Fall/Winter AP rate news!

[lllovell]

Non-refundable charges are not common on rack rates, or even lightly discounted rates. They're certainly common with 50% off web-rates but normally not with AAA, AARP and even Entertainment rates. It's already been posted that Disney will be charging you a $50 change fee.

Its been posted here. Have you seen it on an official Disney website? Have you noticed that one thing that people are saying here is that what IS posted on the website keeps changing?

I don't know about AARP rates, but I have been charged for one night hotel rooms with a AAA discount before. (also not familar with Entertainment rates, so can't answer).

 

[pandora174]

Non-refundable charges are not common on rack rates, or even lightly discounted rates. They're certainly common with 50% off web-rates but normally not with AAA, AARP and even Entertainment rates. It's already been posted that Disney will be charging you a $50 change fee.

I wouldn't even have a problem having to pre-pay for my entire stay at time of booking if that was necessary to secure a deep discount.

If this is the trip I was planning to buy/activate my AP than my decision includes comparing a possible AP discount on a room with package discounts that may include meals and tickets. Really no way to make that comparison without know the amount of the discount.

I totally agree. That's the one thing that bothers me. I'm planning a Feb trip & what if Disney releases some discounted pacakge incl. dining & tickets for that time frame but it's released 2 or 3 months before my trip & I'm stuck with a wait & see for AP rates with a non-refundable deposit ? For me, personally I wouldn't be able to handle the addt. stress. I need to overplan these trips & this would drive me crazy (I know my personality type). Hopefully Disney will work all the kinks out. Otherwise I'll hope for FL resident rates or less discounted rates & stick to a moderate. & if worse comes to worse & nothing is released for our time I'll be taking a very serious look at Universal.

 

[Lewisc]

Its been posted here. Have you seen it on an official Disney website? Have you noticed that one thing that people are saying here is that what IS posted on the website keeps changing?

I don't know about AARP rates, but I have been charged for one night hotel rooms with a AAA discount before. (also not familar with Entertainment rates, so can't answer).

I suspect Disney will be fine tuning the program based on input from TA's. The terms as first posted are crazy.

My question wasn't about being charged one night with a AAA discount but rather a hotel charging a non-refundable deposit because you booked a AAA rate. Was the charge with your AAA reservation a non-refundable deposit? Would have had to pay the same deposit with a rack rate reservation? Any hotel that I've ever booked will refund my deposit. Many hotels let you cancel on your arrival date some a few days before. I've never seen non-refundable fees at booking unless the discount was close to 50%.

The deal, as posted, is one-sided. The guest is paying a non-refundable deposit, the 120 day advance reservation requirement and the need to have already purchased the AP. Disney isn't even guaranteeing the guest will pay the AAA rate.

 

[WannabeBelle25]

I suspect Disney will be fine tuning the program based on input from TA's. The terms as first posted are crazy.

My question wasn't about being charged one night with a AAA discount but rather a hotel charging a non-refundable deposit because you booked a AAA rate. Was the charge with your AAA reservation a non-refundable deposit? Would have had to pay the same deposit with a rack rate reservation? Any hotel that I've ever booked will refund my deposit. Many hotels let you cancel on your arrival date some a few days before. I've never seen non-refundable fees at booking unless the discount was close to 50%.

The deal, as posted, is one-sided. The guest is paying a non-refundable deposit, the 120 day advance reservation requirement and the need to have already purchased the AP. Disney isn't even guaranteeing the guest will pay the AAA rate.

Yeah what he said!!!!!!! Belle

 

[PNO4TE]

I am posting in this thread since it is the first one that started all the discussion. I was just able to book my October stay online through the AP site with a definite AP discount.

My AAA rate was $362.34 per night at BWI and the rate I just paid was $310.11. So, if you find it, book it!

Hope that helps some of you too.

 

[zulaya]

I keep getting system error...I bet the server is getting overloaded.

