Uncle Scrooge complex

[sndral]

Like you, I hate the whole pin nonsense, especially the sending things to other people via my personal email or sending postcards for other people to my address (where they've never lived) and not letting me use them, argh.
That said, I suspect if/when the rumoured GP discount comes out 8/13, you will have a 35% or 40% room rate discount, which generally saves a lot more than free dinning @ deluxes. So, follow the rumours and be up @ the crack of dawn 8/13, in case the GP discount materializes so you can grab it. Meanwhile do all of the tricks, order the video, plan and save trips on the website (going in through the suitcase icon,) order maps, etc..
Good luck.

 

[chekhovgirl]

I think the PIN thing is weird, too. I'm hoping this last one that came out becomes a general offer, because also miss free dining but just two days and what kills me is we could have switched our reservation, but we already bought plane tickets and the cost of changing them would equal the savings of free dining. We're not going to cancel our vacation, but it sure would be nice to be able to use a pin like that when others are getting them and absolutely can't take advantage of it...wish they would let you at least transfer it to one other person or something.

 

[MmmmDisney.]

I have never done the free dining thing (it just doesn't work for us), the only thing I ever get jealous over is the free mug :/ I broke down and just bought a pretty pink in march and it was well worth it. Besides, when ever the wait staff asked if we were on the dining plan and we said "no" they seemed relieved. Just be happy you are in Disney at all, there are many families who could only dream of going

 

[Sandisw]

I have to say that the rest of you are being far nicer than I intend to be.

My answer to you is ... Yes ..... you are being a real scrooge here, and an insensitive, elitist to boot.

You are staying at a resort that costs $305 - $520 per night, and you are upset that they aren’t giving you your food for free ?

If it means that much to you , stay at the POP century for $95 -$105 a night and use $1390 you save on the trip to buy the meal plan.

There are many of us here who simply cannot afford to go to Disney unless we stay at a Value resort, AND get the free Dining. We don’t always get free dining when we want to go, so we either adjust our plans, or simply don’t go. Complaining that Disney did not give you free dining when you wanted to go simply shows that you don’t understand business and economics at all.

Disney is in one business and one business only, Making money! That is the only reason they exist. Disney is not a charity set up so that you can have a nice vacation.

The ONLY reason they give discounts and Free dining is to entice you to come and spend your money, and I will absolutely guarantee you that they will NOT lose money on you, and they will NOT offer you a discount if their occupancy rates don’t force them to.

PINs are given out (on some basis that appears random, but likely isn’t) as a trial marketing plan. If enough of the people who receive the PINs actually use them, then that PIN will become a general discount. If too many people take advantage of the PIN, then they meet their quotas and don’t need to offer the discount.

Honestly, if you get bothered because someone got a discount and you didn’t, then the best way to show your displeasure is to cancel your trip and don’t give Disney any money.

But coming here and telling us that you are spending $2045.00 for a room for 5 days and then complaining that I got free food in my $655 room simply because I checked in 1 day later than you, burns my cookies.

I'm really confused by your post. So, because the OP can afford to pay for a deluxe resort, he/she should not care about getting a discount?

Having been in that same position, it is frustrating to know that pins and discounts are handed out randomly. Everyone is deserving of discounts regardless of their financial situation and anyone is entitled to be frustrated by the way that Disney has chosen to give out those discounts.

 

[kerplop]

I think the biggest problem is that Disney has gone haywire with their rack rates and so rather than have the rooms fill up because they're reasonable, they have to offer the discounts to do that job. And if they're offering a discount to one person I feel like they should offer it to everyone - or you know, fix their runaway room prices.

 

[saskdw]

I think the biggest problem is that Disney has gone haywire with their rack rates and so rather than have the rooms fill up because they're reasonable, they have to offer the discounts to do that job. And if they're offering a discount to one person I feel like they should offer it to everyone - or you know, fix their runaway room prices.

Agreed!! This is exactly the problem. It's not just that they need to offer the same discount to everyone. but they need to define how you get a discount and in a more timely manner. For instance, the Universal resorts offer "stay more, save more" which rewards you with a better rate the longer you stay and spend money in their parks.

