Very Disappointed with new discounts

[scribega]

So disappointed. I was happy to see that the buzz on the disboards was right and they did announce something today (gives me hope for other chatter) but not a good deal and didn't cover my fall dates

Date for the discount are:
Book by 4/30/11 for stays most nights 4/22/11-5/28/11.
Book by 5/28/11 for stays most nights 5/29/11-8/13/11.

These are NOT traditional free dining or fall discount rates. I would expect to see something else come out later. They are just trying to get a few more people to come during summer season.

 

[milmore104]

Very disappointed w/ the discount. We are staying Deluxe but the dates aren't right for us. Hoping for a good discount so we can keep our reservation at AKL. If not we're still going just will be downgrading. We need this trip so very much so it has to be a value so be it!!!

 

[jimim]

Less than $100 difference between standard room at CBR and a standard room at WL. About a $300 or so difference between POP and WL. We're staying 7 nights. To me it seemed like an easy decision to upgrade to WL.

Congrats Pam on the change. It's nice to get something better for not much more!

 

[Sue M]

I would think so. Moderates and Values are staying booked. Eiger said they would start weaning off everyone.

Then it looks like no more deluxe for me, cause no way I'm going to pay rack rate. Swan/Dolphin will be looking better with their specials.

For those wanting a discount on Moderate & Value, I think they are going to release them because they are already released for Canadians. Only 15% off. Very dissapointing. Ick.

 

[aubriee]

Swan/Dolphin will be looking better with their specials.
For those wanting a discount on Moderate & Value, I think they are going to release them because they are already released for Canadians. Only 15% off. Very dissapointing. Ick.

I agree! I've never used them but supposedly as a nurse I can get pretty good discounts at the Swan/Dolphin. Right now I have POFQ booked for Sept 24th-Oct 2nd with the GP code that came out several months ago, but am hoping for an AP discount to beat it. With the way the AP discounts looked for May, it looks like I may be switching to the Swan/Dolphin. Either that or canceling my Sept trip all together. Although I wanted to get another trip out of my AP before it expires in Oct.

However it sorta stinks that my trip has to be on 2 overlapping discount periods- the previous offer (40% off) would only have covered my last night; the current offer only covers my first 2 nights. I somehow thought that any new offer would have covered the last night since I was arriving during the offer period; I am sure I once read something that implied so but it apparently was not correct. Anyway, seems downright ridiculous that I would have had to make 2 different reservations at 2 different times with 2 deposits in order to get a discount for all 3 nights of my stay. (and I can't change my dates because they are tied to a Disney Cruise)

Alot of people get the rules for free dining mixed up with the rules for resort reservations. Years ago whatever room rate you had when you checked in, you could keep for your entire trip, so people would book on the last day of value season and keep that rate for the whole trip even though regular season might start the next day. Now however you are charged for each day depending on where that day falls (value season or regular season, weekend or weeknight). When they started doing this it also started affecting the way the discount dates were covered. Now if any part of your dates fall outside the dates of a discount, you can't use that discount for those dates. This has happened to me twice in the last two years. In order to use the discounts you have to make two different reservations checking in for each one, getting a different KTTW card, and you may or may not get to stay in the same room. Now free dining is a whole different ball game. As long as you check in by the last date of free dining, you can get free dining for your entire trip. However, if you check in a day before free dining starts then you don't get it, (unless you are willing to make a room only reservation for that first night, then do a pkg for when the free dining actually starts).

 

[tinacaplan]

While it would have been preferable to do this trip as cheaply as possible (i.e. with a good discount at a mod), I'm thrilled with the discounts. We're staying in a savanna view room at AKL for not much more than I could book CSR for at the same time. And, on top of that, I was able to snag really cheap plane tickets, too. It has always been tough for me to pony up the difference to stay deluxe, but this made it totally worth it. That said, the Poly and CR are still ridiculously pricey, especially since the only rooms left at CR were MK view. BLT was sold out completely.

BUT...when I sat down to make ADRs last night, I had no problem getting everything I wanted. So maybe bookings are not what they had hoped for July?