 

[FanofG00fy]

Well, I said I would post if I found out anything.....I did! And I am one happy FanofG00fy!!!

I looked this morning, and I was still getting the $1162.00 for 7 nights at POR....well, I saw that Lollipop Mom said that the website showed discounted rates, so I checked again.......Can you say $860.68!!!!!

Didn't have to call, didn't have to change resorts, didn't have to change dates, didn't have to get up early, didn't have to go into work late due to being put on hold forever...(boss, if you are reading this...sorry about the other times )

So, wanting to make sure I wasn't dreaming, I called (I know I didn't have to, but I did anyway!) I wanted to make sure that was what I was going to have to pay.

First CM, well, our personalities clashed, didn't have a good conversation, so I was a little upset (he sounded like he didn't know what I was talking about and was very abrupt) well, long story short I called Guest Services. Talked to a wonderful CM there. We got along right away. She explained the the code at the bottom of the Passholder web page was now contected to my name. No matter what discount came out, I would get the best one. So if they lower it even more, I'll get that one instead.

I'm very happy with what I got. No phone calls, no hassels, just the discount already!

Pixie dust to everyone

Oh, quick little thing, I almost changed over to Animal Kingdom Lodge...they had a standard room for just over $1200.00 for 7 nights. It was tempting, but I'm very happy with what I got!!!! I love POR!!!!

Just letting you know!!!

Chris
(one happy FanofG00fy! )

 

[MagicKingdom05]

FanofG00fy,

That is exactly how the new online best rate program is suppose to work. Once you make the reservation, the rest of the work is taken care of by the system.

I can't wait until I can book my trip for June/July 2006.

 

[cobbler]

Well good news. I am glad to hear it is working out good

 

[aubriee]

I keep getting system error...I bet the server is getting overloaded.

That's all I've ever gotten.

 

[zulaya]

Logging in to say that I did get my AKL concierge for October 26. After taxes, it was $457 and some change. Before that, I kept getting $546. So I think the kinks are being worked out. Liked booking that online now that it worked.

 

[tigertam]

Well, I said I would post if I found out anything.....I did! And I am one happy FanofG00fy!!!

I looked this morning, and I was still getting the $1162.00 for 7 nights at POR....well, I saw that Lollipop Mom said that the website showed discounted rates, so I checked again.......Can you say $860.68!!!!!

Just curious, is this total with tax and room only? What do you figure the nightly rate is and what is it usually retail for your dates?

 

[poohj80]

Just curious, is this total with tax and room only? What do you figure the nightly rate is and what is it usually retail for your dates?

I assume that's with tax so the per night rate is about $110 + tax. Still not that good of an AP rate compared to the $89 rates we're used to getting.

 

[MAGICX2]

Well, I said I would post if I found out anything.....I did! And I am one happy FanofG00fy!!!
I looked this morning, and I was still getting the $1162.00 for 7 nights at POR....well, I saw that Lollipop Mom said that the website showed discounted rates, so I checked again.......Can you say $860.68!!!!!
Didn't have to call, didn't have to change resorts, didn't have to change dates, didn't have to get up early, didn't have to go into work late due to being put on hold forever...(boss, if you are reading this...sorry about the other times )
So, wanting to make sure I wasn't dreaming, I called (I know I didn't have to, but I did anyway!) I wanted to make sure that was what I was going to have to pay.

First CM, well, our personalities clashed, didn't have a good conversation, so I was a little upset (he sounded like he didn't know what I was talking about and was very abrupt) well, long story short I called Guest Services. Talked to a wonderful CM there. We got along right away. She explained the the code at the bottom of the Passholder web page was now contected to my name. No matter what discount came out, I would get the best one. So if they lower it even more, I'll get that one instead.

I sent a question via email to the passholders website about matching ANY discount that came out (aka:AP codes via phone). Here is what they responded with:
Dear MAGICX2,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

If you make a reservation on the passholders website, they will not adjust the
rate to match a passholders rate when it is released.

