Booking via Disney

[biggroofy]

Now the 2009 Rates are out. I wonder if I should called WDW and make reservations now, or wait until October (?) when they release the Canadian Discount Code.

If I book now (e.g. MYW + Dining Package), can I apply discount code later if it is released?

 

[ace9224]

Hey Biggroofy,

Are there Cdn. discounts available for Canadians going to WDW THIS year? I have been waiting for codes to come out in the next week or so; is there a Cdn. one that's already available?

 

[pigletto]

I used smallworldvacations and they booked any applicable discounts for me as they came out. I ended up obsessively checking for discounts on my own anyway.. but they were great at following my reservation and keeping in touch with me.

 

[biggroofy]

Hey Biggroofy,

Are there Cdn. discounts available for Canadians going to WDW THIS year? I have been waiting for codes to come out in the next week or so; is there a Cdn. one that's already available?

I think so (hope so). I was aware of the discount last year, which came out in October or so. It includes a free hopper and water park upgrade for Canadians.

I prefer booking directly with Disney because it is easier to manage. I used to book via TA/CAA, but too much hassle. Any changes/mods have to go thru the agent.

 

[MCFADDEN5]

biggoofy we are thinking of booking our next trip through CAA. Why is it a hassle? How do we book through DIS and get the disscount? Any other advice

 

[Jen M]

Now the 2009 Rates are out. I wonder if I should called WDW and make reservations now, or wait until October (?) when they release the Canadian Discount Code.

If I book now (e.g. MYW + Dining Package), can I apply discount code later if it is released?

When I booked back in Jan it was because they sent me an email with a code for 20% off. The person on the phone said that if there was a better deal out after I booked I could call and get that instead.

 

[biggroofy]

biggoofy we are thinking of booking our next trip through CAA. Why is it a hassle? How do we book through DIS and get the disscount? Any other advice

Hmm...CAA

The best thing with CAA is you will receive a AAA Diamond Parking Pass. If you will drive, you can park at closer spot. However, during low-seasons those spots will be closed.

The hassles are -
a). You cannot call Disney directly to make room requests, or modify your reservation. This might not be an issue if you get a good agent - however, I realized that in the CAA reservation system, they have limited text space - so if you wanted to make a long list of request: e.g. request baby crib, bed rail, higher floor preferred, request XXXX building.... - you should expect some of your requests missing

b). The biggest problem - flexibility. This happened twice with us. In both trips we found DD4 too tired and decided to add one day of theme park ticket. Unfortunately we book the package via AAA - the CM had a hard time to add a day of park tickets for us. The first trip I had spent over 2 hour wait at POFQ lobby - waiting for them to fax back and forth. The second trip the CM at SSR has screwed my dining plan after adding a day of park ticket. This recent trip (in Mar 2008) - I booked directly via Disney - any changes were a breeze. We added two day park ticket at GF and they did it within 2 mins

 

[fivebyfive]

however, I realized that in the CAA reservation system, they have limited text space - so if you wanted to make a long list of request: e.g. request baby crib, bed rail, higher floor preferred, request XXXX building.... - you should expect some of your requests missing

Actually, it's not CAA's reservation system that has limited space, it's Disney's. They received FAR too many requests (gee, I wonder why, same reason that the courtesy holds for 2009 dropped from 14 days to 7 ) so Disney cut back the amount of space for them.

There are only 3 lines of text available and please note that items such as "Jake's Birthday" COUNT as a request.

Just so you know this is the case, REGARDLESS how you book your Disney vacation.

If you find that you had such a problem with CAA, why not try a Disney Specialist Travel Agency instead? It's worth a try.

 

[bobbymac]

can someone please tell me how these codes work?
are there certain times of the year you can use them?
Thanks

 

[SandraC]

I booked yesterday for March 2009.

I asked about availability and the rate, and then I ask for the CAA rate. I got 10% off March Break rates.

Universal codes don't come out until the end of this month.

S

 

[suprgrlx]

I would book my reservation now, if only a "room only" booking. I believe these can be changed to a package at any time if you decide that's best, but has a lot more flexibility with payment and cancellation. Also, I've called and changed the discount on my room-only reservation many times, no problem. Plus booking now reserves your room, whereas it's possible you might have a harder time with availability if you wait. You might also consider asking about the AAA rates, and applying that to your reservation. Then if something better comes up you can switch and if it doesn't then you can buy a membership before you go (assuming it saves you at least the cost of the membership).

Hope you have a great trip!