AAA rates in Feb 2014

[Judique]

I made an early February reservation for a tent/pop up site just recently.

On reading around the web, and reading comments on AAA discounts, I decided to call and ask about AAA, Annual Pass or whatever discounts might be available.

I have 6 days booked and the original total was $339.78. The new total after AAA discount was applied is $271.86!

Now, considering I am paying for it with discounted Disney gift cards from Target, I can't afford NOT to go! My final cost using the gift cards is $232.44 for 6 nights.

So if you are willing to brave the cold in your tent or have a heated popup (I do), it may be possible to go pretty cheaply. The only thing that will put a damper on this visit is if it rains every day all day long.....does it rain much in February???

February and September are the only 2 months that I have never visited Disney.

 

[bama_ed]

Judique,

I'm glad you got an AAA discount. Good to hear they are still out there. Your trip must be before Valentine's Day, is it?

Early February is off season and it's only two years until my last kid is through high school and me and Mrs Bama Ed are free to travel outside the blasted school calendar. Like you I have a popup and would LOVE to come in early Feb.

That's neat that you are checking off the months you've been. What one month seemed to be the best for you in terms of prices, crowds, and weather?

I'll be there in late March next year (during Prime Time).

Have a great trip! And your right. With the weather, rates, and crowds in early Feb, that is one of the GREAT times to go!

Bama Ed

 

[Judique]

Judique,

I'm glad you got an AAA discount. Good to hear they are still out there. Your trip must be before Valentine's Day, is it?

Early February is off season and it's only two years until my last kid is through high school and me and Mrs Bama Ed are free to travel outside the blasted school calendar. Like you I have a popup and would LOVE to come in early Feb.

That's neat that you are checking off the months you've been. What one month seemed to be the best for you in terms of prices, crowds, and weather?

I'll be there in late March next year (during Prime Time).

Have a great trip! And your right. With the weather, rates, and crowds in early Feb, that is one of the GREAT times to go!

Bama Ed

Yes, it's the first week in February. Thanks for the well wishes! I already have a nice resort trip planned using my DVC, but I've got this camping bug going on and now I've got a full two weeks at Disney.

I was very surprised to get a AAA discount. I am often supplementing my trips with cash stays and I can tell you that in over 20 years of visits, I've rarely gotten a AAA rate.

January has been the best month for prices and crowds. I've always had good weather in January, but I've been very lucky.

Next favorite would be November. Prices are great, weather is great - early Nov, food and wine festival makes Epcot crowded.

I dealt with the school calendar for 24 years, so I know what you mean!

 

[Sur]

We've done the same as you... stay at a DVC for a while and supplement with a stay at the Fort. The kids prefer our time at the Fort... forget fire works and parades, they want marshmallows and sing alongs, wilderness and people that say "Hi!" back! Oh, and forget about it now that they experienced Christmas there!

I'm seriously considering trading out points for the cabins in the near future. The only advantage I'm feeling is the vicinity of our DVC's to the parks. Maybe I should just sell and buy a camper (but then I'd have to pay for storage of said camper).

 

[PJ]

Not having kids we've been spoiled to be able to do all but one trip during slow times and February was one of our favorite times. I don't ever remember rain being an issue. Enjoy!

 

[Napria]

We've done the same as you... stay at a DVC for a while and supplement with a stay at the Fort. The kids prefer our time at the Fort... forget fire works and parades, they want marshmallows and sing alongs, wilderness and people that say "Hi!" back! Oh, and forget about it now that they experienced Christmas there!

I'm seriously considering trading out points for the cabins in the near future. The only advantage I'm feeling is the vicinity of our DVC's to the parks. Maybe I should just sell and buy a camper (but then I'd have to pay for storage of said camper).

We sold our DVC to buy a pop up when I realized that although I purchased the DVC free & clear (no loan), I still had to pay $69/month for maintenance fees. Add that up and it's the cost of a campsite for a week. Plus we could go on more trips with a pop up. We'll, we had that brand-new pop up for exactly three months before we traded it in for a fifth wheel. It's nine years later and we're now looking for a toy hauler so we can take our own golf cart to the Fort. We stayed Club level at the Poly for my birthday this past July and while that was undeniably wonderful, I personally still prefer camping at the Fort.

