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

[dbramer]

Hmmmm...you mean...kinda like the $10 pp charge for no-shows at ADR's?

 

[dbramer]

I booked a throwaway campsite for our group of 9 for 1 night.

With it I booked lots of ADRs that I likely would not have booked without the reservation. (CRT, Mikey's Backyard BBQ, 50s Prime Time, Fantasmic Dining Package (Mama's) Whispering Canyon, Beaches and Cream)

There is no chance we book all those without the throwaway room and I don't know if we would have spent any money on Magic Bands.

There is no question we will spend more $$ at Disney because of the reservation.

So, you are saying that you would not have eaten at WDW AT ALL if you hadn't booked the throwaway? (Also ADR's that I may have been trying to get at my LEGITIMATE 180+10.

 

[itchin2go]

A person paying for a 1 night stay should be entitled to onsite perks for 1 day- that's not how it works now. As I said, fastpass+ had changed a lot of things.

Personally, I don't have a problem with a guest booking and paying for the room and sleeping somewhere else, although you are are onsite guest in name only. But, Disney does. If you aren't onsite, you aren't spending money with Disney. And because they care, they're going to put in a fix that causes problems for real onsite guests who do spend a lot of money in the resorts and the parks....and then I do care. Throwing out the baby with the bathwater.....

In response to the first paragraph, keep in mind that this whole "throwaway room" concept was birthed in the nether-time between "testing" of FP+, and when the decision was made to let offsite guests have FP+ at 30 days. For a period (coincidentally when I was beginning to plan my trip), it looked like offsiters would not be able to book FP+ until "day of" in the parks. The divide between 60 day pre-booking and "day of" booking was HUGE. People were RATTLED. No one knew how this was going to shake out. Things are quite a bit less dire now. I wouldn't be surprised if the "throwaway" bookings had died down. But you're right - FP changed things for sure.

In response to the bolded part (my change):

OMG - you are so wrong ... at least in regards to my family. We are staying offsite, but you should see my spreadsheet with ADRs. We are only eating offsite once, for arrival day dinner. You just can't paint offsite (or onsite!) guests with that broad stroke. We are lucky in that we get discounted offsite accommodations, but make no mistake, we are there for Disney and my credit card would beg to differ that "if you aren't onsite, you aren't spending money with Disney".

 

[Canuckbiggs]

So, you are saying that you would not have eaten at WDW AT ALL if you hadn't booked the throwaway?

Not as much no. Disney will make more money off our group because of the reservation. There is no question about that.

Regardless. There will always be rules (like there always has been) and astute planners will work those rules to their maximum benefit.

 

[itchin2go]

How is Disney making more money? Even with four people, that'd be $48 for the Magic Bands and $28 for parking.

I don't know if Disney is making a profit on these throwaway rooms or not. I'd say it depends on several things, i.e. number of people in the rooms, cost of the room, etc.

However, the numbers you put up are retail numbers, not Disney's cost. I'm betting the actual cost of a MB is pretty darn low.

 

[dbramer]

Not as much no. Disney will make more money off our group because of the reservation. There is no question about that.

Regardless. There will always be rules (like there always has been) and astute planners will work those rules to their maximum benefit.

And disney will make everyone pay just like they do now with the no-show fees and CC guarantees. And I sure am glad that I do not operate with the same definition of "astute planner" as you do.

 

[jco_direwolf]

How is Disney making more money? Even with four people, that'd be $48 for the Magic Bands and $28 for parking.

You think magic bands cost Disney 12$ per? my guess they are making 11.50 or more per band..

 

[Luvchefmic]

Requiring more than a one night stay would not be anything new.

Right now, I'm trying (in vain) to book a hotel in Nashville for one night to take my daughter to a concert. Pretty much nothing within the vicinity is available for that one night. Now, if I extend my search to 2 nights, all kinds of things come up.

I agree - that sucks. But it wouldn't be anything new. I'd be surprised if Disney didn't already do this for certain dates at certain resorts.

