clarification for those new to the board...how to get the best deal for next summer

[deadhedjen]

OK...I'm new to the board. I've read through all the code posts and the resort posts that were pertinent. Correct me if I'm wrong, but so far it seems like the best route to go for getting a deal for summer 2006 (july 4th week to be more specific) is....
1) book the room only ressie through AAA. (that way you are guaranteed the room/resort you want...and get a bit of a discount)
2) keep watching the boards and see if any discounts become available (and have your AAA agent apply these to your existing ressie if possible)
3) consider buying the AP if there are good discounts released before the time of travel (and pray that after buying the AP that your dates/resort are still available)
4) get on your knees and pay homage to the knowledgable folks here at the DIS for keeping you up to date on all the goings on, codes, trip reports, etc..LOL!

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated...you folks have already been a great help and I really do appreciate it!

(getting on knees paying homage, lol)
Thanks again!
Jennifer.

Oh yeah, gotta get a better sig line...here goes...
um, plans in the works for first time on-site visit to the mouse sometime late June/early July 2006

(insert picture of kids here having fun from last Disney trip)
(insert ticker showing how many more months/weeks/days till my next trip to the mouse)

 

[BlsdMama]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think #3 will soon be non-relevant. Will you get good rates? Yes, but probably only if you've booked sixty days out. They way I see it you have two choices:

1) Take an AAA package if you're booking mod. or value (the only way you can get discounted dining included.)
2) If you're going deluxe, book Best Rate sixty days in advance / room only.

(The reason I say go Best Rate for deluxe and not AAA is that the percentage off seems to make for a much bigger value with the deluxes than the mods or values. It seems to me that the $$ saved would equal more than the dining if you're doing deluxe. But, if going mod or value, the difference of discount between AP and AAA is not as significant. Therefore, it's better to get a slight discount on the dining plan as well - it multiplies your savings. It appears as though you're getting an equal deal between the two -see below - but really you are getting carefree dining added.)

I ran the numbers for our stay, February, POR

This is what it is looking like:

POR waterview 6 nights/7 days MYW base tickets for 7 days
1 Annual Pass, 1 Adult, 3 children - Annual Pass discount of $99/night taken into consideration.


Approximate Total:approx. $1700 - no dining

Same package via AAA, but no annual pass - 1 adult ticket added and dining added - approx. $2400

Now, for 7 days, I could figure $100/day on dining. But, it's not terribly realistic and I'd have to nickel and dime the meals and pay really, really close attention. The same $700 added on using AAA pays for my dining plan and I can eat desserts, have appetizers, etc.

I know this wasn't a dining question, but when we did it as an altogether family vacation I don't dare hold out for pin codes or for possible AP rates outside of the Best Rate program. Many don't think they'll exist and even if they do, I doubt they'll be better than Best Rate. AAA couldn't get me the lowest room rate, but with dining included they did get the best package. I'm very happy. And, the other perk is, the only cash I have to cough up is going to be for fun stuff. My tickets, my hotel, and my food is taken care of... No worries!

 

[ToyStory]

I would at least book a room now and get the AAA rate while they are available. You can always change it if somethings else comes up better.

At least you will get some sort of discount.

 

[deadhedjen]

Good point about the AP discount for the deluxes...it would definitely be worth it for the drop in those rates.
This upcoming trip happens to include 2 families though. And we're going to need 3 rooms for the 11 of us. We're debating whether to go with a mod or a value (but leaning towards the mod).
The trip isn't until next July and I'm not sure the free dining plan is going to be applicable then. Or is that not the case? If so, then that changes things a bit. I'd jump on free dining in a heartbeat, lol. We LOVE to eat, but hate to spend the $$ for it, lol.
Anyone know when the free dining offer ends?
Thanks!
Jennifer

 

[ToyStory]

It already ended. It was only good until the beginning of October.

Myself and others on the board are on a wait and see to see if the offer will become available again.

 

[BlsdMama]

Yes, but my post reflected rates that included paying for dining. It is still worth paying for dining (IMO) and receiving the AAA discount than to book room only with an AP and pay out of pocket for dining. It's VERY close, give or take $100 on POR, however, for being able to be a little more carefree in our budget, I'll take the dining.

 

[mwalsh]

It also depends on eating habits. We do 2 sit downs per day so the dining package does not make sense. We do the Dining Discount with the AP and save there, plud the room discount. It really works - especially when staying more than 10 days per year.

 

[deadhedjen]

Hmmm...good figuring on the dining...believe it or not, I wasn't aware you could get your dining discounted if you booked through AAA. May I ask what the % off is in the regular season (at a mod)? I already know the % off the room, I just need to know the % off of dining.
I wasn't going to do the dining package, but if it comes out to be roughly $100 per day then I might consider it. My family is 2 adults and 4 kids and we plan on eating our breakfasts in the room daily...maybe a late character breakfast (meaning 1 for the whole trip) but we'll consider that lunch. We do like to have sit-downs or counter service almost every night though. I figured the AP 20% off would come in handy for 4 of us and pay reg for the last 2 kids (who eat like birds anyway).
You all bring up some interesting points.
We really had hoped to stay at the Poly..but sticker shock set in when we realized we need 2 rooms. So with the AAA rates, we can afford the moderate and get 2 rooms. BUT...with Best Rate and the AP, would that even make the 2 rooms at Poly within our budget? Or would it make more sense to go with 2 mod rooms through AAA and use their dining discount? Hard to say since I didn't realize AAA had a dining discount.
Oh boy, now I really do need some help here!
And I thought I'd read these boards over so well, lol.

Jennifer.

 

[Maureenmouse]

I didn't know AAA had a dining discount either. What is the package discount for a MOD IN REGULAR SEASON? I'd like to know about a dining package discount too.

 

[jann1033]

sorry wrong thread