updated info

[Lollipop Mom]

I updated the thread with the bulleted info but I've had several emails asking for an update so here it is...

not much new to report. I'm getting conflicting info on one point...and it's a biggie.

Sales was saying that this will be the only option for passholder discounts. Basically, guest services is saying that "maybe" you'll still be able to call in. They aren't sure yet. The agent I spoke with said she wouldn't expect to see call in rates available beyond October 4th untill at least September 1st. It sounds like they are being told that calls ins will depend on the success of the online program.

I have no idea if this is the new "party line" or just more poor communication between departments.

I asked if they would honor other passholder rates:
-answer from sales: "there won't be others, this is it." I pushed and asked what if this program wasn't as successful as they hoped and they released call in rates for last minute travel. She said if that were to happen, then they would be higher than the best rate program rates. Best rate program rates are guaranteed to be the lowest general public rates available. When I asked for clarification on the definition of general public rate she said that passholder and Fla resident rates are considered public rates. By public rates they mean rates announced to the general public rather than rates sent privately to one family be means of an email or postcard with a pin.
-answer from guest services, was basically that nothing offered to passholders or "for anyone" rates will be less than the best rate program rates.
Basically anyone concerned about other AP holders being offered a better rate later should feel confident that this won't happen. They are all in agreement that this will be the best deal.

what about AAA rates?
-answer from both: they have always been totally separate from AP rates so there was no difference now. Passholders will have to decide which they want to book.
-they were also both in agreement that there would be discounts for rooms booked through the best rate program. They don't anticipate having people book at the rates remain at rack, in fact I think they expect that most of the time it won't be rack when you book. I think this weekend showing rack was the result of it being new and everything wasn't going exactly as they had hoped. Given that dates past 11/26 still aren't coming up, my guess is that from now on, when they extend it to a new group of dates that that group of dates will be discounted (when available of course!)

who is elligible:
-AP, PAP and Florida resident seasonal passholders

change fee:
-$50 change fee will apply to anything that reduces the total price of the package including changing dates, resorts, views, number of people, ages of child etc. If the total cost of the package remains the same or increases, then the fee will be waived

deposit/payments:
-1 night deposit must be made online at the time of booking. No monies can be applied on the phone. This includes calling to make payments before arrival (though it looks like you can make those payments online).
-balance is due at check in.
-deposit is completely nonrefundable
-deposit must be made with a credit card in the passholder's name (guest services suspects it will accept a spouse's name but they hadn't tested it)

dates from 10/5 to 10/15:
-sales says "sorry." She then said keep on the lookout, another offer may become availble even if it isn't a passholder offer.
-again, not so sure that this will end up being the case. I won't be surprised at all to hear that they are releasing call in rates as well.

vouchers:
-if you make a reservation with a voucher, it is validated with your name so no one else will be able to exchange it later. In other words, don't buy your voucher, book a room, order a DDE card and then expect to sell the voucher on ebay and buy less expensive tickets (not saying anyone here would do that! )
-yes, you will have to have the voucher in hand. The software isn't set up to be able to do a purchase of a voucher at the same time. It needs to validate the voucher. Maybe in the future.

discounts available:
-it is just like everything else, limited # of rooms available on the program. I could get no info on what rates to expect if there is availability. No info on if it was a flat % or $ amount off or what.

rates beyond 11/26:
-they should be available "soon." No idea on when soon might be, but just soon.

The big thing that is still up in the air is will there be any call in rates available under 120 days? (one person I spoke with said they suspected the possibility that if there are enough rooms available to warrant discounting them that we may see general public discounts rather than AP disocunts on them, but they were quick to say that was pure speculation on their part and not based on anything he had been told.) Friday and this weekend everyone was saying there would absolutely be call ins for less than 120 days, now it's "maybe." I'm not convinced that this isn't just a poor communication thing. I think they have to be aware that passholders are among the group of people most likely to take a last minute trip. They already have admission paid, they see a great airfare, if they can get a hotel at a decent cost, they are off to pack their bags! I said to everyone I spoke with that I'm in Atlanta. We're reasonable distance from Orlando. Enough so that most people drive rather than fly...that makes a last minute trip even more of an option! I would hate to have to see local clients lose out on the opportunity for a disocunted room just because they have the flexibility to say "hey, we're not busy, let's head down to Orlando next month!"

