Who pays rackrate?

[Wolfelaw]

I am curious as to whether anyone has an idea as to the percentage of Disney resort guests who actually pay rack rate. There seems to be so many opportunities throughout the year to save money with the various codes and discounts that I would think anyone with any flexibility at all would take advantage of these codes. From talking to my friends/neighbors/co-workers who have stayed at Disney resorts, they have always gotten some kind of a deal. Does anyone who uses these boards pay rack rate -- and if so, why?

 

[sherry8253]

I would never pay rack rates at Disney resorts. They are overpriced. I think that with codes the price is fair.

 

[skiwee1]

I paid rack rates before I found these boards. Now that AP rates might not come out for my October trip I guess I'll be paying rack rates again. We are booked at the Poly for 9 nights with it costing us $3000. I really do hope I see some discounts though! LOL!

 

[DebbieB]

I've been to WDW 15 times (8 DVC) and have never paid rack rate. Have only done a package twice (first 2 trips in 1994 & 1996) and each had a "bonus". The first time we got $250 disney dollars, the second time was the fall fantasy and we had free breakfast daily. After that we were getting 20% off MKC (now Disney Club), then joined DVC.

 

[loveswdw]

I paid rack rate on my honeymoon in 99 (way before I knew anything about these boards, codes or mousesavers!). Now I know better!!

I think we paid something like $133 a night during value season for a waterview kingbed room at POFQ (just called PO way back then). Last year's trip I got a postcard and paid $79 a night for a regular view. Now I know...

Of course, since we are now DVC members we won't be paying rack rate at all. Plus its nice to not have to plunk out that 11 percent room tax (or whatever it is up to now!).

loveswdw

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Out of all the times we've been to WDW, I only remember paying rack rate a couple times. Sometimes you are forced to (X-Mas/New Years being one of them).

 

[maggiew]

All of my friends that I have talked to about Disney have all paid rack rates! They were shocked to learn that there were discounts. My one friend repeated several times to herself during the night, "I can't believe I paid more for the All Stars than you did at the Dolphin!" I, being the good friend that I am, informed them about codes, mousesavers, etc.

Maggie

 

[*Fantasia*]

The first time we stayed on site at ASMo. We had a problem with CBR on our first nite so we moved out and ended up with ASMo, no discount.

The second time I paid rack rate was this past April. We were at RPR supposedly for 7 nights, instead I cut it short and only stayed there for 5 nigths. I called Disney from Universal and switch the resort for our last 2 nights at ASSp and paid rack rate.

The third time I paid rack rate was when I was debating to weather to go back to Disney this past June. Well...when I finally decided...all the discounts were gone. Then I had a problem with CBR again so we just moved to CSR for our last night and we had to pay the rack rate.

This time I am using my AAA for my Aug 10 trip!! Our 3rd trip this year!!

I don't like paying rack rate, but sometimes things come up and there's no discount available.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I'm with maggiew; all the folks I know - except for the ones who ask my advice - know nothing about codes, AP discounts, etc. They were excited by the FTP - which they found out about in the Sunday paper travel section.

In the Unofficial Guide, they always print the FAQ; "If everyone is following your touring plans, won't that make them useless?" And they always answer that only a few percent of park attendees on a given day are following the UG. I'd suggest that there are even fewer people out there who know about boards such as DIS and who let codes and discounts guide their vacation; heck, some folks on DIS don't know that it's the start date of your reservation that dictates both season and 'child' status throughout the stay.

We are not typical Disney customers; we use PS calculators, set alarm clocks for the break of dawn to get CRT, do a cost-benefit analysis of an AP for a given number of days. We book and rebook [and rebook...] to get the best rates. We think it is normal to stay off-site on arrival night if you get in late. Look at the MNSSHP Central thread: dozens of people (me included) are all concerned about when do I arrive, how do I get my wristband, what about a PS at LTT, how do the clear the park, where do I wait, and so on and so on. Yet it must be possible to know NOTHING about MNSSHP (other than what's on disney.com) and be able to get in and have a great time.

So I suspect that a great deal of people call up 407WDISNEY (and don't know a CRO from a WDTC) get a price and book. Maybe they get a package, or go through a TA; but to think that "everyone" knows about codes and discounts is, to me, unrealisitic.

 

[gibbys1]

We have several times at Easter because I believe there were no discounts at that time.

 

[gm]

I am thinking a lot of the international tourists I am sure pays rack rates.

