Are we getting close???

[zyezye]

We are closely watching our email and the websites this week for deals based on the historical data!!

Just wondering if we are getting closer to discounts coming out for the rest of the year? Looking at Mousesavers website, looks like the free dining for the end of October through December came out last year on July 6th. Here's hoping!!

 

[princesspeach]

For me its not about not paying "rack rate". The problem is the rack rate is waay to overpriced compared to comparable resorts. I just want a fair price. It doesn't matter whether its rack rate or not. Disney has choesen to over price their resorts, so the reality is with the current economy they will probably have to discount to fill them. We can only go at Christmas time and its really hard to justify paying $250-$300 for a Mod or $400-$600 for a Deluxe resort When I can book the Bonnet Creek Hilton for $123 a night. Which is on DW property right next to CBR and is probably a nicer hotel than any of the DW deluxe resorts. It doesn't have a Disney feel or some of the perks which I would pay a "little" extra for, but the rack rate is just ridiculous.

I agree except I wouldn't stay offsite. I just won't go. I have no desire to go unless I am at an epcot or monorail resort. We are already thinking about what we want to do after 2012 and it doesn't include disney. We have been talking about Hawaii, washington dc and a Alaska cruise. Of course if disney lowered their rates we could do those things and still go to disney, but I am not expecting that to happen.

 

[disneygal58]

Okay, it is 6:30 am MT the day after the 4th of July, I'm ready Disney.... bring on the autumn offers!
Please, thank you....

Dawn

 

[Brandilovesdisney]

It doesn't look like it's going to be today

 

[KB24]

Okay, it is 6:30 am MT the day after the 4th of July, I'm ready Disney.... bring on the autumn offers!
Please, thank you....

Dawn

Holding my breath here as well for an AP discount

HEY HEY I'm a mouseketeer now!

 

[LovelyMouse22]

I'm waiting too! We are booked at the end of September with FD, but I really want to towards the end of October. Really hope they come out with more FD dates or we may not be going.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I will go out on a limb and predict that Disney will not offer free dining past the current dates. The first year for free dining was 2005 after the hurricane year of 2004 when 3 hurricanes hit Orlando. It was only for Sept at first and was gradually expanded due to its popularity. If Disney truly wants to wean people off discounts, this would be the logical place to start. I have been wrong about this for several years, so I am probably wrong again!

 

[Brandilovesdisney]

Even if it's not free dining, there is typically something offered for the fall months. I find it hard to believe that everything is even close to 100% booked and the economy isn't exactly jumping so I would be surprised if they did away with all deals/discounts. I'm thinking Friday would be a possible release date or they might go back to offering fall/winter deals in August.

 

[KayMeg'sMom]

I am still hoping for FD - Just like so many others! Come on fall discounts!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

But Disney is totally addicted to having the parks and resorts packed. And unfortunately for them, nothing does that the way free dining does. I think we'll see something. I'll just be curious to see if they force people to buy the stupid book like they did to make the 2nd round of fall free dining different from the first round.

 

[2Tiggers]

But Disney is totally addicted to having the parks and resorts packed. And unfortunately for them, nothing does that the way free dining does. I think we'll see something. I'll just be curious to see if they force people to buy the stupid book like they did to make the 2nd round of fall free dining different from the first round.

What book? Did you have to purchase a book to get FD?

 

[mom2rtk]

What book? Did you have to purchase a book to get FD?

They offered free dining twice for the Aut/Sept timeframe. The first time was the typical FD they've been doing recently. It had to be booked by 12/20 last year.

When they offered it again recently for that same timeframe, it was the same plan, but with $100 added on for a photobook included as part of the package. It was required to get the deal. I scrapbook all of our trips, so a photobook doesn't appeal to me at all.

 

[discorsner]

Refresh my memory.... how does it work if a new promo comes out for your dates after the pay in full date. Is there a change fee to apply the new promo?

 

[mom2rtk]

Refresh my memory.... how does it work if a new promo comes out for your dates after the pay in full date. Is there a change fee to apply the new promo?

Since it is all fully refundable up to a certain point, then yes you can apply the new promo as long as there are rooms available in your rate category. Basically the CM cancels and rebooks, but you keep the same confirmation number and it's all invisible to you.