I think the idea is a good one overall, they just need to fine tune the details of the offer. Disney has a history of doing that...fine tuning as they get feedback (remember the "those staying onsite can book PS at 90 days, everyone else at 60 days debacle!). Basically, we just have to wait and see what this ends up being.

I would agree with the opinions Sue Ellen posted, if you are set on a given resort and have the flexibility to plan 120 days out, it doesn't sound like a bad plan (provided you are OK with the terms....trip insurance.... )

So that's what I have. At least the rates being quoted are discounted now!

 

[scoutsmom99]

The big thing that is still up in the air is will there be any call in rates available under 120 days? (one person I spoke with said they suspected the possibility that if there are enough rooms available to warrant discounting them that we may see general public discounts rather than AP disocunts on them, but they were quick to say that was pure speculation on their part and not based on anything he had been told.) Friday and this weekend everyone was saying there would absolutely be call ins for less than 120 days, now it's "maybe." I'm not convinced that this isn't just a poor communication thing. I think they have to be aware that passholders are among the group of people most likely to take a last minute trip. They already have admission paid, they see a greatotal price of the package including changing dates, resorts, views, number of people, ages of child etc. If the total cost of the package remains the same or increases, then the fee will be waived

Thanks for all of your hardwork, I know everyone really appreciates it ! I hope that in some cases that we will be able to book under 120 days out (I would even be ok with 90 days out). If not I will live I bought the AP for the theme park admission and the AP rate were just an added bonus and I suppose I could stay offsite

 

[Lollipop Mom]

hope that in some cases that we will be able to book under 120 days out (I would even be ok with 90 days out).

I would bet there will be something...we'll have to wait and see but I bet that they've just been so flooded with questions today that they are sick of answering them. LOL Everyone here is aware of situations where you get different answers depending on which CM answers the phone. People here who either work at CRO or know others who do and they have said they were told in a meeting that this will be one of the options for booking but not the only option. A reservations agent I spoke with today hadn't heard of it yet. The sales CM I spoke with said this is it but *my guess* is that they will evaluate the results of this program and will release discounts to fill in any "gaps" where they have a lot of availability. We just have to wait and see if that discount will be an AP code, another package discount available to anyone or an available to anyone room only code....or maybe a combo of all 3!

 

[sherry8253]

Thanks for all of your hard work Lollipop Mom.

 

[Sammie]

I don't think there will be other rates unless there is a need for them. Why should there be.

For example if in November occupancy at Disney resorts is high enough with guests paying rack rate, guests using AAA and guests using the new AP Best Rate program, why should they offer anything else.

Discounts are offered to fill rooms, if rooms are filled, then no discounts. I agree that the refund situation is something that I might not be comfortable with.

However if the only way I am going to be able to afford the Grand Floridian is to chance the deposit and take out travel insurance then so be it.

Or I will book something less expensive with a more user friendly deposit.

Basically I think what we are going to see is, if you want a good discount on a particular resort., then you are going to have to participate in the program.

 

[landmark]

vouchers:
-if you make a reservation with a voucher, it is validated with your name so no one else will be able to exchange it later. In other words, don't buy your voucher, book a room, order a DDE card and then expect to sell the voucher on ebay and buy less expensive tickets (not saying anyone here would do that! )
-yes, you will have to have the voucher in hand. The software isn't set up to be able to do a purchase of a voucher at the same time. It needs to validate the voucher. Maybe in the future.

I'm lucky in that I still have plenty of time to see how this pans out before my travel dates (Sept 06) But in reading your post (Thanks so much for the info!) have they now allowed individuals to make a reservation with a voucher? or is it still travel agents only? My AP expired last month and since we won't be going back until Sept 06... I wasn't going to get one until we arrived. However, I have no problem purchasing a voucher from Disney (we get our AP's from SOG) in order to book and then validating it when we arrive.

