I need Help Disney savers! [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

pattyT

06-27-2002, 02:02 PM

Help!
I booked our vacation through an agent 4 months ago - then my friend introduced me to these boards! We have 2 adults one 8 yr old and a 1 1/2 yr old going from 10-14 til 10-23 I booked Port Orleans French Quarter at $2800.

I have checked Travelocity and the rate was MUCH higher! But could I do better? (Airfare not included of course -I got a great deal on that seperately 550 for all of us!)

Did I pay to much?
Should I consider cancelling and buying passes seperate and renting the room seperate?
Is there a cancellation fee from Dinsey?

Any advise???????????????????????

WildGrits

06-27-2002, 02:30 PM

That price is totally rack rates. BAD BAD BAD. Right now moderate rooms are going for $89 a night. Your travel agent has done you no favors. But dont fear. Check out www.mousesavers.com. Sometimes it's cheaper to book your room and then buy passes seperately. But dont cancel reservations till you make new ones. You should be able to just change your reservations if your still going the same days. That way you dont lose you deposit. Another good idea is to get some quotes from an online disney travel agent. Look into the Fall Fantasy packages.

Don't worry. You have plenty on time to change things. And maybe end up with an upgrade.

ibleedblue

06-27-2002, 02:48 PM

Does that price include any tickets to the parks? If not, I'd say it's pretty steep. 9 nights at $2800, that's $311 per night right? That's WAY higher than rack rate, so that has to have the Ultimate Park Hopper included. The highest rate at POFQ during your stay is $169 per night. $311-$169 leave $142 per day for tickets based on your quoted price.

Mousesavers has code for $89 per night for a standard view room at POFQ that expires on 10/2. I haven't seen any discounts that extend beyond 10/2 yet, but they should be out in the next month and a half or so. Assuming the same discount would apply, $89 x 9 nights = $801. That would leave $2000 from your price to purchase tickets. The two adults and the 8 year old could buy APs for $1054.70 total and the little one gets in free, and this is worst case ticket pricing. You could always back down to a 6 or 7 day hopper and save some extra money. So yea I'd say you could do better than that, way better actually. Even if you paid full rack rate of $169 per night, that would be $1521 + $1054.70 for the tickets, so you still come in under your travel agent by a couple of hundred bucks.

There may or may not be a cancellation fee. Depends on if the package was booked through Central Reservations or Walt Disney Travel. CRO doesn't charge for dropping a ressie, but WDTC does depending on how far out you are from your stay. Even if you have to pay $20 to drop it, what's that compared to saving $500 or more, right?

Greg

Rpsemont

06-27-2002, 04:33 PM

While I've never worked through a travel agent, the other option is to read the boards, see if the discount are available for your dates, and call the travel agent and tell them you want them to try to book with the discount code. Maybe they can give you a credit back and then you're not subject to a cancellation fee if they have one.

Kaa

06-27-2002, 06:42 PM

Other than Disney Club or AAA, there are no discounts available for your travel dates. The rack rate for a Standard view room is $154 plus tax per night during that time. It appears that your total includes the room and park passes. If you booked through a travel agent, you most likely have a Resort Magic Package. The next question would be whether you purchased the trip insurance? This is non-refundable and usually runs $33.95 per adult in the party. If you cancel the package and you have the insurance, you won't get that back. If you don't have the insurance, you can cancel up to 45 days prior to your vacation without any penalty (unless the TA charges one).

You could go with a room-only reservation and purchase your passes separately. The next decision is which pass to purchase. Do you plan to visit the water parks or Pleasure Island? Did you want to visit any other parks or attractions in Orlando? The answers to these questions will help in the decision on the type or length of pass to purchase. If you plan to only visit Disney theme parks (no water parks or Pleasure Island), you may want to consider a regular annual pass. It is the most economical pass after 8 days. If you want to visit the water parks and Pleasure Island, you might want to consider the 7-day Park Hopper Plus. This gives you 7 days in the theme parks and 4 "Plus" options that can be used for the water parks or Pleasure Island.

Finally, once you make your reservation, keep checking back. Disney MAY release some discount codes for your travel dates and you could reduce the nightly rate of your room.

pattyT

06-28-2002, 06:00 AM

WoW - Thanks for the responses!

The price does include the 'ultimate park hopper tickets'

We have ressies for Discovery Cove and plan to go to Sea World. If we have time I would like to go to Blizzard Beach and if we have energy Pleasure Island.