Reduced rate are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Gail Williams

WDW Online Communications

So, what FanofGOOfy's CM said may not be correct. They won't match ANY rate that comes out, only rates given to the general public. I was quoted a rate of $249.74 a night at BC 12/7-11 on the passholders site. I already had a AAA rate of $249+tax booked. I think I will take my chances with the release of AP codes and keep my AAA rate for now.

 

[lillygator]

I sent a question via email to the passholders website about matching ANY discount that came out (aka:AP codes via phone). Here is what they responded with:
Dear MAGICX2,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

If you make a reservation on the passholders website, they will not adjust the
rate to match a passholders rate when it is released.

Reduced rate are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Gail Williams

WDW Online Communications

So, what FanofGOOfy's CM said may not be correct. They won't match ANY rate that comes out, only rates given to the general public. I was quoted a rate of $249.74 a night at BC 12/7-11 on the passholders site. I already had a AAA rate of $249+tax booked. I think I will take my chances with the release of AP codes and keep my AAA rate for now.

hmmm - this is very interesting.

 

[Atotty]

bump

 

[cobbler]

Well that is weird. From the information lollipop mom has been providing an AP rate is a public rate so they would have to match it.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

So, what FanofGOOfy's CM said may not be correct. They won't match ANY rate that comes out, only rates given to the general public.

OK...I have had this clarified for me by at least 3 people at Disney. WE here on the board have always called "available to anyone" general public codes because that is how Mary has it worded on Mousesavers. It makes sense, I'm sure she picked that wording on her own because "general public" implies ANYONE, right? It was her definition, not Disney's and there was no need for her to contact Disney and say "how do you define public?" No need for that, right? DISNEY's definition of "general public" is different. To them it means rates that are disclosed to the public as opposed to rates sent to an individual directly aqnd require the use of a PIN. Does that make sense? According to everything I have been told AP and Fla Resident rates ARE included under the "general public discount" as Disney defines it. The wording of the passholder best rate program assures you the best rate, if they give other passholders a lower rate they wouldn't be honoring the terms they spelled out.

(just a note that I'm not blaming Mary for confusion! She picked perfectly appropriate wording that made sense to everyone. There was no way she could know that at any point Disney would release something and put that wording in it meaning something entirely different. )

 

[MAGICX2]

OK...I have had this clarified for me by at least 3 people at Disney. WE here on the board have always called "available to anyone" general public codes because that is how Mary has it worded on Mousesavers. It makes sense, I'm sure she picked that wording on her own because "general public" implies ANYONE, right? It was her definition, not Disney's and there was no need for her to contact Disney and say "how do you define public?" No need for that, right? DISNEY's definition of "general public" is different. To them it means rates that are disclosed to the public as opposed to rates sent to an individual directly aqnd require the use of a PIN. Does that make sense? According to everything I have been told AP and Fla Resident rates ARE included under the "general public discount" as Disney defines it. The wording of the passholder best rate program assures you the best rate, if they give other passholders a lower rate they wouldn't be honoring the terms they spelled out.

I am just going off of what I was told in the email response I got from WDW Guest Mail regarding my question "Will they automatically match any AP Code Rates that may be released?" which is this:
Dear MAGICX2,
Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

If you make a reservation on the passholders website, they will not adjust the rate to match a passholders rate when it is released.
Reduced rate are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.
Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Gail Williams
WDW Online Communications

To me this says that they WILL NOT match AP Codes that are released. Correct me if I am wrong, but that is exactly what she says.
This little asterick is found in the description of the plan:
* Does not include group rates, auction rates or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements.
Are they telling me this because technically AP Holders are a group rate/group membership?

 

[Sammie]

That is the big mystery question into what group does AP holders fall. Are they a general public code or are they a group/club membership. I mean you to have to purchase something to be an AP holder.

I know I am totally confused and I think even some at Disney are confused by this segment of it.