No Codes - More Money for Disney???

[Disneyhappy]

I see you're missing the point. AP holders are upset because the biggest advantage (aside from unlimited admission) that they used to enjoy they're no longer receiving, that being reliable provision of the most generous hotel room discounts available. I remember getting 40% off deluxe rates one year, and I know that there were even better discounts in the past than that. So what AP holders are concerned about, as Boomhauer indicated, is the loss of these discounts.

I hope that clears it up for you.

As I was reading this thread, I planned on posting the exact point you made regarding 40% discount on rooms. It’s been a few years since it made sense for us to purchase an AP but we will be taking at least 2 trips to WDW this year and three trips next year now that we are DVC members. I was excited that, as DVC members, we receive $100 off of the AP price. Someone, please correct me if I am wrong as my memory fades more, the further I get on the other side of 40, but did AP prices increase significantly in the last few years? I thought the last time I purchased at AP about 3 years ago it cost me about $350. Now they are $441. Also, I am interested in AP resort discounts as we will not be staying the entire trips at our DVC resort. I recall that the AP discounts we received in the past were in the area of 35-40% at the deluxe resorts we stayed at (usually concierge). Now there is a flat $ amount discount that equates to a 17% discount on our Polynesian Concierge room we have reserved for our August trip (assuming the same historical discount of $75 off deluxe rates during value season.)

As I stated, purchasing APs makes sense for us as we have several trips to FL planned over the next couple years due to our DVC purchase and visits for family and business. Before researching, I was expecting the same similar perks as a few years ago. They are obviously not there. Others that are not as important to me have been added. Disney does not appear to need to keep all of the perks to make money at this time. Hopefully, they are able to find that delicate balance not to alienate their loyal and frequent guests. If not, new loyal and frequent guests are born everyday at WDW who are unaware of the great perks that were available in the past. I'm confident WDW has some of the best actuaries (bean counters/number crunchers) who are calculating the odds on every action Disney makes. They calculate the % of AAA rooms they anticipate being cancelled after new discounts are released based on past experiences.

Sorry about the rambling message. I guess my point is that yes, it stinks that the perks are not as great as they used to be but it is better than nothing for me personally. I appreciate the frustration of perks being taken away instead of remaining the same or offering more. Unfortunately, I think supply and demand is going to dictate Disney's actions in my opinion. Maybe the delay in summer codes being released is because Disney is trying to get a feel on how the gas prices may be affecting summer travel. I know that we personally are contemplating canceling a few non-Disney trips over Memorial Day and July 4th due to the cost of gas prices. We hate to contribute to the demand for gas when the prices are so high. We will likely stay at home and throw some great BBQ's at the house instead of going away.

Yikes! This turned out to be a long, somewhat preachy thread. Thanks for letting me ramble!

 

[EEyorelover22]

That is truly a chunk of change for airfare! Glad we have tix for June & Oct. in hand. Hope the rates get better!

We plan very far ahead (try to secure res. @ DVC @ 11 months for bulk of trip, then need 2 or 3 extra days somewhere). Starting to think about avoiding June next year if no codes are released & sweltering in July/Aug.

We were never able to fly for less than $300 per person before Allegiant came to our area and Airtran out of Moline, IL. We have great fares for June and I bought them a long, long time ago. As soon as we knew our kids' schedule we purchased them.

To get the $300 before then we would still have to drive 1.5 hours to get to a place with a decent fare. Last summer I did find good fares to DC out of Cedar Rapids, IA, but normally we go to Moline. But, then gas went up and so did the fares out of here. Right now out of CR it's close to $400 each before tax when I check so that's $450. The cheapest I saw was $298 before taxes with two lay overs. I'm not interested in that. So, I keep hoping. I like WDW, but not for 2 grand in air fare. Now, fares are not always that much out of here, but when we can go during the busy times they are Living on a school schedule can be a real pain in the wallet.


AND to add: I have seen this reference more than once. How do we know the BRP was done away with because of complaints? Yes, people complained, but maybe bookings were down and that's why they stopped it or some other reasons. I know several of my Disney friends went off site because they were within the 120/60 day window. Does anyone know for sure why they did away with BRP?

 

[Sammie]

When Disney offered rooms at 40% there were large number of rooms especially at the deluxe resorts sitting empty. I can remember checking into the Yacht and Beach and certain floors being closed and not even being used due to the fact occupancy was down. That is not the case now.

Many are willing to pay Rack Rate to get the Dining Plan. You don't have to have a full resort to be able to be in the black when a certain percentage is willing to pay Rack Rate. Also you don't have to use as much housekeeping to cover those rooms either.

Why would Disney want to discount 2 rooms at 40% when they can have one room at Rack Rate with less cost to them and more revenue.

I can understand wanting a discount, I would like one too. I don't understand the feeling of being owed one, even to repeat guests. Repeat guest programs are offered by companies that need that base to support the business due to lack of new customers. Disney is not having that problem.

And actually a first time guest probably spends more on souvenirs, etc. than the repeat guest.

