Postcard question

[ninaeve]

I have searched for an answer to this in an effort not to start another thread, but I have found conflicting information.

Here is the deal.
I received a postcard with a PIN back in January. The dates were for Feb and March, specific weeks. It ended up being around a 30% discount, I think, off rack rate. I entered my PIN, and then got connected. She asked if I wanted room only or wanted tickets and dining. I selected room only bc I wanted to learn more about the Dining to see if I thought it was worth it.
So I booked an 8 night room only ressie at POR for March. Paid my deposit.

After reviewing our itemized checkout from last trip, I think that the Dining Plan would benefit us, and allow us to eat more table service for about the same as we spent b/w snacks and counter and just a few table last time. So here is my question, can I call and change to a package now? I realize that I will have to pay 100% up front bc it is less than 45 days now. I also know that they would have to make a new ressie and cancel the old one.

There is nothing on the postcard about packages at all. The only restrictions are no other discount program(like AP rate or free dining) and no group rates.
Only for specified dates. Minimum stay of 3 nights.

So why does everyone keep saying on these threads that you can't get the reduced rates and a package with tickets and dining. I would still be paying full price for the tickets and dining. I can see not honoring free dining AND a reduced resort room, but what is the deal about only getting dining with standard room rack rates?? I have read this, I am fairly sure, incorrect info, multiple times now. Why would she have asked me at the beginning of the call AND at the end if I was sure I didn't want to upgrade to a package, if I was not allowed to do that?

Oh, and to everyone saying there is no postcard PINS for any of the peak times...well, I am holding one. Don't understand why people would claim they know if Disney sent some out or not, but okay.

I am calling Friday to try to upgrade to a package if there are any rooms left. I will update as soon as I can.

Kimberly

multiple trips 1980-2003
POR April 2005 *first trip with my own family*
POR March 2007

 

[jnorth1007]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't. I have a code discounted package for both October and December and on both the rooms are discounted the tickets and dining are not. You shouldn't have any problem adding the dining to your package but it will of course be full price. The only way you couldn't is if you didn't buy your tickets with your room. You have to have at least one days ticket per person to get the dining plan. HTH

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I totally don't know what the standard practice is with discounts, ddp, ticket upgrades, whatever...

BUT I would certainly call and get the ddp & tickets added to your reservation. The worst thing that can happen is they say no, and I would only see that happening if they have to cancel your current reservation to make a new reservation to include the dining & tickets and there aren't any rooms left at the discount rate to do that.

GOOD LUCK and have a wonderful Trip!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Only caution for you --- is to check your postcard and confirm the "must book by" date..

I would hate for you to miss the deadline by only one day. I'm not sure what it is.. but make sure you call before then.

J

 

[ninaeve]

The only thing the postcard says is advanced reservation required and further down Rooms Fill up fast, so book now.
I have read all the fine print on my card, and it doesn't have a deadline. I think my 30% off card must look different than the 40% ones that are going around.

Yes, I am not having them cancel my first ressie, just in case there are no more discount rooms available, until after my package is confirmed! A lot of people seem to be avoiding POR bc of the food court refur. so I will cross my fingers!

 

[bonzarella]

I asked the sane thing yesterday for my room only reservation. CM "you have 48 hrs prior to arrival date to change to a package". You will have to pay in full if less then 45 days out. Happy Vac!

BTW- I am going with the package even though we are AP holders and have the DDE card. Benefits out weigh cost IMO.

 

[ninaeve]

Thanks!

Last time we had AP discount, and meant to do the DDE, but forgot. LOL

 

[hscmom]

Hey! I also got the 30% off postcard(I was starting to think that I was the only one with it, everyone else kept posting that they got 40% off ). When I first got the email I booked room only at Pop Century and now I have ressies at POFQ with the dining plan, so you should be able to still get the discount and the dining plan. The 30% off will just be for the room. Let me know if you got to get the dining plan and have fun!!!

 

[ninaeve]

Well, I just tried to upgrade, and yes, I can upgrade, but I LOSE my room discount if I change to a package which makes no sense, bc now I will not buy tickets for every day nor eat every meal at Disney now, so they just lost money. Makes no sense to me. I wasn't trying to get two discounts. THis is frustrating. Why are they letting you guys upgrade? Are you positive that you are still getting the discount off the room, bc at first he said yes, but then when he looked it wasn't with the discount.

So bummed and frustrated.

 

[ninaeve]

It definitely pays to be presistent. I looked back at my postcard checking the fine print again, and redid my numbers as to what I thought it should be, and called back.. Got a very efficient and knowledable CM. She looked at the other quote on the record, and did not understand why he had charged regular rack rate bc there was nothing about this PIN not being able to be used with a package. Anyway, she set up our new reservation package, and it was actually a few dollars less than I expected! So we are paid in full with room, tickets, and dining!!! Yippee!!

Breathing a sigh of relief.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Happy Vacation!!

 

[Trekker]

Good for you - I'm glad this worked out.


Here is a bit of an historic perspective that may help.

In the past when Disney offered a percent off code it was for a room only reservation - not a package. There were sometimes other package offers but most discount codes, pin code, general public code, AP code have been for room only.

In order to have the dining plan you must be booked on a package with room, tickets and dining. In the old days you could not do this with a discount code.

Now for the 40% off code (I speak to this because it is the one I got and used) there was one code that was sent out on postcards, emails or attached to your household in the system. This pin code was for a 40% room only discount. Disney did however also have a second code in the system that was to allow people to upgrade to a package with dining and tickets and still retain the 40% discount on the room portion of the package.

This is pretty new to everyone involved - not just us but the Disney CMs as well - and it is evident over the past several weeks the CMs were not well trained in preparation for this.

So just wish them a Disney day when they mess up and move on. LOL - I feel sorry for the CMs....... Have you ever been set up to fail at your job?

 

[ninaeve]

I want to add that I did not get hateful or upset with the CM in any manner, nor leave him bad feedback on the survey. I thought the people posting here either got it on a fluke or did not realize the total was with the rooms at regular rate. I was very disappointed, and I am sure he could tell that, but I have deep, deep sympathy for them taking call after call of us Disney crazies, some with a huge lack of compassion.

My cousin who has worked for Disney for 20 years started with the college program, and tells us some horror stories of the general public.

So, anyway, thanks for the extra history. The only other discount that I ever got had big bold print about it only being room only. That is why I was confused. And yes, I can imagine that the CM's are wishing that Disney didn't offer any special discounts. LOL