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?

 

[New2WDW]

This Program is subject to change or discontinuance at any time and without notice.

Wonderful! I just hate to see all the perks that arose this year for AP's, etc. and now they throw a curve! It does seem that you can continue to use your AP the regular way and this new AP stuff is an alternative! Also, most of the special rates and deals (like FREE dining and AP rates) came out before a 120 day period! But I still do not like the timing or restrictions of this offer!

 

[wannabeBelle]

The Modification part is not sitting great with me either AEfx, ,that and the fact that even if a "General Public" rate does not come outthat is lower than the price you booked at, you DONT have the option to cancel, without a loss of your deposit!!! THAT is the part that really has me mad. I understand about the booking and rebooking etc. but if that is the case, release the AP rates further out. Speaking on Modifications, I cant tell you the last time I had to actually cancel a room only trip, but I usually dont know who is going with me until very close to the trip!!! I may be alone, I may not!!! One just never knows about these things. I think if I have the option I will choose to do the AP discount rooms the way I have always done them. Call Pam, place my order, have the ability to cancel or modify my ressie as needed (thankfully it is never more than one or two phone calls at most) and have the piece of mind that if I have to change things I can and I will not be penalized for doing so!!! Belle

 

[Master Yoda]

What I would love to see Disney do is switch to a year round AP discount rate for the rooms. No limited rooms no discount codes etc. AP price would be X Rack rate would be Y. From my understanding this is one of the benefits that Universal offers it's AP holders. Even if the discounts were not as large it would greatly simplify the process and avoid the wasted man power in re-booking rooms.

 

[wannabeBelle]

What I would love to see Disney do is switch to a year round AP discount rate for the rooms. No limited rooms no discount codes etc. AP price would be X Rack rate would be Y. From my understanding this is one of the benefits that Universal offers it's AP holders. Even if the discounts were not as large it would greatly simplify the process and avoid the wasted man power in re-booking rooms.

Aye!!!!!!!!!! Belle

 

[brkgnews]

Secondly, there will now be 2 different passholder offers for any travel period. The online "best rate" offer and the 407-W-DISNEY offer. The "best rate" online offer will always be a greater discount.

OK. So here's the next question. Currently we can book the September "Room Only" rate (code EXP) online. I understand that in the future there will be the online best-rate code and the telephone best-rate code -- and that the online best-rate code will be cheaper than the phone-in best-rate. How will those rates compare to the online room-only codes? Or will those room-only codes (what we currently know as the AP discounts) disappear completely after the September one expires?

By the way -- I can't say enough -- thanks JPVD for taking the time to help us understand this. It has the potential to make a MAJOR impact on the way many of us take trips to The World.

 

[JPVonDrake]

OK. So here's the next question. Currently we can book the September "Room Only" rate (code EXP) online. I understand that in the future there will be the online best-rate code and the telephone best-rate code -- and that the online best-rate code will be cheaper than the phone-in best-rate. How will those rates compare to the online room-only codes? Or will those room-only codes (what we currently know as the AP discounts) disappear completely after the September one expires?

By the way -- I can't say enough -- thanks JPVD for taking the time to help us understand this. It has the potential to make a MAJOR impact on the way many of us take trips to The World.

Time will tell, but from my understanding of the new program, there are two offers:

If you book it yourself online, you get the "best rate" guarantee, but accept the 120 day booking policy, and the new payment, modification, cancellation policies.

If you call in, you don't get as low as a rate, but there will be no modification fee, and the cancellation policy is still 5 days.

Also the number of discounted rooms is still limited, first come, first serve. So the availiablity of the discounted rooms booked by phone may be limited to the number of these rooms not already booked online.

:sohappy:

 

[New2WDW]

But JP...

It seems after all these people get on the new AP package (if they do) and Disney sees how many are locked in then they have no need to post any new discounts because they can forsee how much money they are already going to make! And if they wanted to fill up any additional rooms they could post discounts just above the AP rate to draw in others! This does not look good for the general public at all!

