Crappy response re: postcard/email disc.

[Lewski709]

As you may be aware, the various Walt Disney World® Resorts do periodically
offer special resort programs or rates as a courtesy to our guests. The guests
are selected randomly to receive these cards. If you receive a discount card
your current reservation can be modified to reflect the discount.

Please note that special programs are offered on a first-come, first-served
basis and are subject to availability.


If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.



Sine I am UNHAPPY with this response, I have written back. Will keep you all posted. Short of moving and working for Disney, they don't want to give out discounts to those who want to take advantage of them.....or so it seems.

 

[Kimberle]

Even though it may be a "canned" response, I have to believe that Disney keeps track of peoples requests/complaints/ideas etc.

Disney *is* in the business of making money, and I'm sure they realize that they make "more" by making their "guests" happy.

So, though on the surface, your email may have "appeared" to have not done "anything", I'm sure it did!

 

[JillyBean]

That's exactly the same response that I received...Looks like I will be paying rack rate in February since I never seem to get "randomly selected" for anything I can use!

 

[HM]

I sent a similar message to WDW last year and recieved the same response. They did suggest that I sign up for things on their website (which I had already done) in my message though.

I haven't received an email for resort discounts ever and only received a postcard shortly after AKL was opened in 2001 (I already had a reservation at the same pricing). Nothing since I signed up for information. -HM

 

[MikeVarney]

I got the following email (also obviously a form email):

- = - = -

Dear Mike,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

We appreciate your interest in finding out how to become elligible for future
promotional e-mail offers from Walt Disney World.

You can "opt in" to be considered for future promotions by updating your member
account at www.disney.com .

First, go to your account area at:

http://disney.go.com/guestservices/your_account/index.html

Click the red button to modify your account, and then log in with your member
name (your full e-mail address) and password.

Then click on the green tab for "E-newsletter options".
This will take you to the page where you may check a box in order to receive
occasional updates and special offers from the Walt Disney Company family of
businesses.

We appreciate your understanding that this does not guarantee future mailings.
Also please note that special programs are offered on a first-come, first-served
basis and are subject to availability.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

- = - = -

-- Mike Varney

 

[mariamard]

THATS THE SAME 2 EMAILS THAT I GOT....SO I CALLED AND CANCELLED MY RESSIE! GENERIC RESPONSES(SP) DONT SIT WELL WITH ME . I CALLED HOLIDAY INN FAMILY SUITES AND GOT THE ENERTAINMENT RATE OF $79 FOR A 2 BEDROOM KIDS SUITE.I WAS PRETTY UPSET AND THE CM TRIED TO TALK ME OUT OF CANCELLING. BUT, I JUST FIND THE WHOLE THING UNFAIR. PICKING PEOPLE AT RANDOM? GIMME A BREAK. I HAVE BEEN IN WDW EVERY YEAR FOR YEARS! THAT ISNT A WAY TO TREAT A FAITHFUL CUSTOMER...A GENERIC EMAIL?

 

[Lewski709]

Well.....your response seems more helpful than the one I got and I did go check my E-newsletter options and did not have them all checked, so I checked them. We'll see if that helps, but I am feeling a bit like Maria. The rate I have now is better with PC AAA rate, but my concern is the space and I don't even have the AAA card yet. If I could get one of those "postcard" rates, I don't need to buy the AAA.

I will post my response to the secondary email, when I get it. I hope it isn't labeled "crappy response #2 for postcard/email discounts".

pixie dust me baby!

 

[Tigger Fans!]

I sent a letter to Disney regarding the discount postcards. A Disney representative contacted me by phone to discuss my concerns. Apparently the marketing department decides the who/what/when/where/why of those discounts and they don't accept requests to be added to their discount list. You can sign up for everything on their website, enter their contests, etc... and still never receive one.

I finally decided to rent DVC points instead of waiting and hoping for a postcard!

TTFN!

