booking help requested

[t_catt11]

We are planning our third trip to WDW for this December. In the past, we were clueless about discounts - we paid full rack rate on both previous trips , and had no idea that there was an alternative.

The goal: 11 days, 10 nights. Stay at the Polynesian. Will either stay in full value season in December, or (a bit more likely due to school for the kids) will arrive the day before Thanksgiving (and get killed with holiday rates for four days).

My plan: it seems that the best discount available is for AP holders. From what I can tell, it looks like they get around 40% off of room rates in deluxe resorts. In addition, AP holders can still get the dining plan (we've honestly loved the DP both times, too bad the appetizers are gone) and keep their room discount, as opposed to true "room only" discounts from places like AAA.

Now, I'm aware that we will almost certainly get no discount for the four nights at holiday prices, but odds are excellent that we will get that 40% for the remaining six. Even factoring in the extra expense of buying one AP (instead of hopper tickets - we like to hop!), I'm looking at a savings of about $670 versus rack rates.

Unless I'm missing something.


Phew! Exposition completed, here are my questions:

1. I believe that I'd be silly to wait until AP rates are officially announced for that time frame. My thought is to reserve the rooms only by phone in the very near future, pay one night for the deposit, then, as soon as the discounts post, call and apply it. At that time, I could add in tickets for the rest of the family, as well as the dining plan (if we decide to go that route again, which I think we will). Is this a valid plan, or am I missing something?

2. Following this plan will allow me the most flexibility with cash and such, since I won't have to pay a deposit on the rest of the plan until I add those items in and make this a true package... right?

3. I've only seen prices for tickets up to ten days. Surely I won't have to buy a ten day plus a one day, will I?

4. Or, would it make more sense to wait until check in to add the tickets?


Thanks for your help!

 

[Mary976]

One other thought for you...I always use a travel agent to book. My agent can tell what the best discount is (4/3, AAA, AP, etc) so I don't have to do all the legwork myself. We use Small World Vacations, although I've heard good things about Dreams Unlimited as well.

Good luck!
Mary

 

[t_catt11]

I do appreciate the tip - but as is, I think that I've done almost all of the legwork. Still, I suppose that it couldn't hurt to check.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Moving this to the Resorts & Booking / Codes & Rates board.

You'll get the best answers there.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We are planning our third trip to WDW for this December. In the past, we were clueless about discounts - we paid full rack rate on both previous trips , and had no idea that there was an alternative.

The goal: 11 days, 10 nights. Stay at the Polynesian. Will either stay in full value season in December, or (a bit more likely due to school for the kids) will arrive the day before Thanksgiving (and get killed with holiday rates for four days).

My plan: it seems that the best discount available is for AP holders. From what I can tell, it looks like they get around 40% off of room rates in deluxe resorts. In addition, AP holders can still get the dining plan (we've honestly loved the DP both times, too bad the appetizers are gone) and keep their room discount, as opposed to true "room only" discounts from places like AAA.

Now, I'm aware that we will almost certainly get no discount for the four nights at holiday prices, but odds are excellent that we will get that 40% for the remaining six. Even factoring in the extra expense of buying one AP (instead of hopper tickets - we like to hop!), I'm looking at a savings of about $670 versus rack rates.

Unless I'm missing something.


Phew! Exposition completed, here are my questions:

1. I believe that I'd be silly to wait until AP rates are officially announced for that time frame. My thought is to reserve the rooms only by phone in the very near future, pay one night for the deposit, then, as soon as the discounts post, call and apply it. At that time, I could add in tickets for the rest of the family, as well as the dining plan (if we decide to go that route again, which I think we will). Is this a valid plan, or am I missing something?

2. Following this plan will allow me the most flexibility with cash and such, since I won't have to pay a deposit on the rest of the plan until I add those items in and make this a true package... right?

3. I've only seen prices for tickets up to ten days. Surely I won't have to buy a ten day plus a one day, will I?

4. Or, would it make more sense to wait until check in to add the tickets?


Thanks for your help!

Some answers that I hope will help you with your planning:

- Yes, you can book now and hope to get a discount rate later. You can book a room-only reservation and the deposit of one-night's stay. The only hitch is that if you want to turn it into a "package" later on, the deposit won't transfer, you'll have to cancel the room-only reservation and re-book the package. This also means that you aren't guaranteed to get the package deal you want at the resort you want, as a limited number are available.

- Yes, AP holders can book room+dining packages that do not require the purchase of tickets. Room discounts vary and can be up to 40%, but aren't always, and are usually blacked-out during holiday periods.

- You can only get a 10-day MYW pass. You can either schedule an off day during your vacation to hang out at the resort and rest, or resort-hop, or shop at DTD, or play mini-golf. If the weather is nice, you can buy one-day tickets to a water park (a one-day ticket is cheaper than adding the WPF&M option for $50, although the WP option would give you 10 visits to the water parks and Disney Quest).

- If you don't have an AP, and don't want to get a package with the DDP, and keep your room-only reservation, you can wait to get your tickets at WDW or buy from a reseller such as UnderCover Tourist or Maple Leaf Tickets. Watch the DIS between now and then to be warned about price increases.

 

[t_catt11]

Thanks for the relocation!

 

[t_catt11]

Thanks for the response and helpful info, Claire!

So basically, the answer is that I knew what I was doing a bit better than I gave myself credit for. Now, I should just hold my breath and wait.