But, you are right, simply adjusting their prices to market value which will require lowering them 30%-40% would fix everything.

 

[basketlacey]

You don't necessarily sound like a scrooge but you do seem rather disenchanted with the whole thing.

I will ask - were you willing to pay rack rate when you booked?

I have been going through something somewhat similar. I wasn't really willing to pay rack rate so I was waiting for the discounts to be released. We ended up with a PIN and booked AKL over our planned POR for only about $600 more. My whole family is stoked about doing a deluxe resort. I made the mistake of doing the math for FD and realized it would still save us a pretty penny over the % off PIN.

Well, FD came out and my arrival date is blacked out. We could come in a day later (no flights booked yet) but then we would lose out on F&W. I agonized for a full day about it. Then I let it go. I was so excited the night I booked AKL. I want to go back to that excitement. I am happy with the price I booked at or I wouldn't have booked it. I am paying for the DDP because I want to not worry about what food is cosing us during the week. It is all good. Would I love a bigger discount? Sure I would. However, I booked what I was willing to pay so I am good with that.

I admit I needed that day to get over the FD thing. And yes, I know I could book a split stay, get the tickets a day early, etc. etc. But this is my parents' and my brother's family's first trip onsite. I have convinced them that onsite is better, easier. I don't want to get them all caught up in the check in/ check out go to guest services, ask for your tickets, etc.

Good luck! I hope you make peace with what you have. If not, I would definitely choose something else because you don't want it to spoil the magic. It is such a great vacation, don't lose sight of it!

 

[beansmom]

^ basketlacey. When I book a Disney trip, I book it with the understanding that I will be paying the rate quoted at the time of booking. If I can't afford it, I don't book it. That simple.

Am I thrilled when I get a discount? Absolutely. But I don't 'count' on it and I don't think they 'owe' it to me. I feel fortunate to be able to afford any type of vacation....lots of people can't. I also fully expect to purchase my own meals on vacation and I don't get mad at Disney, Niagara Falls or even a beach trip for not giving me free meals.

I think Disney has spoiled the whole darn lot of us (and I am grateful that they do) and I think SOME of us have become to feel entitled. If you don't like the pricing, stay home.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Last week when I canceled a room only trip I had booked the CM asked why I was canceling, that she had to make note of it. In your situation I would call to cancel-if you are really willing to stay offsite. I would tell them that you can't see paying full price when you hear about so many others getting discounts, and you can get a condo offsite for much less. Perhaps they will be able to "find" a pin for you. They may prefer that to sending you that 70% back.

I also think you should explore the possibility of room only on the first night, then checking in with a FD package when it starts the next day.

 

[ElizabethB]

I, too, get annoyed with the PIN code thing. Sorry you missed free dining. To get it for your stay, you are correct you would have to check in on November 5. Is there anyone in your party who can arrive one day early and check in on Nov. 5? If so, the rest of your party could arrive on November 6 and still have the free dining. It may be worth considering this approach and paying, e.g., one airline change fee for one air ticket.

There are annual passholder discounts available for your dates. It may be worth buying one annual pass (even for a child in your party) in order to get the AP rates.

Also, with the Dow dropping like a lead balloon, there, no doubt, will be a public discount code coming out soon. Some people are predicting August 13 for that new public code (because that is when the current public code expires). Watch for that and book as soon as it is available. Be willing to switch resorts if necessary in order to get the discount, e.g., Yacht Club instead of Beach Club, Grand Floridian instead of Contemporary, AKL instead of WL.

Rack rate on the deluxe hotels is truly haywire. The only way to bring the price anywhere in line with reality is a 40% discount.

I hope you can get a discount.

And, I agree with a previous poster -- if you do decide to cancel, make sure your tell Disney why!

 

[snykymom]

There are annual passholder discounts available for your dates. It may be worth buying one annual pass (even for a child in your party) in order to get the AP rates.

The annual passholder must be someone who can legally check into a resort - i.e. an adult over the age of 18. A child's AP won't work.

That being said, however, it might still be worth it to buy a single adult AP and get the room discount. You can book it before you buy the AP, so you know that you're getting what you want and how much of a discount you will be getting.