 

[jsgrand0]

Well, if you want encouragement, when I talked to the CM a couple of weeks ago I mentioned I was waiting for a deal to come out. The typical response... he expected something to come out but didn't know when. Then I said I was afraid my time frame would be blacked out (10-2 to 10-9) and he said "have you ever known October dates to be blacked out?"

Well, honestly I don't know. I'm still kinda new to this, but the way he made it sound... there would be discounts with all of October available, but I didn't come here and mention it because I'm thinking it's his guess.

I know my remaining balance is due 8-18, so I hope for the deal before then, so I really know how much the balance will be.

We will be there Oct 1-9...see you there!

 

[mom2rtk]

Well, if you want encouragement, when I talked to the CM a couple of weeks ago I mentioned I was waiting for a deal to come out. The typical response... he expected something to come out but didn't know when. Then I said I was afraid my time frame would be blacked out (10-2 to 10-9) and he said "have you ever known October dates to be blacked out?"

Well, honestly I don't know. I'm still kinda new to this, but the way he made it sound... there would be discounts with all of October available, but I didn't come here and mention it because I'm thinking it's his guess.

I know my remaining balance is due 8-18, so I hope for the deal before then, so I really know how much the balance will be.

Wasn't there a week blacked out in October in last year's fall free dining?

 

[jsgrand0]

Universal has realistic prices? I guess its all in how you look at it. To be able to go to disney, I have to stay in the value resorts, or if a good deal comes up, maybe the moderates, depending on how many people(friends or family) will be sharing the room with me. So that means I can afford from $89 a night (if two people total) to $149 a night (if three or four people total) for 4 or 5 nights. That being said, $200-$300 a night is not realistic for me and I will probably never be able to stay at a Universal resort. I wish they had values that started at $89 like disney does, but since they dont, the night before we do Universal we just end up having to stay at a cheap hotel nearby. But I can see your point if you only do deluxe at disney. You lucky duck(or would that be mouse)!

P.S. I have still not booked my December vacation...I too am waiting to see what will be offered; I would happily take 30% off or free dining, but we'll see. Fingers crossed!!

Although I'm guessing this is not a "Universal" resort...
I remember looking at that Nickelodeon resort...remember it was very reasonably priced...think a special deal was going..like $109/nt, but we just stuck with Disney under the Kids Stay & Play free offer...but still hoping for FD as we will upgrade DD9 and DS6 to adult dining and it will be about the same price we have booked now...maybe a few bucks cheaper.

I haven't heard the best reviews about the Nickelodeon hotel..has anyone stayed there? My kids REALLY want to go..the waterpark and the SLIME....lol we may look at it for our next trip....

 

[jsgrand0]

I also agree with what people are saying about Disney's "DELUXE" hotels. While they are nice, and have upgraded amenities, the rack rate is ridiculous...If I'm paying $500+/nt or more...I better have one heck of a room! I live around St. Louis, and I could go get an awesome room in a great hotel for less than half that price! I understand with the available amenities from being on Disney property it is worth a little more, but I still agree it is overpriced!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Wasn't there a week blacked out in October in last year's fall free dining?

Yes, the weekends of Columbus Day & Halloween were both blacked out. I believe there may have also been another time in October that was blacked out, but I can't remember the exact dates.

 

[saskdw]

I agree except I wouldn't stay offsite. I just won't go. I have no desire to go unless I am at an epcot or monorail resort. We are already thinking about what we want to do after 2012 and it doesn't include disney. We have been talking about Hawaii, washington dc and a Alaska cruise. Of course if disney lowered their rates we could do those things and still go to disney, but I am not expecting that to happen.

We have never stayed off property either and really would rather not, but the Bonnet Creek Hilton is a good comparison of value. It is right on Disney property, not a few miles down the road. Their standard rooms are 414 sq ft, 37" HD tv, they have 5 pools onsite including a main pool that rivals any of the DW resort pools, several lounges and restaurants, a 7100 yd golf course, mini golf etc.....There Dec. rack rate is around $170-$180 per night and deals can be had as cheap as $123 per night.

I'm not here to promote that resort and I would rather stay on-site at Disney, but this place is arguably as nice or nicer than any of the Disney Deluxe resorts for less than half the money. Yes, it is worth more for the Disney atmosphere, perks, location, views, bus service, etc that Disney offers, but how can they justify $123 a night versus $400 a night? Give us 40% off and most of us will happy! Come on Disney get in the game!!