new annual pass program BLUES

[jmclester]

Does anyone know if you still have to have a voucher in hand if you call CRO between 2 - 5 pm for the BRP Rate?? We usually buy our AP's at the SOG with a military discount - thanks!!

No, you only need the voucher or the pass when you check in.

 

[tlbwriter]

Why would they? That's an entire year apart. Unless you were going earlier in the month than you did the previous year, the AP wouldn't be valid. Even if you went the same week, it still wouldn't be valid. It's good from the first day you use it to exactly the same day a year later.

It shows a pattern of going regularly (or at least the very beginning of a pattern), and they could have easily said "Are you planning to go next December? If so, you might benefit from an AP, as long as you finish your next trip before December 16, 2005." It's no sillier than ordering a drink at McDonald's and having them ask "Do you want fries with that?"

They're not going to try and sell an AP to someone who doesn't take more than 1 trip per year.

They might if they wanted to encourage that person to take more than one trip per year. But right now, either they're not looking hard for repeat business, or they feel those repeat visitors are already in the palm of their hand so they can concentrate on drumming up new business.

 

[jmclester]

On all of the Travel Channel specials on theme parks that I have seen one point is always driven home:

Repeat customers are their number one priority!

Think about it. What if the majority of visitors only visited once?

 

[boomhauer]

It's no sillier than ordering a drink at McDonald's and having them ask "Do you want fries with that?"

Apples to oranges. Little bit of a difference saying "Would you like to add some $.99 fries to your order?" and "Would you like to upgrade to an AP for an extra $200?"

 

[arizonacolbys]

No, you only need the voucher or the pass when you check in.

Thanks for the response! I may call later today to book for next September - thanks!!

 

[srfrgrl07]

Thanks for the response! I may call later today to book for next September - thanks!!

The BRP is only through April right now...if you call it'll be rack rate or possibly AAA if you qualify, but sorry no BRP yet for that time frame.

 

[srfrgrl07]

Apples to oranges. Little bit of a difference saying "Would you like to add some $.99 fries to your order?" and "Would you like to upgrade to an AP for an extra $200?"

It's actually a considered an "upsell" in the world of sales and it makes sense...it requires a little more of an investment on the part of the consumer...helps build the relationship a little more. (don't you feel more "loyal" to Disney as an AP holder now ) That commitment from the consumer prompted Disney to offer incentives, like you've mentioned, as what I guess you could consider appreciation for the purchase. Unfortunately, alot of those incentives are not what they used to be to some people. (I understand that your dissatisfaction is not due to the lack of incentives or value that you receive; more rooted in the processes that are required)

They should probably offer APs to more people if they know that they travel regularly to the world, it makes sense because the company would make revenue from that and the customer would feel like the agent had their best interest and value in mind...but like you said for some people it's difficult to pay the price of those APs in one fell swoop. Sometimes when you're calling with the objective of booking a room, all of the other "add ons" like tickets, dining, Cirque, etc become too overwhelming to consider "under pressure" and it creates an "information overload" scenario. (Not for all, but some.) Maybe that's why they don't take the opportunity to offer those things, I dunno.

I know with my experience in sales, I've always tried to keep it as simple as possible...I always offer the available options based on what I interpret the person desires and expects, but then again I've never been the top in sales. I'm just too generous with information and options and it usually leads to indecision on the part of the customer, who requests more time to consider it. I would love to sell to people who know EXACTLY what they want...although sometimes it's more difficult to get them to break from the norm

 

[arizonacolbys]

The BRP is only through April right now...if you call it'll be rack rate or possibly AAA if you qualify, but sorry no BRP yet for that time frame.

I thought with BRP you can make your ressie for anytime & when better rates are released your original rate will be lowered? Is that not the procedure when calling in? Thanks!

 

[srfrgrl07]

I thought with BRP you can make your ressie for anytime & when better rates are released your original rate will be lowered? Is that not the procedure when calling in? Thanks!

The reservation has to be made using the BRP link on the passholder section of the website(or by calling between 205 and requestin BRP.) You will receive a discount off the regular rate at that time..for example say Value resorts at rack rate are 109.00...you will be given a rate of say 89.00. If between the time you booked and the time you travel they release a lower general public rate of say 79.00, your original 89.00 rate is lowered to match it. But you can't book a rack rate room and expect that it will automatically be lowered...must be through BRP program and currently it says available through April 13, I believe. Sorry!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Oooh, this is a fun one!

Disclaimer: We purchase APs, but we get the DVC discount (which we are told regularly that 'could go away at any time'.)

First, to the folks who say "Well, Disney would rather have a AP visitor whose admission cost is down to $15 because of all the $$$ they spend in the park". Sorry, no. If this were true, Disney would open the gates to all theme parks free of charge and make an incredible amount of money on food, drink & souvies.

Second, some of you folks act like if you don't make a ressie because the AP discount wasn't attractive then that resort room will go empty. Sorry, wrong again. Yes, Disney would rather a AP-rater than an empty room; however, Disney's occupancy is heading up again and Disney would like a rack-rate package-payer much better than a room-only AP-rater.

Third, as srfrgrl07 (hope I got that right) points out, some folks here are assuming that every AP holder is like a DIS AP holder. Wrong again. Many (most?) AP holders are those who are looking to maximize their vacation dollar value, and off-site is by far the better value for those folks (not me - I own at WDW, so I'm hooked on pixie dust). IMHO, this scenario is much more likely: AP holders see a great rate on Southwest, make a $59/night ressie at Generic Suites Main Gate (where the get a free breakfast) and eat as much as possible off-site. And Papa Walt don't make that much from people like that.

So, while DIS-type AP holders - those folks who scan the DIS for discounts but will stay, play, eat and spend on-site no matter what - might well indeed generate a lot of $$$ for Disney, I maintain they they are in the minority, and that most AP holders simply generate more wear and tear on the parks. I think that tlbwriter makes the best point: Disney is wise in the ways of business, so if getting people to buy and use APs really made more $$$, you'd see AP promo literature every time you turned around, got on a bus, turned on the TV and opened your mailbox (both snail and digital). But they don't - end of story.

IMHO - YMMV