June/July/August 2006 Code watch

[Aurora63]

With rack rates, our June trip will be cut down to 5 days. That's 2 days we will not be dining, souvenier hunting, or just general shopping at WDW. I realize my piddling 2 days worth of expenses doesn't amount to a hill of beans to Disney, but all the same it is 2 days less spending.

But you are not alone in this...If all of us are cutting down our vacation time or buying less, that does amount to a pretty large hill of beans for Disney. I'm a FL Aper too, and I might have to cut back on our coming trip, too. I bet there are others out there doing the same.

I'm still trying to keep hope alive. Last night I had a dream that Disney released five codes for the summer...yes, five...and they were amazing codes, one was for $85 off rack rate at a moderate! Of course I found out about them by checking this thread! If only my dream would come true!

 

[EEyorelover22]

The discounts that Disney has been providing follow the same marketing stategy that their online business does and now I never buy anything unless it's on sale. It's conditioning. I have always felt that they would be better off to lower prices and not have sales, but what do I know? But, for the resorts, it would seem that for 2007 they raised prices and will have less discounts. I sure hope the economy doesn't turn bad again.

I look at those prices and all I can think is..."I'm glad we went when we did."

 

[hapandpam]

This morning, as I was waiting in line at the bank, I was thinking back to one of our first trips to WDW. Back then you could get a Magic Kingdom card free at the credit union, and discounts with it were quite easy to come by. Then, the free card got eliminated but you could purchase one. I bought mine, and used it for discounts at the local DS, as well as on vacation. Then, that got eliminated and I had to hope for a Disney VISA offer, join AAA, or buy an AP. General codes never seemed available when we were traveling, and I only got a postcard once. This year I am booked with a AAA discount, but I was hoping to get an AP discount. Buying APs wouldn't be worth it just for just this trip, but if we had APs, our family would be returning at least once this year.

Since we are going the end of June/beginning of July, I am doubtful that there will be an AP code for me. There will be only one trip for us this year. Like the other poster, my situation isn't going to put a dent in Disney's wallet. I'm glad they are doing well. I don't feel that I'm entitled to a discount but I'm disappointed that there won't be one.

 

[ciera321]

But you are not alone in this...If all of us are cutting down our vacation time or buying less, that does amount to a pretty large hill of beans for Disney. I'm a FL Aper too, and I might have to cut back on our coming trip, too. I bet there are others out there doing the same.

I'm still trying to keep hope alive. Last night I had a dream that Disney released five codes for the summer...yes, five...and they were amazing codes, one was for $85 off rack rate at a moderate! Of course I found out about them by checking this thread! If only my dream would come true!

I totally agree. When we bought our first APs, we had no intention of using them for more than one trip. We bought them because we were going for a total of 12 days and it made money sense to but them instead of the regular tickets. We went on our June 04 trip, then decided that since we had our APs and there was a good AP code released for around Christmas it would be a great time to see WDW dressed for the season. THEN, I decided to suggest a trip in late May and early June to "use up" our APS and since there was another AP code, and we went on trip #3. That's 3 trips in less than one year for us and we NEVER would have taken more than one trip in a year. It was totally because of the AP rates. I love WDW, but without the AP room rates to sweeten the deal, we won't be going as much...

 

[LuvDuke]

Although I don't have the exact numbers in front of me so I'm doing this from the top of my head, if Disney raises the rates to $180 for a mod, they're getting into Universal Studio's onsite hotel territory. You could book, AAA rate, a standard hotel room at Universal for $183. That gets you parks within walking distande, FOTL access to the attractions at US and IOA in addition to a first rate hotel.

What do you get for your $180 at Disney? A standard room at a moderate hotel with spotty transportation and an extra 3 hours at the parks here and there.

Don't get me wrong. I love WDW and I could not imagine not going there, but I also want to get the max bang for my buck, and when you're getting into $180+ range, the bang is found at Universal.

However, if codes come out for June, please be kind and pretend you never read this.

 

[Sammie]

I was just reading some postings on "Intercot" and there was a posting from 2 people saying that they received a telephone call from Disney to upgrade to OKW or SS if they moved their trip to August/September. One was booked at Pop Century and the other at ASMo. Both had trips for the beginning of June, 6/7 to 6/14.

