December 2008 Code Watch

[oneilljb]

Watching.

 

[joelp]

Which would you pick? My cousin is getting married in Winter Park in December and we are going for the wedding so I am trying to talk DH in to an “add on” trip. I got a promotion and raise at work and they were kind enough to make it retroactive to the beginning of the year. The lump sum I got from that would cover the cost of the bonus trip for us so DH has said that he’s OK with it as long as I can find a good deal. In DH-speak, “good deal” is not always definited as the cheapest option but rather the best value for what you are getting. After doing some digging I came up with a couple of different options here and am just trying to decide which to present to DH as the “best deal.” We will have tickets left over from a past trip so no need to cover those. We just need the room only or room and dining. We’re looking at 12/6 – 12/10:

Option #1 Wilderness Lodge for 4 nights: $796.50 room only or we can add the dining plan for $1180.34
Option #2 Beach Club for 4 nights: $1093.52 room only or $1477.36 with dining
Option #3 Beach Club CL for 4 nights: $1552.52 room only (I probably wouldn’t do dining if we did club level)
Option #4 POFQ for 4 nights with dining plan: $964.36 or with DELUXE dining: $1300.36

I know DH and it’s not going to be a “rock bottom price” sell, it’s going to be a cost/value sell. Part of me says go for POFQ and deluxe dining but at the same time that’s 5 of us in the room (3 kids ages 9 yrs, 8 months – gotta get one last trip in before he hits 10!, 7 and 2) plus the stroller on busses and all that mess. Part of me says lets do the WL because it’s our last chance to all fit in one room there. While I could see us reserving 2 rooms in a moderate, I don’t see that happening at the Wilderness Lodge so it’s last call for that one as our youngest will be 3 by the time we make it back again. That plus it’s the WL in December so Christmasy feel resort galore! Then still another part says the Beach Club might be the most expensive but I can argue it’s the best value for a few reasons. It has the highest % of discount, the biggest room, 2 parks in walking distance, Stormalong Bay if the weather is good and all that stuff.

What would you say is the best value? I will keep my fingers crossed for a bette discount later but I'm happy with this if this is all I can get.

Just a reminder - if you want to do the Dining Plan, you also have to purchase tix for at least one day ... You don't need the Deluxe Dining Plan with 3 kids - the regular plan will be more than enough ...

WL was my first choice for this Christmas - but the AAA rate rooms were already filled by last January!! So I would go for WL - but have a second choice ready ...

Whatever you do - you'll have a great time!!

 

[Karlzmom]

Got an email from Disney Destinations and was hopeful as I am seeing people pop up with codes...no such luck, just an advertisement

I guess the upside is I know that I am on the mailing list?

 

[DesigningMouse]

Let's say you call today and find out you have a discount code. Do you have to make your reservation right then or can you call back in a few days and still use the code?

THanks

 

[TinkHappyTawts]

Subbing!

 

[Magical Mama]

Does anyone have the number I need to call and ask if there is a pin code with my name? Are there any critera for that? Like Visa Card holder (I am) or multiple trips to WDW? TIA!

 

[Wendy*Darling]

Just a reminder - if you want to do the Dining Plan, you also have to purchase tix for at least one day ... You don't need the Deluxe Dining Plan with 3 kids - the regular plan will be more than enough ...

WL was my first choice for this Christmas - but the AAA rate rooms were already filled by last January!! So I would go for WL - but have a second choice ready ...

Whatever you do - you'll have a great time!!

This is a special offer from my TAs office. From the information she sent me we could add the dining plan without tickets for that special. Her email said:

Yes, you are right! You can now add the dining plan (either one) to these reservations. You can also add a discounted ticket if you need them but a ticket purchase is not required.

I was glad to find a discount but DH was not enthusiastic about not having the dining plan. Right now we're just debating what resort. I'm still leaning towards the WL because we can't do all in one room there after this trip and because we can't get it at all on our own anymore. I guess it is sold out other than held space so getting in with a discount makes it even more tempting. DH is leaning more towards the BC because the discount is better. I think we'll ask the kids and see what they think. I'll be happy either way!

 

[Wendy*Darling]

Does anyone have the number I need to call and ask if there is a pin code with my name? Are there any critera for that? Like Visa Card holder (I am) or multiple trips to WDW? TIA!

Just call the 407-WDISNEY line and try that way. The only requirement is to have a profile with them that allows them to contact you with offers and to fit in to whatever magical criteria they set for their direct marketing. I think it might be zip code based a lot of times.

 

[Sethsmama]

I'm so excited, I'm actually going to move my Sept trip (yep, unfortunately having to give up FREE dining for my son's football schedule) to December and I'm excited about getting to see Disney at Christmastime for the FIRST time!
My dates are: Nov. 27-Dec. 7th. Do you think I'll get a deal on any of those dates?

Right now AAA is quoting me at $1911 for my family of 2 adults and 2 children (well 1 is only going to be 2 yrs old in Dec) and that's for the dining and 10 days at POP and just 1 base ticket a piece.

