May I vent about the AP discount?

[Miss Hunnybee]

Hi all! I am a Florida resident annual passholder and I can not tell you how frustrated Disney's annual passholder discount policy makes me. As soon as the passholder discount dates came out, I called Disney to apply the discount to my room only reservations. The room only reservations I booked MONTHS ago. After trying to get through for quite some time, I was connected to a lovely gentleman who was more than happy to help me. Problem was, by the time I got through there was nothing "available" at my resort. UGH. I can't upgrade to a deluxe because of budget. I can't go to a value or a CBR pirate room because of the size of the beds. Honestly, I am really, really excited to be staying at Port Orleans French Quarter for the first time! And now I have to pay rack rate in order to stay there.

I understand that Disney offers FREE DINING to fill rooms. I understand Disney offers discounted room rates to the general public to fill rooms. I even understand why Florida resident discounts are so few and far between lately. But an ANNUAL PASSHOLDER DISCOUNT is a BENEFIT of becoming a passholder, and a reason a good deal of people become passholders. Again, I understand that means it is a perk, not a guarantee. But my vacation dates fall within the dates available for the disount. My issues is, if I already have a room booked, that falls within the dates of the discount, and I'm calling the first day the discount has become available, why can't Disney just apply the discount to my room? Why must they make it a bizarre game of hit or miss, only putting some catagories up for discount? POFQ is a small resort and frequently sells out, the week we are staying there is no exception. I just don't understand what would be so hard about saying, "Thanks for being an annual passholder and visiting often. And hey, thanks for booking the room when there was availablity. Here's the discount we promised you would be a benefit for becoming a passholder!"

Oy, sorry to rant, I just thought there might be others on here that understand where I am coming from!

 

[johnsonet]

I understand your frustration BUT by having booked a room there at rack rate, you are helping them to fill their rooms (at least "on paper") and therefore to offer fewer rooms at a discounted rate.

 

[Miss Hunnybee]

I get that I am part of the problem...But I booked way back in February because I knew the resort would be completely full. It usually is, as it is the smallest resort.

 

[padawans]

Hi all! I am a Florida resident annual passholder and I can not tell you how frustrated Disney's annual passholder discount policy makes me. As soon as the passholder discount dates came out, I called Disney to apply the discount to my room only reservations. The room only reservations I booked MONTHS ago. After trying to get through for quite some time, I was connected to a lovely gentleman who was more than happy to help me. Problem was, by the time I got through there was nothing "available" at my resort. UGH. I can't upgrade to a deluxe because of budget. I can't go to a value or a CBR pirate room because of the size of the beds. Honestly, I am really, really excited to be staying at Port Orleans French Quarter for the first time! And now I have to pay rack rate in order to stay there.

I understand that Disney offers FREE DINING to fill rooms. I understand Disney offers discounted room rates to the general public to fill rooms. I even understand why Florida resident discounts are so few and far between lately. But an ANNUAL PASSHOLDER DISCOUNT is a BENEFIT of becoming a passholder, and a reason a good deal of people become passholders. Again, I understand that means it is a perk, not a guarantee. But my vacation dates fall within the dates available for the disount. My issues is, if I already have a room booked, that falls within the dates of the discount, and I'm calling the first day the discount has become available, why can't Disney just apply the discount to my room? Why must they make it a bizarre game of hit or miss, only putting some catagories up for discount? POFQ is a small resort and frequently sells out, the week we are staying there is no exception. I just don't understand what would be so hard about saying, "Thanks for being an annual passholder and visiting often. And hey, thanks for booking the room when there was availablity. Here's the discount we promised you would be a benefit for becoming a passholder!"

Oy, sorry to rant, I just thought there might be others on here that understand where I am coming from!

Next time I would suggest booking online if you see it available, and then calling and cancelling old reservation. I ran into the same problem trying to switch for bb to ap discount. I was on hold 45 minutes. I lucked out and got the last room. The only reason I didin't rebook on line was because my package was already paid in full. In the future if I can't get through right away. I will make a new res online and then cx old one. I would check the passholder room several times a day if you see what you want just book it. By the time you get through on the phone it might be gone.

