New Passholder Best Rate Program

[Jekyll Baker]

Just saw this topic on another site/forum and didn't know if anyone here knew about it yet.

This is from the Passholder page:

Planning a vacation in a few months? Then it's time to try our Passholder Best Rate Program! Now Passholders booking a Disney Resort room online under the Passholder Best Rate Program at disneyworld.com/passholders can rest easy knowing they have received our best room rate offered to the general public* at that time for the room and nights booked. And, if we subsequently reduce our room rate to the general public for the same room and nights you booked online under this Program, we will automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate.

Rooms must be booked at least 120 days in advance and, unlike our normal cancellation policy, a non-refundable deposit of 1-night's room charge and tax must be paid at the time of booking. Currently this program is only available for arrivals through 12/19/05. The number of rooms and nights available for this Program is limited and rooms are not available every night. This Program is subject to change or discontinuance at any time and without notice.

* Does not include group rates, auction rates or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements.



It's access through the passholder section of disneyworld.com, and let's you book through what looks like the regular booking engine. I looked at it briefly, but since AP rates for 120 days away haven't really been announced, it gives rack rates. So you'd be leaving it up to Disney what price you end up paying.

I dunno 'bout 'dis. What ya'll think?

 

[tigger1968]

Once again, my hat's off to JPVonDrake for being the cool headed voice of reason here... :lol:

Hey JP, were you working Sunday night? We booked our Grand Gathering and the CM that helped us was awesome to work with! Hope it was you!

 

[imamouse]

Absolutely! I would not have come around so quickly without the help of the knowledgeable folks on this site, especially JPVonDrake! My hat is off to you, JP, and Belle, and the others who posted. Thanks a million!!! :wave:

 

[TeeCeeFitz]

Thank you for the laugh. That article could not be further from the truth. I stated this before and I would be happy to post this again, DIRECTLY FROM DISNEY MARKETING to the cast at DRC for guest FAQs on this offer:

“The Passholder Best Rate program is an enhancement to the current Passholder program. This is not a replacement.”

The cost of a new 4 Park Annual Pass is $395. The cost of a advance purchased 10 day Magic Your Way Ticket + Park Hopping + No Expiration is $332.00 or $33.20 per day. Use a new Annual Pass over 11.9 days in one year and you start saving money. Renew a current Annual Pass for $355 and you start saving money after 10.7 days.

Who benifits from the Passholder "Best Rate" Program? Those that can and like to plan ahead, they get their discounted rate over 4 months out, (twice as far in advance as previously available) and don't need to worry about modifying their reservation closer to their arrival, or worry if they will "miss out" on a better offer later.

Who will suffer from this offer? The best part, no one! Those that make last minute reservations, or need the flexiblity of a 5 day cancellation policy can still book a reservations the old way. You have just as much of a chance to get a discounted rate as in the past, as most of those that use this program would have been the ones that called first thing in the morning that the offer is released.

The discount is better if you book online with this program, however you should have a better discount as you have paid a non-refundable deposit, and may be subject to modification fees.

Disney does know that Passholders are their most loyal guest.

That is why they opened up the Disney Dining Experience to all Passholders and then gave them a $25 discount off the Florida Resident price.

That is why Passholders are now getting a 25% discount on select nights for the Mickey's Not So Scary and Very Merry Christmas Parties.

That is why more and more exclusive merchandise is being made availiable only to Passholders. Not even cast members can purchase this merchandise. (trust me, I've tried! :lol: )

That is also why they are giving passholders the benifit of planning and booking their discounted rooms twice as far out as in the past, booking without paying a long distance phone call, booking anytime that is best for them (24 hours a day), and booking knowing that they will get the "Best Rate" availalible to the general public.

Trust me, I see no evidence that the "herds" of Passholders are being "thinned out" in any way.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

AMEN!! JPVD

This is a WIN, WIN situation for all!!

