AP Discounts over Christmas?

[annieb727]

Hi there! We are WDW Newbies (we went once back in 2003 for four days).

We are moving from the West Coast - we are Disneyland AP holders - to South Carolina (hopefully in October). We currently live about a 20 hour drive to Disneyland and go once a year for about 10 days. Dh is military, so we have to wait for when they tell us we can move. We are a family of four (boys ages 4 & 6).

Anyway, since we'll only be a 7 hour drive away from WDW, we plan to get Annual Passes and go at least quarterly for a few days with one big trip each year. So...we're hoping that Christmas 2008 we will get to spend at Disney World. Since all of our family is on the west coast, we won't be spending it with family.

Shades of Green is already booked, and I will be checking on overflow rates...but I'm wondering if they have Annual Pass Discounts for Christmas. Specifically we want to be there December 23-26th. We are cheap hotel people, and would probably normally do Value Resorts, but I think we'll go for a Moderate over Christmas...MAYBE a Deluxe if we can work it out, but probably a Moderate.

What are the typical Annual Pass discounts for this time of year (if they offer them)? When should I look for a code for it? And should I book now - and add the code when it comes out? Or is this possible?

Thanks for all your help for this WDW Newbie!!! I can't wait until our move!!

~Annie

 

[danceintherain]

They don't usually offer discounts around Christmas time, because they don't have trouble filling the rooms.

On the mousesavers.com historical discount page is says that the last time discounts were given for this time was 2005.
Last year they did give one that had availability through December 23rd.
It became available around August.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Less expensive around Christmas is pretty tough.
It will be a wait and see. But as pp stated, Disney can fill the rooms it seems at almost any cost, and do so months ahead.
The best bet may be off site hotels. Of course they don't seem to offer the magic. (Can't say from experience because we have not stayed off site.)
Plus on site WDW guests are able to get into a park even in the busiest of times. Off site guests could possibly get shut out of the parks if capacity is reached. So not really a good time to stay off site either, unless you want to possibly have to do something else. And the bus services are not like WDW resorts either.

 

[annieb727]

Thanks for your responses...I guess my only chance for a discount might be the overflow rates through Shades of Green. I appreciate your answers. And I was looking at off-site, but this is CHRISTMAS...we want DISNEY!

 

[Portugal1000]

Last year I got 40% of the value rate at SSR for my whole trip from Dec 19th thru Dec 27th. Paid $222 a night for a 1 bed. The year before I got a 30% of AP rate at FW Cabin for exactly the same period, I think the rate was $170 a night, again value rate for the whole time. So there have been rates for the xmas week for atleast the last 2 years. I would disgree with the comment that Disney can fill the rooms over Xmas without discounts as our block in the Grandstand was practically empty the whole time we were there and that was with a 40% off deal. The year before at FW, the cabins either side of us were empty. I was very suprised both years. I am therefore very disappointed that Disney have scrapped the deal where if you check in on the last day of value, you pay that for your whole stay. My total cost last year was $2900 which included DDP and 1 day base ticket. This year they want $7000 for the same trip. Needless to say unless a deal comes up I will be staying offsite. I currently have Bonnet Creek and Hilton Grand Vacations book for a total of 3 weeks for a cost of $3000 which is a great deal.
Hope this helps.