Am I the only one?

[dimndgal1]

I think you need to look at the fact that you are saving ANY money and that you did get what looks like a good rate, especially since it is a 'blacked out week'.

While it feels 'better' to be able to call and secure a cheaper rate after an initial booking, sometimes it helps to look at it like you got a great deal AT initial booking.

Also, IMHO, having the freedom of the DDP will give you some freedom in food choices that will probabaly result in more savings in the end. We did DDP last trip and our budget showed a savings of $100 on what we would typically order, but when we came back after the trip and looked at what we actually ordered, we saved over $350!!!

 

[marymaya]

That's a really good point. I really do need to stop being such a poor sport and be more thankful that I got a decent rate on our trip. Looking forward to the DDP as well!

 

[dimndgal1]

Looking forward to the DDP as well!

We found that DD made a big dent in making the DDP worthwhile. She definitely came out well ahead by the end of our stay. Also, make sure to use your refillable mugs as much as possible - whenever we got back to our resort, DH would go fill our mugs while I unloaded and sorted all our daily shopping/sunblock/et al. I would also go run first thing in the morning while DH started getting DD going.

I HIGHLY recommend looking up the list of snacks that are on the DDP and seeking out the biggest bang-for-your-buck. We let our DD 'splurge' on her snacks last year: Dole Whip, Ice cream sandwiches, and some of the nicer desserts at EPCOT. You will be there over Food and Wine Festival, so there are AMPLE opportunities to get some awesome treats that run $5+ as a snack credit... it's a lot easier to let your girls enjoy a treat like that when you don't have to worry about sticker shock

Another thing we learned is that you get a drink WITH your meal, so if you are eating at the resort, you can fill your mug with a drink, and get a sealed drink from the cooler. We would get milk or orange juice, put it in our resort fridge and then would pay OOP for a muffin or some eggs and bacon in the morning so we didn't use a QS credit and could save it for later.

There are TONS of hints on how to maximize your DDP that are relatively simple - I picked up most on the board. We only decided to do it so that my in-laws wouldn't pick the cheapest items on the menu and would actually ENJOY their meals... we knew we'd be lucky to break even, but in the end we came out far ahead and got to try a variety of fantastic entrees I would never have touched if I paid OOP

 

[kandb]

Your price seems OK, but not great. We are going for 9 nights (2 adults, 2 Disney adults and 1 child), 8 day MYW tickets and free dining, staying at POR and we paid $3500. However, we are going during Sept (super hot, rainy and hurricane season). I was going to stay at a deluxe but the price went up by $1,000 and I was too cheap to pay the extra amount. Hope you have a nice vacation.

 

[jcjen519]

dont worry! sounds like you are doing well...saving on airfare and saving more than anyone getting the discount at your resort for the dates. you win some, you lose some with these discounts and honestly if this is your loss then you are not doing so badly.

 

[Marthasor]

Your dilemma is very common for people who book their fall stays AFTER the ticket price increase that typically occurs in June. It happened to us last year - booked AoA in March for a November trip with tickets and dining and when the discount came out, if we had applied it, it would have cost us $60 MORE! I have to say, I was disappointed, just like you! I think it's psychological - you book the trip at rack rate, hoping for that discount and then it turns out the discount costs more. I couldn't stomach paying rack rate even though I could see, looking at the numbers, people getting the discount were paying more than we were! I eventually got over it, but I do understand how you feel!

 

[bumbershoot]

That's a really good point. I really do need to stop being such a poor sport and be more thankful that I got a decent rate on our trip. Looking forward to the DDP as well!

You're not a poor sport; you just wanted to get something that everyone else was getting.

I know that I'm not part of the dates because I checked; I checked because I wanted to be a part of it. I had to stop myself from continuing to check a few times...why? because we have APs! And no interest in buying 2 day tickets to hold onto for the future. It was a folly for me to check to begin with b/c of the ticket thing. But the other day when I woke up and checked the Dis app and say "computers are down because of FD!" I got a thrill, got right up and to my computer, and looked. I wanted to be a part of it.

You just wanted something fun, that's all. You'll get back to the idea of what you have being fun. And hey, you're going to be there over my birthday; that's totally fun! We'll be at Universal by that time; come and say hi on the 12th! Two non-FreeDining-qualifying people.

 

[jperrot1]

I wonder is the swan and dolphin have a discount during your dates. We have at Swan and they are nice rooms. The location is nice (Epcot Area).

 

[fla4fun]

The next time we go, we won't do the DDP because we won't be doing the special princess meals for my kids. I just wanted this trip to be so special for them, and those character meals are expensive! So this time, it is worth it but never again.

I've been going to WDW every year (multiple times most years) since 1971. In my experience, sometimes the discounts work out in your favor, and sometimes they don't. I look at any trip that costs less than pure rack rate to be a bonus.

Have I paid rack rate? Yes, a few times there just wasn't a discount available and I couldn't change my dates, so I bit the bullet and paid rack rate. It was hard to watch everyone else getting good deals and knowing I didn't.

