applying room discount at a later date...

[meeshkamooshka]

I would like to know, should I book now for my anticipated date this Sept/Oct
2012...to secure a room and then hope they offer a discounted rate, at which point I can call and have them apply the discount?

Or is the only way to wait for the promo and then call?

 

[minnie mum]

It depends. If you can afford to take a trip without relying on the discount, then go ahead and book it now and just hope that something comes out that will work for you. Think of it as a bonus.

If you can't afford to go unless you get a discount, then I'd wait.

 

[mousefan1972]

I wouldn't book in advance if you need a discount to take the trip.

Several things need to happen in order for you to apply a discount to an existing reservation:

A discount has to be released for your dates
Your resort and room category must be available in order to use the discount

There seems to be a misunderstanding floating around the Dis that once you have a reservation, you can simply "apply" any discount that comes out to your reservation. Not true, and by booking a room in advance you will be increasing the occupancy at the resort, thus decreasing the chances of a discount being available there. Hope that makes sense....

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Are you looking for a room only discount or a package b/c there is free dining available now if you book by sept. 29th?

I usually don't book w/o a discount b/c( and this may or may not be true) I think I have a better chance of getting a pin code with no reservation made.

 

[mickeynut1]

It depends. If you can afford to take a trip without relying on the discount, then go ahead and book it now and just hope that something comes out that will work for you. Think of it as a bonus.

If you can't afford to go unless you get a discount, then I'd wait.

I agree .

I wouldn't book in advance if you need a discount to take the trip.

Several things need to happen in order for you to apply a discount to an existing reservation:

A discount has to be released for your dates
Your resort and room category must be available in order to use the discount

There seems to be a misunderstanding floating around the Dis that once you have a reservation, you can simply "apply" any discount that comes out to your reservation. Not true, and by booking a room in advance you will be increasing the occupancy at the resort, thus decreasing the chances of a discount being available there. Hope that makes sense....

This is correct . Disney releases discounts to fill rooms. If a resort is at or near capacity, there will be no need to offer a discount as that resort is booking up without an incentive. Any room booked now is one less room that needs to be filled with a promo. As this post states, having a reservation in place does not guarantee a promo can be applied.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

This is our 3 trip (not many compared to others I know!) but we book without the discount and then apply whatever comes our way later. That said there is a couple things I agree with

1. Book what you can afford without a discount. If one does not come then at least you do not have to scrap your vacation or hope to find availability in a resort you can afford. If a discount saves you a bunch then you look at upgrading as a happy surprise

2. we discovered that room only and package travel is done through different accounting "offices" and so if you want a package get a package and if you want room only book room only. If you book room only and change to a package you will have to get a refund from room only and put a new deposit on package and the reverse is also true!.

3. The CM's with Disney are the very very very best and most patient people I have ever called into and they have been more helpful with planning our vacations.