Throwaway room (read post #2041 or #2710 before posting)

[nugov2]

The length of the stay you're intending to use your "perks". Anything beyond this is stealing, even if Disney hasn't caught on yet.

I can't believe the people who are trying to justify this loophole.

Maybe it is really you who needs the chill pill. Calling people thieves is a pretty strong reaction when you have no idea what WDW intentions are for FP+. Again, this may be an option they are testing. Unless you are an exec. you have no idea what they want/don't want. Parking perks, free dinning perks are specifically written as length of stay perks. FP+ is not. You really must think WDW is dumb if you think they don't know this is an option. They would close it or if that's not possible at this stage would write a policy on it. Just like they know people could use a pass for parking so they write a date on it and have a policy on it in place for everyone to read.

 

[robinb]

This has been a year of seeing/hearing things I never heard before.

I remember when DVC members would book rooms at the All Stars to get "Free Dining" back when it was the regular DDP and included appetizers, tips and taxes (the good old days!) and then stay in their DVC rooms. This is nothing .

 

[nugov2]

One more thing...what really are people stealing...Fastpasses...something that has always been free and WDW still claims that they will be providing free for all guest with park tickets. So someone wants to pay for ahotel for a night to get a MB to make scheduling easier...still don't see what exactly people are stealing from WDW.

 

[ckelly14]

Calling people thieves is a pretty strong reaction when you have no idea what WDW intentions are for FP+. Again, this may be an option they are testing. .

Agreed. FP+ will likely be available to all offsite guests within the next 6 months. I'm reserving one day onsite to "hedge my bets" in case this "testing" period continues ad infinitum.

 

[robinb]

I just wanted to share my recent experience over Christmas/NYE. We stayed at AKV, then the Dolphin, then VGF. We received MB at AKV and I activated our APs and a 10-day non-expiry park hopper for my DD's friend on the MBs. MDE and all MBs worked for the entire time, including while we were at the Dolphin. Our APs and MDE *still* works now. I made FP+ reservations (don't worry! for walk-on rides) for today on my AP. I was allowed to have 10 days of FP+ active. Once I used a day, I could book another day.

 

[Brocktoon]

As someone who camps at The Fort every year, I find it a bit frustrating as it can be very difficut booking a site for certain times of the year, only to see a bunch of sites sitting empty when actually getting down there.

BUT ... really no current rules are being broken. As long as people pay their $$, it shouldn't matter whether the site is occupied or not. If some feel it's an ethics/morals vs money issue, as long as no rules are broken, I've always seen that money wins. It's up to Disney to decide if it's an issue, but if it keeps occupancy up on the books, I doubt they'll do anything.

Sort of like the folks who wait in line for the new iPhone, PS4, or XBox One ... and then proceed to smash and destroy the device in front of on-lookers as they exit the store. They paid for the device just like everyone else waiting hours in line. If they want to smash it for shock value, that's up to them.

 

[maggiew]

Take a chill pill. If you want to pay for 7 nights and get your 7 free parking days, I don't care. But there've been others on this thread that mentioned buying only one day and getting multiple free parking days out of it. That's just wrong. And that's what my post was saying.

And I'll say it again: Disney will catch on soon enough...

I posted my experience and just want to add some more details.

For one thing, we had every intention of staying at Pop Century for the first night of our vacation. However, after spending Thanksgiving week crammed in my inlaws house in the spare room sleeping on a hard bed, DH & I decided it was too much trouble to stay at Pop Century one night and then move offsite the next night. We were already in the 5 day cancellation period, so we just kept the Pop Century room and added an extra day to our condo rental so we could settle in for the trip. By the way, we paid RACK rate for the Pop room because about a month before our trip my MIL really started pushing us to be at her house for Thanksgiving instead of mid-December like we originally planned. So we had to switch dates and there weren't any Pop rooms available WITH THE COUPON CODE WE USED. There were regular rate rooms available. Not that it really matters, but we did pay RACK for that pop room.

Do I feel bad about paying for a room and not using it to get Magic Bands and FP+? No, not really. I WOULD feel bad if we had booked the room with no intention of using it, get the magic bands and FP+, and then CANCEL the reservation before the deadline. THEN I think it is going against Disney's "rules". What I did was NOT against the rules and I wouldn't get "caught" as someone else stated. I did everything legitimately.

