I'm really mad... Disney is going to lose my business!!!

[k&a&c'smom]

rt2dz - good point about buying tickets in advance, I live in a small town and usually pick up vouchers at the Disney store when I make a trip to the City! I'm curious about your ticket strategy - what ticket media do you purchase? Do you buy the longest non-AP ticket, then upgrade to an AP? Do you use it first so that you get the full face value? (sorry for being off-topic!) That's an idea I've never thought of before.

maxiesmom - well, I've never yelled at Disney at all, I'm posting my frustration on a website designed for posting questions, discussing options and frustrations! I will add, in your example, I've got the same opportunity as anyone else to drink my drinks at happy hour rather than 10 p.m., or buy my groceries on Saturday rather than Wednesday, so it's not exactly the same thing.

I take your point, though, and I agree, to an extent. I have the option of taking my business elsewhere, which is what I have done. I don't think that disliking a Disney policy makes me bitter - just irritated!

 

[rt2dz]

There are no bonuses to buying in advance. If a good deal comes out, then you’re stuck with extra tickets. Spending your money sooner just gives Disney your money all that much sooner. They get to earn interest off of it instead of you.

Which ticket I buy varies. There are always lots of variables to it. My family is on different AP schedules and that is something I’m considering changing to stream line things. So, we are currently on the 4/3 deal, and will remain so unless something better comes along. I’m booked with 9-day base tickets with the no expiration option. This ticket provides the maximum discount at the lowest price. Two of us need APs, but everyone else is good, so there is no reason to go above that, but with 3 free days, I’m maximizing my discount. We’ll save $105.43 on the AP upgrade, but spend $34.14 less than a 10-day base ticket with no expiration (which would only save me one cent more towards the AP). So for the three that don’t need tickets, I’m not giving Disney ~$100 any sooner than need be. When it is time to buy the rest of the family APs, we’ll still get that $105.43 savings, PLUS however much APs have increased in price since then. Did I lose you?

However, if a good deal with the package isn’t around and I don’t have other extra, non-used tickets sitting around, I will take the same factors into consideration. Which ticket is being sold for the maximum value at the least expensive price. Undercover Tourist and Tickets at Work often run little specials: buy x days, get x days free. If it’s good, that’s what I get. I just do a will-call pick-up; I always have a car. But you can pay to have tickets delivered to your resort. The other thing I always look at is DH’s HR department. His company offers a sizable discount on tickets. Of course, they have what they have. They make quarterly purchases and when they sell out, they sell out. They do not stock everything. The best ticket they had that gave the biggest value at a little price was a 7-day PH with WP&M.

 

[redcubfan]

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd vent a little regarding the discounts for some but not all. We have taken our children twice and would love to go again, but we have yet to "qualify" for any discounts at all because we stay in the campground. I was told not to expect discounted packages for campers because the campground is almost always full. We are driving from the middle part of the country, so we have to bring a travel trailer so we can camp at state parks along the way and not eat out to save a little money. I love Fort Wilderness and have no complaints about it whatsoever, but I do wish the folks at Disney would extend some of the same discounts (such as the buy 4 get 3) to those of us who stay in the Disney campground, and not just those that stay in the other resorts. We also can't reserve a campsite through anyone but Disney, so that prevents us from booking from an outside agent to save a little money too. Thanks for listening!!

 

[SonicGuy]

I have been a member on this site for a couple of years now. I read these boards EVERY night, but post rather infrequently. The tone and negativity of SO many of the members drives me nuts. If you don't belive me check out the thread about DVC changing the point charts - and yes, I am a DVC member.

I would love it if all of the people who threaten to stop going to Disney truly would. Maybe then I would not have to wait 2 hours for my DD's to see Tink!

It amazes me that people do not understand the basics of supply and demand. Believe me - if Disney needs to fill a room, they will do what they need to. It makes more sense now who all of those people that I run into in WDW that are sooo intense, so uptight, that just seem to charge through crowds like a bunch of bulls - they are these same very people on these boards.

