More AP benefits going away?

[HauntedMansionFan]

So while down here on vacation I was chatting with a CM at World of Disney at Downtown Disney the other night and she was mentioning that the 10% discount might be discontinued at the start of next year at this particular store. So that would mean that you can no longer recieve a discount at any of the Market Place stores with your AP as of January of 2004. Everyone knows that I'm a big Disney supporter (even though I disagree with some of their business practices) but even this little thing grated on my nerves a bit. I've only had my AP for two years and in that two years I've seen a pretty significant reduction in the benefits that I recieve. I have a house down here, so I don't need the hotel discount (although I do splurge once a year and stay on-site just for one night). I tried to use my discount today at lunch in Epcot and was told that I had missed the "cut-off" by 1 hour. *sigh*

Oh well... here is hoping for a turn-around.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for October when some new attractions open.

 

[MulanMom]

I'm sad to hear that but not surprised. I've seen benies dwindling since I bought stock in the company in the early '90s.

Maybe they don't need to provide a discount incentive to get people to Downtown Disney Marketplace to shop when they can just close the parks early and get people there searching for something to do for the rest of the evening!!!!

 

[CarolMN]

AP/PAP benefits & perks change every year. Some years have definitely been better than others. In my experience, Disney seems to offer better benefits if the previous year's attendance hasn't been up to expectations. (For example, this year we got the 10% discount on selected table service restaurants in EPCOT & the resorts. That's the first time I can remember getting a meal discount on Disney-owned restaurants. Usually, if offered, they were just for DD and/or the Swan/Dolphin). After a good year, the perks seem to decrease. That's just my observations.

Anyway, I'm not going to worry about this possibility until it happens. While I can believe that eliminating the discount is being discussed (everything is always on the table), I don't believe that a store CM is in a position to know anything other than the current "office gossip". JMHO. YMMV.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

*gulp* I never thought I would hear myself say this: But even I think that Universal has Disney beat when it comes to the Annual Passes. I was just comparing last years passholder book to this years and there are quite a few things missing. But then I chat with a friend who has a Universal AP and he gets food and merchandise discounts at almost any store, anytime. They are a few other things that are comparable in theirs as well. But think I just think that this is Universal's strategy, exploiting Disney's weakness. They pick up on something that Disney has let slide and promote the hell out of it hoping that will pick up those that miss that benefit that Disney no longer offers but now Universal does. *sigh*

On a lighter note... I rented a PalMickey.... now that was magical.

 

[Luv2Roam]

It has been two years ago, but I recall at US Hollywood even my AAA card got us discounts on the tickets and in the shops.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by Luv2Roam
It has been two years ago, but I recall at US Hollywood even my AAA card got us discounts on the tickets and in the shops.

STill here in Orlando too. With AAA you get 10% off all counter service and sitdown meals and 10% off at the shops.


This is the AP disconts for Universal.

10% savings on 1, 2 and 3 day Universal Orlando tickets (up to 6 people)
Free admission to select special events such as Mardi Gras
Special discounts on separately ticketed events, such as Halloween Horror Nights and Rock the Universe
10% savings on select VIP Tours. Call 407-363-8295 to book your VIP Tour. Dates subject to availability.
20% savings at merchandise stores and carts (excluding The Master Coin Monster and Mystics of the Seven Veils)
15% savings at all restaurants (excluding carts and alcohol)


CITYWALK

20% savings on the CityWalk Party Pass (up to 4 people)
All Star Collectibles - 10% savings on novelties/merchandise
All Star Collectibles - 5% savings on autographed memorabilia
Bob Marley, A Tribute to Freedom - 10% savings on food & beverage
Cigarz at CityWalk - 15% savings (minimum $10 purchase)
CityJazz- 10% savings on food & beverage
DAPY - 10% savings
GLOW - 10% savings
Hard Rock Café- 10% savings on food and beverage (excluding alcohol)
Hard Rock LIVE - 2 free admissions to "Livewire" local nights (all ages) . Call 407-351-LIVE for schedule of event.
Latin Quarter - 15% savings on food & beverage and merchandise and priority seating for your entire party (Sun-Thurs only)
Margaritaville - 10% savings on merchandise
Margaritaville- 10% savings on food & beverage
Motown Café- 10% savings on food & beverage
NASCAR Café - 10% savings on food & beverage
NASCAR Cafe - Priority seating
NBA City - Priority seating (excluding holidays & special events)
NBA City - One free interactive game card per passholder
NBA City - One $3.00 off merchandise voucher (1 per party)
NBA City- 10% off food on entire check
Pastamore - 10% savings on food & beverage
Pastamore- kids (ages 3-9) eat free for dinner with the purchase of an adult entrée (limit 1)
Pat O'Briens - 10% savings on food & beverage
Pat O'Briens - kids (ages 3-9) eat free from 4pm-9pm (with the purchase of an adult entrée-limit 1)
Silver at CityWalk - 10% savings (excluding sale merchandise)
The groove - 2 for 1 domestic drafts
Universal Cineplex - $6.00 admission after 6pm
Universal Studios Store - 10% savings





