April/May 2006 Code Watch

[Drake]

We're going to POFQ the last week in May and I didn't want to chance waiting until codes came out. I figured that there are only so many rooms at the AAA rate...and, I knew that if I wanted to try the dining plan, the best rate was by going directly thru a AAA travel agent. There are 5 of us....we needed two rooms....just couldn't chance trying to get them when everyone else is calling for reservations with a newly released code. My AAA agent said that she would apply any new codes for us to our existing reservations.

 

[JayPS]

Was here searching for codes but feel compelled to wait no more. Want to make a res for 2nd week of May. Will likely call Disney CRO in next day or so to book a package. Three quick questions:

1) If I book directly with Disney CRO, do I need to be a AAA member now (will they ask for a member number) or will they just check that on arrival?

2) What is meant by "room only". Is a res with/via Disney for the room and tickets (i.e., Magic your way, etc) considered room only versus something that includes dining?

3) What kind of discount does AAA offer on a package that includes dining? It seems from the thread that one can only do that through AAA.


Thanks for all the great info. I'll try to pitch in myself.




- Last Visit was May 1 - 7 2004 on a "7 for 4" package. Seven nights for cost of 4 for new Disney Visa holders. Won't be seeing that price again.

 

[SeaSpray]

Was here searching for codes but feel compelled to wait no more. Want to make a res for 2nd week of May. Will likely call Disney CRO in next day or so to book a package. Three quick questions:

1) If I book directly with Disney CRO, do I need to be a AAA member now (will they ask for a member number) or will they just check that on arrival?

2) What is meant by "room only". Is a res with/via Disney for the room and tickets (i.e., Magic your way, etc) considered room only versus something that includes dining?

3) What kind of discount does AAA offer on a package that includes dining? It seems from the thread that one can only do that through AAA.


Thanks for all the great info. I'll try to pitch in myself.




- Last Visit was May 1 - 7 2004 on a "7 for 4" package. Seven nights for cost of 4 for new Disney Visa holders. Won't be seeing that price again.

Hello

I see that this is your first post so WELCOME TO THE DIS BOARDS!

Now, onto your questions:

1. I've made several reservations directly with Disney/CRO and have had both happen; some CMs ask for the AAA number, and some don't, but they've always told me to be sure we have our card with us at check-in.

2. Room-only is just that; a reservation for the room ONLY. You do not have to also buy park tickets with that reservation, unless you want to. I've never bought park tickets along with my room-only reservations.

3. From what I've seen, you'll get the same exact AAA discount for the package that includes dining as you'd get if you priced everything out separately, meaning that the discount is off the room-only. But like you already know, in order to get the dining plan, this MUST be booked with AAA travel agent. Regarding the actual discounts, I've copied the following info from Mousesavers.com:

AAA and CAA Resort Hotel Discounts
American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) members qualify for "room only" discounts almost year-round, though there are a limited number of rooms available for each date. You can generally save about 10-20% at the Disney resort hotels, depending on the season.

In general, the discounts run as follows:

During Value Season you can get up to 15% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 20% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.
During Regular Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.
During Peak Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts.
The only time AAA/CAA discounts don't usually apply is Holiday Season (around Christmas).

 

[nin8jc]

If you decide to go w/ AAA you can call Disney and ask them release your reservation to AAA w/o canceling it.

 

[cindyfan]

If you decide to go w/ AAA you can call Disney and ask them release your reservation to AAA w/o canceling it.

What does that mean?

 

[IDoDis]

Was here searching for codes but feel compelled to wait no more. Want to make a res for 2nd week of May. Will likely call Disney CRO in next day or so to book a package. Three quick questions:

1) If I book directly with Disney CRO, do I need to be a AAA member now (will they ask for a member number) or will they just check that on arrival?

2) What is meant by "room only". Is a res with/via Disney for the room and tickets (i.e., Magic your way, etc) considered room only versus something that includes dining?

3) What kind of discount does AAA offer on a package that includes dining? It seems from the thread that one can only do that through AAA.


Thanks for all the great info. I'll try to pitch in myself.




- Last Visit was May 1 - 7 2004 on a "7 for 4" package. Seven nights for cost of 4 for new Disney Visa holders. Won't be seeing that price again.

I am no expert but this is my understanding of the process:

You can purchase a package through Disney or AAA called "Magic Your Way" which includes your resort room plus park tickets. Or you can buy the "Magic Your Way plus Dining" which is a meal plan that gives you 3 meals a day plus a snack.

