Getting frustrated where are the AP Discounts???

[susy]

My father has traveled extensively throughout his life. He is actually on vacation right now in Seatlle and often goes to Vegas, NY, Europe, Colorado, New Meixco, and too many places to name. He told me that he has never paid rack rates anywhere in his life. He said that rack rate is the highest they can charge for the room , but he's never paid it. He didn't believe me that people pay rack rate at Disney.

 

[Claire4dpins]

Last year the AP dicounts for the period up to 30th September came out on the 24th of January!!! The room code available to anyone came out on the 25th May. That is a bit different to mid to late July!

I know that I am not the most anixous as some people are waiting for the end of August - but for me the time feels to be running out - mid September feels to be approaching quickly!

Here are the Historical Trends from Mousesavers

I guess the FTP was bound to change things - I was just hoping we would not have to wait as long as this. The real reason why I am so keen to find the rates is this is the first time I have known about them!
Well, I guess maybe tomorrow!
Claire

 

[Stimpy]

Just called...still nothing! The CM said sometimes they get advanced notice a few days before the rates come but she still had nothing.

 

[mickeyfan1]

I am buying an A/P this year because I am staying 11 nights. It is less expensive to buy one A/P than all the different hoppers. And I am planning on going back at least 2 times before the expiration date. That is the only reason I am buying an A/P. If I can get a discounted room rate because of it, great. If not, there may be other rates that I can take advantage of. Or I will pay rack rate to stay on property.

I guess I am different, when I want to go, I go, regardless of discounts, packages, etc. If I get a deal, great. If not, I still get to stay at the best vacation spot in the world (IMHO).

 

[DrTomorrow]

I believe that it is quite possible that the attitude held by many in this (and all the other) threads is precisely why Disney is waiting later and later to release discounts. Disney wants to get the most $$$ for the services they provide; they certainly don't want to encourage the "I'll only stay at Disney if I get a discount" attitude. If too many customers feel that way, then the 'discount' rate becomes the new 'expected' rate.

Note that I purchased two PAP vouchers in March, simply because DW and I (empty nesters that we now are) were planning on spending more than the 8-10 days at WDW over the next year. When I bought them, I checked the Disney site, and saw no implication of reduced room rates; if anyone based their decision on past offers and/or internet boards/newsgroups, shame on them. But then came FTP, so now those vouchers are locked away for next year.

I'd also politely suggest that some folks here don't understand travel marketing. The approach, like it or not, is to charge the highest rates to the customers who will come regardless of the price (business travelers on planes, DIS fanatics [AP holders?] for WDW, etc.) and offer discounts to get those who would not otherwise come - just like the FTP. True, there are sometimes "frequent flyer/diner" benefits, but isn't that what the AP already is? What a deal - after 8-10 visits, you get in free!

I guess I just can't grasp the idea that a person expects to get a discount every time - not too many business can stay in business with a customer base like that.

 

[PamNC]

just called - still nothing. AP's only out throug 8/23. CRO told me it could be any day. Shoot!

well, now my 2 cents worth on this subject. I understand the marketing and business reasons for Disney handling the discounts the way they do. but, I don't care. I care about me (ha ha). Well, I laugh but you know it's true.

I would pay rack rate for a moderate resort. BUT, we haven't stayed at a moderate resort in probably 4 years. Since we've "gone deluxe" I can't go back to moderate...just can't. On the other hand, I'm NOT going to pay rack rate for deluxe. No way, ever in a million years. I'll go to the beach first.

Right now, I have enough money to pay rack rates. But I refuse. it's ridiculous. I guess we might be spoiled or whatever you want to call it but darn it...we frequent WDW and I don't think it's too much to ask to get a decent rate. I think they ought to have a DIS code just for us. Don't you? Think of all the $$ we spend at WDW. let's face it...we're obsessed.

I want to pay $189 for the YC or BC. And that's what I want. It's all about me.

LOL.

PamNC

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by PamNC


I want to pay $189 for the YC or BC. And that's what I want. It's all about me.

LOL.

PamNC

Thank you for keeping your sense of humor about it! But I thought it was all about ME!!!!!

 

[Mlissa88]

For whatever it's worth, I just talked to a CM on the phone and checked on the rates. She stated that she believes that the "codes" and AP rates will be out in early August.

Of course you know the answer changes depending on who you talk to....so take it for what it's worth....

She DID think that there would be codes....so that's a good sign.

