December 2005 Info, Code, Dining, & Special Package Watch! :)

[skuttle]

SKUTTLE Cute little guy you have there. Reminds me of my grandson.

Thanks so much!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

This will be my first December WDW trip and I am looking for a great rate as well. So far I have AP Best Rate Reservations at ASMU for 12/6-12/14. Preffered room for $722, hope to get something better and maybe upgrade back to Moderate resort. POFQ would be great, but so far no luck!


Tabitha


Carribbean Beach- Sept 2002
Pop Century - Sept 2004
All Star's Music (????)- Dec 2005

 

[Maria395712]

hoping for free dining in dec the 1st that hears let us know
maria

 

[kellyg403]

The savings would be great! I would at that point entertain upgrading hotels from POR. And keep it as a surprise for the family. I know I will be watching and hoping!

Kelly

 

[jrogers345]

Typically 10 to 20% for room only; packages vary - you can get some good deals. And if *free dining* is offered again, I believe you can get that with an AAA package.

To me, it's worth having AAA for more than just WDW. Many hotels accept AAA for at least a 10% discount. Their most valuable service is the road service however. They've been there for me when I've had flat tires, dead batteries, locked my keys in my car (not once, but twice!); free towing. They also discount cruises (including DCL); provide a service called Trip Tix where you can route your road trip on-line (like an enhanced Mapquest!). They also provide discounted auto/life insurance; discounted theme park tickets..... No, I don't work for them! I just love the peace of mind of having them just a 1-800 phone call away!

I agree. Have used them numerous times. Really appreciated them when my car died late at night on a back road. Have used them at hotels that give a AAA discount. First time I've used them for a whole vacation package. Saved me $170 total compared to same package ordered thru WDW online. My AAA agent said that if free dining is offered again for my November trip, she will be able to apply it to my reserv. and still give me the AAA discount

 

[mama22]

With the previous promotion just expiring, do you think we will hear about something new soon? That would be great!

 

[mistydoodles]

I sure hope so. I can't wait to find out.

 

[Cruz Family]

okay, can someone please explain this whole code thing. Where do you find the code? Who can use it? How and where do you use the code?

Last year I booked my vacation thru the Walt Disney Travel Co. (disney.com) I am starting to plan my vacation for Oct. 06 and would like to have a clear understanding of how the get the best deal. I am not an AP and would love the free dining? (Is that offered every year? What are my chances for next year?) I would appreciate any help and info. all you Disney experts can give me. Thanks in advance, Melissa

 

[MinnieSummer]

I heard a rumor that the codes would be released next Thursday, 1 September. Which would be pretty close to when they were released last year. Good luck everyone. I went ahead and booked, with many misgivings and trepidation, on the Passholder Best Rate site. Got an incredible rate at Boardwalk. If it goes down any further I will be amazed and thrilled but I am happy with what I got.

 

[mom_rules]

MinnieSummer-do tell!?!

 

[cobbler]

okay, can someone please explain this whole code thing. Where do you find the code? Who can use it? How and where do you use the code?

Last year I booked my vacation thru the Walt Disney Travel Co. (disney.com) I am starting to plan my vacation for Oct. 06 and would like to have a clear understanding of how the get the best deal. I am not an AP and would love the free dining? (Is that offered every year? What are my chances for next year?) I would appreciate any help and info. all you Disney experts can give me. Thanks in advance, Melissa

You can get a code in a couple of ways. One is through a postcard which Disney sends to you and is attached to your name. Another is a general public code which you would find here or at mousesavers.com

As for free dining. Not sure about next year, this is the first year they have offered it. So its really hard to say. This would be one of the general public codes. So as for your chances, well no one knows because we don't know if they will offer it again or not.

There have been no general room discount codes released for this year and it is really hard to say what they will do next year. Best bet is to keep your eyes peeled here for general codes that may be released next year.

Also if you are an AAA member they have room discounts.

 

[100AcreWood]

Hi folks,
I booked a room at WL hoping to get the AP discount however dh found out he has more vacation than he thought so we're staying longer. I need to bring the budget down a bit so I want to stay at a moderate.

What do you suggest? I tried POR but it's booked. I stayed at Carribean in 1999 and wasn't impressed. In fact we had to move rooms after the first night because it was so dirty.

What about Frenchquarter or Coronado? Or has Carribean gotten better?

Thanks for any advice!!! Otherwise I may book the Doubletree DTD. Never been in December before so I hear it's "the time" to book at a resort and of course I would love to get free dining

 

[angey77]

Hi folks,
I booked a room at WL hoping to get the AP discount however dh found out he has more vacation than he thought so we're staying longer. I need to bring the budget down a bit so I want to stay at a moderate.

