Fall/Winter AP rate news!

[scoutsmom99]

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.

me either and I know they have my e-mail address.

 

[poohj80]

120 days out is 10/15. The current rates are through 10/4. These dates say 10/8 - 11/26. I wonder what that means for check ins between 10/8 and 10/15.

So this leaves us arriving October 6th out of luck.

Since that is the week of the Columbus Day holiday, maybe it means no discounts around holidays.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

It's really too bad that Disney feels they have to SQUEEZE every last dime from guests. (this is one more example). Are they losing money? Guests? I don't think this was Walt's original idea. Getting off my soapbox...

Perhaps this is in response to MYW ticketing. AP's are probably a hot item now that hopping and non expiry is not "free" anymore. Myself included decided to explore the AP value.

Something to this effect was said, "If we don't use it, it won't work." Could that be the intent. IE...Disney: "We have decided to eliminate the AP holder room discount due to lack of bookings."

Additionally, what are the odds Disney is going to reduce rates on rooms already sold. Pretty low. It was my understanding the AP room discount was a way to fill rooms that were still empty. It was win/win. Disney filled the property and AP holders got another fix.

Lastly, I am tired. Two major ticketing changes to learn in six months is over the top.

 

[LisaS]

Additionally, what are the odds Disney is going to reduce rates on rooms already sold. Pretty low. It was my understanding the AP room discount was a way to fill rooms that were still empty. It was win/win. Disney filled the property and AP holders got another fix.

Lastly, I am tired. Two major ticketing changes to learn in six months is over the top.

My thoughts exactly... the more people that plunk down their non-refundable deposit 120+ days in advance, the less incentive for Disney to offer any discount at all. It's win/win for Disney because you either pay rack rate for your entire stay or you forfeit your deposit. They risk nothing and the AP holders risk their entire deposit.

I also agree with your last statement. Given the ticketing changes, figuring out when to order DDE, fretting over whether the ME tags will arrive in time and what to do if they don't, and now trying to figure out what they are doing with AP discounts, it's all getting to be too much. I really wanted to squeeze in one more trip before DH's AP expires, specifically to go back in late Nov/early Dec to see the holiday decorations but with the announcement about this new "best rate" scheme (and the inevitable conflicting statements from Disney about the details of this scheme) I'm just not sure I can face the uncertainty of what a pre-holiday trip would cost, and I'm just not going to pay rack rate.

 

[karebear1]

Can someone please give me tha AP website? THANKS!

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Just to be clear...what they are saying is that if you book with this "passholder program" 120 days or more in advance, if they offer a general public OR AP rate that is lower than your current rate (which right now is rack) they will automatically drop the rates. So people who are booked with this program would not need to call in for the new discounts, they would get them automatically.

I am working on an email to our sales rep to ask a few questions. I have so far:

(1) what is the cancellation policy, guest services told me nonrefundable and the web site says 45 days. Which is correct?
(2) will the rate matching apply to PIN codes as well as public codes?
(3) is this the end of the "call in" AP rate program as we know it or will you still have those offers available for people who are planning less than 45 days in advance (many passholders plan last minute trips as well!)?
(4) can I suggest that you offer an option to purchase at least 1 adult AP in the same transaction as reserving the passholder program. This way people who are certain they want an annual pass can take advantage of the 120 day in advance offer without having to wait to receive their voucher in the mail. Alternatively, allow a space to enter the confirmation number from an annual pass purchase.

If anyone has any other questions, I'll be glad to include them!

Ok, just addressing the first question: As to how I get my information, I have a friend who works at CRO:

There is a one night NONREFUNDABLE deposit. That money is Disney's to keep. if you cancel, you need to do it 45 days prior to travel. They're still not going to give your money back. At least that was as of Thursday's meetings with the cast.

Another point that I haven't seen addressed yet: these will ONLY be vaild with ADULT Ap's. Children's Ap's will not entitle you to a lower rate. Ap holders will still be able to book on the phone but they will not be entitled to the "best Rate" program unless they book online.

Hope this clears SOME things up.

 

[LisaS]

Can someone please give me tha AP website? THANKS!

www.disneyworld.com/passholder

 

[aubriee]

I just don't see any advantage to booking this way right now - and I have been thinking about it all afternoon. It feels that Disney doesn't value it's APers ... and this is not coming from someone who laments the idea that Disney is a business first and foremost. However, I think APers must spend lots of money at Disney on ancillary services and alienating this group isn't a wonderful business move. So I hope no one takes the bait and uses this option. If it's wildly unpopular, I am sure Disney will try something else to reel us all back in again.

Agree 100%!!!!!! Offsite is looking better and better! or else vacationing somewhere else!

 

[magsmom]

Since that is the week of the Columbus Day holiday, maybe it means no discounts around holidays.

No, it's not due to the holiday. You can't book it, although that may be a blessing in disguise... 10/8 is 111 days away. I called Disney about this last night and there was nothing to be done about it. You have to book 120 days out.

 

[cobbler]

Spoke with CM this morning to check on a seperate reservation and expressed my concern. We all know that there is conflicting info from CM's all the time but what she did say made sense.

