Those Who Really Hate The BRP Please Read....

[Tink10]

I've made no bones about it, I'm thrilled about the Best Rate Program. I think it's long overdue that some limitations be put into place & I don't see the nonrefundable deposit as terrible. Yes, it's a change, but it's not unbearable by any means....

Anyway, I'm really trying hard to understand why people hate the BRP so much. Aside from the fact that people feel that Disney lied to them, please fill me in as to why it's so terrible.....

I'm trying to understand...... ug:

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The non refundable deposit & the 120 days out & the $50 modifacation fee. Since they have done away with the modifacation fee & changed from 120 to 60 days out, I can deal a little better with it...still don't like the non-refundable deposit...

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I don't hate it, but I am disappointed with the BR program. I specifically bought an AP this year b/c of the great hotel discounts available and now with BR it doesn't seem like I am getting that good of a deal. Don't get me wrong its still great to get a discount, but the former AP call in rates seem much better.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

My problem with it is the time limit. I usually don't know exactly how many nights I can afford to stay or my exact arrival date until 3-4 weeks before I go. Having to book 60 days in advance doesn't work at all for me. And, even though my trips are usually planned months in advance, what about the AP holders who like to spontaneously drive/fly down to Disney when they get some unexpected time off?

I'm just a lot more comfortable with the old way, mostly because I change my reservations around so much before it's time to go!

Edited to add- I also dislike that you can only book online, which requires you to have an AP already. First, this means that people who don't buy theirs til they get to WDW have to ask others to check for them (or some other way?), and second, about half the time that I try to log into the site, I can't get in. This is rough on people who base their decision to buy an AP or not on if they can get discounts!

 

[andromedaslove]

I have to say that my bigest problem with the BRP is the fact that you have to book so far out. We take about 10 trips a year, only two of which are actually planned months in advance. This is what usually happens with our other trips. DH says, "Hey baby why don't you call Disney and see if we can get into a room at a decent price next weekend?!" Me, "why sure honey". If we get a good deal we pack up the kids and go. So for 8 of my trips a year I would be unable to get a discount, because we didn't plan far enough ahead. To me that just doesn't seem fair. The other reason I don't like it is that you have to book online. My mother has an annual pass, but doesn't have a computer or internet connection, so she is unable to get a discount because she isn't technologically up to speed? Seems like Disney might have thought about that before they decided to make the BRP the only way to get a discount. Are they going to put something in the passholder's benefit information stating that their "periodic" room discounts are only available to those with internet accessibility?

Dana

 

[Jockaroo]

We chose not to use BRP. As AP holders, we like the flexibility of booking on shorter notice than the 120 (now 60) day mark. Example, we booked our Oct. 2-8 trip on Tuesday. Doesn't fall into the time frame for BRP. We will stay off-site--for us it is a simple choice. We will get more resort for less money. Currently, I am job hunting, so booking a vacation way in advance is not a good idea for my family. Also, since our APs have expired, we could not book BRP. We always stop at DTD and purchase our passes on the way to the resort. We do want to get the maximum days for our pass money. Also, if we decide to go for a quick trip in early December, again Disney has shut us out of booking a room on-site, therefore, we will spend our resort fee elsewhere. We will still purchase APs, but in the long-run Disney will not be getting as much money from my family.

 

[DMRick]

When Southwest offers teh cheap fares, I like to call downstairs to DH, and say, hey ya wanna go to FL next month? He yells up yes, and I call to see if there are AP rates for the hotel. 60 days is too long. If they really wanted to have this to save all the phone calls, keep the deposit, but let us book anytime we want.

We're offsite for our October trip.

 

[helenk]

I don't hate it, but I am disappointed with the BR program. I specifically bought an AP this year b/c of the great hotel discounts available and now with BR it doesn't seem like I am getting that good of a deal. Don't get me wrong its still great to get a discount, but the former AP call in rates seem much better.

..
There really is not that big of a difference. We are staying at the Poly and last year the price was $225 before tax and this year it is 234.00 ($9 difference), POFQ was 89.00 and this year it is $94.00($5 difference). I checked the rates at the POP and they are the same as I got last year $59.00 a night.

