My Thoughts on AP Rates

[fjm777]

<b>The Florida Res Rates were released but no AP Rates? </b>

<b>The last few years haven't they come out at around the same time?</b>

Last Year AP Rate came out on 8/25 Fla Res Rate on 8/26.
In 2003 AP Rate came out on 8/28 Fla Res Rate also 8/28.


<b><h4>Could it be that the Passholder Best Rate Program changing to 60 days from 120 days was <u>IT</u>?</h4></b>
<b> It did happen at about the same time.
And it would make no since to change the Passholder Best Rate Program to 60 days and then offer phone rates for the same time frame. Why not just leave it alone and then offer the phone rate?

Any Thoughts?</b>

Hope I'm Wrong.
Thanks

 

[Master Yoda]

Bottom line discounted rates are not guaranteed. Right now the Disney resorts are booking close to capacity so there is no reason for Disney to offer rooms at discounted rates when they can sell them at rack rates. I wish that Disney would switch there AP discount to a percent off rack rates regardless of when the room is booked but it does not look like that will be happening anytime in the near future. I’m pretty sure the “best rate program” did have some effect on the amount of rooms booked, but if the guests that booked under the new program do not receive a discount it is unlikely that they will book under it again. As an AP holder and a Florida resident have enjoy deep and frequent room discounts due to the tourism drop since 9/11 but that gravy train has all but dried up. It had to end sometime and this should not come as a big surprise to anyone.

 

[Budahman]

Although I am not a Florida resident, I imagine that MasterYoda could be right. As much as I'd love to see some type of discount 1-2 times each year (1 in spring, 1 in early winter), I can definatly see that with the new "best rate" program things may very well be coming to an end with those AP discounts that we all grew to love so much.

I will probably be budgeting my future trips on Value off-season times and be staying at Value resorts for the lowest available fare, kinda like the $77.00/nt it is now. All in all, $77.00 really isnt that bad considering the atmosphere and the bus transportation when staying there.
I will say I am glad we decided to get AP's this year, it really helped take advantage of the "best rate" program......Oh, but I only got lukcy with that due to Disney reducing the days to 60, if it would've still been 120, I'd be paying the $77.00.

I do hope everyone gets to go when they want this winter, and that the possible NO-discounts this winter don't keep anyone from going.
My opinion,... if that little amount of difference will keep you from coming, maybe money is alittle tight and you should plan for a later time.
Of course the difference will be greater (at a moderate or Deluxe Resort) than if you stayed at a Value Resort too.

 

[bgraham34]

I bet with the rising price of gasoline you will begin to see more discounts come the end of the year. But this may be for 2006.

 

[disneygirl_wdw]

Unfortuantly I can't look at the best rate program as an option for my trip in October. I found out 6 days too late both times. I also never no when I am going, even 60 days in advanced (school schedules and work). So I will be paying the $77 per night for All-Star. I hope they release new codes for the later part or October, but it's not looking good.

 

[mhead]

Bottom line discounted rates are not guaranteed. Right now the Disney resorts are booking close to capacity so there is no reason for Disney to offer rooms at discounted rates when they can sell them at rack rates. QUOTE]

By that line of logic there would not have been a Florida resident discount either - but there is.

I have no problem with the "best rate" program since it changed to 60 days. Still a little too restrictive but not as bad. My problem is that my trip for October 6-9 was booked 60 days out, when the requirement was 120. Now that the requirement is 60 - my trip is less than 60 days out. I think if there is a FL resident rate there should at least be an AP rate for the "gap" between the change of 120 to 60 announcement.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I agree with filling the "gap" MHead. I think it a bit unfair that there wasnt anything that early for the AP holders in October. However let us recall about what?? 2 years ago,maybe 3? there were no AP rates released for Sept of that year!!! SEPT!!! Probably one of the slowest months going due to school etc. I didnt understand that one. But as far as this year due to the Free Dining Plan offer and the popularityof the Food & Wine Festival, maybe they are selling at such a rate that they feel AP rates arent needed?? I agree about the Florida Rates thing but I cant make any sense out of it otherwise..... Belle

 

[Moustronaut]

Unfortuantly I can't look at the best rate program as an option for my trip in October. I found out 6 days too late both times. I also never no when I am going, even 60 days in advanced (school schedules and work). So I will be paying the $77 per night for All-Star. I hope they release new codes for the later part or October, but it's not looking good.

That's my biggest complaint about the best rate program as well. Since I have an annual pass, I tend to take weekend trips when a free weekend comes around. Sometimes with as little as 60 MINUTE notice but usually 2 or 3 days in advance. I loved being able to just call Disney and book a discounted room. But so far, that no longer looks like an option. :brick:

 

[Master Yoda]

By that line of logic there would not have been a Florida resident discount either - but there is.

A Florida resident rate will usually attract Florida resident's that do not have AP's and are not frequent guests at WDW. The room in essence becomes a loss leader (kind of like Home Depot selling 2x4's at cost so you buy the nails at a 200% markup) So the discount on the room is made up on the sale of passes. Even though the rooms are booking at a very good rate the Florida resident rate will get them a little closer to the Holy Grail of 100% occupancy. If the Florida resident discount doesn't do enough to do that we will might see an AP rate a little later in the month.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there Master Yoda, but AP holders who are not within the state of Florida usually need a little more time to get decent airfare rates so I dont know if that is going to work. I would have thought it would have been reversed that AP discounts would have come out first, then Florida discounts. Just a few random thoughts! Belle

 

[Master Yoda]

Hey there Master Yoda, but AP holders who are not within the state of Florida usually need a little more time to get decent airfare rates so I dont know if that is going to work. I would have thought it would have been reversed that AP discounts would have come out first, then Florida discounts. Just a few random thoughts! Belle