The reason some people will choose to do a "room only" reservation (as opposed to the package) is that only the room is discounted (through AAA). You would still be charged the regular rate for the park tickets. You can actually save on park tickets by buying them separately through places like ticketmania (I did a price comparision on a family of 4 and it was an approx. $75 savings on 8 day park hoppers. Make sure if you compare prices to look at tax and delivery charges and not just the base ticket prices).

So, people will book for the room only and get the AAA discount for the room, and then buy the tickets at a discount through another agency. However, if you want the meal plan, you must buy the Magic Your Way plus dining package (tickets, room and meals), which means you can't get the park tickets discounted through someone else. The AAA price is cheaper on the package because you are getting your room at a discount. Make sense?

If you make a ressie for "room only" and then a code comes out, your AAA travel agent can apply the code if they know what they are doing -- some don't and will need the coaching from you.

 

[Disneykim]

Any codes for Easter week?

 

[SeaSpray]

I am no expert but this is my understanding of the process:

You can purchase a package through Disney or AAA called "Magic Your Way" which includes your resort room plus park tickets. Or you can buy the "Magic Your Way plus Dining" which is a meal plan that gives you 3 meals a day plus a snack.

The Dining Plan includes one sit-down restaurant, one counter service meal, and one snack, per night of your stay. Just wanted to clarify that it doesn't cover 3 meals a day plus a snack.

Also, if you want the package with dining, and you have AAA and want the discount, this package MUST be booked with a AAA travel agent, it can not be booked through Disney or any other travel agent, and it does include the park tickets too. The dining plan portion of the package has to include every person on your reservation for every night of your stay, however they allow the tickets to be customized by you; you do not need to purchase the tickets for all of your days, and you can have them be park hoppers or not, and they can have an expiration or not, all depending on your own needs.

 

[disneyjunkie]

However, if you want the meal plan, you must buy the Magic Your Way plus dining package (tickets, room and meals), which means you can't get the park tickets discounted through someone else. The AAA price is cheaper on the package because you are getting your room at a discount. Make sense?

I was able to get the AAA discount on our room with the dining plan, and a discount on our park passes.

I booked a one day base ticket with our dining package from AAA. I'm purchasing the 10 day expiring hopper passes, with water parks, DQ, and PI
from Ticketmanina.

I'm not saving much (just $68.00) but it helps.

I did this last April and the savings were much larger because I was able to use an email code for our dining package.

Disneykim, there aren't any codes for Easter week yet.

 

[DisneyGirl]

Hi Everyone! I'm subscribing because I'm looking for a discount for May!! It's been awhile since I did this, since I became a DVC member-- I recall calling every morning to see if codes had been released-- does everyone still do that??

I seem to recall a new AP system (not a current AP holder, so I can't get into the AP site), but then I recall it was taken away??

Thanks for the info!

 

[IDoDis]

I checked into purchasing a one day base ticket but it was more expensive since you really see the savings on the park tickets when you purchase more days. The first day of the park ticket is the most expensive. Since we are only staying at a value resort, we wouldn't see any savings by doing it that way. If you get a code for a deluxe or moderate resort then it might be worth it to go that route.

 

[superbird]

The codes are coming out on Monday!!!!!!!! I Can't Wait!!!!!!!

 

[Bronte]

How do you know that the codes are comming out Monday ???

 

[MAGICX2]

The codes are coming out on Monday!!!!!!!! I Can't Wait!!!!!!!

I too would like to know how you came by this coveted info. They have nixed our internet access at work due to all the viruses lately, and I am going crazy during the day not being able to pop in when I want to stay updated. I need an AP rate for May19&20!

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

subscribing

 

[scoutsmom99]

Here is some PD for us
I hope we hear something this week because I was able to find decent airfare for the time frame I'm thinking about

 

[jjohnson]

7:01am nothing yet!

 

[SeaSpray]

7:22am and nothing I could tell even before the CM picked up the phone that there was no discount today because I wasn't even put on hold! If a discount was out, I know there would've been a long wait. Also, this CM didn't seem to want to let me off the phone, he kept chatting and bringing up other topics (Where do you usually stay? When were you here last? etc. lol) I finally thanked him again and said goodbye.

 

[DisneyGirl]

7:22am and nothing I could tell even before the CM picked up the phone that there was no discount today because I wasn't even put on hold! If a discount was out, I know there would've been a long wait. Also, this CM didn't seem to want to let me off the phone, he kept chatting and bringing up other topics (Where do you usually stay? When were you here last? etc. lol) I finally thanked him again and said goodbye.

I had the same situation this morning! I was actually changing a couple reservations, but I was on the phone for over 45 minutes!! I got everything I wanted, so it was good, though-- I think they were having computer problems, so things were going very slow for them and they were bored

 

[keishashadow]

Nothing worse than a chatty CM anyone check AP rates today?