? about Swan/Dolphin/All-Stars, plus another ? about deals

[Pammy_from_WI]

Hi Everyone,

Ok trying to plan a WDW trip on a budget! We're right now looking at the All-Stars, but have seen people getting the Swan/Dolphin via priceline for about the same price.

It will be 2 adults and 1 child (3 yrs) for one week. Looking at Oct/Nov/Early Dec.

Does anyone think I have a good shot at getting in Swan/Dolphin for close to the All-Stars rate? Or are we best taking the $84 a night I got with All-Stars? I thought that sounded a bit high for the All-Stars.

I also saw people getting pretty nice rates at the deluxes. We go to WDW every year for the past 10 years, mainly stay on-site and have yet to get a deal, postcard or whatever. What gives? LOL How are those that get these great rates getting them?

Thanks much!!
Pammy

 

[XStAnt]

Be careful about using priceline to try to get the Dolphin/Swan. You are not guaranteed that resort and could end up off site. Other hotels in that category are the Marriott World Center, the Radisson Resort and (I believe) the Hilton at DD.

As far as the price for the All-Stars, it's a little too soon for discount codes in Oct/Nov/Dec. There are usually discounts for at least some of that time. If you're flexible on your travel dates I'm fairly sure you could get a better rate. Check out mousesavers.com for historical info on discounts in past years.

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

Thanks! That is a great point about priceline!!! We are not renting a car this time and we really need to be on-site. I have played around with various booking agents and discounts, I only have AAA to go. Both weeks we're looking at seem like a fair rate, although I'd LOVE to get a much better discount. LOL I'm going to keep watch for a bit longer and just go with ASMo since my little one will love that place.

I think tho if we had a rental I'd probably go with priceline and hope to get the Swan/Dolphin, knowing I may get the others. I prefer onsite, but we've stayed at some nice, close places offsite and with a rental car it's a snap to get around.

We are doing on-site because of the little one. This is her second time to WDW and I wish we had been on-site last year as she was so pooped out I would have liked to had a room to go back to.

I just hope the ASMo's are nice and things go smoothly, trying to get the hubby to catch the WDW bug! Then it will be easier getting him to payout a little more next time I ask for trip money. LOL

Thanks again,
Pammy

 

[wdwphanatic]

... one night during our May trip for $69 (plus taxes, fees, etc.)! I was absolutely terrified to try Priceline, but bit the bullet and went for it since I only needed one night (we'll be staying at BCV the rest of our vacation). If it were for an entire trip, I guess I would have felt differently, however! Just so you know, however, it is possible to get some awesome rates if you do decide to take the plunge! One strategy, which I think makes sense, is waiting until only a few months before your trip to give Priceline a try. You'd probably have a better chance of getting a low rate there than if you tried far ahead of time.

Hope you and your family have a great vacation,
Sarah

 

[woody5]

In fall of 2002 the all star sports or music could be gotten for $54 per night excluding tax. Watch mousesavers.com for the codes to use. Also consider an annual pass. It may be worth buying one, even if it is for your child, to get the AP rates. This fall the AP rates for the sports and music were $49. I would think you could do much better than $84 for all stars during that time of year.

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

Sarah- Congrats on that great price!! Wow! This time I'm going to skip priceline, since we're not renting a car and it is too risky, my luck we'd get stuck off site. LOL We tend to do one year on and one year offsite so maybe next year we'll use priceline, we'd have a rental.

Woody- About the AP rates, we could get them if the 3yr old had a AP and we didn't? That would really be something to look into, if that were the case. And I am checking mousesavers.com every single day, nothing yet.

Now that I know the walk isn't far from any of the buildings, I have no preference as to which all-stars or which building we're in. So I can wait a bit on booking and see if the price will drop. If not, no biggie, it's still an ok price for staying on-site.

Thanks again everyone!!!
Pammy

 

[woody5]

Pammy_from_Wisconsin
All you need is one AP. It doesn't matter if it is a child's or adults to get the rate. It also allows you to book up to three rooms using the one pass. If you are staying for a week the AP won't be much more than the 7 day length of stay pass but the basic AP doesn't get you into the waterparks.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Oh yeah... I would think you'd get a better rate later on at All stars. AP rate or checking mousesavers.com for codes that come out from time to time would help a lot. I wouldn't resign yourself at this early stage to paying $84 a night for All Stars!

 

[susy]

I don't think you can use a child's AP to book a room. The name on the reservation must match the name on the credit card.

During value seasoon the codes have been around $49. I would go early December to see all the decorations and be able to do MVMCP. ASMo is a lot of fun. I would request Dalmations or Toy Story section for convenience to the buses, pool, and food court.
Onsite is the best!