Had an interesting response from CRO

[DMRick]

You people who are now cancelling your rooms are the reason there are no codes available for those of us who patiently wait and don`t waste Disneys reservation department personel`s time.

Hold on here...I called, as it says to on my AP cover to see if AP's were available when I plan to go. The gal said not yet, but she suggested I go ahead and make my ressie, so I would assure myself of a room for when they do come out. SHE suggested I put a curtesy hold on the room. I never even heard of doing that. There are sooo many empty Disney rooms right now, that I can assure you, the few who have ressies now, are not holding back the AP codes. Besides, they did come out a couple of weeks ago, and disappeared..we've been being told, it was a problem with their new system..not that the rooms are all filled. I could have had my choice of Disney resorts to stay in September..everything is apparently wide open still.

 

[spar]

ok, if that is what you say ok, but there are alot of people who I have read , that prebook ahead of time and then have to cancel because they can`t afford what they booked or just want to save money. Then I ask , why do they do it?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Spar,

We booked the YC with full intentions of staying there. We paid the one night deposit, and were told we had up until 5 days prior to cancel. When we found out about the great deal at the Swan we booked it and then cancelled our YC reservation a good week before the deadline. So tell me, what did we do wrong? Should Disney do away with the 5 day cancellation policy? Should we be locked into a reservation with no way of changing our minds??

 

[Tiffany]

We also had a room booked at the YC with a Comeback Rate since Feb of this year. We were planning on staying there even if the AP rate did not end up being lower. We were paying $207 a night plus tax with the Comeback Rate which is about 40% off of rack rate. I have gotten AP rates in the past for $169 and $179 a night plus tax and over a 10 night stay that all adds up.

But then the S/D advertised $99 a night plus tax and fee that is just to good to pass up.

I called and canceled the other day the man taking my call asked why and I told him about the $99 rate and how it was two good to pass up. He agreed.

I am wondering to the person who posted that CRO came back with a counter offer rate just what was their counter offer if you do not mind me asking?

 

[franw]

Mind if I ask what kind of rates you are being quoted at the S/W and YC? I need to make some ressies for my parents for 11/10-16 and would like them to stay along the BW area but since we are treating, I wouldn't mind getting a good deal. I have a ton of points for Starwood. Is it difficult to use them on such late notice?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

The counter offer was $179.... which is as good as it gets for the YC... but we decided to stick with our cheap rate at the Swan. Hopefully we made the right decision.... and if not, then at least we gave the Swan a try.

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by TigrLvsPooh
Spar,

We booked the YC with full intentions of staying there. We paid the one night deposit, . . . . When we found out about the great deal at the Swan we booked it and then cancelled our YC reservation a good week before the deadline. So tell me, what did we do wrong?

Spar was talking about a different situation - namely, those who book a rate that they can't afford or aren't willing to pay in hopes of getting a discount later. It sounds like you were willing to stay at the rate you had booked.

In the former case, the reservation will definitely be either modified or cancelled, while at the same time giving the yield management programs the false impression that the room will be occupied at the higher rate - hence reducing the likelihood of lower rates later on.

I think the point is that there's nothing to be gained by booking a room at a rate that you already know you aren't willing to pay. In your case , though, you booked a room that you *were* willing to pay for if nothing better came along.

 

[shayshay4125]

Good for you! I would've done the same exact thing. I've always wondered how the Swan and Dolphin were. Let us know how it goes.

 

[cindala]

Last year, I waited and waited to book our room. I figured that if I booked a room at rack rate, just to have a room, and if alot of others did this, Disney would be less likely to give discounts.

Well, it backfired on me!!! When I finally called the end of March, not willing to wait any longer, there weren't any AAA discounts for the dates I wanted, let alone rooms!!! I had to book one night here and one night there at rack rate, and try to piece the vacation together.

Thank God the Fairy Tale Package came out, or I would have had to pay a heck of a lot more for a lot less than what I received with the package.

This year, I'm back to my old system. I already have a room booked for next summer with the AAA discount. It's definitely better than paying rack rate, and IF Disney comes up with a better package or code, I will switch. And if they don't, maybe I'll try the Swan.

 

[FloridaCat]

Mousesavers has made some very valid comments and observations. The next question that begs to be asked is how much longer before the demise of the AP. It would seem pretty difficult to sell “packages” with them still on the table.

The fact that the AP provides a substantial savings over one Day Park passes; this is a pretty good discount in itself. So any room below rack rate is a bonus. Given the fact that so many book rooms months, years in advance, where is the incentive to offer any additional room discounts. I would look in the future where anyone wishing to change existing reservations to discount rates will have to pay a “service charge” to make the transaction.

The next few weeks, months should be interesting reading on this subject and I have a personal opinion that there is a unknown factor involved here which can’t be discussed at this time.

 

[Liv2CdWorld]

I don't think they'd get rid of the AP only because of DVC owners. But, who knows.....

 

[*Flower*]

I believe that Disney offers APs at every venue (DLR, DLP, etc.) and have been doing this for long enough to realize that it wouldn't be a good idea to get rid of them.

Of course I'll be corrected.

I know that the Magic Kingdom Club was around for YEARS before it started morphing into something else. I had one for many years.

I also know that there's no logic to some of the decisions being made.
I'm hoping that I can add a couple of nights at AKL before our December trip at Christmas..... but if no rates come out- I'll just have to make due with my current arrangements

 

[swilphil]

Fran--There is an AP rate at the Swan/Dolphin for $139 a night. I do know that some people are having a hard time getting in, but Nov. 10-16th should be a pretty good time unless they are having big conventions then. I don't know why it would be a problem using your Starwood points. You might even be able to upgrade to a suite or a king deluxe room.

The Swan is right next to the Boardwalk. It also seems to appeal to adults more while the Dolphin is great for families.