I just read this same post (over there ). It was very interesting. Makes you wonder why. Disney is pushing the free dining and sounded like they are going to a Home away from home resort for the price of pop century? That should cut into the disney profit somewhere. Also with disney putting up resorts on priceline, makes you wonder: why there is no discount out of make ap people happy?

Everyone hang in there. Stay hopeful.

The rooms offered to Priceline are Gap rooms. Offered to fill a gap in the bookings. There might only be 5 rooms offered per day at one resort. Disney will not offer just one resort and certainly never limit it to just 5 rooms for an AP discount. That certainly would not make anyone happy.

They are pushing the free dining in August due to the fact they are booked solid for June and possibly even overbooked at the Value and Moderate resorts. Definitely people will be concerned about booking during the pear of Hurricane season when the forecasters are predicting another busy season. If one major hurricane strikes prior to then, gas will be even higher also.

 

[Brian Noble]

That's 2 days we will not be dining, souvenier hunting, or just general shopping at WDW. I realize my piddling 2 days worth of expenses doesn't amount to a hill of beans to Disney, but all the same it is 2 days less spending.

Well, true, but if they replace you with someone *new* in those rooms, who hasn't bought their tickets yet, bought their souvenirs yet, or eaten at Chef Mickey's yet, or taken a fireworks cruise yet, or any one of a number of other things, then they may end up making more money.

The question boils down to this: who is more profitable, per day? Is a passholder, or a day-ticketed guest? If the latter, then when demand rises it makes sense for Disney to cut back on AP discounts to discourage AP holders from coming again, leaving room for day-ticketed guests to book the rooms. If the former, then Disney would rationally continue to offer AP discounts even when demand is high, because they are more profitable anyway.

It is clear that travel demand to Florida has increased over the past year or two. It is also clear that the number and generosity of AP discounts has decreased over the same time frame. The conclusion seems obvious to me: passholders are great when the resort is running at low capacity, but day-ticketed guests are more valuable when you can get them.

That's not a pleasant thing to face up to, and many folks may well cut back on Disney because of it. Of course, that's exactly what the current set of incentives appear to be designed to encourage.

 

[MAKmom]

Although I don't have the exact numbers in front of me so I'm doing this from the top of my head, if Disney raises the rates to $180 for a mod, they're getting into Universal Studio's onsite hotel territory. You could book, AAA rate, a standard hotel room at Universal for $183. That gets you parks within walking distande, FOTL access to the attractions at US and IOA in addition to a first rate hotel.

What do you get for your $180 at Disney? A standard room at a moderate hotel with spotty transportation and an extra 3 hours at the parks here and there.

Don't get me wrong. I love WDW and I could not imagine not going there, but I also want to get the max bang for my buck, and when you're getting into $180+ range, the bang is found at Universal.

However, if codes come out for June, please be kind and pretend you never read this.

The only hotel you can walk to at Universal from the parks is the HRH. Is it really that cheap now. We stayed there 2 years ago. I thought the Univeral " moderate" is in that range.

 

[Lesley]

Okay, I made my Pop Century reservation at rack rate for June 9-11th. Which means that the AP rate will either come out on Monday....or won't be released until June 4th (too late for me to make any changes).

I needed to make sure we had an on-property room somewhere near our budget...unfortunatly even rack rate standard at a value resort was stretching it. I didn't want to wait until we'd potentially have to book a preferred room.

I'm also not planning on getting an AP rate for our weekends in September...I booked the free dining for our first 3 nights. If AP rates come out we'll spend our last night somewhere on property...but if not, we'll take what we can get inexpensively on priceline.

Good luck for all of you still waiting. I'm hoping too, but not feeling hopeful.

 

[speedyf]

They are pushing the free dining in August due to the fact they are booked solid for June and possibly even overbooked at the Value and Moderate resorts.