 

[johnsonet]

Hope you end up getting a discounted room, Miss Hunnybee
I'm going in October (GF or another Deluxe) and hoping for a General Public code (APs expired in March). I don't do the Free Dining and I'm not going to pay rack rates. Might get an AP if GP codes don't come out for my dates.
Good luck!

 

[Minder]

When I look at the AP site, I see discounts on Food, Merchandise, entertainment and much more, but nowhere do I see a gaurenteed discount on the Room.

It looks to me like it is the same system as all the other normal discount offers, first come first served.
It looks like the other AP holders were simply faster dialing than you were.

I am rooting for you next time though.

 

[TJA]

I've been an AP holder for several years. Are your dates still available at rack rate? If so, then I always remain hopeful that I will get some sort of discount. In my case, Columbus Day weekend at Poly is still available at rack rate, but limited rooms were showing up at the AP rate. I faithfully checked the AP site 10x per day and finally, just yesterday, my exact room showed up at the 40% off. So I quickly booked it online and out of curiousity I have checked it again a few times and sure enough that room is not showing up anymore. So I really think it's all about timing -- keep trying and checking. If your dates are a bit flexible, that would help too.

 

[Tltorrez]

There was a great post by Incognito on the FD thread that explained the availability of discounts. Basically there's a booking percentage on each room type/resort. Percentages vary for each type of discount as well. So when the number of rooms booked goes above the line, the discount isn't available. If someone cancels and it falls below the line, the discount is available again. So availability can change from day to day. If the percentage was higher for your room when the discount came out, there may never have been any availability no matter how fast you dialed.

 

[chekhovgirl]

I just checked with my TA today about this, just in case there is a public offer soon. I asked if we might have to change resorts or something to get a discount and she said:

If a future discount becomes available that will save you money, I will work to have the discount applied to your existing reservation. If such a change were to happen, it would be considered a modification and not a new reservation, so you would not have to search for availability again or place a second deposit.

??

 

[dawgsgirl]

I feel your pain!! POFQ has become harder and harder to score for a discount. I feel that Disney does not want the AP people. We do not spend as much as first time or infrequent visitors. Most of the discount rooms probably went to free dining. I was ticked because Disney released the AP rates the same day as free dining. It was impossible to get through to get a discount!! I am not able to get my AP discount at POFQ either. I will keep checking back and hoping for the best. If I can't get the discount, I will probably wait until Jan and try again. Good luck!! This will be the last year I mess around with the AP!!

 

[fla4fun]

Next time I would suggest booking online if you see it available, and then calling and cancelling old reservation. I ran into the same problem trying to switch for bb to ap discount. I was on hold 45 minutes. I lucked out and got the last room. The only reason I didin't rebook on line was because my package was already paid in full. In the future if I can't get through right away. I will make a new res online and then cx old one. I would check the passholder room several times a day if you see what you want just book it. By the time you get through on the phone it might be gone.

I had a similar issue today. I looked online and saw the availability, so I called to have my bounce back changed (I wanted to add dates and change resorts, as well as converting from a BB to AP). The CM said she was sorry, but there wasn't any availability at the resort I wanted. So I said thank you and hung up. Ten minutes later, I had the resort booked online that I wanted at the AP rate. So now I need to call back and cancel the BB reservation. It made me wonder if all the people who had called and been told no availability could have gone online and booked just what they wanted.

 

[mickeynut1]

I understand your frustration BUT by having booked a room there at rack rate, you are helping them to fill their rooms (at least "on paper") and therefore to offer fewer rooms at a discounted rate.

I agree with this.....Disney discounts rooms to fill them.....if a resort or room type is at or near capacity, Disney sees no need to discount them.

I get that I am part of the problem...But I booked way back in February because I knew the resort would be completely full. It usually is, as it is the smallest resort.