Disney puts out a new program to see how it works and will modify if necessary. What that means to me is that NONE of us should bite this "Best program" deal and they could tweak it or do away with it.

This is to take care of the abuse of the AP system, how many times do people book 4 and 5 rooms and don't cancel in time to give good rates to someone else? Now I know us Dis'ers wouldn't do that . Seriously though, its great if it is going to do that but it seems like they are going about it the wrong way. Its always one of those a few bad apples ruin the bunch. Or little Johnny was naughty so no one gets to play. Its like they went from one extreme to the other, is there no middle ground to keep everyone happy.

She also gave me the email to guest communications and she told me to email them and express my concerns on this new program. Something I think we all should do and hopefully they can find some middle ground. www.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I really think there just needs to be some middle ground. I wouldn't even mind having the deposit non-refundable at the 45 day mark. Usually by then I will know for sure if I am going or not.

Its like someone said, they are doing things they can to bring the guest in with the free dining but slapping thier regulars in the face. Like we are the unwanted step child.

 

[n2mm]

Ok, just addressing the first question: As to how I get my information, I have a friend who works at CRO:

There is a one night NONREFUNDABLE deposit. That money is Disney's to keep. if you cancel, you need to do it 45 days prior to travel. They're still not going to give your money back. At least that was as of Thursday's meetings with the cast.

Another point that I haven't seen addressed yet: these will ONLY be vaild with ADULT Ap's. Children's Ap's will not entitle you to a lower rate. Ap holders will still be able to book on the phone but they will not be entitled to the "best Rate" program unless they book online.

Hope this clears SOME things up.

I am interested if the nonrefundable deposit will be transferable. While I saw the reservation was not transferable to another person. I would like to find out if the deposit is transferable. Often when I make changes to my resort, they will let you transfer your deposit. So they will not be giving it back to me, but moving it.

I really appreciate all of the hard work that lollipopmom and cobbler (and others) have put into this new twist into ap discounts.

This is how I look at it. It seems to me that you are being allowed to pay upfront to be standing "in line" for the discounted rooms. Once the discounts come out, the people who "fronted" their money will be the first ones to get them. Leftover, if any, will be slim pickings. I also believe that you will still be able to call, last minute, and get a discounted room, I just think that the BIGGEST discounts will be for those who paid "to stand in line to wait." (sounds like a disney pin event.)

There are alot of bugs to work out here and some real negative issues, along with some positive ones too. I know that alot of folks plan to stay at a certain resort, but when the "price is right" folks, like myself, will decide, last minute to upgrade to a better resort--which will bring in more money to WDW, by locking into a resort, that will be a problem to do in the future.

I hope the search mode gets better than what I've seen already on their passholder site, right now it's very non-user friendly. When I put in my dates, I want to see WHAT resorts are available at what rate. This is how it works on the cast site, so I know it's possible.

In our family we always have an active AP. Both hubby and I stay 6 months apart. He buys his in the spring and I buy mine in the fall. This way, if something comes up, one of us has the option not to renew.

I also find it interesting that it says an adult pass is required, but it does not say the adult must be the person booking the room. Disney does need to make more than one room available to families too, because one size does not always fit all, especially if you're a family of more than 2 children. I guess you'll have to sign up twice for each room.

I will be watching to see how this plays out, along with the rest of you. I only hope Disney/WDW is also reading this thread, because they love feedback. I for one will be emailing the passholder website with my feedback, but will wait and see how this all works out.

 

[susy]

I am a FL resident and don't need to plan trips 120 days out. If I go up for a quick weekend trip, I should be able to call up and get the best rate for that weekend. If they don't have availabilty, I will look at offsite. Problem solved.

I don't see how the new program benefits the AP holder if when you book they are giving you the best rate at that time (uh.....isn't that RACK rate?) and then "IF" (remember the famous "IF" spoken by Lady Tremaine in "Cinderella") a better rate comes out, you will automatically get it.

Isn't that what we are doing right now (except that the rate isn't guaranteed)??????
I don't want to have to plunk down a huge (imagine for those who stay concierge) NONREUNDABLE deposit.

 

[Susiesnowflake]

It's a new day, and I realize we are no better informed. However, this offers still just seems crazy to me! Why must Disney make it so complicated to book a reservation?!? Why can't they simplify offers and recognize and appreciate their repeat visitors without such games? There's no place I'd rather go than Disney World on my vacations. Why are they turning the planning into such a nightmare for people. LisaS was right. It just shouldn't be so difficult!

 

[chipscinderelly]

Just jumping in to say that if you traditionally use the AP discount to book a Deluxe that you should really consider checking out DVC membership or renting points from a member as it will probably be cheaper in the long run!

I am an AP holder and while I am disappointed in the non refundable clause I am curious as to what the rates will be - if they go back to the 50% off as in the past I'd be very happy and willing to book at 3 - 4 months out!

 

[zulaya]

chipscinderelly--

I think all passholders would be happy IF 50% off was the result. However, the current language really does make one wonder because it says your rate can be lowered IF one becomes available. There is no guarantee that you will get anything but rack rate at this point. There's no real incentive here to rolling the dice, especially those who already have AAA.

