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

[TinkerBelle_325]

While I can understand your frustration, you aren't ENTITLED to any discount Annual Passholder or not. Disney very clearly stipulates that they reserve the right to not offer discounts. If they feel that they can fill their hotels on weekends then they have no reason to offer a discount.

Being a passholder entitles you to entry for 365 consecutive days and to some merchandise and food discounts (but even those are limited). It plainly states that passholder rates are a perk which may or may not be offered AND if they are offered that blackout dates may apply.

 

[lilstint]

Furthermore....does anyone else feel fearful when all the recorded questions start before you can even talk to a CM...

Have you been here since 1996?

Have you been more than 5 times in your lifetime?

What's with that?? I always feel that answering those questions honestly will surely bump me to the back of the phone line at the very least. Why do they need to know that? Am I being paranoid about this?

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Agreed.

Disney is a great value, We love it and find no reason to complain.

Oh I'm complaining... and I'm not going to stop! So there!!!

 

[collcass]

It says the discount applies to retired military as well...is that not the same thing as a vet?

No - retired is someone who served 20+ yrs - or was career military. They are considered retired veterans. A veteran is someone who served less than 20.

In my husbands case he served 5 1/2 yrs plus the 4 reserve (think it was called inactive reserve or something like that where they can call you back up) Anyhow, he most likely would have gone career but injured his back during Desert Storm and could no longer "technically" jump out of airplanes. Apparently he was an adrenaline junkie since he is now a career firefighter- certainly won't ever hold my breath for TWDC to give them any kind of discount

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Just thought I'd share some of the quotes I got today.... just in case anyone was wondering... these are for March 18th with AP code......

4 nights AKL savannah = $1662.76
4 nights AKL standard = $1325.26
4 nights POFQ = $900.00
4 nights POR = $717.00
4 nights Pop = $526.50
4 nights AsMu = $461.04

These all include tax.

Good luck to anyone looking for deals!

 

[micheleq]

No - retired is someone who served 20+ yrs - or was career military. They are considered retired veterans. A veteran is someone who served less than 20.

In my husbands case he served 5 1/2 yrs plus the 4 reserve (think it was called inactive reserve or something like that where they can call you back up) Anyhow, he most likely would have gone career but injured his back during Desert Storm and could no longer "technically" jump out of airplanes. Apparently he was an adrenaline junkie since he is now a career firefighter- certainly won't ever hold my breath for TWDC to give them any kind of discount

Bravo to your DH!

Shades of Green does run specials for combat veterans certain times of the year. I read about them here on the DIS.

January and September for this year, I believe. We just went in December and I told my dad (a Vietnam Vet) about the discount, his response was "Why aren't we going in January then?" Too bad I found out about the discounted rooms after we booked airfare.

 

[LVSWL]

My question is simple...Why does it say the AP rates are good through the 4th, if the 3rd and the 4th are weekend days and the rates are NOT good on the weekend!!!!! That just ticks me off! Yeah, ok, I'm mad too! I wanted the 3rd before I went into my villa. With 3 trips a year, I figure I spend my fair share at WDW and a nice AP discount would make me very

 

[wdwmaw]

While I can understand your frustration, you aren't ENTITLED to any discount Annual Passholder or not. Disney very clearly stipulates that they reserve the right to not offer discounts. If they feel that they can fill their hotels on weekends then they have no reason to offer a discount.

Being a passholder entitles you to entry for 365 consecutive days and to some merchandise and food discounts (but even those are limited). It plainly states that passholder rates are a perk which may or may not be offered AND if they are offered that blackout dates may apply.

Ok, my flame suit is on and I completely understand what you are saying. I make our travel choices based on my best options. The OP is just stating frustration with the availability and the current black outs of dates during her options. She clearly has not purchased the AP for the discount and has traveled enough to warrant the AP. She is just expressing a frustration for the cut backs and/or currant black outs.