 

[SoccerNut]

Originally posted by mariamard
THATS THE SAME 2 EMAILS THAT I GOT....SO I CALLED AND CANCELLED MY RESSIE! GENERIC RESPONSES(SP) DONT SIT WELL WITH ME . I CALLED HOLIDAY INN FAMILY SUITES AND GOT THE ENERTAINMENT RATE OF $79 FOR A 2 BEDROOM KIDS SUITE.I WAS PRETTY UPSET AND THE CM TRIED TO TALK ME OUT OF CANCELLING. BUT, I JUST FIND THE WHOLE THING UNFAIR. PICKING PEOPLE AT RANDOM? GIMME A BREAK. I HAVE BEEN IN WDW EVERY YEAR FOR YEARS! THAT ISNT A WAY TO TREAT A FAITHFUL CUSTOMER...A GENERIC EMAIL?

I think it is a bit unrealistic to think that any corporation could answer the volume of emails that get generated to Disney on a daily basis freehand. So what you're looking for is preferential treatment based on your perception of loyalty. My guess is there are many people who out visit you and would get something first and then you'd gripe about that.

 

[debster812]

It's random Marketing, and only the Disney Marketing honchos know exactly what is driving these offers. My company does similar stuff all the time. We sift our database, and if there are customers who have bought from us in the past, and not made any purchases in a certain number of months, they get a mailer with a $$ off offer, or % off offer. It appears that WDW is doing similar marketing strategy. It seems as though folks who do not have reservations, and/or have not been to WDW in a while are the ones getting these offers.

I'm booked at PO-R for January, and we were there last January, and I was also at ASMu in April. I expect to get an email or postcard next winter sometime when we cannot use it, but them's the breaks.

I also agree that being outraged by a canned email response from an initial contact to a company the size of Disney is a bit much. Can you even imagine how many emails they receive on a daily basis? I shudder to think

Just my not so humble opinion.

Debbie<----who is hoping for an AP rate or special offer, but not holding her breath

 

[HumphreyBear]

well, it isn't "random" if something makes you more or less likely to be "picked." But I'm not sure what could be more "fair" than random. Remember what 15 million people or something went there last year? If they gave a discount to everyone it wouldn't be a discount, it would be the rate. I don't know why would they offer a discount to the people who already have a room booked? I think it would be better to offer them to people who aren't already coming, try to get more people to come.

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by HumphreyBear
well, it isn't "random" if something makes you more or less likely to be "picked." But I'm not sure what could be more "fair" than random. Remember what 15 million people or something went there last year? If they gave a discount to everyone it wouldn't be a discount, it would be the rate. I don't know why would they offer a discount to the people who already have a room booked? I think it would be better to offer them to people who aren't already coming, try to get more people to come.

You know what Humphrey--you make a good point. It is not 100% random, if there are factors that decide whether you get an offer or no. My analogy was bad, but you clearly stated what I was getting at. Thanks!

 

[mariamard]

I DONT THINK THAT IT UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT MORE....I RECEIVED EMAILS AND POSTCARDS IN THE PAST.THAT IS WHY I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED. ONE OF THE CMS DID SAY THAT THIS "RANDOM" PROMO IS NEW .....AND THAT I MIGHT GET ANOTHER ONE IN THE FUTURE. I DONT EXPECT A PERSONAL CALL LETTING ME KNOW THAT WOW, THEY SUDDENLY HAVE A PIN FOR ME AND THAT THEY ARE SORRY. BUT FROM THE SOUNDS OF IT AND THE NUMBER OF THREADS ON THE BOARD, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE A LITTLE UPSET AND CONFUSED. MOST PEOPLE WHO STAY ONSITE ARE REPEAT GUESTS, AND IT IS MY OPINION THAT MARKETING AND RESEARCH WOULD RECOGNIZE THE FAITHFUL AND REWARD THEM WITH THE SAME DISCOUNTS . I DID NOT WANT TO KEEP THAT RESSIE KNOWING THAT THE GUY IN THE ROOM NEXT TO ME WAS GIVEN A DICOUNT AND PAYING 30-40% LESS THAN ME BECAUSE HE HASNT STAYED ONSITE IN A FEW YEARS OR HE WAS PICKED AT "RANDOM". I AM NOT BASHING WDW, I WILL BE STAYING ONSITE FOR 8 DAYS IN JULY AND AUGUST AND WILL FOREVER GO A LEAST 1-2 TIMES A YEAR UNTIL I DIE. IT THIS TIME THAT FOR THE REASONS ABOVE, THAT I WILL STAY OFFSITE THIS VISIT BEFORE WE GO ON THE 7 NIGHT DISNEY CRUISE.THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS.....

