Senior Discount--GCH questions!!

[amyamya]

Ok, part of the reason we got our smokin' rate at the GCH was because we invited my DH's parents to join us! 30% off an already discounted rate!

Now the totally uptight CM on the phone said that one of seniors HAD to be present at check in. We are driving down from Nor Cal and plan to arrive around 1 or 2, while G and G don't fly in until 4:55. Anyone have any experience with this? Will they let us check in without our senior?

 

[Disneyanajc]

We have Had to show our ID when we check-in using the 'senior discount' (grey hair and wrinkles are not enough ) Looks like the seniors have to be there to check you all in...but with all things Disney...not a hard or fast rule...call again and speak to a supervisor...jc


ps...I'm a blond (subject to change) for now...and we love the senior discount!

 

[Sherry E]

Ok, part of the reason we got our smokin' rate at the GCH was because we invited my DH's parents to join us! 30% off an already discounted rate!

Now the totally uptight CM on the phone said that one of seniors HAD to be present at check in. We are driving down from Nor Cal and plan to arrive around 1 or 2, while G and G don't fly in until 4:55. Anyone have any experience with this? Will they let us check in without our senior?

From everything I have ever known or heard of using special discounts, which includes AP discounts, Cast Member discounts and special Promo (PIN#, for example) discounts, the holder of that pass, Cast Member or PIN number recipient has to be there at check in to show their Pass, CM ID or PIN #, etc. So that is standard DLR protocol, and it makes sense that they would apply the same procedure to a senior discount, because they want payment upon arrival and your payment is affected by the discount. They can't just take everyone's word for it that there is a discount and apply it without seeing proof, or they would have a lot of chaos and people trying to cheat the system left and right.

Your situation can't be unusual, though. I am sure things like that happen with guests, where one party shows up later than the others. It does seem like I have read someone's post on DISboards that said that what the hotel COULD or MAY do is just go ahead and charge you the full amount - whatever the regular rate would be for GCH at that time - upon check-in, and then when the other party (discount holder) arrives later, and you present the senior to the hotel front desk, THEN the hotel can go back and deduct your discount and adjust the price. I don't know if they do that every time - perhaps the incident that the poster spoke of was a rarity - but that may be your best bet unless you can arrange to check-in at the same time as your inlaws! Good luck!

 

[amyamya]

because they want payment upon arrival and your payment is affected by the discount.

This makes sense. I guess we'll have to hang out in DTD until they get there...

 

[10stime]

How old does someone need to be for the senior dicount? I am going to try to get my dad there next year because he has never been.

 

[Disneyanajc]

How old does someone need to be for the senior dicount? I am going to try to get my dad there next year because he has never been.

The senior discount rate is for age 60yrs. or older...you can get two rooms at the discount rate...the discount is about 30% off rack rate (they are considered standard view rooms)...the senior discount rooms fills up fast ... so if you can book early...Hope you can talk him into a Disney trip...I bet he would have a great time...jc

 

[kanela]

The senior discount rate is for age 60yrs. or older...you can get two rooms at the discount rate...the discount is about 30% off rack rate (they are considered standard view rooms)...the senior discount rooms fills up fast ... so if you can book early...Hope you can talk him into a Disney trip...I bet he would have a great time...jc

Does the room need to be under the senior's name? Or can it be under my name and my mom, who is the senior, just be sharing the room with us?

 

[Sherry E]

Does the room need to be under the senior's name? Or can it be under my name and my mom, who is the senior, just be sharing the room with us?

I think it can be under your name. I know that with the other discounts like Cast Member discounts and AP's and PIN# and things like that, they probably PREFER if the reservation is made under the actual holder of the discount's name because it makes it easier for them, but I think they let you book the room under your name just as long as the senior/AP Holder/Cast Member/PIN# holder, etc. shows up with proof of the discount card/pass! But going back to the OP's point in her post, you likely have to have the senior with you at check in, OR you maybe can check in, let the hotel ring up their regular charges for the stay (which wouldn't actually appear on your card for several days anyway - they are pretty slow) and then when the senior arrives later to provide your discount, you can have the hotel adjust your rate to reflect the discount - IF they allow that now. I heard of one poster doing it that, but I don't know if DLR prefers to do that or if that was just a one-time thing.

 

[01spirit750]

Has anyone else noticed how much the AP7 prices have changed on the AP website. I have been watching the room availability calender and the GCH prices seem to change daily.

 

[trodrigue]

Ok, part of the reason we got our smokin' rate at the GCH was because we invited my DH's parents to join us! 30% off an already discounted rate!
QUOTE]

Um, would that be a "double" discount? Everyone swears there are none of those, but I know I remember reading someone telling about getting a great AAA price and then when they were there, the CM noticed they had a Senior and gave them the senior discount off of the AAA pricing. Sounds like a double to me. What did you get, and how much did it end up being, if you don' t mind sharing that?

 

[amyamya]

Ok, part of the reason we got our smokin' rate at the GCH was because we invited my DH's parents to join us! 30% off an already discounted rate!
QUOTE]

Um, would that be a "double" discount? Everyone swears there are none of those, but I know I remember reading someone telling about getting a great AAA price and then when they were there, the CM noticed they had a Senior and gave them the senior discount off of the AAA pricing. Sounds like a double to me. What did you get, and how much did it end up being, if you don' t mind sharing that?

When I made the reservation the CM told me there was no double discounts. I guess I should have said "off a lower than usual rack rate"... Clearly there is a revolving rack rate? I made the reservations 7 months ago and that was what came up at the time. Not gonna say how much it is so a bunch of people can tell me how I could live a month at HoJo for that price... I'M KIDDING!!! It's in the very low 200s.

 

[trodrigue]

That is awesome, and hey, while I am a huge fan of the HOJO entertainment rate, there will be a time that I will splurge for GC, and I will want to get the best rate possible. So thanks for sharing!

 

[amyamya]

That is awesome, and hey, while I am a huge fan of the HOJO entertainment rate, there will be a time that I will splurge for GC, and I will want to get the best rate possible. So thanks for sharing!

I know you can get a $196 rate but that is only a few dollars less than what I got. That was a AP rate awhile ago, but I guess the moral of the story is, you don't have to pay $400 a night to stay there.