 

[Pugsley]

The thing is, Disney’s rooms are WAY overpriced at rack rate. They are not doing us any great favor by giving out discounts; the discounted prices are simply fair prices (and Disney is still making a huge profit at the discounted prices). I have two reservations for October now: one at the Dolphin and one at Coronado Springs. And right now they are both the same price. Do you really think CSR is worthy of the same room rate as the Dolphin? I can assure you that if they don’t discount that CSR room I won’t be keeping that reservation. One of the problems is that people like me (I admit it) are gumming up the works by making reservations at rack rate and then canceling them if there are no discounts. That can really mess up the system since if Disney thinks they’ve sold the rooms at rack rate, maybe they won’t offer discounts. Then the reservations end up getting canceled and they have empty rooms. I’m sorry for doing that, but I don’t see where I have any choice. If I wait until the discounts come out to reserve the room, it will be too late to get the reservation.

 

[CarolA]

I have a feeling Disney has the duplicate reservations and cancellations figured into thier little program that figures out occupancy rates. It would not be that hard to do based on past experience etc...But I do wonder if they will ever stop letting you "switch the room" You know book at the high rate and then just move the same reservation over to the discount. I have NO IDEA if they would, but it would seem to me that they could start making you make whole new reservations. Although I don't know that it would make much difference since you can't move the room to a discount code if all the discount code rooms have sold out when you are there. (Does any of that make sense!)

I do find it nice that people are admitting that what AP discounts really give a lot of us is the ability to upgrade our resort. I know that in the past that is why I have stayed at Deluxe hotels. I am however fine with moderates or even the All Stars. However, when I looked at this July 4th weekend I just could not justify the AP rate at the YC/BC where I really wanted to stay so I did Priceline.

(What I really want is for Disney resorts to participate in PL).

 

[DrTomorrow]

I care about me (ha ha). Well, I laugh but you know it's true.

Honest and a sense of humor; PamNC, ever consider running for office? I'd vote for you.

And a sincere Good Luck to all who are waiting!

 

[PamNC]

Thanks Dr Tomorrow - I might run for office one day. Who knows. Right now, if I had power I'd insist on AP rates and room only codes for ALL DISers. Mandatory. And, punishable by law if not adhered to.

PamNC

 

[smfnj]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
Note that I purchased two PAP vouchers in March, simply because DW and I (empty nesters that we now are) were planning on spending more than the 8-10 days at WDW over the next year. When I bought them, I checked the Disney site, and saw no implication of reduced room rates;

I guess I just can't grasp the idea that a person expects to get a discount every time - not too many business can stay in business with a customer base like that.

I didn't see anything on the official WDW web site implying resort discounts for AP holders either. In fact, what I see is basically no information at all. If you read the sleeve your AP comes in, it does state that resort discounts "may" be offered. This is no gurantee of discounts, but, they have been available every trip I've made. Some people on this board imply that AP discounts never existed prior to several years ago, this is not true.

We've made 21 trips to WDW in the last 12 years and I've had a discount on room rates for every trip. 14 stays at Poly, 6 at BWI and 1 at DL. Even the old MK Club had 30% on deluxe resorts. Believe me, Di$ney is losing no money by offering discounts on room rates, they're just not making as much as they could.

I guess if I had money to burn I wouldn't be able to grasp people expecting a discount either. The thing I can't grasp is people willing to pay Disney's rack rates without batting an eye.

You said not too many businesses can make a profit when their loyal customers expect a discount. How many businesses do you know of who charge the rack rates Disney charges? Disney more than makes up for the discounts they offer with the money we spend all over WDW property.

So in a nutshell, I EXPECT ROOM DISCOUNTS!!! Call me a discount pig. I'm going in Nov for 9 nights (Poly LV/BWI WV), and I am not paying $385/night.If they are not offered, I'm not going. In fact, if they aren't offered I probably don't want to go, the place will be mobbed.

steve

 

[smfnj]

Originally posted by Pugsley
The thing is, Disney’s rooms are WAY overpriced at rack rate. They are not doing us any great favor by giving out discounts; the discounted prices are simply fair prices (and Disney is still making a huge profit at the discounted prices).

