Disney confirming to TAs: BRP now REPLACES AP codes

[MinnieM21]

The reason I'm upset about AP rates not being released is because I was under the impression that they would be released the old way. When some of us DISers called, we were told to expect them this week or very soon.

I don't expect to get an AP rate but when I'm told that they will be released soon and Disney decides to not release them the old way, it's disappointing. Especially, when I've been getting up at 4am(I live on the west coast) every day to call and check to see if AP rates have been released.

I wasn't able to book the 120 BRP at the time because I wasn't absolutely positive on the dates of my vacation. And with the 60 day BRP, there was only one deluxe(Saratoga Springs) available for my dates.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I fear this may be true too. This AM I got the normal passholder emails (to 3 different email accounts). This is the email I generally get this time of year annoucing AP rates. But no, this was different. It was annoucing the new 60 day BR program. If you go to the websites, on the Florida one, they have a link to get FL rates up to December at a discount, but on the passholder website, we just got the new link for the 60 day BR program. I remember many threads when the BR program began and one of the biggest (other than early Oct. folks) was that Florida residents like to plan their trips on short notice. Well it seems Disney took heart to these comments and gave them the regular way to book. And I guess disney listened to the complaint of AP holder (though there were many compaints) of the 120 day before arriving, causing many folks to miss their window of opportunity, so they changed it to 60 day.

Disney has had Fl Resident Rates for years... they had even had them advertised & listed online, but you couldn't book online, you had to call them up to do it. I don't think they were really listening to us...they still have it where you can book over the phone. What they did was drop the amount of discount offered. They use to have AP & FL/R the same, now they have the BR (and they are discounted as the AP's have been) which is lower than the FL/R rate. So they didn't listen, they increased our rates...yes, I know I sound like a spoiled baby...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

On another note, the BR program will certainly eliminate the folks who book rooms that they have no intention of keeping unless they get a discount on it. How many of us have read the threads where folks book rack rate rooms to HOLD them and HOPE they can apply an AP discount to them later.....this policy just disappeared, giving Disney a more accurate account of how many rooms they have available, which really does help them know how many rooms they actually have to fill.

Unless I am reading your post wrong... that is where it makes no sence.... they book at rack then cancel, not with AP and then cancel.... So by replacing the AP with the BR & a non refundable deposit, how will that stop people from booking at Rack now for May & waiting for the window to open for the BR??? The non-refundable deposit is on the wrong one if that was what they were trying to prevent That policy hasn't disappeared??? They will still do it until the BR is available & Disney will be in the same boat as to how many rooms they actually have to fill????

 

[skiwee1]

You are very lucky indeed! But gas prices ARE effecting alot of people and it IS stopping them from traveling.

Where I work someone runs out everyday for lunches, usually they love it because it gets them out of the office, but lately they don't want to do the lunch run and use their gas!

I also know several people who have cancelled weekend travel plans for Labor Day because of gas prices.

While YOU may not be effected and don't care about gas prices, saying it isn't going to changes anyone else's lifestyle just isn't correct.

While it may affect SOME peoples travel plans I hardly think Disney is going to be effected by those few that decide not to go down there. I have noticed full resorts these past few months and many wanting a room but not being able to get it. It doesn't seem to be as big a problem as some would like to hope it is.

 

[skiwee1]

Face it it's all in the name of money.

!

Being as Disney is a business I really expect nothing less as far as making decisions about money. Being a stockholder I'm very happy they are making good decisions.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

There are all kinds of very smart people who study the occupancy trends, weather, economic forecasts, etc., etc., and then they figure out what - if any - discounts Disney needs to offer to fill the parks. They may be so thrilled with their occupancy projections that they think they don't need to make a single annual passholder happy. If there are enough people to come and fill the parks and the resorts at full price, with no discounts, they really don't care if those people take the place of the loyal AP holder.

As time goes on, high fuel costs are going to slow tourism, and then we'll see discounts coming back. (Of couse, action will then pick up on the transportaion board, as we all figure out how we're going to come up with the money to get to Florida!)

