Refunds or cancellations of Disney World Annual Passes

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Maybe so. My point in a nutshell is:
I do not think they have an obligation to do it, but I think that is a pretty risky move to not do what your competition does to above and beyond take care of their guests. We can argue guests should have understood the terms and conditions are fair game all day long, and they certainly should. Buyer beware is the way of the world. Facts are facts, but sometimes unfortunately humans are spending on purely how they feel, not the reality of a situation.

I’d say it’s 50/50 they do it anyway...

The question is will pausing whatever revenue that brings in be worth the “good PR”?

Hard to gauge.

 

[celluloid]

I’d say it’s 50/50 they do it anyway...

The question is will pausing whatever revenue that brings in be worth the “good PR”?

Hard to gauge.

I am sure in some department they are doing so right now. Also immediate vs long term. People when the time comes to have fun again may make a different choice in where they travel or spend as much money.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I am sure in some department they are doing so right now. Also immediate vs long term. People when the time comes to have fun again may make a different choice in where they travel or spend as much money.

The question we have batted around on these boards for many years - since bob started outpricing himself and slapped “luxury” on everything as an excuse to the Stockholders for flattening attendance - is do they even want the business that doesn’t pay up front and have unlimited blow cash?

I think they do...which gives many that want to be special the grumpy face...but we will see.

The business moving forward is going to be fascinating. You’ve got a recession...and there’s never been a health crisis like that has had this kind of disruption...or even close to it. I don’t think “business as usual” applies at all now.

 

[celluloid]

The question we have batted around on these boards for many years - since bob started outpricing himself and slapped “luxury” on everything as an excuse to the Stockholders for flattening attendance - is do they even want the business that doesn’t pay up front and have unlimited blow cash?

I think they do...which gives many that want to be special the grumpy face...but we will see.

The business moving forward is going to be fascinating. You’ve got a recession...and there’s never been a health crisis like that have had this kind of disruption...or even close to it. I don’t think “business as usual” applies at all now.

And Bob never diverisified. Tentpole only and besides Disney Plus, rode on coat tails arguably other than previous leadership tended to do. We have never had the company this dependent on China wanting Disney entertainment before either. Disney is primarily Entertainment and has largely dictated by China's trends. They try and cater films even to those masses and entice them to enjoy Disney's theme parks, and it does not really work the way they thought it would. (mulan was not likely going to do great in chian before or after this as well as Hong Kong and Shanghai underperforming for one example)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

And Bob never diverisified. Tentpole only and besides Disney Plus, rode on coat tails arguably other than previous leadership tended to do. We have never had the company this dependent on China wanting Disney entertainment before either. Disney is primarily Entertainment and has largely dictaed by China's trends. They try and cater films even to those masses and entice them to enjoy Disney's theme parks, and it does not really work the way they thought it would. (mulan was not likely going to do great in chian before or after this as well as Hong Kong and Shanghai underperforming for one example)

An excellent point and I agree...

Fans spend a lot of time obsessing about all things Disney but don’t delve much into WHY they have been doing what they have?

The live action remakes are often tacky to us...and they are...but why do they keep cranking them out?
China...trying to indoctrinate them with the material from the 1950’s.

Doesn’t look like that was a wise “repositioning” now.

 

[donsullivan]

This thread has all the hallmarks of the annual rant about AP price increases. A small number of people relentlessly beat a drum that they are 'owed' loyalty by Disney and they will use this club against anyone who disagrees with them. The fact that many of them started this rant within 3 days of the parks closing tells me it has absolutely nothing to do with the parks closure but an attempt to cancel their purchase agreement and trying to use the closure as a tool to enable that.

Disney has made a reasonable accommodation with the expiration date extension so they deliver on their commitment of one year of admission entitlement to the parks (less associated blackouts where appropriate) and demanding that they do more is just another whiny guest demanding Disney be loyal to them or they will stop being loyal to Disney. As is always said when these things crop up, if you don't like their policies then stop buying an AP and stop going to the parks.

This is not like your Netflix subscription that you pay monthly for a month of service- it's a payment plan for a product you agreed to the terms of payment on.