 

[DisneyNirvana]

Let's stick together

First, I need to express what a complete bummer this news is to me! Yes, it's news to me because I just got back from a 6 night vacation at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge....on the AP rate!! I was afraid something like this may happen.
I think that we need to stick together on this situation, and it was a great suggestion to email Disney about our feelings.....and their potential loss in revenue when we all reduce the frequency of our trips. I spent $2.5K on this trip. I was planning on going to Disney 2 more times until my AP expires next June. I hope I will be able to afford to stay at Wilderness Lodge again!

For me, I think it would hurt the most to have stayed in Disney deluxe resorts for the past 6 years (due to discount codes and AP discounts). Then to have to pay the same money, but have to stay in a moderate (not that there's anything bad about the moderates!!) I've stayed at P.O. and C.B. a few times, but I've gotten "accustomed" to the deluxe resorts. It's my privilege to stay in a deluxe resort, after working hard all year long. Both me and my husband work very hard, like all of you do, too. But, that's an issue to consider....having to downgrade your accomodation preference. Can somebody give me the latest examples of the actual best rates for the deluxe resorts being offered, so I can compare to recent past offers??

 

[MinnieSummer]

I had a very long conversation with a CR person on Sunday and basically she said that yes there will still be passholder rates they just won't be as low as the ones available on the web site, yes there will be a change fee if you change your reservation to something that will cost less than originally booked, yes there is a non-refundable deposit if you cancel your reservation, no they cannot make modifications to your reservation over the phone, no you cannot book more than one room per reservation and even if you have two passholders and book each room seperately they cannot link those reservations over the phone (they are working on that issue), at this time there has not been a determination as to whether this program will be extended to include the end of December.


The general public rate means exactly that -- if for some reason the general public rate goes lower than the rate you were quoted as a passholder, then your rate would be lowered but she wasn't clear on the "what if a passholder rate comes out that is lower, or in my case a Florida resident rate". The Florida resident rate question threw her as it is not a general public rate or an AP rate. JP do you have an answer for this?

 

[imamouse]

First, I need to express what a complete bummer this news is to me! Yes, it's news to me because I just got back from a 6 night vacation at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge....on the AP rate!! I was afraid something like this may happen.
I think that we need to stick together on this situation, and it was a great suggestion to email Disney about our feelings.....and their potential loss in revenue when we all reduce the frequency of our trips. I spent $2.5K on this trip. I was planning on going to Disney 2 more times until my AP expires next June. I hope I will be able to afford to stay at Wilderness Lodge again!

For me, I think it would hurt the most to have stayed in Disney deluxe resorts for the past 6 years (due to discount codes and AP discounts). Then to have to pay the same money, but have to stay in a moderate (not that there's anything bad about the moderates!!) I've stayed at P.O. and C.B. a few times, but I've gotten "accustomed" to the deluxe resorts. It's my privilege to stay in a deluxe resort, after working hard all year long. Both me and my husband work very hard, like all of you do, too. But, that's an issue to consider....having to downgrade your accomodation preference. Can somebody give me the latest examples of the actual best rates for the deluxe resorts being offered, so I can compare to recent past offers??

My BPR is $45.00/night off the rack rate of a lodge/woods view at WL this Xmas. We will be checking in during Value Season. This is our first stay at WL, so I'm not sure how that compares to what you've received in the past. Of course, it can still go down..... :lookaroun

 

[DisneyNirvana]

Imamouse....Thank you for posting the rate you got for WL ($45 off rack rate).
That's very disappointing to me because for the past few years, using a discount code, I got the very same woods view room at WL for $144!

 

[tecowdw]

For the week of Thanksgiving (reagular season?), I got the Animal Kingdom Lodge water view for $185 per night under this new program. I went ahead and booked it, after gulping at the restrictions many times, since it was a pretty good rate. Wilderness Lodge was my preference but only the more expense courtyard view was available discounted - and at $300 total more than AKL, I could change this one several times for that.

