Convention Discounts

[Starkiss]

Hi there! This might sound like a strange question, but does anyone have experience "tagging along" with a convention to recieve the discounted room rates? I have seen some awesome rates for tickets and rooms if you are attending various conventions being held at WDW. I didn't know, if you said you were with the group to get the room rate/ticket rate, if they ever asked for confirmation of attending the convention? I even called to get more info by calling the reservation desk at the Beach Club Convention. I found out that I cannot add on the dining plan to a convention room as it is not considered at "MYW package." The savings in the cost of the room rate would more than compensate for missing out on the dining plan.


I didn't want to be put in the awkward position arriving and checking in, then being questioned for a convention confirmation code or something.

Any ideas

 

[dancin Disney style]

I've attended conventions twice before at CSR (this year at WDW Hilton) and we had to book the rooms under the info that was provided by the convention. For example...we had to ask for the "Spirit V Co." block of rooms.

We were never at any time asked for any type of proof that we were attending the convention. In my case, other than opening my suitcase, there is no way to prove attendance.

 

[Starkiss]

How long ago were your conventions?

 

[Selket]

We have attended a convention held at CSR twice in the past few years and we book under the name of the group holding the conference. I often talked by email to one of the organizers and it seemed to me that she had access to everyone's information who had booked with their special conference rate. It seemed from what she said that she knew their name, etc. and what room they were assigned to in the hotel. But I'm not 100% sure about that.

That being said, I wasn't asked about it at check-in. We did the convention in 2007 and 2005.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Our conventions were in '05 and '07.

This year even though we have been offered an excellent rate at the WDW Hilton we have opted to stay at POP with the AAA rate...AAA is saving me approx. $40 per day over the convention rate at the Hilton.

 

[ironz]

The last meeting I went to at a WDW resort, the registration/lodging info said that they would confirm your meeting registration against the lodging reservations. I don't know if they did, but I certainly wouldn't condone what the OP is considering. How embarrassing if you got caught!

 

[BroadwayGirl]

If you are not attending the event or are not a guest of someone attending the event then you should not book under the event. Period. More and more events are using rooming lists and other methods to ensure that their room blocks are not usurped by shady folks trying to take advantage of the rates that the event has contracted for and is responsible for.

Furthermore, the event planner usually requests enough rooms for all their planned attendees. If outsiders decide they are going to try to horn in on the discounted rooms from the event block then that means that someone who is SUPPOSED to be in those rooms and PAYING to attend the event may end up without a room or moved to another resort. It can be very inconvenient for the convention attendee to have to stay somewhere else and commute to the meetings everyday.

 

[Charleyann]

Discovery Cove told me that people in town for conferences can get a $69 rate to enjoy an afternoon there. This doesn't include dolphin swim or tickets to Seaworld/ Baush Gardens but it is a nice way to spend a day with lunch and snacks included!

Charleyann

 

[ciera321]

We're going in July for a convention at CR, but in order to get the convention rate, you must register and pay for the convention first, then you can book you room.