Calling all experts! Could you look at my strategy & let me know how I'm doing?

[The6ofUs]

Hi everyone,

We're planning a trip to DW for our family of 6 for the first week in January 2006. After reading these boards, I went ahead and reserved our dates for a FW Cabin in order to lock in a reservation (although I may switch to two value resort rooms if the folks on the resorts board recommend it).

Now I'm going to wait for the AAA discount codes to come out, then I'll call to get them to apply them (the lady I talked to on the phone said they don't have the discount rates yet from AAA for my dates). We don't belong to AAA, but will join before we go (if we can't get a better rate).

I'll also keep checking the discount/codes board to see what the AP discounts will be (if any) for the time we're going. If we can get a big enough discount to cover the pass, plus save on the cabin, then we'll call back and say we'd like that discount. I'll get the AP before we arrive.

Okay, that's the part I think I'm clear on, according to the strategies I've read from all of you. Please let me know if I'm on track, or if I've derailed somewhere along the way.

Now I need to plan for the MYW tickets for the rest of my family (and for me if I don't get an AP). Is getting them as cheaply as possible through a place like Ticket Master the only strategy with MYW? Or are there discount codes that I should be looking for to reduce our cost?

Would I increase my chances of getting a discount code/pin for rooms and park tickets if I apply for (and use) the Disney Visa? Have I decreased my chances of getting a "random" PIN code by already reserving our rooms? (It seems that they don't have to provide a "lure" since I already have my room reservations. I worry about not having reservations, though, so maybe I'll just have to live with it, even if it decreases my chances of getting an out-of-this-world discount.)

We are a one-income family, with a medium-to-low income, so we need to take advantage of any discounts we can get, so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for looking over my strategy and for telling me where to go from here!

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to the DIS! I'm going to bump this back to page one for you so that some of our veterans can offer advice.

Katholyn

 

[The6ofUs]

Thank you! I lost the post, so I'm glad you gave me a bump.

 

[welovedis]

Hi!

From the historical data on mousesavers.com the AP rates have come out for our time period on:
10/28/02-for stays from 1/1-2/12/03
10/01/03-for stays from 1/4-6/12/04
10/20/04-for stays from 1/2-2/16/05

So if the trend continues the AP rates would be out sometime in January for your time frame.

General (available to anyone) rates came out:
11/29/02-for stays from 1/2-2/13/03
12/04/03-for stays from 1/1-2/11/04-pkg discounts also came out then
10/21/04-for stays from 1/2-4/16/05

I'm assuming from your username that you are a family of 6 so they additional space of either the cabin or 2 value rooms are probably going to be your best bet. There is the also the availability of booking a larger villa thru a DVC member, but that would probably cost more & not sure of the availability at this point in time. Plus you wouldn't be able to do the dining option if you wanted to.

I've not stayed at FW, only visited, so I can't give you personal experience but most people say they like the cabins, enjoy the separate bedroom and the fact that they save by cooking/eating meals in the cabin versus always eating at a restaurant or at counter service. We've done 2 value rooms before and did enjoy it (took my mom along for 10 days) it was nice to have 2 bathrooms and the additional space. AS rooms would be approx 260 sq feet each, the FW cabins are 504 square feet (with kitchen area).

If you are thinking that you'd prefer one over the other, I'd book it and wait for your codes/rates to be released. AAA rates should be out probably by mid-late August for Jan and that could be applied to your ressie at any point, as long as they are available for your room and dates. I know for the AS rooms the discount during value season is 20%, but I don't know if/how much the discounts are for the FW cabins since they consider those "Home Away from Home" resorts.

If you visit the mousesavers website (www.mousesavers.com) and sign up for her email newsletter, you'll get a link to ticketmania and discountorlandovacation, both are reputable ticket sellers that offer a discount for mousesaver subscribers. You can see what they are going for on those sites.

As far as the Disney Visa, there doesn't seem to be a real distinguishable rhyme or reason to why some people get pin codes or special offers and others don't. However, the Disney Visa has had some special promotions/packages available in 2004, so if you think you'd like to sign up, give it a shot. I thought there was some type of promotion offering some Disney Dollars if you did.

Good luck with your planning. We'll be there from 1/5-1/13/06, participating in the Disney 1/2 marathon on the the 7th (and the Family Fun 5K too). Just be aware that if you'll be there over marathon weekend (the 6-8th) there will be marathoners & their families/supporters cheering them on. The races start early in the day but certain parks (like Epcot) might be a bit busy with bystanders. Here's more info:
http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/marathon/listing?name=Marathon2005EventListingPage

 

[LovePug]

Karen's info for you was great. As far as FtW or 2 Value resorts....there's a couple of things I'd weigh to make a final decision. Do you plan on utilizing the kitchen at FtW for cooking to save money? That has the potential to be a big money saver. FtW also has many other activities to enjoy, but some of them will cost extra (renting bikes, horseback riding, etc.) They do have a free camfire/movie program in the evenings though. If you don't plan on cooking (not everyone wants to cook on vacation) or spending a great deal of time enjoying the campgroud, I might lean towards the 2 Value rooms just for the second bathroom. The AAA rate we got for POP for this coming December (early in the month) is $61 + tax. I'm not sure what the rate will be for the cabins. Have a wonderful time whatever you decide!