I really want a code, like the 40% off I've been seeing on here but I have no real clue how to get it and don't really want to wait til mid/late August in hopes for a code.

Anyone have any advice??

 

[Bethipooh4]

I am kicking myself, we stayed at the Contemporary back in Jan, and had the 40% rebooking option. Since we had just got off a cruise, I NEVER imagined we would go to WDW twice in the same year. (even though in Jan it was only for 1 night)
Well guess what??

Yep, we are going to WDW in December.

Now I am kicking myself for not taking advantage of the offer.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I am pretty sure that in January they were only offering late summer discounts. I think December bounceback offers started showing up at Easter.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I am pretty sure that in January they were only offering late summer discounts. I think December bounceback offers started showing up at Easter.

The card we had in our room had dates going back to the beginning of the year, but I don't know when they were actually put in the rooms though.

Suzanne

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Do you think there will be bounceback offers in September of this year? If so, what times do you think they will be?

Thanks for your help.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Do you think there will be bounceback offers in September of this year? If so, what times do you think they will be?

Thanks for your help.

The ones in the room at Pop was for dates all the way up to and including December 13, 2008, so I am guessing that is what is avail now.

Suzanne

 

[eyenjeff]

I'm so excited, I'm actually going to move my Sept trip (yep, unfortunately having to give up FREE dining for my son's football schedule) to December and I'm excited about getting to see Disney at Christmastime for the FIRST time!
My dates are: Nov. 27-Dec. 7th. Do you think I'll get a deal on any of those dates?

Right now AAA is quoting me at $1911 for my family of 2 adults and 2 children (well 1 is only going to be 2 yrs old in Dec) and that's for the dining and 10 days at POP and just 1 base ticket a piece.

I really want a code, like the 40% off I've been seeing on here but I have no real clue how to get it and don't really want to wait til mid/late August in hopes for a code.

Anyone have any advice??

HI,

one step of advice is to also make sure you have the park hopping option on your tickets, especially when you are staying for a wonderful 10 days. You will then be able to go to multiple parks in a day, like Mk in the morning and maybe epcot in the afternoon after some rest if needed. You will be so glad you added that.

I know I called for the "code" back in Jan for December and I think I remember them saying that the code was good starting Dec 7th-14th. We were going to go Dec 6-13th originally and had to change our travel dates.

I just called Disney reservations and asked if there were any promotional codes associated with my name and sure enough it was there. THere is a post above that gives better advice on what to say, you may want to try that. I also know that when I called AAA they gaveme a very good price too, so if I did not get the 40% code, I would have booked thru them.

Another tip is to try to do one of the frig swaps especially since you have along stay. Most are free, and the last time we were there, staying at ASMu, we did one and we were glad we did. Great for left overs, chilling water. keeping milk and yogurt in the room for snacks etc... Look here on the boards and find out all about it.

Pick a night to go to MVMCP! well worth the money! Even with small kids.

We also love the candlelight processional at Epcot and Osbourne lights at DHS. All awesome Christmas things to do and see.

So much information...........keep asking questions!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[schaery]

Do you have Disney Visa? There's normally a discount code for Dec. that comes out in August, and if you have a DV, you'll get about a 3-day advance notice before the public. If you book thru AAA, you can change your ressie to the better discount if one is offered.

I have a room only booked through AAA now but am in hopes of Disney issuing a good package discount in August which is what happened last year.

 

[schaery]

I would call and take a different tactic. Call and say "I just wanted to make sure the information is all correct in my profile. I know you occasionally do some direct marketing and I want to make sure my info is right just in case!" Tell them you moved a while back or your changed emails and you can't remember if you udated the information. Once you've verified it, you know they are in your profile. You can then say "is there any chance you could look to see if we've been tagged with a direct marketing offer? Since we moved not long ago (or since I changed emails not long ago) we might have missed something. I know it's a long shot but I figured I might as well check to be sure!"

I think the phrase "code by my name" is DIS lingo and not officially Disney lingo. They know that people are sometimes contacted directly with special offers but they don't call it putting a code by your name if that makes sense.

Thanks for the info. I'll try that tactic this morning and see if I get a more favorable response.

 

[time4Mickey]

Did last years visa discount include dining in the package? Did it save more money than the AAA discount? We were hoping to have the dining plan for part of our stay but it would cost us more at this point.

Thanks,
Karen

 

[poohbear2]

Does anyone remember the prices for values and moderates for early Dec. code rates? I tried researching but couldn't get any info.

 

[schaery]

Did last years visa discount include dining in the package? Did it save more money than the AAA discount? We were hoping to have the dining plan for part of our stay but it would cost us more at this point.

Thanks,
Karen

No, last year's DV Dec. discount was for a room/ticket package, and yes, I did save over AAA prices. I think AAA pricing is for a room only. With the money I saved on the package price I was able to add the DDP last year. I've made my ADR's for this Dec. already hoping that the discount package will allow me to afford it again.