And to be clear, I am one of those Passholders who makes the monthly payments and I simply do not have a problem with it. I agreed to make this purchase and I have already used more days of admission since my last renewal that I owe Disney the full value of the purchase price and I expect I should have to pay it, just like everyone else.

 

[asianway]

It really isn't Disney's concern you're too financially strapped at the moment to pay your AP. People in the Orlando are always looking for a handout. I'm not upset my $65 is still coming out because I am smart with my finances and always have a back up plan. It's not Disney's fault your washed your savings down the drain. Let this be a lesson to those of you to live within your means. If a few weeks without a paycheck is this financially distressful you really need to evaluate the way you live.

An AP is a luxury item. Change my mind.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This thread has all the hallmarks of the annual rant about AP price increases. A small number of people relentlessly beat a drum that they are 'owed' loyalty by Disney and they will use this club against anyone who disagrees with them. The fact that many of them started this rant within 3 days of the parks closing tells me it has absolutely nothing to do with the parks closure but an attempt to cancel their purchase agreement and trying to use the closure as a tool to enable that.

Disney has made a reasonable accommodation with the expiration date extension so they deliver on their commitment of one year of admission entitlement to the parks (less associated blackouts where appropriate) and demanding that they do more is just another whiny guest demanding Disney be loyal to them or they will stop being loyal to Disney. As is always said when these things crop up, if you don't like their policies then stop buying an AP and stop going to the parks.

This is not like your Netflix subscription that you pay monthly for a month of service- it's a payment plan for a product you agreed to the terms of payment on.

And to be clear, I am one of those Passholders who makes the monthly payments and I simply do not have a problem with it. I agreed to make this purchase and I have already used more days of admission since my last renewal that I owe Disney the full value of the purchase price and I expect I should have to pay it, just like everyone else.

...You know what also always happens on these threads?

And everyone knows how that’s gonna go to

 

[MrHappy]

I'm an out of state pass Holder. I have 15 days planned in May (2 visits). Even if the parks are open, going still is not tempting at the moment. Tacking on days to my June 5th expiration doesnt help. I need these 15 days to be honored within a year so I have time to rebook my DVC pt rented room, rebook air, and do the 180 day ADR & 60 day FP+ dance.
That's my situation, only sharing because it feels good to write it out.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I'd say no chance of #3 happening due to the cost of a 4 to 6 day flexible use ticket.

If there is no chance of #3 happening, then there certainly is no chance of #2 happening, because that's essentially a much longer flexible use ticket. I actually think that #3 is the fairest and easiest option.

Most of the scenarios you describe above are so complicated to actually administer in the real world they are not practical. Your example would require them to manually administer the new end dates of countless number of AP's to accommodate specific demands of multitudes of guests. In your example of give me the same week next year; what if your schedule changes and you could not come the same week next year? Would you be looking for them to create a new window for you and move the tickets again. What about price increases between now and then? While it may not be your intention, there would be any number of people who would try and abuse these conditions to 'scam' Disney. Trust me, the Internet would find the loopholes and exploit them.

The extension of expiration dates by the number of days the purchased product was not available seems to be the most practical solution with equal benefit/impact to all pass holders.

I don't think that most of these suggestions are difficult to administer. But ignoring point 1 because I don't think that Disney is in a position to start handing out cash now, I can't imagine that it's too difficult to program all existing passes to work at this same time last year. But it's true that not everyone's schedule is the same year to year, so that's why I think that programming a extra 5-day pass for each AP holder is a good solution. That way, it would still be tied to the fingerprints on the original AP, and it could't be bartered. And they can also block out all high-seasons (Spring break, Christmas, etc...). Of course, this wouldn't help someone who purchases an AP every year, but maybe for such people, they can offer a slight discount towards next year's AP instead.

The slight discount towards renewal is a real possibility here.

Seems obvious discounts (all types....resort, Ap, dining etc) will be offered to get peeps back.......

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

To the "pause the monthly payment" thought/idea.....

Pause until the Parks reopen?
What shape is the economy going to be in then (at reopen)?
Would the peeps "who would benefit the most" be in any position to pay at time of reopen?
Or would they need a bit more time to recover/catch up before paying again?

