Dear Disney re: AP Rates, Or Lack Thereof

[EJ Gracie]

Dear Disney Powers that be,

No doubt you have heard, from either this board or your overworked Central Reservations (CRO) staff, that there are a considerable amount of potential customers to your resorts that you stand to lose should you cease your traditional "room only" discounts to AP holders.

Perhaps this is because of your infatuation with the packages you have offered, or you think that the AP rates are no longer feasible. Of course, I have no way of knowing your reasons for sure.

This much I do know: From observing activity on these boards regarding this subject, should you disocntinue you AP discount program, you will lose business, plain and simple. Given your company's situation in the post 9/11 world and the current economic situation, I am at a loss to guess your motivations.

Your failure to brief your CRO staff as to the status of AP rates is also very poor management, but I am not surprised. This is, after all, the same company who paraded very transparent and ridiculous reasons for temporarily discontinuing the early entry program into the parks. Thankfully, that mistake was fixed, but I fear you are making another one now.

On a personal note, this recent apparent shift in AP rate policy has added unneccessary drama to my honeymoon planning and that is something that I will not forget. I am not reasoning that you need to consult me before implementing decisions, but my situation is no doubt one of many in same or similar circumstances. This decision will influence thousands in their plans, and, judging from opinions on these boards, you will be the loser, in one way or another. There are many educated consumers who will simply not pay your rack rates for rooms, and they will move elsewhere.

Of course, I will be delighted if the points made here become moot with an issuance of AP rates for September and October.
In any event, you owe it to your loyal AP holders to conclusively comment on your intentions with regard to room only discounts.

You have made enough rope, it is up to you whether you hang yourself with it.

Sincerely,

EJ

 

[magicmouse2]

Bravo...

 

[Virgo10]

Originally posted by magicmouse2
Bravo...

Ditto!

Roberta

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Great letter!!

 

[AirForceRocks]

I have to say, I really don't understand all of the angst over the lack of AP discounts. They have NEVER been a guarantee, something that Disney has always been clear about. Why is everyone so upset about this and why are so many people under the impression that Disney "owes" them a discount simply because they CHOSE to purchase an AP?

 

[magicmouse2]

It clearly states 'Special Passholder rates may be offered seasonally at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and select Disney Vacation Club Resorts' , inside the passholder wallet on page 2. Although it says 'MAY BE OFFERED', AP room only discounts have been out as far back as I can remember. Thats why people are upset. Why shouldnt anyone not expect AP discounts when they have been around for years ???

 

[SnowWhite33]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
I have to say, I really don't understand all of the angst over the lack of AP discounts. They have NEVER been a guarantee, something that Disney has always been clear about. Why is everyone so upset about this and why are so many people under the impression that Disney "owes" them a discount simply because they CHOSE to purchase an AP?

I'm not sure that we are all so upset that there are no discounts as much as we are by the fact that Disney can't and/or won't just simply state that there will or will not be discounts. I think that much of the discussion would be dropped, at least in my case, if they just said "Sorry no discount for these dates,".

EJ-Great letter-I wrote one very similar myself.

 

[magicmouse2]

I agree, Part of me is mad that they just wont say either way....Probably cos they are scared that if they say 'none available' to close to the time, people wont have time to cancel their WDW ressie and book elsewhere...

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by magicmouse2
It clearly states 'Special Passholder rates may be offered seasonally at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels and select Disney Vacation Club Resorts' , inside the passholder wallet on page 2. Although it says 'MAY BE OFFERED', AP room only discounts have been out as far back as I can remember. Thats why people are upset. Why shouldnt anyone not expect AP discounts when they have been around for years ???

I agree with AFR. It makes me wonder what part of the word "MAY" is unclear to everyone?

 

[n2mm]

I purchase an AP because I go more than once a year. Wow what a savings. I've had an AP since 1995, when room discounts were almost unheard of. I will continue to purchase my AP as long as we continue this trend of more than once a year visits. I'm happy with the savings I get and have no issues with any other discount. I see them as icing on a cake. Whether they do or do not offer discounts on room, it will never affect my decision. I book a room I can afford and don't believe that Disney owes me anything than what they sold me. A wonderful opportunity to save money on repeat visits by using my AP to visit the parks. Airforcerocks speaks for me too. I think alot of folks need to reexamine why they purchased their AP--I know why I purchased mine.

 

[DebbieB]

I know they are not guaranteed. But cm's have indicated on the phone for some time that they were coming. But again, that's not a guarantee. Then they had the "accidental release" on July 30th, they were supposidly pulled because of system problems, which indicated they were coming.

I agree with Snow White, if they would just come out and say none will be offered I think everyone would get over it and move on. But the longer it goes with no official word, the more aggravated everyone gets.

 

[crystalb]

Agree it is very disappointing not to have AP rates even more advance than they do now.
When we booked our May 2002 stay, we were not able to get an AP rate. Luckily another good rate was available that was open to anyone.
Whether I have AP rate or not, I will just go with whatever offers the best rate for our situation.
We are booked for January. Luckily our AP's our not due to be renewed until then. By December we will know if it is to our benefit to renew or not.
And no January AP rates, which I don't anticipate happening -- but ya never know, then I will re-book with someone who offers the most bang for the buck.
Sure it wouldn't kill me to pay full price. But if someone else offers the same perks for less..... If I can get S/D at a great rate, then my WDW resorts ressies will be dumped.
I don't plan on it throwing me into a tizzy. I'll just do what best suits my needs at that time.

