Shouldn't Premium Passholders Should Get More Perks?

[menamechris]

That said, I was talking with someone who waits tables in MK who came from a meeting where they were told that most passholder discounts were going away, soon. Her words were they were told they were "severely cutting back".

Take that for what it's worth.

It's not worth much, given there isn't too terribly much to take away. Uh oh - does this mean I won't get a 10% at Captain Jack's on weekdays between 11-2 anymore? It's just not a big deal to take away what's left, as what is left I don't think most people are interested in taking advantage of anyways.

The merchandise discounts they have been doing in the parks in great, and has stimulated some spending, but they have made it very clear that its for a limited time. And I believe the same deal is being offered on certain receipts. I got counter service one afternoon and printed at the bottom was a 10% (I think) discount offer for most stores in the park. So it seems to me like they just need to stimulate buying and move some merch in general.

 

[sublimesting]

Ok, yes if he was being serious it would be Capitalist, but since I'm pretty sure he was mocking Jimmy Thick, I just wanted to make a joke. Way to ruin it, jerk.

Sorry, I seldom joke. Don't like 'em. Don't think they have a place among serious internet discussion.

 

[Fractal514]

Sorry, I seldom joke. Don't like 'em. Don't think they have a place among serious internet discussion.

You and that Eyeore dude should start a support group.

 

[devoy1701]

This was so shocking to me when I renewed my AP. I used it all over - and definitely spent more because of it (more than 10% I saved). It was great.

They never used to do stuff like that, it used to be one discount at WoD at DTD I believe, but they never had discounts in park like this except for Epcot restaurants before, and definitely not on merch in the years I was an AP originally.

That said, I was talking with someone who waits tables in MK who came from a meeting where they were told that most passholder discounts were going away, soon. Her words were they were told they were "severely cutting back".

Take that for what it's worth.

Premium APs have been gettign 20%, though if you're a regular AP and you get a friendly CM (and talk them up a bit) sometimes you can get them to give you the 20% as well. I've also gone to stores like Uptown Jewelers when making a big purchase and asked them whether my AP or my Disney Visa will give me a larger discount. My answer is usually "on purchases over $50 I can give you 20% with your Disney Visa". Personally I think the standard AP should have a higher discount than the Visa, but I'll take it one way or another!

 

[CP_alum08]

I don't think anyone seriously thinks that we deserve "free" stuff. However, it only makes sense that WDW would want to give us more incentive to spend ADDITIONAL money in the parks. That is what is confusing about why they keep scaling back. It's a matter of discounting grossly inflated prices (on things like quick service dining and snacks) so they are affordable and justifiable to frequent guests. Believe me, Disney will still make a profit on the transaction.

That's where you're wrong. Disney knows that the people buying AP's (regardless of which pass) are going to come back multiple times in a year so they know they already have you; and your money. I'm pretty sure I've made this same argument before, but oh well.

If anyone should be getting discounts it's the first time visitors. if someone has saved for years for their dream vacation, why not give them a break on it. versus someone who lives close enough to go multiple times a year. If you can pop into EPCOT for dinner, why give you a discount? Chances are your bill will be less than the family who has never been there before and wants to try as much as they can. Does this make sense?

Buying an AP almost forces you to come back multiple times to get your moneys worth. So if Disney knows you have to come back, why do they need to make it cheaper for you?

I have a FL res. AP, we go once every 2-3 months, I'm not complaining. But I guess the end result is, if you feel you're being cheated or not getting your moneys worth, don't buy an AP. It's pretty simple.

 

[sublimesting]

You and that Eyeore dude should start a support group.

Wait, you do know that was a joke right.....:xmas:

 

[menamechris]

That's where you're wrong. Disney knows that the people buying AP's (regardless of which pass) are going to come back multiple times in a year so they know they already have you; and your money. I'm pretty sure I've made this same argument before, but oh well.