About the parking. Yes, we had 5 day tickets and the parking pass was good for one of our park days (day of checkout). So we were at the parks 4 other days while staying offsite. Each day, I stopped at the toll booth with money in hand to give the toll booth operator. THEY told me to go on through. I had every intention of paying for parking. Two of the 4 days they waved me through. The other 2 days we paid the fee.

As you can see from my signature, we are normally an onsite family. However with the teen girls, a regular room can get a bit cramped. Especially the one bathroom. So we thought this time we would try offsite to see if we liked it better with more room but less magic. Sadly it was probably the WORST time to try offsite because of how in-flux the whole Fast Pass situation was.

Maggie

 

[nugov2]

I swear I am addicted to posting in this thread. I will blame it on the arctic vortex forcing me to stay indoors.

When the mugs where being abused, there was language in writing about how WDW intended them to be used. People found a "loophole" that the CM's had no idea when that mug was from so they would get soda with it even though policy said that was not what you were allowed to do or what WDW intended. That is abusing a loophole. No where is there any language about MB/FP+ being a length of stay specific perk and that using it after you check out is a violation of policy.

 

[myjourney]

Concerning the Fort, I think if enough people start doing that then Disney will stop it because they are losing all the revenue from the money guests spend in the restaurants, gift shop, horse barn and rentals at the fort.

As someone who camps at The Fort every year, I find it a bit frustrating as it can be very difficut booking a site for certain times of the year, only to see a bunch of sites sitting empty when actually getting down there.

BUT ... really no current rules are being broken. As long as people pay their $$, it shouldn't matter whether the site is occupied or not. If some feel it's an ethics/morals vs money issue, as long as no rules are broken, I've always seen that money wins. It's up to Disney to decide if it's an issue, but if it keeps occupancy up on the books, I doubt they'll do anything.

Sort of like the folks who wait in line for the new iPhone, PS4, or XBox One ... and then proceed to smash and destroy the device in front of on-lookers as they exit the store. They paid for the device just like everyone else waiting hours in line. If they want to smash it for shock value, that's up to them.

 

[kaytieeldr]

About the parking. Yes, we had 5 day tickets and the parking pass was good for one of our park days (day of checkout). So we were at the parks 4 other days while staying offsite. Each day, I stopped at the toll booth with money in hand to give the toll booth operator. THEY told me to go on through. I had every intention of paying for parking. Two of the 4 days they waved me through. The other 2 days we paid the fee.

Okay, there's an ethical issue here. Cast Members' inattention notwithstanding, it was wrong tokeep the expired parking pass visible - especially after the first free entry.

 

[famy27]

We stayed at AKV in October, booked many months before FP+ roll-out was an issue. In July, we invited my SIL and her family to join us at WDW. I tried to get them a DVC exchange, but we had no luck at all, so we used Starwood points for them to stay at the Swan. By this time, we had our MBs and FP+s. We really wanted to be able to tour together as group. We didn't know if double-dipping would still be allowed, so we really wanted to make sure we could all have FP+s.

So, I called WDW and asked about booking a one-night stay at POP. I explained the situation to the CM, and she informed me that MBs were for the length of the ticket, not the length of the stay. We asked if we needed to stay at the room, and she advised us that checking in online would be sufficient. SIL and fam would have stayed the night at POP had it been "required" but it would have been a bit of a pain for them to have to move.

In terms of this being a "loophole," Disney is well-aware of this. If they wanted to program the system so that MBs were length of stay instead of length of ticket, they could. Just look at dining plans. Those are completely based off length of stay. I can't book a one-night stay and get 10 days of free dining. We cheated nobody out of anything and took nothing that we weren't entitled to. I am somebody who tries to play by the rules, and according to Disney, that is what I did.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do what? I only posted exactly what you can read on the WDW website.

Could you please post the link to the page that indicates it's okay to rent, but not use, a WDW room/campsite in order to benefit from the perks granted to only onsite guests?

There's an even more limited number of MK view rooms at the CR as well, but whether I pay for one night or ten, it's nobody's business if I'm actually in the room or not.

Suggesting that up to 10 people rent a single campsite at WDW so that they can get the perks that come with that campsite has nothing to do with whether or not they will actually use that campsite. They paid for it, and that is all that matters to Disney.