 

[MissMagnolia]

My DH and I have been discussing the AP rate, discount offer, postcard issue for a while as we had been waiting for SOMETHING to come out for our trip in January. We were fortunate enough to get the $79 moderate e-mail which also worked for the AKL at $109. We booked at the CBR.

So, here are our thoughts on how you get these offers (since my husband worked as a revenue manager for a large hotel chain, he has some insight). We are both "registered" at Disney to get e-mail offers, however I was the only one who ever called and checked on rates but did NOT book a room. He never called. I received the e-mail, he did not. So, it is possible/probable that they record who calls and doesn't book and then sends those individuals some "teaser" to try and get them to book. Just a thought.

My DH doesn't believe in booking at rack rates and then hoping for a lower rate to come out. All this does is show Disney that there is demand for whatever time frame you are visiting and so WHY would they offer deals? It would be better if people waited - the resorts would be much emptier and then Disney probably would offer more discounts to fill up. Also, if you already have a reservation, why would the computer generate a discount code for you. They don't need to, they already have you! I know the reservation staff always says to book at the rack rate and then change when a lower rate comes out - of course they would!

 

[mariamard]

GREAT POINTS....AND LIKE I SAID, I WILL BE BACK ONSITE IN THE SUMMER IN THE HIGH SEASON AND WILL HAPPILY PAY THAT HIGHER RATE. I WAS DISSAPOINTED THAT FOR THE FISRT WINTER IN A LONG TIME THAT MY STRATEGY DID NOT WORK. THATS ALL.WE HAVE TO BOOK FAR IN ADVANCE DUE TO MIL DISABILITY AND NEEDING TO BOOK CERTAIN BUILDINGS, ROOMS, ETC. IT JUST DIDNT WORK OUT THIS TIME, SO I CANCELLED.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We were also one of those families that NEVER seemed to get the postcards with great rates on them. Then when I ordered my yearly Disney Vacation planning video I sort of....well I.....I kind of....Ok. Ok I LIED!!! There I said it I told a GREAT BIG WHOOPING LIE!!! When I answered the questions on the pre-recorded info line I used my name instead of Hubby's (We always book under his) and I said that our last trip was 4 years ago and we didnt stay on Disney property. Well, we were there 18 months previous and we had stayed on Disney property. I don't know if it was the "Fib" or if it was pure coincidence but we have received 2 postcards since. I think maybe they try to "lure" you back onto Disney property. I am not sure of this though since our address is the same. As I said it may just be timing and not my little white lie. I am so ashamed Liar liar pants on fire.....hee hee

