December 2008 Code Watch

[dgagnon519]

We flew last year and paid $700 for the 4 of us round trip. We are going to drive this year. If we flew it would cost us 1200. We decided to take the 1200 and extend our vacation by 3 days and stop in myrtle beach on the way down. Gas down will cost $600 and the extra add on to our vacation cost $400. It felt much better sdpending the money on extra vacation time than air fare. It will take us 13 hours to drive to myrtle beach thats with a few bathroom stops and then 9 hours to orlando with a few bathroom stops.

 

[txdismom08]

Okay, noob questions incoming :/

1. If you are booked on a package with WDW Travel and a code comes out, can it be applied to a package? Or is it room only for codes?

2. If you use a Disney Visa code, do you have to pay with that card or show it? Or can you use another card to pay for the package?

My mother is paying for MOST of our package, and she doesn't have a Disney Visa card. Should she get one just for this?

Sorry, this code stuff is new to me!

 

[mickey2]

Okay, noob questions incoming :/

1. If you are booked on a package with WDW Travel and a code comes out, can it be applied to a package? Or is it room only for codes?

2. If you use a Disney Visa code, do you have to pay with that card or show it? Or can you use another card to pay for the package?

My mother is paying for MOST of our package, and she doesn't have a Disney Visa card. Should she get one just for this?

Sorry, this code stuff is new to me!

Yes you can

 

[sapereaude]

Adding myself, I'm new to this whole thing. I have my rooms booked via AAA (Caribbean beach, preferred room for $132/night before taxes) for 12/10-12/18 and we bought our tickets through JetBlue. I found that traveling mid-week rather htna on a weekend I could get tickets for pretty low ($94/one way), but we chose better times and paid $114/pp one way there and $104/pp one way back (Boston to Orlando). Everything else was probably at least 50% more expensive.

I want to keep my eye out for any good deals that come out though - it sounds like it would be a good idea to get a disney visa, huh? Are the codes during hte value season in december often better than the AAA 20%?

When is the best time to buy the MYW tickets? Right now I just have a room only reservation. I'm thinking its probably best to try to wait for a good deal or do you buy through a discount place, etc?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Okay, noob questions incoming :/

1. If you are booked on a package with WDW Travel and a code comes out, can it be applied to a package? Or is it room only for codes?

2. If you use a Disney Visa code, do you have to pay with that card or show it? Or can you use another card to pay for the package?

My mother is paying for MOST of our package, and she doesn't have a Disney Visa card. Should she get one just for this?

Sorry, this code stuff is new to me!

Welcome!

1) Yes you can add a code after the fact (as long as there is availability at your resort for your dates. Not all resorts release rooms for a code, especially at popular times of the year. For example, CR and WL are VERY tough to get codes for, but BC/POR/CBR etc. are alittle easier. Not sure when in December you are travelling, but the odds of a code for Christmas week and beyond are a million to one, but never say never!)

1) When a code is released, there will be various codes for a) room only b) Magic Your Way package c) Magic Your Way plus Dining d) Magic Your way plus Deluxe Dining etc.

2) You will need to make your deposit on the Visa. The balance can be paid however you choose (but I always use the Visa just for the rewards points alone!)

2) 99.9% of Visa codes are released to the general public 3 days after the Visaholders have access. I don't know that I would get one ONLY for a code.

Good luck!

 

[txdismom08]

Welcome!

1) Yes you can add a code after the fact (as long as there is availability at your resort for your dates. Not all resorts release rooms for a code, especially at popular times of the year. For example, CR and WL are VERY tough to get codes for, but BC/POR/CBR etc. are alittle easier. Not sure when in December you are travelling, but the odds of a code for Christmas week and beyond are a million to one, but never say never!)

1) When a code is released, there will be various codes for a) room only b) Magic Your Way package c) Magic Your Way plus Dining d) Magic Your way plus Deluxe Dining etc.

2) You will need to make your deposit on the Visa. The balance can be paid however you choose (but I always use the Visa just for the rewards points alone!)

2) 99.9% of Visa codes are released to the general public 3 days after the Visaholders have access. I don't know that I would get one ONLY for a code.

Good luck!

Well, we paid our deposit in May, so I guess that lets us out of that one! I'll just have to cross my fingers for a general public magic your way plus deluxe dining code then!



Thank you for the info!!

 

[moonpie85]

So if I booked my trip intially using my debit card (although I have the DV) but want to use the Disney Visa discount when it comes out, I can't??

 

[disney newb]

We bought our tickets in March and they have already gone up $615 per person. One is a non-stop flight, we got one way flights since we have multiple destinations, and we got it for $120 per person. It's now $654 per person.

So buy your tickets now.

Hey thanks for all the help. *sigh* Guess I just gotta buckle down and purchase them tickets then lol I'm not brave enough to to wait it out lol

Thanks again all you guys
**$574 total round-trip for the 2 of us through priceline.com**

 

[Cinderumbrella]

So if I booked my trip intially using my debit card (although I have the DV) but want to use the Disney Visa discount when it comes out, I can't??

I really am not sure if they would make you change it or not. Perhaps they would just ask for the number to confirm?

 

[heartsy77]

Due to the flight mess we are now coming in DEC 5 and staying at the POP!

 

[schaery]

I want to keep my eye out for any good deals that come out though - it sounds like it would be a good idea to get a disney visa, huh? Are the codes during hte value season in december often better than the AAA 20%?

When is the best time to buy the MYW tickets? Right now I just have a room only reservation. I'm thinking its probably best to try to wait for a good deal or do you buy through a discount place, etc?

If I remember correctly, last year my AAA discount was 20% but was 25% when I changed to the DV discount code that came out in August for Dec. trips. They had room only discounts and package discounts. You have to pay (charge, then you get more Disney Dollars) for a package 45 days ahead of time but also get 6 months no interest. There are some other advantages to having a DV card. You get $1 Disney Dollars for every $100 you charge. You get a 20% discount at some of the gift shops in Disney plus a free Meet and Greet picture at EPCOT's character spot. Oh, and 20% off of Disney tours. Plus DV offers different specials during the year at DisneyShopping.com.

Last year tickets went up in August but I'm wondering if the same will happen this year with people predicting a worsening economy. If you watch Disney forums closely, sometimes you'll get a heads-up on price increases.

 

[letthewookiewin]

1) Yes you can add a code after the fact (as long as there is availability at your resort for your dates. Not all resorts release rooms for a code, especially at popular times of the year. For example, CR and WL are VERY tough to get codes for, but BC/POR/CBR etc. are alittle easier. Not sure when in December you are travelling, but the odds of a code for Christmas week and beyond are a million to one, but never say never!)

1) When a code is released, there will be various codes for a) room only b) Magic Your Way package c) Magic Your Way plus Dining d) Magic Your way plus Deluxe Dining etc.

We are staying at the WL from December 7 - 14th in a courtyard view room with bunk beds. I am not expecting for them to release a code for the WL, but if they do that's just more spending money for the trip. If I am able to snag a code for the WL are they room category specific. Like they would only be good for standard rooms? Even though a code would save some money, it wouldn't be worth it to me to loose the bunk bed room. My DS's have wanted to stay at a bunk bed room at the WL since our first trip in 2004, and I am suprising them with one on this trip.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We are staying at the WL from December 7 - 14th in a courtyard view room with bunk beds. I am not expecting for them to release a code for the WL, but if they do that's just more spending money for the trip. If I am able to snag a code for the WL are they room category specific. Like they would only be good for standard rooms? Even though a code would save some money, it wouldn't be worth it to me to loose the bunk bed room. My DS's have wanted to stay at a bunk bed room at the WL since our first trip in 2004, and I am suprising them with one on this trip.

If a code comes out it, the hotel will decide, based on occupancy, what room categories to honor it with. I find the best way to "predict" is to check WDW's website and see if there is availabilty at your hotel for your dates. If there aren't any rooms open, there won't be a code. For example, the GF appears to be sold out for each night of my trip, so if a code is released, the GF probably won't be participating. Does that make sense?

Getting a code for the GF and WL in December is REALLY tough, especially when there were pin code offers earlier in the year and bounceback deals that helped fill those hotels.

In the past, the easiest hotels to get a code for have been AKL (though not necessarily savannah view), CBR, CSR, POR, SSR, some of the All Stars (but rarely the family suites) and Pop is hit or miss (although availability does seem to open up after the code has been out for a couple of weeks). This is not to say that other hotels won't be participating- it just seems that these larger hotels have more rooms, therefore are more willing to offer discounted rates to help fill them up.

Good luck!

 

[letthewookiewin]

If a code comes out it, the hotel will decide, based on occupancy, what room categories to honor it with. I find the best way to "predict" is to check WDW's website and see if there is availabilty at your hotel for your dates. If there aren't any rooms open, there won't be a code. For example, the GF appears to be sold out for each night of my trip, so if a code is released, the GF probably won't be participating. Does that make sense?

Getting a code for the GF and WL in December is REALLY tough, especially when there were pin code offers earlier in the year and bounceback deals that helped fill those hotels.

In the past, the easiest hotels to get a code for have been AKL (though not necessarily savannah view), CBR, CSR, POR, SSR, some of the All Stars (but rarely the family suites) and Pop is hit or miss (although availability does seem to open up after the code has been out for a couple of weeks). This is not to say that other hotels won't be participating- it just seems that these larger hotels have more rooms, therefore are more willing to offer discounted rates to help fill them up.

Good luck!

That makes total sense. Thank you for clearing it up for me. After reading your post I thought I would go to Disney's website and see if they still have availability at the WL for our dates. I was shocked to find out their system wasn't working. Seriously, with a company as big as Disney you would think that they would have a better IT group than they do. My DH is an IT guy, and I would love for him to work for Disney.

 

[ChgoLaniteVal]

Can't wait!!!

 

[kadee_29]

My DH is an IT guy, and I would love for him to work for Disney.

I have an IT hubby and I feel the same way.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

For those of you hoping to stay at POP CENTURY---we have a fridge swap established with a few openings. Please click the link in my signature if you're interested in learning more.

 

[Terk-1]

Add me to this list. I'd love to get a discount code & save some $$.

 

[ciera321]

We're in... I just booked our flights and made our reservations at All Star Sports for December 12 - 18. I'd really love to get an AP rate and move to CSR or another moderate. If not, I won't complain since we have a AAA rate right now.

 

[disneylooper]

I am reading a lot of talk about airfares. If you can book Southwest and the price comes down, you just cancel your original reservation and rebook with the cheaper price and use the original money which is in the SW bank and then you still have a credit. SW is fantastic about this, they do not charge a fee to change your reservation, if it is not a refundable fare, they just bank the money and it is good for a year.