The TA made the ressie through WDTC - I also made ressies for a friend and daughter:( I have already paid about $500 to TA. I did not get the insurance.

The seven day pass - does it have to be consecutive days? DC ressies are for the 17th (middle of vaca).

The price was cheaper than the rates I got online through Disney's website! I thought I did good :(

I wish I found you guys earlier!:D

Cindy B

06-28-2002, 06:33 AM

Maybe if you got the Disney Club, you can get some money off.

I know how you feel, before I found the DIS, I had never heard of code rates, and I thought a very small discount was good!

stacie_d

06-28-2002, 08:19 AM

If you are not going to a disney park every day that you stay at the resort, then you probably do not want the UMP. The 7 day park hoppers can be used however you like, they do not have to be used consecutive days. It is kinda like buying admission for 7 days to use whenever you want. The passes never expire.

We are going from August 6-13. We are only buying 5 day pass. That way we can take a day off in the middle of our stay to relax a bit. With the UPH you are pretty much paying admission for everyday you are staying. (Am I making sense?)

If I were you, I would make some changes. You could probably save lots, which would give you more money to spend!

pattyT

06-28-2002, 08:53 AM

With the 7 Day passes can you leave parks and go back though?

What if we wanted to go to MGM in the am and MK in the pm Then wanted to go back to MK 2 days later?

We get to Disney at noon first day I would hate to 'waste' a 'day' but can't imagine spending our first day at Disney at the hotel!
:D

stacie_d

06-28-2002, 09:20 AM

With the park hopper, you can go to MGM, MK, AK or Epcot, and you can switch between them throughout the day. Just get you hand stamped when you leave the first park, and keep your hopper with you. You can got to the MK every day if you want to. You can split every day between two parks if you want. You have the freedom to choose to go wherever you want. For example, the day we go to AK (which closes at 6) we will hop over to MGM for a couple hours to see Fantasmic. But, overall, we will go to MGM several times over the course of the week.

There is plenty to do without using a day on the park hopper pass. You can go to Downtown Disney, which has lots of great shops to browse through. (We are doing this the first day we get there.) With the hoppers, you will get the plus feature, so you could go to a water park, or Pleasure Island in the evening. We haven't done these yet, but since we (DH and I) are going alone this thip (leaving our 3 year old DS home:( , but he juist went over Christmas.) we are planing to go to Pleasure Island a couple of times and use the plus features we have left on old passes. There is also mini golf you might want to try, and the pools,etc at your resort.

idontknow

06-28-2002, 10:05 AM

Like stacie_d mentioned, there are LOTS of things to do your first day there other than the parks.

1. Downtown Disney- windowshop at the World of Disney, eat at one of the restaurants, check out Lego land, train ride, soak up the atmosphere.

2. Go to one of the monorail resorts, ride around until it starts to get crowded, eat dinner (make ps before you leave), then check out the MK fireworks from the Poly's beach. Great night, and you've even seen the fireworks.

3. Go to Fort Wilderness. Take the kids to the petting farm and ride the ponies. Eat dinner there then check out the disney campfire movie w/Chip and Dale. Walk over to the beach and check out the MK fireworks.

4. Stay around the resort for a while and swim. When your room is ready, take the little one back for a nap and get everyone else ready for dinner. Head to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary for dinner and then enjoy the fireworks from the roof (can you still do that?) or head to the beach and watch them.

If the fireworks are late enough, you can also watch the Electric Water Parade from the MK hotels. I don't have the times in front of me, but Deb Will's site has them. (can someone post a link?)

The reason I keep saying the fireworks is because you will still get the feel of being at a Disney park, but not have to waste a day of your passes. The campfire and Chef Mickey's have charaters. There is usually a long wait to get into CMickey's even with a ps, so choose your time to eat around the kids schedules. We usually make our ps 30 minutes before we want to eat. By the time we are actually hungry, our table is ready.

pattyT

06-28-2002, 10:31 AM

:) Oh what great ideas!
Now I have to get the nerve to call my local TA and asked for cancellation policies or to change ressies through her! AUGH.
Thank You All!:cool:

WildGrits

06-28-2002, 11:25 AM

If your want a way to scrape some of that bill off. My family usually stays off property the first day we get there. That way we get a good night sleep and check into our resort early the next day not tired from the trip getting there. We usually stay at the Days Suites but this year we will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriot for only 20.02 a night. Very worth looking into.