 

[DVCconvert]

Lollipop Mom-- do you have an email address that we can write into to voice our "concerns" about this??

TIA

 

[EthansMom]

Lollipop Mom,

Thanks so much for keeping us up-to-date!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

have they now allowed individuals to make a reservation with a voucher? or is it still travel agents only?

it sounds like they have but I'm not the best to answer that...my AP expired and I'm not getting another just yet because we have a "gap" in our travels. Since I don't have an AP now, I can't even try to log in and see what the site says. From what they are telling me, it sounds like they either already have or are in the process of right now modifying the log in to the passholder site to allow people with a voucher to log in and book this.

Somewhere around here there was a post that explained how someone figured out to make their voucher work as a log in.

do you have an email address that we can write into to voice our "concerns" about this??

If I remember correctly there is an email for passholder services or something like that on the passholder site. Otherwise, try https://secure.disney.go.com/wdw/contact/contactUs?id=ContactUsPage

 

[MNSusan]

I've been plugging in our November dates to see if there's a discount. It comes up with the rack rate. Because our dates are before 11/26, does that mean that no discount is available? or could it still come down?

Thanks so much for keeping on top of this, Lollypop Mom. Your posts are clear, concise and comforting!

edited to add: One of our reservations is now showing up with a discounted rate. GF lagoon view is now less than garden view was this morning. Still waiting to see if our BWI reservation gets discounted.

 

[freakylick]

dates from 10/5 to 10/15:
-sales says "sorry."

***...So because of their incompetance (read:lack of ability to do things timely), I am screwed. And the best they can give me is "another offer MAY become available". That's absurd.

I won't be surprised at all to hear that they are releasing call in rates as well.

Well I hope you are right...but I don't know that waiting until September for "maybe's" is an option for me. I guess that I need to express my "concerns".

 

[Alicnwondrln]

thank you so much for all of your help
you rock at putting all of this together and you keep updating it !!

 

[roxwithears]

I just wanted to add that I have a voucher and I was able to access the site and go through the reservation process. I didn't book - I just wanted to see the rates. The numbers on the back of the voucher will allow you access.

 

[C.Ann]

I updated the thread with the bulleted info but I've had several emails asking for an update so here it is...

not much new to report. I'm getting conflicting info on one point...and it's a biggie.

Sales was saying that this will be the only option for passholder discounts. Basically, guest services is saying that "maybe" you'll still be able to call in. They aren't sure yet. The agent I spoke with said she wouldn't expect to see call in rates available beyond October 4th untill at least September 1st. It sounds like they are being told that calls ins will depend on the success of the online program.

I have no idea if this is the new "party line" or just more poor communication between departments.

I asked if they would honor other passholder rates:
-answer from sales: "there won't be others, this is it." I pushed and asked what if this program wasn't as successful as they hoped and they released call in rates for last minute travel. She said if that were to happen, then they would be higher than the best rate program rates. Best rate program rates are guaranteed to be the lowest general public rates available. When I asked for clarification on the definition of general public rate she said that passholder and Fla resident rates are considered public rates. By public rates they mean rates announced to the general public rather than rates sent privately to one family be means of an email or postcard with a pin.
-answer from guest services, was basically that nothing offered to passholders or "for anyone" rates will be less than the best rate program rates.
Basically anyone concerned about other AP holders being offered a better rate later should feel confident that this won't happen. They are all in agreement that this will be the best deal.

what about AAA rates?
-answer from both: they have always been totally separate from AP rates so there was no difference now. Passholders will have to decide which they want to book.
-they were also both in agreement that there would be discounts for rooms booked through the best rate program. They don't anticipate having people book at the rates remain at rack, in fact I think they expect that most of the time it won't be rack when you book. I think this weekend showing rack was the result of it being new and everything wasn't going exactly as they had hoped. Given that dates past 11/26 still aren't coming up, my guess is that from now on, when they extend it to a new group of dates that that group of dates will be discounted (when available of course!)

