Complaints...AP Codes

[disfamily2]

Thanks for the info. Would that AP be a basic or premium with water parks and DQ included ???? I wonder how much to upgrade to the premium AP ?

Jo Ann

 

[#1 TITANS FAN]

I can see both sides of the argument. As a current PAP holder (since 98), I was getting very frustrated this morning that part of the reason I ended having to be on hold for 2 hrs. was that a fairly large % of the lines were being tied up by people who weren't pass holders , active or vouchers. I can also see Disney's point of view; a lot of people who reserve rooms w/o a pass and were only going to buy the pass to get the discount, not planning a second or third trip, end up taking that extra trip (or trips) once they have that pass in hand. I also realise that the current system also helps Disney move a lot of their upper echelon rooms (deluxe concierge) that they might have trouble moving at rack rates. Disney tried to remedy the situation by giving current pass holders a heads up e-mail 'a day earlier' (from Disney's point of view, Thursday was probably the day they wanted ap rates being made available to the general non pass holding public); unfortunately (imho) this is a case where all the websites did way too good of a job of dissemenating information, everybody knew the codes by Tuesday night, some were even able to book them. I almost wish they would go back to the old Magic Kingdom Club method; you didn't get as great a discount, but you pretty much knew ahead what discount you could get and when you could get it; you had to call a special number and give your membership number to get it. If they still had excess inventory of rooms, they'd offer a code to the general public.

 

[Leota]

Disney tried to remedy the situation by giving current pass holders a heads up e-mail 'a day earlier' (from Disney's point of view, Thursday was probably the day they wanted ap rates being made available to the general non pass holding public); unfortunately (imho) this is a case where all the websites did way too good of a job of dissemenating information, everybody knew the codes by Tuesday night, some were even able to book them.

Good Point.

 

[fun & fancy free]

I truely believe that some of those people who got the AP discount will also try for the General codes. If they get the general code they will replace that with the Ap code. Same as AAA discount. The Ap is worth it for my family because we are going twice and 7 nights each trip. It just makes $ sense. The discount on the room just means more money for food and fun. I am still going to spend the same amount of money just on different things.

for those of you who were told not avail. I would call back after gen codes come out. You just never know.

 

[DebbieB]

Perhaps they should limit reservations on the first day to current AP holders. That way those who have already paid for an AP would have a 1 day advantage.

 

[CarolA]

Well, according to the CM I spoke with today, she said it is perfectly ok to buy the MYW tix DH and I had planned on buying from AAA, and then upgrading when we visit our first park. This is how I figured it out for DH and myself:

2 MYW tix with AAA (5 day base + park hopper option) = $470
1 upgrade for DH (to use AP rates)= $178.

Total =$648.

I do believe you save money (a little) if you buy your tix through AAA and then upgrade. At least how I did the math! LOL!

You may not save any money. I "Think" Disney can tell how much you paid for the ticket and you get credit for only what you paid. (If that makes sense)

 

[MagicKingdom05]

I'll be honest even though I got an AP and used it for my Feb/March trip, I booked my May reservation at AAA rate. To me the AP works for getting me into the parks and if I get a room discount because of it good, if not no big deal. It just happens that this time around, I was able to upgrade from POP with AAA rate to Contemporary at AP rate.

Either way, I'm still going back to WDW so all is good.

 

[pumpkinfish]

You may not save any money. I "Think" Disney can tell how much you paid for the ticket and you get credit for only what you paid. (If that makes sense)

This makes perfect sense...which is why I asked the CM about my upgrade. She told me I get upgraded (no matter what) from the Disney price, not AAA. It really isn't a big deal, because it is onlt a few bucks cheaper, and I have no problems purchasing the upgrade from what I paid for AAA.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Thanks for the info. Would that AP be a basic or premium with water parks and DQ included ???? I wonder how much to upgrade to the premium AP ?

Jo Ann

What I gave was for the basic. Premium is a lot more!!!

 

[ChrisNif]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I decided to call and try again....and they have fixxed ALL the previous problems of yesterday.

I have come to find out that the rates were not supposed to be released till next week however a computer glitch sent emails and things out early, and disney TRIED hard to adapt and work with people (being magic as they are )...What happened is the computers wouldnt allow them to accept the codes so it was a complete fiasco. (in the words of my ressie agent, it was worse then the day they switched ticket media)

SO,

If you HAVE a pass in hand, or HONESTLY plan on having a pass upon check in...prepare for 45 minute hold times, and dial your butts off....

- Chris

PS...i knew disney was magic....you just have to believe in fairies

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I'm glad it worked out for you Chris.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Good job ChrisNif! I am glad you feel better and have the "spirit" back!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I decided to call and try again....and they have fixxed ALL the previous problems of yesterday.

I have come to find out that the rates were not supposed to be released till next week however a computer glitch sent emails and things out early, and disney TRIED hard to adapt and work with people (being magic as they are )...What happened is the computers wouldnt allow them to accept the codes so it was a complete fiasco. (in the words of my ressie agent, it was worse then the day they switched ticket media)

SO,

If you HAVE a pass in hand, or HONESTLY plan on having a pass upon check in...prepare for 45 minute hold times, and dial your butts off....

Oh my goodness! What craziness!!

Glad it worked out for you! Have a wonderful trip!!!

Denise

 

[barbeml]

I love happy endings!

 

[Leota]

Glad to hear you are all set, Chris...


You know, I've been thinking about this (probably too much, but oh well)

If Disney intended for AP rates to be used by those not currently holding active AP's, why is it that they list the info regarding dates & codes on their Passholders Only section of the website, one which requires valid, current AP ID #? Or that they send an e-mail to valid, current AP holders? Or that the info regarding possible discounts is printed on the sleeve of the the AP which you only get once you have an activated AP?

