Booking? and discounts?

[Simba726]

We are planning our trip for June 2010 for 7 days with the dining plan.

Can I change my Resort after I book? If I can what are the risks?

I have read a lot of posts here and I was wondering how you get pin codes and other discounts? Do they start arriving after you have booked? If I receive adiscount after I book can I apply it to my reservations?

I Want to booknow, but I am worried that I should wait for the rates to come out in Aug so that I can adjust for changes, but if I can make changes with out problems, then I might as wel hurry up and book.

 

[luckytobeme88]

We are planning for next June/July also. We intend to wait for the 2010 booking window to open up in a few weeks. I don't mind paying $200 deposit to get my planning alive and going. I can always apply any available discount codes to my reservation.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We are planning our trip for June 2010 for 7 days with the dining plan.

Can I change my Resort after I book? If I can what are the risks?

I have read a lot of posts here and I was wondering how you get pin codes and other discounts? Do they start arriving after you have booked? If I receive adiscount after I book can I apply it to my reservations?

I Want to booknow, but I am worried that I should wait for the rates to come out in Aug so that I can adjust for changes, but if I can make changes with out problems, then I might as wel hurry up and book.

Yes...you can change after you book. There are no risks. They will make changes free of charge up to the 45 day mark, inside of that there are fees based on how many days out you are.

PIN codes....no one knows how they are given out. Your best option is to sign up for everything Disney that you can find online. If you get one you can usually have it applied to your reservation if it is within the restrictions of the PIN and if the resort has availability.

You can book now if you wish. They will book you at the current rates for 2009. If the 2010 rates are different they will go ahead and change it.

 

[Simba726]

great thanks.. I just got a pin for free dining, but its not within my stay period. This really helped me clear up a few things.

I know we are going in June and I am fairly sure where we are staying but I wanted to know what I could do if I changed my mind. I dont mind spending a $200 deposit either I will be spending the cash either way.

Ok now I just need to finalize with DH and I can book!

 

[Miaka]

Keep in mind that if you book before the rates are released, you can only book a room only reservation, and once the rates are released, you'll be able to book a package. You'll need to make a deposit for the Room Only, and then when you make the package, you'll have to make a seperate deposit, as the deposit is non-transferable between a room only and package reservation and disney will credit you back the original deposit.

(at least that's what I understand from the different conversations here)

 

[Aliceacc]

At the very least, take a look at the AAA discount; it has the potential to start you off with a few hundred dollars saved.

Taken from www.mousesavers.com:

"AAA and CAA Resort Hotel Discounts
American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) members qualify for "room only" discounts almost year-round, though there are a limited number of rooms available for each date. You can generally save about 10-20% at the Disney resort hotels, depending on the season.

The 2009 discounts seem to run as follows:

Value Season: 15% off at Value, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) resorts; 20% off at Moderate resorts and Ft. Wilderness cabins and campsites.

Regular Season: 10% off at the Deluxe and Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) resorts; 10%-15% off at Value and Moderate resorts and Ft. Wilderness cabins and campsites.

Peak Season and Summer Season: 10% off at all resorts.
The only time AAA/CAA discounts don't usually apply is Holiday Season (around Christmas).

You don't have to book AAA/CAA rates through the Auto Club. Room-only reservations with an AAA discount can be booked directly through the Disney Reservation Center at (407) W-DISNEY or a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. Just ask if there is an AAA or CAA discount for your dates and resort.

AAA/CAA rates for all of the following year are usually released in the summer. 2009 AAA/CAA "room only" discounts were released on August 3, 2008."

 

[Simba726]

we dont have AAA but my FIL might.. could that be transferrable?

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm not sure.


But to be honest, the $50 or so it costs to join might be worth it, particulary if you're staying at a Mod or Deluxe, where that 10-20% discount adds up pretty quickly.

Also, take a look at the discounts at www.mousesavers.com

Are you or your husband by any chance a teacher or nurse? THe Swan/Dolphin offers some amazing deals... Go up to the top of the Resorts page and clik on the Swan/Dolphin link, then go to "special rates"

 

[dancin Disney style]

Keep in mind that if you book before the rates are released, you can only book a room only reservation, and once the rates are released, you'll be able to book a package. You'll need to make a deposit for the Room Only, and then when you make the package, you'll have to make a seperate deposit, as the deposit is non-transferable between a room only and package reservation and disney will credit you back the original deposit.

(at least that's what I understand from the different conversations here)

No....

When you make a deposit for a room only ressie and then later change to a package they will just add the additional amount up to the $200 that is required for a package. If you have paid more than the $200 deposit they just leave it as is and you then have less to pay later.

 

[Miaka]

No....

When you make a deposit for a room only ressie and then later change to a package they will just add the additional amount up to the $200 that is required for a package. If you have paid more than the $200 deposit they just leave it as is and you then have less to pay later.

sorry was just reporting what I had heard from other posts about the same subject, I haven't made my reservation yet, so it's not first hand experience.

 

[dancin Disney style]

we dont have AAA but my FIL might.. could that be transferrable?

Unless your FIL is travelling with you you are not able to use his AAA. They require the membership number to make the ressie and then you must be prepared to show it at check in. In my experience they ask to see it about 50% of the time but if you don't have it you will be required to pay the full rack rate for the room.

Depending on how many nights you are staying and which resort you can easily save the membership fee and then some. So it really is worth it. Last year we saved approx $175 on our room.

I don't know about in the US but here in Canada we have the option to get a membership that only gives you the perks (no auto benefits) and it costs about half of a full membership.

 

[dancin Disney style]

sorry was just reporting what I had heard from other posts about the same subject, I haven't made my reservation yet, so it's not first hand experience.

I have done it before and that's what happened. However, we all know what happens with different CM's...quite often Dis'ers know more about their policies than they do. It is possible that a CM will say it must be cancelled and rebooked. either way it really doesn't make much difference as long as you get what you want in the end.

 

[mickeynut1]

Just FYI.....if you decide to book room only now, your rate will be quoted at 2009 peak/holiday rates and then adjusted once the 2010 prices are released . But if you want a package to begin with, you're probably better off waiting until August when the prices are released to avoid the trouble of cancelling/refunding your room only and making a new deposit of $200 for the package . It may work like it did for the pp to just add the package components to a room only and pay the difference for the deposit, but I have read many posts where people have had to have their room only cancelled/refunded and a new reservation booked as the two cannot be converted from one to the other . I guess it all depends on the CM you talk to when you call . Good luck and happy planning

 

[Lynne M]

Moving this to the Codes & Rates board.