New code watch - October/November

[missypie]

I know that we all call, hoping for good news. But I don't know why we think the CM on the phone has any idea as to when or if rates will be released.

Have you ever worked retail? Many moons ago (in the days where retail products had price tags on them!), I worked at K-Mart. On the day before a sale paper came out, we were to go to a window and get a list of all the markdowns we were to make in our department for the next day. If anyone had asked me when or if a particular item would go on sale, I would not have had a clue. I think it's the same when calling WDW. There ARE people who know, but they aren't the people you talk to on the phone.

 

[Poohbear123]

I am back on line after Katrina, and I called on Friday and got a Fl. Resident code for CBR....it was for Preferred Room ONLY, and I only saved about $120.00. I guess I was late due to the storm, as she said rates came out On thursday the day OF the STORM. I guess I will keep it, or maybe call back and see if another moderate resort has a better deal.

 

[MaMudduck]

Glad to hear you're OK Poohbear123!

 

[cjsmom5]

I got a call from Disney Guest Services today regarding my lengthy letter on the Best Rate Program. The gal was wonderful and did an excellent job in answering my questions, being honest, and assuring me that others "up the line" would definitely "hear" my concerns and comments. Below is a quick summary of our discussion, as an FYI.

A person from WDW guest services called me today regarding the letter that I sent to them about the Best Rate Program for annual passholders. We talked for about 1/2 hour. Basically, what it came down to is this ...

1) Disney is saying that there will not be any new AP rates that come out other than through the BRP. But she said they originally said the 120 days wouldn't change and obviously it did -- since they just lowered it to 60 days.

2) She said they are being bombarded with emails and letters about the BRP. While she wouldn't specifically tell me their leaning she very much "implied" that there were many, many, many, many people upset about the new BRP program. Bascially, we talked about the fact that most don't like the non-refundable deposit and are concerned Disney is going to change the refund policy on both pac kages and room only. Again, she indicated that this seemed to be a common concern among MANY.

3) If a new AP rate were to come out those with ressies under the BRP would not automatically get that rate. They would have to call and have the new rate applied. She said that many people are voicing the opinion that they are VERY upset about this. We talked about the fact that I felt, as many on the boards also felt, that the lower rate should be automatically applied to a ressie that was in the BRP since the program was suppose to be the best AP rate available... She told me that lots of emails were also voicing this concern, too.

4) She was very sympathetic to my concerns and said that ALL emails, letters, calls are being documented and ALL info is being passed on up the line. She indicated that the 120 days was changed to 60 days out --- she assumed -- due to the enormous influx of correspondence from AP holders.

5) I explained my concern to her regarding the huge increase in price from last year's AP rate to this year for same time/same property.... and how I felt it was way too much of an increase for one year. We talked about the fact that if Disney continues on this route that the "most loyal and fanatic" Disney AP holders will probably alter their vacation spending habits and look to spend their money elsewhere. She said that they had also received many emails and letters stating just that.

Overall, she told me that, the official word from Disney is that they will not be offering any lower AP rates, but that I should "stay tuned" as things seem to change regularly. Also, that the no BRP reservations would automatically receive a lower AP rate if it were offered -- that would still be handled how it was in the past by the ressie holder calling and having it applied to the reservation.

 

[MaMudduck]

thank you for posting....anything about us in the "black hole" situation?

 

[karebear1]

has anyone checked in the past couple of days?

 

[Buddy Bear]

has anyone checked in the past couple of days?

I was told this morning that there will not be anymore passholder rates.

The only passholder discount you will get is through the Best Rate Program.

 

[welovewdw]

That is disappointing - I know we'll still go to Disney, but more than likely we'll have to stay out of the park so we are able to cancel or change our reservations -plus most of the time, we can get a deal at a Marriott and get points. No last minute deals at Disney anymore makes me kind of sad b/c I LOVE staying in the park! I honestly can't commit to a non-cancellable deposit - we run a small family business and we never know what will come up that may force us to change plans.

