December 2011 Code Watch!

[DisneyGuess]

Noticed that someone on the Nov. 2011 watch thread got a FQSD pin. It gives me hope.

But, I did go ahead & book an off-site house today. I need to make sure we're covered if FD doesn't come out.

 

[Bete]

Noticed that someone on the Nov. 2011 watch thread got a FQSD pin. It gives me hope.

But, I did go ahead & book an off-site house today. I need to make sure we're covered if FD doesn't come out.

I don't feel as compelled to stay on site as I did previous years. Without free dining I'll be doing off site.

Through the years we have really learned to maximize our free dining plan to it's fullest advantage; so, our benefit was even greater than the cost of the plan. It is getting harder to come out more ahead on the plan than in the past, but it can still be done. I want free dining. Also, I couldn't come to terms with paying OOP for some of the places like the Royal Table meal, but I would do it under the plan.

Good luck to all.

 

[lillieandlilahsmommy]

I hadn't really considered staying off site. I have two small children, is it a big hassle with parking, etc.? I liked the ease of being able to leave my room and walk to the bus stop, but I DO like $$$ in my wallet more!! If it is not a big pain, it may be something for us to consider.

 

[Tinkerbella001]

The time we stayed in a vacation rental, I found it was inconvenient to drive and park each day. The traffic is insane! We did not find it easy to go back to the room for a midday breaka it took so much time to just get til the car, drive, etc. I am looking at possible off site hotels that offer free shuttles, but the reviews for some say the shuttle service is slow and unreliable. Any experiences from fellow disers? iY

 

[Tina1117]

Right now our trip is booked 12/2-12/10/11 at All Star Movies. I'm panicking because of POP Warner week and also that the room might be too small. We have 2 children (1yr & 2yrs) and we're thinking during nap time (or even night time) we don't want to have to sit on a bed. I'd like a room with a patio/balcony but not sure if we should spend the extra money.

What are your thoughts? Suggestions?

If FD comes out then it's a no brainer that I'll upgrade to the deluxe but if I don't get a code/pin for anything then that's a hefty bill.

 

[Brandilovesdisney]

Maybe a Moderate would work best for you...have you called to see if you have a PIN attached to your name?
Normally, I'm all for the Movies Resort - the theming is great for little kids and the staff is fantastic, but Pop Warner week is insane.
How about switching to the POP Resort? They only get the overflow of Pop Warner kids and most people on here say they've never seen the Warner kids when they stayed at the POP Resort.

 

[Charleyann]

Right now our trip is booked 12/2-12/10/11 at All Star Movies. I'm panicking because of POP Warner week and also that the room might be too small. We have 2 children (1yr & 2yrs) and we're thinking during nap time (or even night time) we don't want to have to sit on a bed. I'd like a room with a patio/balcony but not sure if we should spend the extra money.

What are your thoughts? Suggestions?

If FD comes out then it's a no brainer that I'll upgrade to the deluxe but if I don't get a code/pin for anything then that's a hefty bill.

Your room will have a table and two chairs. Grap the chairs and sit outside your room . I have done that in the past and great many other folk have too. As long as you are not blocking people from coming or going to their rooms and I know there is plenty of room on the deck...

People watching is fun. Courtyard views are great as well as pool view . You have saved yourself a ton of money too but staying in value !!!!

Charleyann

I stayed during Pop Warner one year and we hardly noticed. We did watch some practices going on but it was fun to watch. These kids had rules to follows , curfews ewtc. Disney made them quite down early. IT was not bad....

 

[Bete]

The time we stayed in a vacation rental, I found it was inconvenient to drive and park each day. The traffic is insane! We did not find it easy to go back to the room for a midday breaka it took so much time to just get til the car, drive, etc. I am looking at possible off site hotels that offer free shuttles, but the reviews for some say the shuttle service is slow and unreliable. Any experiences from fellow disers? iY

getting a little bit of bad input on the transportation thread about it. I have to push a wheelchair; so, I was very concerned on how far I have to push from where the bus leaves you off and getting to any of the parks.