 

[puffkin]

I am an AP holder and anxiously awaiting rates for December. We would love to upgrade to a deluxe, but if rates don't come out, we will have to settle for a moderate. However, I understand that an AP rate is not "guaranteed". I think the real issue is the lack of communication Disney has with its own employees and its guests. Either say there will be rates, or say there won't be rates. This waiting game, especially for those travelling in September and October puts a lot of unnecessary stress on what should be a great time.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by n2mm
I purchase an AP because I go more than once a year. Wow what a savings. I've had an AP since 1995, when room discounts were almost unheard of. I will continue to purchase my AP as long as we continue this trend of more than once a year visits. I'm happy with the savings I get and have no issues with any other discount. I see them as icing on a cake. Whether they do or do not offer discounts on room, it will never affect my decision. I book a room I can afford and don't believe that Disney owes me anything than what they sold me. A wonderful opportunity to save money on repeat visits by using my AP to visit the parks. Airforcerocks speaks for me too. I think alot of folks need to reexamine why they purchased their AP--I know why I purchased mine.

Bingo! Except for when we got the Armed Forces Salute passes last year, I've always bought the FL resident seasonal pass because of the savings it gave me on park admissions. The times that I got the AP hotel rates were just "found money" as far as I was concerned.

 

[dBugged]

Originally posted by EJ Gracie
Dear Disney Powers that be,

So, did you actually send this to Disney directly via snail mail or email? The only reason I say this is that I doubt they'll see your comments in this board since it isn't run by Disney.

 

[Redmic]

I am not an AP holder, but I would be very upset if I was denied the discount after Disney granted the discount to other AP holders who were lucky enough to call during the morning when they "accidentally" released AP rates. I feel that it is unethical of Disney to give some AP holders special treatment over other AP holders. Having goofed, Disney should make the same rates, for the same dates, available to all AP holders.

If they had not released the rates for some, I would agree that Disney had no obligation to have AP rates. However, having release the rates temporarily, I feel Disney should level the playing field and give the same deal to others who have paid the same price for an AP.

 

[airhead]

....but its not why I bought them. We will be there next summer for 12 days and it was just a better option for us. If we get discounts,that would be wicked cool. I didn't make room ressies dependent on that,so it would be a bonus!!
I think when you buy pass holder tickets you have to be satisfied with the fact that you get unlimited access to 4 parks for as many times as you visit WDW in a year. Anything extra you get with these passes is just that--------extra!!!!!!


airhead

 

[Cleokitty]

Even if Disney re-releases the AP codes, there is no guarantee that the room you want will be available for the AP discount. In February we tried booking with a AAA discount (for a September stay), there were no rooms left for the AAA discount. So, even if they are released, you still may not be able to get your room at the discount that you want.

I too am waiting for codes. It is frustrating but it's not consuming me. I check the boards to see if they are out. If not, I check back later in the day.

It just seems to me that lots of folks are spending their time moaning and groaning on the boards. Lots of negative posts bashing Disney. Some fun it has been this year reading the boards while planning a Disney vacation. Too much negativity before what should be a great vacation.

Don't let the lack of codes ruin your vacation. If you are going to go, GO and have a good time. Don't spend the two or three months prior so stressed out that you need a visit to the psych ward more than a trip to Disney with your family.

If you want to send Disney a message, don't e-mail them. E-mail is not considered as "formal" a complaint as a written letter sent via USPS. Write them a formal letter. Complain to Guest Services. Disney CMs may read the boards and post, but if Disney wants your opinion, they will contact you, not read discussion boards.

For those who don't already know the address for Disney, it is:

WALT DISNEY WORLD
Attn. Guest Services
P.O. Box 10100
Lake Buena Vista FL 32830-0100

As for me, I'll continue to check for codes but I doubt that I'll read too many more posts. Even some posts that have nothing to do with AP rates have folks voicing their dismay and anger at the lack of codes. Entirely too stressful--THIS SHOULD BE FUN.

FUN. ENJOYABLE. We're going to Disney, with or without a code! And, we're still excited about it, with or without a code!

 

[FloridaCat]

Well put.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by EJ Gracie
Dear Disney Powers that be,

No doubt you have heard, from either this board or your overworked Central Reservations (CRO) staff, that there are a considerable amount of potential customers to your resorts that you stand to lose should you cease your traditional "room only" discounts to AP holders.
This much I do know: From observing activity on these boards regarding this subject, should you disocntinue you AP discount program, you will lose business, plain and simple.

EJ, I'm not sure what you're basing these statements on, but you're wrong. Right here on the Disney Resorts Board is a Poll thread - How many people will stay off property and/or vacation elsewhere? which addresses this issue. If you take a look, as of 9:40 AM EDT 8/20, only 35 people have said that they will vacation somewhere other than Disney, and 118 have said that they will continue to patronize Disney, but simply stay off-site. I can't see that Disney is going to care that they lost 35 people - and 118 hotel rooms - over then next 4 months; and these are discounted rooms at that. And EJ, this is on DIS - the home of the most militant AP discount hunters; if only 35 of them are angered enough to totally abandon Disney, then the 'general public' probably cares even less.

Now I do suggest that if you feel this strongly you should send Disney a real letter - the address is around this thread somewhere. But please don't use DIS to make assertions that the facts don't support.