who is elligible:
-AP, PAP and Florida resident seasonal passholders

change fee:
-$50 change fee will apply to anything that reduces the total price of the package including changing dates, resorts, views, number of people, ages of child etc. If the total cost of the package remains the same or increases, then the fee will be waived

deposit/payments:
-1 night deposit must be made online at the time of booking. No monies can be applied on the phone. This includes calling to make payments before arrival (though it looks like you can make those payments online).
-balance is due at check in.
-deposit is completely nonrefundable
-deposit must be made with a credit card in the passholder's name (guest services suspects it will accept a spouse's name but they hadn't tested it)

dates from 10/5 to 10/15:
-sales says "sorry." She then said keep on the lookout, another offer may become availble even if it isn't a passholder offer.
-again, not so sure that this will end up being the case. I won't be surprised at all to hear that they are releasing call in rates as well.

vouchers:
-if you make a reservation with a voucher, it is validated with your name so no one else will be able to exchange it later. In other words, don't buy your voucher, book a room, order a DDE card and then expect to sell the voucher on ebay and buy less expensive tickets (not saying anyone here would do that! )
-yes, you will have to have the voucher in hand. The software isn't set up to be able to do a purchase of a voucher at the same time. It needs to validate the voucher. Maybe in the future.

discounts available:
-it is just like everything else, limited # of rooms available on the program. I could get no info on what rates to expect if there is availability. No info on if it was a flat % or $ amount off or what.

rates beyond 11/26:
-they should be available "soon." No idea on when soon might be, but just soon.

The big thing that is still up in the air is will there be any call in rates available under 120 days? (one person I spoke with said they suspected the possibility that if there are enough rooms available to warrant discounting them that we may see general public discounts rather than AP disocunts on them, but they were quick to say that was pure speculation on their part and not based on anything he had been told.) Friday and this weekend everyone was saying there would absolutely be call ins for less than 120 days, now it's "maybe." I'm not convinced that this isn't just a poor communication thing. I think they have to be aware that passholders are among the group of people most likely to take a last minute trip. They already have admission paid, they see a great airfare, if they can get a hotel at a decent cost, they are off to pack their bags! I said to everyone I spoke with that I'm in Atlanta. We're reasonable distance from Orlando. Enough so that most people drive rather than fly...that makes a last minute trip even more of an option! I would hate to have to see local clients lose out on the opportunity for a disocunted room just because they have the flexibility to say "hey, we're not busy, let's head down to Orlando next month!"

I think the idea is a good one overall, they just need to fine tune the details of the offer. Disney has a history of doing that...fine tuning as they get feedback (remember the "those staying onsite can book PS at 90 days, everyone else at 60 days debacle!). Basically, we just have to wait and see what this ends up being.

I would agree with the opinions Sue Ellen posted, if you are set on a given resort and have the flexibility to plan 120 days out, it doesn't sound like a bad plan (provided you are OK with the terms....trip insurance.... )

So that's what I have. At least the rates being quoted are discounted now!

------------------------------------------

So basically what you're saying is the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing and no one knows anything "for sure" - correct? Sounds like a great plan!!

All I need to know - and no one seems to be able to come up with a definite answer - is if the old AP plan will become available and WILL remain as it was (call in) and if I will be allowed to book two rooms that way.. It's a fairly simple question - but one that Disney doesn't seem to want to answer..

If I can get an AP rate for 2 rooms by calling in, that's fine.. If not, I need to start looking for accomodations elsewhere because I don't feel that any of the Disney Resort rooms are worth their rack rate - even in value season..

It really makes Disney look incompetent to roll out a big program such as this without getting all of their ducks in a row first.. Surely they knew they would be bombarded with emails and phone calls trying to clarify just what it is they're supposed to be offering.. Not very professional at all..

 

[Lollipop Mom]

***...So because of their incompetance (read:lack of ability to do things timely), I am screwed. And the best they can give me is "another offer MAY become available". That's absurd.

well, bear in mind that this was one sales agent who likely had been harassed with questions all day long. I'm not convinced there won't be call in rates. It just seems like we've heard from too many people who either are CMs at CRO or they have friends who are CRO CMs and have said that they were told in a meeting that this would just be an option, not the only way AP rates are available. I think the fact that the dates they list are 10/8 - 11/26 so it sounds like they intended not to offer rates for 10/5 -10/7, which is a holiday weekend, but that they did plan to offer 10/8 - 10/15. Hopefully that means they will be filling in those gaps either with an offer for AP holders or for anyone.