WDW and the Orlando area offer something for everyone and something for EVERY budget. If it peeves you off so bad - stay home! I personally want to take the time and sit on a bench and just enjoy being in my "happy place". Can't really do that if I'm still ticked that Disney only GAVE ME A DISCOUNT for part of my trip.

If you can't afford it - find something else. Plain and simple.

 

[Mich Mouse]

I have been a member on this site for a couple of years now. I read these boards EVERY night, but post rather infrequently. The tone and negativity of SO many of the members drives me nuts. If you don't belive me check out the thread about DVC changing the point charts - and yes, I am a DVC member.

I would love it if all of the people who threaten to stop going to Disney truly would. Maybe then I would not have to wait 2 hours for my DD's to see Tink!

It amazes me that people do not understand the basics of supply and demand. Believe me - if Disney needs to fill a room, they will do what they need to. It makes more sense now who all of those people that I run into in WDW that are sooo intense, so uptight, that just seem to charge through crowds like a bunch of bulls - they are these same very people on these boards.

WDW and the Orlando area offer something for everyone and something for EVERY budget. If it peeves you off so bad - stay home! I personally want to take the time and sit on a bench and just enjoy being in my "happy place". Can't really do that if I'm still ticked that Disney only GAVE ME A DISCOUNT for part of my trip.

If you can't afford it - find something else. Plain and simple.

You do realize you are now participating in the very same thing that irritates you? This stuff can suck you in.

Don't let negativity get to you and your happy place. Just avoid those posts with the pot stirring drama.

And you are right about the tone of some posts but it is not everywhere, and it is avoidable.

 

[SonicGuy]

You do realize you are now participating in the very same thing that irritates you? This stuff can suck you in.

Don't let negativity get to you and your happy place. Just avoid those posts with the pot stirring drama.

And you are right about the tone of some posts but it is not everywhere, and it is avoidable.

Thank you for calling me out. As soon as I posted that I realized that I had been sucked in - and I definitely DID NOT feel better after posting. I guess it's back to posting once every 6 months or so....

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

I haven't read this entire thread, but did post some dissapointment at the beginning of it.

But, my main point is exactly what the previous poster said. Disney offers many choices for everyone. That is why I will continue to never stay on my DVC points for the weekend, and will now continue to choose priceline for my weekend stays to avoid paying rack rate for rooms. To me the value is not there. That is my opinion and choice. - and I do understand supply and demand - if others want to pay it - go ahead!

I also look at it this way - by stretching my points I am able to go twice a year. If I didn't do that, and used my points on the weekends, I would only be able to go once. Disney should be happy that I do what I do, since I am spending my hard earned cash 2 times a year instead of one. We love our vacations and would be sad if we could only go once a year, so we do what we have to do to go as many times as possible. Raising points and not allowing discounts on the weekend, will force me to stay elsewhere. Yes, I am dissapointed, but this is how my family deals with it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

rt2dz - thanks for the tip! No, you didn't lose me, it makes perfect sense. I'm gonna remember that for the next time we need tickets - a year from now, unfortunately!

We do buy tickets from Undercover Tourist for our guests, when we take someone with us, but since it is rarely the same person, we don't get non-expiring tickets for them.

SonicGuy - I'm not going to debate anything on this thread - that wasn't my purpose, to prove I'm right. But I thought I'd point out, you don't know me, or anyone else who posts here. Nothing I say should affect you in any way.

I'm not, in fact, one of those people who charge through life, ticked off that I didn't get what I deserve. I'm a very laid-back, easy-going person. I don't care who brings back their mugs for refills, I don't care who hops pools, I don't care if you fill up your ice chest from the ice maker! I concentrate on my own trip, and enjoy life. It's way too short to do otherwise.

But, when I have something that bugs me, I sometimes post about it on this board. After that, if I choose to go to Disney anyway, I go and have a good time. I don't dwell on whether I got a better deal than anyone else. If you've seen the OP's Disney special, I think you can tell that she and her family are the same way - they go, they have fun, they aren't out ruining anyone's good time!

Good luck, I hope your next visit you do not run into so many negative people!

