Am I the only one?

[AshleeH]

Not everything can be summed up in raw dollars per volume. Some of what we're paying for is convenience, and some of it is for the experience of staying somewhere special.

This is us. We pay for the convenience of CR/BLT - after some nightmare situations of getting stuck in Magic Kingdom for hours after closing, it's worth it to us.

And I'll add our experience: DH only gets one week of vacation every year. He wants to go all out for that one week and he prefers Deluxe hotels. I'm not going to lie, I clearly benefit from it as well, but if he wants to spend the money for his only week of the year, I'm not going to argue.

 

[Ravenne]

What agencies offer those discounts?

That's kind of like Voldemort, Beetlejuice, and Fight Club. People don't really talk about it around here.

 

[mommyrosa2]

That's kind of like Voldemort, Beetlejuice, and Fight Club. People don't really talk about it around here.

Well... it's not like those of us who get these offers don't want to share, it's more like we're not allowed to name certain agencies on the Dis. Doesn't mean though that a person can't send a PM, if they really want to know

 

[bumbershoot]

Well... it's not like those of us who get these offers don't want to share, it's more like we're not allowed to name certain agencies on the Dis. Doesn't mean though that a person can't send a PM, if they really want to know

Banned sites are still starred out in pm by the way.

Eta: previous threads about really good deals have managed to hint well enough at the name of the TA that most people figured it out. Me, I figure they are booking as a block, and those sorts of bookings often have different rules. I don't like extra rules so its not worth It to me.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Banned sites are still starred out in pm by the way.

Eta: previous threads about really good deals have managed to hint well enough at the name of the TA that most people figured it out. Me, I figure they are booking as a block, and those sorts of bookings often have different rules. I don't like extra rules so its not worth It to me.

I have a room only booking and no extra rules - same exact rules as through Disney, FWIW. Plus, because of MDE, I have managed all of my reservations other than making the initial one. For near 50% off, yeah, it's worth it.

 

[KristenRB]

I'm sure there are some discounts to be had...we stayed at Wilderness Lodge last late September and it wasn't nearly that much in cost. Of course it wasn't the Poly, but I actually prefer WL. Check around before you reserve.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Banned sites are still starred out in pm by the way.
Eta: previous threads about really good deals have managed to hint well enough at the name of the TA that most people figured it out. Me, I figure they are booking as a block, and those sorts of bookings often have different rules. I don't like extra rules so its not worth It to me.

Unless something has changed with PM, that's exactly how I got the name last year, but you are right, most people can figure it out. As far as extra rules... I have to agree with Mousemommy1, other than making the initial reservation, I have control over making all of my other reservations and have linked everything on MDE. So for the phenominal savings, yes, it's been worth it to me as well .

 

[Gillyrose779]

There are def. a lot of ways to not pay rack rate-

1- Bounceback offers- next time you stay at disney look for or call marketing for a bounceback offer- can be anything from 35% off a room to free dining

2- the obvious one- wait for Disney promotions to get 30-35% off room rate

3-become a DVC member- a lot of money up front but with pay for itself in the long run- if you go often and/or learn how to sell unused points

4-if you own another timeshare look into becoming a RCI member- you can get amazing deals on weeks at Disney- but you have to be flexible and patient

5-sign up to travel agent emailing lists- def. the ones that specialize in Disney- got an offer for 200 a night at the Grand Floridian but it was for July dates only

another to add:

6- Sites like Orbitz or Cheaptickets occasionally have some great promotions. Even southwest gets great deals if you buy your plane tickets/hotel from them- I see Animal Kingdom a lot with them

 

[1234lucky]

Well... it's not like those of us who get these offers don't want to share, it's more like we're not allowed to name certain agencies on the Dis. Doesn't mean though that a person can't send a PM, if they really want to know

what is the pm?

 

[lazer]

Just adding my jealousy to the list. Would love to stay at a deluxe (usually pop or POR trips here) but haven't seen any deals that work in our favor for October, yet. Open to agents, but usually book ourselves. Fingers crossed we find a deal and can "move on up"!

 

[PaulaVonSchweetz]

In all honesty that is why we bought DVC. We figure we "lock-in" a room rate. Although dues will go up it will still probably be less than the same room out of pocket. Especially in ten+ years the way prices are rising.

