Disney confirming to TAs: BRP now REPLACES AP codes

[katallo]

We are looking off site also. I love WDW but this is getting ridiculous. Rather than wait and wait for a good room rate, I'd rather book offsite and have everything settled. Quite a few of the really nice hotels off site are providing very good pricing.

 

[freakylick]

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

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..

My sentiments exactly. As you said, that was just the tip of the iceberg...let's not forget about those in the black hole.

 

[WillCAD]

I'm mostly just steamed about them lying to me, and to so many others who complained about the BRP when it was first put into place. WDW called hundreds of people who complained and ASSURED them, as they did me, that regular AP rates would not be going away. Now, two months later, they are.

Changing their minds at the drop of a hat has become Disney's corporate philosophy, as has wringing every last cent they can possibly get out of each Guest, but lying to the customers is way over the line.

 

[WaltD4Me]

In reading these boards, sometimes it's hard to get perspective of the less knowledgable Disney guest....and in saying that, I'm wondering.......

How do you THINK the AP debacle will effect Disney?

Only a small percentage of Disney visitors are also here on the boards or boards like this....so I'm curious as to what the impact might really be?

Personally, I think the appalling way Disney is treating the AP rate situation WILL be felt by Disney, but my perspective might be skewed because of reading the boards.

WillCad -- I read a post by you on another board where you had the response you received from Disney on your answering machine posted and I am just blown away by the complete turn around after the assurances you were given. -- Why would they bother to personally call people to assure them that AP rates would not be discontinued if there was even a chance that they might be?

 

[kittymasi]

Hi all... I am really distressed about this program. A couple months ago, I called to book 13 nights at the Poly for May of 2006, "regular" season. It's our honeymoon. We were planning on getting AP rates, being told by the CM's on the phone that we could simply call next years when the rates were released to modify our reservation. Now... well, now what? I just called again and expressed my fears to a CM, who was very vague. She seemed to think that there would still be some AP holder discounts available over the phone if you called and asked. I am afraid of a couple of things happening. #1 - What if they tell me that I can't have ANY discounts unless I cancel my reservations and book again online? Then I'd have to put down a non-refundable discount for a rate that may or may not be acceptable. #2 - What if they DO give us a few AP rates next year, but don't release them until a month ahead of time (like they'e doing right now with October), and it's only like... 10%? Then we'd have to switch resorts (because heck, we just can't afford $369 per night for a GV), and if we were forced to switch at the last minute like that, there is no guarantee that another resort would have availability! ARGGHH... I am a compulsive planner, I have to know this stuff ahead of time! I don't DO last minute changes!!! What should I do???

 

[Magicaltimes]

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!

I think the key thing is to let Disney know exactly what you are doing and why....maybe they will realize they are driving away some of the most loyal customers they have!

 

[TDC Nala]

well, I'm going to keep my PAP (I need it to get into the parks and PI) and I'm not going to stay offsite (I need that bus home from PI sometimes) so I think all my last minute weekends will be spent at Pop Century. I can think of worse things.

 

[DisneyDar]

I don't think gas prices are going to stop folks from traveling. I'm paying $2.99 a gallon now for gas and it doesn't stop me from doing anything. We have been flying to WDW most of the last 2 years but plan on driving down in June soley for the fun of it. I don't care if gas is $5 a gallon by then. We'll still drive. I don't think this BRP is going to stop any of the folks that already own APs from booking. I prefer the new system as it gets me a room discounted and I don't have to calling every day to find out of codes of come out. This way is so much more convenient and I'm all for it.

Then, you are one of the lucky ones; I would imagine that most people will definitely be making changes to their driving and travel plans if gas is going to be $3 a gallon.