And so did many others, I'm sure, if that was the resort they wanted; therefore, getting the resort close to capacity and no need for a discount.

When I look at the AP site, I see discounts on Food, Merchandise, entertainment and much more, but nowhere do I see a gaurenteed discount on the Room.

It looks to me like it is the same system as all the other normal discount offers, first come first served.
It looks like the other AP holders were simply faster dialing than you were.

I am rooting for you next time though.

We have never had APs, but I've seen alot of threads/posts about people inquiring about whether or not get one for a room discount. They are often told not to get an AP solely for a room discount because that is never guaranteed. It may not be a matter of the OP being slow in dialing and being beat out by others, but rather there may not have been any AP discounts on her room type or resort. I do understand the loyalty of it and wanting to be recognized for that loyalty by getting room discounts, but in reality, Disney already has you coming back since you've already purchased an AP......a room discount would just be a perk, not a way to get you back.

 

[fla4fun]

I do understand the loyalty of it and wanting to be recognized for that loyalty by getting room discounts, but in reality, Disney already has you coming back since you've already purchased an AP......a room discount would just be a perk, not a way to get you back.

Not necessarily. When you buy the AP, you are buying discounted admission to the parks, and nothing else. Not a huge money maker if you go just often enough to make the pass pay for itself. So they need you to spend more money elsewhere - they need to make you think it's worth your while to get as much out of that AP as possible.

If I went on day trips only, I would probably go once a month, maybe have lunch in the park, and probably not buy much in the way of souvenirs. When I stay on property (albeit at a discounted rate) I'm eating two or three meals per day on site and have more time for souvenir shopping. It's much more of a win for Disney if they can get me to spend more time there - and one way they can do that is through the discounted rooms.

Truthfully, if you look at the rates for a deluxe under the AP discount, they are just bringing their prices in line with where they really should be, considering amenities and level of service. Disney's rack rate is way above where it should be, even taking into account "location, location, location".

 

[MickeyNicki]

So I booked my POFQ room back in Feb...rack rate and I was hoping and praying for a code for AP or FL residents

In May we stayed at POFQ and there was a bounceback for our Oct dates...not one room available with a code for POFQ...should have seen it coming. No problem, keep what I have and continue to hope for the rates to be discounted in Aug

Flash to last week when the AP codes came out...took forever to get through since "All lines are busy at this time" and then I had to wait 30 minutes only to find out not one single night out of 11 nights would be open with an AP code but I could go to POR or CBR (uh no thanks)

No way in heck am I going to pay rack rate for POFQ so for just a few hundred more I booked the entire 11 nights at the BWI. It wasnt that much more so really it was a no brainer for us but I was so disappointed that I couldnt get back to the POFQ as we love it so much

And for what its worth I couldnt get one night with an AP code at the YC or BC. The only deluxe open was WL, AKL and BWI...no GF, CR or Poly either (thought I would split BWI and Poly)

When the FL rates come out next week I am going to check and see what they have but something tells me it will be the same that the AP codes have

Back in the day you could get any room you wanted with an AP or FL code...now it seems they are limiting the resorts and then the number or rooms in that resort...

So to the OP, I feel your frustration!

 

[mickeynut1]

When you buy the AP, you are buying discounted admission to the parks, and nothing else.

AP holders get more than just discounted park admission. They also get discounts on merchandise......as well as food, entertainment, etc. as Minder pointed out in the above post.

 

[Tltorrez]

Back in the day you could get any room you wanted with an AP or FL code...now it seems they are limiting the resorts and then the number or rooms in that resort...

So to the OP, I feel your frustration!

There was a post on the FD thread last week that explained how these codes are handled -- it's not based on a particular number but rather a percentage of bookings. When the number of bookings goes above the percentage, the discount isn't available. If someone cancels and it goes back down, then it becomes available again. So it could be that the percentages are lower than they used to be, or it could be that more rooms are booked. I know in the park forum there have been a lot of people saying that crowds in traditionally low times have gotten heavier over the years. This would seem consistent. In any event, although the percentages can be different for the various types of discounts it seems likely that if the resort is pretty full, then they're all probably going to have the same availability issues.

