Completely lost, help :)

[sandsummers]

Hey everyone,
I am new to this site and have never even heard of using pins or codes. We haven't booked yet but want to go the last week of March, the 26th thru April 3rd. We will have our 3 children under the age of 5 and my parents. What would be your resort of choice with connecting rooms and how do I get a discount? How do we get a pin? We are AAA members. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

Sandi

 

[micmacmissy]

If it were me, I would choose a deluxe resort on the monorail--either CR, Poly, or GF. Most of their rooms sleep 5 per room (this is harder to find in value and moderate resorts). It will also be VERY convenient to be on the monorail with three kids under the age of 5. Easy to get to and from the parks and back to your room.

As far as discounts are concerned, there is a tab at the top of the Resorts board marked "Codes and Discounts" or something to that effect. Read through some of the posts and you'll see what discounts are being offered. You could also call your local travel agent and have them do some legwork for you. Keep in mind that the dates you just chose are VERY busy at Disney....which means fewer rooms and fewer discounts.

Have fun planning!

 

[lunabkat]

I highly recommend Small World Travel, they can give you all your options and book you and if a new code or better code comes along, they will rebook you for the new code. That way you get your choice of hotel and, maybe, get a little something taken off the top...they know about all the codes that come out, but not individual pin numbers which come on postcards in the mail to whomever the disney pin fairy deems worthy

Good luck

LL

 

[Disneylush]

I highly recommend making your ressies now at 407w using your AAA discount. There are only so many rooms with the AAA discount. Then as the time gets closer you can watch for better codes and pins but you know you have a room with a least a bit of a discount.

I love POP because it is so kid friendly yet adults can have fun and be comfortable too!

You will have to watch rates and see what is a better deal all of you in a deluxe resort or 2 rooms at a value.

 

[pikaboo27]

You can also check out the DVC boards and look into renting points to stay at a DVC resort. DH and I are staying at SSR in a studio in January for only a little more than we were going to pay at POP.

Good luck!

 

[ashef]

First of all, you should decide which resorts you are interested in. I strongly suggest you buy the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World & read about all the resorts and prices, and then you can ask questions here. AAA members can get a discounted rate on the properties but AAA has a limited number of rooms at each resort with that rate, which is why someone already told you to go ahead and book the AAA rate. You can do that either through an AAA travel agent or WDW. Codes are WDW discounts on the resort rack rates & appear from time to time. If a code is issued after you book a AAA rate, you can deal with it then; don't wait for a code to make your reservation.

The first sub-thread under Resorts is called "codes & rates" and they just talk about available discount codes. There is a thread for March, 2008, & I suggest you monitor it. If WDW does post a discount code, it will be big news there immediately.

Pins are codes for discounts that are emailed or snail mailed to individuals from WDW and they are very mysterious, elusive and hard to get, so forget about them for now.

Finally, you should request connecting rooms when you make your reservation, but there's no guarantee you will get them.

 

[lilyv]

I'd use a Disney Specialist Travel Agent. We use Dreams Unlimited.

They can book your rooms at the AAA room only rate, (if available) make your ADR's and answer your questions, and give you a great print out of your itinerary. They will keep an eye out for better deals for you, should one come out in the meantime.

If you're wanting a package, you have to do that through Disney or AAA.

I've also heard good things about Small World Travel, recommended earlier in this thread.

Tip-when I'm in the just looking/planning stage I try lots of possibilities at the Disney site. Different times of year, and so on. It gives me some idea of what's available before I contact the travel agent.

 

[pepperw23]

You can also check out the DVC boards and look into renting points to stay at a DVC resort. DH and I are staying at SSR in a studio in January for only a little more than we were going to pay at POP.

Good luck!

Can you still use the DP when you do that, or only when you are a DVC owner?

 

[LeahA]

With that large of group why don't you try the cabins at FW. It would probably give you the most room without breaking the bank.