Book now or wait for discount

[aheaviside]

I want to stay at the Contemporary in Jan. 2012 (value season) but am really hoping for a significant discount code to become available. A few questions:

Is it better to book now at full rate and apply a discount code if one becomes available or wait and see if a pin code comes my way in the fall or early winter?

If you book early, do you exclude yourself from possibly receiving a pin code?

If I have preferences on room type, floor, etc, will it be difficult to secure my room choice at contemporary if I wait until fall to book?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

[Tyme4wdw]

If you book now, the deposit will be the cost of the most expensive room rate at this time since 2012 rates haven't been released as of yet. I would wait until the rates for 2012 have been released which is normally in August. I would book a room only at that time and then wait to see if any discounts are released to apply your ressies. At that time I would also add anything else you need...tickets, dining, etc.....

 

[Mamu]

I usually book 8-12 months out with a AAA rate for room only reservation. As discounts come out change to the better deal. Our upcoming trip was changed 3 times from a AAA rate to a general public rate (35% off) to a Annual Pass Pin (40% off) If a package come out you can change to the package deal.

All you need to do is make one nights deposit to hold a room only reservation.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

It depends on if a discount makes or breaks the deal for you. If you are comfortable paying rack rate and will go regardless of the pricing go ahead and book. If staying at your resort of choosing is dependent on a discount then wait and see what if anything comes out. It could be possible that Disney will follow through on the cutting back of discounts that Iger promised and as we have seen discounts and "deals" are changing to give less discount amount. Also keep in mind for evey person that books in anticipation of a discount -as many do here it is one less room that Disney feels they need to fill at a discount. The more rooms booked way out the less need for Disney to hand out good discounts to fill non booked rooms.

 

[dskib]

Ok if:

1. If you're prepared to pay full price and are going to go anyway, and

2. You are non-negotiable when it comes to your hotel and room requests,

then I'd book whenever you can. I've waited before, and I got burned because my hotel choice wasn't available for the discount.

Deb

 

[mickeynut1]

If you are set on a particular resort and are going no matter what, I would book now; but if your trip is dependent on a discount, I would wait. Also keep in mind that having a room booked does not guarantee a discount can be applied later. Disney only allots for so many rooms under promos, so if a general public discount comes out or you receive a pin code, your resort/room type must be available under the promo in order for it to be applied to your current reservation.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Since you want to stay at the Contemporary I would reserve it now because they also host a good number of conventions during the year and because of them it can be hard getting a reservation there, since those convention groups reserve their rooms well in advance.

 

[aheaviside]

Thanks everybody for the advice.

I'm still set on the contemporary so I think I'll book sooner than later. However, now I'm intrigued by the 12th floor atrium club level. I would love to be able to do that to give us a place to go when the younger child naps, etc. and for our afternoon break time. I'm trying to go through some of the old Club level posts but they are quite long so haven't gotten far. I would need some discount though to do club.

Any reviews on contemporary club level?? It's 4 of us, first trip since I was young, and 2 kids under 5. 1 child still naps so just think the extra lounge space would be great. Does club level book up fast?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Thanks everybody for the advice.

I'm still set on the contemporary so I think I'll book sooner than later. However, now I'm intrigued by the 12th floor atrium club level. I would love to be able to do that to give us a place to go when the younger child naps, etc. and for our afternoon break time. I'm trying to go through some of the old Club level posts but they are quite long so haven't gotten far. I would need some discount though to do club.

Any reviews on contemporary club level?? It's 4 of us, first trip since I was young, and 2 kids under 5. 1 child still naps so just think the extra lounge space would be great. Does club level book up fast?

My family and I have had a lot of Atrium Club Level stays before and we would always recommend it. As for how fast those rooms get reserved it depends on a few things. For exampple on previous discounts like the Bounceback rate or the 35% room only offer their Club Level rooms have sold out for dates we tried, although there have been other times when we did get discounts to stay up there. As for the extra lounge space while it's a good size there lounge can be busy when all the tables are taken space, so it also depends on the time of year and how many other guests are staying up there.