I have never had a problem booking a one night stay at WDW or really anywhere
in the Lake Buena Vista areas, even major holidays so yes this would really stink

 

[cakebaker]

OMG - you are so wrong ... at least in regards to my family. We are staying offsite, but you should see my spreadsheet with ADRs. We are only eating offsite once, for arrival day dinner. You just can't paint offsite (or onsite!) guests with that broad stroke. We are lucky in that we get discounted offsite accommodations, but make no mistake, we are there for Disney and my credit card would beg to differ that "if you aren't onsite, you aren't spending money with Disney".

What I meant was, for the time you are offsite, you aren't spending money with Disney.

We've always stayed onsite- We get to Disney, we don't leave till the vacation is over. That means every single snack and meal we eat is with Disney. Every activity we do that costs more than just the ticket, is Disney. Few, if any, offsite guests can say that.

And while people may try and justify this by saying they make ADR's they wouldn't make and that Disney is making a bundle off them...Disney is the one who gets to decide if allowing 1 night reservations that entitle guests to the length of their vacation onsite perks is profitable- and my experience tells me they think it's not.

They could fix this without hurting their real onsite guests, but they're not. They're the ones painting a broad brush, not me.

All I know is I was flabbergasted at the trouble I had getting them to extend my vacation 1 night- something's up and it's not good.

 

[itchin2go]

What I meant was, for the time you are offsite, you aren't spending money with Disney.

We've always stayed onsite- We get to Disney, we don't leave till the vacation is over. That means every single snack and meal we eat is with Disney. Every activity we do that costs more than just the ticket, is Disney. Few, if any, offsite guests can say that.

With all due respect, walk a mile in my shoes.

I get that folks who fly in and take "Magical Express" and have no rental car and take no cabs are a captive audience.

However, please don't presume that every "offsite guest" is staying at the "HoJos" as a previous poster put it, and eating at the Golden Corral.

I spend a fortune at Disney World. I go to Orlando for Disney World. I happen to stay offsite. It's WHERE I SLEEP, and nothing more.

You know what? Even when I stayed ONSITE, I wasn't a captive guest and had our car to go offsite.

Again, you can't paint people with such a broad stroke.

 

[artemis4]

We called guest services and I couldn't believe the hoops we had to jump thru. My daughter ended up speaking to the "supervisor's supervisor" who admitted the room was available, but that Disney is cracking down on single night reservations- It didn't matter that we had the previous 4 days booked, we were trying to book a single night. After an hour of arguing and threatening to cancel both the late fall vacation along with the one we're going on in a week, they finally called the hotel directly and got them to ok an extension on our reservation.

There was absolutely no reason for this to happen except that obviously enough people are booking single nights that it's caught their attention. An so, because some are gaming the system to get advantages only intended for on sight guests, it's causing problems for everyone and I resent that.

So yes, they're putting a stop to this but in doing so, it's costing us all.

I was curious, so I tried to book a single night at AoA in late Sept/early Oct since you stated this was the resort you had problems with and time of year. I tried 18 random dates from Sept 21 through Oct 15. I had no problem getting a single night for many of the nights I tried. There were some dates with no availability or with only certain types of room available, particularly if I tried a Friday or Saturday check in. However, when I did the default 6 night stay starting on these same dates, I had similarly limited results.
.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I was doing the same thing beginning Sept through end Oct, all the resorts, same results Glad to see that

 

[mousehockey37]

What happens with things like this, is that people who are looking for that room, say, as part of a week long stay, are now being denied it, because someone who has no intentions on staying there is using it for their own greed.

There are a couple simple fixes for this.

1. Actually have it so that the magic bands for onsite guests don't work until AFTER you check-in physically at the front desk. It can't be that hard to program the badges to "not work" should the guest not check in. This would also encourage that ALL people in the party be present to get their bands "turned on" and even then, for a one night stay, they work for 1 day.

2. As I mentioned at the end of #1. One night = 1 day of band use.

3. Unfortunately, and I see this possibly on the horizon. Disney will have to go to a system that if you have to stay so long to qualify for booking ahead of time. You can book a one night stay, but instead of a band, you'll get a card. The card allows you the ability at 30 days to book for your 1 days use of the pass.

4. They could also, if you don't show up to check in, just have you blacklisted at the parks. Your information when you pay is trackable. They can find you. We'll just have to start providing more information though regarding our stays and such...

As I say, "this is why we can't have nice things"... Crude people find loopholes like this, and ruin experiences for the guests that WANT to stay in the rooms they are leaving vacant.

