[mickey]

Mousesavers is reporting that Disney is on the verge of a massive overhaul of the AP room discount program:

"A new "Passholder Best Rate Program" has been rolled out as of June 17, 2005 that will affect Annual Passholder resort reservations for check-ins starting October 8, 2005. Many aspects of this new program are unclear and there are currently no discounts released past October 4.

The new rules for Passholder Best Rate Program reservations for October 8 and later include:

* Annual Passholder rates will only be bookable online (individuals can book themselves through disneyworld.com/passholders and travel agents can book their clients thorough the Disney travel agents web site).

* You must book AT LEAST 120 days in advance.

* A NONREFUNDABLE deposit of one night's room rate and tax is required at the time of booking.

* The Passholder can now book only ONE room (formerly it was up to 3) and the Passholder must be an adult.

Ostensibly the Passholder Best Rate Program guarantees that Passholders will receive the "best room rate offered to the general public" (not including group rates, auction rates or rates conditioned on group/club memberships or other specified eligibility requirements) at that time for the room and nights booked. If Disney subsequently reduces the room rate "to the general public" for the same room and nights you booked online under this program, they will supposedly "automatically reduce your room rate to match that lower rate."

As you can see, this seems to be on first glance a huge downgrade from the current status. Non-refundable deposit, must book 120 days in advance, no longer a guaranteed discounts, etc. As of now, this does not apply to FL residents. The final details have not yet been released, and it is possible that we may see some fixed rate discounts for AP holders as was rumored before, and if a better general public discount comes out, then you would get the better rate.

[DisneyTeacher]

This doesn't sound very good. I understand the 1 room only, that's fair enough but I don't like the nonrefundable deposit, a lot can change in 120 days. I am so glad our trip is this summer, that gives me some time to see what happens.

[cinderbella]

ugh...this dosnt look good.

[jk8]

Yikes, that sounds bad. I wonder why they have to mess with a good thing.

[KarenT]

My AP expired in April and I was thinking about getting a new one because we are going in October and December. Maybe it is not such a good idea :(

[jo-jo]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

This doesn't sound very good. I understand the 1 room only, that's fair enough but I don't like the nonrefundable deposit, a lot can change in 120 days. I am so glad our trip is this summer, that gives me some time to see what happens.

I was thinking do I want to lose $85 (value in low season) but what about people who might do a deluxe in high season. I hope details are released very soon, it makes me feel very uneasy.

[ZarSu]

Well this might put a damper on things, they better get things straightened out real quick.

[Captgoodguy]

Is everybody catching this? It says that we will get the best rate offered to the general public. In the past, we've received rates BETTER than the general public.

[mwalter]

Wow. AP's and the discounts they bring will have allowed us to visit WDW three times within 12 months after our trip in July. This is disappointing news. I guess things are getting better for Disney as far as vacancy rates at the resorts and they feel they don't need to discount the rooms as deeply any more.

[Erin]

Right, I think that's why everyone is upset. They need to do better for APers.

[Captgoodguy]

It doesn't seem that they want to keep AP's. This has been a thread in the past. They just keep taking more and more of our benefits away.

When was the last time you saw them give a new benefit to AP's?

[SnazzyCMB]

Originally Posted by Captgoodguy

It doesn't seem that they want to keep AP's. This has been a thread in the past. They just keep taking more and more of our benefits away.

When was the last time you saw them give a new benefit to AP's?

The only new benefit I've seen is the allowing of APers to get the Disney Dining Experience card at a discount...of course, only a few months later they announce that you can get the dining plan for free with the package (something APers can't take advantage of-well, most wouldn't anyway). Seems like I may have to just book a package this september, instead of renewing APs

[Dana]

I will be happy with any discount I get if any at all. I can't complain to much. I got my money's worth with the AP. I am not certain if I will renew it now, but am satisfied with the savings I got this year due to being an AP holder. I am afraid to see what my rate will be for October....I will owe money on this trip if there is no discount. I may have to go to PC now that I have added an extra day in hopes of a discount. I hate the not knowing.

[bumble]

Well this looks very bad to me. We almost never book 120 days before we go. Sometimes we have called and got a room with the discount the day we go... just spurr of the moment. I hope they make this better then it sounds or we might start staying off site again.

[unome1434]

I was considering getting an AP just because I hear so many raves about the discounts and perks with having one and was looking forward to using those discount for our next years trip...but as it sounds now, it won't be worth it... YIKES...