Confusion about the AP rates?

[Alicnwondrln]

Ok I have read so many posts about the Ap rates and how everyone is going crazy. We have an AP as well but I am confused about something. When we bought our AP one of the selling points of getting us to buy them was "oh you also get discounts at WDW hotels" and these really save you $$ blah blah you get the picture.
But when reading alot of the posts it seems like people say well you should not expect them they arent guranteed. Well if they arent why does Disney use that as a selling point to get you to buy them?? I mena I know they want you to spend the $$ and youll also probably come to WDW more. But then why arent tehy rewarding those who do with the AP rate? I know the FTP was great for alot of people who go once in awhile and eveyone has thee own say in this but ..... I guess I just didnt get in a way why they sell this pass using that point and then would not expect people to get frustrated or sad that theres no discounts yet??
I guess Im ranting alittle to but .......... Thanks for listening

 

[skiwee1]

Personally I've never seen any marketing from WDW saying that resort discounts are guaranteed. I have read where they MAY be offered. To me that means they may or may not be offered. While I share disapointment of the lack of offers for AP holders, myself included, it won't stop me from going to WDW and paying rack rates. I did at least get a discount through my AAA card.

 

[maggiew]

I bought our APs (3 adult/1 child) because I knew we could get 2 Thanksgiving trips out of them. I didn't even know about the room discounts when I bought them. When I found out, the discount allowed us to stay on property at POR. But, if AP rates don't come out for Nov., I will still be ok and just book off site. I still get my admission "free" and that is what I bought them for.

I don't think that DISNEY advertises room discounts as a perk for APs. It doesn't mention it on their website (at least that I saw). It does have the "may be offered" statement in the little sleeve that comes with your tickets. But you don't get that until after you purchase them. I think the people who were "advertising" the perk were people on DIS and other sites like it.

I just feel bad for the people who might have purchased an AP for the sole reason of getting the discount.

Maggie

 

[dznyntnh]

I know I'm going to get flamed, but here goes.

The intention of an Annual Pass or a Season Pass for any amusement park is to give an admission discount to customers who may visit frequently during the year or the season.

When you compare the price of an AP to the daily admission price of one wdw park, you starting getting free admissions after 7 or 8 days (my numbers may be a little off).

For those who say Disney is not 'rewarding' the AP purchaser, I disagree, the reward is in the number of times you can visit the parks without additional ticket purchases.

When you purchase your AP, the assumption is you are going to use it enough times to make it worthwhile for you. Disney may hope you stay at their resorts, but for all they know you are a local who doesn't need a room.

During the course of the year, if hotel occupancy is down, Disney uses the offering of AP to encourage those people who already have a predisposition to visiting the parks to make another trip. If Disney can fill the rooms at a higher price or by offering packages I don't see how this is a direct 'attack' on the AP holder (as they are getting what they paid for).

No where in any Disney literature does it say that AP rates are guaranteed. If you are told by a CM that AP rates are a benefit of the AP, than it is your responsability as a consumer, to ask if they are guaranteed and if so get it in writing.

As far as Disney not saying one way or another if the rates are coming, I don't think they have any responsability to put out a notice saying there are not rates (it would be like a bank putting out a statement stuffer that they were not going to raise rates on savings accounts, why put out bad news).

I fully understand that when the rates come out for several years consistently and then they don't people are disappointed, but the attitude around these boards (and others) by a great many (not all) that AP holders are the 'most loyal' customers and the rest of us are not is really annoying me. I do not live close enough for an AP to do me any good. I visit wdw every 18-24 months and I scrimp an save so that I can enjoy my vacation. The FTP was great for me because it allowed me to upgrade to a deluxe hotel, but I would pay rack at a moderate if that's what it took to get there.

No one is more deserving of a discount that another person, we all pay what we can afford and plan accordingly.

Sorry this has turned into a rant, but after weeks of all this AP stuff, I had to vent.

Everyone has their opinions and their own rationals, these are mine.

 

[Cleokitty]

dznyntnh,

No flaming here. I agree with you 100%!

Kim

 

[DMRick]

During the course of the year, if hotel occupancy is down, Disney uses the offering of AP to encourage those people who already have a predisposition to visiting the parks to make another trip

No flaming..and I understand your reasoning. I think what makes it hard to understand Disney, is why Florida residents got codes, if the rooms were already looking to be well booked. Or why the codes came out for a short time, so just some AP holders were able to book a discounted room. I certainly understand Dis not giving a discount, if their rooms are already filled..I just don't understand the inconsistancy this time around : (

 

[disneydill]

I hate to say it, and as much as I want a better rate for December, but...we saved so much money the first time on our resort AP rate, we "paid" for the cost of 2 1/2 AP (we got them for all 4 of us). In the long run, the APs were well worth it for us this time even if we don't get a discount rate in December.
However...
Will we buy APs again? Not unless they offer resort discounts for AP holders.
Will we ever go to WDW three times in one year again, like we are this year due to the APs? I seriously doubt it.

