Disney Class Action Lawsuit

[innoculation]

This may not be in the correct forum, and for that I apologize, I am simply trying to get information based on a mailing I received.

There is a class action lawsuit against Walt Disney travel company that I find odd. I am hoping that many of you have received these mailings and can clarify for me.

I have received class action mailings before, but I am very confused. Usually the lawsuit will state the settlement as a dollar amount. This states the settlement as an option of 30% Discount on WDW Resorts Hotel (Rack Rate), Same for California Resort Hotel, Discount on California Theme park Admission, or one free Disney DVD, or a one year free subscription to Disney Blast. It very well may not be, but it seems fishy.

Does this seem valid, if so, how would I find out what the rack rates of individual hotels are?

Please let me know your thoughts on this.

 

[Mortlives]

I saw this posted somewhere. Apparently it was about the travel insurance option being automatically added on the Disney website. So, if you paid for insurance during a certain period of time, this is your settlement. But it's an interesting thought that it may just be a bizarre marketing tactic. I would guess that if your contact to claim is at a legitimate Disney address it's legit. The fact that there's no cash settlement seems fair, since claimants did actually receive value for money paid, and the charge was itemized.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[innoculation]

I agree - just wondering at the validity, as well as the settlement.

I am wondering if 30% off rack rates of resort hotels is even cheaper than normal price. Can you clarify what a "Rack Rate" is?

 

[daisylove]

It varies for each "season" at WDW. www.mousesavers.com has a good handle on the rach rates. Just go to the site under which park you want WDW DL... and look up in the resorts section prices.

 

[SueEllen]

Don't forget the DIS has information on rates and such too. It is so much more than just the discussion boards:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/Rack-Rates-2005.htm

Sue Ellen

 

[Tabetha]

By the way, a "rack rate" is what the hotel room costs, if there aren't any discounts applied.

So with this settlement, you're looking at 30% off the regular price.

 

[luvdzny]

I received the same thing, just never thought to question if it is legit! I don't know how long it will be before it is settled and haven't done the research to see if it is a good deal.

 

[dannyb]

I'll weigh in on this; I am in the class. I am also an attorney who handles consumer class action suits such as this one.

Often, a defendant in a class action suit will try to push a settlement in which it offers discounts on future purchases. These are commonly known as "coupon" settlements. They are generally frowned upon by consumer advocates and by many courts, who are responsible for scruitinizing class action settlements to ensure that they are reasonable, fair, and adequate. A number of courts will not approve settlements that involve future discounts.

When I reviewed the settlement notice, I thought that this was borderline, because there is no ability for anyone. I did not, however, think that this was the strongest of cases against Disney, so it did not bother me too much. I also thought that the attorney's fees being paid were on the small side considering the size of the class and the amount of work that was probably necessary.

It is true that these discounts are off the "rack rate," and discounts are frequently available to those rates in various packages, etc. It remains to be seen how much, if any value, this settlement will have to the class members.

Another about it that bothered me is that I found the notice very confusing. In referenced enhanced benefits to people who booked a cruise through the website, but the proof of claim form does not have an area to claim those benefits.

 

[mdukas]

Hi there
I got the notice about the class action, and tossed it. But now I am thinking of planning a trip to Disneyland. Can anyone direct me to the source of the class action notice, so I can try to use the coupon? I have called Disney Travel, to no avail, and tried a Google, to no avail. Many thanks for any help.

Mark D.
mdukas@mailblocks.com

 

[Sarangel]

There's a long thread about this topic already: Click Here

Sarangel

 

[mdukas]

If you misplaced your info (claim form) if you were a member of the class, here is what I found out about the administrator of the claims. They can send you a replacement claim form, BUT it has to be postmarked back to them y FEB 19, which is coming up fast. So don't delay. They can be contacted at the address bleow.


Huber Settlement Administrator

P.O. Box 12723

Birmingham, AL 35202-2723

(800) 754-9649

 

[esulerzy]

Does anyone know when we should expect to receive our 30% off coupons from this suit? I filed the paperwork early (I was included based on my cruise) and just noted on the return paperwork that my options were based on the cruise, as noted in their literature. Hopefully, they will pick up on that since they didn't allow any space for "cruisers" to respond.