I agree 100%. If Michael Ei$ner ( and/or other powers that be) decide to ax the AP discounts, I'll ax my trip and pocket the $5,000 - $7,000 the trip would cost me, the ball is in their court.

steve

 

[searlproudbottom]

To All
I would like to expand a little on what smfnj said.
The Plain and simple truth is Michael Eisner and the Disney Co. Is involved in Price Gouging. Anyone out there who disagrees with me doesn’t know what the Heck they are talking about and I can prove it. First of all Disney wants to keep you in there parks and Resorts so they can charge you double the going rate if not triple on anything you purchase. Case in point, do you feel McDonalds makes a profit overall on the food that they sell? If they didn’t they would have been out of business a long time ago.
Why is it that McDonalds at the California Adventure in Ca. Has prices so high that in the real world they wouldn’t sell even one burger at their prices? The Menu doesn’t come close to any other McDonalds that I have been to. What are you supposed to do take 2 to 3 hours to take your family off property so they can eat at a reasonably price. Its Price Gouging plain and simple, and you are all fools if you think it stops with the restaurants. $ 2.50 for a bottle of treated water, $ 5.00 for a box of popcorn $ 500.00 for a room at the poly. Do you all think the land under the Poly is worth more the All Stars? How about the Mattresses? And the Staff do you think the get paid more? The Cooks? The housekeeping? I have been a stockholder in the Disney since 1966. As a Stockholder I was an automatic member in the Magic Kingdom Club at No Charge. Then After Michael The Magic Kingdom Club costs me $25.00 a year. Then it became the Disney Club yes $ 25.00 but you got a free Mag. Now that’s gone and the mag is extra. This is my last trip to the World; Old Mr. Eisner can promote his parks to the Germans and the French as far as I am concerned if someone is going to get screwed they would be first on my list.

Hawaii 2004
Britton 2005
Australia 2006

Searl Proudbottom
Once a Believer in Walts Dream

 

[DrTomorrow]

If you don't believe that what Disney offers to you is worth what they charge you, then you shouldn't go. You said that you won't go any more; I applaud you - you're sticking to your own philosophy.

However, don't assume that everyone thinks that Disney is overcharging; if they were, then WDW would be a ghost town. A lot of people believe that what they get, tangible and intangible, is worth what they pay - please don't insult them just because their perceived values are different than yours.

Oh, you're dead wrong about Price Gouging; according to the Arkansas Attorney General,

Price gouging occurs when a business charges more for goods or services than its regular selling price.

For example, after 9/11, some gas stations raised their prices dramatically to take advantage of the disaster. Disney hasn't done this; I believe that they have actually offered more discounts - and the FTP - since 9/11. Perhaps you meant Overcharging - please make sure you choose the correct term.

Thanks ever so much!

 

[searlproudbottom]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price gouging occurs when a business charges more for goods or services than its regular selling price.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Example Dr Tomorrow
First of all We Aint in Akinsaw

Second you all show me A McDonalds in the Lower 48 States That Has Prices even close to the prices McDonalds charges at DisneysCalifornia Adventure.

Third you all show me a place ( not another price gouging theme park or movie theater) that sells a bottle of treated city water for $2.50 and a box of popcorn for $5.00 not even in California.

Lets think about this
In Florida There is no Minimum wage Rule. A maid at the Poly whom makes maybe $5.00 per hour plus tips could make as much as $ 70.00 a day before taxes. With a Family of Four She Would have to work all day to have enough cash just to buy lunch (burgers, Fries, Coke a box of popcorn and a bottle of that delicious treated water. Anywhere else $ 25.00 but not in Arkinsaw.

Searl

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear DrTomorrow
I am Just Getting warmed up
Searl

 

[PamNC]

For our trip this year my husband said it was the first time he felt like Disney was trying to get every last red cent from him. Well, that's not exactly how he put it but I'm too much of a Southern lady to say what he said (something about bending over). I was shocked because he's a big a Disneyphile as I am, if not more. We really noticed the cutback in service and the prices at the nicer restaurants. We remember eating (just the 2 of us) for $60-$80. Now, it seems you can't get out for less than $100. So, back to my husband. He complained. I even complained.

and, then, guess what? Now we're talking about going again this year. We've gone every year since we were married in 1994. It all started with our honeymoon. Some years we went twice and one year three times. I've definitely noticed a huge increase on how much $$ it takes for us to go. Hmmmm...could that have anything to do with us starting out at the All Stars and then moving up to YC/BC. Well heck yes - but the tickets, resorts, and food have gone up too much.

And I am mad about the lack of room only discounts. Or AP's. I will not, by any stretch of the imagination pay rack rate for a Deluxe. And, I don't want to go back to the moderate. So you know what'll happen?

We'll go again. Like we always do. There's something strange about it, something almost sinister. You go and say you're not going the next year and darned if you don't end up there again.

PamNC

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear PamNC
I agree with everything you said. My wife, Children and I are all Disneyphiles. My Oldest is 8, We feel its time to show are children there is more to life than Disney Only because we are tired of taking it in the shorts. Give your DH a high five for me. It’s nice to know that not everyone on these boards are sheep.

Searl