 

[DisneyDar]

Hi all... I am really distressed about this program. A couple months ago, I called to book 13 nights at the Poly for May of 2006, "regular" season. It's our honeymoon. We were planning on getting AP rates, being told by the CM's on the phone that we could simply call next years when the rates were released to modify our reservation. Now... well, now what? I just called again and expressed my fears to a CM, who was very vague. She seemed to think that there would still be some AP holder discounts available over the phone if you called and asked. I am afraid of a couple of things happening. #1 - What if they tell me that I can't have ANY discounts unless I cancel my reservations and book again online? Then I'd have to put down a non-refundable discount for a rate that may or may not be acceptable. #2 - What if they DO give us a few AP rates next year, but don't release them until a month ahead of time (like they'e doing right now with October), and it's only like... 10%? Then we'd have to switch resorts (because heck, we just can't afford $369 per night for a GV), and if we were forced to switch at the last minute like that, there is no guarantee that another resort would have availability! ARGGHH... I am a compulsive planner, I have to know this stuff ahead of time! I don't DO last minute changes!!! What should I do???

I would book what you an afford, and don't count on anything if it's your honeymoon. Why risk being shut out? Or, better yet, stay offsite in a 5 star resort for $75-80 a night using Priceline!

 

[DisneyDar]

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?

Yes, it truly is arrogance.

 

[shellybaxter]

well, I'm going to keep my PAP (I need it to get into the parks and PI) and I'm not going to stay offsite (I need that bus home from PI sometimes) so I think all my last minute weekends will be spent at Pop Century. I can think of worse things.

I'm with you. I bought my first ever regular annual pass last January. When it expires in January 2006 I will have used it to get into the parks for 36 days making it a heck of a deal, about $12.00 per day. I'm thrilled that Disney offered me a "frequent visitor" perk by making an AP available. On top of that I've got an AP rate on rooms twice already the "old" way. What a bonus, saved well over $2500 from rack rate. I've booked Best Rate rooms at the CBR and GF in Demember saving an additional $600.00 from rack rate. They offered me the chance to buy into DDE which has saved me more than I can figure (We enjoy good food and good wine). I wish other companies would treat me as "poorly" as some of you feel Disney has.

Shelly

 

[Sammie]

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

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..

I definitely think their website need works, but I don't see that as arrogance. As to the change from 120 to 60 you could say they listened to their guests and changed it accordingly. As to emails and phone calls I have never been promised anything they did not follow up on.

I guess their worst fault is they are not consistent in how they treat their guests. But I see that everywhere. As to not being honest with a guest when pressed for answers, I think they are more guilty of telling a guest what they think they want to hear, rather than saying, they truly do not know the answer to the question.

When they were telling everyone that AP rates were going to be offered both with the BR program and the old way I believe the person saying that was giving info for that moment. I don't think they were sure they were going to do away with the old way until very recently. Possibly even this week.

One of the reasons management is so close mouthed with info being released to front line CMs until the last possible moment, is that it gets leaked to the Net forums before they want it to. So it seems the ones you are talking to on the phone have no idea of what is going on.

I think many of the changes and restrictions that everyone is unhappy with is a result of abuses to the system. I felt it was coming all along.

 

[Biffy]

Spoke to Disney Rep yesterday Aug 29th and they told me they are STILL issuing codes in addition to the BRP however I too have a funny feeling. I am hoping they are telling the truth because I made the reservation early enough to ensure the resort (as they suggested) and they told me when it was made that when the code comes out I should just call and give it to them and they would apply to my reservation for my 3 rooms to ensure the discount. Out of curiosity I went in to BRP and tried to make a reservation for the resort I want and under BRP it is unavailable which makes me now even more dependent on the code still coming out. Like I said, as of AUG 29, 2005 the reservation gal I spoke with told me to keep checking each day for the code because they are still using both methods, as a Disney Vacationer (this is my 28th time going- I was there on OPENING Day- and one of the first families to stay in the Contemporary) I am a bit unhappy. They really should have "grandfathered" at least reservations made by a certain date.....