The bad part for me is going to be if I have to cancel the trip for some reason. Ugh!!

 

[JPVonDrake]

First, DisneyNirvana, please read my above post. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me. The new Passholder Best Rate Program changes nothing to the current program. It is a second means to book a resort stay, and will not mean the end to calling in your reservation or booking less then 120 days in advance. The discount percentage of all discount offers have been slowing reducing due to the the travel industry slowing improving. But the discounts are still there, and now Disney is promising you if you do book online you will get the best discount availiable to the general public.

I had a very long conversation with a CR person on Sunday and basically she said that yes there will still be passholder rates they just won't be as low as the ones available on the web site, yes there will be a change fee if you change your reservation to something that will cost less than originally booked, yes there is a non-refundable deposit if you cancel your reservation, no they cannot make modifications to your reservation over the phone, no you cannot book more than one room per reservation and even if you have two passholders and book each room seperately they cannot link those reservations over the phone (they are working on that issue), at this time there has not been a determination as to whether this program will be extended to include the end of December.

Most of what you were told is correct. Let me explain the few mis-informations you did recieve.

...no they cannot make modifications to your reservation over the phone - The only way to modify a reservation is over the phone by calling 407-W-DISNEY. There will be a $50 fee if you modification results in a lower total package price when booked on the Passholder "Best Rate" Program only. (this fee currently does not apply if you book a passholder offer by phone)

...if you have two passholders and book each room seperately they cannot link those reservations over the phone - If you mean by linking your reservations so the rooms will be placed together, then YES we can link any number of separate reservations together. We can even add a request to have two room reservations as "connecting" rooms with a door between them. This has always been availiable to do, regardless of how each reservation is booked, or what type of reservations they are (excuding some convention or group reservations.) All we need is each of the reservation numbers. The reservations themselves will remain separate as far as total price, room charges, party members, travel dates, etc. and will need to be modified separately if needed.

The general public rate means exactly that -- if for some reason the general public rate goes lower than the rate you were quoted as a passholder, then your rate would be lowered but she wasn't clear on the "what if a passholder rate comes out that is lower, or in my case a Florida resident rate". The Florida resident rate question threw her as it is not a general public rate or an AP rate. JP do you have an answer for this?

First of all Disney is guaranteeing you that you got the "Best Rate" availiable to passholders or the general public at the time of your booking. Disney is also guaranteeing that a lower passholder rate will not be released to be booked by phone for your dates and room. If a general public* offer is released (also known as a broad offer, anyone can book it, no eligibility requirements needed) your rate will automatically be lowered to match that rate. Florida Resident Rates do fall under the "other specified eligibility requirements" clause so it is not a general public rate offer. However, in my experience I have never seen the FL offer being lower then the Passholder offer. Normally they are exactly the same rate offer and travel dates and only the booking dates are sometimes different.

* Does not include group rates, auction rates or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[MinnieSummer]

JP, thank you for your assistance in getting through to thick skulled people like me. I've got all of this figured out but have one more question. In the past I have always believed that they only offer a certain number of rooms available at a certain price. If that is the case and everyone has booked using the on-line systme then, when the AP code is released and they've discounted those rooms, will there still be availability for me? While most of my trips are spur of the moment or planned a week ahead, I've always been the one that calls for special vacations on the day the codes are released (last Christmas for example). It looks like this plan will seriously limit my ability to get a room that way. I would have to book on-line. I really don't want to do that as I don't like to use my credit card on line.