I agree that they are probably booked up pretty solid at the Value / Moderate level for June....but, I always figured that AP rates were a way to entice people to "move up". Like I explained earlier in this thread....I think alot of people (including myself) are looking to possibly move up at a better rate. For example....if you are paying $155 per night at a moderate (rack rate)....and an AP rate is released for $169 for WL or AKL or possibly a wing room at CR....people will move up from moderate to deluxe. Then, people paying $99 per night at a value (rack rate)....might move up to fill the vacant moderate room if the AP rate is $115 per night. Again...just $15 more per night to move up. That then frees up the value room at $99 for a non-ap, regular Joe that might be staying offsite to consider....thus, capturing one more "off-siter" and keeping all the AP people happy while filling ALL of the hotels.

Now....if the Deluxes are full at $299 to $399 per night....then, I guess they don't have to worry. I'm sure some people will stay put and just take advantage of the better rate....but, I just have a feeling that they try to get people to move up a notch by offering these AP rates.

This is our first AP....we are planning on revisiting this December for MVMCP and then, next May to get one more trip out of the AP a week before it expires. I will not....repeat....will not pay $109 per night for a value room. If they do not offer AP rates next year, I will be staying offsite....hopefully, on a Priceline rate at Sheraton Safari.

Disney is not forcing me to do anything by raising rates. At some point, everyone decides if the money they are spending is worth the product they are getting. I really enjoy the value resorts....but, I refuse to pay over $100 per night to stay there. If Disney fills it up at $109 per night, then that's great for them. No hard feelings.....but, I've seen the rooms at the Sheraton Safari online and I see people getting those rooms on Priceline for $50 to $70 per night....and that seems like a much better value.

Now that I'm off the soapbox....RELEASE THE CODES ALREADY!!!!

Speed

 

[Sammie]

I think the ones that move up from value and moderates are only going to move up to possibly standard at AKL or WL or the wings at the Contemporary.

Even with a discount the rooms at the Polynesian and Grand Floridian are going to be close to $300 per night, I doubt many move up that much.

You are right in that everyone has to decide what is the best value for them. I would love a discount on my room as much as anyone, but I understand the business aspect of it for Disney, which seems to be lost on some in this thread.

 

[Disneyhappy]

The only hotel you can walk to at Universal from the parks is the HRH. Is it really that cheap now. We stayed there 2 years ago. I thought the Univeral " moderate" is in that range.

Both HRH and RPR are within walking distance. RPR is a little bit longer to walk to the parks. The only time we have paid more than $170 for a room is when we stay Club Level at Universal resorts. I do not compare HRH or RPR to Disney moderates. They are more like a Disney deluxe than moderate in my opinon. They each offer a Club Level, valet parking, indoor access to rooms, full service restaurants, and pool bars to name a few things. Portofino Bay is defintiely a deluxe resort (in Disney terms). There are usually great rates to be found at Universal although things may have changed as it has been a year since we have stayed there on site. To me, front of the line access (FOTL) is worth at least an extra $25 a night. Easter break 2005, we did not wait more than 10 minutes for any attraction. Most waits were about 5 minutes. However, our hearts always seem to return us to Disney!

 

[LuvDuke]

The only hotel you can walk to at Universal from the parks is the HRH. Is it really that cheap now. We stayed there 2 years ago. I thought the Univeral " moderate" is in that range.

I believe you can walk to IOA from the RPH. HRH is on the US side and RPH is on the IOA side.

Off season, you can get a Universal standard room for as little as $129.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I know this is a code watch thread, but there are so many ap holders here, I thought I'd ask. I asked this question before and thought I understood, but now after getting the mail today I'm confused.

I received my renewal letter for my ap from Disney. It says I have to renew by the anniversary date to get the reduced rate for renewal. I know I asked on the theme park board if I had a grace period of 30 days like I was told on the phone from CRO.

Does anyone know for sure?

 

[weluvpluto]

Although I don't have the exact numbers in front of me so I'm doing this from the top of my head, if Disney raises the rates to $180 for a mod, they're getting into Universal Studio's onsite hotel territory. You could book, AAA rate, a standard hotel room at Universal for $183. That gets you parks within walking distande, FOTL access to the attractions at US and IOA in addition to a first rate hotel.

What do you get for your $180 at Disney? A standard room at a moderate hotel with spotty transportation and an extra 3 hours at the parks here and there.