It never hurts to check back regularly though for cancellations. Especially after the GP discount comes out. If people booked but were counting on the discount, like you they may change or cancel if the discount isn't available.

 

[fla4fun]

AP holders get more than just discounted park admission. They also get discounts on merchandise......as well as food, entertainment, etc. as Minder pointed out in the above post.

True, but Disney reserves the right to change or discontinue any of those benefits at any time. So the only thing you are guaranteed (or as close to guaranteed as you can get with Disney ) is the discounted park admission. You shouldn't buy an AP for any reason other than the park admission - and then any other benefits you DO get are icing on the cake.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Hi all! I am a Florida resident annual passholder and I can not tell you how frustrated Disney's annual passholder discount policy makes me. As soon as the passholder discount dates came out, I called Disney to apply the discount to my room only reservations. The room only reservations I booked MONTHS ago. After trying to get through for quite some time, I was connected to a lovely gentleman who was more than happy to help me. Problem was, by the time I got through there was nothing "available" at my resort. UGH. I can't upgrade to a deluxe because of budget. I can't go to a value or a CBR pirate room because of the size of the beds. Honestly, I am really, really excited to be staying at Port Orleans French Quarter for the first time! And now I have to pay rack rate in order to stay there.

I understand that Disney offers FREE DINING to fill rooms. I understand Disney offers discounted room rates to the general public to fill rooms. I even understand why Florida resident discounts are so few and far between lately. But an ANNUAL PASSHOLDER DISCOUNT is a BENEFIT of becoming a passholder, and a reason a good deal of people become passholders. Again, I understand that means it is a perk, not a guarantee. But my vacation dates fall within the dates available for the disount. My issues is, if I already have a room booked, that falls within the dates of the discount, and I'm calling the first day the discount has become available, why can't Disney just apply the discount to my room? Why must they make it a bizarre game of hit or miss, only putting some catagories up for discount? POFQ is a small resort and frequently sells out, the week we are staying there is no exception. I just don't understand what would be so hard about saying, "Thanks for being an annual passholder and visiting often. And hey, thanks for booking the room when there was availablity. Here's the discount we promised you would be a benefit for becoming a passholder!"

Oy, sorry to rant, I just thought there might be others on here that understand where I am coming from!

Couldn't agree with you more!

I understand your frustration BUT by having booked a room there at rack rate, you are helping them to fill their rooms (at least "on paper") and therefore to offer fewer rooms at a discounted rate.

True, but there are more than a fair number of cm's who mislead by saying things like "Book now and when/if the AP rate comes out you'll be guaranteed to get it as all you'll have to do is call and make the switch." I know this is true because I was told this several times when I called in the past. They want you to book so some will tell you anything and if you didn't know...well there you go!

 

[mickeynut1]

True, but Disney reserves the right to change or discontinue any of those benefits at any time. So the only thing you are guaranteed (or as close to guaranteed as you can get with Disney ) is the discounted park admission. You shouldn't buy an AP for any reason other than the park admission - and then any other benefits you DO get are icing on the cake.

I agree .

 

[k5thbeatle]

Here's what is bass ackwards about the AP discount and what in my opinion the OP is trying to say. First the OP acknowledges that it is a benefit and not a guarantee. But here is what I think (and what I think the OP is saying) is screwed up about the current system.

OP commits his time, money and family to a WDW vacation by booking months before an AP comes out. "I am committing doing business with you" is kind of what he is saying. Ok so then an AP discount happens to come out. OP is an APH. Why then does someone who made a committment to do business who is also somewhat committed by being an APH then have to play "Hawk the phone" and hope to get through to get a discount when they made every commitment possible to WDW? It's like Disney saying, "Thanks for agreeing to give us your business well ahead of time and more than likely ahead of many others but sorry we can't reward such loyal customers you'll have to play phone roulette like the rest!"

So I can see his point.