 

[wannabeBelle]

More questions for JP!!! I am almost sold on this program, but I have two more dumb questions for you:
1) If I have to extend my stay at the resort that I booked online by anotehr day or three, Assuming availability, will the additional nights be at the Best Rate Price or the call in price?
2) Same situation but upgrading to a higher level resort, same days
Belle

 

[JPVonDrake]

JP, thank you for your assistance in getting through to thick skulled people like me. I've got all of this figured out but have one more question. In the past I have always believed that they only offer a certain number of rooms available at a certain price. If that is the case and everyone has booked using the on-line systme then, when the AP code is released and they've discounted those rooms, will there still be availability for me? While most of my trips are spur of the moment or planned a week ahead, I've always been the one that calls for special vacations on the day the codes are released (last Christmas for example). It looks like this plan will seriously limit my ability to get a room that way. I would have to book on-line. I really don't want to do that as I don't like to use my credit card on line.

Always my pleasure to help.

True on any discount offer, there is a limited number of rooms available per resort, per room type, per night of the offer period. When you book online, you are already seeing your discounted rate. If the result comes back that

“A Passholder rate is not available for the date and resort you selected and we have returned a standard rate below. To search for the Passholder rate, please modify your date or resort.”

Then you are NOT booked with the Passholder "Best Rate" Program, you are booked as standard rate, and this rate will not be changed automatically, you must cancel and rebook to get a passholder or other offer applied.

As far as "running out" of discounted rooms because they were all booked in advance online, true, it could happen, but it is not very likely or expected to happen. With the different modification and cancellation polices and penaties, the need for a credit card in the name of the Passholder, only one room can be booked per Passholder, etc. not all Passholders will be willing or able to use this Program. The number of rooms availiable on the date the offer may be somewhat more limited, but rooms will still be there. Also, I have seen in the past, more rooms may be added to an existing offer if they are not being booked at standard rates. That is why we always tell you to keep trying back if the discounted rooms are not availiable when you call.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[JPVonDrake]

More questions for JP!!! I am almost sold on this program, but I have two more dumb questions for you:
1) If I have to extend my stay at the resort that I booked online by anotehr day or three, Assuming availability, will the additional nights be at the Best Rate Price or the call in price?
2) Same situation but upgrading to a higher level resort, same days
Belle

1 - If the additional dates are availiable at the online "best rate" price, then you will have 1 reservation with all the dates at the same "best rate" price. If the additional dates are not availiable at the online "best rate" price, we would need to book a second completely separate reservation for you at whatever rate offer you ask for and was availiable for the additional dates (be it standard rates, call-in Passholder offer rate, or another offer rate you may ask and qualify for.)

This would required a separate deposit, and would required you to check-out and check-in, receive new room keys, and may (although very rarely) require you to move rooms. Many guest do this now, if the cannot get their full stay at a discount rate offer, they reduce their dates until they do get some nights at the discount, then book a separate reservations to fill out their stay at standard rates.

2 - same as above.

Hope this answers your questions! :sohappy:

 

[wannabeBelle]

1 - If the additional dates are availiable at the online "best rate" price, then you will have 1 reservation with all the dates at the same "best rate" price. If the additional dates are not availiable at the online "best rate" price, we would need to book a second completely separate reservation for you at whatever rate offer you ask for and was availiable for the additional dates (be it standard rates, call-in Passholder offer rate, or another offer rate you may ask and qualify for.)

This would required a separate deposit, and would required you to check-out and check-in, receive new room keys, and may (although very rarely) require you to move rooms. Many guest do this now, if the cannot get their full stay at a discount rate offer, they reduce their dates until they do get some nights at the discount, then book a separate reservations to fill out their stay at standard rates.

2 - same as above.

Hope this answers your questions! :sohappy:

Thanks as always JPVon Drake, so the short answer to question #1 is yes, if available I can get the Best rate discount if I Am extending my stay even if doing it by phone. And the short answer to question #2 is the same as question #1?? I expected the first one most likely, but the second one was a question in my mind. I am glad to see that this is true!!! It makes planning for me a whole lot easier!!!!!!!!! Belle

 

[imamouse]

Imamouse....Thank you for posting the rate you got for WL ($45 off rack rate).
That's very disappointing to me because for the past few years, using a discount code, I got the very same woods view room at WL for $144!