Just a few ideas within a rant...

 

[itchin2go]

4. They could also, if you don't show up to check in, just have you blacklisted at the parks. Your information when you pay is trackable. They can find you. We'll just have to start providing more information though regarding our stays and such...

As I say, "this is why we can't have nice things"... Crude people find loopholes like this, and ruin experiences for the guests that WANT to stay in the rooms they are leaving vacant.

Just a few ideas within a rant...

Blacklist you for paying for a room and not spending the night there? Seriously? Is BIG BROTHER inside the room deciding if I've done enough to merit the benefits of the room?

"Crude people" are booking rooms and paying for them? Why is it anyone's business what they do with those rooms?

And why are you mad?

 

[dbramer]

Once again, it is the infringement on the benefits of those of us that choose to follow the intent and letter of the rules. I daresay that Disney did not intend for people to book a room for a night with no intention of using it in order to get the benefits for their entire stay OFF-SITE. With a throwaway room, you are taking advantage of a flaw in the program that was not intended by Disney.

There is a reason, just like at other central Florida resorts, that on-site guests get particular perks or benefits denied to those staying off-site. The 60 day window is one of them. The ADR's at 180+10, not having to CALL in everyday at the 180 day window to book your dining reservation is another. By purchasing a throw away room you are taking advantage of benefits you are not otherwise entitled to.

If we can make some comparisons: it is the same as getting a doctor's note to say you were sick when you were actually on vacation in order to save your vacation days and use sick days instead or buying a replacement product for one that broke and then taking the receipt back the next day with the old broken model to get your money back. You are gaming the system and intentionally misrepresenting yourself in order to get greater benefits than you are entitled to.

I could go one better and say it is the same thing as claiming more exemptions or deductions than you actually have in order to pay less taxes because you know the chances of actually getting caught are slim. This means someone else has to pay more taxes to cover your share. You are not entitled to greater benefits, but you are intentionally and knowingly exploiting a loophole for personal benefit. And that benefit to you is a detriment to those people who play the game by the rules.

Again, I may miss out on a FP or ADR because someone who is not entitled to choose them at that time has gamed the system and exploited a flaw in the system to do so and I have chosen to follow the rules. That is where your right to a throwaway room ends. Rights are only extended to the point that they infringe on the rights of others.

 

[Luckybee]

Once again, it is the infringement on the benefits of those of us that choose to follow the intent and letter of the rules. I daresay that Disney did not intend for people to book a room for a night with no intention of using it in order to get the benefits for their entire stay OFF-SITE. With a throwaway room, you are taking advantage of a flaw in the program that was not intended by Disney.

There is a reason, just like at other central Florida resorts, that on-site guests get particular perks or benefits denied to those staying off-site. The 60 day window is one of them. The ADR's at 180+10, not having to CALL in everyday at the 180 day window to book your dining reservation is another. By purchasing a throw away room you are taking advantage of benefits you are not otherwise entitled to.

If we can make some comparisons: it is the same as getting a doctor's note to say you were sick when you were actually on vacation in order to save your vacation days and use sick days instead or buying a replacement product for one that broke and then taking the receipt back the next day with the old broken model to get your money back. You are gaming the system and intentionally misrepresenting yourself in order to get greater benefits than you are entitled to.

I could go one better and say it is the same thing as claiming more exemptions or deductions than you actually have in order to pay less taxes because you know the chances of actually getting caught are slim. This means someone else has to pay more taxes to cover your share. You are not entitled to greater benefits, but you are intentionally and knowingly exploiting a loophole for personal benefit. And that benefit to you is a detriment to those people who play the game by the rules.

Again, I may miss out on a FP or ADR because someone who is not entitled to choose them at that time has gamed the system and exploited a flaw in the system to do so and I have chosen to follow the rules. That is where your right to a throwaway room ends. Rights are only extended to the point that they infringe on the rights of others.

It is absolutely not the same as those things you describe. Claiming sick days instead of vacation days would at most companies be grounds for termination or at minimum discipline. It is tantamount to theft. Claiming tax loopholes one isn't entitled to is tax evasion.