Welcome to the new "tips & strategies" manifesting themselves from the changes Disney has made, using opportunities Disney has created, to take full advantage of the features Disney provides.

Very different. Guests who can't get a TPV room at the Contemporary still have a choice of over 22,000 rooms onsite. Guests who cant get a Fort Wilderness campsite can only go offsite, and not especially close.

OK, how do you get a completely blank post? I've been seeing a lot of that lately. Don't you need to at least put "." to edit it?

Just curious.

Type any character, then change its color to match the board background

And how long does it actually need to be occupied to meet your definition of "use" ??? An hour? Eight hours? Continuous or in the aggregate?

And, if for some unintended reason, I did not "use" my reservation the night before, could I convince Disney to refund my money because I did not "use" the reservation?

In fact, if you don't show up at all to check in for your reservation, doesn't Disney CHARGE YOU IN FULL for the first night, or do they gladly refund your money since you didn't "actually occupy" the room or campsite?

It is not gaming the system if a room or campsite is reserved and paid for. If, by doing so, my intent is to "use" the room to get free parking, advanced FP+ reservations, or any other perks provided in return for that room reservation and payment, then it meets my definition (and Disney's) of "use". There is nothing in the reservation agreement with Disney that specifies otherwise.

Relatively certain that Disney's definition of use includes occupy.

 

[Seeker615]

That's the mantra I keep saying in my head over and over when I read these boards. I teach 6th grade, and overheard one of my students say, "but it's okay unless you get caught, and then you just tell them it's my life". This is a sad, sorry world we're raising ourselves in. People keep wondering where the "magic" went, it got pushed out by the "me" mentality

I totally agree.

I also for the life of me wonder why anyone would want to spend the extra money as well. It seems like an awful lot of money and trouble just for a one or two day "perk"

 

[dizneyjill]

You are correct. The only reason I considered it was because someone mentioned it to me. All I really wanted the magic bands for was the ease of use so I didn't have to keep track of park tickets and free parking! lol

FP I could care less about ..

I don't really get why you want to do this if you could care less about FP..Other than getting in the gate and FP..there is no advantage to the bands staying offsite..they are your room keys (IF they work..mine didn't EVER) Resort gate pass....(very hard to scan IMO) Charge back to the room card at the parks..The printed dated parking pass gets you free parking..not the band..You would only swipe at entrance and FP..and let me tell you..don't think they will be easy to keep up with....I found at least one in Ohana's bathroom and the cm implied it was a regular thing. Others have said they fell off and they didn't realize it. I found it bothered my wrist bone...I don't wear bracelets and it was a little aggravating to me.So why go to all the expense for a vacant room? Use that money for a fun meal.

 

[quandrea]

I totally agree.

I also for the life of me wonder why anyone would want to spend the extra money as well. It seems like an awful lot of money and trouble just for a one or two day "perk"

I also agree. I spend over a month a year down at wdw. I rarely need fastpass. We get to ride all the headliners without it. Only exceptions might be toy story and soarin. I can see that you can explain away the throwaway room concept to garner fast passes for the length of the ticket but there is no rationalizing stealing parking. An expired pass is an expired pass. Wrong and a terrible message to teach your kids if you have any.

I don't get how people obsess over planning. It isn't necessary. Get to the parks early and you'll get to ride with little wait. It's like dining. People act like they'll go hungry if they don't make adrs 180 days out. Nonsense. You'll never go hungry. Things have gotten crazy. This throwaway room just brings things to a whole other level of nuts.

 

[Nayan]

I also agree. I spend over a month a year down at wdw. I rarely need fastpass. We get to ride all the headliners without it. Only exceptions might be toy story and soarin. I can see that you can explain away the throwaway room concept to garner fast passes for the length of the ticket but there is no rationalizing stealing parking. An expired pass is an expired pass. Wrong and a terrible message to teach your kids if you have any.

I don't get how people obsess over planning. It isn't necessary. Get to the parks early and you'll get to ride with little wait. It's like dining. People act like they'll go hungry if they don't make adrs 180 days out. Nonsense. You'll never go hungry. Things have gotten crazy. This throwaway room just brings things to a whole other level if nuts.