I can only imagine that they are looking at a short term room surplus and probably a small surplus at that. I'm sure there is a cut off point where it is cheaper to leave the rooms empty then rent them at a small profit or possibly a loss. Also remember there are a lot of AP holders in the surrounding states that can do a spur of the moment trip and drive down. We both know that the bean counters have got this all down to a science and can tell from there spread sheets what kind of discount to offer and when to offer it to maximize the profit margin.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I can only imagine that they are looking at a short term room surplus and probably a small surplus at that. I'm sure there is a cut off point where it is cheaper to leave the rooms empty then rent them at a small profit or possibly a loss. Also remember there are a lot of AP holders in the surrounding states that can do a spur of the moment trip and drive down. We both know that the bean counters have got this all down to a science and can tell from there spread sheets what kind of discount to offer and when to offer it to maximize the profit margin.

Agreed!!!!!!!! Belle

 

[brich]

I just think releasing AP rates would be a good way to boost the Best Rate program. I booked at decent rates but not what I had hoped with an AP. I booked hoping that an additional price break would appear and that I would get it. Don't get me wrong, I booked rates that I'm comfortable paying, but it appeared to me that one of the great features of the Best Rates program was that if rates dropped further, you would automatically get the discounts applied. I thought being a new program that they would use this as a good time to show off the feature. Not so sure it's worth it for me to renew my AP. And I also think that without an andditional drop in rates, my next trips will be staying in vacation homes off property again....

 

[MSTINKHERBELL01]

Beautiful Belle....when are you visiting WDW again.....I forgot?!

 

[Chris_TX]

Not so sure it's worth it for me to renew my AP

Could this be what they want? Maybe they are trying to "thin the herd" of APs for some reason? Maybe those scientific bean-counters spreadsheets are telling them they are losing profit margin on APers?

 

[Master Yoda]

Could this be what they want? Maybe they are trying to "thin the herd" of APs for some reason? Maybe those scientific bean-counters spreadsheets are telling them they are losing profit margin on APers?

It would not surprise me if the were. With the MYW ticket pricing the way it is, quite a few people that use to buy AP are now better off getting the MYW tickets. If the AP room discounts dry up even more people will forgo getting them. Roy Disney often said on SaveDisney.com that AP needed to be done away with and that ticket prices should drop to about $20 a day. However I really don't see either ever happening.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I just think releasing AP rates would be a good way to boost the Best Rate program. I booked at decent rates but not what I had hoped with an AP. I booked hoping that an additional price break would appear and that I would get it. Don't get me wrong, I booked rates that I'm comfortable paying, but it appeared to me that one of the great features of the Best Rates program was that if rates dropped further, you would automatically get the discounts applied. I thought being a new program that they would use this as a good time to show off the feature. Not so sure it's worth it for me to renew my AP. And I also think that without an andditional drop in rates, my next trips will be staying in vacation homes off property again....

Hey Brich, The rates you booked at ARE most likely the AP rates! I can tell you that any call in rates were scheduled to be HIGHER than what is available online!!I had heard rumours of between 6-10% higher than the BRP. When the BRP first came out the rates were indeed the same as rack rates, Which was one of the BIG problems I had with the program. Within a few days the discounted rates had started showing. I can tell you though that the dicounts (call in or otherwise) are no where near as good as the last few years. I wouldnt count on any more of a drop that what you have!!! Belle

 

[wannabeBelle]

Beautiful Belle....when are you visiting WDW again.....I forgot?!

Early October & Almost mid December Belle

 

[brich]

Hey Brich, The rates you booked at ARE most likely the AP rates! I can tell you that any call in rates were scheduled to be HIGHER than what is available online!!I had heard rumours of between 6-10% higher than the BRP. When the BRP first came out the rates were indeed the same as rack rates, Which was one of the BIG problems I had with the program. Within a few days the discounted rates had started showing. I can tell you though that the dicounts (call in or otherwise) are no where near as good as the last few years. I wouldnt count on any more of a drop that what you have!!! Belle

As always Belle, thanks for putting me at ease....
I just expected from the hype of the program to see discounts AFTER I booked. Never thought much about the fact that I booked AT the best AP discount...

Could this be what they want? Maybe they are trying to "thin the herd" of APs for some reason? Maybe those scientific bean-counters spreadsheets are telling them they are losing profit margin on APers?

Could be. I'm an out of stater so they don't exactly lose money with my AP. If anything, they get more money because my AP causes me to book trips. Trips I don't think normally I would book. They make up the discounts and then some with all the spending I do down there....

 

[wannabeBelle]

As always Belle, thanks for putting me at ease....
I just expected from the hype of the program to see discounts AFTER I booked. Never thought much about the fact that I booked AT the best AP discount...


Could be. I'm an out of stater so they don't exactly lose money with my AP. If anything, they get more money because my AP causes me to book trips. Trips I don't think normally I would book. They make up the discounts and then some with all the spending I do down there....

Not a problem Brich!!! I too hope that the rates get reduced but as I Am paying about $10 more than I did at last year's AP discount for the same time frame, I doubt it!!! I agree with your statement about an out of state AP person. Looks like you and I have similar views on that one!!!
I couldnt disagree more with the whole thinning the herd kind of thing for AP holders. I honestly think that with the BRP Disney is showing the AP holders that it wants to make it EASIER for us to book trips long term and not make us wait for codes and have to call that day at 7 am to get the rooms we want!!! As far as people who want to call in a bit closer, I think that just remains to be seen. I think this is a learning process for Disney as well and if the BRP doesnt get the numbers that they had hoped, call in rates may continue to be offered so as to get those last minute weekend trips!!! Belle