 

[srfrgrl07]

I'm with you. I bought my first ever regular annual pass last January. When it expires in January 2006 I will have used it to get into the parks for 36 days making it a heck of a deal, about $12.00 per day. I'm thrilled that Disney offered me a "frequent visitor" perk by making an AP available. On top of that I've got an AP rate on rooms twice already the "old" way. What a bonus, saved well over $2500 from rack rate. I've booked Best Rate rooms at the CBR and GF in Demember saving an additional $600.00 from rack rate. They offered me the chance to buy into DDE which has saved me more than I can figure (We enjoy good food and good wine). I wish other companies would treat me as "poorly" as some of you feel Disney has.

Shelly

I totally agree, and like your perspective

 

[Gary M]

Quote:
Originally Posted by shellybaxter
I'm with you. I bought my first ever regular annual pass last January. When it expires in January 2006 I will have used it to get into the parks for 36 days making it a heck of a deal, about $12.00 per day. I'm thrilled that Disney offered me a "frequent visitor" perk by making an AP available. On top of that I've got an AP rate on rooms twice already the "old" way. What a bonus, saved well over $2500 from rack rate. I've booked Best Rate rooms at the CBR and GF in Demember saving an additional $600.00 from rack rate. They offered me the chance to buy into DDE which has saved me more than I can figure (We enjoy good food and good wine). I wish other companies would treat me as "poorly" as some of you feel Disney has.

Shelly


Shelly, I'm curious, would you have gone to WDW 36 days and booked the CBR and GF in December without the AP and BR room discounts. Other words, would you have spent that much time at WDW at rack room rates in the resorts you stayed in. I know, since you had and have the room discounts it may be impossible to answer this accurately.

DW and I have had AP's for over 10 years and currently have reservations under the BR plan for early Dec. of this year and early Feb. in "06. We have gone to WDW and stayed at their resorts 33 times since Dec. of 1992. Each stay has been between 7 to 10 days. I can tell you we would not have gone to WDW that often, without discounted room rates ie: AP, Jolly Holidays, etc. and would not have had AP's without room discounts. I didn't know about room discounts until after our first 3 trips and have had very good room rates for the last 30 trips. DW and I travel to other places besides WDW each year and hope WDW stays in our travel plans.

 

[Tara8595]

I'd bet there are many like me that will continue to make trips, shifting the budget around, no matter what business decisions are made, as long as we can still see Illuminations, Wishes, Spectromagic, and Fantasmic.

I'm certainly not going to deny myself of Disneyworld fun to make a point. Make a point to who? How is this going to change anything other than the fact that I wouldn't get to go to Disney?

The only difference this could possibly have on my plans is to shift to a moderate, or stay at Pop. I love the Pop! I'd still go!

And you know what, I can still take a taxi to BWI and walk through that beautiful lobby with the Mer-horse chandelier, cut down those steps to the right, and walk onto the boardwalk smelling that familiar brown-stain boardwalk smell and eat my breakfast listening to those friendship taxi horns. And follow that with a nice morning walk to Epcot through the International gateway.... ahh... just the thought. Then I can watch Illuminations, hit the Beach Club for a late night ice cream and taxi back to Pop missing the crowded busses, and walk back to my Pop room past the giant Mickey phone that always puts a smile on my face.

Wow... I'm really gonna suffer...

 

[bubblefactory]

I'm with you. I bought my first ever regular annual pass last January. When it expires in January 2006 I will have used it to get into the parks for 36 days making it a heck of a deal, about $12.00 per day. I'm thrilled that Disney offered me a "frequent visitor" perk by making an AP available. On top of that I've got an AP rate on rooms twice already the "old" way. What a bonus, saved well over $2500 from rack rate. I've booked Best Rate rooms at the CBR and GF in Demember saving an additional $600.00 from rack rate. They offered me the chance to buy into DDE which has saved me more than I can figure (We enjoy good food and good wine). I wish other companies would treat me as "poorly" as some of you feel Disney has.

Shelly

Another vote for the best rate plan here too !

