*OFFICIAL* AP Watch thread for Jan/Feb UPDATE: THERE OUT 1/1 THRU 2/11

[jann1033]

don't know that I agree that AP have the same basic "benefits" that normal passes but for more days since they do not advertise the Ap as a pass good for more than 8-12 days but one of the benefits, according to the Disney website, is that it includes a "wide array of passholder benefits". since historically that has included lodging discounts they should be upfront about it if they are not going to offer that benefit any longer.

personally I think they will come out with them like so many have been told, in Dec. and it is probably premature to be giving up hope or getting all riled up about it.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by jann1033
don't know that I agree that AP have the same basic "benefits" that normal passes but for more days since they do not advertise the Ap as a pass good for more than 8-12 days but one of the benefits, according to the Disney website, is that it includes a "wide array of passholder benefits". since historically that has included lodging discounts they should be upfront about it if they are not going to offer that benefit any longer.

personally I think they will come out with them like so many have been told, in Dec. and it is probably premature to be giving up hope or getting all riled up about it.

Whether you agree or not, the annual pass promises you theme park admission for a year - no more no less. What I was referring to with the 8-12 "breakeven" was a comparison to other park admissions. If you visit the parks for more than 8-12 days you will benefit from a purchase of an annual pass as compared to other park admission media, regardless of other benefits.

When I read the ad at the wdw web site I saw nothing other than a promise of admission to the theme parks for a year. Additional benefits vary from month to month and IMHO are just an additional perk. To purchase an annual pass for anything other than admission to the parks IMHO could be a mistake if you are not going to visit for more than the 8- 12 days.

From the WDW site "
" Enjoy 365 days of magic. Annual passholders can come and go as they please through all four Theme Parks for an entire year.* Even hop around from Park to Park on the same day, or choose to do even more with a Premium Annual Pass."

I see nothing about dining discounts, resort discounts or recreation discounts yet they exist "seasonally and subject to change"

Setting yourself up for expectations that may or may not be realiized is looking for dissapointment. To have a lookout or thread alerting people of the AP discount is (again IMHO) wonderful. But to complain about a discount that is never promised and purchase an AP to get a non guaranteed discount is looking for dissapointment.

I do hope you all get your AP discounts but you also got what you paid for if you already purchased the annual pass.

Tj

 

[jann1033]

go to the disney website, go to purchase tickets, annual passes, more info tab.there is makes the" benefits statement" that I quoted verbatim from that site

 

[magsmom]

Not yet, 7:20 on Wednesday, November 26th.



I think we have gotten our $ out of park admission with our AP's. Counting our upcoming trip, we figure that we will have used the passes at the parks 33 days. We were also lucky to get a room discount on our last trip, and the other perks are nice, too.

 

[Daisie]

Thanks again Magsmom....Happy Stuffing Day everyone!

 

[MosMom]

I had emailed Disney about 4 days ago regarding Annual Passes and received a phone call yesterday from them. It was the typical "I understand your frustration" call but I did feel better getting some issues off my chest and hopefully it will make a difference. The issues I brought up were:

- Never being asked to show proof of my adult AP at check-in
- Feeling like they are giving their best customers the run around (and if their best customers aren't getting the AP rooms then they need to start verifying that properly.)
- How we are considering moving our stays to the Swan/Dolphin to avoid this nonsense when we make our trips.
- I told her that they are offering the public great package deals with the fairytale package but Annual Passholders can't even take advantage of that because we already have passes and don't need more!

She saw we had made reservations at Wilderness Lodge and cancelled them, then I told her we were looking at the Swan/Dolphin since we could get our AP rate right now there and would not have to sit on pins & needles when we are just 45 days away from our trip. We then went into a big long conversation about how great the Wilderness Lodge is and we should still consider it. We were considering it but I almost feel like staying at the Swan/Dolphin on principal now.

It is like, we vacation at DisneyWorld exclusively and I have NEVER received any sort of special rate postcard, I have never received an upgrade, I have to wait until a month before my trip to find out if they are offering discounts. Geesh, most companies like to reward their best customers...it is a matter of good business. I even told her "Just let us know if they are coming out or not! Even if you aren't offering them, just let us know so we can plan accordingly!".

So, the conversation went in circles and I heard plenty of "I understand your frustration" and "I know what you mean" but no answers. I did feel better getting it off my chest though at least.

 

[safetymom]

I don't want to get flamed for my opinion but I disagree with the logic that an AP holder is their best customer. I don't think that WDW would agree with that. I am sure they would prefer those people that pay rack rates for their trip.

I think the best way not to drive yourself crazy is plan on what you can afford and then if AP rates come out you could switch.

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by safetymom
I don't want to get flamed for my opinion but I disagree with the logic that an AP holder is their best customer. I don't think that WDW would agree with that. I am sure they would prefer those people that pay rack rates for their trip.

I think the best way not to drive yourself crazy is plan on what you can afford and then if AP rates come out you could switch.

I would have to say I agree 100% with this. I am 'cautiously optimistic" about an AP rate, but if we don't get one, we don't get one. c'est la vie.

I do thank everyone for keeping tabs on these rates for us.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

MosMom, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with WDW as you did, and with us as well.

I think we are finding a conflict between WDW's marketing methods and our desire for some sort of "Loyalty Program". This sentiment is expressed frequently on the DVC discussion board as well, only there it is a desire for some sort of discounted park ticket program.

It's tough not to feel unappreciated when we spend so much money at any given place. But on the other hand, if Disney needed to lure people in with loyalty discounts, maybe it wouldn't be the kind of place that we'd really want to go back to again and again.