It does seem like Disney would want to lure AP holders (especillay those of us outside of Florida) to come back and make more trips by offering better discounts in the "off season". It seemed like such a win-win situation.

I'll just call it a great year of Disney fun and ride off into the sunset.

 

[married2grumpy]

We bought our AP's because we were staying for 14 nights this past May and knew this was the best option for our family. We were able to take advantage of AP rates that visit and it saved us some money but there was a comparible room only code out at that time that was only $10 more per night.
We also knew we would get 2 visits out of these AP's because we planned on going April 2004.

We went this July strictly due to AP rates. If they weren't offered, we could not have afforded to go. We are also planning a fall trip, again strictly due to AP rates. The problem is no AP rates are released for WL for that time frame...yet. We will most likely stay at the Swan if no AP rates are released for Disney resorts.

I did think that AP rates were always offered to AP holders. That is not why we bought our passes but did think it was an AP "perk".

I am still hopeful that AP rates will be released or some other room only code.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

We bought our AP's for the simple reason that it was a better value for us. We were lucky to visit WDW 26 days this year. It was a better deal to get an AP than a park hopper for those days. I am also a DVC member so the hotel discounts are not as big of a deal for my situation. We do from time to time add on days at the resorts, like this Thanksgiving, we are staying at the CR for 3 night. Would I like to see an AP discount... YES. Do I feel Disney should guarantee me a discount... NO.

 

[ILOVEDVC]

No flaming from me either. I said the exact same thing in a different post a couple of weeks ago.

 

[deb305]

I bought one AP for just me for our January Trip with DH,DS,DD, which was only 6 days. Thanks to this site, I was able to call within a day of the AP rates being announced for our trip. I saved 40% over the rack rate. Disney lets you buy the AP after you make the reservation (In the same phone call), and they apply the AP rate on the spot. The AP more than paid for itself in discounts. Since we won't be going back till Oct '04, I wait till then to buy the AP, and only if I can combine it with a discount on the resort. I tried to talk DH into going agian before expiration, but no dice.
Bottom line I would never buy an AP on speculation that a rate will come out during the time. I am grateful that Disney doesn't start the clock running until the first day you use it in the parks/resorts.

 

[PatriciaH]

I don't know... AP rates have been around as long as there have been AP's, so I would expect people to expect them I for one bought my AP mainly for the AP hotel rates.

 

[frannn]

I will keep my ressies and take my trip regardless of AP rates or not. The AP works for me since we are going for 10 days this coming trip, and hopefully we can plan another trip to take advantage of the passes. These passes were the best value for my situation, even if I don't get to make another trip. (I had booked the FTP with the DC discount, but the possibility of another trip in less than 12 months makes this a lesser value than an AP). All this aside, I am still waiting for AP resort rates. This is a frustrating situation. All I ask is that if there will be no AP rates for Oct, they should have the CMs tell us that. This way, I don't have to take my precious time and the CM's each and every time I call. I am sure my numerous calls are frustrating to Disney and the CMs as well. Part of the reason I can take these trips is because of the AP discounts, DC, etc. So, I will continue to be a thorn in Disney's side until some sort of final decision is reached regarding the resort discounts. I will not change my ressies or stay offsite if there are no discounts offered. Although, I am booked at a value resort with the DC discount. I would probably save about 200-300 with the introduction of AP rates. I would not hesitate to spend this $ on more dining and souvies on property. Mr. Eisner, are you listening?

 

[LoriZH]

dznyntnh, you are 100% correct. Although, I can see the disappointment with the AP holders not receiving their discount (wish they would so everyone would be happy) I can't understand the anger so to speak. I don't understand why the AP holders (not all) are threatening not to purchase another AP or visit again, etc. I purchased an AP in 2000 because we were going for 11 nights, I used my DC Membership to get my discount (20%) for our resort and was thrilled. I had no idea whatsoever that they sometimes offered a resort discount with an AP until the next time I went. I bought the AP soley on the fact that it was cheaper than the UPH, didn't even have plans to use it again besides that 11 days and was satisfied with that. We decided after the fact to use it again because we had vouchers from AA and wanted to use them up and then on top of it all, I got a great rate at S/D w/AP rate (people use this resort it's wonderful!) and didn't know it existed until I saw it on these boards. These boards are awesome for gathering knowledge for your upcoming trip, but sometimes they're a curse because a lot of people get so hurt when one party is offered something they're not.

Well, I just wanted to add my two cents (because that is all it's worth! ) Hope everyone gets happy soon!