Fall/Winter AP rate news!

[stingmom]

OT - Brian are you in Gville? is the we bare all Cafe Risque?

actually that is just south of G'ville in Micanopy. They also offer free showers for truckers!

 

[justhat]

We're in the same boat as people who don't renew, just buy new APs every year. Our most recent APs expired 5/20 and we are going back in December so we didn't renew, just plan to buy new APs for that trip. After having gone to WDW last June, we decided never again in the summer so we had no reason to renew our passes for a time period we know we will never be in WDW. I could be wrong, but I thought you couldn't buy APs at the Disney Store anymore, so we were just gonna get them on arrival. Now I really don't know what to do?

 

[Sammie]

I wonder how many AP holders are going to be up in arms about this.

Who wants to be the first guinea pig to see if the rates really are going to be better.

Well this AP holder will not be upset at all. We have been AP holders for many years. We never bought it expecting anything but unlimited admission to the parks. Anything else was just an added bonus. As to the rates being any better, better than what. As long as Disney discounts the rooms more than rack rate it is still the best offer.

As with many things at Disney the wheels to correct problems, abuses, etc are slow to turn, but turn they do. This is a another example.

All those people who got on these forums and stated that AP's were not ever checked when they checked in which easily encourages many to not even buy a pass, all those that booked multiple rooms and never had any plans to keep all of them while they waited on the AP rates to come out, even those that used a child's AP ( even though Disney allowed it) have in some way contributed to these changes. Because even though in the past Disney allowed these situations, they never meant for the Annual Pass room discount to evolve into this. The program has always been a perk for a (current passholder), someone that already has the pass. The Internet changed all that.

So if you want to get angry at someone over this change get angry at those that effected the change not at Disney for making a smart business move.

We will continue to buy our passes for their orginial intention, park admission. If we can get a discounted rate then that will be great.

 

[johnnyr]

Well this AP holder will not be upset at all. We have been AP holders for many years. We never bought it expecting anything but unlimited admission to the parks. Anything else was just an added bonus. .

Sammie - One question; Are you a Florida resident?

 

[Sammie]

Sammie - One question; Are you a Florida resident?

A student so I don't get Florida resident discounts if that is what you were asking. My parents live out of state also.

 

[magsmom]

We never bought it expecting anything but unlimited admission to the parks. Anything else was just an added bonus.

Sammie, well said. I have gotten some wonderful resort rates over the years, but I always remember that the MAIN PERK is unlimited admission to the parks. That is worth something in of itself.

 

[DebbieB]

As an AP Holder for 7 years, I agree that some changes needed to be made but this is a little over the top. The system did not seem to favor current AP Holders. Even though they sent out e-mails to current AP holders, giving them a "day early" notice on the rate announcement, when the rates came out, word spread like wildfire and it was a free for all on the phones. I always thought AP rates were to entice current AP holders to make an extra trip, it ended up being a enticement to buy 1 AP to get the discount, even just a child's AP was accepted. You didn't even need to have a voucher in hand, so you could weigh your options and hold an AP reservation without even buying an AP or voucher. I'm a DVC member and have only used an AP rate a few times for "extra" last minute trips or to add a cash night to a reservation. This new system doesn't seem to favor last minute trips, which I don't understand. Unless it's in addition to other possible AP rate releases. I hope if there are other rate releases, that they require at least an adult voucher in hand to hold the reservation.

 

[Rozzie]

Although I'm sure DVC loves to have more members, I think WDW is happy when anyone buys APs for admission....DVC members too.

DVC members get a $100 break on APs this year and $125 on PAPs.

I also see irony in that WDW rolled this out right after the price increase for DVC. I am sure happy now that we took the plunge this week and bought into DVC. All this "what if's" on the APs would drive me bonkers!

 

[dcgrumpy]

Well this stinks. I already have a standard room at CSR booked for 11/24-11/30. Itried to rebook it through the passholder site, but all that's available now is water view. Theoretically if I cancel my room first a standard will open up, but I'm not about to take that chance.

 

[maxsmom]

I had a slightly different interpretation of the explanation. To me this sounded like an option, not the only way. Such as you could possibly ended up w/ a better deal if you were willing to chance it. Otherwise, get the best rate that's offered at the time you book and still have the same deposit requierments and cancellation procedures. But, you will be possibly passing up a better deal. Although I think the120 days, deposit, and cancellation policy is crap. Oh well.

 

[cobbler]

Even though they sent out e-mails to current AP holders, giving them a "day early" notice on the rate announcement, when the rates came out, word spread like wildfire and it was a free for all on the phones.

I have NEVER received and email announcing dates ahead of time. I have always found out about them here first. I have never even received an email late or after the fact.

 

[DebbieB]

I have NEVER received and email announcing dates ahead of time. I have always found out about them here first. I have never even received an email late or after the fact.