Right now, we have reservations at the Marriott World Center for the week between Christmas & New Years, another Courtyard for a Jan. business trip (we stayed in the park at WL last year for it) and we're pricing trips in October for the Food & Wine Festival - more than likely again at a Marriott resort. Sure miss those deals at Disney!

 

[jrogers345]

I was told this morning that there will not be anymore passholder rates.

The only passholder discount you will get is through the Best Rate Program.

And I guess from the looks of it there will be no extension in the Free Dining Plan for October and November

 

[Spoisal]

Bad News Guys.....I just read about a lucky Diser that got a postcard - $49 value rate - BUT for Jan/Feb 2006. I guess this means we are getting skipped for sure.

 

[AARONK]

What I don't get about the Oct/Nov time frame is that this is supposedly the "slow" time of year. Is business up so much that they don't need to offer discounts? I've never been in Oct, but kids have a week off this year, so I thought it would be a great time to go. To those who have been, are the parks/hotels usually full? Anyway, I'm holding off until they give me some sort of discount better than just AAA...Otherwise we will go elsewhere this fall.

 

[MainStreet]

They have alot going on in October and November with MNNSHP, the Food and Wine Festival and Soap Opera Weekend. Maybe those events are bringing in enough people paying rack rate that they don't need to offer codes.

We have AP's, but won't commit to the Best Rate program, because of the non-refundable deposit. We normally don't cancel our vacation, but I won't gamble with a night's deposit. We had reservations at PO-R at rack rate in November and were hoping for some AP rates to be released. Since Disney decided only to commit only to the Best Rate program, we cancelled and are staying off-property. I hope Disney reconsiders the non-refundable deposit and at least makes it transferable to another reservation.

 

[Tink10]

Hi MainStreet

If you were to book through Best Rate & ended up unable to go, you could change the ressie to a new set of dates without penalty. (you wouldn't lose your deposit) There was a $50 penalty to change but it seems that they've done away with that.

 

[Pocahantas]

They have alot going on in October and November with MNNSHP, the Food and Wine Festival and Soap Opera Weekend. Maybe those events are bringing in enough people paying rack rate that they don't need to offer codes.

We have AP's, but won't commit to the Best Rate program, because of the non-refundable deposit. We normally don't cancel our vacation, but I won't gamble with a night's deposit. We had reservations at PO-R at rack rate in November and were hoping for some AP rates to be released. Since Disney decided only to commit only to the Best Rate program, we cancelled and are staying off-property. I hope Disney reconsiders the non-refundable deposit and at least makes it transferable to another reservation.

We are in the exact same situation and did the exact same thing for the first two nights of our October trip before checking into BCV.

 

[MainStreet]

Tink10,

I think it depends on who you speak with. The official passholder site still says that one night is still non-refundable and you need to book it online and I have not been told anything different when I called. How would you apply it to a new reservation when can only book online?

If that is the case, I wish they would put that in writing. As long as it is not, I think it is at the discretion of the Cast Member or Manager.

I think they are still working out the kinks in this program and hopefully when it is all said and done, it will be more guest friendly.

 

[Tink10]

Before I booked the WL, I wanted to get the absolute answer about any penalties for changing the ressie. The first time I called, I phoned 1-407-WDISNEY & the CM didn't know the answer. He put me on hold & checked with the help desk and told me that they would only charge a $50 fee if the amount spent was less than the original amount booked.

I then called back at 1-407-939-7429, (who is handling the BR bookings) and was told that there was no penalty at all to change.

I just called back 1 more time & had the CM read the Q & A of the BR program to me. Here are the "rules" per the Q & A off the CM's screen....

You can change a ressie by calling 1-407-939-7429. The change has to be for a date at least 60 days from the date of the call (the 60 day booking window is absolute).

You can change dates or resorts (if available) without incurring the $50 penalty as long as the change doesn't result in a downgrade (less money spent).

If your new ressie is less in cost than your original ressie, you will be charged the $50 fee.

The deposit from the original ressie will be applied to the new one.