I have had 30 days admission from my AP plus 10 days AP rates the old way and 7 on the new BR system booked at 120 days. I have also ordered a DDE card for Oct trip.

I wil renew my AP in Nov when it's due no problem !!

I was checking the AP best rate site out last night and was really surprised to be offered 42.5% discount on Poly GVC for 23-29 DEC. We snapped that up right away. I LOVE THE NEW SYSTEM

 

[shellybaxter]

originally posted by Gary M
Shelly, I'm curious, would you have gone to WDW 36 days and booked the CBR and GF in December without the AP and BR room discounts. Other words, would you have spent that much time at WDW at rack room rates in the resorts you stayed in. I know, since you had and have the room discounts it may be impossible to answer this accurately.

DW and I have had AP's for over 10 years and currently have reservations under the BR plan for early Dec. of this year and early Feb. in "06. We have gone to WDW and stayed at their resorts 33 times since Dec. of 1992. Each stay has been between 7 to 10 days. I can tell you we would not have gone to WDW that often, without discounted room rates ie: AP, Jolly Holidays, etc. and would not have had AP's without room discounts. I didn't know about room discounts until after our first 3 trips and have had very good room rates for the last 30 trips. DW and I travel to other places besides WDW each year and hope WDW stays in our travel plans.

Yeah, I think we would have still gone on each of those trips. I had already booked the resorts each time before the AP rates came out. I never booked a hotel I wouldn't have stayed at without the codes. I was always willing and expecting to pay rack rate. Now sometimes I had AAA discounts at the time of booking so maybe that makes a difference. But I really didn't buy an AP for all the discounts. I bought it because I knew I'd being going on at least two trips this year and that it would be the cheapest ticketing option. We did throw in an additional trip, partly because we had APs already for admission and partly because it just worked out timing wise.

But AP rates haven't gone away, in fact I found the Best Rate program to be easier to use (I got to look for the rates rather than relying on CMs to due so) and far more convenient. I had already booked both the CBR and the GF for December. I periodically checked Best Rate until a rate was available, it was better then the AAA rate I already had, my airfare was purchased, my dates were firm, so I took the new rate. This was at about 130 days out. I'd been checking since a month or so before that. That's just the kind of traveler I am, I plan in advance and I'm willing to pay for what I want. I like a discount as much as anyone else, but I don't rely on them when planning, nor do I expect them.

Shelly

 

[rcraw45425]

This is getting to be along thread, I don't know if this has been addressed but I was wondering, what about the "poor unfortunate souls" that don't have internet access to book the Best Rate Plan? I am sometimes Too Connected, only way too much, but what about people that haven't got access to a computer/internet, how can they book BR?

 

[cobbler]

Well here in MI gas officially hit 3 bucks a gallon yesterday. That now brings my gas budget to 360 round trip if I pay $3 the entire time. That is a $150 increase in 10 months. Sorry but that is a lot in my book!!! That $150 has to come from somewhere in our vacation budget. It may mean we don't book as nice a room, or we spend less in dining or souvinears, but it will come from somewhere.

I see them staying at 3 for a while, drop down to maybe the 2.70's in the winter. Which won't help by the way because our heating here in the north will be out of control. I am scared to even see what it will be this year. Guess we will use more blankets and keep the thermostat at 68. And then I see gas prices hitting up to 3.25 by summer next year and hopefully stagnate for a while.

Honestly its out of control.

Next year I had planned on going all out for our vacation. Staying AKL Savannah view. Being that I have a whole year to save since we won't go down until Dec 06 I thought great. But it won't happen if the discounts aren't good. I know I shouldn't base my resort on discounts but this time I kind of looked at what it might be, threw a budget together and said what the heck. Now if gas continues, and discounts aren't as good, not only will I downgrade to a moderate or value but I might not go at all. Economy in MI is crap and everytime we turn the news on more jobs are lost.

But gee, we really need to be concerned about that constitution in Iraq