Guess What I Was Just Told?i Have The Long Awaited Disney Perk,WE GET THE AP AND PAP

[ceejay13]

We are absolutely thrilled. I don't feel we are elitists because we purchase APs. We have never been able to schedule ourselves for any of the perks like the Member cruises, etc., although we would love to some day. We always plan our trips to overlap from the year before and get two trips out of our APs. Then we don't renew and wait until we go back and purchase them again. I realize that doesn't work for everyone. It is unfortunate that we can't get some kind of blanket discount on all passes, but I am glad they are starting to listen to the group more. We purchased APs and have never gotten a discount but was happy that those that purchased UPHs did. Our APs don't expire until Sept of next year so I hope this is a permanent change.

 

[daddyscooltv]

On a different subject you would think that the AP would be the plastic credit card like pass and not the cheap paper like passes that they are!!!!

chris

 

[jdkdorn]

We just activated our first AP October 22 will we be able to get PAP's this trip, Jan 7, at a discount?

Thanks
Judy

 

[Doctor P]

That's the point, Frank. We generally cannot be there for 7 days. For example, this year if we were to go at Christmas, we are expected to work on the 23rd and be back to work on January 1. That means that the soonest we could be to WDW would be Dec. 25. We would have to leave on New Year's Eve morning to be able to be back for work and school on January 2. DSD's school is on the block schedule and they have made it quite clear that it is unacceptable for them to miss any days other than for illness, also. Family vacations or trips are specifically noted as unexcused absences. My school year starts August 13 each year and ends approximately July 1. I then have a research appointment which require me to spend 1.6 months during the summer working for the university when I am not teaching. And I am expected at work every day that the university buildings are open, even if the students are off. That means that the only time that I am not accountable to be there is the few days that we shut down at Christmas. I try to work very hard, make the best of my life for me and my family, and try not to complain too much. I think I do noble work, and do it well, but all I get out of it is a bunch of people saying that if you work for the state you are lazy, overpaid, and ignorant. Now, I have DVC and the members of this board basically saying the same thing--"if you don't like it, leave or shut up." I would have hoped for better, like at least getting cut a break ONCE. We have been shut out of the members' cruises, member homecomings, pool hopping, and now any form of useful pass discount. I'm sorry, but it's just like we don't matter.

 

[MikeSquared]

Originally posted by daddyscooltv
On a different subject you would think that the AP would be the plastic credit card like pass and not the cheap paper like passes that they are!!!!

chris

I want to see that also! If the ticket for MNSSHP is used once and is plastic, why is the AP paper? Disney should make them plastic and make the picture year specific, a collectors item. I can see them being sold on ebay in 50 years using my holagraphic projector to verify their condition before the final purchase and electron transport to my house on Mars.

 

[elfbo]

Well, I am happy with this discount if it goes through. We were debating on if it would be cost efficient. This will make it cost effective AND we get AP discounts. Its a win win situation for my family.

And im sorry if some peoples schedule doesnt allow them to take advantage of member perks, but its not our fault, so dont get mad at us.

 

[DebbieB]

Doctor P,

If you are upset about this, why don't you call your guide tomorrow and discuss it. The members of this board did not make this decision.

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

You know, we should at least wait until the Winter Vacation Magic to read ALL about it first! I am glad that the OP got the info up front and I love to speculate too but it certainly seems a shame to assume we already know it all!

Can't wait for that Vacation Magic to show up in my mailbox

Lisa

 

[elfbo]

Waits

Im waiting

 

[senecabeach]

This is super great news!!

Can anyone answer a question for me???


Is the AP good from the day of purchase, or, first day of use???

If it is use..Hmmmm...then I could buy them for year 05 & 06 when Ill be there at least 3 times. Ya Hoo

 

[Dean]

While it's likely I'll never use this options, it's nice to have something tangible. I'm glad for those it helps but do understand the sentiments of those that are shut out. It's certainly much better than what was in place before. I didn't read the entire thread but I wonder if the LOS pass is going away, I'd suspect so.

 

[msdis]

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by Doctor P
Now that the pigs have been fed, I guess they just want to make sure that no one else gets to the trough, so to speak. Glad you are all so happy that you got what you wanted.

More like the cows have been put out to pasture. There may be more grazing room there than we know about. Maybe there are other discounts that the OP was not told. I'll believe the discount when I see it from DVC. For now it's a rumor. There may be more to the story. I hope there will be multiple discounts on the different ticket media.

As far as some of the other commentary...The 2004 Election Results and a DVC pass discount are two of the more recent additions the "thankful list" I'm compiling for next Thursday.

 

[ceejay13]

APs are good from the first day they are used at the parks not the first day of purchase. You are given a voucher that you have to have activated at one of the park Guest Relations.

 

[ErinC]

Originally posted by Doctor P
That's the point, Frank. We generally cannot be there for 7 days. For example, this year if we were to go at Christmas, we are expected to work on the 23rd and be back to work on January 1. That means that the soonest we could be to WDW would be Dec. 25. We would have to leave on New Year's Eve morning to be able to be back for work and school on January 2. DSD's school is on the block schedule and they have made it quite clear that it is unacceptable for them to miss any days other than for illness, also. Family vacations or trips are specifically noted as unexcused absences. My school year starts August 13 each year and ends approximately July 1. I then have a research appointment which require me to spend 1.6 months during the summer working for the university when I am not teaching. And I am expected at work every day that the university buildings are open, even if the students are off. That means that the only time that I am not accountable to be there is the few days that we shut down at Christmas. I try to work very hard, make the best of my life for me and my family, and try not to complain too much. I think I do noble work, and do it well, but all I get out of it is a bunch of people saying that if you work for the state you are lazy, overpaid, and ignorant. Now, I have DVC and the members of this board basically saying the same thing--"if you don't like it, leave or shut up." I would have hoped for better, like at least getting cut a break ONCE. We have been shut out of the members' cruises, member homecomings, pool hopping, and now any form of useful pass discount. I'm sorry, but it's just like we don't matter.