Caskbill

06-29-2002, 04:42 AM

You still might want to consider the Annual Pass. By any chance are you going back again next year. If so, and you could do that trip before Oct 14th, then you might get two trips out of one annual pass.

If you purchased annuals on 10/14 they would be good thru 10/13/2003. So take another vacation in September 2003 and your annuals are still good.

The premium AP's will also include the water parks and PI. But if you only want to do a water park once, or PI once, you might be better off getting regular AP's and buying PI and Water parks separately.

If you can't make it back within 12 months, then the all the suggestions made by the others are all good also.

One nice thing about an AP, it's good every single day. So, if you just feel like going to a park for a few hours, that works out fine. You don't feel like you have to spend the whole day at the park to "get your money's worth"

pattyT

06-29-2002, 07:53 AM

Ya -
We don't plan on going back to Disney for about 4 years or so. DD is 8 and DS is 2. WE are debating on a DB next year! :)
But you never know - I may become a D Addict! ;)

The only time my husband willingly spends money without caution is vacations! The idea of staying out of the parks for 20 a night sounds great! But a lot of work with DS.

I don't usually plan this much for vaca's! Usually 'last minute' 3 weeks prior, great deal type! I swore I didn't want the fustration of planning - but with Disney it is worth it it seems!

I really fel bad if TA will lose commissions though
:( I still need to get the nerve to call.

Cindy B

06-29-2002, 08:47 AM

First off she is working for you.. not you for her. Don't feel bad about calling.

I would be on the phone with her first thing, and just change it.

Its too much money you are paying, and now you are an educated consumer.

I am staying off site as well. We found a $39 a night rate which includes breakfast.

pattyT

06-29-2002, 08:52 AM

The trip is booked through WDTC - does anyone know if THEY have a cancellation fee? Then I will know if the fee she charges me is WD's or the agencies! That will give me negotiation powers! ;)
And if DS has no charge then she has a large one - :mad:

pattyT

06-29-2002, 10:12 AM

Thank you Cindy B for your encouragement!
My regular TA left the co and I have new one I don't like much - but I got lucky and when I called today it was her day off and different one assisted me :)
She was excellent and understood! She is going to see what she can come up with for better rates and a better package too! I don't mind keeping my business there if they can do me right!
:Pinkbounc Thank You:bounce: Thank You:Pinkbounc thank you

WDW2002

06-29-2002, 10:40 AM

Stay away from packages, in most cases you will pay more then booking the items you want seperately, then genereally will include things that you may or may not have use for.

pattyT

06-29-2002, 04:49 PM

:confused: Why does this have to be so dificult!
Every other vaca I went on I called - booked - and went! They were all-inclusive or cruisees!

Does anyone kwon when they come out with October rates? How much do you save if you have 1 annual pass holder? Are 'options' in a park hopper pass transferable (ex: If I get annual to get room discout and hubby gets park hopper (save $ and get options) then can I use one of his options if we want to go to H20 park?:confused:

Lainy67

06-29-2002, 06:39 PM

I am going to go against the grain here, and say even though packages are a lot of times bad they are NOT always bad. For not much more than you listed, we are getting the same amount of time, with 3 adult tickets (our dd ia 10), 1 child (3) ticket - Ultimate Park Hopper, Port Orleans Riverside (with a trundle bed), AND all of our airfare, during the summer. The airfare costs over $1100 and that is the best fare we can find. If it hadn't been for that, we would probably have booked separately.

You just have to be willing to look for it. Sometimes I book packages. Sometimes I arrange everything separately. This goes for everywhere.

figgy4me

06-30-2002, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by pattyT
:confused: Why does this have to be so dificult!
Every other vaca I went on I called - booked - and went! They were all-inclusive or cruisees!

Does anyone kwon when they come out with October rates? How much do you save if you have 1 annual pass holder? Are 'options' in a park hopper pass transferable (ex: If I get annual to get room discout and hubby gets park hopper (save $ and get options) then can I use one of his options if we want to go to H20 park?:confused:

It is not that difficult - you can pay the price you were given and go. But if you want to save some money, it will take a little time and energy.........well worth that to me.