Everyone, just imaging your local store has a disount card and you use it constantly ( can't get add price without it). Well, you load the buggy up and all of a sudden at checkout you are informed that your discount is only good on Tues. or from midnight- 5am. Yes, they have the right, but it hurts and it does take a while to get use to. I don't think entitlement is the word but just that many were use to it. The discounts have enticed many for years and for many Disney has become very habitual and the norm. Can we just discuss the changes we have all gone through?

 

[dawgsgirl]

Our AP's ran out in December. We decided not to renew and possibly not go to Disney this year. Dealing with Disney reservations has just become a pain in the rear. Quality all around seems down. And the AP discounts are hit and miss. I'm not going to argue that AP's are only for admission. I think the loyal Disney freaks deserve a break. I have been under the impression now for a couple of years that Disney does not want the AP's and regular Disney freaks. They want NEW customers that will buy more suvvies and spend more money. They also want customers that don't know that codes and specials even exist. I feel your pain. I could not believe it when I saw that there are NO AP discounts for the weekends. In December, I paid more for the weekends, but it was still at a discount. It seems that with this crazy economy, they would want the AP business. Oh well, haven't been to the beach in a while!

 

[luckytobeme88]

We got 40% AP discount off for our trip 8/23-8/30 (7nights) at AKL. We are paying $162 per night +tax for a pool-view bunk room. It comes to $1275.75. Why are some of you paying so much with the AP discount?

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

No - retired is someone who served 20+ yrs - or was career military. They are considered retired veterans. A veteran is someone who served less than 20.

In my husbands case he served 5 1/2 yrs plus the 4 reserve (think it was called inactive reserve or something like that where they can call you back up) Anyhow, he most likely would have gone career but injured his back during Desert Storm and could no longer "technically" jump out of airplanes. Apparently he was an adrenaline junkie since he is now a career firefighter- certainly won't ever hold my breath for TWDC to give them any kind of discount

Yeah, I kinda feel like my DH is getting scr*wed out of this offer because he didn't make the Army a career. He still served and was Active of sorts for his reserve years and no benefits whatsoever. We would have really jumped on this offer and made more than the 3 planned trips. He doesn't even qualify for SOG. He was Honorably Discharged and that should say something. So much for serving his country

Our AP's expired in Dec and I am debating renewing them, but since we go at least 4 or 5 times during the year that we have them, I see no point not renewing them, tickets are a huge part of the package. Having AP's is what allowed us to take so many trips and I saved a ton over the last year because I have used it to its advantage for most all of the discounts. If I do, I am going to use the 7 day tickets that I purchased as part of the 4/3 deal to upgrade. We have done several quick weekend trips being only 6 hours away, but if there is no benefit there, I might just skip it.

Suzanne

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Yes and no - mine showed some dates when weekends are excluded. Others require minimum lengths of stay if arriving on a Sat.

The ones for the first half of the year were Sun-Thurs.

I can understand your frustration. There are many sites that play up the discounts and perks that come along with an AP. I'm guessing that this year Disney is more worried about bringing in new guests to the parks than they are about getting their AP holders to come. They probably figure we're hooked.

 

[twinklebug]

If I may chime in... the upside to Disney asking us to pay rack rate on the weekends is it gives us reason to move over to Universal Studios for a couple nights and enjoy their fastpass system which I've heard is available to those staying in their hotels for free. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here as it's my plan...

Adding, if enough of us do this and make a point of telling disney the marketing folk might wake up and ask "what's wrong here?"

 

[wdwmaw]

We got 40% AP discount off for our trip 8/23-8/30 (7nights) at AKL. We are paying $162 per night +tax for a pool-view bunk room. It comes to $1275.75. Why are some of you paying so much with the AP discount?

You are traveling during Value season and some others are not. Disney has been blacking out some dates that others are looking for and they have also been blacking out weekends of more popular times. Congrats on your AP rate. You will possibly be traveling during the more popular "free dining period" and can be a very low attendance timeframe, which is why you have gotten such a great rate.