DoctorP, I usually agree with most of your comments, but these I just can't help but disagree with. We too usually purchase Park hoppers, but I'm thrilled for the new perk whether I get to use it or not. I don't see how your difficult work schedule is DVC's fault, for the activities they have planned. We haven't been able to attend any of these either, not necessarily because of time, but because of the financial end. We were actually at BCV during Member homecoming, but didn't want to pay the extra expense for more tickets, so we didn't go. Frankly, I wasn't really bothered by it. This new perk in no way changes anything for you, so what! We get great accomodations for a good price, that is what we were promised. Also remember that just because your schedule doesn't permit it right now, things may change in the future, and you may be able to take advantage of more of the perks. I don't think that DVC doesn't think that you don't matter, they are a business, and this is a business decision. I hope you'll take my comments in the way that I mean them, I don't intend for them to be ugly, but I think that you are being unreasonable, and I don't use an AP. How you tied the AP discount to sour grapes with your political views is beyond me....


Anyway, for all we know, and we certainly don't have all the facts, it's a little early to start getting all that excited when we don't have any official words yet. Not that I am saying the OP is wrong, but DVC may only give 1 or 2 per family. Then the perk wouldn't be as great for larger families. We will just have to see.

 

[Tagrel]

This sounds like an awesome deal, and I look forward to confirmation from Disney! With the 'perk' blurb in the Clubhouse Newsletter it makes perfect sense, but I just hate getting my hopes up before I see things in stone!

We won't always get to use this perk, but I'm very happy for the great number of members that CAN use it. I think it will benefit MANY more members than the 10% UPH discount does. Certainly, the vast number of posters to this thread appreciate the new perk, and see it as Disney TRYING to please the membership in a way that is also profitable for Disney.

 

[jennybobenny]

Doctor P...I'm not sure I understand you correctly but are you saying your *only* vacation time is Christmas week? Although it must be nice to have that time to spend together as a family I'm surprised your employer isn't a little more flexible during the summer months - couldn't they at least throw you a bone in the form of a long weekend here or there? Regardless, I wouldn't waste those precious vacation days in December 'traveling'. If school ends on Dec. 23rd you could hop on a flight and be doing the disney dance within a few hours. Ditto for the return trip. With another 3 or 4 days added to your trip those APs would come in handy and you could apply the savings from the passes to the extra travel expenses.
Of course it's your perogative to travel when and however you like. But in that case DVC wouldn't be personally shutting you out of a DVC perk (AP discount), it would be your choice to travel in such a way as an AP wouldn't fit your needs. Key words: your choice.
Personally I'll be thrilled if this rumor turns out to be true. This is the first year we purchased APs for our family of 4. I've already told my children we're not going to Universal or Sea World so we can get the most for our money from those passes. If Disney does give us a discount we may *never* get to see Shamu.

 

[jmminarik]

Doctor P, you can rant all you want, but ranting at us won't get you a discount and will only annoy us pigs. er, cows, er elitists. Elitist Pigcows (is that like Apple's old Dog Cow?) Hopefully other aspects of your life choices are rewarding for you.

(Unless I missed this somewhere in everyone's ranting/yippie-ing)For those worried about thousands of E-Bay auctioned vouchers, there's an easy way to control that...no voucher. You have to go to Guest relations with DVC Card and Photo ID to purchase the AP/PAP. The question is how many do you get...easy enough to set it at a max of 4 (or 6), but that screws large families (well, sorta...they still get the max at a discount)...or maybe every person on the 'plan' needs to be there to get their AP...cuts down buying an extra for your neighbor who is visiting two weeks later.

Another possibility is based on the number of points you have. That screws the people with the least number of points...probably in most cases the people who would appreciate the discount the most. Hmm. I wonder if they'll have the 150 pt minimum since that's the minimum to buy into a resort.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Since I won't have an immediate benefit from this perk, it would be funny if this was just a rumor.

-Joe

 

[Doctor P]

I see the points that people are making, and, please don't misunderstand, I DO think that this is an improvement over the pass options that were previously offered. I do hope, however, that they really put reins on this to prevent abuse. For example, I think it would be only fair if the passes had to be purchased through MS and only a limited number per family. I'm not sure what limit would be fair, but I don't think it is fair for a member to be able to get annual passes for guests with this discount (and this then opens the issue of getting them for renters, then, too). It will be interesting to get all the details, frankly.

As far as the political end, sorry if I offend people, but I am darn sick of being told "my way or the highway," and this unfortunately has been driven and supported by the current administration. It was brought to the head for me in the last twenty-four hours by the appointment of Condi Rice as Sec. of State since she has been the major proponent of this attitude toward foreign policy in the Bush administration. I don't think "my way or the highway" is very productive, nor does it lend to good human relations. I cringe every time a board discussion turns to "if you don't like, you can leave" or "life isn't fair, deal with it." Change comes from people standing up for themselves and what they believe in. Ironically, that is part of the reason why this perk might become a reality in the first place.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

I can't wait for the official announcement! Wow, this would be wonderful...a WISH COME TRUE!

To those that are responsible for this decision, a BIG THANK YOU!
Keep up the good work.

I hope that a DVC member discount will be available for other park passes as well.