Purchasing and PAYING FOR a room is neither illegal, immoral, or breaking any rule whatsoever. If person A books a room for the night in order to sleep there, person B books it in order to get benefits, person C books it for a quickie with his girlfriend or person D books in order to have a place to rest mid day they are all equally entitled to the same benefits . Disney has made it abundantly clear that it isn't against their rules (which btw are the only one's that count here), and they are perfectly content to take the bookings regardless of the purpose (so long as it isn't illegal ). They've been well aware this is happening and if they chose to could easily be stopped by them . They don't wish to do so as it means increased revenue to them.

Months ago before we extended our trip and booked the Dolphin(on points) for our first few nights I had booked a throwaway . Not only was the CM well aware that I was doing this she told me how to best utilize it.
You seem to be suggesting that those who do so are not entitled to the benefits while you who sleep in the room are. Of course they are since Disney says they are and until when or if they change their policy the person booking the thruway is entitled to the same benefits as is the person who sleeps in that same bed.

Quite frankly it is plain silly that anyone is still suggesting that there is anything wrong with this given that Disney doesn't think so....lol.

 

[Luckybee]

What happens with things like this, is that people who are looking for that room, say, as part of a week long stay, are now being denied it, because someone who has no intentions on staying there is using it for their own greed.

There are a couple simple fixes for this.

1. Actually have it so that the magic bands for onsite guests don't work until AFTER you check-in physically at the front desk. It can't be that hard to program the badges to "not work" should the guest not check in. This would also encourage that ALL people in the party be present to get their bands "turned on" and even then, for a one night stay, they work for 1 day.

2. As I mentioned at the end of #1. One night = 1 day of band use.

3. Unfortunately, and I see this possibly on the horizon. Disney will have to go to a system that if you have to stay so long to qualify for booking ahead of time. You can book a one night stay, but instead of a band, you'll get a card. The card allows you the ability at 30 days to book for your 1 days use of the pass.

4. They could also, if you don't show up to check in, just have you blacklisted at the parks. Your information when you pay is trackable. They can find you. We'll just have to start providing more information though regarding our stays and such...

As I say, "this is why we can't have nice things"... Crude people find loopholes like this, and ruin experiences for the guests that WANT to stay in the rooms they are leaving vacant.

Just a few ideas within a rant...

As I said in my previous post .....before YOU decide what Disney is going to have to do why don't you call them and see if they have any problems with the throwaway room concept.

 

[Luckybee]

I was curious, so I tried to book a single night at AoA in late Sept/early Oct since you stated this was the resort you had problems with and time of year. I tried 18 random dates from Sept 21 through Oct 15. I had no problem getting a single night for many of the nights I tried. There were some dates with no availability or with only certain types of room available, particularly if I tried a Friday or Saturday check in. However, when I did the default 6 night stay starting on these same dates, I had similarly limited results.
.

Many many hotels, Disney hotels included have certain time frames where they are expecting to be busy at certain properties and have unpublished minimum stays requirements. This is standard in the hotel industry. Or they want to maximize revenue on weekends by only allowing 2 night stays etc. etc etc. This is nothing new. The poster who had issues probably ran into that.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

As I said in my previous post .....before YOU decide what Disney is going to have to do why don't you call them and see if they have any problems with the throwaway room concept.

They had no problems with it last year. I actually spoke to several CM's at Guest Relations in two parks about it. We were staying off site, had AP's and were staying for a long time (6 weeks) The CM's said it was a good idea and that if Disney hadn't closed the loophole, they clearly had no problem with it. Disney knows people are doing it and they don't care. If they did they would close the loophole and make it so that you can only get the benefits for the days you are staying on site.

 

[karensi]

What happens with things like this, is that people who are looking for that room, say, as part of a week long stay, are now being denied it, because someone who has no intentions on staying there is using it for their own greed.

There are a couple simple fixes for this.

1. Actually have it so that the magic bands for onsite guests don't work until AFTER you check-in physically at the front desk. It can't be that hard to program the badges to "not work" should the guest not check in. This would also encourage that ALL people in the party be present to get their bands "turned on" and even then, for a one night stay, they work for 1 day.





Just a few ideas within a rant...

mousehockey, I'm just curious, I thought that you DID have to check in first for the MBs to work. Is that NOT the case?

Thanks,
Karen