I'm NOT mad at Disney (honestly trying to be positive) - anyone else?

[legalslave]

I'm happy to have the AAA discount. Before I started reading this board I didn't even know about that and paid rack rate for all of my other Disney trips. If I didn't have the AAA discount (which amounts to around $175), I still would have been happy just because I am going to Disney for the second time this year and I can see the Christmas decorations and attend the MVMCP for the first time.

 

[schumacher]

While there are things about BRP that don't exactly make me happy (like the non-refundable one night deposit), I do like the fact that BRP has gotten rid of the people who made reservations they couldn't afford in hopes of getting an AP discount. I'm certain that BRP has kept reservations open for those people who just want to go to WDW and helped keep the AP resort discount as a bonus for people who purchase APs for multiple visits.

I do wish that WDW would allow booking the BRP even later for AP holders who book at later dates, though.

I think the BRP is a good attempt at curtailing the abuses of the past on the APs. As I have mentioned before, our family was never one of the fortunate ones to snag the deep deep discounted rooms in the past. We usually go once or twice a year and have managed to get an AP code rather infrequently over the past. I always thought it was strange how "few" of these rates were available. I think as EthansMom has pointed out, it wasn't that there were that few but they were being booked up and unfortunately canceled last minute as folks were speculating for trips they really did not plan to make. I think the new system, although it has its shortfalls is better for both Disney and their passholders in my opinion.

Cheers,

Schuey

 

[JudimouseNC]

This is a great thread....I am not mad at Disney either, but I was disappointed in the way they handled the whole AP/BRP fiasco. It was definatley handled poorly.

We leave in 30 days and we got a AAA discount on our room. We have our passes and money for food and gas...we will just cut back on souveniers....my house is kinda full with them!

WE will go and have a great time.....codes be darned!!!!

 

[brisus]

It is funny to read this about hoping for discount codes. I plan to go in late March and am very hopeful as well. This has been the longest I have seen without any discount code for the general public. However, I always laugh at even myself when I ask the question, where have I booked a room elsewhere and hoped or even expected to receive a discount code?? They are absolutely nice to have but I often wondered why Disney would offer these so freely and rent these rooms for such a discounted price. When I think about the resorts and the whole Disney experience, I often feel that the prices that they charge are actually very reasonable for what type of quality and service you are receiving. Like everyone else, I will keep my fingers crossed for codes though because who doesn't like to save a few bucks!

 

[Snowysmom]

I am happy to get the AAA discount for our trip. It would be nice if there were other discounts available, but Disney is not obliged to do that. My problem with the BRP program is losing the deposit if you cancel. While my dates usually stay the same, I can't guarantee that. But, 15% off is better than rack rate!

 

[TDC Nala]

Why on earth would they send a postcard with a PIN number for rack rate?

I don't really have that much of a problem. I just don't see the logic behind a 60 day booking limit for AP holders. I understand they want to prevent cancellations, but the nonrefundable deposit takes care of that. If they had an empty room problem what is wrong with non-Florida passholders booking last minute trips? Why do they want to make sure we plan that far ahead?

 

[Ergens2]

ok what's up with the Jan 2006 BRP rate and AAA. Both were 15% for my Jan. stay. It really doesn't give me much incentive to keep my AP. If I had not already booked my stay I would say take my AP and your BRP and...
But I am not mad at Disney. I understand and actually like the BRP. I do almost everything online now so it is much better than waiting on the phone to speak with a CM the morning rates come out.

 

[Ergens2]

I am happy to get the AAA discount for our trip. It would be nice if there were other discounts available, but Disney is not obliged to do that. My problem with the BRP program is losing the deposit if you cancel. While my dates usually stay the same, I can't guarantee that. But, 15% off is better than rack rate!

I just moved my stay from Early Dec. to early Jan. and was able to get my deposit back. No questions asked. I was surprised but the CM told me as long as I rebooked (had to rebook online and then call with new ressie #) I would always get the deposit back. Now that they have waived the $50 fee (some people are still getting charged. Watch out!) a lot more people are using the program.

 

[sonny]

I agree. I am not really mad - just a little sad. I know that making magic is a mega-business and making $$ comes first. I could always count on a PIN Code - have gotten them (and gone to WDW) once or twice a year with rates at moderates around $75 to $84, even sent two of my kids to Disney for their honeymoons on PIN codes. Last year we did WL for $109. So at last Christmas, I promised my kids I would get us all rooms for Christmas '05, thinking I would get AP if I didn't get a PIN. Then all these changes started happening, no PINs and AP is not as good an option and crazy ticket prices. And I need 4 rooms. Anyway, I got 4 rooms at POR for $107 each thru AAA and it's OK. Just not as much fun as when you get a "special" code and you feel a little important to Disney. And I am still trying to decide what to do about tickets. We will have fun even if we just watch the ducks swim in the swimming pools. Hope everyone else does, too.

 

[DMRick]

I'm not mad. However, I am staying off site to save a lot of money. I've been off site before and I'm fine with it. Because we are already off site, more of my meals will be off site, my souvenirs will be bought off site.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I am not happy with the way the BRP is. I don't like the fact that I cannot book a month ahead of time, but 2 months (60 days), I also don't like the fact that there is a nonrefundable deposit, but will it stop me from renewing my AP, no it won't. I have an AP for the parks, not the room discounts. Don't get me wrong, I love a dscount on anything , but that wasn't why I purchased my pass in the first place. I more than get my money out of the AP just by going to the parks, the other perks were just icing on my cake.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Why on earth would they send a postcard with a PIN number for rack rate?