We usually stay off-site because of the prices-but last year stayed at the All Stars for $49. It was great..... Stayed off-site in May @ $26 (including 2 adult breakfasts). May trip was extra because of buying 2 AP's..... "But admission is free!"

Anyway you and he both cannot use the same park hopper ticket.

Have fun...... I love Disney...... Every year, if I can!!!!!!!!!

pattyT

07-23-2002, 08:33 AM

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

I did it!
I switched our passes to 7 day and I upgraded to Wilderness Lodge and still saved more money! YIPPEE!

I think I saved a total of about $461 (nevermind the value of the upgrade!)! Then the savings on the van rental!
I can not thank you all enough! Neither can my husband :)Wahoo!

akasleepingbeauty

07-23-2002, 09:22 AM

So glad to see an update on this Patty. Good for you for taking the time and initiative to re-do your vacation, get an upgrade, and save $$$ - what a deal!

You will LOVE the Wilderness Lodge - a beautiful hotel and wonderful for kids. The boat ride to MK is fun and convenient. Don't forget to check out the geyser too!

Remember, that just in case you fall in love with WDW and start thinking about returning sooner than you'd expected, you can upgrade your 7 day passes to annual passes for a pretty reasonable fee (you actually get to apply the full value you paid for the 7 day pass toward an annual pass) if you do it within 7 calendar days of your first use. Check with Guest Services when you first check in for details - just in case :) - so you'll know. WDW is an addictive place with lots of magic available so you may just find yourself planning another trip before you leave! FYI - you can always use any leftover days on your passes in the future too - you don't have to upgrade.

Also, have you made a priority seating for the new Princess Breakfast in Epcot? Should be reasonably easy to get at this point and would be lots of fun for your dd especially!

Have a great trip and enjoy all that money you saved with just a few phone calls!

pattyT

07-23-2002, 10:55 AM

Hi! THanks for the GREAT advice - I haven't even gone yet and I am already saying things like 'oh on our next trip we will..."
I have made ressies for Hoop-Dee-Doo-Revue, Discover Cove (DD loves dolphins), and I am going to try for the impossible to get castle breakfast! If I don't get those I will try for Epcots!
THanks Again!
:bounce: I CAN'T Wait to go!

Cindy B

07-23-2002, 11:53 AM

You will love Discovery Cove, remember you get a free 7 day admission to Sea World with that.

(And lunch is included as well for your scheduled day)

I loved Discovery cove so much last year, it was the highlight of the trip.

chris1gill

07-23-2002, 09:13 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!! Sounds like you did great & you definitely got a nice upgrade to the WL! Did you call yesterday when the discounts came out? Did you ask about upgrading or was it suggested?

I think you've done great... Also, I think the price of the four park annual pass (doesn't include the water parks or Disney Quest) is roughly the same price as the 7 day park hopper, especially if you get a Disney Club card... Where are you getting your 7 day park hoppers? There may be less expensive places to get that as well!!!

pattyT

07-23-2002, 09:20 PM

:) I am having my TA get the passes - I am VERY AFRAID of myself with annuals - I KNOW that I will HAVE to go back again within the year! My DH will not stand for that! :)
My TA booked the room today for me - she didn't mention an upgrade - I'm debating if I should call DT myself to confirm that she changed it :)
I think that we will use the "plus" options to go to a waterpark and the unused days NEVER expire so when we go again in a couple of years we will still have them! Thank for the idea though!

pattyT

07-23-2002, 09:22 PM

Oh------
When the rates came out I know I could have saved A LOT on POFQ - but hubby already considers the money spent so I figured I might as well do it up and go deluxe! And he is happy because we are still paying less than the original ressies!

chris1gill

07-23-2002, 10:06 PM

Patty,

So did you ask the TA to call when the codes came out? I didn't know you could ask a TA to do that, good to know for future reference...

Well, as someone mentioned, you can always upgrade your 7 day pass once you're on vacation!!

pattyT

07-24-2002, 06:11 AM

I called my TA yesturday morning (I had already forewarned her that when the rates came out I would).
I had planned to just get the cheaper rate for POFQ but couldn't resist upgrading because the rates were so good! At first she didn't see anything on her computer - I gave her the code then voila! Fort Wilderness at 139 a night! She said it was her fav and that I would LOVE it!
Someone earlier stated that they do not work on commission so I didn't feel quilty there - and hey if they were wrong - well it looks like she upgraded me and she gets close to the same commish!