Disney survey for new promo's

[Mnonie]

I just finished a survey from Disney about a new idea for a promotion at the resorts. I didn't think it sounded very appealing at all....I hope their not thinking of getting rid of discount codes. What does everyone else think?


"Book a Walt Disney World® Resort category (instead of a specific resort) and save 25%:

* Book a Walt Disney World Resort category (Value, Moderate, or Deluxe) 180 days in advance of travel and provide a 50% nonrefundable deposit and you'll receive 25% off regular room rates at any Walt Disney World Resort.

* Room type (view and floor) will be assigned at check-in. Suites are excluded from this offer.
Note: As always, we will make every attempt to honor special requests (e.g. adjoining rooms, king-size bed, etc.).

* You'll find out at which resort you'll be staying two weeks prior to arrival.

* After booking, you can make changes to your reservations (length of stay, room type, resort, or travel dates) based on availability, by paying a nonrefundable fee equal to one night's stay."

[AndyL]

Hmm.........Miceline maybe :)?

[sandar]

Don't like it, don't like it one bit! :hppmad:

[Tagrel]

:viking: More Thumbs down here! :viking: Yuck!!!

And who is going to pay HALF the bill over 6 months in advance and have it be NON-REFUNDABLE!!!!????? :shock: That's NUTS!

ETA: AndyL - :rofl: and crying at the same time.... If Eisner does the commercials I'll just keel over right then and there! :deepSleep:

[LuvmeDisney]

YUK! YUK! YUK! Don't like this at all. As well, this would just take all the fun out of trying to get the best rate. This almost makes booking at non-disney hotels more appealing.

Linda

[Perla]

Non refundable is a four letter word to me. Wouldn't touch it!

[WillCAD]

I took the same survey last week.

Perla, I actually wrote in the survey, "NON-REFUNDABLE is a a dirty word in travel."

This is a horrible package, with lousy terms, and I ripped it apart in the comment boxes.

A whole night's stay as a fee for changing the reservation? Forget it!

[LimeGreenCheri]

That is just a stupid "offer"! I agree, who in his right mind would pay 50% NONREFUNDABLE 6 months in advance? Of course I'm sure there is some joeschmo out there who know nothing about Disney and would think this is a great deal. :roll:

[minnie321]

This doesn't have anything to do w/the survey that everyone else was talking about,but I just took a Disney survey about 2 weeks ago regarding people's interest in a NEW themed resort. It was about an "environmental" resort idea.Personally I did not think that was too appealing. When you're on vacation,I don't feel that people would care very much about recyclable paper products,safe cleaning products,and the history of environmental issues. One of the questions I had to answer,was a multiple choice question giving a choice of what theme I would like to see. One of the choices was a "Space" theme(you know,planets,solar system,universe,etc.)~I thought THAT was cool!!!!
A "Space" themed resort would be popular,I think! Think of all the possibilities. I don't know what they were thinking w/that "environmental" theme!!!

[sandar]

Man, I'm still wound up about this!

The non-refundable bit is definitely the worst aspect. Even without that part, however, I still think the proposal stinks. :gas:

How many of you would be willing to sign up for a resort category rather than a specific hotel? Not me!

Sure, on one level it's true that staying at any Disney resort could be a lot of fun, but we consider the resort an integral part of our vacation. The theming, room decor, restaurants/food court, pool, and transportation options all matter.

Argh! :hppmad:

p.s. - The space themed resort could be WAY cool. And I hope it would have monorail access!

[Bookwood]

50% down non-refundable for a 25% discount sure doesn't make sense to me. If these are th only discounts I'll have to stay off property.

Pam :mickeyWalk: "Bookwood"

[AndyL]

If it weren't for the non refundable and fee for changes parts of this I could live with with Disney chosing my resort for a discount if I could do this in high season/black out date times.

[WillCAD]

You know, in thinking about this, I just realized where the 'pick a category but not a specific resort' thing came from: Priceline!