 

[colleen costello]

The only thing I hate is the online booking. For me it is just too stressful because I have a nagging fear I will book the wrong thing. A kind person on the phone beats a stupid computer any day; guess I am a fossilized techno-phobe. If we could look it up online but book via phone, I'd be fine. It doesn't help that all I read is reports about how the site is always down!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I miss the old booking system because I like to stay at several resorts in one trip--usually three (AKL, BWI and GF). With the BR system, this requires not one but three non-refundable deposits. I also like the option of changing my mind on the resorts. I wouldn't mind a ten day or two week window on the deposit, but a non-refundable deposit--at the time of booking, is usually something I avoid whenever I book hotel rooms, not just at Disney. We like to plan last minute trips as well, which doesn't function well with BRP. Also, we have had to cancel trips on a couple of occasions--one because of a hurricane, one because of sickness, and the chance of this happening would increase the loss from the airfare change fee into an additional three nights deluxe hotel room fees at Disney--just too much of a sacrifice. I'm still deciding if I will succumb to the change and use it, but we may just use AAA and forgo the APs if the regular codes don't return. We take a maximum of three trips a year (we feel compelled to go more often when we have aps), but sometimes only one trip a year, so it's usually dependent on a number of factors if we purchase the APs in a given year.
I hope they reinstate the old system sometime soon

 

[johnnyr]

Sorry guys. They lost me as a customer. I already made future plans in a Caribbean resort for next summer. I had every intention of booking next summer at WDW, but I'm through with the games. I have a reservation at CBR for Christmas week at rack rate. I'll keep it, but not renew our AP's. I've been a loyal AP holder for many years now. This new BR program is a joke. I love WDW, but when I'm pushed into a corner, I have no other choice but to push back. It's time for me to move on.

 

[Tess]

I'm not a fan of online only booking with BRP. I've found the website difficult and slow. Further, the doggoned thing is down as often as it's up. I don't trust the accuracy either. Finally, everytime I try to plug in dates just to check rates, there is no availability at the resort of choice AND I get SS as a viable option. I'm not sure who would consider SS as a viable option for Polynesian concierge, but it ain't me! It also takes FOREVER to check hotels and availability.

I am also more than miffed about not being informed of the decision to change the program. How hard would it have been for Disney to roll out this program by informing its passholders of the change via the Mickey Monitor or a statement on the website? The lack of communication and the ensuing frustration it has caused is, I believe, a key factor in the negativity of passholders toward the BRP.

Frankly, I wish they would release the BRP rates at 120 days, but not preclude people from booking right through the date of arrival. At least this way those of us who plan far in advance would know if they could count on an AP discount. Those who are late planners would also be able to snag rates for their last minute trips. This would at least be more in keeping with the spirit of the former AP call in program (with the obvious exception of offering them earlier than 60 days) .

 

[Susiesnowflake]

I hope you Disney folks are reading! These Disney fans have made very valid points! Listen and learn!

 

[sherry8253]

I'm not a fan of online only booking with BRP. I've found the website difficult and slow. Further, the doggoned thing is down as often as it's up. I don't trust the accuracy either. Finally, everytime I try to plug in dates just to check rates, there is no availability at the resort of choice AND I get SS as a viable option. I'm not sure who would consider SS as a viable option for Polynesian concierge, but it ain't me! It also takes FOREVER to check hotels and availability.

Frankly, I wish they would release the BRP rates at 120 days, but not preclude people from booking right through the date of arrival. At least this way those of us who plan far in advance would know if they could count on an AP discount. Those who are late planners would also be able to snag rates for their last minute trips. This would at least be more in keeping with the spirit of the former AP call in program (with the obvious exception of offering them earlier than 60 days) .

I don't hate the BR plan. I used it to book our Nov/Dec trip. But I second the above. Whoever designs and maintains the website should be replaced. In addition, when Southwest or Airtran offers super rates to FL, my DH and I often fly down for a long weekend with 30 days or less notice. I like the idea Tess has above. Announce the rates early so early planners (and that would include me for our long trips) could snag a room but allow last minute trips to continue to be booked until the rooms run out just like AP program runs now. I simply won't be taking any more last minute trips because I will not pay rack rate for Disney hotels. We don't rent a car when we take our long weekend trips and I don't want the hassle of staying off property. My DH and I really enjoy vacationing at Disney so we will probably continue to buy AP's because we get two long trips out of each AP and discounted rooms so dollar wise it makes sense. The 2 or 3 little side trips we took each year were just extra's to feed my mouse habit between vacations. By making this move to the BR program, Disney is losing my money. I guess with gas rates up, we will have to see what that does for Florida tourism. If room bookings are down, I expect to see a change in AP offers and general public codes will become available again. It is all about $$$ & not about caring about loyalty of guests (other than to keep us happy so we keep returning and spending $$$). Disney's loyalties like with its stockholders (DH and I are included in this group). PS - I also don't like the fact I cannot pre-pay for my room before I arrive. I like the feeling of arriving and having the room paid for in advance. It doesn't seem like I am paying as much if I can pay chunks rather then handing it all over at one time.