 

[RobWDW1971]

Honestly don't even understand the argument. I paid for my pass upfront. You spread those payments over 12 months.

Why should your payments be even further extended for a one-time purchase?

This is not a monthly subscription service like Netflix so why do people continue to talk about it like it is?

 

[BernardandBianca]

A couple of questions for which I don't have an answer, don't know what the answer should be, and haven't seen anyone ask yet (but I also haven't read every thread).

1. We have Florida Gold passes, which have blackout dates, e.g., April 4-17. Will Disney stop adding these days to the extension they will be giving us, or will it be strictly "The World was closed for x days, so we will add x days to your passes".

2. With our Florida Gold passes, one pass expires December 3. Blackout dates extend from about December 18 through Jan 2. (I don't have the exact dates available at this time, but these are equivalent to the ones in 2019.) So if Disney adds 30 days to the pass for the closure, for example, do these days count for the extension, or does the extension stop for the blackout and then restart once the blackout dates end?

Just curious.

 

[durangojim]

A couple of questions for which I don't have an answer, don't know what the answer should be, and haven't seen anyone ask yet (but I also haven't read every thread).

1. We have Florida Gold passes, which have blackout dates, e.g., April 4-17. Will Disney stop adding these days to the extension they will be giving us, or will it be strictly "The World was closed for x days, so we will add x days to your passes".

2. With our Florida Gold passes, one pass expires December 3. Blackout dates extend from about December 18 through Jan 2. (I don't have the exact dates available at this time, but these are equivalent to the ones in 2019.) So if Disney adds 30 days to the pass for the closure, for example, do these days count for the extension, or does the extension stop for the blackout and then restart once the blackout dates end?

Just curious.

Good question. I’m betting they extend regardless of blackout dates. They’ll want as many people back in the parks when they open back up.

 

[donsullivan]

A couple of questions for which I don't have an answer, don't know what the answer should be, and haven't seen anyone ask yet (but I also haven't read every thread).

1. We have Florida Gold passes, which have blackout dates, e.g., April 4-17. Will Disney stop adding these days to the extension they will be giving us, or will it be strictly "The World was closed for x days, so we will add x days to your passes".

2. With our Florida Gold passes, one pass expires December 3. Blackout dates extend from about December 18 through Jan 2. (I don't have the exact dates available at this time, but these are equivalent to the ones in 2019.) So if Disney adds 30 days to the pass for the closure, for example, do these days count for the extension, or does the extension stop for the blackout and then restart once the blackout dates end?

Just curious.

I wouldn't expect any change in your entitlements, just an extension of the expiration date based on the number of calendar days the parks end up being closed. If the parks are closed for 30 days, the expiration date for all AP's will simply be moved out 30 days. In your December scenario, if they extended them 30 days you would have access up to the blackout on the 18th and then possibly one date on the JAN 3 depending on the precise timing of things. You'd still be subject to the same blackouts you are now, you'll just have a later end date.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Disney doesn't owe you anything. A ticket is like a souvenir or a pizza. You buy it - or you don't, either with cash in your pocket or in payments on your credit card. It's not a utility, it's not a mortgage or rent; so don't expect any moderation due to the virus. You still have to pay for your food, your gasoline, insurance bills and co-pays, etc.

 

[larryz]

This screams a possible class action lawsuit waiting to happen.

Why? You buy a car, and then it breaks, and it's in the shop for a month -- you can't use it, yet you still have to make payments on it.

 

[larryz]

But what are they gonna do when one of the parks doesn't open with the rest? I bought an annual pass for 4 parks right?..

Read the fine print...

 

[donsullivan]

The slight discount towards renewal is a real possibility here.

Seems obvious discounts (all types....resort, Ap, dining etc) will be offered to get peeps back.......

Those are certainly things Disney might consider if they have attendance issues when they reopen but they have nothing whatever to do with continuing to make payments on an existing pass.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Those are certainly things Disney might consider if they have attendance issues when they reopen but they have nothing whatever to do with continuing to make payments on an existing pass.

Yepper.....as stated it was to AP renewal and enticing to come back(at reopen)....didn't mention making payments