Best way to book a cabin, from whom, and codes??

[vossjemi]

It has been forever since we have been to Disney...2005. And then we only had 2 kids and only stayed at the Poly for 2 days post a Disney cruise. I remember being on this website alot back then and then researching on here alot when we went to Disneyland... BUT

I'm really clueless when it comes to codes, discounts, how/when/who to book from. Luckily, I KNOW where I want to stay!!! Fort Wilderness. I always wanted to bring the kids here. We have 3...ages 11, 9, and the 3rd will be 5 when we go over Halloween. And bringing Grandma so 6 of us.

Now, we techncially fly down to Sanford Orlando Fri 10/28 and we only plan to stay until Tues 11/1 at Fort Wilderness. So 4 nights. Then, we drive to Clearwater for 3 days in our favorite Beach condo (gotta have a few beach days!!! lol) and fly home out of St. Pete.

Soooo, do you normally just book 4 nights directly with Disney? Any codes or discounts available? I think I've gotten postcards before but never was able to use them. If I have no codes, about how much can I expect 4 nights to run? Will it be cheaper using a travel agent like DU? I did use them on both Disney cruises and my Poly stay and they took care of my meal reservations, including Princess Brkfst in the castle. I'm leaning towards my DU agent so I can just tell her when to book stuff and not have to worry about it...but then I like to save $ too, so if its ALOT cheaper to do it all on my own I will.

What do you recommend? Any tips? I know we will want MNSSHP tix for Halloween night. I know we will want the Hoop De Doo the first night we get there. And maybe Princess brkfst sat or sun, not sure yet. The rest we will prob wing it on meals...unless a package deal for 4 nights gives us free dining. Oh, and we only plan to get a 3 day pass...1 day for MK, 1 day AK, and 1 day Epcot. (sat, sun, mon since we leave tues)

Thanks! Sorry so long.

 

[becky1960]

We always book directly thru Disney, the codes are starting to go away, there are discounts now going on thru Disney. Mousesavers is probably your best bet for up to day discounts. Check the Disney.com site and I think you should see some of the deals they are now offering, some with free dining which you can get at FW only in Cabins...

 

[2goofycampers]

Free dining is now running thru Sept 24. I'd book your stay now then add whatever discount comes available. AAA membership might be something to look into for the discount. Pre buying your MNSSHP will save you a few $.
We usually book on our own also. I believe using DU is the same price as doing it yourself. I'm sure someone can give you more info on that.

 

[AuntBJ]

I use DU for the majority of my trips. I have always had great service and no problems. It is the same price as you can book yourself. They keep up with all the discounts and if a new code comes out, my agent sends me an email and lets me know she has already checked to see if it applies to my trip.

I also like to think my vacation helps to support the Disboards since I get so much helpful information here.

 

[AuntBJ]

Now, we techncially fly down to Sanford Orlando Fri 10/28 and we only plan to stay until Tues 11/1 at Fort Wilderness. So 4 nights.

BTW, your children will LOVE spending Halloween at the Fort. I am planning to be there for the first time this year and, based on everything I have read here, am really looking forward to it.

 

[vossjemi]

YEAH!!! I can't wait! I did use Merrie Thomas at DU back in 05 for a cruise/wdw pkg and then again in 08 for a cruise/disneyland pkg. Sooo, I have sent her an email for a price quote. I remember how great she was in getting all our dining requests and Princess Breakfast, which I now have a new one who will be 5 and we WILL HAVE to do Princess brkfst AGAIN! Hahaha.

Do you all generally get your tickets thru DU as well? Or is there somewhere else to buy cheaper? It seems like I got my tickets in the past on my own from some other vendor that was recommended here, but I can't remember who/which one?

Do you generally buy dining? I mean, I bet we will eat breakfast in the cabin. But lunch/dinner will be out...and since we only have 4 days to use a 3 day pass, I'm betting most of our time will be 100% disney so our meals will be with disney in some shape or form. Is it worth it to buy dining? Or just do you rec room only for now and wait/see if free dining comes up? I mean, we could end up even missing a lunch or two here and there for snacks only if we are having too much fun riding all the rides!!!

 

[indimom3]

I would go ahead and book your cabin now, to make sure you get one, then continue to check back with the disney site to look for discounts offered. They sometimes don't come out with the discounts until right before the season starts. They might extend free dining or offer a % off your room, and you can call and have them change your reservation to use that discount. I have always gotten a discount of at least 30% off. You just have to watch for the offer to come out.
We don't get the DDP anymore. I find that it doesn't save us that much money, especially since we would rarely order dessert with every meal! It also adds to my stress level - trying to make ADRs is kind of a drag with kids who might be enjoying something and not want to leave. You'd also have to pay adult prices for your older child, so might not save much there.

We are a family of 5, and usually take Grandma, so the Fort is the only place for us now! You are going to have a great time!

 

[indimom3]

Undercover Tourist might be where you got your tickets?

 

[AuntBJ]

I always buy my tickets through the Mousesavers link to Undercover Tourist. Do you get the Mousesavers newsletter e-mail? If not I recommend you subscribe. I would wait until closer to your trip to order tickets since a code may still come out that requires a package and the purchase of tickets.

Do you have AAA? I usually start with a AAA discount and then hope for something better.

We have never done the dining plan as we usually only take time for QS meals. Since your dates are already within the 180 day window for reservations, I would go on the WDW website and start booking reservations while you're waiting on your quote. That way you can get an idea if the dining plan will be worth your while. Remember some meals require 2 credits.

 

[vossjemi]

Yes, we have AAA. Is that something I can check out online with my AAA # or do I need to call the local AAA office. Does/can DU get me the AAA discount or is that like a sep travel agency? I think we prob will pass on the dining as you mention. Plus with the cabins we can have some groceries...though I don't plan to cook much. Thanks!

 

[AuntBJ]

Yes, DU can get you the AAA discount if it is still available. You just need to supply them your AAA number.

 

[vossjemi]

Thank you! I will ask.

 

[vossjemi]

Good news! We were able to get an AAA discount for room only res at FW cabins. Yeah!

 

[bama_ed]

Outstanding!

Can you figure out the math and tell what percent off discount you got? It's typically 10-20%.

So glad you SCORED!

Bama ED

 

[vossjemi]

Looks like 15% discount!! I thought that was pretty good. I suppose we will wait and see if a free dining or dining discount becomes available to see if we'll change it up, but I'm happy for now! yeah!

 

[jenscourt]

Free dining is now running thru Sept 24. I'd book your stay now then add whatever discount comes available. AAA membership might be something to look into for the discount. Pre buying your MNSSHP will save you a few $.
We usually book on our own also. I believe using DU is the same price as doing it yourself. I'm sure someone can give you more info on that.

Unfortunately, they don't discount MNSSHP party for halloween night, even if you pre-order them. (At least they didn't last year.)

 

[CDNCruiser]

We have been to WDW more than 50 times and we used to always book directly,through Disney Central Reservations.

About 7 years ago a friend (and fellow Disney geek) recommended an agency so we gave them a try. We have not booked directly since, and we never will.

They are just amazing! They book campsites for us, as well as Disney Resort hotels and Disney Cruises.

Once it's booked we just sit back and watch the savings roll in. When Disney advises agents of upcoming AAA rates our agent automatically applies it to our booking and sends us an e-mail telling us how much we just saved. Wow!

They'll even send an e-mail asking things such as, "There's a deal coming up on the dining plan. Interested?"

We don't use DU, we have used one of their competitiors for years and we have been delighted with the service.

And did I mention it costs nothing? I can't imagine why anyone would book directly!