 

[bicker]

Does anyone know for sure why they did away with BRP?

I bet no one who would be authorized to say.

 

[Luv2Roam]

And actually a first time guest probably spends more on souvenirs, etc. than the repeat guest.

Except for pin addicts!

 

[bicker]

Now there's a market just ripe for some new discounts.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I bet no one who would be authorized to say.

So, it may be that it didn't work like it should have not that Disney listened to the repeat visitors. I guess you made my point with your answer We all assume it's because they "love" us and we were mad so they did away with it. I don't believe that.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Except for pin addicts!

Disney is making a bundle off of pins!! My cousin imported pins and he buys the single ones for 25 cents, the double for 50 cents and sells them to someone like Disney for $1-2. This was when pins just started. Disney sells them for minimum of $6. What a scam!! I'm sure not how much of his business was with Disney, but he did a little business when they first started. He also imports pieces for electronics as well along with many other things I'm sure. He lives in a bigger house now He was really interested in the black backs I had when I returned.

Amazing money that Disney is making on PINS.

 

[bicker]

it may be that it didn't work like it should have

A better guess, IMHO, would be that they never expected the program to do well (think about how it was structured, eh?), and just introduced it as a PR gesture to help AP holders to adjust to the changes they wanted to make, i.e., redirecting those empty rooms to the burgeoning market of first-time guests looking for free dining!

 

[Luv2Roam]

OT -- But the days of the $6 pins are few and far between. A "cheap" pin is $6.95. They now average $8.95 - $12.95 each. With them ranging to some higher price of course, including framed sets that cost hundreds.
I use to spend far more on pins than I did our resort stay.

 

[C.Darwin]

Isn't Disney trying to win over new repeating customers, while the AP holders are already loyal customers?

Loyal customers? Where? It looks like the majority of the people on this board only have one AP for their travel party purchased just for the room discounts. I'm sure there are quite a few that skipped buying the AP altogether when they weren't asked for it at check-in. There are only a few DVC owners and frequent visitors here that actually bought an AP for park admission.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Loyal customers? Where? It looks like the majority of the people on this board only have one AP for their travel party purchased just for the room discounts. I'm sure there are quite a few that skipped buying the AP altogether when they weren't asked for it at check-in. There are only a few DVC owners and frequent visitors here that actually bought an AP for park admission.

Correct for us. We had one per party and it was for the room discount and that's the only reason why I bought it. Now, if we go twice this year, we will all have APs. I did actually have one at check with the ap rate

I wonder how many had an AP rate without an AP?
I've never been asked to produce it.

 

[bicker]

Loyal customers? Where?

I'm sure there are some truly loyal customers among the AP holders. I suspect, though, that they've been badly dilluted by other AP holders who just want to save money. Disney surely has its hands full trying to target their promotions towards those actual, truly loyal customers.

 

[EEyorelover22]

The only way they could do this is if they tracked all their spending through out all of Disney and I don't see that happening.

 

[bicker]

I wouldn't be so surprised. That's pretty standard stuff for marketing folks.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Yes, I agree and CC expenses could be tracked, but not cash ones as easily, that's all I meant. I'm sure they have stats on this, but it leaves out cash transactions. I'm sure they track expenses charged to the rooms. Big Brother Mickey is watching us

 

[keishashadow]

don't get me started on biometic scans WDW should be advising homeland security...IMO, could teach them a thing or two.

though we arrive w/lots of eBay "trade bait" in hand, each trip I nearly faint when I see how much I've spent on those cute, little pins...keep saying I'm only going to buy a few each trip...but I'm weak!

Yes, I agree and CC expenses could be tracked, but not cash ones as easily, that's all I meant. I'm sure they have stats on this, but it leaves out cash transactions. I'm sure they track expenses charged to the rooms. Big Brother Mickey is watching us

 

[EEyorelover22]

when you see a bioscan at all the cash registers we'll know what's up!!

 

[boomhauer]

Loyal customers? Where? It looks like the majority of the people on this board only have one AP for their travel party purchased just for the room discounts. I'm sure there are quite a few that skipped buying the AP altogether when they weren't asked for it at check-in. There are only a few DVC owners and frequent visitors here that actually bought an AP for park admission.

No doubt, but I consider myself a VERY "loyal" customer. There are many more options other than Disney in Orlando, however, I never venture to any of them. Haven't been to Sea World in 20 years, and haven't been to Universal in 10 years. However, since getting an AP 2 years ago, I've made 6 trips to Disney.

The only reason my family all don't have AP's is because they don't make all the trips with me. We take one 2 week family vacation per year. I have more vacation time than my wife, so I take two 1 week solo trips per year.

 

[ScottNBecky]

To solve some of the problems with people only buying one AP, Disney could institute something along the order of ALL people in your party must have an AP to get the rate. That would be the only way they could change it for the better (for Disney). We have 4 AP's and b/c of this we have ventured to WDW several times a year now b/c of them, instead of vacationing at other places.