I can totally understand wanting to express concerns, just realize that this one person doesn't determine if the discounts are released or not. I'd start by emailing guest services and just asking what they plan to do for AP holders who are unable to paricipate due to the fact that current AP rates released as of yet end before you travel and the new plan was released less than 120 days before your arrival date.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

All I need to know - and no one seems to be able to come up with a definite answer - is if the old AP plan will become available and WILL remain as it was (call in) and if I will be allowed to book two rooms that way.. It's a fairly simple question - but one that Disney doesn't seem to want to answer..

I understand your frustration. I'd be upset too in the same situation.

All I can say is that the impression I got today was that the answer to "will I be able to call in" has become (without actually saying it) "that depends on how successful the Best Rate online program ends up being." I am encouraged based on the fact that I know on Friday, everyone seemed very confident that call ins would still happen, they would just be more limited. People have reported here that some (but obviously not all) of the CRO agents were specifically told in the meeting that call ins would still be available. My guess is that someone who is in charge of dotting the i's and crossing the t's at Disney said "don't promise that untill we see what happens with the online deal."

If I am able to find out anything concrete, I'll definitely pass it along.

 

[freakylick]

One step ahead of ya...

I do realize that you had only posted what one sales rep told you..so I e-mailed hoping for clarification. And in most cases, these reps are not fully informed. But therein lies most of the reason for my disgust with WDW. Hopefully this gets rectified...I'll let you know if I hear anything.

Sorry if I had sounded a little harsh in my last response...but my frustration level is rising instead of subsiding and it is beginning to look more and more likely that my Disney vacation "may" not happen.

 

[ms.ojo]

Thank you Lollipop Mom. (Can't tell you how many times I've missed typed your name as Lollipoop!!! LOL )

Guess I'll just keep my eyes and ears open for when the next window into dec opens and check the rates then. If it's better or at my AAA rate...maybe I'll bite.

But what's this about trip insurance?????????

 

[C.Ann]

I understand your frustration. I'd be upset too in the same situation.

All I can say is that the impression I got today was that the answer to "will I be able to call in" has become (without actually saying it) "that depends on how successful the Best Rate online program ends up being." I am encouraged based on the fact that I know on Friday, everyone seemed very confident that call ins would still happen, they would just be more limited. People have reported here that some (but obviously not all) of the CRO agents were specifically told in the meeting that call ins would still be available. My guess is that someone who is in charge of dotting the i's and crossing the t's at Disney said "don't promise that untill we see what happens with the online deal."

If I am able to find out anything concrete, I'll definitely pass it along.

---------------------

Thanks! Meanwhile I'll just start scouting around for my off-site accomodations..

This fiasco reminds me of their recent roll-out of ME.. Only difference there is that it was FREE, so people were a lot more tolerant.. LOL

 

[SueEllen]

We appreciate all of the information being posted (thanks Lollipop Mom)

I know that often the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing at Disney, and do expect to still see the AP rates available for booking the same way they are now (not everyone has internet service--I know amazing right? )

I would not expect ANY company to go strictly with an online booking system for anything yet. Maybe in the distant future (if EVERYONE eventually has internet) but since many people still rely on the good ole telephone for booking things I would not expect them to do away with the current offerings.

I also agree that there are too many passholders that like to take last minute trips and the current booking system is their way of getting the rooms discounted for a spur of the moment trip.

The only thing I expect to see happen in the future is the number of rooms available for phoning in to book will be more limited (depending on how this new program takes off.) I would expect if they have 100 rooms to fill with an AP discount, and 50 are done online with the new Best Rate program, only 50 would be left to book through CRO, whereas all 100 would have been available in the past.

???? We will see what happens in time.
Sue Ellen