 

[maxiesmom]

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd vent a little regarding the discounts for some but not all. We have taken our children twice and would love to go again, but we have yet to "qualify" for any discounts at all because we stay in the campground. I was told not to expect discounted packages for campers because the campground is almost always full. We are driving from the middle part of the country, so we have to bring a travel trailer so we can camp at state parks along the way and not eat out to save a little money. I love Fort Wilderness and have no complaints about it whatsoever, but I do wish the folks at Disney would extend some of the same discounts (such as the buy 4 get 3) to those of us who stay in the Disney campground, and not just those that stay in the other resorts. We also can't reserve a campsite through anyone but Disney, so that prevents us from booking from an outside agent to save a little money too. Thanks for listening!!

I know it seems like campers get the short end of the stick at Disney. Unfortunately if Disney were to extend those kinds of discounts to the camp sites, you would have people booking the sites just to get all the benefits when they have not intention of camping. Actually, it already happens. A post will pop up every few months from someone who had the great idea of booking a Disney campsite just for the EMH benefits.

Anyway, that is at least part of the reason why you won't find discounts or great deals for the Disney campsites.

 

[redcubfan]

Thanks, maxiesmom. You've offered a better explanation than any of the numerous CM I've talked to lately! I guess I can see how someone would book a campsite just to make it look like they're staying in a Disney resort, but they obviously have more money than I do!! haha A campsite is more expensive during the buy4/get3 promotion than a Value resort room, according to the rep I spoke with yesterday. Unfortunately, if not for my travel trailer, I couldn't afford to make the trip at all. I believe that's called irony.

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

I have to wonder what discontinuing the AP discounts on weekends will eventually cost Disney. The 4/3 deal is great for people who have a full week to spend there but off season with the economy the way it is, I doubt that Disney can fill the rooms without the AP's loyalty. These people pay for the rooms they are currently giving away. The buy AP's that allow Disney to bank that money. The eat at the sit down service restuarants and buy merchandise. They bring family and friends to experience the magic of Disney! What happens when the 4/3 ends? And they stop giving away dining plans?

We still think the AP's are a good deal with our DVC discount and the number of days we will still spend there but then again...we used to think they were GREAT!

 

[wdwprncess77]

Hi Everyone - I post rarely but wanted to post a "happy" note on here. I didn't read through this whole thread, but I just booked AP discounted rooms. When I first called they told me that I couldn't get discounted Fri & Sat room. I, too, was irritated. I wanted to consult the room rates with the rest of my party and then decided just to take a look online at the AP part of disneyworld.com Well, there I was able to get Friday and Saturday at the AP room instead of rack rate. I booked it there. Ironically I had to change the ressie several times after that and when I called back and said I booked online b/c they had better rates, the woman told me that the last person I spoke to was wrong b/c they have AP rates for the weekends available and that I had to give them the correct code. Honestly, I think they just want to which guests they can get to spend more money. But they are available, so book away!!!

 

[aubriee]

I have to wonder what discontinuing the AP discounts on weekends will eventually cost Disney. The 4/3 deal is great for people who have a full week to spend there but off season with the economy the way it is, I doubt that Disney can fill the rooms without the AP's loyalty. These people pay for the rooms they are currently giving away. The buy AP's that allow Disney to bank that money. The eat at the sit down service restuarants and buy merchandise. They bring family and friends to experience the magic of Disney! What happens when the 4/3 ends? And they stop giving away dining plans?

We still think the AP's are a good deal with our DVC discount and the number of days we will still spend there but then again...we used to think they were GREAT!

Me too! I go to WDW 3-5 times a year and used to always use an AP discount. I went this past Sept and used the free dining code, for my upcoming trips I am using the buy 4 get 3 nights free deal in May, bounce back free dining in Sept, and a 40% off code for my Dec trip. I guess I am using my AP just for park admission this year. It's still a good deal, but not near as good as when I was getting great room discounts with it.

Oh, one more thing, I normally go for 8-9 nights every trip but with the codes I got for this year I'm going one-two days less. For each trip, I go with the room discount that save us the most money and for 2009 it's not the AP codes.