If they intended that information to be made public, wouldn't they list it on the regular section of their website, include it in the vacation planning videos & brochures & do blanket mailings to anyone registered at their website instead of venues that are active Passholder specific?

It seems very clear to me that as Titans said, this is an example of information intended for the valid/active Passholder being disseminated to the public via the internet.

 

[G&J's Mom]

Glad to hear you are all set, Chris...


You know, I've been thinking about this (probably too much, but oh well)

If Disney intended for AP rates to be used by those not currently holding active AP's, why is it that they list the info regarding dates & codes on their Passholders Only section of the website, one which requires valid, current AP ID #? Or that they send an e-mail to valid, current AP holders? Or that the info regarding possible discounts is printed on the sleeve of the the AP which you only get once you have an activated AP?

If they intended that information to be made public, wouldn't they list it on the regular section of their website, include it in the vacation planning videos & brochures & do blanket mailings to anyone registered at their website instead of venues that are active Passholder specific?

It seems very clear to me that as Titans said, this is an example of information intended for the valid/active Passholder being disseminated to the public via the internet.

How do you feel about Vouchers???

I personally would not purchase an AP for room discounts if I was not taking multi trips, but if that the route someone else wants to go that is fine by me. DH, DD and I are all valid current AP holders and I am about to purchase one for 3 year old DS. For whatever reasons, I do not get the emails and I have seen many posts from others that don't, and I have yet to figure out how to get these elusive emails. It would not be realistic to check Disneyworld.com or call CRO every hour of every day, as I have a life. I am thankful for this site and Mousesavers, otherwise, I would be out of the loop and I am so called "legitmate AP holder"

Before I get flamed, I do understand and respect your points and know alot of others feel as you do. I just think Disney needs to make some policy changes if this problem is truly out of hand, and until they do, this is a dead horse that has been beaten to a pulp!

Denise

 

[patsal]

Wow, this made my cobweb issue seem really stupid!

 

[northern michigan]

Our family of four have been AP holders for 3 of our last 4 trips and only once did we not pay rack rate.

I get extremely frustrated when I cannot get an AP room rate for my family at a value or moderate resort when we're all holding activated APs; we don't have the luxury of a deluxe option AP rate or not. Particularly, when I know rooms are occupied by no Ap holders or those with one child AP. Just my jealousy. I guess I feel I am "more" entitled to that discount than friends or family without any AP in an adjacent room to an AP holder. I do not offer to book rooms at AP discount for friends or family.

I am also frustrated that I got the so called day early "Passholder mail" (see below) from Disney several hours after many non-AP holders already booked the rate for their rooms...

Since you're a Walt Disney World® Passholder, you can take advantage of these special Resort rates a day early! That's right, we're telling you before anyone else! That way, you can enjoy the best availability possible!

It's the perfect time of year for a Walt Disney World visit, because there's so much going on during the Happiest Celebration On Earth, starting May 5. It's the biggest celebration in Disney history commemorating 50 years of magic at Disney destinations with new Walt Disney World attractions and shows. Look for special Passholder get-togethers coming up, like an advance preview of the high-flying new Soarin'™ attraction April 15-17!

There are also lots of upcoming special events to enjoy, like the Epcot® International Flower and Garden Festival, April 15-June 5, and Star Wars™ Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios, during select weekends in May and June. When you're a Passholder, there's always something great to look forward to!

So don't let this Passholder Resort opportunity pass you by. Call (407) 560-PASS (7277) today and ask for booking code EWY before the word gets out!

Sincerely,

Kerry K. Headrick
Passholder Programs

PS. Be sure to check out disneyworld.com/passholder for offers, updates and more Passholder information.


Personally, I think Disney should require an AP # or voucher # be attached to any room reservation booked at an AP rate. Just my unpopular opinion. I'm seriously considering DU for our next trip. I think they may have more success than me.

 

[Tara]

Glad to hear you are all set, Chris...


You know, I've been thinking about this (probably too much, but oh well)

If Disney intended for AP rates to be used by those not currently holding active AP's, why is it that they list the info regarding dates & codes on their Passholders Only section of the website, one which requires valid, current AP ID #? Or that they send an e-mail to valid, current AP holders? Or that the info regarding possible discounts is printed on the sleeve of the the AP which you only get once you have an activated AP?
.

I dunno -- I think Disney has one good reason for allowing you to book without an active AP in hand...if you can book with a voucher (or intent to have AP in hand at check-in), that means your use year starts when your trip starts, not before. Therefore they have that full AP use year to lure you back again, which is where they really make money off APs -- return visits. I think if the current system wasn't profitable, they would change it.

Chris -- awesome news on the discount!

 

[lclark0621]

Disney does not see this as a problem.

Bottom line is Disney is a company & out to make money.

They know if the release these "codes", people who would not usually but APs, will buy them. And since these people have them, they will in a lot of cases plan at least one more trip before the APs expire, where if they did not have them they may not be back for a year or more.

I understand people who have current APs being frustrated that they get locked out of rates. But no one is promised or guarenteed a "code". You need to get on the phone & hold just as long as everyone else.

Some get the discount, some don't. That is the way the world works.

Disney is in this business to make money. And they will make money anyway they can. They are not in business just to give people "magic". If that was the case, they would not be looking for a profit (just to make ends meet).

I keep seeing "Walt would be so upset". You know, I really dont think so. Walt wanted to spread some magic sure. But he was wanted to make money just like everyone else. He wanted his company to grow & continue.

Very few people just want to "give". No one in the entertainment business is in it for the "joy it brings". Everyone has a bottom line, bills to pay, mouths to feed, and profits to grow.