 

[TheOneVader]

So, JP, let me get this straight. I can go online, get a really cheap rate, but it has to be 120 days before the trip and there's a $50 modification fee. But if I call, there's no 120 day limit, no $50 fee, and I just pay a little bit more?

Thanks in advance for your answer!

 

[drp4video]

I have been to WDW 8 times in the past 5 years and have never had to technically cancel a reservation. Once or twice I had to change the date within a few days of the original reservation due to airline availability, so therefore, under the new rule I would lose my deposit. Not liking that.

Also, what if you have a larger family and need more than one room? So one room gets the best rate and the other doesn't. Doesn't seem fair.

 

[Moustronaut]

I have been to WDW 8 times in the past 5 years and have never had to technically cancel a reservation. Once or twice I had to change the date within a few days of the original reservation due to airline availability, so therefore, under the new rule I would lose my deposit. Not liking that.

From what JP said, you wouldn't lose your deposit, just have to pay a $50 change fee.

 

[Moustronaut]

You can book this offer using an Annual Pass Exchange Voucher ID number, and your voucher will then be validated by the website at the time of the booking.

So does your booking date become your AP anniversary date? Or is that still the first time you actually use your AP to get into a park?

 

[Moustronaut]

Also the number of discounted rooms is still limited, first come, first serve. So the availiablity of the discounted rooms booked by phone may be limited to the number of these rooms not already booked online.

So if online best rate takes off, phone AP rates will become really hard to get. If this gets extended to next spring, all us APers will have to make our reservations for the March peak season in November and keep our fingers crossed that we reserved early enough to get an AP rate. I guess you won't find out until you check in?

My wife and I go to WDW every March to watch her Atlanta Braves play my St. Louis Cardinals in spring training. The game schedules usually have been released about the same time as the March AP rates so it was really easy to book rooms for a 3 day weeked. We've been kicking around renewing my AP this November with plans for a March trip and a May-ish trip for when Everest opens. I certainly don't want to book a trip in November with a non-refundable deposit without knowing the game schedules unless I know I'm guaranteed a cheaper than rack rate. And even then, a $50 change fee would probably wash out any discount i'd get on two nights at an All-Star.

If people start reporting that phone AP rates have become impossible to get and this "best rate" program gets extended into next year, I really don't see myself renewing me AP.

 

[JPVonDrake]

So, JP, let me get this straight. I can go online, get a really cheap rate, but it has to be 120 days before the trip and there's a $50 modification fee. But if I call, there's no 120 day limit, no $50 fee, and I just pay a little bit more?

Thanks in advance for your answer!

The current system has not changed. You can still call 1-407-W-DISNEY to ask for a "passholder offer" anytime, even same day, and based on availiblity of the offer, book a discounted room. The passholder offers are still a limited number of rooms per night, per resort, per room catogory, and once all booked are no longer availiable.

Depending on how many guest book online with this new offer, the number of rooms left to book by phone may be limited. Also the passholder "best rate" discount offer online will be greater then the passholder discount offer by phone. The discount for the passholder "best offer" online offer may be the same or greater then any other general public offer but never less then any general public offer.

Its up to you to decide if you accept the 1 room per reservation policy, non-refundable deposit, modification fees, 120 day booking policy and credit card payment policies.

Hope this helps! :sohappy:

 

[JPVonDrake]

So does your booking date become your AP anniversary date? Or is that still the first time you actually use your AP to get into a park?

Unknown at this time. I do know that the voucher will be non-transferable at the point you book your room discount and you must have your voucher in hand first before you book. I will report back on you question when I get an answer.

:sohappy:

 

[JPVonDrake]

So if online best rate takes off, phone AP rates will become really hard to get.

This is the BIG if.

If this gets extended to next spring, all us APers will have to make our reservations for the March peak season in November and keep our fingers crossed that we reserved early enough to get an AP rate. I guess you won't find out until you check in?