I agree it really has gone nuts.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm not sure Disney would have a real problem with someone paying at least $100 for an onsite room just to get the magic bands. The problem lies with the guests who might want to book a room in a resort that turns out to be full, to come here and read that people are booking rooms they have no intention of staying in. Obviously they get frustrated and consider doing so to be rude. Not long ago we had people staying offsite or at DVC who would book a value resort room for an entire week and never stay in it, just to get the free dining. Doesn't matter to Disney as long as you pay for the room and show up to check in.

You should get free parking only for the two days on a one-night room reservation: the day you check in, and the day you check out.

 

[nugov2]

I also agree. I spend over a month a year down at wdw. I rarely need fastpass. We get to ride all the headliners without it. Only exceptions might be toy story and soarin. I can see that you can explain away the throwaway room concept to garner fast passes for the length of the ticket but there is no rationalizing stealing parking. An expired pass is an expired pass. Wrong and a terrible message to teach your kids if you have any.

I don't get how people obsess over planning. It isn't necessary. Get to the parks early and you'll get to ride with little wait. It's like dining. People act like they'll go hungry if they don't make adrs 180 days out. Nonsense. You'll never go hungry. Things have gotten crazy. This throwaway room just brings things to a whole other level if nuts.

and some would say staying at WDW for a month year after year "brings things to a whole level of nuts"

I think different strokes for different folks is a little kinder.

We travel somewhere new pretty much every year(with exception of a few of our favorite spots we plan to repeat every so often) so when we visit we go with a don't hold back attitude. Within reason we add as many if not all of the perks/upcharges we can. Tours, private/reserved seating/dinning, valet, concierge etc. Depends on the destination and our want/needs for that particular places. Who is to say paying for valet isn't a waste, but booking a room you won't use to get a perk is. That paying for private dinning on a beach isn't a waste, but paying for VIP tour is. The list is endless. This is all relative to
1. your disposable income
2. your preference to how you spend it.

Some will buy cars, some will buy designer purses and clothes, some will buy horses, some will take high end vacations...few will do all.

 

[quandrea]

and some would say staying at WDW for a month year after year "brings things to a whole level of nuts"

I think different strokes for different folks is a little kinder.

We travel somewhere new pretty much every year(with exception of a few of our favorite spots we plan to repeat every so often) so when we visit we go with a don't hold back attitude. Within reason we add as many if not all of the perks/upcharges we can. Tours, private/reserved seating/dinning, valet, concierge etc. Depends on the destination and our want/needs for that particular places. Who is to say paying for valet isn't a waste, but booking a room you won't use to get a perk is. That paying for private dinning on a beach isn't a waste, but paying for VIP tour is. The list is endless. This is all relative to
1. your disposable income
2. your preference to how you spend it.

Some will buy cars, some will buy designer purses and clothes, some will buy horses, some will take high end vacations...few will do all.

I also travel to new places pretty much every year. Dvc is my second residence. Lots of people have them. Nothing nuts about that. If one wants to pay for a throwaway room I have no problem with that. It's the use if expired parking passes that gets under my skin. The lengths to which people will go to garner perks boggles my mind.

 

[helenb]

I think you are absolutely correct. People do it all the time for extra privileges at Universal.

Okay, I understand why people might do this at Disney, since at times you can get Value resorts for less than $100 per night.

But why would you ever do this at Universal? To get Unlimited Express Pass, you have to stay in a $300+ per night room. If you're going to spend that and not use it, just buy the Unlimited Express! And these are really nice rooms at fancy resorts. Why *wouldn't* you want to stay there, if you've paid for it?

As for the debate here, I can see both sides of it. Face it, the reason we all come here, the reason that most of us are upset about FP+, is because we are all planners, we want to know in advance all of the tips and tricks, and work out the maximum advantage for ourselves within the system. We hate FP+ (by which I mean my family, and likely many others on here) without ever having experienced it, because we knew how to 'work' the Legacy FP system and were regularly getting 8-10 FP per day. Was that wrong? No, we were following the rules and moving around them to our best advantage. Booking a 'throwaway' room (issues of parking aside) is the same thing. I completely understand how people can be frustrated by wanting a room (or campsite) and they are all booked up by these throwaway reservations. But the reservations themselves are not the problem: Disney's system is the problem.

While I may or may not like it personally, I can't fault anyone who wants to find creative ways to work within the system to get what works best for them. The problem then is not the person, it is the system. If Disney is aware of all of the effects of the system, then any anger you have should be directed at them, not at the people who are just trying to make things work for themselves and their families.