 

[Magicaltimes]

My DH spoke with a cast member on another forum...He has been bouncing from Disboards and WDW magic. This cast member said that the BRP was developed to stop the AP holders who took advantage of the system. He said AP holders would book multiple hotels for the same dates and wait all year for the rates to come out. They then compared the rates of all the hotels and chose which one was the best then canceled all the other hotel reservation. For example, they may be going in September on the 15th thru the 20th and they would have bookings at AKL, GF, POL, POP, & WL. They then would wait for the rates to come out and if they like the rate at WL, they would then cancel all the other ressies. The CM said they had so many problems with that and it gave Disney inaccurate readings of how booked they are. This is why the non-refundable deposit and the bookings being 120 days out and 60 days out. This kept price comparison AP holders from holding too many rooms for bogus ressies.
My problem with the BRP program the non-refundable deposit and how far out you have to book. If it was truely a problem with AP holders holding too many rooms. Why do they not have a system set up that when you book a set of rooms for a certain date you could not book another hotel for the same dates? Only one hotel per dates...for example....AKL for Sept. 15th thru 20th only, but no other hotel during that time frame. If you want to stay at multiple hotels during your stay then AKL from Sept. 15th-20th and WL 20th thru 25th. I hope I am making since. This system would be like fastpass. If you already have a fastpass you cannot recieve another one until after the time of your current fastpass.
I don't know this is just a thought...

 

[jarestel]

Haven't used the BR plan, and in all likelihood, probably never will. It just doesn't work well for the way I vacation. Having said that, and putting self interest aside, I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea. We'll have to see as time goes on what kinds of discounts are offered with "the plan" vs normal AP call-in rates ( if and when they announce any ). If the BR plan does manage to "reward" AP holders who book 60 days in advance with significant savings, it can be a benefit for those who are able to use it, as well as a benefit to the Disney company. Time will tell.

It is interesting to see the number of people who are willing to chuck that "ole Disney magic" baloney and stay off site to save a few bucks. Magic vs money? No contest.

 

[PamNC]

Where do I start? First and foremost, I don't like having to book so far out. Granted 60 is much better than 120. But, given the nature of my business (I'm self employed), we can't book very far in advance. 60 days we can sometimes do, but quite often we book about 45 days in advance. so, no discounts for us. I don't like the non-refundable deposit because, again, there are times when I HAVE to cancel. Not because I'm flaky and can't make up my mind, but for business reasons. I'm hopping mad because a CM called me after I wrote a nasty letter about BRP and said that BRP was just an OPTION and that I would always be able to call in and get the discount the old fashioned way. That's gone!

Another reason - the passholder site is slow and cumbersome and half the time I get offered rack rate. If you are a person who can jump on the bandwagon 120 days in advance, you are lucky because you will get all the discounts and those of us who have to book @ the 60 day mark are left with scraps. I don't see how that is fair to punish those of us who don't have "traditional lives" or "traditional jobs" I should say. We have to go when business allows us to go and we quite often take last minute trips. And, I LOVE those last minute trips. They prove to be more exciting than the long drawn out waiting and waiting trips.

I think "we" brought this on ourselves. Folks calling constantly asking about codes, cancelling ressies at the last minute. But, what's done is done and I will, of course, continue to visit my favorite place. However, whether or not I get another AP when mine runs out next year remains to be seen. Which translates to fewer trips and much less money for Disney, from us anyway. We typically go 2-3 times a year and most likely that will have to drop to once a year, or we'll have to go from staying deluxe to staying at a moderate.

PamNC

 

[luvmk]

The one thing I'm not liking right now is the number of rooms I can book. I booked for my family(we all have an ap) and my parents and brother's family. We were going to do our first "family" trip. I knew that I could book three rooms with the old ap plan. Well, now I can only get two rooms. I have decided to put the BR with their rooms. I'm kind of bummed that we are going during a slow period and I still won't be able to get any sort of discount for our room. However, it is more important to me that my family gets the better room rate.


Rachel

 

[Renate_do]

Hi,

I´m TA from Germany and I have to say that I like the BR.

1. Now I can easily book AP-rates for myself and my clients over the TA-site.
2. We have to plan far ahead cause of flight prices etc so the 120 or 60 day dont worry me.
3. I really dont understand the trouble about it.

Okay they change the deposite policy, but when you book a vacation here it is usaul that you have to pay 20% deposite which is not refundable at all, and that also if you only change the dates afterwards.

When reading the boards I got the impression that everybody is booking years in advance as most of the people say...I´m going next oct.06 or so

I think it is only fair to the general public to avoid people booking more than one room at the time.

Greets Renate

 

[sherry8253]

The one thing I'm not liking right now is the number of rooms I can book. I booked for my family(we all have an ap) and my parents and brother's family. We were going to do our first "family" trip. I knew that I could book three rooms with the old ap plan. Well, now I can only get two rooms. I have decided to put the BR with their rooms. I'm kind of bummed that we are going during a slow period and I still won't be able to get any sort of discount for our room. However, it is more important to me that my family gets the better room rate.


Rachel

If there are 2 adult AP holders in your family, can't you book 2 rooms per passholder? That would be 4 rooms. I am confused?