Not sure why you didn't get them, I always seemed to get them the same day as word leaked out here. It was supposed to be a day early but once the word got out here, everyone started calling. They didn't have a system in place to allow only current AP holders to book that day.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

OK, I've had a few hours away from this to go to dinner and a movie with my family. That gave me some low pressure time to process all of the info today. I spoke with probably 20 different CMs today just about this. I think the biggest problem was lack of information today. This was definitely a case of the left hand having no clue what the right hand is doing. The first agent in the sales department had not even heard that they were offering something like this so I don't think there was good communication between the marketing people and the sales people. That's unfortunate b/c I bet the sales team could have had a lot of good input as to how this may have been made in to a more positively received idea. It's also unfortunate that they dropped this on a Friday afternoon when it will be difficult to get answers till Monday. When I pointed out the discrepency in the cancellation policy, it took me 4 calls to get a person who would actually LISTEN to me and LOOK at the web site to see what I was saying (thank you VERY much to the gentelman from Sales who did look and didn't tell me I wasn't understanding and that the policy for room only cancelation "has always been and will always be 5 days."). I don't think they were thrilled to see that there were in fact contradictory policies for the same offer, that the more lenient one (which appears to be the incorrect one too!) is actually on the booking page whereas you must initiate a pop-up to see the correct policy AND that the "person in charge of this" had already left for the day.

Anyway, piecing together info from the 7 or 8 CMs who actually took the time to go over all of this with me and seemed to either know what was happening or at the very least, know who to go to with questions about it, here's what my speculation is (basically what the CMs I spoke with all seem to think this will likely mean....of course we could ALL be wrong )

-I don't think this is the end of AP rates as we know them but I do think that some of these policies are going to carry over. I think we'll still see them, but that their availability will be very limited. A big part of the reason they will be limited is that it will encourage people to book with this new "program" in the future. If they are booked with the program and a discount comes out, then they are guaranteed to get it. If they play wait and see, then there is a good chance the availability will be gone. That would leave you saying "darn, I wish I'd booked this on that program!"

-I think very likely we will see some of this policy become standard for AP rates, namely needing a pass or voucher to book the rates (YES, it does say on the TA web site you can book with a voucher...I haven't tried it yet but it does say a voucher # can be entered). I would wouldn't be surprised if they limit our ability to do a 14 day hold on rates in the future as well. If that is the case, then these 2 things combined mean that you can not book a rate till you have the voucher IN HAND. By the time you order and then receive the voucher, the rate you wanted may no longer be available. I've sent an email and told any CM I spoke with that I would love to see the option to allow you to book the AP rate either with a valid passholder ID #, a voucher # or if you are willing to purchase a voucher in the same transaction as putting down the deposit. That would allow "new" passholders to book the rates and still ensure that people booking them have paid for an AP. This eliminates the problem of people abusing the AP rates when they aren't actually passholders.

-I wouldn't be surprised if they modify the online booking at disneyworld.com to allow you to book with a pass voucher. Untill they do, or if they don't end up doing it, you can book with a voucher with a travel agent. There are many reputable Disney specialist agencies around. Working with a specialist agency should eliminate that "I know more about Disney than my TA does thing." None of us charge for our services and I am not aware of a single specialist agency that imposes any restrictions like their own cancellation fees etc. This may end up being true not just for this "best rate program" but for booking AP rates with a voucher at all.

-cancellation policy: I was told last year by a CM that there was talk of making ANY discounted room only reservation have to follow package booking rules, balance due 45 days out and $100 cancelation fee for 5-44 day out cancellations, $200 for less than 5 days out. I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see that now. TA discounted rooms are like this now, they follow package guidelines from deposit to payment due to cancellation polcies even though they are room only reservations and not packages. This nonrefundable thing is what I suspect they will get the most complaints on. It's possible they will move towards a 45 day out policy which will be better but still a BIG change for lots of people. One CM I spoke with said that a while ago, like 18 months ago an idea was tossed around where they would offer some really terrific discount off of rack rate, but that the catches would be it would have to be booked really far out in advance and would have a nonrefundable deposit, it was also suggested that the deposit would be 1/2 the cost of the booking so you'd get a really great deal for booking 6 months in advance but you'd have to give them 1/2 up front and have it be nonrefundable. He said that was just tossed around as an idea and he thought it had been abandoned but was now wondering it we may see something like that. Offer great rates but stiffer conditions and more limitations on booking. Time will tell.

What I'm recommending to clients is this...if you already own a pass or know for sure you are buying one because of the ADMISSION discounts (ie you will be going to the parks enough that it makes good $ sense to have it to save on admission) and you are already booked at rack rate and know you'll be staying at this resort no matter what, then go ahead with it. If any one of those conditions doesn't fit then sit tight and wait. If you don't already own a pass...don't bite. If you are not willing to stay in your room even without a discount....don't bite. If you have AAA...don't bite.

A big concern I have for clients is that they've made a nice little loop hole. They are saying that they will match any discounts to the room. Well, what about this free dining offer or if they do some stay X # of nights and get 2 X # of day tickets free (like Universal does) then the ROOM is technically not discounted, is it? it's the additional features that are discounted. Features not available to you with a room only booking so the argument could be made that it is not comparing apples to apples.