Us too.
We love knowing we can stay at a deluxe resort that we would never ever pay out of pocket for 3 times per year.
Plus we have it for 47 years so our son can enjoy it with his children in the future.

 

[bumbershoot]

Unless something has changed with PM, that's exactly how I got the name last year, but you are right, most people can figure it out.

Interesting. Someone recently sent me a PM with a banned name and it was all asterices.

 

[rebelbuddhist]

What is magical about WDW is that it offers variety. If someone wants to spend $700 a night, let them. No one has to-- WDW and its neighbors offer lots of choices. Same with dining. No one has to march in lock step with everyone else. Each of us can plan and pay for our own magical vacation!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Banned sites are still starred out in pm by the way.

Eta: previous threads about really good deals have managed to hint well enough at the name of the TA that most people figured it out. Me, I figure they are booking as a block, and those sorts of bookings often have different rules. I don't like extra rules so its not worth It to me.

Depends on the rules for me.
I must be stupid and blind because I have no idea which threads or any knowledge of hints. And I've been a member of DIS for years.
Then again, I haven't on DIS much the last couple of years and haven't frequented the trip planning boards since I am poor and haven't had even a true thought of planning a vacation in years until recently (see signature below, that was my last vacation).

All I want is the absolute biggest discount I can get because I'm working with a very limited budget and can't even begin to think of any resort besides a value.


TIA for any info someone can give me.

 

[bonrea]

Bottom line is that as long as demand continues to grow, prices will continue to rise. It's business - I get it - but it still makes me sad.

Agreed!

You can book a value resort (which we have done many times) for much less and still enjoy the amities at the other deluxe resorts like the Poly. Just have to hop a bus to MK and take a Monorail beam or boat to the Poly.

If you book the room today just to hold it you can call Disney when the fall deals are released and they will switch the reservation to one of the deals, and a lot of times they have free dining tacked to them.

If you get a Chase Disney card you not only get points for using the card that can be used to purchase things while at WDW but you can also use the points to help pay for and lessen the cost of the room. AND you can book a WDW vacation using the card and they do not charge interest for 6 months.

There are lots of ways to save on and off the rack rate. Research and patience is the key.

 

[Masonmj84]

We're staying at the Poly in a couple of weeks in a standard GV room for $385 a night with the spring discount. If there were no construction going on at the resort, I'd have no problem paying this as we love the Poly but with the construction, we have been second guessing ourselves quite a bit.

In the fall, there will be even more construction with the main pool being down. Even then, I don't expect Disney to offer anything more than a 35% discount (deeper discounts may be available via a travel agency).

The people getting the worst deal IMO are those staying CL (Hawaii longhouse) who have paid for a theme park view and will end up at least partially looking at (and hearing) the construction. Especially, if they are staying during at a peak season with no discount, when the rates can run upwards of $1000 a night!

 

[ElizabethB]

Disney has run their room prices incredibly high in the last 5 years or so. The price with a discount is now what rack rate was very recently. I suppose they are doing this because they can.

However, I just attended a work convention held at the Bonnet Creek Waldorf and Hilton. We stayed at the Waldorf and it was truly the height of luxury. The room was very spacious and the amenities (bedding, towels, toiletries) were absolutely first rate. The food options, while pricey, were excellent. The pool is gorgeous -- and the one at the Hilton which we also used has a fantastic lazy river -- much better than the one at the Beach Club. The bathroom shower was a revelation after the little drips that pass for a shower at Disney deluxes.

We had a room on the 12th floor with an gorgeous view of Epcot and the nightly fireworks.

The service is, of course, extraordinary. Our rate -- $249 per night. I understand there is a resort fee, but that was waived for our group. Also, parking is expensive.

They run buses regularly to the parks, but we thought they were kind of slow, so we simply took checker cabs. It was very easy and convenient. And, with the great room price, the total cost of the cabs was still very inexpensive compared to staying on site.

We would absolutely stay at the Waldorf again.

 

[ZOOMAMA]

That's kind of like Voldemort, Beetlejuice, and Fight Club. People don't really talk about it around here.

 

[CMDTA]

I don't think the prices will stabilize until more hotels are added. We'd have to see another park for that many rooms to be added.