Pre-Order PhotoPass $99 Deal - Gone

[ftballfan7]

I agree with not feeling entitled. I feel entitled to what my contract states (i.e. xx points at xx resort) and that's it. That doesn't mean I'm not disappointed if those staying on DVC points cannot pre-purchase the CD for the discount. We have gotten the Photopass CD for our last several trips and have always enjoyed it.

I agree with the concept of not feeling entitled for many of the perks also. But initially this change was being billed as this particular offer was now only going to be offered to resort guests, booked through Disney. One of the previous posters indicated that the cm they spoke to seemed to differentiate between DVC and Disney Resort. This I do have a problem with. Whats next? No emh, no free parking at the resorts?

In this case I do feel wronged, even though I don't generally get photopass (only once in last 5 trips). It just seems like DVC members are starting to be treated like second class vacationers.

 

[alamode]

Please explain to me how this is a perk? I'm coming to WDW, and I want to get a photopass.

I don't know statistically as fact, but I assume that DVC members are more pre-planners than the average guest, and therefore would be more apt to pre-purchase the CD. Why on earth would you piss off your customers that are guaratnteed to come every year, and cater to just the "one off" purchasers? If more than a third of DVC people say "I'd gladly pay $99, but no way in heck will I pay $149.99", then they are actually losing money.

I don't expect anything from Disney except my points every year. They can take away any "benefits" at any time, and although many may grumble, it is within heir right to do so. But this is treating DVC members as less than cash reservations, which is just crazy.

 

[keishashadow]

Can you post which e-mail address this came from? I'd like to look in my folder (over 1000 e-mails) to see if I got it. I'd appreciate it!

OT to Keisha-last time I saw a post from you, you had no tags...been awhile I guess. Anyway, congratulations! I could NEVER figure out why you didn't have any tags with as long as you've been on the DIS

thanxit took awhile, pandering does payoff

anyway here's the email header

"Disney Destinations" disney@visit.disneydestinations.com

good luck tracking it down! fyi, the 1st paragraph states...

There's so much to see!
The XXX Family vacation is getting close!

There are so many wonderful things to see and do, we thought you might like a few handy links, customized recommendations and helpful travel info to keep your vacation plans running right on track. wonderful things to see and do, we thought you might like a few handy links, customized recommendations and helpful travel info to keep your vacation plans running right on track.

 

[andijean]

I was so excited that things were looking up for us to get this discount. Then, it seems it is not looking so good. We are a month away from a Grand Gathering and this is something I wanted to do, but $149 is a lot for what you get. I could justify $99. We did it last time with a smaller group and it was nice to have all the group photos even if they weren't the best photos. I am hoping that things turn around in the next week, so I can pre-order. Keep me posted if anyone has any luck.

 

[nytimez]

I ordered PhotoPass for every trip. A $99, it's at the literal upper limit of what I'd pay for this. I'm disappointed we no longer get this discount, but I guess it saves me $100 per trip since I simply won't do it for $149.

It does seem that there's an overall trend of taking stuff away and giving nothing... again, we're not entitled to it and it's certainly their right to do so, but it does remove some of the warmth from DVC membership.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

As individuals, you are correct, we spend more over the course of membership. However, it is very doubtful we spend as much "per room turn" as the occasional Disney visitor.

But that's the ******* here - this seems to be something that some DVCer's ARE interested in spending their money on time and again (I never knew!) and it's a sale opportunity for Disney when they are desperately looking for cash to flow in on the extras. IMO it doesn't make sense to exclude DVC.

DVC has nothing to do with this perk, itis offered by what ever management group handles the Photo Passes, and it is up to them as to whom they offer it. Don't like it? Simply don't buy a Photopass.

While it doesn't hurt to make your feelings known to Disney/DVC, I wonder how many such discount requests (not just photopass, but overall) Disney receives from DVCers, it may be to the point where Disney thinks DVCers feel "entitled" to these perks, and they may feel DVCers are never satisfied...so they figure it is pointless to offer such perks.

We've seen threads here where DVCers feel "entitiled" to Photo Pass discounts, Park Ticket Discounts, free valet, DDP discounts, free use of privately operated spa facilities, and many other perks.

Entitlements happen everywhere people own something, spend a lot or sometimes just a little, or - especially where they hear of "magic" happening for some and would like it themselves. Personally I think Disney does a lot to create this feeling of entitlement and then to not expect it or recognize it will come is not reality.