If anyone should be getting discounts it's the first time visitors. if someone has saved for years for their dream vacation, why not give them a break on it. versus someone who lives close enough to go multiple times a year. If you can pop into EPCOT for dinner, why give you a discount? Chances are your bill will be less than the family who has never been there before and wants to try as much as they can. Does this make sense?

Buying an AP almost forces you to come back multiple times to get your moneys worth. So if Disney knows you have to come back, why do they need to make it cheaper for you?

I have a FL res. AP, we go once every 2-3 months, I'm not complaining. But I guess the end result is, if you feel you're being cheated or not getting your moneys worth, don't buy an AP. It's pretty simple.

Okay...how can I explain this? I understand the point ofview you are looking at. However, in you buying an annual pass - your business with Disney is technically done after you buy the pass if you so choose. Thats a big LOSE for Disney, because after they have your money for the pass - if you don't continue to BUY every time you visit, frankly, you are just taking up space, making lines longer, etc. In a business, especially theme park business, the goal should be to get you to spend a significant amount of money everytime you visit. Otherwise, to be honest, they have no reason to want you there. You are then just an expense to them. So maybe they are just assuming passholders are shelling out money for food, merch, etc., but as many of us on here have already said, we aren't spending a fraction of what we otherwise would even with the smallest of incentives.

As far as offering discounts to first time vistors. I don't see how that translates to good business. People who seldom go to WDW will be more likely to be caught up in purchasing souveniors and other "extras" regardless of price, because - who knows if they will return? Meanwhile, many of us who frequent there typically walk right through the gift shops and don't even consider paying jacked up prices for cheap merch. It's a different mindset, and Disney is not out to cut people a break, they are there to encourage you to spend, spend, spend. The point being - they are clearly not doing enough to encourage extra spending for passholders.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I can see giving AP owners a small discount at certain restaurants. Especially during the week and at off periods, like any other place in the area would to entice people to visit. Why not offer a few free app coupons that are mailed to AP users every few months.

 

[devoy1701]

I can see giving AP owners a small discount at certain restaurants. Especially during the week and at off periods, like any other place in the area would to entice people to visit. Why not offer a few free app coupons that are mailed to AP users every few months.

i would love that. the Mickey Monitor used to have some things in it along those lines, as well as coupons for free lithographs at each park or a free passholder pin, free 5x7 print on a PhotoPass, or a coupon for an extra 10% off at WoD... the last couple issues I received before my pass lapsed didn't have Jack Crap!

 

[Iteachwood]

People get too serious here!!!

People get so serious when they see things they diagree with. OR thgread that have already been here before. COME ON!!!!!!! People are just having fun and bringing up things to discuss...IF YOU don't like these things go to UNIVERSAL site and stay away from Disneys...We are all Disney fans here and shouldn't be taken so darn serious. Thats like if someone complains about Brazilians...it doesn't mean they hate them, they just bringing up conversation but people jump all over them " OH NOT ANOTHER BRAZILIAN THREAD!" GIVE IT UP!

 

[CP_alum08]

People get so serious when they see things they diagree with. OR thgread that have already been here before. COME ON!!!!!!! People are just having fun and bringing up things to discuss...IF YOU don't like these things go to UNIVERSAL site and stay away from Disneys...We are all Disney fans here and shouldn't be taken so darn serious. Thats like if someone complains about Brazilians...it doesn't mean they hate them, they just bringing up conversation but people jump all over them " OH NOT ANOTHER BRAZILIAN THREAD!" GIVE IT UP!

There are many people on here like yourself, that engage in friendly conversation. But the issue is that not everyone on here is friendly and just wants to have a discussion. Many people here like to argue, bring up controversial topics, and be taken far too seriously just because. It's actually a little sad sometimes.

...and yes, there are people on here who actually hate the Brazilians.

And for the record this is not a lash back at you :ROFLOL:

 

[wm49rs]

People get so serious when they see things they diagree with. OR thgread that have already been here before. COME ON!!!!!!! People are just having fun and bringing up things to discuss...IF YOU don't like these things go to UNIVERSAL site and stay away from Disneys...We are all Disney fans here and shouldn't be taken so darn serious. Thats like if someone complains about Brazilians...it doesn't mean they hate them, they just bringing up conversation but people jump all over them " OH NOT ANOTHER BRAZILIAN THREAD!" GIVE IT UP!