I just had a very lengthy conversation with the CM at 1-407-939-7429 and she literally went item by item through the details that she was reading on her screen. She did comment that the Best Rates are the same discount, if not more, than what AP rates would have been.

She also commented on the fact that Disney is wanting to do more online and that booking online is the industry standard. They want to keep CM's off the phone to cut down on payroll & overtime (I personally know from my time as a CM that is something that Disney has always had an issue with)

From the "blurb" at the bottom of the Best Rate booking site, the rates can be booked over the telephone, below is the quote from the page

"If you prefer to book by phone, call (407) 939-7429* or call your travel agent."

ug:

 

[MainStreet]

It's good that they are being more flexible.

My issue is that you still have to book 60 days out if your dates change. Not always possible in the case of a family emergency or illness, job issue, etc.

I agree the industry standard is online, but I just booked hotels online last night and none of them had a non-refundable deposit (although I know some do.) I just don't like doing business that way.

The only reason I have not been booking online with Disney in the past is because the cancellation window (to avoid losing your deposit) online was always 45 days as opposed to 5 days when you make the reservation over the phone.

I admit I hold Disney to a higher standard than I do say the Holiday Inn and I am disappointed to see them go their way with their booking rules. People want to stay at Disney moreso than the Holiday Inn (other other hotels). There is a major brand loyalty here and I wish they would respect that more.

The BR program works for a lot of people and that's great. I just know we will not use it as is, and for that reason we may not renew our AP's. We will have to do the math and see what our options are.

I am happy for the people who like the program. Good luck.

 

[srfrgrl07]

You can change a ressie by calling 1-407-939-7429. The change has to be for a date at least 60 days from the date of the call (the 60 day booking window is absolute).

All of the info is correct except this. If you change dates on the reservation, the new dates must be 60 days or more from the date that you originally booked online. For example, If you booked BRP for 12/20 for 4 nights but you decide that you want to change it to 12/18 for 4 nights, as long as 12/18 is 60 days or more from the date you originally booked, no problem as long as the room is available. However, if you booked BRP for 12/20 for 4 nights and want to change it to 10/7 for 4 nights, no go. I hope this makes sense

From the "blurb" at the bottom of the Best Rate booking site, the rates can be booked over the telephone, below is the quote from the page

"If you prefer to book by phone, call (407) 939-7429* or call your travel agent."

The BRP cannot be booked over the phone, but if you call they will book you a reservation, just at a higher rate..kinda misleading. A TA, however, should be able to book BRP online for you.

 

[Tink10]

The CM on the phone today read/explained it like this to me...I'll use a scenario...(we used a similar scenario)

I book a BR today at the WL for January 10. Everything is great until I find out that my dear little Suzybob has a soccer tournament that week, so, I call Disney on December 15 because I want to change the dates of my ressie to January 22.

According to the FAQ's that the CM read, I wouldn't be able to do this. I could change the dates, but the soonest that I could rebook the ressie would be February 15 (or the 60 day mark from the date I called to change the ressie)

I can understand why they would have this policy. It really prevents people from booking & changing & booking and changing and so on.....

It's a bit wacky, but it makes sense (it's also difficult to convey it in writing)

 

[MainStreet]

The CM on the phone today read/explained it like this to me...I'll use a scenario...(we used a similar scenario)

I book a BR today at the WL for January 10. Everything is great until I find out that my dear little Suzybob has a soccer tournament that week, so, I call Disney on December 15 because I want to change the dates of my ressie to January 22.

According to the FAQ's that the CM read, I wouldn't be able to do this. I could change the dates, but the soonest that I could rebook the ressie would be February 15 (or the 60 day mark from the date I called to change the ressie)

I can understand why they would have this policy. It really prevents people from booking & changing & booking and changing and so on.....

It's a bit wacky, but it makes sense (it's also difficult to convey it in writing)

That is exactly my problem with the BRP. You should not lose money because of an unexpected event or have to choose between losing $ and Suzybob's soccer tournament. Like I said before Disney is better than that IMO.