You are soooo correct on the gas money! I have heard on my local news today that our gas will be going up 15 cents by then end of the week! We haven't had a break with these gas rates... every week they have gone up an average of 5 cents...now it will be 15 cents.. and there is no end in site. Disney as well as the rest of the travel industry is going to have to see they will be effected by it Your mode of transportation, as well as the room going up..but not your salary? I don't think many will be able to do what they do know. I know I will not. I paid $17 for a 1/4 of a tank of gas today in a 2004 Impala???? When I bought the car it was less than $30 to fill it! The gas going up it going to make the airfare go up as well. If things go the way they are going, Disney will be offering step discounts next summer to alure people here, even us Floridians. Heck, we may be their last hope. And trust me, the state of Fl isn't known for paying well, giving medical benefits etc.. so when everything is taken into consideration & bills are paid, there won't be much left over for fun anymore

 

[A Mickeyfan]

was before

While it may affect SOME peoples travel plans I hardly think Disney is going to be effected by those few that decide not to go down there. I have noticed full resorts these past few months and many wanting a room but not being able to get it. It doesn't seem to be as big a problem as some would like to hope it is.

Yes, that may be true, was before they changed the way they are discounting the rooms. You say you noticed full resorts (which I know for a fact all of them weren't), many of them may have been locals since they lifted the black out restrictions on the seasonal pass due to lower than projected attendence the only time Disney will lift the black out dates on the seasonal pass is when the attendance is low. Low attendece = less guests. Many may not have been able to get a room because they didn't want to pay rack rate. I know when I called last minute for a FL resident rate, I couldn't get it, but was offered rack rate (of which I didn't take & went on Priceline to book my last minute trip). So yes, I couldn't get a room...for the money I wanted.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I am a relatively new "Disney Freak." I have been totally amazed at how Disney does business and how the customers are treated. I love Disney to death, but, more often than not, they display an arrogance that is amazing. I knew when BR came out and people started booking that the old AP rates were gone. I had really hoped that folks would not respond, but whatever. Of course, the fact that their on-line booking system does NOT work does not seem to matter. True, Disney does not "owe" anyone a room discount, but a little common courtesy goes a long ways.

 

[sherry8253]

Just my thoughts on this matter. The average APer who does spur of the moment trips is a FL resident and they still have FL Resident Discounts. Those APers who are not FL residents usually have to plan in advance because they have to arrange for airfare or time off work. They switched to 60 days advanced booking instead of 120 days to accomodate those who see great airfare and can rearragne their work and school schedules to utilize those fares.
If indeed the Best Rate Program really will replace the AP codes I'm wondering how many of you it will really effect. Many of you have said that you made a reservation and are waiting for the AP code but you could have booked it with the BRP and been guaranteed of the lowest rate. I don't like the deposit part but am willing to risk it as I know that while I might have to postpone my trip I will always be able to use it by just changing the dates. Unless the new total is lower than what I initially paid there will be no change fee so what am I really losing?
I agree that Disney could have handled this better -- I too was told that this would not be replacing the AP codes just giving APers another option -- but Disney makes these decisions all the time. Think about. Prior to 9/11 did we really get all that many discounts and were they really all that great? I don't think so. We've been spoiled and unfortunately, I think it's the spoiling is about to stop.

Maybe I am an 'unaverage' non-Fl AP holder. But when southwest or air tran is sending me an email to fly to Orlando for $100 and my DH & my Mickey tickets are looking at me and saying use us, use us, use us, I just can't say no so I book and squeeze in an extra trip or two each year. If I have to pay rack rate, I won't be making those extra trips. So, Disney is losing money from me because we always stay on property because we get a decent AP rate & we always eat all of our meals on property & we always buy cute little Mickey things to bring home. Goodbye Mickey. I booked using the best rate program for our planned Nov/Dec vacation but I will miss those last minute get aways.

 

[C.Ann]

Has anyone here been watching the news for the past 48 hours? Travel plans will not be the same for many, many, people for quite some time.. This is not a "local" tragedy and those who feel it won't impact them in some way, shape or form are simply being naive.. Disney will take the "hit" sooner or later and hopefully by then people will have already taken a stand by booking offsite and spending their lodging/eating/souvenier dollars elsewhere..

 

[Sammie]

I am a relatively new "Disney Freak." I have been totally amazed at how Disney does business and how the customers are treated. I love Disney to death, but, more often than not, they display an arrogance that is amazing. I knew when BR came out and people started booking that the old AP rates were gone. I had really hoped that folks would not respond, but whatever. Of course, the fact that their on-line booking system does NOT work does not seem to matter. True, Disney does not "owe" anyone a room discount, but a little common courtesy goes a long ways.

Is it truly arrogance on Disney's part, or an Internet fed perceived arrogance. There is a difference. Much of what you read on forums is strickly hearsay and much of the spin on how things are done, is stricky someone's opinion. For everyone that thinks Disney is mistreating them, just as many do not see it.

