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

[The6ofUs]

I've heard a lot about getting group rates. Can anyone tell me how that works? How many do you need to constitute a group?

Also, I think it's time for me to get a basic idea of what parks to visit on what days. I want to book a Hoop-dee-doo dinner and don't know which evening to book it. I'm thinking it would be good to plan for it the same day we go to Animal Kingdom since that park doesn't seem to be a "full-day" park (from what I've been reading). What do you guys think?

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I've heard a lot about getting group rates. Can anyone tell me how that works? How many do you need to constitute a group?

Group requirements vary depending on things like when you want to travel and how many rooms you are asking them to block for your group (they actually take the rooms out of inventory for you untill your cut off date). The minimum requirement can be as low as 10 rooms for at least one night. It can be higher than that. Our agency has 2 groups we are actively work on. One has the requirement of 10 rooms at any resort for at least one night, another has a requirement of 10 rooms at ONE resort for at least FIVE consecutive nights. If you don't meet that requirement by your cut off date then all rooms revert to rack rate.

The other thing that is different about group rates is that someone must be willing to give a credit card to guarantee ALL of the rooms you are holding out. They don't charge the card right away but there are stiff penalties in place for cancellations/no shows and that card can be charged for them. You must release any rooms not sold back in to inventory by 30 days before the start date. If someone cancels after that point and Disney can not resell the room (and the contract states that this would be the LAST rooms in that category so basically the category has to sell out) then you are responsible for 90% of the rate for that room for every night that it goes empty.

So to start a group, you have to be willing to take on the risk but you do get some great rates. I am only willing to have our agency take on the risk if we know for sure that meeting the minimum will not be a problem because we have to guarantee that rate to people so we have to be prepared to book extra rooms ourselves if need be to keep it (and of course we don't want to have to do that! ) Basically equal to, or sometimes less than, the rates being quoted by the best rate. You also have access to group rate park hopper tickets, to meal vouchers and to custom events.

 

[kenziesmom]

Will you use your balcony? If so, I highly recommend upgrading. I was very disappointed with the standard view, but the courtyard view is great!!!

 

[The6ofUs]

Thanks, LollipopMom, for explaining the group program to me. I always wondered and am glad I know now!

 

[mgpan]

Waiting, and Wishing and Hoping. I am interested in what rate folks are getting for deluxes in December. Not looking for concierge or particular view as we are hoping to go for standard view. Surely someone else has reserved since the last person posted? Keep this thread going!

 

[flamanar]

Add my family (me, wife, son 9, daughter 4) to the list of people going down in December. We're looking at going from 11/30-12/15 and staying at Pop Century. We've been to DW 3 times so far, but it'll be the first trip to Disney for our youngest...although she TECHNICALLY was there once already (see footnote). It'll be our first time staying on-property and our first time without the grandparents coming along. Haven't made any reservations yet, but will probably try AAA this coming weekend and do a room-only deal. We'll also be watching to see if there are any codes/free-dining packages coming out.

flamanar

footnote:
Last Disney trip = 11/2000...daughter born = 8/2001...you do the math!

 

[scriv2]

We are also going in December - 7th thru the 16th at WL. I have a AAA rate, but deciding if I should get the AP for a better rate with DDE or wait and hopefully get free dining. That would sure be great!

 

[The6ofUs]

We have the AAA rate, too, and will probably just stick with that unless we get the free dining. Then we'll have to go to rack rate, but that's okay. We won't get the AP because we're staying at POP and it doesn't seem to be worth any discounts (if I remember right, any discounts would be offset by the cost of the AP ticket). I'm still hoping for the free dining to be extended, but I'm not holdiing my breath. Nothing wrong with hoping, though!

 

[The6ofUs]

footnote:
Last Disney trip = 11/2000...daughter born = 8/2001...you do the math!

Flamanar, I bet your little "footnote" is a cutey! Did you name her after a character at Disney?

 

[mom_rules]

Going beginning of December and have 2 Epcot resort rooms booked at new AP Program rate of $224/night (not incl taxes)

Previously booked as AAA room rate of $249/night (not including taxes).

 

[flamanar]

Flamanar, I bet your little "footnote" is a cutey! Did you name her after a character at Disney?

She is a little princess! We had a friend years ago that had a daughter that really looked like a living china doll. Cutest girl we've ever seen. We always said that we would name our daughter the same name if we ever had one. Hence...Hannah. We're thinking that Disney will make a movie with a princess named Hannah in it one day... In the long run, that vacation is obviously our most expensive one to date...but worth every penny!

flamanar

 

[shanstef]

My husband and I are booked on the Dec. 10th Eastern Caribbean Cruise followed by Dec. 17-20th at the Poly. We are really hoping for a good discount or free dining to come through for December!

Shannon in Seattle

 

[mom_rules]

shanstef-have you tried AAA or AP rates for your dates?

 

[shanstef]

We are AAA members, but we booked through Mouseearsvacations. Last time I called AAA for a quote they never got back to me, so I was a little dissappointed in the service. We have used MEV in the past and our agent has been able to get some kind of discount before our travel date. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the same thing this time.

Shannon

 

[stashf]

My mom and I and my two kids, aged 5 and 2 will be going this Dec. I plan for the 8-14th, we will be celebrating both kids bdays there, 11th and 13th respectively. Last year we went dec 2-6 and fell in love and hope to make it a yearly thing. I'm still tossing up where to stay but plan to book in a week or so. I'm tossing up WL or POFQ and if any discounts are posted even considering the BC. My first choice is probably the WL. Last year we were at the POR and found it a little too sprawling for us with little ones. I hope to do the MVMCP twice, kids bdays respectively and this year we WILL see the Candlelight processional! Last year we left it for the last day and they had some convention, so there was no hope of getting in with standing in line. It was really devastating to us! Well enough babbling, this is a great thread as I love Disney at Christmas, went this May and it doesnt compare!!!

Stashf

 

[mom_rules]

Originally I had our rooms booked through DU - they were able to secure the AAA room rate. Can MEV not do the same?

 

[juljenann]

I booked my Dec trip at WL through AAA. If free dining is extended, Can we get it??

Thank you all again for all your help.

 

[DznyDreams]

I booked my Dec trip at WL through AAA. If free dining is extended, Can we get it??

Thank you all again for all your help.

My AAA TA did get the free dining for some of her clients whose dates fall into the range of the current offer. She said that you don't get the AAA discount on the room, but you still save more money with the free dining.

In other words:

FREE dining + rack rate < paying for dining + AAA room discount

 

[juljenann]

Thank You!

 

[kenziesmom]

Originally I had our rooms booked through DU - they were able to secure the AAA room rate. Can MEV not do the same?

We booked throught Small World Travel with AAA discount. My TA will also continue to monitor for additional discounts. We usually book direct with WDW, but saw a thread on Small World and decided to try them this trip.