always been able to stay at Deluxe resorts, since 1999 anyway. This year, we needed to save $$ so we're going with POR with a nice AP rate of $119.

I wanted to switch our trip from May to June but given the lack of discounts, we're sticking with May

Anyway, I got off subject. Your post was eloquent and I totally agree with everything you said. I hope everyone calms down and enjoys their upcoming trips.

PamNC

 

[Jalva22]

Well said Carol! Suggestion to moderator: Carol's post should receive the highest honor available on the disboards and be made a sticky on this thread. Because she's right, when it comes time for fall codes this whole thing is going to start all over again!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Great post

Disney offers these codes to both bring people in and better their own bottom line at the same time rewarding repeat visitors. It's just one of those nice things that Disney does, and the fact that they offer codes so often in pretty busy seasons seems to hint towards the "goodwill" side rather than bottom line side of the argument. Unfortunately people begin to expect that "goodwill" and Disney can't win.

I don't think that the Priceline thing has anything to do with codes being released or not released, like you mentioned. Imagine the uproar is Disney said, "Ok, we're releasing a code but it's only good at these two hotels and only for a couple nights a week." The Priceline thing and the AP code thing are completely separate. . . Priceline seems to be allowing Disney to unload rooms for the short stays that most of their guests aren't typically interested in as well as bring in new guests who would be Pricelining 2 1/2 stars to save money rather than pay for even a coded Disney room.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I so totally agree with your post. We know we are very lucky to be staying at AKL in a deluxe savannah, it is due to a matter I would prefer not to discuss but we are thrilled and happy to be going. I have told DH that we will probably be staying moderate next time.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Whew! Makes me glad I only read the last couple of pages of that thread to see if there was anything worthwhile on there.

I have never stayed at a Disney resort (will be staying Pop in July) but am pending my 10th and 11th trips on-site at Universal. We don't call 'em codes over there, but everyone of course is always clammoring for the discounts and upgrades. The truth is that the rates just are not as low as they were even last year, and the types of discounts Universal is offering are fewer and fewer. Finally, my last Towncar driver explained it to me. The travel industry has finally rebounded post 9/11. We are not likely to see the same low hotel rates that we did in the recent past. Can't help but think that might be applicable here as well.

Now--with the gas prices the way they are, if people are putting travel on hold, who knows?

 

[PolyAddict]

I booked the Poly for Nov 17-25, 2006 with AAA. We went twice last year on AP rates. In discussing this with my sister, she asked me to book her a room with my AAA discount and then AP when they came out. I explained to her that there are no guarantees and she said well "you went twice last year on them." She says "I can't afford the Poly at AAA rates are you going to change resorts if they don't come out?" I said no way. I may cut one day off my trip but I am staying put at the Poly and will probably add AAA package with dining to save a couple of bucks. I told her to please book something she knows she can afford. AP rates are nice, don't get me wrong but have little effect on my planning. I will always research the best bang for my buck no matter what it is.

 

["thegirls"]

Am I missing something? . I believe a seperate forum was set up just so people can discuss the codes or lack there of. Other wise the codes themselves could be viewed by visiting the discount section!
No offense, but I come here to read about rumors,conjecture about codes and funny stories while people wait..... What did you think would be posted in this forum??
Debbie