But I also have a business view point where I think you need to protect and value your base. And my experience has backed it up time and again b/c you never know what unexpected things will happen and when you'll need your core. With Disney, DVC is one of those bases and to start singling it out from every other person staying on property is not smart - IMO. Within their right - certainly, but not smart. Since our rooms are already paid for all they can get us for is the extra's. Your more likely to have the one time visitor pay the premium and it takes more value to get repeat business.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

hmm i didn't see an actual code, just a link where i can pick which version i want, then it takes me to sign in on photopass site.

i didn't add it yet as im not sure of the timing...i'd like to have several weeks once we come home to edit the pics, etc. and thought i read u only have 30 days from date of purchase before it expires

I am not sure on the timing/expiration.

For our August trip I bought the pre-paid CD with a Disney Visa code about 6 weeks before we left. We were gone for 2 weeks, so by the time we came back my "code" for the discounted price was at least 8 weeks old. It still worked, and I had 30 days after I entered my PhotoPass cards to choose the pics, add borders, and complete the order for the CD.

But that was a few days before they popped the price up to $149, and now they have done away with pre-order for the general public so they may have made other changes I am not aware of.

It's interesting that Disney would rather have $0 from me than $99 when I stay on points. Like I said, this cash trip is so short I wouldn't even consider a CD.

EDIT:
I pulled up the e-mail again, and you are right. When I click the link from the e-mail it pulls up the CD at $99, so they probably send a code to type in to drop the price when you order the CD. The offer expires the day before our trip starts.

 

[Anjelica]

I just saw this on stitchkingdom website regarding the pre-purchase of the photopass CD and DVC members:

"Please note that at this time DVC members staying on points and their guests and those who book through a travel agent will not receive this email at this time. This is because the email is sent out through Disney Destinations and not directly from Disney's PhotoPass. However, guests who fall under this category are still eligible to pre-purchase the PhotoCD for $99.95 as long as Disney's PhotoPass can verify the reservation information (DVC members should also be able to provide their Member ID in addition to reservation number)."

http://stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/#sessions - has anyone yet been able to verify this?

 

[Anjelica]

More good news - looked at the forums from folks who have talked to Disney Photopass directly. Seems maybe DVC members may indeed be able to preorder at discount price. Disney photopass is apparently trying to work out the issue:

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/forum/index.php/topic,11106.0.html

 

[vicki_c]

I wasn't going to chime in again, but I will ...

A few people (DVC people) were refused yesterday, but it seems like those were anomalies because others were not. I think if you call and make sure to give them your reservation number -- not just say you are a DVC member -- you can still get the pre-order discount. That's what I've been told by those in the know. Since my trip is still 90 days away, I haven't called myself yet.

If you try and can't get it, definitely post back here. Or if you do get it.

Since my trip is still so far away, I'm just waiting to see how things play out over the next few months before getting too stresed about it.

 

[Doug7856]

I sent an email to Disney PhotoPass customer service. Here is the reply in part:

If you do not receive this offer, it could be because your email address
is not on file and/or permission was not granted to send marketing
messages to you. Also, if you booked through a travel agent, we may not
have your email address in our database. The pre-arrival savings offer
is meant for guests who purchase before their trip.

I specifically said that I had booked with a travel agent and provided my booking number (I leave in less than 30 days). I replied asking again if I could get the offer and the reply was a "thank you" for providing feedback on the web site.

Very frustrating. Do I need to request the discount from the PhotoPass people or Disney Destinations?

 

[ccigliano]

As individuals, you are correct, we spend more over the course of membership. However, it is very doubtful we spend as much "per room turn" as the occasional Disney visitor.

DVC has nothing to do with this perk, itis offered by what ever management group handles the Photo Passes, and it is up to them as to whom they offer it. Don't like it? Simply don't buy a Photopass.

While it doesn't hurt to make your feelings known to Disney/DVC, I wonder how many such discount requests (not just photopass, but overall) Disney receives from DVCers, it may be to the point where Disney thinks DVCers feel "entitled" to these perks, and they may feel DVCers are never satisfied...so they figure it is pointless to offer such perks.

We've seen threads here where DVCers feel "entitiled" to Photo Pass discounts, Park Ticket Discounts, free valet, DDP discounts, free use of privately operated spa facilities, and many other perks.

I believe you are missing the point. This is not a perk like free dining. This is a special offer that was available to everyone prior to a couple of weeks ago for the pre-purchase of a photopass with a savings of $50 or 1/3 off. Everyone included both DVC and resort guests. Now it has been modified to exclude DVC. In this case, I do feel that I am being discriminated against, especially since we do visit often and as odds would have it purchase a photopass more often than most.