UNIVERSAL ORLANDO ON-SITE RESORTS

Portofino Bay Hotel, a Loews Hotel - Save up to 30%! Call 1(800) 232-7827 for reservations/availability.
Hard Rock Hotel at UNIVERSAL Orlando - Save up to 30%! Call 1(800) 232-7827 for reservations/availability.
Royal Pacific Resort, a Loews Hotel - Save up to 30%! Call 1(800) 232-7827 for reservations/availability.





WET ' N WILD - Orlando

Save $20.00 on an annual pass, $69.95 (plus tax)
Save 25% on single, all day admission to Wet 'n Wild - Orlando (Blackout dates apply)
Save 10% in the Breakers Beach Shop (excluding sundries)



AND MORE...

Free self-parking each time you visit or pay for 2 hours of Valet and get the rest of the day for free.
$4.00 preferred parking
10% discount at Samsonite Company Stores (call 1-800-547-BAGS for the store near you)
10% savings on merchandise at Spencer Gifts
Free use of kennels on the day of your visit
And much, much more . .

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Just for laughs I figured that I would do a little "compare and contrast".....

10% savings on 1, 2 and 3 day Universal Orlando tickets

Hmm... Universal has Disney beat on this. The only ticket discount is $4 off Pleasure Island, DisneyQuest, or the water parks.

Special discounts on separately ticketed events, such as Halloween Horror Nights and Rock the Universe

Again Universal has Disney beat. I don't see a discount for the Halloween or Christmas parties.

10% savings on select VIP Tours.

Finally... Disney does this better at least.... 15% off the tours.

20% savings at merchandise stores and carts

Universal wins again. Wow... I get 10% of World of Disney and Eurospain at Downtown Disney and 10% of a tile at Leave a Legacy at Epcot.... whopeeee!

15% savings at all restaurants

Universal gets this award also. With Disney you only get 10% off lunches, only Monday through Friday, and only at select Disney resorts, restaurants in the World Showcase, the All Star Cafe. Oh but wait... at certain places in Downtown Disney I get the discount for lunch AND dinner. How generous...

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO ON-SITE RESORTS

Not sure if you can compare both resorts as I know from first-hand experience that they Disney resort discount can be pretty deep, if they are available at all. Let's get a move on with those codes...

Free self-parking each time you visit

Seems to be even here. Except that Disney doesn't off valet or preferred parking.

10% discount at Samsonite Company Stores

Here is one I think that Disney has Universal beat. Disney at least offers a discount on rental cars through National and Alamo. I would take a discount on a rental car versus luggage any time.

Free use of kennels on the day of your visit

Now if Disney offered this I would use the kennels all the time. Universal wins again.

So benefits aside... I think the only reason that I renew my AP is not because of the benefits, but because logistically it is cheaper for me to get the AP then buying hopper passes all the time because I'm down here so much. But I think that if I had the AP soley for the benefits and the savings on tickets, I would have done away with the AP after the first year....

 

[Snowgod]

Universal does not have a pass for WDW. If it did and offered a discount at WDW on all of the above items then they would have Disney beat. As they are selling their product and I do not see any way it compares to WDW, it is worth less. Stowe vermont charges more for a season pass compared to other New England ski areas because it is Stowe. Nothing else compares.

 

[EUROPA]

Errr...ok. So let me guess your not a fan of Universal?

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Originally posted by Snowgod
Stowe vermont charges more for a season pass compared to other New England ski areas because it is Stowe. Nothing else compares.

I disagree. Other resorts have better base areas. Terrain is real nice tho'. Of course I loved it more when I had an employee discount there.

On topic! I do think the Universal discounts outdo the Disney discounts with regard to items like meals and souveniers. However that comparison can only be made if Universal is a viable alternative to Disney for the tourist (which for me it is).