Beating a Dead Horse

[Julie-at-home]

I love a great bargain. I love to go shopping on Black Friday, and the day after Christmas, and Target is great the day after any holiday. I love coupons. I love the Entertainment Book. Sometimes I love Ebay. Often times, yard sales are great. I am addicted to the feeling that I got something I really wanted for way less than I should have. (I know so many of you can relate.) That is why I am struggling (obsessing?) about this whole 40% off code thing. How can I save money and talk my husband out of large portions of a tax return that hasn't come yet, and plan a huge garage sale- for a vacation to the most magical place on earth, when someone else is doing the same thing for 40% less?!?! I just can't let it go. And so I wait patiently for the free dining promotion to be released, only to read here that it likely will not be offered again this year? What are you saying? Is the NO HOPE for a discounted Disney trip for my family this year? Because I just can't go without a discount (and I am not talking about the AAA or AP, please) That would be against my nature. And I think the most depressing part is that I keep reading so many of you are feeling the same way. I don't want to have any hard feelings for Mickey, but put in this spot, it brings out the child in me: it's just not faaaaaaiiiiiiirrrr.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[C.Darwin]

there are discounts at swan/dolphin.


there are discounts at offsite resorts.


you could rent dvc points.


if the lack of codes is going to totally destroy your trip, then that's pretty sad. we didn't get a code either. it's not a big deal.

 

[turning40withMickey]

I'm with you, Julie! I don't do anything without a discount. I did book the Dolphin in August for 125 a night, which is a fabulous deal (in my mind, I have never stayed there, but the location rocks). If free dining miraculously appears, I will try to book on property, if not, I will relish in deluxe accomodations and eat on the cheap!

 

[OhMari]

I'm going before/after Easter. I did not get a single discount. I do have everything paid off and now I am just setting aside cash, rebates, extra pay from a pay raise. WDW knows it doesn't have to offer any discount over Easter because idiots like me will go during Peak Season.

 

[southtexasmom]

We are going in early August, I've given up hope for a discount of any type. I've booked and paid for everything. I'm going to go and enjoy myself and not think about the price.

 

[Julie-at-home]

I have seen them driving by, but that's about it. Do those resorts offer the WDW transportation? (buses)Or do you have to drive and park? I can't imagine having to do that, part of the wonderful-ness of going to Disney is the transportation option. Going back to the room mid-day for naps and swimming is so important with a 2 year old in tow.

 

[C.Darwin]

I have seen them driving by, but that's about it. Do those resorts offer the WDW transportation? (buses).

yes. they use disney busses/boats. you can also walk to epcot/mgm if you don't want to do the boats. i would prefer polynesian/akl but their rack rates are approaching $400/night. swan always gives us a discount and their customer service is much better than disney's.

 

[turning40withMickey]

You can use all of the disney transportation (except the ME from the airport, and we aren't flying) and the pool at the Dolphin sounds exquisite, waterfall, long waterslide, and "dive in " movies (float in the pool while they show a Disney movie in the cave behind the waterfall) I am so excited! It is only a WALK from Epcot and MGM (major researcher here!)

 

[Julie-at-home]

So if I would be able to use the discount and book there, THEN they come out with the free dining, do I have to cancel my reservations and completely rebook at a WDW resort? You can't do a package through the swan/dolphin, can you? If my questions are tiring, maybe someone can point me towards these swan/dolphin FAQ's ?

 

[turning40withMickey]

I am a newbie, too, Julie, but my understanding is you CAN'T get the dining at Swan and Dolphin. I am waffling with how beneficial the free dining is for my family, anyway. I have three kids (though two will count as "adults" or 39 bucks a day) and I doubt they will eat anywhere near that amount. They are fussy eaters and consider a snack a meal (soft pretzel, mcd's fries) BUT, free is free, and I would switch to POR with a trundle bed so we could eat without me fussing about how much each thing costs (especially when they take one bite and declare "I don't like it"). The location of Swan and Dolphin and the pool have me hooked, but I think I can get POR for only a little more money.

 

[Julie-at-home]

Maybe I should have you take care of my vacations reservations! I, too, have 3 kids. We went September 2005 and took advantage of the free dining. We still laugh that we spent the whole time eating. My kids are kinda picky and they really ate well that week! Under normal circumstances we wouldnt eat that much EVER, but what the heck, we were on vacation, and it was nice to have a sit down meal every evening. Plus we tried things and places that we never would have tried otherwise. My parents LOVED it. Anyway, I would be choosing the POR, too, for the rooms with the trundle beds, IF they are included in the free dining promotions. (I understand that only certain rooms in each resort are included, and I'm pretty sure they are all standard rooms.) Anyway, now I am tempted to book and hope for the promotion, like everyone else is, even though it is probably shooting yourself in the foot since the theory goes that if the rooms those weeks are full, there wont be a promotion offered. What to do, what to do......

