Might Intrest You On What A Cm Said To Me..

[susy]

I certainly don't expect to be treated better because I have an AP, but if a CM wants to compare what I spend with someone who may just come every few years or once in a lifetime, go right ahead. We spend an avg of 16 nights a year on property. Yes, I believe Ap holders spend more.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I don't know if Disney monitors their reservation cm's the way they do the catalog orders, but if they do, and this cm acts this way on a regular basis, she will definately get "caught". Phone calls for the catalog orders are monitored and cm's are graded on the calls. This is done very frequently and really does make the cm's do a better job with phone calls. I truly believe the majority of cm's are friendly, helpful, enjoy their jobs and WANT everybody to visit THEIR WORLD. Working for Disney for a time made me love Disney even more. I miss it!

 

[jaygatz]

I don't believe the question should be framed as, "Should I be treated better because of AP status?" Rather, I believe it should be, "Should I be treated as a VIP simply because I dial (407)934-XXXX?" And, I believe the answer should be a resounding, "Yes!"

 

[Dawnflower]

In my opinion, I think loyalty should be rewarded!! That is I guess my point! I know it's my choice if I go back or not, and year after year I do, I just wish that for my yearly loyalty would be rewarded after so long!

 

[Dawnflower]

well said suzy!!!

 

[CindysGusGus]

Has anyone seen the commercial for cell phones with the new girl in the class. The classmates who have been there are playing with colors that are broken and half used, old paint etc, then the teacher introduces the new student and says she gets the deluxe brand new set of colors and paint because shes new. This is how I equate what was said about the new people. They have already won you over. Now they have to woo the new people. What they dont expect is that the old people feel abandoned and worthless. Yes, they sometimes offer AP rates, and yes, sometimes they dont. Its not expected but when we call and politely ask the politeness should be returned 100 percent.

 

[safetymom]

Everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect. They also should be treated as a valued customer. That is what this CM didn't do.

Until I moved to Florida and I knew that an AP would be a great buy I used Park Hopper tickets.

To Disney they got much more money out of me when I only used Park Hopper tickets. I went several times a year but didn't buy AP's because I didn't know if I would be returning again within that year.

I have a regular AP now and will get the FL. resident one when this one expires. I think they need a loyalty program. The AP program is not it.

Would you be willing to give up your unlimited park admittance for better resort prices within a loyalty program?

 

[chatty]

Oh My,
I Love WDW and I spend every Penny I have to go as much as I can go. Thanks Guys, But unfortunatly I was so taken back with that conversation I can't remember her name. But, I hope Disney reads this board and see's that we are their bread and butter...
I never once thought of myself as trying to get away with anything, that never entered my thoughts... My only thoughts are how, where, and when can we get back to Disney..
Chatty

Thank's To All......

 

[CindysGusGus]

Originally posted by safetymom
Everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect. They also should be treated as a valued customer. That is what this CM didn't do.

Until I moved to Florida and I knew that an AP would be a great buy I used Park Hopper tickets.

To Disney they got much more money out of me when I only used Park Hopper tickets. I went several times a year but didn't buy AP's because I didn't know if I would be returning again within that year.

I have a regular AP now and will get the FL. resident one when this one expires. I think they need a loyalty program. The AP program is not it.

Would you be willing to give up your unlimited park admittance for better resort prices within a loyalty program?

I think I actually would becuase I live 12 hours away. Knowing when and what I would be paying would allow me to plan better. To me one major experience of a Disney trip is the resorts. I do not plan to save money on the resorts with the AP but have come accustomed to them offering them quite often. I plan what I can afford and then hope to upgrade. I am a planner so I basically want to know yes or no.

 

[Dawnflower]

funny thing is...as I sit here aggravated about not having a code already for my fall trip, I look up on my desk and there sits a picture of my husband, on bended knee, proposing to Minnie Mouse! And I smile, and I look at the kids with Mickey and I know that code or no code, I'm going back, and I am gonna be dancing and singing and unable to control my excitement. I am going to make my husband crazy talking about rides and restaurants, and how some day I want to be able to afford my daughters dream wedding complete with characters at the wedding pavillion. So I guess they know they have us! And we, for the most part are pretty sure they are gonna give us a code to use, not guaranteed, just pretty sure. And I for one, am pretty sure, that next April, when they haven't yet released the May AP code, I am gonna get aggravated, threaten to go to some other vacation destination, then, I'm gonna look up and see the picture of my husband and know where I am really gonna spend my money!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

WDW is getting a LOT more money out of me because of this AP. I first went this year and bought the AP. Because of buying the AP I will hopefully be going with my DH in October, my son, sister, and mom (her first trip at 81yo) in December, with a few days added on to spend only with my son, and another son in January. So what would have likely been 1 trip if I had of bought hoppers is turning into 4 trips. We're not local so it means hotels, food, etc. Boy, isn't this AP saving me lots of money???

T&B

 

[26555]

AP holders provide great press, convince their friends and neighbors to go again, and educate people on how to "do" Disney in a way to make it more enjoyable encouraging future returns. (A guest that comes once, hates it and tells people all about how much money he spent to stand in line definately hurts Disney profits in the long run.) Getting guests back in the door when they wouldn't have otherwise, spending money on hotels and meals has to be profitable for Disney. (SW often throws in the rest of the year admissions for simply the cost of a one day pass b/c they realize the value of money spent on food and in shops.) Only when parks and hotels exceed capacity such that an AP holder is taking up a "space" that could have gone to a guest paying $55 a day could you say an AP holder hurts profitability. Discount codes are usually released during times the hotels are not at capacity so I don't think they eat into profits.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

AP discounts are a perk not an entitlement. Anyone who buys a pass for any other reason then to get into the parks for 365 days is foolish. Disney, like everyone else, issues AP discounts not to please its “loyal” passholders, but rather to boost occupancy when its projected to be below what ever they are shooting for. Passholders are targeted, because the strategy assumes that passholders will come on shorter notice, since they would not have the expense of tickets, thats why they are the last discounts to be released.