In my case, we are dropped off at Epcot and then we need to catch Disney transportation to all other parks other than Epcot. In my case, Hollywood Studios Disney busing is not far from where we get dropped off at Epcot; it's actually closer than getting into Epcot. Anyway, this is what I'll be doing my first day; I'll try it out with Hollywood Studios which is suppose to be the easiest for me. If that doesn't work I have resolved myself to drive to the parks. Even with the parking fee I'm better off staying off property. I'm not going cheap staying off site, either; it's just better for our circumstances.

There are trade offs with making decisions of being on and off property. I have visited at least 30 times on Disney property, but without a better deal in December I'm sticking to my guns and staying off property. With a wheelchair it's a tall order to do this for 8 days, but I refuse to pay the prices Disney is throwing out there, right now. I have had three pincodes in the last three months and none of the offers seem worth it to me. They fall very short of the offers in the past and I just won't do it.

Maybe, there will be some better offers yet and I'll change my mind about a Disney resort, but not so far.

Some bus shuttle services go to the central transportation center and that's different from being dropped off at Epcot. Also, some shuttle services go to more that one outside resort and then I can see how it may be unreliable. In my case, we have a devoted shuttle service just for our hotel. It has three set times in the morning to go to the parks and three set times to be picked up. Sometimes the last pick up time will not allow you time enough to see the fireworks and get to the bus pick up point.

You have to talk to your specific hotel to get some of these answers. I will tell you it was like pulling teeth to try and get some of the answers. The staff just knows there's a service and not too many know any details. This is what has scared me about it.

Good luck and just get all your questions answered before hand; so, you know what you are getting into.

 

[Tina1117]

Charleyann: GREAT idea! Did you stay at the value too while doing this?

 

[Charleyann]

Charleyann: GREAT idea! Did you stay at the value too while doing this?

Yes, as did many other people. It is beautiful at night after the kids go to sleep. The balcony stretch the entire length of the buildings and are very wide...

I saw and did this at the Movies and also seen people sitting outside of Moderates inparticular Port Orleans French Quarters....

Save your money, only difference between moderate and value is whirpool by the pools and coffe makers in the rooms and double sink.....

The Value are more Disney themed. You feel like you are in Disney. Not so much the moderates....

Charleyann

 

[Disneymommy2006]

Just called no pin attached to my name except one that expires today & it's for a whopping 5% off- SERIOUSLY!!! The prices quoted were no different than the prices I got when putting together packages online. I want to go in December!!!!!!

One question for those who have been in December when do the crowds flock in? We are looking at Dec 17th -23rd....I noticed the crowd levels don't go up to peak until the 23rd is that typically true???

 

[lillieandlilahsmommy]

I don't think we'll see anything until at least the end of next week - it's usually after the 4th of July. Also the current PIN "lottery" offers expire July 7th.
Typically the discount goes to Disney Visa Card holders on a Thursday and then it's released to the general public on the following Monday.

Checked this morning, no Disney Chase offers today....maybe next week, or a public offer sooner!

 

[moozle]

Just called no pin attached to my name except one that expires today & it's for a whopping 5% off- SERIOUSLY!!! The prices quoted were no different than the prices I got when putting together packages online. I want to go in December!!!!!!

One question for those who have been in December when do the crowds flock in? We are looking at Dec 17th -23rd....I noticed the crowd levels don't go up to peak until the 23rd is that typically true???

We are going Dec 17-23rd also! This is also the exact time frame we went 2 years ago. I won't lie and say that it wasn't crowded, but it wasn't awful and it was so worth it to have the cooler weather (well, it was freakishly cold two years ago but that isn't the norm) and the gorgeous decorations.