What do you suggest? I tried POR but it's booked. I stayed at Carribean in 1999 and wasn't impressed. In fact we had to move rooms after the first night because it was so dirty.

What about Frenchquarter or Coronado? Or has Carribean gotten better?

Thanks for any advice!!! Otherwise I may book the Doubletree DTD. Never been in December before so I hear it's "the time" to book at a resort and of course I would love to get free dining

First off, if given a choice, I would not stay off-grounds, due to the convenience of staying on-property when it comes to EMHs, sending merchandise to the room, etc.
I adore POFQ and last year, it went through a rehab, making it even better. I have stayed there twice, once before the rehab and once after. Everything is in close walking distance, no matter what building you get. The food court is a bit small, but if you are like me, you don't spend a whole lot of time there anyway. Also, there is a boat that runs between POFQ and POR, and to DTD, which is quite an enjoyable ride and a great way to check out POR. Another perk is each room has two basins and a curtain by that area, which you can draw for privacy when getting dressed.
The one time we stayed at CSR, we vowed we would not go back (this was two and a half years ago). Our room was a bit shabby (carpet pulling up) and it was a long walk to El Centro from the Cabanas we stayed in. Top that with the fact it rained the entire time, so that walk seemed twice as long. And unless it has changed (please someone correct me if I'm wrong), if you eat in the food court (Pepper Market), unless you take it to go, you are charged a gratuity fee just for someone checking on you to see if you need drinks.
After all this, can you tell yet which resort I recommend?

 

[MinnieSummer]

Definitely stay on property and go with a moderate. I know Angey didn't like CSR but it is our favorite of the mod's. We dislike CB (infact we'd stay at POP before CB). POFQ was really nice and POR was also nice (the Magnolia Bend section -- disliked the Alligator Bayou section). But CSR is still our favorite. The pool is great, the theming is incredible, the food court is huge with more choices than anywhere else (yes there is a gratuity tacked on but if never bothered me as I prefer not to carry my drink around while I'm looking for a table only to have someone steal it out from under me as I try to get to it. Getting seated, having someone bring my drinks and refills, and bussing the table for me makes the 10% worth it). The sit down restaurant has a great breakfast buffet and the dinners are excellent. I have also found that the Mousekeepers here seem to be more efficient and willing to work with you than the other mod's -- not sure why. I don't remember if you said you had kids, but if you do there are two arcades, the pool has a great slide, the playground is rubber rather than sand or wood chips (no sand in the eye or splinters) and it is generally a great kid-friendly place.

Hope this helps.

 

[Kaitysmom]

Another vote for POFQ - we enjoyed it as much as the deluxes but we had our own transportation. The boat ride to DTD is an added bonus.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I guess I need to revise my post. If it were just my husband and I without the little DD we would still like to stay at CSR, however, POFQ would be a close second as the romance of the area and the boatride to DTD is really special. The only thing I absolutely don't like is that it doesn't have its own restaurant. The restaurant at POR is very nice but if you have to travel why not go to another resort?

 

[RachelTori]

Hi folks,
I booked a room at WL hoping to get the AP discount however dh found out he has more vacation than he thought so we're staying longer. I need to bring the budget down a bit so I want to stay at a moderate.

What do you suggest? I tried POR but it's booked. I stayed at Carribean in 1999 and wasn't impressed. In fact we had to move rooms after the first night because it was so dirty.

What about Frenchquarter or Coronado? Or has Carribean gotten better?

Thanks for any advice!!! Otherwise I may book the Doubletree DTD. Never been in December before so I hear it's "the time" to book at a resort and of course I would love to get free dining

PLEASE stay on property!!! Especially in December - the resorts are beautiful! My 1st choice would be POFQ, but you can keep trying for POR - there are always cancellations. And no matter what, make sure you resort hop just to take in the decorations at the resorts - amazing!!

 

[mgpan]

Just bumping to keep this going and easier to find. Great news for FL residents today (well decent news seeing that discounts aren't that great). Now what about the rest of us who don't live in the sunshine state or have AP? Come on mouse you can do it!

 

[Helena A]

We joined AAA this year just for our WDW trip and saved about $400. The price of AAA was only $49. They will also book your trip, but we didn't use their travel services. We booked through Small World (using our AAA) and saved even more $$$. Also, our TA with Small World will continue to check for other discounts. Good luck!!

We are also going in December to WDW, already made reservations. I was curious though about joining AAA just for the trip, how long in advance you have to join? Does it matter? Thanks everyone!!!

 

[angey77]

We are also going in December to WDW, already made reservations. I was curious though about joining AAA just for the trip, how long in advance you have to join? Does it matter? Thanks everyone!!!

I went to AAA, joined at one desk, then turned around and booked my DL vacation at the next desk.