To be honest, this round of discounts doesn't seem to be offering the same availability as previous rounds. I am going in December during a period that was partially blacked out in the bounceback offering. So I was excited to see my dates covered . . . until I looked at availability. I've never had a problem getting a discounted room in the Epcot resorts area until this time (considering there are five resorts, you would think I could get something). I ended up at Poly. I got a great rate for Poly, but I'd still rather be close to Epcot since I spend most of my time there. I've seen a lot of posts where people couldn't get the new discount applied at all to their standing reservations - a lot more posts than you typically see. So you aren't the only one who is disappointed.

If you got a deal that costs less than the discounts currently being offered, then you are way ahead of the game.

 

[ToddyLu]

We are currently paying for DVC and MFs each year. Sooooo we are right there with you knowing that when it is paid off and we finally only have MFs to pay we will have some what of a deal or discount. I still have to buy APs this year (which we will use again in May and next fall)....so you are in good company

I am so fortunate that DH loves to go with me. He does not like to travel but I can get him to Disney. He will never go on a cruise or across an ocean on a long flight....so WDW works for us on several levels. I do not complain about the price because I think WDW gives us a really nice vacation for our money.

 

[snykymom]

Are you sure the discount doesn't work for you? I just priced it for your dates:
2 adults 2 kids (11 & 10, so adults)
Standard room
2 day base ticket
QSDP

With the room-only discount: $2689.24
Rack rate (no discount): $2828.95

I'd try it again, making sure that you're putting in exactly the same entitlements. You may be surprised.

 

[marymaya]

We are 2 adults and 2 kids (3 and 5) 6 day base tickets and the dining plan with one TS and one QS. The total was right around 3000 for the week. My TA did the pricing. Thanks for checking

 

[STLMickeyMom]

that's about what we pay every time for room, tickets, and dining, not including airfare. sounds right to me, but i'd keep checking....if there's a discount out there, why not try for it, right?

 

[bornwiththeears]

You're not a poor sport; you just wanted to get something that everyone else was getting.

I was a little bummed out over the discounts offered at the Contemporary. When I booked our rooms (Garden Wing) the agent told me if a discount was offered I would be eligible to have it applied to my room. He also told me that my room was eligible for the AAA discount so I could see what would be the better discount. When the discounts became available on Friday, I called as soon as I got the email. The agent I talked to said all of the computers were down and to call back later. When I was finally able to get through in the afternoon, there were no more discounts available on our particular room and our rooms did not qualify for the AAA discount. We ended up upgrading to two King rooms (where the discount could be applied). Our total price is a little less than we would have originally paid and we do have an upgraded room so I will be thankful for that!

 

[tink20]

We paid full price (no discounts for our first 2 trips....in 2007 & 2008)
At least when you go for 6 days, the park tickets are cheaper per day. Last June, we were down in Orlando to go to SW and BG. Last minute, we planned to spend one day at MK.....spent a little over $300 (for 3) for one day....it was worth it though!

Go and have fun!

 

[snykymom]

We are 2 adults and 2 kids (3 and 5) 6 day base tickets and the dining plan with one TS and one QS. The total was right around 3000 for the week. My TA did the pricing. Thanks for checking

Your TA is wrong (or just doesn't want to do the work).

I just priced everything out again, exactly as you stated here.

Rack Rate - room is $132.75/night, for a total of $929.26 for the dates chosen. Adding your tickets & dining gives a total of $3851.08.

Room-Only discount: room is $112.84/night for a total of $702.10 for the dates chosen. Adding your tickets & dining gives a total of $3114.32.

For $700, I'd call your TA again, or just cancel with your TA and book it yourself.

 

[marymaya]

Thanks again for checking. We are paying 3000 total, so that is actually slightly less than the room only discount. I was bummed that I couldn't take advantage and pay less than that.

 

[marymaya]

Forgot to mention, we booked in April, so it was a bit cheaper then.

 

[Chott]

I'm also not super excited to stay at Pop. It's for my girls, really. Buyer's remorse is not fun....Good Luck planning your trip!

Four trips, three @ Pop and one @ CBR. I actually liked Pop a lot more than CBR. Pop is pretty neat and with AOA right across Hour Glass lake, you can use their bus system if you want. Their stops at the parks are right next to each other. Last March, we would be waiting in the Pop bus line and if a AOA bus would pull up, we would hop on. Then we would just get off at AOA and walk across the bridge to Pop.

When you are there, you need to walk your children over to the AOA resort and check out the Cars area. Very, very neat. Many photo ops.

*** far as the price goes, when you go makes so much difference. I spent $2,800 last "March" ( 3 of us) with the stay, wine and dine discount for 6 nights, QS dining and Park Hopper. Now we are going Dec 1 - 7 and our original deal was a little over $1,700 at AS-Music with free QS. We have since upgraded to Coronado Springs with TS dining.

I am sure you will have a blast!

 

[Dizzytime]

Rule No. 1 of Disney: Nothing is ever cheap with a Disney trip. Even when you think you got a deal, you really didn't.

Was upset not being able to change my B/C AAA discount to RO, but gotta say that made me laugh. Really is funny when you think about it, sure puts it into perspective.
Thanks, Deb & Bill!