Don't get me wrong. I love WDW and I could not imagine not going there, but I also want to get the max bang for my buck, and when you're getting into $180+ range, the bang is found at Universal.

However, if codes come out for June, please be kind and pretend you never read this.

I love WDW too (Don't believe me? - you should look at my house which is decorated inside and out with Disney things and half my t-shirts ), but we are splitting our May trip to half at Universal. We also just bought Annual Passes for Universal - 2 years for the price of 1 ($174.95 w/ AAA discount). My family of 4 is going to try out Universal and not renew our Disney APs because we seem to be getting a bigger bang for our buck there.

 

[LuvDuke]

I love WDW too (Don't believe me? - you should look at my house which is decorated inside and out with Disney things and half my t-shirts ), but we are splitting our May trip to half at Universal. We also just bought Annual Passes for Universal - 2 years for the price of 1 ($174.95 w/ AAA discount). My family of 4 is going to try out Universal and not renew our Disney APs because we seem to be getting a bigger bang for our buck there.

Sorry if this is going OT, but AP'ers have to take a second look at what's happening.

There are only 2 reasons why anyone should have an AP:

1) you go often

2) you get a discount.

The way Disney has it set up now, assuming you stay for 10 days, here's how the ticket cost breaks out.

Base MYW ticket $223.65
Park Hopper Option 42.60
Water Park Option (6 visits) 53.25
No Expiration Option 143.78
--------
Total Cost 463.28

Depending on most people's circumstances, you could easily knock off the "No Expiration Option" which would bring the cost down to $319.50 for a 10-day Park Hopper with Water parks.

An AP for a non-resident costs $441.98 (no water parks) and a PAP costs $574.06.

It's is hackneyed phrase, but do the math. The math is telling you that unless you intend to go back several times per year, what's the point of purchasing an AP if it isn't going to get you some kind of discount?

For a FL resident, the circumstances are different because of the price differential for residents. The AP pays for us. But for a non-resident? The value isn't what it used to be.

We have US AP's also and the renewal is $99 as opposed to $328+ for Disney.

Disney has changed the game and people have to take a second look and act accordingly.

Again, sorry to go OT, and here's hoping all of this becomes moot within the next few days if codes come out.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Sorry if this is going OT, but AP'ers have to take a second look at what's happening.

There are only 2 reasons why anyone should have an AP:

1) you go often

2) you get a discount.

The way Disney has it set up now, assuming you stay for 10 days, here's how the ticket cost breaks out.

Base MYW ticket $223.65
Park Hopper Option 42.60
Water Park Option (6 visits) 53.25
No Expiration Option 143.78
--------
Total Cost 463.28

Depending on most people's circumstances, you could easily knock off the "No Expiration Option" which would bring the cost down to $319.50 for a 10-day Park Hopper with Water parks.

An AP for a non-resident costs $441.98 (no water parks) and a PAP costs $574.06.

It's is hackneyed phrase, but do the math. The math is telling you that unless you intend to go back several times per year, what's the point of purchasing an AP if it isn't going to get you some kind of discount?

For a FL resident, the circumstances are different because of the price differential for residents. The AP pays for us. But for a non-resident? The value isn't what it used to be.

We have US AP's also and the renewal is $99 as opposed to $328+ for Disney.

Disney has changed the game and people have to take a second look and act accordingly.

Again, sorry to go OT, and here's hoping all of this becomes moot within the next few days if codes come out.

100% agree. That's why I keep waiting to buy our tickets because if we don't go back in December even for me getting a reduced price for an ap renewal, it's not worth it. It all depends on our airfare costs if we go back.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Good morning,

nothing new on any web site. passholder site is the same. I really don't have a good feeling about anything today. I think the cm I talked to yesterday was very informative about that they don't know either, that he expects june to be skipped, and not to expect something till june 4th, thats the last day to sign up for free dining.

Of course, alot of people have changed there plans already, so maybe that will spur something on?

Good news, seems to have stopped raining here, and it can only get warmer. Was very cold and dismal for days.

 

[Ziggy]

Morning , well lets hope it is today.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Morning! It's still cold here. I'm up making cakes this morning! I actually don't have a good feeling about any part of summer at this point