Well, if there's a resident expert on Brazilian tour group threads.......

 

[durangojim]

I didn't read through this entire thread, but I'm happy with the levels of "perks" we get as AP holders and hope they don't change. That being said, I do wish there was a comps program at WDW similar to Vegas where the more you spend on their hotels, merchandise, dining, tickets, etc, allow you to receive more discounts or even free nights, merchandise, etc. Heck, I'd be happy if the more you went to WDW the greater your chance to get a pin code would be!:lol:

 

[duchess1576]

People get so serious when they see things they diagree with. OR thgread that have already been here before. COME ON!!!!!!! People are just having fun and bringing up things to discuss...IF YOU don't like these things go to UNIVERSAL site and stay away from Disneys...We are all Disney fans here and shouldn't be taken so darn serious. Thats like if someone complains about Brazilians...it doesn't mean they hate them, they just bringing up conversation but people jump all over them " OH NOT ANOTHER BRAZILIAN THREAD!" GIVE IT UP!

yup.

really sorry i started this thread.

 

[AEfx]

Buying an AP almost forces you to come back multiple times to get your moneys worth. So if Disney knows you have to come back, why do they need to make it cheaper for you?

Well, it's in Disney's interest because, if you are coming back so often, chances are you are spending less on merchandise and maybe even food than other guests.

I've gone down before with an AP and not bought a single thing before. Last trip, I ended up spending about $600 on merchandise, in large part because of the AP discount. I probably would have spent half that without the discount - even though the discount is only 10%. That's how stuff like that works - you get a discount, so you spend more than you originally intended. In a way I "fell" for it, though I didn't buy anything I didn't really want or hadn't wanted for a long time (Monorail set - mmmm..).

The more discounts Disney gives me as an AP, the more I'm going to come and the more money I'll spend when I'm there. I can make a trip and not spend one cent at Disney (eat off-site, stay off-site, not buy any merch, AP already paid for admission, bring my own drinks). But when they give me discounts to entice me to do so, I quite often take them.

 

[Fractal514]

Wait, you do know that was a joke right.....:xmas:

Yes, as was my response.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I didn't read through this entire thread, but I'm happy with the levels of "perks" we get as AP holders and hope they don't change. That being said, I do wish there was a comps program at WDW similar to Vegas where the more you spend on their hotels, merchandise, dining, tickets, etc, allow you to receive more discounts or even free nights, merchandise, etc. Heck, I'd be happy if the more you went to WDW the greater your chance to get a pin code would be!:lol:

A blackjack table is going to look the same no matter what casino you gamble on they give comps to keep you losing money there. You can't compare the needs of Vegas with Disney.

 

[flavious27]

I think we should get one free night at any resort and free entry to either the Halloween party or the Christmas party.

And discounts at ALL restaurants, not just a few!

Am I being greedy? LOL

Does this AP give you access to the parks all year, free parking, and other discounts? Oh and can't you get visitor passes?

 

[progroupie]

I didn't read through this entire thread, but I'm happy with the levels of "perks" we get as AP holders and hope they don't change. That being said, I do wish there was a comps program at WDW similar to Vegas where the more you spend on their hotels, merchandise, dining, tickets, etc, allow you to receive more discounts or even free nights, merchandise, etc. Heck, I'd be happy if the more you went to WDW the greater your chance to get a pin code would be!:lol:

It would be interesting to see some kind of point system implemented, the way rewards credit cards have. X number of points for X number of dollars spent. That would be a good solution for all the supporters of the "I spend more money, I should get more". I mean I suppose in theory that's how DVC works, but it would be interesting as part of the passholder concept.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Jimmy Thick = elitist pig.

Can we cast him off as a troll already? :shrug: