December 2008 Code Watch

[goofieslonglostsis]

Crunching all kinds of numbers here, just like many of you.

Looks like the chance is realistic we've allready got the best deal for us. At the moment we've got CBR, AA-rate for 13 nights, 3 adults, room only for $1743.43

Now call me silly, but that's the rate for 2 adults if you check the AAA-website. I've asked CRO if it was correct, TA checked up on it after it was transfered to her, but the answer keeps being that it is correct. The confirmation is stating all 3 of us, so I guess we just got lucky! Turns out to be over 27% discount.

I'm thinking about maybe getting myself an AP, as I'll probably drop in a couple of days in sept 2009. But looking at the rates I see coming up for AP-rate at a mod. during value this year (and for dec 2008), it looks like the difference for us would be too little to even cover the $122,- that the AP is more expensive. Not being able to add DDP without buying my parents AP's also (who don't need it) would than finalize the dissicion; no AP.

So, unless they'll have amazing AP-rates or at least match out current rate with a package discount -how likely would it be any way to get 30% at a public discount... I doubt it!- , it looks like we've allready gotten the cheapest rate for us.

 

[Pei4ever]

Just booked for Dec 20-28; here's hoping for some type of discount

 

[Aw Phooey]

We always go this time of year (also to avoid the Pop Warner Crowd), we will be there 11/30-12/07/08 at WL.

In Dec 2007, we had no rain at all during the week, & the high all week was 85 degrees--- woo hoo !!!

Crowds great !! We always utilize the Fast Pass, but rarely had to use them at times.

The decorations are great, hence my Dis name "DisneyNDecember", that is the only time of year we go now. We only get to go once a year since we live in TX, but we are addicted to December!!! You will LOVE it !!!!!

Yaaaaay! Those are the exact dates of our Disneymoon. XD

I've never done Disney during the holiday season. I'm really glad to know that this particular week is going to be a good one.

 

[danielle916]

CR is a really tough discount to get!!

Here is what I wrote down about the CR last December (pricing included basic dining, 8 day park hoppers for 2 adults, 1 child for 12/8 to 12/15)

Garden Wing, Garden View $3413 (have no idea what rack was though)
You could probably back into it though...

i just booked the same exact thing for this dec. but my dates are 12/14 to the 20th and i have a party of 6 (1 child being only 1) and my total was 3694.00 with the park hopper and the dining, through AAA
so i guess i did good huh??

 

[misricsmith]

Just booked for Dec 20-28; here's hoping for some type of discount

I have my fingers crossed for you but over christmas good luck

 

[mnorton]

Subscribing... Thanks for all the info!

 

[brandijo5]

Dh and I went last Dec on our Disneymoon and we got POR for seven night, 4 day base tix, DDP for around $1700. When I totaled it up from rack rates, I basically got the DDP for free.

I would love to go back this year, but DH and I are going to start trying for our family soon, so I am hoping I am preggers in Dec. We followed UG for tourning plans and waited 40 min for Soarin and 30 min for the Safari ride in AK. That was our longest waits the whole week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Golf4food]

I have never actually priced being a AAA member, but if we are planning on staying for 6 nights this December, I am wondering if it might be worth looking into a AAA membership, even if we have seasonal passes. How much is your basic AAA membership? How much more do you save on AAA rates vs. AP rates?

 

[Echo queen]

You can call AAA and they will give you a quote at the member rate. I would definitely call first because some dates there are no discounts for. The rate here in Texas for a basic membership is $51. I don't know about the AP info.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Just booked for Dec 20-28; here's hoping for some type of discount

The discounts for this year are stopping at Dec 18, the 19th and beyond are rack rate, more than likely there will be no discount until after the first of the year.

Suzanne

 

[Golf4food]

You can call AAA and they will give you a quote at the member rate. I would definitely call first because some dates there are no discounts for. The rate here in Texas for a basic membership is $51. I don't know about the AP info.

Found it on their website - looks like $64 for Florida, $30 to add DW. So if the AAA rate is even $10 cheaper it would pay for itself on our 6 night trip (Dec 7-13, so still during value season).

 

[Pei4ever]

The discounts for this year are stopping at Dec 18, the 19th and beyond are rack rate, more than likely there will be no discount until after the first of the year.

Suzanne

Lucky me Oh well atleast it will be the holidays at Disney I am so excited! We have never been in December. We usually go during spring break around the Easter crowd----love the weather in FL at that time.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Lucky me Oh well atleast it will be the holidays at Disney I am so excited! We have never been in December. We usually go during spring break around the Easter crowd----love the weather in FL at that time.

December is definitely a not to be missed time. The decorations are worth it alone. You will have a great time.

Suzanne

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I have never actually priced being a AAA member, but if we are planning on staying for 6 nights this December, I am wondering if it might be worth looking into a AAA membership, even if we have seasonal passes. How much is your basic AAA membership? How much more do you save on AAA rates vs. AP rates?

Normally, you don't. AP rates are better than AAA rates.

In our case, the AP rate probably just wont be worth it to get an AP. If the rates are the same as last year, it would only save us about $200,- whereas getting the AP would cost me $120,- + once or twice $40,- (waterparks) more. But, it must be said that WDW did a bit of on our AAA rate. They put 3 adults on the ressie for the price of two. Don't ask me how, probably a mistake, but you wont hear us complaining.

Normally, the AAA rate would be around $1962 for our trip. Rack rate is $2400,-. So that would save about $440,- being about 18%. The rate we've gotten now is arouns $1743, which saves us about 27% of rack rate.

Depending on the season and resort, AAA will save you anywhere from 10% to 20%.

Doing some quick math makes me think there tends to be about 30% discount during the value season when using AP rates. Or that is; at a mod (that being the ones I looked into, don't know about the others).

 

[Golf4food]

Normally, you don't. AP rates are better than AAA rates.

In our case, the AP rate probably just wont be worth it to get an AP. If the rates are the same as last year, it would only save us about $200,- whereas getting the AP would cost me $120,- + once or twice $40,- (waterparks) more. But, it must be said that WDW did a bit of on our AAA rate. They put 3 adults on the ressie for the price of two. Don't ask me how, probably a mistake, but you wont hear us complaining.

Normally, the AAA rate would be around $1962 for our trip. Rack rate is $2400,-. So that would save about $440,- being about 18%. The rate we've gotten now is arouns $1743, which saves us about 27% of rack rate.

Depending on the season and resort, AAA will save you anywhere from 10% to 20%.

Doing some quick math makes me think there tends to be about 30% discount during the value season when using AP rates. Or that is; at a mod (that being the ones I looked into, don't know about the others).

I keep seeing conflicting information on that - I've seen people post making it sound like AAA saved them more than the AP rate would have, but you say - and my brain says it should be - that AP rates are lower. I would think Disney would give the bigger reward to direct passholders, not members of an outside company, no matter what kickback they might get from AAA...

 

[dsnyfan21]

Another thing is when you call for a ressie you go down a list for discounts, I ask for a FL resident discount, then passholder, then Disney VISA card and then AAA. Sometimes they don't have anymore rooms with one of those discounts, but will have other rooms at the same resort with another. SO, to me, the more you can throw at them the more apt you are to get some kind of a discount.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I keep seeing conflicting information on that - I've seen people post making it sound like AAA saved them more than the AP rate would have, but you say - and my brain says it should be - that AP rates are lower. I would think Disney would give the bigger reward to direct passholders, not members of an outside company, no matter what kickback they might get from AAA...

Maybe people are factoring in the extra $ they have to pay to get an AP? There are enough of them out there getting an AP for the discounted rate. And let's be honest, if it saves you $500,- and costs you $200 more, it's a no-brainer. However if it costs you $200,- and saves you $150,- on the AAA-rate you've allready gotten it "costs" you and the AAA-rate 'saves' more.

The AAA-rate isn't cheaper for them, but it saves them more in the totall amount. I know this is probably the case for us.

 

[Golf4food]

Maybe people are factoring in the extra $ they have to pay to get an AP? There are enough of them out there getting an AP for the discounted rate. And let's be honest, if it saves you $500,- and costs you $200 more, it's a no-brainer. However if it costs you $200,- and saves you $150,- on the AAA-rate you've allready gotten it "costs" you and the AAA-rate 'saves' more.

The AAA-rate isn't cheaper for them, but it saves them more in the totall amount. I know this is probably the case for us.

That makes sense. You are probably correct. Probably just the way people have been wording things. We'll have our seasonal FL Res passes anyway, so probably no need for AAA, especially since I work for a company that has a competing roadside program!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

You should be ok with those. If I'm right you're eligable for both FL and AP rates, right? That should be enough if you're watching the codes, a bit flexible in dates and resorts.

I only joint our national AAA 'sister' to get the room discount. I don't even own or drive a car.

 

[dawz1026]

subbing....