Book now with AAA or wait for promos?

[danjfoley]

I'm looking at getting a Treehouse from 4/29/11 - 5/8/11

Right now the prices for such aren't even available. Disney (the 407 number) says the prices will come out in last Aug, but that I can make a reservation now.

I've been looking at all the discount, and they all seem to come out late, with only a few months before the vacation time.

I'd rather not wait and make sure I am able to get a treehouse. On the other hand I don't want to miss out on discounts.

I am an AAA member, and I assume i can book over the phone with Disney and get my AAA discount. If not does that mean i need to book via AAA and not Disney to get the discount?

This is my first time as an adult making the bookings myself. Been to disney as a kid with my parents 3 times, but now it is time to bring my own family.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[su_A_ve]

With Disney, you can book a room-only under AAA discount. Not a package.

A AAA package must be booked with AAA directly. Note that if an offer comes out, they will be able to apply it to your existing rez.

AFAIK, switching from a room-only to or from a package requires a cancellation and rebooking. So if there are no availabilty for specific types of rooms that you already have reserved, you might not be able to.

For the tree houses, it might be an issue... If you will be adding tickets, then do a AAA package reservation. The AAA TA can then add dining and/or any promotion codes that come out (including %off - though they might not be good for this anyway).

 

[danjfoley]

So, only AAA can give me discounts as they come out? If i book it myself just getting room only discounts I cannot apply future discounts?

For example I see there is a current deal on May this year. If i book now, then next March a 30% deal on May rooms come out, I can use it? (only with AAA, or if i book myself as well?)

 

[su_A_ve]

So, only AAA can give me discounts as they come out? If i book it myself just getting room only discounts I cannot apply future discounts?

For example I see there is a current deal on May this year. If i book now, then next March a 30% deal on May rooms come out, I can use it? (only with AAA, or if i book myself as well?)

If you book a room-only reservation with the AAA discount with Disney directly, you will be able to apply a room-only code to that reservation and get the smaller discount. If FD comes out, you can convert that reservation to a package via Disney. However, note that if all 'tree houses' are reserved already, you will not be able to get it. They will have to cancel that room-only and book it under a package with FD. That transition can make you loose that room. Same applies for family suites for example.

If on the other hand you start with a package, if a %off discount comes out, typically there are two codes that become available - one for room-only ressies, and another for packages. To reserve a package with the AAA discount now (10% on the room portion) you have to do it with AAA. However, they can then apply any codes that come out.

It's up to you on deciding to use a TA. Some prefer to do it all by themselves. Some prefer a TA.

 

[wdwfanatic80]

Just an FYI Disney usually does not give the discount to anything more than a 2 bedroom villa. So from my understanding you will not be able to apply any promos to that. You may want to call and double check. I had a client that wanted a grand villa (3 bedroom) or the treehouse with this last promo and when I called to check pricing I was told no go on anything more than a 2 bedroom. Just an tidbit of info. If a treehouse is what you really want you should consider renting points. There is a board here on the DIS under the DVC where you can rent points. Usually $10 per point and that will be a much better deal than booking with Disney. Don't pay more than $10 pp though!

 

[su_A_ve]

Agree with wdwfanatic80... And though nice the Treehouses they are now, not worth the price tag unless you use points...

 

[danjfoley]

The price for off season when i will be there is $665 / night right now. With 6 adults staying there that doesn't seem so bad.

How much would i get it for if i rented points?

And just how do you go about doing that? And is the points rental a real transaction done so that i actually have the points, or do i end up having to trust someone to give me the points after i send them the money?

 

[danjfoley]

checked out a 2011 points guide. And if going on the 10 cents a point at most. Then it would indeed be cheaper that way. most nights would only be 390.

I just need to know what this point process is. I don't want to hand money to somoene and have to trust them.

 

[su_A_ve]

checked out a 2011 points guide. And if going on the 10 cents a point at most. Then it would indeed be cheaper that way. most nights would only be 390.

I just need to know what this point process is. I don't want to hand money to somoene and have to trust them.

Look in the DVC section of the boards. Note that if you do a DVC reservation, AFAIK you will not be able to apply FD codes or things like that...

 

[beautifultomorrow]

I second the suggestion to consider renting DVC points. It is WAYY cheaper than disney's rack rate, and usually will beat just about any other discount that comes down the line. There are a couple of trade offs though:

1. You must book far in advance to get the most availability -- this isn't a disadvantage in your case, if you make arrangements with a DVC owner at SSR they can reserve a treehouse for you right at the 11-month mark when they first become available to DVC members.

2. Once you book, you probably won't be able to cancel. (This is worked out between you and the member you are renting from.)

3. The DVC member has complete control of your reservation. You can't even call member services and see if they have it. Trust is involved on both sides of renting points so be sure to do your homework. Rent from an established renter with references. Thousands of people have happily rented points and saved a bundle but if you just can't get past the trust issue it may not be for you.

4. You won't get daily housekeeping service, but instead one trash and towel service and one full cleaning during your stay.

According to the point calculator I looked at your stay would cost 417 points for and average of $463.33 per night at $10 a point. (because weekends are much higher). The 11-month date is 5-29-2010 so if I were you I'd do a lot of research and decide if this is the route for you and if so have your DVC member already selected in time for that date!