 

[DebbieB]

I think part of the problem Disney is having with AP discounts is everyone is after them, not just current AP Holders. I think Disney intended AP room discounts to be an incentive for current AP holders to return for an extra trip and spend some more money. With the internet being so popular, word got around that you could book the AP discount without actually having the AP in hand, buy just 1 AP for up to 3 discounted rooms, you can even get away with just a child's AP, and get the discounted
room(s) with no intention of returning for another trip during the year. I think that's where her comment "you people think you have become smart on the discounts" might be directed. Perhaps they need a better system, maybe giving people with a current AP more advance booking, providing the pass number to get the reservation.

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by BoyLovesBuzz
AP discounts are a perk not an entitlement. Anyone who buys a pass for any other reason then to get into the parks for 365 days is foolish. Disney, like everyone else, issues AP discounts not to please its “loyal” passholders, but rather to boost occupancy when its projected to be below what ever they are shooting for. Passholders are targeted, because the strategy assumes that passholders will come on shorter notice, since they would not have the expense of tickets, thats why they are the last discounts to be released.

One of the changes that WDW has seen significantly over the past four years or so is that resort bookings are coming in much later - visitors that used to book a trip 5-6 months in advance may now be booking 2 months out instead. The result is that the timeline for projecting occupancy has gotten correspondingly shorter.

Almost without exception, passholder rates *have* been available. They've just been available later than some find convenient. And that's the thing about a free perk - one can't really complain simply because we wish it were better.

On the original topic, it would be interesting to know the exact words used by the CM on the phone. Human nature being what it is, paraphrasing is almost automatic.

 

[n2mm]

I completely agree with BoylovesBuzz's post. This is the exact language from the Passholder website regarding resort rates:


"...Special Resort Rates: Take advantage of the special Passholder rates that are sometimes available at selected Walt Disney World® Resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club Resorts. See your Mickey Monitor newsletter or the Special Offers section of this Web site for specific offers."

The only things that are considered a perk of being an AP holder is the discounts that are allowed for AP holders, i.e., lunch meals, tours, tickets, and entrance into the park. Anything else you get, i.e., bigger discounts on tours, reduced resort accommodations, are just extras. As attendance continue to rise post 9/11 as we are seeing now and have seen this summer, I believe that discounts will start becoming farther and fewer apart.

In regard to the OP, there is no excuse for the CM being ugly and rude to you and am sorry that you encountered that.

Anyone who gets an AP for the resort perk is setting themselves up for alot of stress. I've been an AP holder for 10 years and the room discounts now are great, nothing like we had 10 years ago. I too believe the discounts are for those short, last minute trips. I still believe folks should ALWAYS book the resort that they can afford at full price and if they get it for cheaper or a better resort for cheaper, that is just icing on the cake.

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by skiwee1
She went on to tell me about some guy from South Africa that called the week earlier wanting the nice suite at the GF. I think she called the it Walt suite. Anyway that suite was booked so she took a chance offering him the biggest suite at AKL as that was the only one available. He took it she said, no questions on whether he could get it cheaper. He is paying $25,000 for his stay there now. That, she said, is where the money is, not the AP holders.

So you are saying that the CM charged this person the same rate for a cheaper room??

That's dishonest-but the Yellowstone Suite at WL is pretty knock-your-socks-off awesome, nevertheless.

 

[samnbilly]

Originally posted by safetymom
Could someone explain to me why you should be treated as a VIP because you have a AP?

I guess I have been looking at it all wrong. I think of my AP as my admission to the parks. All the rest is nice but not what I bought the AP for.

I don't think anyone is asking to be treated as a VIP, just asking to not be treated like a PIA (Pain in the a**) Its a simple question-are there AP rates out for ***-yes or no-Thank You and have a great day.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by JayBee
So you are saying that the CM charged this person the same rate for a cheaper room??

That's dishonest-but the Yellowstone Suite at WL is pretty knock-your-socks-off awesome, nevertheless.

Oh you mean that wonderful suite at the WL that the big celebrity Roseanne stayed at? I don't think Roseanne has been a celebrity in 20 years. Perhaps that is all she could afford.

 

[barbeml]

As a marketing and PR professional who has worked in member services for associations, I can tell you that the most valuable customer/member is the one who has made a long-term commitment. You know, the person who renews a subscription for 2 years or is the first to pay their annual dues.

Hmm, the value of an AP holder? Likely to visit the parks for 8 days or more annually; more likely to make multiple trips to WDW; more likely to share their love of WDW with others (word of mouth advertising is priceless). With park admission paid for, we will spend more on food and experiences (tours, dinner shows) on our "free admission" trips. We just made our first AP purchase and will make THREE trips to WDW in 12 months, as opposed to our usual one.

The person who does not know all the money-saving tricks at WDW? More likely to be disgruntled at the amount of money they spent, likely to share their dissatisfaction with others and much less likely to return anytime soon.

I suspect the CM the OP spoke with was tired of answering the AP rate questions (no excuse, just a possible explanation for her behavior). Perhaps she should take a lesson from those wonderful Sprint commercials about the ways companies take their loyal customers for granted (dangerous in today's marketplace).

Barbe