 

[Trekker]

Swan/Dolphin Discounts for 2007 updated 01/03/2007

NEW-EST...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

Official web site for the Swan and Dolphin

SPECIAL DISNEY BENEFITS

Awesome resorts - I've stayed many times and the discounts being offered are awesome!

 

[Julie-at-home]

Thanks for the info, Trekker, you are underappreciated.

 

[luvdisney00]

Julie,
I am so with you on the "discount" mentality. I booked the Poly for July at AAA discount and was fine with the price, but now it's bugging me that people are getting 40% off and I'm not. I want a discount too!!!
That being said, I guess what I will do in reality is pay it off in increments and when I go and it's all paid for, I'll enjoy myself and not think about the total. Life is short and I'd rather go and pay too much than not go.
Good Luck making a decision, BTW the Swam looks awesome, I just wanted the monorail this time since I'm going with 3 kids and it's going to be HOT and crowded.

 

[Julie-at-home]

One of the biggest things holding me back from the dolphin/swan is the dining package (even if I have to pay for it) My in-laws are going with us this year and they have never been to Florida, much less Disney. They would so appreciate a sit-down dinner every evening, so the package definately makes it worthwhile. I am correct in assuming you can NOT get the Disney dining package at the swan/dolphin, right?

 

[Trekker]

-snip- I am correct in assuming you can NOT get the Disney dining package at the swan/dolphin, right?

That is true - and for my family - even though we can sometimes get a better rate at the S&D - when we figure what we pay for dining (and what it saves us in food cost) it makes sense to pay more for the room if I can get dining (free or even if I have to pay for it)

This next trip my 17 YO DD is bringing a friend - we the friend would feel guilty ordering a $40 meal at LeCellier - but when we tell her it is all included in the package we have already paid for - she will be at ease to order what she wants - and not be looking for the least expensive on the menu (if there is such a thing at Disney - LOL)

 

[fla4fun]

You know, what goes around, comes around. There have been times when I paid rack rate, and times when I've gotten 40-50% off. No matter where you go, or what hotel you stay in, there will be people who pay more, and people who pay less, for the same room. Plan a vacation you will enjoy and can afford, and if a discount comes along you can take advantage of, great. If not, you'll still have a great vacation, wherever you go.

Sometimes, too much of the Internet is a bad thing.

 

[sarah4770]

Disney has come out with discounted packages several times a year over the last few years, that are available to the general public.And if the discount comes during value season, you ARE saving a large percent over regular season. Sometimes you just have to wait for one to come around.

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I have taken 1 trip with the AAA package- 1st trip, knew nothing about codes, discounts, etc

the next 2 trips I spent hours looking for codes and special pricing on everything from room, tickets, passes, flights, car rentals, you name it I scoured til I found the BEST prices.

We decided to purchase DVC this year, we bought at OKW, but we can stay other places (can't wait to try the new Animal Kingdom Villas when they are finished!)

I am sorry you can't go on vacation without a code, but it sounds like you are choosing this- it's not a financial bind holding you back. Plenty of people sacrifice in other areas to have the $$ they need for their wonderful vacation- however, discounts wouldn't be discounts if everyone got them. If I were to come upon the free dining I would be beyond thrilled- but it's just that a perk- a bonus- not a requirement.

I hope you can find all the magic that you WDW has to offer, regardless of if you get all the discounts and free dining. I hope you have a wonderful time!! Go, and enjoy and if the free stuff comes up in the future- well- Go back! LOL! When in doubt, go! And have FUN!

My DH has a theory- once there there's no grouching about money, we spend on whatever we want, since we chose ahead of time what we are doing and we knew how much it would cost. We just accept we have to pay the bills when we get back.

Big Disney hug to you!

 

[PamNC]

I too WILL NOT book without a discount of some type. I have never gotten a pin code or anything such as that. SO, I booked the Swan for August at the $125 rate. We've stayed there before and LOVE IT. No, you can't get the dining plan, but who cares. Think of the money you'll save on the room. The Swan and Dolphin offer so much - nice large modern rooms, great dining options, LOCATION, and the staff is as good as real Disney CM's in my humble opinion. This will be our third time staying there and it's going to be a regular thing for us if they keep offering such great rates. Our favorite is the Poly, but gone are the days when you can get a discount and stay there for $199 - $229 a nite. I remember those days and I remember staying at the YC or BC for $179 a nite. I love the Disney owned resorts, especially the deluxes, but I can't justify paying rack rate. Whether I can afford it or not.

I think you'll love the S/D. Give it a try. It's a fantastic resort!

PamNC