DisneyNirvana - Thanks for sharing your rate for last year. I agree that the rate I received is not a great price, but I also expect (wish...hope...pray) that Disney will lower the rates at the last minute to demonstrate how great the new BPR program is (speculation on my part).

I kept track of last year's rates in preparation for this year (again - wishing...hoping...praying), and this is what was offered at WL during end of Sept to Xmas day 2004:

Wilderness Lodge - $121 woods view, Value season; $124 standard view, Regular season; $137 courtyard view, Value season; $151 courtyard view, Regular season

So, yes, I am mightily disappointed in this year’s prices compared to last year, but I sense that Disney will play the hero and lower the rate some more. I promised my family their first deluxe Disney trip this Xmas and the WL was part of my promise. Since I do not want to disappoint my kids, I booked it and we are going - no matter what.

 

[kverdon]

WHOA! What is with this system. We were in the middle of booking our Dec Trip. We checked availablility on the two resorts we wanted and they were both available. Not two minutes later we went to do it for real and book the rooms and now NOTHING, NOWHERE is available. We tried a dozen different resorts and they ALL list no availability for those dates. It happened right on the hour (8pm PST) so either the system crashed or the rates all expired at once. :brick: We'll try again later.

Update:

Looks like the entire reservation system in down. For the heck of it we tried to book a regular package and there were no room available for any resorts that way either. Well the only good thing is if compter systems did not act this way, I'd be out of a job and we wouldn't be able to afford to goto WDW. :animwink:

Update 2: Ok, seems the reservation did take a siesta but finally came back up. As a wise old Hobbit used to say "alls well that ends better". We are booked for Nov 26th thru Dec 4th. POR 3 nights BW Consierge 5 nights. .. :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy: Now to just get thru the months before we go.

Kevin and Mona :xmas:

 

[DisneyNirvana]

Oh, Imamouse......I can assure you most surely that nobody NOBODY will be disappointed staying at WL at Christmastime!!!

Yes, the rooms are small, but most of my time is spent out of the room anyway.

The whole resort will be decked out with Christmas decorations and the lobby will display a gigantic Christmas tree. They usually have a gingerbread village in the lobby also.

Oh, now I want to go during Christmas season! We just got back 3 days ago!

 

[imamouse]

Thanks, DisneyNirvana! We are really looking forward to staying at the WL. My husband is a real 'mountain man' kind of guy and of all the Disney resorts, WL appeals to him the most. We are all really excited and looking forward to what will be a very magical trip at Christmas time (Dec 16-22). Any chance you'll be there? :xmas:

 

[DisneyNirvana]

Imamouse.....don't tempt me or I may show up! Only kidding, but I doubt we'll make it down there this year during Christmas. I usually visit my mother in NJ over the Christmas holiday. I do plan to go back to WDW two more times before June 2006. I want to exercise the use of my annual pass before it expires. I sure hope the resort discounts are generous. It is so true that Disney will lose alot of revenue from loyal repeat guests like us, and our spending on food, souveniers, and frequent trips to WDW in general if the resort rates keep climbing.

Does anybody know if Disney plans to build another moderate resort? They've built only value resorts and DVC resorts recently. Anything in the works for a new moderate priced resort???

 

[fjm777]

Update 2: Ok, seems the reservation did take a siesta but finally came back up. As a wise old Hobbit used to say "alls well that ends better". We are booked for Nov 26th thru Dec 4th. POR 3 nights BW Consierge 5 nights. .. :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy: Now to just get thru the months before we go.

Did you book the POR for $109 a night?

I tryed for the exact same dates (Nov 26th thru Dec 4th) and it was $109 a night. So I checked for Nov 27th - Dec 4th and it was $94 a night. I booked that one because of the $15 a night savings. I believe this was so because value season starts on the 27th. Kind of lame though. The price should be one night at regular and the rest at value instead of all at regular.