General Codes watch?

[gepetto]

What I am saying is, this year, that they are having no trouble keeping the resorts at or above that magic percentage.

and just how would you know that? Do you have psychic powers?

 

[Lollipop Mom]

And Disney gives the travel agency that info?

Well, I'm an agent and a college of Disney Knowledge graduate and all that jazz and all I can say is that the CMs I have talked to when calling to check AP rates for people won't tell me how the availability looks for the AP code, only if they have a room to offer me with it or not. I've had people ask me to check 3 different dates or any number of combos and not give me any indication of which is their first choice so I don't know which to hold for them (I usually pick the cheapest to hold LOL). If they take a day or two to call me back with their choice, it's not uncommon for it not to be available anymore when I call back. Even with just general rack rate ressies, I've asked before how availability looks and the most I've gotten is a CM who will say, "well I just checked to see if I could book 10 rooms and I can so there are at least 10 there for these dates."

I do know I have a list of clients who contacted us after they couldn't get AP rates for the resort or dates they wanted and I'm checking on them daily and so far there are a lot of weeks where there is nothing available with an AP rate but suites or DVC properties. I'm hoping that some of them will open up when the date the holds expire on holds placed on rooms the day the AP rates came out. From speaking with a friend who is an agent for a different agency, we had some names that were on both of our quote request lists so I know there are people who requested quotes from several agencies so I'm sure there are instances where more than one agency held a room for them after getting the quote request. Obviously they'd only book with one agency. Some people email to say they've already booked, others just never respond to the quote. I cancel anything people get back to me on and say they don't want but I know some other agents don't; they are either too busy with other stuff or they just don't bother. Between all those holds and the ones from people booking themselves who held one room in their name and one in their spouse's name untill they decide which one they want, and all the people who just plain procrastinate on calling in their deposit, I am hoping that some other rooms become available. I know I'll be dialing starting at 6:57 or so the morning after the holds expire doing the same thing I did the morning codes were released! LOL

 

[DMRick]

I was surprised when one of the people traveling with us was told by SoG that they have a large number of rooms for our time span still available for POR. I never thought to put them in the mix, of rooms being held. So you have SoG, AP, FL rates, pin codes and all the rooms that people have ressies for that may not come. Are rooms also held by expedia? I know once I saw they had the room I wanted (I think it was expedia) and when I called, Disney didn't have any rooms for that time, and said they could not use those rooms. I wonder just how many at any given time would be tied up!

 

[Joy4Ron]

Anyone call today?

 

[Joy4Ron]

I just got off the phone, nothing as of today

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

What I am saying is, this year, that they are having no trouble keeping the resorts at or above that magic percentage.

and just how would you know that? Do you have psychic powers?

My neighbor hears general info, nothing specific, from his Disney sales rep, thats says that the projected occupancy numbers are good enough that they MAY not need to offer discount codes to fill rooms.

He also said that the $1500 promotion is extremely successful.

I have never said that the resorts are full or at capacity, or that people would be having difficulty getting rooms, and never meant to imply that - I stated that they are having no trouble getting people to fill rooms (not resorts!) and paying rack rate and keeping the Disney sales analysts happy with the projected numbers.

Look at this from the analysts perspective - I am sure that they have some magic formulas. Just say that this time last year they projected 3-6 months out that resorts would only be 50% full. This is too low for them, so they offer room codes to the public and even offer the 7 for 5 deal.

Now, they do the same analysis this year, and they get a projected number of 80%, This makes the analysts very happy, and they know from past experience that a certain nuimber or percentage of rooms will fill as the dates get closer - so they see no reason to offer general codes.

I am sure that there are analysts who pour over these numbers on a daily basis and make these projections based on computer models that they have developed over the years.

Again, the above percentages are pure speculation - but I am fairly sure that Disney has at least one person doing projections of this type.

 

[areno79]

Well, Disney may not offer the codes due to the "magic percentage", but I'm still holding out hope for a code

 

[Trish5768]

I called today and asked. CM said no codes and she does not think any will be out. She went on to say that over the summer look in the Sunday paper travel section, thats the best she could do. Well, that does not help me as I'm going early May.

 

[BostonRob]

Why would it being posted on another board affect us? I don't understand.

I guess the implication is that if the attempted use of the code becomes widespread, Disney will "crack down" on those who have already been allowed to use it. At least that is what I inferred from the post. I'm not worried.

While we're on the topic, I had a thought last night. When I used the code, I was upgrading from a value to a deluxe - so even with a discount, I was putting an additional $125 per night into Disney's pockets. I wonder how many people who have been allowed to use the code have made new reservations or upgraded their existing ones. Similarly, I wonder how many people who have been denied the code were trying to apply it to an existing reservation and just save money. See what I'm getting at? What do you think?

 

[BostonRob]

I guess the way I'm gauging it, is the people on this board. Other than "holiday" times I'm not seeing anyone having a problem getting a room at any of the resorts. They may mention not being able to use a code or AP at a certain resort, but have you seen even one person say, I'm willing to pay rack rate, and they have no room for me? Until I see that, I won't presume that the rooms are filling.

I will say that I tried to make a reservation for a room at the WL at rack rate for the last week in April and was told there weren't any rooms (besides the honeymoon suite). I subsequently was able to reserve such a room online, which I'm holding until I receive confirmation of my new "code" reservation.