This is on a different subject but while talking about free dining from the conversations I had today, IF it is extended (and everyone I spoke with had a different opinion on that...most saying they think the numbers will be crunched and bottom line reviewed before it is offered again) one thing they were all in agreement on is that they suspect if it were to be extended or offered again, that there will be a minimum of 3 day tickets required. No more 1 day tickets to get the package. Again, that's speculation but they all seemed to be in agreement on that.

This will be an interesting twist from this point on. It will be interesting to see what other changes will follow.

 

[DebbieB]

One thing I could never understand about a huge company like Disney. They never seem to have everything in place when they announce a new program. Before they announce something like this, they should have all their cm's trained about it and be prepared to answer questions. They should have announced it to travel agents before the general public. They should be sure there are no "loopholes" which always seem to pop up. It seems like anytime they announce something new, it's always disorganized.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Just to throw another wrench in it....the web site has changed....again!

Now when I check any rates using the passholder "click here box" for travel in mid Oct to late Nov, I get rack rates (as usual) but there is a note at the top that says

The offer returned to you does not match the Special Offer Preference You were looking for.

No info on why or how or suggesting other resorts or dates etc. This is the same no matter what date or resort combo I've tried.

Also, the terms and conditons now say:

Terms and Conditions – Resort Accommodations
Deposit Requirements

When booking 30 days or more prior to arrival, a courtesy hold can be applied to a reservation. When booking within 30 days prior to arrival, a deposit equal to one night's room rate plus tax must be applied to the reservation at time of booking. If a deposit is not received when due, the reservation will automatically cancel. Deposit requirements for arrivals after 12/31/2002 are subject to change.

Cancellation Policy

In order to receive a full refund of your deposit, notification of cancellation must be received at least 46 days prior to your arrival date. To cancel or modify an existing reservation, call (800) 647-7900. The cancellation and refund policy is subject to change.

Rate Revisions

Room rates are guaranteed as long as your reservation is not changed.

Please Note the Following

For reservation information and modifications PRIOR TO ARRIVAL, please call (800) XXX-XXXX.

Non-Transferable

Reservations are not transferable, and the guest for whom the room(s) or package(s) are reserved may not be changed.

Now, it used to say "Passholder Guaranteed Best Rate Program" at the top and state nonrefundable as I quoted earlier in the thread. It may be that they just pulled the offer completely till the bugs could be worked out, maybe they are going to make changes....who knows! The cancelation policy is definitely different from a "normal" room only ressie though. At this point, it's almost comical.

What is really comical....look again at the above cancellation policy...."Deposit requirements for arrivals after 12/31/2002 are subject to change. " I certainly hope no one is booking anything for 2003 right now.

 

[martha46]

A Passholder rate is not available for the date and resort you selected and we have returned a standard rate below. To search for the Passholder rate, please modify your date or resort.

This is the message I am getting now, too.

Just a few minutes ago, it was a Special Passhoder Program rate
Of course, the rates were the same in both instances!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

maybe that means discounted rates are coming but aren't loaded yet. Who knows at this point. LOL We can hope though!

 

[martha46]

Well, I've been booked since we returned in May and we'll be going in October/November with or without a rate.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

changed again! Now we're back to part of it saying 45 days and the pop up saying nonrefundable. Guess I slipped through some sort of time wormhole back to 2002 without realizing it and pulled up old policies or something.

This definitely made my day interesting! LOL

 

[freakylick]

First, I want to say thanks to Lollipop Mom for her persistence and thoroughness..It is greatly appreciated.

Second, I want to say that it is sad that a business as large and "successful" as this has such a hard time getting the basics to a program right before it is available to use. CM's should not have to scramble to find basic answers to a program that the public has info on, but they don't. Also, how could they initiate a program for 10/8 through 10/13 (or whatever the 121st day is) that you can't use during that time frame. You have royally screwed anyone who has booked, or are looking to book during that time frame (myself included).

We never bought it expecting anything but unlimited admission to the parks. Anything else was just an added bonus... We will continue to buy our passes for their orginial intention, park admission. If we can get a discounted rate then that will be great.

While I understand that it is unfair that people have cheated the system by doing things such as saying they have ap's and getting that rate, but never showing them. But a Disney trip is extremely expensive and many people rely on creative (but perfectly legit) ways to pay less so that they can afford their trip. I was likely going to purchase an AP to get better hotel rates. While it may just be an "added bonus" for some wealthier folks, it is a necessity for some to make this an affordable trip.

I suppose that now many, including myself, will have to seriously consider staying off-site. I can not book at the rack rate with the hopes of a lower rate. It is just not in my budget to pay rack, so I absolutely can not make that Vegas-like gamble. So I have to sit and wait and hope that a good discount still comes out (package or room-only). With this new program, new discounts could definitely be smaller and will almost certainly be more limited (in regards to the # of rooms). With the odds of me getting a good discount being minimal, I may very well end up off-site.

I definitely see this a way for Disney to determine how much of a discount to give. If sales in the "Best offer promotion" are slow, discounts will be greater. If sales are good, discounts will be smaller. So by booking now, you may be decreasing the amount of discount that you may get.

Sorry for the seemingly random array of thoughts, but I just read through this whole thread and had a ton of things on my mind...I think that I forgot a few too..LOL

Planning a magical vacation has magically turned into a pain in the ---!!!