Codes & Discounts on ASMu Suites?

[esdras]

I'm wondering if anyone has any "official" (if that's possible) information on applying codes and/or discounts when staying in the Family Suites at ASMu. I've seen a few mentions of people applying codes when booking the suites, and I have also noticed that people have booked the suites with the CAA/AAA room-only discount.

On the other hand, I have called Disney to enquire about booking a vacation and have received different answers.

First, EVERY time I have called, they have said that the CAA/AAA discount can be applied.

However, when I ask about the possibility of using a "package" code (we're hoping to go when there is a chance for free dining again) I have had three different answers - and I have had each answer given more than once!

Answer 1: Only "room-only" discounts can be applied to the ASMu Family Suites, such as CAA/AAA, PIN codes, etc.

Answer 2: The ASMu Family Suites are eligible for all promotions, either "room-only" or "packages" offered as discounts or codes EXCEPT for "Free Dining".

Answer 3: The ASMu Family Suites are now eligibe for all Disney vacation promotions, INCLUDING "Free Dining".

When we were at Disney in '06 for Free Dining, we booked two adjoining rooms at ASMo, one was on the package deal, the other on a CAA/AAA room only discount (we made two reservations, and faxed the resort to say that we needed the two rooms together, one for my wife and I, the other for the kids - the increase in sanity was well worth the increase in cost). Admittedly, it would still cost a little more for a Family Suite on Free Dining, because the room will be rack-rate, but not a huge increase in cost. Additionally, having the fridge included, plus the microwave and coffee maker add to making it worth it.

Since I can't find anything on an "official" Disney website outlining the policy, and I'm getting more than one reply when calling, this forum is my other (hopefully) resource for an answer. I know that a few people here manage to get some "inside" information - here's hoping someone has some for this question.

THANKS!

 

[pacew]

I don't know about dining packages, however we were able to get the current ticket upgrade deal on a family suite. It saved on the room and upgraded our tickets. I just put the same dates and family members in and it looks like it saved $589!!!!

Wendy

 

[Luv2Roam]

A CAA/AAA dining package would have to be bought through CAA/AAA.
Disney will sell a room only using CAA/AAA. But it is just that -- room only.
Just judging by what I read here, the suites discounts are few and far between. And just like any discount, unpredictable.

Another thing to consider. I know at least the last few years, January has always been AAA month. You may want to keep your eyes open for anything booked in January through AAA. The travel time is usually very limited. It just depends on when you plan to travel.

 

[pacew]

By the way, when I called to change our ressie the CM said there are no discounts on suites. However, I had already checked online and saw that it was available. I told her that and she was very nice to check. Sure enough it was available. She was very surprised.

Wendy

 

[esdras]

Hi - thanks for the replies!

By the way, when I called to change our ressie the CM said there are no discounts on suites. However, I had already checked online and saw that it was available. I told her that and she was very nice to check. Sure enough it was available. She was very surprised.

I'm glad that it worked out for you! This also seems to show why I was getting different replies depending on the CM. Had you been talking to a different one, there's a good chance that they would have said that the discounts could be applied and immediately checked to see if one was available.

Just judging by what I read here, the suites discounts are few and far between. And just like any discount, unpredictable.

I don't know about dining packages, however we were able to get the current ticket upgrade deal on a family suite. It saved on the room and upgraded our tickets. I just put the same dates and family members in and it looks like it saved $589!!!

This might be the best "official" answer, in that there ISN'T an "official" policiy regarding the Family Suites. Although the CAA/AAA discount now seems to be available on a regular basis, code or package discounts might be applicable on a case by case basis. In other words, it worked for the "Park Pass Upgrade" promotion, but that doesn't mean that Disney will allow it for Free Dining (if it is offered to the general public again). Then again, it doesn't mean that Disney WON'T allow it either.

I know that I could simply book a package deal with the Suite and not put on the dining at this time, wait until April, and IF it is offered again, immediately call and see if it could be added to our package. Unfortunately, we're facing the problem of scheduling the vacation, and it will be VERY tight in terms of when it seems as though they might offer free dining. Additionally, this is the main factor making it so we can afford to go back in '08. I recently got a PIN code by e-mail (for the curious, we have registered on the Disney website, bought stuff online from the Disney store and the PIN came right after I ordered a Planning DVD - so, hopefully, I'm now on their radar!) - but the discount was the same as CAA/AAA.

Now, one other possibility would be if the 40% code happens again and we're lucky enough to get one. However, I can't remeber if you could buy the dining package with that offer. I also don't know if the Suites will qualify for that IF it's offered.

Essentially, (estimating the cost of airfare from Detroit based on the info I can get from AirTran's website) a package deal for the last week of August with a Family Suite for 8 nights/9 days and a 5 Day Hopper Pass (2 travel days, 5 park days, 2 rest days) for 2 Adults and 2 kids (4 and 8) comes out to about $3500 USD.

We could probably go up another $200 or so at the most. So, we are hoping for the above length of stay, with either Free Dining, or paying for the basic Dining Plan and using another discount to make the total cost $3750 USD or less.

I guess the worst case scenario is that we book two adjoining rooms again, which was fine - but we've seen the photos and reviews of the Family Suites, and we think they would be ideal - so we'd like to be able to give those a try this time.

Again, thanks for the replies, and if anyone has any ideas on how to get the vacation to that rate - please post here!

Thanks!

 

[Elmo888]

I just wanted to add that I did the same thing as pacew. I was able to add the current discount to a package with ASMusic Family Suites, tickets, and dining.

However, when the Visa code came out, I was not able to add it (and I tried for 3 days!). The particular code for the particular room was "sold out". This doesn't mean that the rooms were sold out (I already had the ressie). It just means that, for example, if the code was only available for 2 rooms, both had been taken. I think that because there are so few of these types of rooms, discount codes for these rooms probably sell out more quickly. And then it can seem like the code wasn't available. Clear as mud?

 

[Luv2Roam]

pacew -- If you read around here long you iwll see that is not unusual. (No availability one way, but there is another way.) Those would be using different inventories. I think many assume there is one big pool of room availability. But from what I gather, availability is based on many factors, including room onlys vs packages vs on-line, etc.

 

[esdras]

I just wanted to add that I did the same thing as pacew. I was able to add the current discount to a package with ASMusic Family Suites, tickets, and dining.

However, when the Visa code came out, I was not able to add it (and I tried for 3 days!). The particular code for the particular room was "sold out". This doesn't mean that the rooms were sold out (I already had the ressie). It just means that, for example, if the code was only available for 2 rooms, both had been taken. I think that because there are so few of these types of rooms, discount codes for these rooms probably sell out more quickly. And then it can seem like the code wasn't available. Clear as mud?

Good point. Which might mean that it is virtually impossible to find out what the "official" policy is regarding Family Suites and (if offered again) Free Dining.

It would be nice to know one way or the other though - at least then (if they were eligible) I would know that I could at least try to get one of them.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Well, I got a AAA room only discount on a Family Suite for April 30 thru May 3, 2008 and I also have a AAA discount on a package that I booked with my AAA TA for December 13-21, 2008. I don't know about free dining because we don't go during that time of year. HTH!!!


Suzanne

 

[misricsmith]

ok I am dumb what is CAA/ I assume AAA is triple A

 

[Diamondintheruff]

CAA is the canadian part of AAA. They offer the same travel discounts as AAA to those north of your border.