 

[jpeltier]

I tried to book the Royal Pacific through the both the Universal and Lowe's websites and couldn't.When I tried through Expedia,not only did I get a room,but saved about 50.00 a night.So,yes I do think that online hotel consolidators do reserve many rooms.

 

[Lewisc]

Doris--you're missing the point. Let's take a contrived example. Every resort is 95% booked every night. You'll have no problem getting a room but there would be no reason for Disney to release a discount program. The fact that there are rooms available when you happen to call doesn't really mean much.

There have been numerous posts from people not being able to get certain resorts (EPCOT resorts for example) during non-holiday weeks.

I keep reading people posting this, and I agree tourism is up, compared to how bad it has been, but I've had no problem getting rooms, except on holiday weeks. How do you know the rooms are filled? When they start building the Legendary side of Pop again, I'll believe it. I also think with the price of gas, that many people who would normally drive may rethink their vacation plans...and a lot of people drive.

We were there during the Northeast's break, when all the warnings were that it would be packed. We didn't go in the parks on President's Day, but for the rest of the week, we didn't find it to be packed at all. I was really surprised.

So, are the rooms really filled? I've not seen anything to indicate that..and of course that is just my opinion.

 

[Clare]

Any news? Has anyone called today?

 

[CarolA]

I haven't read all of this, but folks you guys are getting testy and fighting with each other on who knows more about Disney bookings isn't going to get you any discounts!

The only info I have seen that I tend to believe was on Mouseplanet a few weeks ago when they reported 8 straight weeks for record bookings at Disney resorts and that was BEFORE the AP and FL Resident rates.

 

[Clare]

The only info I have seen that I tend to believe was on Mouseplanet a few weeks ago when they reported 8 straight weeks for record bookings at Disney resorts and that was BEFORE the AP and FL Resident rates.

CarolA, you have told me what I needed to know. I think I am officially giving up on codes for May. I'm going to stop torturing myself (& DH with all the talk about them). I'm going to pay rack rate somewhere and have a wonderful, fabulous, magical time!

 

[ken skellington]

If there are still AAA rates at your resort get a membership. We are staying at Pop and got a membership just for the discount - at least we're saving a little -

 

[DMRick]

Doris--you're missing the point. Let's take a contrived example. Every resort is 95% booked every night. You'll have no problem getting a room but there would be no reason for Disney to release a discount program. The fact that there are rooms available when you happen to call doesn't really mean much.

There have been numerous posts from people not being able to get certain resorts (EPCOT resorts for example) during non-holiday weeks.

Trust me, I'm missing no point..except I guess I've missed those numerous posts. I've seen them for Spring Break and holidays, and I admit I might have missed a few. Other than general codes, all the other codes are still being released (and my neighbor got a code postcard yesterday, so I'm helping her book). That leaves me to believe that they prob aren't 95% booked, since most hotels stop short of that booking percentage, giving out discounts.

Carol, I'm not arguing about who knows more. I am very curious, however, how anyone knows either way, beyond guessing, since I've been told Disney doesn't release that info. Do I think they are doing better (just a guess) than they have after 9/11? I sure do, but have I personally had any problem getting rooms in 7 visits in the past year? No, and to my eye, the resorts haven't seemed very crowded when I'm there. I've made my PS's once I'm there, instead of in advance with no porblems (including winter break week) I've walked on most everything, going to the parks on non holiday or weekends. I don't "do" the deluxes, so maybe that is where the crowds are. I have no doubt that the past 8 weeks have been record bookings with the new packages....or at least since 9/11. Is this record bookings for always..even before when Disney didn't have to offer any codes at all? I don't know. I'm just always curious as to where people get their info. No law against that.

 

[DMRick]

Similarly, I wonder how many people who have been denied the code were trying to apply it to an existing reservation and just save money. See what I'm getting at? What do you think?

Rob, as I told you in a PM, I was applying it to 3 AP rooms I already had, and got the code. Also, I find it interesting that you were able to get your wanted room, via the web. I wonder how many people don't realize, that just because they don't have your room when you call, doesn't mean they are booked. Many rooms are saved for SoG overflow (I was really surprised at what the SoG gal said about how many rooms from POR are being saved for them, during May as I stated earlier), AP rates, Fl Code, Postcard Code, and doesn't expedia and some of the other places have rooms? How about travel company's..do they have any rooms put aside to offer packages? I know once when I saw they had rooms on line, I called and was told, those rooms weren't released yet to them. So several rooms may be tied up and not released until you get closer to your booking time. It really pays to keep trying.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

How about travel company's..do they have any rooms put aside to offer packages?

Large websites such as travelocity and expedia block out rooms from Disney, but your local travel agent, or even many web-based Disney specialist agencies, mostly sell directly from Disney inventory.

Many agencies will, however, put a room on hold when you submit a request for a quote, so that if you decide to take that quote, the room is available for you. If you don't take it, it goes back into the pool after 14 days.

 

[DMRick]

Thank you for the info, and for taking the time to post it. I wonder, at any given time, just how many rooms are on hold or set aside. Must be hard to run that type of a business. I think this explains why I was able to get my neighbors rooms for April 16-23 (using their postcard rate), which is our Spring Break. I wonder if some of the "held" rooms are now being released.