I'm not mad at Disney either. However I might be if I got a postcard with a PIN for rack rates! I almost think of this as them trying to "trick" people and I think it's terrible!

I also think it was TERRIBLE the way they handled the whole AP/BR rate fiasco. It isn't so much that they changed the program, it was all the guessing and wondering, all the miscommunications, the fact that no one seemed to know what was going on and getting totally different stories depending on who you talked to.

I got a great rate of $76 a night last year at POFQ....I was SO thrilled and realize how lucky I was, but I am considering staying off site next trip, possibly at a DTD hotel. I just don't want to do Value (I know, my choice!)
and think I might give one of the DTD hotels a try....if I can get a good rate!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I'm not mad at Disney either. However I might be if I got a postcard with a PIN for rack rates! I almost think of this as them trying to "trick" people and I think it's terrible!

I also think it was TERRIBLE the way they handled the whole AP/BR rate fiasco. It isn't so much that they changed the program, it was all the guessing and wondering, all the miscommunications, the fact that no one seemed to know what was going on and getting totally different stories depending on who you talked to.

I got a great rate of $76 a night last year at POFQ....I was SO thrilled and realize how lucky I was, but I am considering staying off site next trip, possibly at a DTD hotel. I just don't want to do Value (I know, my choice!)
and think I might give one of the DTD hotels a try....if I can get a good rate!

totally agree with that one!!! seems they think if they send the ad that way, they want guests to think they are getting something extra when in reality they aren't They are too big of a company to do that to it's guests (and get away with it)

 

[DisneyFreq]

I too have an issue with "pin codes for regular rates". It isn't just "like' tricking people it IS tricking people. Before I found the DIS boards I probably wouldn't have known enough to go to wdw's website and punch the numbers. I would have thought to myself "wow I got a deal, yay me."

What's funny about all this is that I run the numbers for everything else. I know ins and outs for great rates on hotels and flights and what steps to take to avoid booking fees or how to get the same rate thru two differnet booking agencies, yet one has additional perks. It never really occured to me that there was a way to use the same method for disney hotels. I thought (much like BRP) that you got whatevery current published rate was available for your dates. I just assumed (dumb me) that when a discount came out, that it would automatically be offered to everybody. Oh, I was so innocent back then.....

So, how many people out there are like I was...deal hunters not in the know about disney that believe they got a good deal just b/c the card had a pin?

 

[whacked]

I have to laugh at the people that get annoyed at not getting a discount when they are PLANNING to go.

The whole point of discount programs is to get people to go when they are NOT planning to go.

If I get a discount better than the AAA rate, WHOOPIE!!!.

If I don't get an additional discount, I've booked at a rate I can afford, so WHOOPIE!!! I get to go to Disney World anyway.



Does this guy freak out anyone else as much as he does me?

 

[C.Ann]

I just got an email promotion. It had the usual language, PIN required, only a limited number of packages available and so on.

The problem is for my dates the deal is rack rate.

I'm annoyed Disney is trying to pull one over on me. The don't owe me a discount but they're not entitled to lie about one either.

---------------------------------

I wonder what their response would be if you called about this "special" limited packages offer and then went on to ask them what the rate would be without the "pin" number?

They would either have to admit that the rate is the same - with or without the pin numuber - or artificially inflate (okay - basically "lie") about what it would be without the pin..

If I had received one myself, I would call just out of curiosity to find out..

 

[marymrg]

I am happy that: SWA came out with a great rate. (wasn't planning another trip)
- I could get a AAA rate on such short notice.
- my AP is still valid.
- I can use free Magical Express even though I am giving up the convenience and cost of a rental car


What do I wish:
there was a last minute AP room rate
I could somehow get a dining plan without a package


When I add it all up, I am still paying a lot less than I did on my very first "uneducated" family trip way back in 1996!

 

[DisneyFreq]

Yes...wouldn't it be nice to purchase the dining plan as an add on to any disney vacation purchase? I mean....it would be nice to get it in conjunction with a discounted room or an online AP purchase. Unfortunately for us, I think the point of the dining plan is to give people paying FULL PRICE for everything else a break on something...in this case their food bill.

 

[marymrg]

I forgot to list that I have the DDE which more than paid for itself the first time I used it. So that will help with dining expenses this time around.

 

[Lewisc]

That's what I did. The CM politely cut me off and confirmed that the offer I recieved was rack rate for my dates. Some of the dates of the offer are during the regular and holiday periods. The offer would give me value rack rates during those dates.

The CM was polite, honest and sounded like she'd answered this question more than once.

I was going to write a letter to Disney but I didn't bother.

---------------------------------

I wonder what their response would be if you called about this "special" limited packages offer and then went on to ask them what the rate would be without the "pin" number?

They would either have to admit that the rate is the same - with or without the pin numuber - or artificially inflate (okay - basically "lie") about what it would be without the pin..

If I had received one myself, I would call just out of curiosity to find out..