booking advice please

[vtwep]

Hi,

We know we want to stay at BWI with a water view room in November. We know we want park hopper tickets. I don't think we'll be getting a dining plan (that could change, but right now, leaning against it).

I obviously want (need!) a discount. Right now, the only thing I can get is the AAA discount, which is 15% on room only for the room we want.

I called today to inquire, and was given these options:

A) book a room only using the AAA discount. Purchase tickets separately. If a better discount comes along, I can use it and put everything into a package.

B) book a package with no discount. If a better discount comes along, I can use it. If not, I can convert to using the AAA discount.

If I do option A, will my tickets, room key, credit card, etc, all be on the same room card (or wrist band by then)?

Option B makes me nervous - if I wait too long and a discount doesn't come out, what if all the AAA discounts have been used? The CM I spoke to this morning said that is a possibility. I definitely don't want to pay full price.

Also - whichever way I go, is there an issue re-booking if a new discount comes out? Meaning, will I risk losing the room category I'm going for if I have to re-book? We also have some friends going with us that we are going to try to have connecting rooms with.

 

[patty57]

One other option is to rent points to stay at BWV and buy your tickets separately. It would probably cost around the price of a moderate resort.

 

[vtwep]

One other option is to rent points to stay at BWV and buy your tickets separately. It would probably cost around the price of a moderate resort.

Thanks - I'll research that option as well!

 

[abner1776]

I would book option A with the discount and wait on the tics whcih can always be added later or purchased from one of the discount(small) ticket brokers...that's if you have to stay at the Inn part of BW.

As the previous poster said, I would look into staying in the Villa part of BW as it can work out to be cheaper by renting points from a DVC member. Check out the DVC rent boards to see if anyone has points available. For the next few months you would have to find someone with BWV as their home resort, but that is not a deal breaker.

 

[ccgirl]

Hi,

We know we want to stay at BWI with a water view room in November. We know we want park hopper tickets. I don't think we'll be getting a dining plan (that could change, but right now, leaning against it).

I obviously want (need!) a discount. Right now, the only thing I can get is the AAA discount, which is 15% on room only for the room we want.

I called today to inquire, and was given these options:

A) book a room only using the AAA discount. Purchase tickets separately. If a better discount comes along, I can use it and put everything into a package.

B) book a package with no discount. If a better discount comes along, I can use it. If not, I can convert to using the AAA discount.

If I do option A, will my tickets, room key, credit card, etc, all be on the same room card (or wrist band by then)?

Option B makes me nervous - if I wait too long and a discount doesn't come out, what if all the AAA discounts have been used? The CM I spoke to this morning said that is a possibility. I definitely don't want to pay full price.

Also - whichever way I go, is there an issue re-booking if a new discount comes out? Meaning, will I risk losing the room category I'm going for if I have to re-book? We also have some friends going with us that we are going to try to have connecting rooms with.

When in November. Is it near Thanksgiving?

Personally, if I know I want to stay there, I would book now and use the AAA room only discount. You can get tix and undercover tourist for a little cheaper and save even more money. If a discount does come out please know that not all rooms are made available. For example, it could be 100 rooms for the discount. Once the 100 rooms are taken, it could be that you are out luck as far as the discount. Also, not all resorts or categories are discounted.

Hope this helps.

 

[vtwep]

yes, all replies were helpful! Thanks for taking the time to reply - appreciate it! (by the way, we're looking at the second week of November)

 

[rcraw45425]

As others said, book room only now with AAA, then if a discount comes out that works ou can usually apply it. We always wait to convert to a package, room onlys only have a 5 day cancellation policy wheras packages are 45 days. Hubby is an ER physician and we have to wait a while to get confirmed days off. Also, check for PIN codes attached to your name or anyone that lives in your same household that will be travelling with you. this can be done by calling WDW travel and asking if there is a PIN code attached to your name. Very simple. Our lasat couple have actually been in my husband's name even though he never books the reservations! Also, start thinking about any dining and be ready to book that at your 180+10 day mark. It's insane how quickly popular places book up.