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by mariamard
I DONT THINK THAT IT UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT MORE....I RECEIVED EMAILS AND POSTCARDS IN THE PAST.THAT IS WHY I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED. ONE OF THE CMS DID SAY THAT THIS "RANDOM" PROMO IS NEW .....AND THAT I MIGHT GET ANOTHER ONE IN THE FUTURE. I DONT EXPECT A PERSONAL CALL LETTING ME KNOW THAT WOW, THEY SUDDENLY HAVE A PIN FOR ME AND THAT THEY ARE SORRY. BUT FROM THE SOUNDS OF IT AND THE NUMBER OF THREADS ON THE BOARD, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE A LITTLE UPSET AND CONFUSED. MOST PEOPLE WHO STAY ONSITE ARE REPEAT GUESTS, AND IT IS MY OPINION THAT MARKETING AND RESEARCH WOULD RECOGNIZE THE FAITHFUL AND REWARD THEM WITH THE SAME DISCOUNTS . I DID NOT WANT TO KEEP THAT RESSIE KNOWING THAT THE GUY IN THE ROOM NEXT TO ME WAS GIVEN A DICOUNT AND PAYING 30-40% LESS THAN ME BECAUSE HE HASNT STAYED ONSITE IN A FEW YEARS OR HE WAS PICKED AT "RANDOM". I AM NOT BASHING WDW, I WILL BE STAYING ONSITE FOR 8 DAYS IN JULY AND AUGUST AND WILL FOREVER GO A LEAST 1-2 TIMES A YEAR UNTIL I DIE. IT THIS TIME THAT FOR THE REASONS ABOVE, THAT I WILL STAY OFFSITE THIS VISIT BEFORE WE GO ON THE 7 NIGHT DISNEY CRUISE.THESE ARE JUST MY OPINIONS.....

If you had your heart on staying onsite and are only NOT staying onsite do to lack of discounts then you are only hurting yourself. No one should expect discounts or especially DEMAND discounts. WDW is less likely to even offer you a postcard or code if you are a frequent visitor anyway. I go to WDW twice a year, always staying onsite, and never get a special postcard or code rate. I belong to Disney Club, have an AP, own Disney stock, and sign up for all offers. My mom, on the other hand, goes under my reservation, so therefore they don't really see her as coming to WDW that much, and she always gets a postcard. Why one earth would WDW try to draw people to them that they already have in the first place? They more then likely go after the ones they feel do not visit enough. My husband has only been to WDW once in the last 5 years yet he gets a postcard about every two months! For someone to whine and complain about not getting a special offer is ridiculous. Do you complain about the guy sitting on the plane next to you that may have paid half the price for the same seat?

 

[mariamard]

THERE IS NO NEED TO CALL ME A WHINER OR RIDICULOUS. I WAS JUST STATING MY OPINIONS AND REASONS. AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE A COUPLE THREADS WITH PEOPLE UPSET. THESE WERE JUST MY VIEWS---I DONT DEMAND ANYTHING AND IF YOU READ MY OTHER POSTS, YOU'D SEE THAT. I SHOULDNT HAVE COUNTED ON THE DISCOUNT. MY FAULT-LESSON LEARNED.SO THIS TRIP ILL BE OFFSITE. NO BIGGIE...I WAS NOT AWARE THAT THERE WAS A MARKETING STRATAGY DUE TO THE FACT THAT FOR AS LONG AS WE HAD THIS EMAIL ADDRESS, I HAVE GOTTEN DISCOUNT OFFERS FOT THE MONTH OF JAN INTO FEB.AND HAD MY RATE ADJUSTED. SO I THOUGHT THIS YEAR WOULD BE NO DIFFERENT.MY FAULT AND NO,I DONT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GUY NEXT TO ME ON THE PLANE-THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

 

[Figaro]

I hope that everyone who wants discounts for on-site at WDW gets those discounts! I am pretty sure that the only reason that we get discounted postcards is because we almost never stay on-site. The last time we stayed on-site was almost two years ago. We even got a card last summer with discounts on campsites!

As my spouse has said, they must not know me very well in their marketing department if they think that I would ever in a million years camp(smile). We will be staying off-site at the Vistana Resorts for our trip this December and I am looking forward to having all of the extra space.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by mariamard
AND NO,I DONT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GUY NEXT TO ME ON THE PLANE-THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

Not really. It sounds like your complaint was that others were getting discounts while you were not. Discounts are nice but you were in error expecting to be entitled to one for every trip you make. I don't think your decision to stay offsite will affect WDW's bottom line in the least.