When you book online, you will be able to view your reservation online, and then see if your rate changes with this "best offer" guarantee.

My wife and I go to WDW every March to watch her Atlanta Braves play my St. Louis Cardinals in spring training. The game schedules usually have been released about the same time as the March AP rates so it was really easy to book rooms for a 3 day weeked. We've been kicking around renewing my AP this November with plans for a March trip and a May-ish trip for when Everest opens. I certainly don't want to book a trip in November with a non-refundable deposit without knowing the game schedules unless I know I'm guaranteed a cheaper than rack rate. And even then, a $50 change fee would probably wash out any discount i'd get on two nights at an All-Star.

Very possible that a modification fee may outway the discount.

If people start reporting that phone AP rates have become impossible to get and this "best rate" program gets extended into next year, I really don't see myself renewing me AP.

We will have to wait and see. This Program is subject to change or discontinuance at any time and without notice.


:sohappy:

 

[Fraisie]

I usually plan a trip 30 days in advance... so 120 days ? Forget about it

 

[ddank]

It was only a matter of time.... AP holders have cheated the system for years (booking many rooms to leave their options open, booking without a AP, booking at rack rate with no intension of keeping the room unless a AP rate comes out, calling 5 times a day, everyday looking for discounts). If you dont believe me check out disboards.com resort section. Its borderline insanity and they completely ruined it for everyone. Well smart companies like Disney figure this out and implement changes to prevent customers from cheating the system that allowed many of us to visit the resort several times a year. Well thats over now and theres noone to blame but ourselves.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey Dank, I Agree with you actually!!! I think it is pretty terrible that that kind of abuse of the system is going on. I loved the 5 day cancellation, just for piece of mind and havent ever cancelled and have called back a bunch of times only in one case I can think of when the resort I was really trying to get a newbie friend of mine into a hotel he really wanted (hislady REALLY wanted Coronado Springs and I was trying to accomodate) I eventually ended up getting it for them and we had a happy ending all around. I do understand that Disney is looking to protect themselves, but this isnt the way to do it. I think this program is going to flop personally. The idea of gambling with a room rate to me is ludicrous!!! Sign up today and we will automatically lower your room amount IF and that is a big IF a discount comes out!!! WHA??????? I MIGHT give it more consideration even with the change fees, limitations and all etc if I was told that if I book a room 120 days out, no cacellation etc etc, but the AP rate will be $X and that is the lowest rate!!! At least I know I would be paying $X for the type of resort I want. This may be the highest discount available, but as Pam of Kingdom Konsultant said to have to pay a small percentage more for the piece of mind that I have that I am getting an AP rate that I am told up front what it is and that I can live with, even without the 5 day cancelation policy I would go with it!!!! Belle

 

[Simba One]

Wait a minute...

Secondly, there will now be 2 different passholder offers for any travel period. The online "best rate" offer and the 407-W-DISNEY offer. The "best rate" online offer will always be a greater discount.

You've said that there will be two passholder rates--the 120 day/non-refundable deposit/online rate and the anytime/refundable/phone rate. You also said that the online rate will always be a greater discount.

So help me out here...it seems logical to assume that if the online rate is always lower and is adjusted to match any general public discount--then the general public rate could be lower than the passholder rate offered through 407-WDISNEY? That doesn't make sense to me.

It seems more likely to me that the online rates and phone rates could often be the same. Agree?

 

[wannabeBelle]

I think that is the twist of the plan. If you book online the rate for the AP Discounts may be say 35% ( I am making up numbers here dont quote me) the SAME AP discount for the same time period but available by calling in/ no modification fees/ 5 days cancellation policy may only be say 30%. But then you are gambling a one night deposit that could have been made at rack rate to see IF a discount is released?? Not a gamble I am willing to take. If a discount is NOT released for your time frame you are still stuck for the room stay at the initial price you booked it at with no option to cancel without losing your deposit!! Too risky for me thanks!!!! Belle