I certainly would be fine with booking an Annual Passholder rate that I felt was acceptable 120 days in advance with the deposit. But I also know that the current language is such that it appears last minute bookings are not part of this program. I personally haven't done that much, but sure did think about it this past winter and wouldn't rule it out in the future.

 

[BrianD]

I think in the end this will not be so difficult. I think what Disney does that is not so great is that they partially roll out a program without getting all the details worked out first. And in the internet age, where Disney crazed people like us jump on any fragment of Disney information like flies on you know what, an instant "uproar" is caused. I think we should all relax on this deal and let Disney work this thing out. In the end Disney will work it out in such a way that it will be lucritive for them and appealing enough that passholders will utilize it.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I actually like the fact that you have to have an AP in hand to book. I think that you should be allowed to purchase a voucher in the same transaction as booking the room though.

I'm not thrilled with the non-refundable deposit 120 days out but might be willing to put up with non-refundable at 45 days out. Sometimes things come up at work and what looked possible at 120 days out just isn't at 46 days out.

Am going to wait and see what actually happens.

 

[TLinden16]

Just a few thoughts here:

By making people use their AP number to access the AP website to book, this eliminates people who don't have AP's getting that rate. How many of us can say that it doesn't tick us off when someone posts that they got an AP rate, but didn't have an AP? I know it ticks me off because that is taking that rate away from someone who has an AP.

Additionally, I think this will help with wait times on calls to Disney. Take a look at the code/AP rate threads. How many people call every day to see if AP rates have been released yet? I recall some people saying they called in each day in the morning and the afternoon about them some days. Now, I don't know just how many of these calls are made each day, but think of all of the time that is wasted by Disney cast members to answer and take these calls each day.

To me, this program really is just away to hold your place in line so that if and when discount rates do come out, you will be able to get them. No more worrying about watching the boards for information of the AP rates to come out. No more getting up to make that early morning call when the rates are released, and waiting on hold for 30 or 60 minutes to get those rates. If the program works as Disney describes, I will secure that rate before they are opened to people who do not enter their trip information. Once I have my information in the system, I don't have to worry.

Now, I haven't read everything on this program, but is there anything that says that you can't book AP rates within 120 days if they are available? Does it say this is the only way to get the AP rate? From what I read on the passholder site, it seems to me that this is for people who are booking their trip in advance. I know most of the trips I have made over the years are made at least six months in advance because I want to secure a good airfare. I always book a room when I book my airfare--so I usually book a room at rack rate, and apply a code later. I know lots of other folks here on the DIS do that as well.

Do I think this program is perfect? No. I don't like the non-refundable part, and I'm not sure how easy it will be to change resorts on it. But I think it has a lot of potential if I understand it correctly. I think it will be tweaked, and we won't really know just how well it works until there are discount rates for those days.

I'm with Sammie on this one. I don't buy an AP for the perks--I buy it for the admission to the park. The perks are just gravy. I don't feel entitled to discounts because I'm an AP holder--I'm still going to go to Disney either way--I just will upgrade my accomodations or spend more money on other things while I'm there if I get the discounts.

Karen

 

[frannn]

Even if we wanted to book this silly new program, we couldn't. First, they released the ability to book this time period (from what I understand) less than 120 days out from 10/8, so that renders it NOT BOOKABLE until Oct 15, or whatever day is 120 days out. Also, we are arriving 10/7. Over the phone, I could book my arrival day at regular rate, and the remainder of my stay (10/8-10/17) at the AP discounted rate, if it was available. This way, who knows (but it doesn't matter 'cause it's less than 120 days out anyway)?
I'm ok with a new system being put in place so people without an AP (voucher or activated pass) aren't able to book the discounted rooms. I would like to see these people be given the option to purchase the pass and get the discount on the same phone call, though. There are so many other solutions to what WDW marketing is trying to accomplish here, rather than alienate the AP holders. There's a lot more things I could say here, lots more speculation on why they are doing this, but I'll just give the bottom line- this is definetly putting a damper on the Disney Magic that keeps me coming back year after year. I am a bargain shopper by nature, and Disney has been the one thing that I've been able to splurge on with a smile. I know AP resort rates aren't guaranteed, and I respect that, but this is one more example of the way they try to get us to jump through hoops for a discount. These discounts, by the way, contribute to what makes us able to go back and spend our paychecks at WDW annually. I will now consider spending my vacation $$ elsewhere.

 

[poohj80]

There is a one night NONREFUNDABLE deposit. That money is Disney's to keep. if you cancel, you need to do it 45 days prior to travel. They're still not going to give your money back. At least that was as of Thursday's meetings with the cast.

What I dislike about the non-refundable part is that life sometimes gets in the way of vacation plans. I know we've had to change plans in the past due to work and family issues and the non-refundable policy would make us think twice about booking. If the policy stated that a reservation could be changed without losing the deposit I would feel better about booking. Has anyone asked about changing a reservation with a non-refunadble deposit versus cancelling a reservation?

Thanks to all those who have been shared information! I hope the policy gets more clear in the next few days.