For now, I'm content to know that between my DVC membership and my AP, I'll be visiting WDW alot, and it makes me happy. And as a repeat visitor, I know a whole lot of information that makes my frequent trips even better.

I do really appreciate folks sharing the results of their efforts, and we all benefit by these forums. No right, no wrong, just opinions.

So, there's mine! Have a great holiday, everybody!

 

[DisOrBust]

I just got done making all my Ps for Feb5-15 which includes the first weekend of Presidents week and Valentines Day and had NO problems getting them for a party of 7. I don't think they have that many booking that there will be NO AP rates. My guess is next week as had been rumored before. For Jan 2001 I am sure I did not get my AP rates intil late in Nov. They will come................I hope...

 

[nhed]

Don't be fustrated! Be glad. Chasing the last minute deal helps to fill the time between the decision to go and the actual vacation.
Never use the 407 number, always use an 800#. You get to hear the wonderful music on hold while you wait.[I'm serious]. You get to chat with a sales rep and some really like Disney[ The CRO folks used to be cast members, but I guess not today with the Travel company].

"Let the magic begin"

 

[magsmom]

Maybe a clarification is in order...

If by "best" you mean the most profitable, then the answer is No, Annual Passholders are not Disney's best guests. However, companies require steady and consistent revenue to maintain consistent share price and credit. Annual passholders provide that, in good times and in bad.

Just as magazines provide deep discounts to subscribers to maintain a steady base readership, Disney should be willing to provide substantial discounts to its most consistent customers.

People like us (AP holders) lower the standard deviation of their expected revenues. The people paying rack rate are more likely to be influenced by external, economic conditions.

(Yeah, I'm an MBA, and an economist).

 

[safetymom]

Disney should be willing to provide substantial discounts to its most consistent customers.

I am not so sure that AP holders are the most consistent customers.

How many people have you read about on the DIS that wait to buy their AP until they see if there are room discounts? Others that buy a childs AP so they can get a room discount. If there aren't room discounts then they don't buy the AP. The AP is designed for park admission with other perks that they may offer.

I think what Disney needs is a loyalty program. The AP is not it.

 

[jann1033]

well today I got AP rates for Vero....those have been out since Aug the CM told me and were for Aug-Feb( forget the date maybe the 4th)but here's the real kicker the Visa rates were $10 a night cheaper...deluxe studio garden view visa 109.89, vs Ap of 120.94 same room and I could get a group rate ( husband attends a decorative finishing school in Vero) for 129.00 so I don't know who Disney *really* wants as a customer(lol) so now I need to call back and see about the Vsia rate since the poor CM had to go crazy ( the rates were not coming up) to get my ressie and I did not have the heart to change them after she worked for 1/2 an hr. to get them!! all I can say is "oh brother!". however wonder if anyone has checked on Visa rates for WDW since they may be better than the AP rates we are all waiting for.

just a question for magsmom...by not being most profitable do you mean because of not buying passes more than once a year? truthfully the perks (except the room) do not add up imo and I figure since many upgrade due to ap rates plus spend spend spend while in the parks/resorts they would be "good" plus "profitable" cust..(not to mention those who buy APs and do not use them a second time.) I figured that was really where dis. made their money . however I am *not* an economist so I am not doubting you, just asking for an easy to understand explaination of what you said (lol)

 

[ktyler1320]

What is the 800 number to call, all I have ever called was the 407 numbers. I have only been to Disney one time, but I am planning my next trip for Feb....I can't wait!

Thanks everyone for all of the great info on this site!
Kim

 

[Tara8595]

I think they are referring to the Disney Club line - at least that's the only 1-800 number I know.

 

[cigar95]

Originally posted by magsmom
If by "best" you mean the most profitable, then the answer is No, Annual Passholders are not Disney's best guests. However, companies require steady and consistent revenue to maintain consistent share price and credit. Annual passholders provide that, in good times and in bad.

indeed - and in bad times, when bookings are down, passholder rates and other discounts are plentiful.

Rumor has it that bookings have picked up substantially - if this is true, then there's less need to fill rooms at lower rates.

One thing that's easy to forget is that the passholder discount programs are set up first and foremost for Disney's benefit, not ours!

 

[magsmom]

In my situation, I will have gone to the parks 30 plus days over the year with my AP. Rack rate for that alone is $1,500! Not bad for a $300 investment. I am not buying Disney packages and have made the commitment to go to Disney over the past year because of the pass. I am not as profitable as someone who pays rack rate for the resort or will pay for a package.

Am I profitable? Not sure if I know the answer to that one. I spend a reasonable amount on my vacations, but do not go overboard.

My AP was bought for the admission to the parks alone and I have more than made my money back with or without getting an AP discount this go around. With my DVC membership I will still buy an AP first and foremost because of the park admission. Finally, I agree with safetymom that a loyalty program may be the way to go. I would have lots and lots of loyalty "points".

Have a great turkey day tomorrow!

 

[tobey sheahan]

do i need to give a code when making reservations for ap rate ? jan/feb is really last minute...have they ever not had the ap rate for those months ??

 

[magsmom]

Not Yet, today, November 27th (DH made me call ).

No, I don't believe you need a code to book. Identify yourself as an Annual passholder. You will need an activated pass on check-in.

To answer your other question, for the past 3 years (perhaps farther back?) there have been AP discounts for the Jan-early February timeframe. But don't bank on AP rates coming out for sure. Last year many people waited for AP rates for late August-September that never materialized.