 

[Judique]

We sold our DVC to buy a pop up when I realized that although I purchased the DVC free & clear (no loan), I still had to pay $69/month for maintenance fees. Add that up and it's the cost of a campsite for a week. Plus we could go on more trips with a pop up. We'll, we had that brand-new pop up for exactly three months before we traded it in for a fifth wheel. It's nine years later and we're now looking for a toy hauler so we can take our own golf cart to the Fort. We stayed Club level at the Poly for my birthday this past July and while that was undeniably wonderful, I personally still prefer camping at the Fort.

I am at the pop up stage right now, but anticipate moving on to the motor home stage in a few short years. I could retire now, but see no need to since I have the job that works for me...lots of built up vacation and benefits.

I like the pop up better then a motor home. I like the outside feeling I get with the pop up and feel closer to nature....especially when I have to run to the camp ground facilities at 1 am, lol! But as I get older I can see that the pop up may be a challenge for me in set up. And a motor home would feel more secure.

The Poly concierge level is how I started doing Disney. Loved it! Then got DVC. A few years later took a trip back to the Poly and wanted my kitchen or kitchenette as the case may have been. Wanted a couch to sit on, not a bed. Went to the lounge in the morning and it was over run with people, kids and not a relaxing environment, so I'm unlikely to ever pay for Poly concierge again. Plus apparently DVC is coming there soon.

I've debated purchasing a golf cart. Problem is, I couldn't figure how to tow it and the pop up to the parks. Maybe change my tow vehicle and get a truck? I will rent one for a day or two while at the Fort.

Right now, I see DVC and the Fort as the perfect balance. I like some of each.

Edited to add: you've given me the idea to downsize my DVC when I am ready to get my motor home....extra down payment! My DVC sells for more right now then I paid for it.

 

[Judique]

Not having kids we've been spoiled to be able to do all but one trip during slow times and February was one of our favorite times. I don't ever remember rain being an issue. Enjoy!

Thank you for responding to my rain query. That is one of my few concerns. I would really hate to have to pack up a wet pop up canvas and have it sitting out in Florida for a week and then tow it home to possible snow in Maryland! If it does rain I am going to detach the canvas at weeks end and get it dry some way. My pop up is tiny and pretty easy to manage. I've taken the canvas on and off several times already.

 

[Judique]

We've done the same as you... stay at a DVC for a while and supplement with a stay at the Fort. The kids prefer our time at the Fort... forget fire works and parades, they want marshmallows and sing alongs, wilderness and people that say "Hi!" back! Oh, and forget about it now that they experienced Christmas there!

I'm seriously considering trading out points for the cabins in the near future. The only advantage I'm feeling is the vicinity of our DVC's to the parks. Maybe I should just sell and buy a camper (but then I'd have to pay for storage of said camper).

Sur....I've done the cabins on holding points and enjoyed them. But .....as great as they were, I really have to say that it didn't feel like camping and it wasn't as nice as DVC. But, I would certainly do them again if the right set of circumstances came along.

I am lucky in that I don't have to pay for storage...no HOA's to contend with here. I built a separate garage for my pop up, so it has its own little house.

I think DVC and the Fort can be the best of both worlds --access to parks - I own at BWV and BCV --so hard to find a problem there -- walk to DHS and Epcot. Love staying at BLT -- walk to MK. Love the Fort - don't even worry about parks while I'm there! I have an AP but haven't booked a FP+ yet for the Fort part of my stay. Could care less as I'll be busy enjoying the rabbits and squirrels and armadillos and turkeys and deer and I must not forget the otters. Then I'll move on to AKLV and more animals.

 

[Badamon]

We've gone in February a few times and going again this February and rain has never been an issue for us. We don't camp, but sure would like to! We own a pop up but can never get more than one week of vacation at a time, so driving from New England just doesn't seem worth it to us. We have never been interested in going in the summer months for a few reasons (heat and crowds, mostly). Would have to drive straight thru in both directions to get enough time in. Maybe once the kids are on their own we'll be able to take the time. By then, would love to have a larger camper (with a bathroom! )