 

[AggieTexan]

This discount actually worked for me...finally! I had made a reservation for BWI standard view in September for late June (21-25), but the room cost was really bugging me so I made a "back-up" reservation at the Dolphin using a teacher discount. Up to this point, NOTHING has worked for my dates, including a couple pins. My TA e-mailed me yesterday that she had gotten me the 30% AND upgraded us to water view!. Even with the view upgrade, it is still less than the original booking.

When I add the DxDP and crunch all the numbers, the BWI package comes out a couple hundred more than the Dolphin, but I still thhink we'll stay at the Boardwalk. That was the resort I had my heart set on when we originally started planning the trip. Even though I had warmed up to the idea of the Dolphin, I still really want to stay at the Boardwalk!

 

[nickapoohiluvu]

What Disney doesn't realize is "weaning the public off discounts" will backfire with people like my family. We simply will not stay on site because I will get a better deal by renting a condo. We also will not stay as many days in the parks because there is a lot of other interesting things to do - Kennedy Space Center, Airboat Tours, go to the beach and maybe visit the Florida Keys for a day. So, instead of five days, four nights on site with all food purchased at Disney and $2K from me, they'll get me for 3 days, maybe, no hotel and minimal food. Maybe one character meal and the rest will be quick service. All our breakfasts will be at our home away from home and we'll be a lot less likely to purchase merchandise.

 

[soarinup]

I'm thinking the lack of discount will keep me away as well. To be honest, I cannot afford Deluxe without 40% off. I will go elsewhere for vacation if I can't get what I need. But really thats okay, there are many many places I would like to scratch off my "bucket list".

 

[auntie]

Been visiting for near 20 years, and NEVER have paid full rack rate. (we go back to the days of stockholder discounts which are long gone).
If Disney is weaning people off discounts..we will not be going. I refuse to pay rack rate for the Deluxe resorts. Much as I love them..they are NO WHERE near worth what they charge. I'll visit the parks and stay elsewhere. Especially since we like staying on the Gulf coast now. I rather just do a day visit or so to the parks, and go back to my deluxe resort that I didn't have to pay over $400.00 a night for. That's just nuts.

 

[Debbie Jean]

What Disney doesn't realize is "weaning the public off discounts" will backfire with people like my family. We simply will not stay on site because I will get a better deal by renting a condo. We also will not stay as many days in the parks because there is a lot of other interesting things to do - Kennedy Space Center, Airboat Tours, go to the beach and maybe visit the Florida Keys for a day. So, instead of five days, four nights on site with all food purchased at Disney and $2K from me, they'll get me for 3 days, maybe, no hotel and minimal food. Maybe one character meal and the rest will be quick service. All our breakfasts will be at our home away from home and we'll be a lot less likely to purchase merchandise.

May be true for your family and some others but Disney knows exactly what it is doing... and I am sure they will be monitoring how well resorts at different levels sell... they don't appear to be doing away with discounts but are offering them in a different configuration for the moment...

What I think many folks fail to realize is that Disney is a business whose ultimate objective is to maximize profits for its shareholders... if the current strategy of scaling back discounts doesn't do that they will implement something different in the way of incentives... there are any number of ways this could be done and I'm absolutely positive that the multimedia corporate giant that Disney is has thought of all of them Discounts are certainly not gone, btw, and those people who are unhappy now may find that if they are patient more will be offered.

My take on the incentive for deluxe resorts and villas is that these have been harder to fill than the values and moderates... in prior years they have overbooked the values and people got bumped to places like OKW and SSR. My guess is they are trying to fill the deluxes since more people book values/mods in general. Just my opinion. And a lot of folks here have posted that they upgraded so if that's the strategy, it's working

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

May be true for your family and some others but Disney knows exactly what it is doing... and I am sure they will be monitoring how well resorts at different levels sell... they don't appear to be doing away with discounts but are offering them in a different configuration for the moment...