Price line is so popular because it gets you a big discount on your room, but you don't get to choose a specific hotel, just a 'star' category. I guess Disney was thinking they could mimic this and get more business.

Think again!

[FLSharon]

No way Jose!!!! Bad Bad Bad.. there isn't a good thing about it! I've got a few thoughts.. Off site, off site!!!!! The resort is half of the joy of my visit and I want to chose where I sleep and play. And nonrefundable??? they are nuts. :twisted:

[Tagrel]

You know, in thinking about this, I just realized where the 'pick a category but not a specific resort' thing came from: Priceline!!

or as Andy said above, Miceline! :lol:

[sandar]

Miceline?! I don't think so. They'd have to give WAY more than a 25% discount to compete with Priceline.

Some suit at Disney's got a misfiring synapse, in my opinion. :confused2:

[WillCAD]

Oops, I missed Andy's Miceline comments. Good one Andy!

Sandy, I think the bean-counters at Disney are behind this, not the suits. Remember how big corporations work: the earlier they can get our money, the more interest it can make for them in the bank. It's a financially sound idea, just horrible customer service.

[Tagrel]

I agree with you Sandi! We are just comparing it to Priceline - but the suits didn't think it through... (and Will, an idea like this doesn't get PAST the suits to the survey level without them buying in to at least gathering more customer data on the subject) And as you can see, even gathering data can cause an uproar! :)

Back to the Priceline comparison:

Priceline does NOT have a 180 day deadline!
I've saved MUCH more than 25% on Priceline. The ONLY reason I would EVER use Priceline is if the price is PHENOMENAL for that class of hotel - AND I have a good idea of where it will be. AND they tell you the hotel right after booking, NOT 2 weeks before! It should be obvious that anyone using this 'deal' would get the leftover rooms that NO ONE else wanted, at the LEAST popular resorts! Ooooo, theres something to look forward to! :roll:
I use Priceline when I don't care where I stay. At WDW, the themes are so varied, that I ALWAYS care where I'm going to stay. Things like schedules, restaurant choices, even which parks on which day can be dependant on WHERE we are staying at the time.
Newbies don't use Priceline... It scares a LOT of people. Anyone savvy enough to feel comfortable using "Miceline" would know enough to see that its a TERRIBLE deal!

Hope the suits that employ the bean counters that thought up this idea trashcan it after getting slammed on the Survey.

[Joe]

:gas: My NSHO about this idea. Meethinks it must have been a very hot day down there and the A/C broke to have this idea get out to the public. They must have been delerious.

[WDWDen]

I got the same survey in the mail, but I liked it. I told them to go for it! Since I am DVC, I dont worry about that stuff. This new booking plan should help slim down the crowds there. I give it a BIG thumbs up!@:-)

[Lou-Ann]

Sure sounds like someone in marketing is trying to build a better mousetrap. Thay shall not catch my neck in it , however. 50% deposit for a 25% discount and non refundable to boot??? What are they smoking??? Talk about biting the hand that feeds them........What a cheesy offer......Miceline, indeed. LOL....... :wink: If they do this I shall take my dollars elsewhere. :mickeyWalk: :mickeyWalk: :mickeyWalk: :mickeyWalk: :mickeyWalk: Sounds like Universal is doing more for the guests these days. Sad to say................ :cry: Let's hope this is someone's bad idea that goes away............ :wink:

[sandar]

Oh Lou-Ann, you are TOO right with your Universal versus Disney comment!

We are really looking forward to staying at Universal this summer. We'll stay at Portofino, spending just $187/night for a room that's significantly larger and more luxurious than any we've stayed in at WDW. (Thank you, Tink1!!)

And we can't wait for Universal Express, too. Plus the pools look great. And the restaurants sound very good. And our 2-park annual power passes cost only $99 each.

HELLO!! Is anyone at Disney paying attention? :waving:

[Lou-Ann]

Ever hear of the expression "Delusions of Grandeur"? I think their salaries in management have gone to their heads and they are not thinking of the little people either staff or guests who have put them there........