 

[luckytobeme88]

This is my first year as an AP holder. I really didn't know much about AP discount. When I learned of the 40% AP code, I immediately jumped right in. I really want to go during last weekend of June until July 6th. I kind of know that any discount during this period will be impossible.
Any advice?

 

[wdwmaw]

I can understand your frustration. There are many sites that play up the discounts and perks that come along with an AP.

I quote BIRNBAUM GUIDES 2009 Walt Disney World pg. 23 "...or an Annual Pass. In addition to unlimited admission to the parks, an Annual Pass entitles bearers to discounts on everything from dinner shows to room rates. NOTE: Only one person per party need possess an annual pass to net a disocunt on a resort rate. This option is great for traverlers with flexible vacation schedules, as the discounts do vary and are often announced just weeks before they go into effect."

PASSPORTER WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT pg. 28 "If you have a Disney Visacard, Annual Pass, or are a Florida resident or military family, ask about those discounts, too."

Disney may not be saying this but it is assumed by many that AP rates are or will be there, esp if you have the convience of living close enough to take advantage of discounts.

 

[Hawk]

If I may chime in... the upside to Disney asking us to pay rack rate on the weekends is it gives us reason to move over to Universal Studios for a couple nights and enjoy their fastpass system which I've heard is available to those staying in their hotels for free. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here as it's my plan...

Adding, if enough of us do this and make a point of telling disney the marketing folk might wake up and ask "what's wrong here?"

My thoughts exactly.

Tim/Hawk

 

[wdwmaw]

This is my first year as an AP holder. I really didn't know much about AP discount. When I learned of the 40% AP code, I immediately jumped right in. I really want to go during last weekend of June until July 6th. I kind of know that any discount during this period will be impossible.
Any advice?

There were AP discounts for your time frame last year. You will not get as good of a rate that you have now since you would not be in value season. Check out this chart to check for past discounts offered. Hang in there you never know but 40% is very good. The week you have will possibly be the start of free dining so just make sure you have those dining plans set at the 90 day mark.
http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends

 

[Luv2Roam]

First, I agree AP-ers should get better discounts.
That being said guidebooks are not official Disney documentation, no more than the Dis is the official Disney web site.
And it's not that Disney is not offering discounted room rates. They just are not as nice as you wish they were at this time.
Maybe more will be coming with the way the discounts have been coming out.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

It would be great if it was more than just another marketing ploy. After all, TWDC is a for profit business which is what I remember when I get irked by their absolutely ridiculous rates, there "promotions" that extend to certain people only ,etc.

First, we knew we'd love WDW so we bought our AP on our 1st family trip down there last year. Although the rates we received last 4th of July were great and did save us money, we really were hoping for good rates this year to make it worth while. Obviously, that won't be the case.

I am sure I am going to get flamed by this if it is taken wrong: Please understand I support the military 100% and I am not saying military personnel don't deserve to be thanked

my husband was in the Army (82nd Airbourne) for 5 1/2 yrs + 4 reserves. He fought in Desert Storm. He served his country. Apparently, TWDC doesn't consider veterans on the same level as an active member of the military. It is extremely irritating because he served just like anyone else. They all served their country and should be recognized for such - not just current active personnel.


Again, it isn't that I don't support the military. My annoyance is more toward TWDC marketing dept who are strictly attempting to boost attendence and using this discount as bait. Of course, that is their job and they do it well

Both my husband and I are veterans as well. I served in the Navy during Desert Storm. My hubby served in the army with the 1st Cavalry and was in Iraq 2004-2005...30% disabled afterwards and neither of us qualify for any type of military discount. This highly upsets me...especially with my hubby being 30% disabled after his stint in Iraq. I should say we were both Honorably Discharged, but neither of us retired military. SOG should be open to all veterans except dishonorable discharged and Disney should have discounts for all military vets except dishonorable discharged as well.