What I think many folks fail to realize is that Disney is a business whose ultimate objective is to maximize profits for its shareholders... if the current strategy of scaling back discounts doesn't do that they will implement something different in the way of incentives... there are any number of ways this could be done and I'm absolutely positive that the multimedia corporate giant that Disney is has thought of all of them Discounts are certainly not gone, btw, and those people who are unhappy now may find that if they are patient more will be offered.

My take on the incentive for deluxe resorts and villas is that these have been harder to fill than the values and moderates... in prior years they have overbooked the values and people got bumped to places like OKW and SSR. My guess is they are trying to fill the deluxes since more people book values/mods in general. Just my opinion. And a lot of folks here have posted that they upgraded so if that's the strategy, it's working

That may be true for GP discounts for the deluxes. . .but what is their marketing strategy behind offering 30% off value resorts for AP holders? Right now I've booked the GP rate for our July trip and if the AP discounts come out for the Summer with only the value resorts, I guess I'll be keeping the GP discount. I also will think very hard about it when AP renewal time comes around . . .if their marketing strategy is to give more of a discount to the GP, than what is the point of getting an AP? Instead of traveling to WDW 4 times a year, we'll just go 2 times . . .Flower & Garden Festival and Food & Wine Festival.

 

[Debbie Jean]

That may be true for GP discounts for the deluxes. . .but what is their marketing strategy behind offering 30% off value resorts for AP holders? Right now I've booked the GP rate for our July trip and if the AP discounts come out for the Summer with only the value resorts, I guess I'll be keeping the GP discount. I also will think very hard about it when AP renewal time comes around . . .if their marketing strategy is to give more of a discount to the GP, than what is the point of getting an AP? Instead of traveling to WDW 4 times a year, we'll just go 2 times . . .Flower & Garden Festival and Food & Wine Festival.

Interesting point... after they sell you the pass, they won't make any more money from you for ticketing unless it is a hard ticket event such as MNSSHP, etc. The only money they can make is resort and other expenses. Does that mean they will offer less or, as seems to be the case now, they are waiting to see how many rooms fill and then release an AP rate? And even if they do offer AP rates at the level they have in the past, how many rooms will they make available?

I still think that discounts will appear, including AP, though they may not be the same as in the past or rolled out in the same way.

 

[Tess]

That said, the Poly and CR are still ridiculously pricey, especially since the only rooms left at CR were MK view. BLT was sold out completely.

BUT...when I sat down to make ADRs last night, I had no problem getting everything I wanted. So maybe bookings are not what they had hoped for July?

The summer discount for Polynesian is only 25% compared to the 30% (deluxes other than WL/AKL/Polynesian) or 40% (villas). The 25% discounted rate is ridiculous for a GV compared to years past and I'm talking many, many years past.

 

[Olallamom]

The rates definitely aren't fabulous. Luckily I was already planning on staying at the BC. I thought maybe a split with POR/BC, but it was only a little over $100 more to book WL vs POR. My kids are excited to try two different hotels on our upcoming trip.
Hopefully a AP discount will come out for my dates and I can save even more $$.

 

[lovingmy2boys]

I agree! I've never used them but supposedly as a nurse I can get pretty good discounts at the Swan/Dolphin. Right now I have POFQ booked for Sept 24th-Oct 2nd with the GP code that came out several months ago, but am hoping for an AP discount to beat it. With the way the AP discounts looked for May, it looks like I may be switching to the Swan/Dolphin. Either that or canceling my Sept trip all together. Although I wanted to get another trip out of my AP before it expires in Oct.



Just as an FYI we have the Swan booked with the AAA discount for 9/23-9/30 for $129 a night! You cannot touch that rate at any of the DIsney Deluxe Hotels. While I LOVE the Yacht Club I cannot justify the cost. We don't do the dinning plan anyway so this works for us. We love to stay in that area and the Swan makes us be able to afford to!