 

[vicki_c]

I believe you are missing the point. This is not a perk like free dining. This is a special offer that was available to everyone prior to a couple of weeks ago for the pre-purchase of a photopass with a savings of $50 or 1/3 off. Everyone included both DVC and resort guests. Now it has been modified to exclude DVC. In this case, I do feel that I am being discriminated against, especially since we do visit often and as odds would have it purchase a photopass more often than most.

Actually, it was never really available to everyone "officially". Although I am one that took advantage of the pre-purchase link on 4 separate occasions, so I'm not taking moral issue here, that link was never intended for "everyone".

In the last year or so, Disney was sending e-mails with the pre-purchase discount offer in them to SELECTED guests only a few weeks before your trip. I got one once, maybe twice, when I had booked cash reservations (never got one connected with a DVC reservation). The reason why Photopass didn't just post it on their website is because it really wasn't intended for everyone. By allowing the link to be "out there" -- not sponsored by Photopass explicitly, but not refused either -- they were implicitly giving it to everyone, but that really wasn't the actual intent from what I can tell.

So it's not really any different "officially" -- it's just that they closed the loophole/link that allowed anyone to pre-purchase at the discount.

 

[vicki_c]

I sent an email to Disney PhotoPass customer service. Here is the reply in part:



I specifically said that I had booked with a travel agent and provided my booking number (I leave in less than 30 days). I replied asking again if I could get the offer and the reply was a "thank you" for providing feedback on the web site.

Very frustrating. Do I need to request the discount from the PhotoPass people or Disney Destinations?

You have to call Photopass on the phone to get the discount code. Don't bother with the e-mail in this case.

 

[keishashadow]

jackskellingtonsgirl thanx for the info, im going to call to ask what current policy is & will report back if different from what u state.

btw, i checked my DVC res for my oldest DS/DIL anniversary trip the same general time period as my dates. I still didn't receive any sort of offer for that ressie.

imo if it's not going to be offered to DVC members staying on points, it's poor policybasically,members would be lumped into same category as offsite guests as to this offer which i consider to be an unofficial perc akin to AP Tix, dining & shopping discounts that we currently receive.

Im not a marketing peep, yet wonder since many member visit several times a year, i'd think they'd not avail themselves of purchasing many photos or the CDs to begin with...isn't a member paying $99 for the CD better than nothing?

That would be the 2nd perc that disappeared recently (valet being the 1st).I worry what may be next, especially if they ever decide to implement the online FP system previously discussed (wherein guests would receive additonal ones based upon level of stay).

Before i am reminded that all percs r gimmies, subject to change @ will; imo nobody likes to see the ones they utilize disappear

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I wasn't going to chime in again, but I will ...

A few people (DVC people) were refused yesterday, but it seems like those were anomalies because others were not. I think if you call and make sure to give them your reservation number -- not just say you are a DVC member -- you can still get the pre-order discount. That's what I've been told by those in the know. Since my trip is still 90 days away, I haven't called myself yet.

If you try and can't get it, definitely post back here. Or if you do get it.

Since my trip is still so far away, I'm just waiting to see how things play out over the next few months before getting too stresed about it.

I sure wish I could figure out what I'm doing wrong if others are getting it. I'm now up to 7 phone calls to PhotoPass, and I've been denied any type of discount every time. If someone could tell me the "magic words" you used to get a discount code for your DVC points reservation, I'd really appreciate it. I've tried every angle I can think of.

 

[penguins1]

I called this morning and was denied as well.

"We currently don't have the discount available for DVC members but we are working on it"

I wish they would get this straightened out since it is hard for me to keep calling and calling without just getting the code.

I guess I will spin the wheel again a little later!

 

[Chuck S]

I'm really surprised these PhotoPass things seem to be so popular.

 

[lisa3635]

I called this morning and was denied as well.

"We currently don't have the discount available for DVC members but we are working on it"

I wish they would get this straightened out since it is hard for me to keep calling and calling without just getting the code.

I guess I will spin the wheel again a little later!

I got the same response this morning. I'm going to wait until next week and call back.

 

[penguins1]

So I tried again and got the same response.

The CM said to keep an eye on the DVC website - I almost laughed.

I am not really sure what is going on with this. It seems like there was a way to get the discount but perhaps that is gone now? If anyone is able to get it still let us know!