Disney Tests a "Future Stay" Program at Walt DIsney World

It's a move that travel agents (especially Disney Specialists* like me) will be watching with interest...

Clients staying at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort Hotel in December this year, who book their next vacation before they check-out - can request that their travel agent (hopefully me, right!) receive credit (i.e. get paid commission) for that sale. Disney, while doing all they can to poach our clients with their overwhelming market reach, razzle-dazzle, liberal coatings of fresh pixie-dust etc. etc. are at least giving us the chance to make a final few dollars before we lose our clients for ever!!

No, seriously...
Disney have always been extremely good at direct marketing. They have also always supported travel agents. I suppose this new program does a bit of both - enabling our clients to take advantage of special prices (only offered at the time) but still have us work with them on their file.

This is a pilot project (at present) but if it is successful in generating lots of new bookings for Disney will likely go the way of the Disney Cruise Line, whereby you can get some significant savings by booking your next trip before you even get off the ship. While I have no problem with saving my clients money (I do that wherever I can) - I don't want to be cut out completely and not even be able to offer anything!

So - what do you need to know about this pilot program before you go...

You will be able to learn about the program through various materials - in-room marketing, signage and merchandising receipts - once you are in resort. The offer will be some kind of a reduction on your next trip, if booked there-and-then, some time before checkout.

The value will be real. There will be an advantage to booking before you leave. It may not be a giant benefit, however! And, know that the booking that you make while at the resort is restricted - i.e. you will not be able to make changes to date, resort, package etc after the fact. So be careful!

You are supposed to be asked whether you have a travel agent. If not, please leave me a comment here and I'll have words with Mickey...

Please remember your travel agent - if you got good service, useful advice, all-round value, help with airfare etc etc - and ask to have them credited. If you want them to be involved with the next trip you will need to contact them to let them know about the booking, as Disney will NOT contact them...

Know that if a better special comes along (which regular readers of this blog will know is very possible at certain times of the year) then you may have to cancel your original booking and re-book. This is something that we do on a regular basis, and we are very able to work out which package is better value for you, if you feel stuck or confused. Usually there are no change penalties, so do not assume that you will lose money.

Finally, if you FORGET to credit me (or another travel agent) all may not be lost. If, as mentioned above a better special comes along, then we can get back involved at that point.