Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>So far, that adds up to $2,475.00, and we still have four months to go on our passes. I don't think anybody in the Disney higher-ups would be unhappy with that.<< I don't think Disney is unhappy with the AP program at all. It's clear that some cast members don't like it, because every so often you get a thread like this one.
Originally Posted By ImTempest Kar2oonMan, please explain. Why do you think cast members don't like the AP program? To tell the truth, I've seen this come up on other threads, and it really does confuse me. You sound like you might have a different perspective. I've been going to DLR for...oh, might as well spill it, 40+ years. Now I take my family. It's always been like this, as far as I can tell. Some times of the year (everyone as old as me yell "Summer!") were always really busy, and some times were slower. The only time a cast member knows I'm an AP holder is when I buy something, so I can get the discount. Other than that I'm just another body, having a wonderful time at the Happiest Place on Earth. I go when it's crowded. I go when it's not crowded. I'm just happy to be there.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 We go twice a year; once with our two kids, once by ourselves. We go for a week each time and stay at GCH. We always go to the Blue Bayou and then two or three other big dinners. All the rest of our food is purchased in the park as well but they are usually quick service meals or snacks. When we have the kids we spend more in the stores than when we are alone but we still do plenty of shopping too. All told, my family probably spends 10,000 to 15,000 a year at Disneyland. The Delux AP's help us do that because it is a little bit of a break on the admission (we do not have them for the kids, just us) and then 10% discount on food helps also. Somehow I think families like ours that spend so much there are the reason that Disney can do the AP's so cheap. I know some other families that spend a lot on their trips as well, and the AP's help them do that. If they were more expensive, we would probably not get them and then would only do one trip year. SOmehow, I do
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>Kar2oonMan, please explain. Why do you think cast members don't like the AP program?<< The person that started this thread is a cast member, has been posting here for a number of years. From comments this poster and a handful of other cast members have made at other sites, there seems to be a dislike for the overbearing sort of AP holder (displaying their AP on a lanyard, correcting cast members in their spiels, securing "their" spot at various shows, demanding discounts, and generally boorish behavior suggesting they own the place). I think for some cast members, at least those who post on these and other boards, they grow weary of that sort of thing and see the AP program as attracting more and more of those types of guests. I have been an AP holder a couple of times, currently I am not. I'm sure like most people, I don't "show off" my AP except at the front gate -- in fact, I usually forget to ask for the dining and merchandise discounts more often than not. I have never been treated poorly by a cast member whether I have been an AP holder or not (sounds like you and I have similar experiences in that way). But I'm sure, like all things, there are some bad apples that reflect poorly on other APers, so cast members from time to time vent here a bit about that. It seems from post #1 that Westsider is happy to see many of the APers gone at the present time, reducing the crowds and making for a less crowded experience for all. In part, I can understand this, especially if there has been a lot of the bad apples on a steady basis. But on the other hand, a guest is a guest, and really the cast members shouldn't be focusing on what sort of admission media a guest has used on any given day. In fact, especially in this economy, it truly puzzles me why having overtime pay available would be considered a bad thing.
Originally Posted By oredisneyfan the real money is spent in the park, so any way they can get you there works for Disney. locals will come more often because they can so it makes sense to offer them the best deals. the rest of us just have to deal with it. even with many people bringing in thier own food they make money because now you can buy more churros, pretzels and ice cream. I think the american motto has become "a dollar saved is a dollar I can spend somewhere else" LOL. and Disney knows this......give them AP's and they will come and spend their money. We give disney $4000 to $5000 a year between the tickets, hotel, meals and shopping. We usually budget $100 a day in the park just for snacks, and such (that is for a family of 5 and we only come once a year)
Originally Posted By ImTempest Okay, now I get it - it's a lot clearer. Anybody that's ever worked in a service industry can understand this one. When I worked in a mall, I used to feel the same way when the Christmas rush was over - it always seemed like the last few customers were the worst! Thank you, Kar2oonMan.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Mr. X, dirt cheap and a good deal are not the same thing. I think you're confused.*** I don't think so. For example, $40,000 for a mint-condition Lamborghini would be, in fact, dirt cheap. Doesn't mean everyone can afford one though.
Originally Posted By lightfello I'm not a local, but I have an annual pass. I generally make 2 trips per year and it works out to be cheaper that way. By saving money on tickets, I have more to spend on hotels, in stores and for meals. The only change I wish they would make is to allow everyone to make payments for the annual pass instead of just SoCal.
Originally Posted By ABBY lightfello, I thought you could... seems like I got that option when I bought mine ???????
Originally Posted By minigirl1156 It would be great to offer payment plans for the regular passes. Being a non-local, we don't have the choice to get the SoCal passses. This really would help when you have a family of four. Oh well, I guess for now, we will stick with hitting the "Everyone pays kid's price" deals once a year.
Originally Posted By lightfello Abby- My friend and I both asked at different ticket booths about this and got two different answers. We then went to the AP processing center and asked. They stated that it's only available at this time for Southern California residents. I just bought a new pass and it didn't have an option to make payments. It sure would make my life a lot easier. I haven't had one since Dec. 2007.
