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

[nursemelis374]

For those of you without an AP like me, what are your thoughts? It seems a lot of people are getting reservations with the AP at a good discount. I wonder where that will leave the rest of us? I am really hoping for the Dining discount! My dates are December 2-8.

 

[barb45]

Erika - everyone in the party does need to have an AP - it's just that there is only 1 room per AP now.

 

[JenLoy]

Jumped in and booked the Best Rate Passholder Program for Dec 3-10 today. Garden View at GF was only $279 w/o tax, rather than the $349 rack rate I booked last week. Saved just $550 for the week. I hope they lower it again between now and then!!

 

[The6ofUs]

Just stopping by to say hi and ask others to post their Best Rate AP rates (if they've booked via the new AP program).

I'm still holding on to see what's going to happen with the Dining Plan. I don't think it would benefit us much to get an AP for a stay in a value resort - the cost of the AP seems to offset any savings. I would have to seriously think about it if I were staying at a Moderate or Deluxe, though.

What's going on with the rest of you? What are your strategies?

 

[barb45]

I added 1 night at AKL to our DVC stay for $143.00(with tax). Our friends that are coming with us but staying at AKL the whole time booked a package and I am hoping that they extend the free dining through our early December trip so that we can get it added to their package. Everyone is in different situations.

 

[mom_rules]

To give you an idea of what's out there (if you can get it)-

AP Program 1st week in December-

Values $65.80
AKL $143.84
WL $178.40
Moderates $104.81
YC/BC & BWI $249.75
All standard rooms.
All the above include taxes and were available on line as of this morning.

 

[grimgrningghost]

We booked Pop for the 7-11 at $59 a night and WL for the 11-17 at $129 a night.

 

[ninahbear]

Does anyone know if you can upgrade a MYW ticket to an Annual Pass?

 

[hockey mom]

Does anyone know if you can upgrade a MYW ticket to an Annual Pass?

I am pretty sure you can.

 

[mom_rules]

Me too-but I think you have to do it there?

 

[wdwendyd]

We booked a FW cabin for early December at the AP Best Rate for $164 per night w/out taxes. With taxes is $182.86 per night.

 

[calie_j]

I'm still holding out waiting to see what happens too and not driving myself crazy by following the great advice I read on the Dis, "are you happy with the rate you booked with". I am happy with the AAA rate I got, if something better comes up great, if not that's great too.

I doubt the free dining will be extended but even if it was it wouldn't work for us with a split stay and mainly TS we're planning on, too much adjusting and giving things up to make it work. I can save the cost of the upgrade to the AP on getting the DDE card alone (estimated $182 off dining with the 20%), but I'd need to save at least the $50 cost of the DDE card on the room with an AP rate over AAA rate to break even, so I won't do this unless I can come out a little ahead.

Calie

 

[triplefigs]

We ended up just staying with the AAA rate and added the dining package (through the AAA agent). The difference in the price per night of AAA vs AP was less than $20 per night, so keeping the AAA and adding dining (will save lots of money on the food portion as we're doing tons of character meals) was the best choice for us. Good luck!

 

[20yrs&counting]

We booked a FW cabin for early December at the AP Best Rate for $164 per night w/out taxes. Taxes are about an extra $30 per night.

We also have FW cabins booked for early December with AAA, $199.00 per night w/o tax. I have been thinking about the AP but with three cabins booked for my family I must be able to get the price for all to make the upcharge for the AP worth it.

 

[wdwendyd]

Oops! I accidentally put that taxes were $30 per night and they are actually about $19. The total with taxes for a FW cabin came to $182.86 per night.

 

[dpic]

Are there any AP rates for the first week of December at the WL (Dec 3-11)? I've been weighing getting an AP if no discounts come out to be able to get the DDE card. So, could someone check this for me?

Thanks!

 

[wdwendyd]

At the top of this page, mom_rules posted WL for $178.40. And on the thread Early December AP Best Rate Quotes, Tinkaroo posted: WL for 11/29-12/2: $129/night for standard view ($143.84/night with tax)

 

[ninahbear]

I tried looking for rates for WL from Dec. 7-11 and they didn't have any this morning. So I guess we will be waiting for AP rates.

 

[juljenann]

I booked 2 Standard rooms at WL for Dec 6 - 13 with 7 day hopper tickets, MYW dining & insurance for $ 5,757.16. (4 adults 3 kids)

If I go with AAA discount I get a courtyard view everything else the same for $6,033.24. We are trying to save $$. My question for you is:

Is it worth it to spend the extra $$ for courtyard??? We never stayed at WL and I really want the best we can get, but with 3 kids $276 can go towards other stuff. How much better is courtyard vs. standard??

Thank you for all your replies.

 

[pandora174]

I booked 2 Standard rooms at WL for Dec 6 - 13 with 7 day hopper tickets, MYW dining & insurance for $ 5,757.16. (4 adults 3 kids)

If I go with AAA discount I get a courtyard view everything else the same for $6,033.24. We are trying to save $$. My question for you is:

Is it worth it to spend the extra $$ for courtyard??? We never stayed at WL and I really want the best we can get, but with 3 kids $276 can go towards other stuff. How much better is courtyard vs. standard??

Thank you for all your replies.

Just my opinion but I've stayed at the WL with a standard view & then a courtyard view. Now my standard view was ok, we had a partial view of the Contemporary but if you looked down we saw the loading area & the smokehouse. Not the best view but it was our 1rst time at a Deluxe from Moderates & we fell in love with the hotel itself. The view won't take away from the wonderful experience that the hotel is. I think it just enhanses it. Our latest trip we were upgraded from woods view to courtyard view & oh wow, what a difference ! We had a full view of the pool & everynight I would sit on the balcony or stand & see the pool & the waterfall ! Then turn my head & I would see the lagoon & the electric water parade from my balcony ! Totally awesome view ! I do recommend it..