As to the BR many don't like, but many do. Who is right?

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have noticed full resorts these past few months and many wanting a room but not being able to get it. It doesn't seem to be as big a problem as some would like to hope it is.

Well, the past few months, have been the busy summer season, so I would expect full resorts...and I'm sure many of those vacations were booked and planned before gas prices spiraled.

In the case of the cost of gas for going to Disney, it isn't so much the extra cost of gas for that particular trip, but the extra cost that is being paid for everything else, even just driving back and forth to work.

If you normally put $30 worth of gas into your car per week and now it costs you $45 per week, that extra money has to come from somewhere....perhaps your vacation savings?

People have budgets....and not just SOME people....ALOT of people operate their day to day lives on some type of budget. If things have to be cut, I would certainly imagine that vacations and entertainment would be first above, food, shelter and eletricity.

Also the govenor of Florida is talking about imposing gas rationing...I would think that would impact travel too.

You say you don't care if gas goes to $5.00 a gallon, that will still drive to Disney, but remember everyone has a limit....what if gas goes to $8 a gallon or $10? Would you still drive? -- Maybe your limit is $5.00 a gallon, I think there are alot more people than you think who have already hit their limit or are very close to it.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I am basing Disney's arrogance on my own interactions with them. I mostly stay off-site because of their prices and policies.

 

[C.Ann]

Is it truly arrogance on Disney's part, or an Internet fed perceived arrogance.

-------------------

Let's see.. Disney responds to peoples email and phone calls with promises that have not been followed up on and conflicting information.. They have instituted an on-line reservation system that works sporadically at best.. They incorporate restrictions that obviously were not well thought out - thus the 120/60 day rule change.. And all of that is just the tip of the iceberg in regards to their refusal to be honest and upfront with their loyal customers..

I'll put my money on the arrogance being on Disney's part..

 

[crazy4wdw]

As time goes on, high fuel costs are going to slow tourism, and then we'll see discounts coming back.

We are already seeing the affects of higher gas prices on the tourism industry in South Carolina. Resort areas from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island are offering discounts for the upcoming Labor Day weekend - This is almost unheard of. If the gas price increases continue, it would eventually affect people traveling to Disney.

 

[DMRick]

I have noticed full resorts these past few months and many wanting a room but not being able to get it. It doesn't seem to be as big a problem as some would like to hope it is.

I've noticed not full resorts, but less discounted rooms. Seldom does anyone post on any of the DIS boards their disappointment at not being able to get a rack rate room. Big difference there. I have seen posts where people expressed disappointment with no more AAA or BR rooms. Unless you have tried to get a rack rate room, you wouldn't know if there have been rooms available..and so far, I'm not seeing TA's saying they couldn't get a room, if you were willing to pay rack. I'm not willing, so I'm back to off-site, and actually looking forward to it..but I have kept an eye on availablility, and seems to be no problem for rack rate.

 

[DMRick]

Being as Disney is a business I really expect nothing less as far as making decisions about money. Being a stockholder I'm very happy they are making good decisions.

Also as a stockholder, I wish I was convinced they were making good decisions.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We are already seeing the affects of higher gas prices on the tourism industry in South Carolina. Resort areas from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head Island are offering discounts for the upcoming Labor Day weekend

That IS something! My aunt lives in Hilton Head and we have never been able to get any type of room disount when going to visit her over a holiday weekend! - In fact we pretty much don't even bother trying to get one Memorial Day Weekend thru after Labor Day weekend there.

And sadly, the horrific results of Hurricane Katrina will probably only further hamper travel.

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

On another note, the BR program will certainly eliminate the folks who book rooms that they have no intention of keeping unless they get a discount on it. How many of us have read the threads where folks book rack rate rooms to HOLD them and HOPE they can apply an AP discount to them later.....this policy just disappeared, giving Disney a more accurate account of how many rooms they have available, which really does help them know how many rooms they actually have to fill.

This is my thought exactly. Like I said on another thread...we did it to ourselves. I guess I am one of the few that really like the Best Rate plan. It was so easy to use when I booked my room for November.

 

[Jockaroo]

We wait to see the AP codes and then decide on spur of the moment trips. We are wanting a trip in early October and today just went for it -- we will stay off-site for the first time in years. We booked Gaylord Palms via Priceline at a sweet rate--just a few dollars higher than Pop. Sorry Disney!