Virgin Hard Rock Cafe offer

[keasden]

Picked up the latest Virgin Florida brochure the other day (just browsing, honest) and noticed they are offering a voucher for a free meal and drink at Hard Rock cafe for all customers attending their welcome meetings in 2004.

Even though we booked from a 2002 brochure ages ago and this offer was not mentioned at the time, it does state that it is available for all customers from January 2004 onwards, so I guess we will qualify.

Seeing as we were contemplating visiting the Hard Rock cafe this time round, it sounds like a pretty good deal, they quote a voucher value of $20 per person.

The downside will be sitting through the welcome meeting getting told a load of stuff I already know and being subkect to the hard sell on theme park tickets I have already bought.

Anyone been to a Virgin welcome meeting recently, how long did it last and will we have to go on the first full day there as I had provisionally planned on visiting MGM that day with a 'rest day' the next day (based on Simon V's guide to busy/light days).

 

[MsPennieLane]

Hi, we went to a meeting back in March 2003. The video and talk went on for about 15 minutes but the representatives were very helpful. Hubby told them we had already bought our tickets but asked the rep (a local american guy) where we could buy a camcorder. He was so helpful and directed us to Best Buy and Circuit City. He didn't seem to mind that we'd already bought our tickets so I'm sure you'll be ok. You may have to ask the reps for the vouchers as there was a promise of $50 worth of Virgin Megastore vouchers for Downtown Disney when we booked but they were never mentioned and we totally forgot to ask. I think flights arrive every day so even if you don't go the morning after you arrive, I'm sure you can go another time. Hope this helps.

Anz

 

[keswick1uk]

We are in exactly the same position. I saw the offer on the website recently and assume we will qualify as its this seasons deal, so to speak.

I had intended to have a park day on Day 1, but have an alternative open if they schedule the meeting for the first morning(Swim before meeting then afternoon...Pass activation, afternoon at EPCOT for World Showcase, and then Illuminations). We have voucher passes anyway so will need to spend some time getting the activation sorted.

When we went in 1994 (I know 10 years things will have changed!) our Virgin rep was brilliant. The meeting was only for us, she dealt with only what we wanted her to, and then she left us with her contact number. I would think far more people buy tickets now in advance than they did then due to the internet so it won't be a big surprise that we are not very interested. In fact, I wonder if thats why they have to give us such a great incentive to attend!!

Where are you staying, Keasden?

 

[0kitsme]

Hi

We are also in the same position so I E-Mailed Virgin some time ago below is their reply.

Hope this helps

BTW next year means this year (2004) because the question was asked last year, If you see what I mean

Roger

Hello,

Thanks for your e-mail.

This offer applies to passengers travelling next year so if this is the case for you, when you arrive in Orlando you will need to go and see your rep and get your voucher.

I hope this has been of some help.

Best regards

Jacquie Arbouch
Loyalty Programme Assistant
T: 0870 990 4214
F: 0870 066 0200

 

[keswick1uk]

Good call Roger!

 

[calvinjtodd]

Hi
We did the Virgin welcome meeting on our first morning at 8:15 am November 23 2003, we only wanted the downtown disney check in vouchers. the meeting lasted about 20 mins and had no hard sell at all, they did recommend going to watch Orlando magic just as they were on the point of loosing their 15th straight game!!!! as we have been many times before we didn't need any tickets so was allowed to go on our way un-mollested and enjoy a full day in Sea World. But it does sound like they are desperate to get people to the welcome meetings, no such thing as a free lunch!!

Calvin & Anne

 

[keswick1uk]

An 8:15 welcome meeting is an excellent time. I know its the sort of time we would be thinking of leaving for a park, not to sit and have a chat, but at least it doesn't completely right off some of the options open to us.

 

[kazzie]

The year before last I had
to go to the welcome meeting to pick up our free tickets for Arabian Nights dinner show.They were very unhappy that I only wanted to pick up the tickets and didn't want to give them to me,so I had to be very assertive to get them

They must rely on the commision from the tickets they sell which must be difficult with so many people pre purchasing them now what with the internet etc.

 

[keswick1uk]

These travel companies are going to have to sometime come into the 21st century. They are happy to take direct internet bookings (with the obvious saving they then get with no commission due to agents) they must also appreciate that those people will also use modern technology to get the most value out of their holiday, and that includes some people wanting to not attend welcome meets at all so they can visit parks.

I think I shall use that argument *if* they give me a hard time.

It would be far simpler instead of offering a voucher too all, offer it to everyone making some sort of purchase at the welcome meeting. From a business perspective that makes far more sense that being 'offish'.