Are these assumptions correct?

[Amyshubby]

I am gearing up for my Jan 26- Feb 3 trip. We made some assumptions and I want to make sure the veteran's agree. We are all set with the airfare (booked the early morning Southwest flight going down when it was $137, then got the price drop and used the credit to book the flight going up). Here are the big issues:

1) We don't have a room. We are willing to spend about $150 a night and have a slight preference for the WL. If not the WL, we really have no strong preference as to where we stay (any Value and most moderates would be fine and we will just have more money for souvenirs). Since we are so flexible, I am just waiting for the codes to come out. We have AAA, and the Disney Visa card. In addition, we are willing to buy an AP if it gets us a big enough price drop vs. other codes. However, it seems like most people are just booking at rack rate or AAA rate then will try to switch if a code comes out. I figure the less people that book, the more likely they will have codes! Also, since its a slow time of year, SOMETHING will be available.

2) We don't have tickets yet. I am waiting to see if discount packages are offered. It seems like its harder to cancel and/or change packages vs. room only reservations and I don't see the point of getting the tickets 4 months ahead of time.

3) We have not yet booked a car rental. Again, I am assuming supply will trump demand here and rates will be lowest a few weeks before we go. Also, if we end up with DDP I might decide to forego the car. If not DDP, we will eat about half our dinners off-site. We have reservations at four places (CM, WCC, Sci-Fi (lunch), and Hoop). IF we end up with DDP plan I will make more reservations and probably forego the car. However, I'm assuming no DDP plan because I am assuming big discount codes at the end of January and you lose the discount when you take the DDP.

4) I am assuming it will be 80 degrees and sunny January 26- Feb 3.

As always, thanks for any advice!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

At $150 a night you will be in the moderate or value range.
2. I would go with a package instead of room only if and when codes come out.
3. The last part of three is wrong, if there is a package special you do not lose your discounts if you hae the DDP. for instance the current special I am on for Nov. is a LARGE discount on the room portion of the package, and I have 7 day park hopper/no water parks option and the DDP. I had this plan booked before the code came out, it was about $2200, 2 adults POR. With the code applied it is $1666.

You are aware that the DDP changes significantly on the first of the year correct?

 

[Amyshubby]

At $150 a night you will be in the moderate or value range.

Huh? The rack rate for the Value resorts is only $94 for a preferred room. Again, I'm guessing there will be SOME type of discount during the Value season. The rack rate for the WL is about $225. If there is a 30% reduction (not out of the question), that brings it down to $160. Hey- they don't collect taxes in Disney, do they??

2. I would go with a package instead of room only if and when codes come out.

Wouldn't you price both and see what works out better? Am I missing something? I've pretty much been a lurker for about a month which is why I'm unsure if I'm right, but I don't see any advantage to a package if the price is not lower.

3. The last part of three is wrong, if there is a package special you do not lose your discounts if you hae the DDP. for instance the current special I am on for Nov. is a LARGE discount on the room portion of the package, and I have 7 day park hopper/no water parks option and the DDP. I had this plan booked before the code came out, it was about $2200, 2 adults POR. With the code applied it is $1666.

Thanks! I was unsure. Again, I was under the impression you couldn't just add DDP to a room only reservation and you HAD to combine the DDP with a package. If so, this would have meant you would only get a discount IF there was a package discount and you couldn't take advantage of a discounted room-only reservation if you wanted the DDP!

You are aware that the DDP changes significantly on the first of the year correct?

Yes! Like I said, I don't post much, but I do lurk a lot.


Thanks again for the advice!

 

[raven69david]

I am gearing up for my Jan 26- Feb 3 trip. We made some assumptions and I want to make sure the veteran's agree. We are all set with the airfare (booked the early morning Southwest flight going down when it was $137, then got the price drop and used the credit to book the flight going up). Here are the big issues:

1) We don't have a room. We are willing to spend about $150 a night and have a slight preference for the WL. If not the WL, we really have no strong preference as to where we stay (any Value and most moderates would be fine and we will just have more money for souvenirs). Since we are so flexible, I am just waiting for the codes to come out. We have AAA, and the Disney Visa card. In addition, we are willing to buy an AP if it gets us a big enough price drop vs. other codes. However, it seems like most people are just booking at rack rate or AAA rate then will try to switch if a code comes out. I figure the less people that book, the more likely they will have codes! Also, since its a slow time of year, SOMETHING will be available.

2) We don't have tickets yet. I am waiting to see if discount packages are offered. It seems like its harder to cancel and/or change packages vs. room only reservations and I don't see the point of getting the tickets 4 months ahead of time.

3) We have not yet booked a car rental. Again, I am assuming supply will trump demand here and rates will be lowest a few weeks before we go. Also, if we end up with DDP I might decide to forego the car. If not DDP, we will eat about half our dinners off-site. We have reservations at four places (CM, WCC, Sci-Fi (lunch), and Hoop). IF we end up with DDP plan I will make more reservations and probably forego the car. However, I'm assuming no DDP plan because I am assuming big discount codes at the end of January and you lose the discount when you take the DDP.

4) I am assuming it will be 80 degrees and sunny January 26- Feb 3.

As always, thanks for any advice!

1. Book a Value now and then wait for the codes to come out. You can view historical discount codes here: http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends

2. Discounts on packages are primarily a discount for the room only and doesn't generally include discounts on the tickets; seldom are the price of tickets lowered unless there is some type of special promotion. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but i haven't seen it that much and i scour the site yearly for discounts.