Please help me understand how the Entertainment discount works...

[Cara]

This is a new concept to me. I understand that discounts of 50 percent off rack rates are available at HRH and PBH using the Entertainment Book. Is this a discount that is always in effect? Would I need to purchase the specific Orlando Entertainment Book? Has anyone bought this book? Do you indeed get the 50 percent discount? Help!

Thanks.
Cara

 

[Robinrs]

This is from the entertainment site:

Hotel Rules of Use

1.Call

Call the hotel of your choice at the number listed in the following directory listing to make an advance reservation. Be sure to identify yourself as an "Entertainment® Member."

As a member, you are entitled to a 50% discount off the Rack Room Rate, which is a hotel's non-discounted full-price rate.
Occasionally, hotels may offer their own Promotional Rates to the general public, a short-term price traditionally available during low occupancy periods. If these rates are the same or lower than the stated Entertainment® rate, your membership entitles you to an additional 10% off the rate available to the general public.
Reservations with the Entertainment® discount will be accepted until the hotel projects 80% of their rooms to be sold for your requested dates.
If "R30" appears in a hotel's listing, they will only accept reservations when made within 30 days of arrival.

2. Confirm

Confirm your reservation and discounted room rate by asking for a confirmation number and the reservationist's name. Be sure to ask for the hotel's policy on deposits, cancellations and late arrival guarantees. Entertainment Publications Operating Company, Inc. does not control the hotel's management policy. Advance reservations are necessary to use the Entertainment® Hotel Program.

3. Check-in

At check-in, present your membership card or certificate with the or for your hotel discount. Your savings are valid now thru November 1, 2002.

Be sure to identify yourself as an "Entertainment® Member" when making advance reservations.

Hotel Availability and Your Discount Rates
Reservations with the Entertainment® discount are accepted based on projected unoccupied hotel rooms and will be available until the hotel projects to be 80% full. The discount may not be available for part of your stay or your entire stay if traveling during peak season, conventions or special events.
50% discounts apply only to the rack room rate, 10% discounts apply only to the rate available to the general public and neither apply to weekend or group/convention rates, packages, travel agency bookings, special amenities, meal plans or all-inclusive plans, and cannot be combined with other discount rate programs.
If the discount is not available, check alternate travel dates, call back closer to your travel date, or contact other listed hotels in the area.
Only one room can be discounted per membership card or certificate and card or certificate is non-transferable.
Hotels participate in the program on an individual basis. To obtain the correct discount, you must call the number listed in the directory and state that you are an "Entertainment® Member" to be eligible for the Entertainment® rate.
Due to limited availability, some hotels offering discounts on "any room" may exclude special rooms such as suites, concierge and premium rooms because they project those rooms to be full.
If the discount is unavailable and no explanation is offered, ask for further information.
The "$" indicates the hotel's rack room rate before the discount: $=$30-$60*, $$=$61-$100*, $$$=$101-$150*, $$$$=$151+*. (*U.S. Funds)
(Rate range subject to change. Hotel rack room rates may fluctuate throughout the year)
Want to learn more about using our Hotel Program? Call us at 1.877.688.8912.

 

[Cara]

Now I have one more "DUH" question. The books are available by city? So I need the Orlando book to get this discount? How often are you able to book and find availability with this discount? I don't want to order the book if the discount is not likely to be available.

Thanks again!
Cara

 

[MsDisney]

I can only answer the question regarding whether you need the Orlando book for the hotel discount. You don't. I've always had Massachusett's books, and they list ALL of the hotels in each state that honor the Entertainment and you only need be a member to qualify.
Be sure to let us know what rate you get!
Karen

 

[Cara]

I will get the book for my own area, then!!!

Cara

 

[AdventureFamily]

Not only do you NOT need the specific book, you may not need any book. We stayed at HRH Sat-Wed this past week and were never asked to show our card. I would have one...just in case. Plus, it's a great discount book. We have owned them for years.

BTW, the hotel was great! Until checkout anyway. We had charged everything...EVERYTHING...to the room. My wife had returned a couple of items and they were supposed to credit our room account. The credits never showed up on the "account status" option on the room television. We called the front desk and they said they could fix it at checkout. When we went to check out, our clerk laid into us about how they should have fixed it when we called. "Next time, make sure they fix it when you report it. Now, I have to call my manager.....blah, blah" She made us feel stupid and blamed us for delaying the line. She came really close to ruining the Hotel's service reputation on our minds. It was her...not the hotel... that made us mad.

Thanks for letting me rant for a sec.

AF

 

[jdm]

If you're buying the book strictly for the rate, just call the hotel first and find out if the entertainment rate is available for your dates of stay. They don't ask for or require a number when making the res. They just like you to show your card on check in. As a side point... they really are handy books and will probably pay for itself on dining coupons!
Jenn