From Disney Travel Agent Training: NO resort Discounts for '05

[phanomouse]

My brother is a travel agent and just went through the Disney update seminar that Disney put on for the "Magic your Way" tickets and packages. I had a list of questions that I sent with him to ask them. One of which was what this new discounting would do to annual passes and another was to ask about resort discounts of any kind. They said nothing about the price of annual passes and they gave him a very firm response about resort discounts.

"The magic your way discounts are the only discounts Disney will be offering this year. We have no plans to offer any Resort discounts as we have in the past. This goes for mailer discounts, annual pass discounts, promotional discounts, AAA"

They recognized that there were already discounts out through Feb but claimed that would be the last of them. This was very disappointing news for me. Logic tells me that there will be a decline in the number of reservations they have if they don't offer discounts just like they have in the past. But they are really counting on the "magic your way" to boost their business. I am posting this to let everyone know what they are telling travel agents but I am hoping someone here has heard something that conflicts with what I have said!!!

~~ I was reading through the last few pages of this thread and realized that a lot of people aren't reading the that far. So I am updating this first message to say that since we now know disney released AP discounts, and that proves that what is said above is wrong. Also many people have reported getting AAA discounts for later in the year as well as email discounts. After talking with many people here and on other boards I feel that what was said at the training was said only to cover themselves just in case discounts weren't offered or aren't in the future. Thank goodness they aren't following it though!!!

 

[LAH]

I heard something to the same effect. :-(

 

[OhMari]

I just received a code or to use a serial number for resorts till April.
I can get a value resort for $74 from February -April 05. Maybe they are going to try e-mailing people and give the serial numbers so people don't share codes any more.

 

[cokegal19]

How do you get the emails, or post cards for the discounts? is there a mailing list to sign up with or something? I will be going in May 05, and would really like those room codes, otherwise it looks like we'll be offsite this year.

 

[foxfire]

I don't know what to think now. My sister made ressies in Nov. for an April trip & got a AAA discount. About 2 weeks ago, she got an email offer for discounts beginning Feb. 17 - April 16 with additional dates available April 17 - July 4. She didn't apply the PIN yet because she was hoping for a code to come out for an even lower room rate. I will tell her what you heard. I sure hope they will change their minds if that is their new policy. I think a lot of us were hoping & counting on new codes being released after the first of the year.

 

[shelleybell]

Great! I am a PAP holder and have already made my ressies for our 16 day trip at the end of May. Already tried for AAA, but was told nothing was available. I guess it will be crackers and water until i get the hotel paid for.

shelleybell & scar11

 

[LAH]

I contacted my travel agent and she said "no AAA discounts in the system at all". UGH

 

[Bugsmom73]

I was just talking to someone at either CRO or WDTC and they said they think disney will keep offering them, if they do great if not, for our 10 day stay, I think we will go Moderate/then Deluxe. I do hope they continue to offer, if not we maybe cutting our trip short.

 

[TEK224]

I booked my May 05 ressie for WL about a month ago. Forgot to have them put in AAA discount. Called back 2 weeks ago to make Poly ressie (also for May 05). Had the AAA discount applied to both without a problem.

But I was hoping for room only or AP discounts also. Bummer.

Terri

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

I'd like to hear from other travel agents that have taken this training. I'll check with my neighbor who is a travel agent.

What about the DU agents that frequent these boards? What have they heard?

I personally find it extremely hard to believe that a blanket statement would be made like that for the entire year!

 

[eeyore0062]

I think it is a "wait and see type thing". I wouldn't get too bummed yet!

 

[jtm1631]

I'm surprised to hear this. My travel agent just went to the same training and when she returned she did not say anything about discontinuing room discounts. In fact, I have a reservation for June that she again indicated she would watch for the discounts if they are released.

I guess only time will tell. I hope it's not true because paying full price for the Poly is really going to be difficult.

 

[Misti]

Well, if that is true, it would be a first in the last 15 years I've been booking discounted ressies. I really don't think Disney Marketing has an idea what they are going to offer but for a few months out. Sure, travel is up but not enough to keep 100% of the Disney resorts at 100% occupancy. I'd wait it out--I have a feeling we'll continue to see AP discounts and other codes throughout the year. As far as AAA, I've already booked these rates well into 2005.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

My neighbor just sent me this, taken from the Disney Travel Agents website, under the Magic Your Way Packages FAQ:

Does the new pricing structure mean you’ll no longer offer occasional special offers?
The new pricing structure addresses the cost of Walt Disney World theme park tickets and packages. Walt Disney World will continue to monitor business results and create special offers if the situation requires it.

 

[Kimberle]

All the more reason to try the Swan or the Dolpin this year! Or, the Ritz Carlton looks good too!

Don't worry, if the rooms don't book to their expectations, the discounts will return!

 

[BigOnDis]

So now I am in a bit of a quandary. I was going to go aheah and make a reservation for a trip in July, with a split stay at the YC and the AKL. Without the AP discount, I am not sure I can or want to afford that.

Should I risk it and hope AP discounts come out or wait for the code?

 

[Becky2005]

Does the new pricing structure mean you’ll no longer offer occasional special offers?
The new pricing structure addresses the cost of Walt Disney World theme park tickets and packages. Walt Disney World will continue to monitor business results and create special offers if the situation requires it.

I think that sums it up! I can't imagine if all of a sudden bookings drop off and they have empty rooms that they won't offer discounts. However, until the MYW goes into full effect they won't know if they NEED to offer discounts or not. So, I think it's going to be a wait and see type of thing.

 

[dizagain]

Hi! Well, I read this thread and immediately called WDW with a pin I had gotten recently over e-mail for $104/moderates. She asked me if I was "shopping" or "booking" and I thought she was snotty at first but soon changed my mind. I told her I was booking if the price was right and she laughed really hard. She pulled me up and gave me my choice of POFQ, POR, or Caribbean for $94!!!! And put me in for river view at FQ when I chose that one. She also said to be sure and watch because other codes could come out and she was VERY nice and helpful about the changes coming next week to tickets. I'm not sure we should be TOO WORRIED.... OH - I could have had a non-water room for $79 but I was thinking I would be paying $104 anyway. And this is for May 25-June1.

 

[Misti]

So now I am in a bit of a quandary. I was going to go aheah and make a reservation for a trip in July, with a split stay at the YC and the AKL. Without the AP discount, I am not sure I can or want to afford that.

Should I risk it and hope AP discounts come out or wait for the code?

Book whatever is in your budget at full rack rate. You won't help your chances of getting a discount by booking now at full rack rate. Discounted rooms come up in limited quantity so booking that room now at full rate won't help you get the discount applied any easier.

Good luck!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'm glad I already got a AAA discount for our trip in July - 11 nights at GF. However I'm definitely disappointed that nothing will be offered to AP holders. You would think that Disney would reward the people who come more than once a year or yearly (and spend all our money there) better than that!