 

[hmillerbarilla]

That may be true for GP discounts for the deluxes. . .but what is their marketing strategy behind offering 30% off value resorts for AP holders? Right now I've booked the GP rate for our July trip and if the AP discounts come out for the Summer with only the value resorts, I guess I'll be keeping the GP discount. I also will think very hard about it when AP renewal time comes around . . .if their marketing strategy is to give more of a discount to the GP, than what is the point of getting an AP? Instead of traveling to WDW 4 times a year, we'll just go 2 times . . .Flower & Garden Festival and Food & Wine Festival.

I love this post. I was surprised that only deluxes were offered, so I worried that the AP rate would be a similar situation. I worried too much, and booked 2 nights with points instead of waiting out for the AP rate. I figured if more members see these rates, they'll book, and luckily I got a 1 bd at BWV.

But, if the AP rate is only deluxes or only values... it will make me think twice about an AP. I love to be able to add a night here and there around our DVC stays reasonably at the last minute. I know the room rates are just a perk...

Interesting point... after they sell you the pass, they won't make any more money from you for ticketing unless it is a hard ticket event such as MNSSHP, etc. The only money they can make is resort and other expenses. Does that mean they will offer less or, as seems to be the case now, they are waiting to see how many rooms fill and then release an AP rate? And even if they do offer AP rates at the level they have in the past, how many rooms will they make available?

I still think that discounts will appear, including AP, though they may not be the same as in the past or rolled out in the same way.

I agree... I'm so curious to see what the AP rates will be for this summer. I was actually hoping for a deep discount at a value instead of using points for my 2 nights.

I agree! I've never used them but supposedly as a nurse I can get pretty good discounts at the Swan/Dolphin. Right now I have POFQ booked for Sept 24th-Oct 2nd with the GP code that came out several months ago, but am hoping for an AP discount to beat it. With the way the AP discounts looked for May, it looks like I may be switching to the Swan/Dolphin. Either that or canceling my Sept trip all together. Although I wanted to get another trip out of my AP before it expires in Oct.

Just as an FYI we have the Swan booked with the AAA discount for 9/23-9/30 for $129 a night! You cannot touch that rate at any of the DIsney Deluxe Hotels. While I LOVE the Yacht Club I cannot justify the cost. We don't do the dinning plan anyway so this works for us. We love to stay in that area and the Swan makes us be able to afford to!

That's a great rate! Do you mind sharing the details of all the "resort fees" that are attached to the Swolphin? I can't remember, but when I researched it last, it seemed complicated. There is a parking fee too, right? I'd love to stay there sometime.

Kimono's is the best. check it out while you're there! It's fantastic!

Oh, and I love the YC too. It is my favorite deluxe. I'm looking forward to my Labor Day trip's BWV boardwalk view studio just so I can sit on my balcony and stare at the YC. Ha!

 

[lovingmy2boys]

I love this post. I was surprised that only deluxes were offered, so I worried that the AP rate would be a similar situation. I worried too much, and booked 2 nights with points instead of waiting out for the AP rate. I figured if more members see these rates, they'll book, and luckily I got a 1 bd at BWV.

But, if the AP rate is only deluxes or only values... it will make me think twice about an AP. I love to be able to add a night here and there around our DVC stays reasonably at the last minute. I know the room rates are just a perk...



I agree... I'm so curious to see what the AP rates will be for this summer. I was actually hoping for a deep discount at a value instead of using points for my 2 nights.



That's a great rate! Do you mind sharing the details of all the "resort fees" that are attached to the Swolphin? I can't remember, but when I researched it last, it seemed complicated. There is a parking fee too, right? I'd love to stay there sometime.

Kimono's is the best. check it out while you're there! It's fantastic!

Oh, and I love the YC too. It is my favorite deluxe. I'm looking forward to my Labor Day trip's BWV boardwalk view studio just so I can sit on my balcony and stare at the YC. Ha!

The resort fee is $10.00 per day. Out total with that and taxes is $155.68 a night. I believe that parking is also $10.00 per day. It is totally worth it for the area and we love the Swan!

Our last trip we stayed at the Yacht Club because we were able to use the 4/3 deal. That was fantastic! No way I would pay $400 a night though to stay there.