In fact several people I know pay full rate thru package, etc. Disney quotes a total price which makes it easier to budget for the "tourist" but we all know better LOL

 

[goofy4tink]

Sad to say, but I did for my first visit. In '99 we paid about $150 a night, value season, for DxL. Yikes. And for the vast majority of people I know, none of them are aware of discounts. In fact, since I've been planning my trip in two weeks I've had 3 other families ask me how I plan and now they have gotten on board with discounts and web-sites! I would have to say that we, the on-line Disney nuts, are really in the minority here.

 

[cinmell]

We have never paid rack rates. We have used either the Disney Club discount, codes or AP rates.

 

[minster22]

I have paid rack rate more than I have paid a discounted rate so far. I first learned about AP discounts from the Walt Disney World Guide for Couples and got $100.00 off our studio at BW, first time I literally dragged my DH with me! The worst was rack rate on a 1 bedroom at BWV...$435.00 night...YIKES!!! Then I got a computer, found the DIS, became totally addicted and the rest is history.

 

[Mamu]

Dummies like me paid rack rate before they found the Dis and thought we were getting a good deal.

Because of the Dis I have more options on where to stay, and how to save sometimes almost half the cost of a room.

Whoever thought you could stay at a deluxe for the cost you were paying for moderate's. Whoever thought by flying out a day earlier you could get your whole week on a AP value rate, when it's actually peak season.

Yes I have learned a lot on the short time I've been on the Dis. All of it is good money saving info.

Thank You Pete and John for these wonderful boards. I have learned so much about Disney in the short time I've been here, and meet some wonderful people.

My friends still look at me like I'm nuts when I say I'm going to a Dis Meet. But I have to say their the ones who are missing out.

 

[ducklite]

Add me to the list.

My first couple of trips I definitely paid rack rate--but that was before there were any discounts at all to be had--DC didn't even exist yet. I *might* have gotten a meager AAA discount on one of those stays.

I have a lot of friends that have paid rack rate. They either just didn't know beter, or just couldn't be bothered to look for a better rate. A few years ago my old bosses dad was paying for a trip to WDW for my boss and his wife and kids, plus the bosses siblings and their spouses and kids. All in all I think they had four or five rooms at the GF. I told my boss about a code would have worked for them, he told his dad, the dad said he was "too busy" to bother dealing with it "to save a few dollars". It would have saved them well over $2000! The dad has major bucks. I think that a lot of people who are truly wealthy are of that mindset, they can't be bothered, because to them $2000 is nothing.

Anne

 

[Emmyfaye]

Until I found The DIS, my family always paid rack rates - because the only discount I knew about was AAA, and it was always unavailable when we wanted to stay (which seems strange to me, in retrospect - does WDW only have so many rooms "eligible" for AAA discounts? - and perhaps doubly strange in that we always stayed during the Value Season).

Anyway, I have hopes for a DVC points stay or something nice and discounted for our next visit - none of which I would have known about if I hadn't stumbled upon the DIS!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Emmyfaye
Until I found The DIS, my family always paid rack rates - because the only discount I knew about was AAA, and it was always unavailable when we wanted to stay (which seems strange to me, in retrospect - does WDW only have so many rooms "eligible" for AAA discounts? - and perhaps doubly strange in that we always stayed during the Value Season).

Anyway, I have hopes for a DVC points stay or something nice and discounted for our next visit - none of which I would have known about if I hadn't stumbled upon the DIS!

Even before I knew of codes we did have the DC and AAA. I just never bothered with either as the discounts are only like 10% and not worth bothering with them. Even now it isn't worth it to use either of them because of the little bit we'd save and we'd be stuck with the lousy rules of WDTC. I'll be paying rack rate for this October if I can't get an AP or other code rate.

 

[Betsyt82]

I too was once a novice and had no idea of codes and discounts. Then I became an informed internet woman and now know that there are deals and take full advantage of them. The power of information.

 

[Kimberle]

Us, too, our 1st trip.

We had a garden room @ CR in Aug & paid $600/night (included tickets). I tried to find a better deal, but I just didn't.

I have friends who haven't gone to WDW yet. I tell them to research like crazy now so they'll be able to get a good deal when they are ready. They look at me like I've got rocks in my head.

I think many people are vary weary of travel "scams". They just don't want to get ripped off.

Now, I know better. Although, even though we stayed at CR, I've never gotten any postcards or special offers. This time, we're on the FT pkg.