We noticed that the crowds were not too terrible the first part of our trip, and then gradually picked up as it got closer to Christmas. Again, though, it wasn't unbearable. I will say though that I have been VERY surprised by the low crowd levels predicted by touring plans for that time this year - I expected much higher.

 

[moozle]

Yes, as did many other people. It is beautiful at night after the kids go to sleep. The balcony stretch the entire length of the buildings and are very wide...

I saw and did this at the Movies and also seen people sitting outside of Moderates inparticular Port Orleans French Quarters....

Save your money, only difference between moderate and value is whirpool by the pools and coffe makers in the rooms and double sink.....

The Value are more Disney themed. You feel like you are in Disney. Not so much the moderates....

Charleyann

We always stay in a moderate and I thought that there were also differences in the size of the beds, the size of the rooms, and the fact that refrigerator is standard in every room at no additional charge.

I think your points above are valid and a value resort is fine, but I did want to point out that I think there are more differences than what you mention, because those particular features are essential to us when we choose our disney resort.

I could be wrong, so just let me know if I am.

 

[Tinkerbella001]

We have been in december, and the days leading up to Christmas were very pleasant. Low crowds, great weather, etc. However, on the 24th it became unbearable. We spent a lot of time in the pool and downtown disney after Christmas.

 

[ChiBub]

Just got a 30% off all values (from $67/night), moderates (from $119/night), and AKL and WL (from $196/night) pin in a postcard in the mail yesterday! Good for 12/1-12/22. I'm THRILLED, we're going December 4-10!! And that week (even though it's Pop Warner) was not blacked out, we got WL. Only courtyard views were left, so we have to pay more than $196/night. Also, it's only valid Sunday-Thursday nights. The math doesn't make sense to me though, maybe someone else can figure this out--
Full price that week for a courtyard view is $330 for the first 5 nights and $340 for the last night (Friday). We're getting 7-day park hoppers and the deluxe dining plan. Tickets + dining plan = $1591. So, since our package total is $3158, I assume that means we're paying $1567 for the hotel. But 30% off of the first 5 nights ($330 with 30% discount is $231/night. $231 x 5 = $1155. This makes it seem like we're paying $412 for the last night. Full price is only $340. Any thoughts? Is my math just wrong?

It's a "game on" postcard, and says "we're thrilled you're thinking of visiting us again in December," so I assume that we got it because (1) we went last year in December and then (2) saved offers for this year. A CM once told me that sometimes whether you have visited in that month in the past can be one of the pin factors, combined with other things.

We've never stayed at Wilderness Lodge and it's our "dream resort," I can't wait!!! And any assistance on the math would be greatly appreciated!

 

[nyrfan00]

Just got a 30% off all values (from $67/night), moderates (from $119/night), and AKL and WL (from $196/night) pin in a postcard in the mail yesterday! Good for 12/1-12/22. I'm THRILLED, we're going December 4-10!! And that week (even though it's Pop Warner) was not blacked out, we got WL. Only courtyard views were left, so we have to pay more than $196/night. Also, it's only valid Sunday-Thursday nights. The math doesn't make sense to me though, maybe someone else can figure this out--
Full price that week for a courtyard view is $330 for the first 5 nights and $340 for the last night (Friday). We're getting 7-day park hoppers and the deluxe dining plan. Tickets + dining plan = $1591. So, since our package total is $3158, I assume that means we're paying $1567 for the hotel. But 30% off of the first 5 nights ($330 with 30% discount is $231/night. $231 x 5 = $1155. This makes it seem like we're paying $412 for the last night. Full price is only $340. Any thoughts? Is my math just wrong?

It's a "game on" postcard, and says "we're thrilled you're thinking of visiting us again in December," so I assume that we got it because (1) we went last year in December and then (2) saved offers for this year. A CM once told me that sometimes whether you have visited in that month in the past can be one of the pin factors, combined with other things.

We've never stayed at Wilderness Lodge and it's our "dream resort," I can't wait!!! And any assistance on the math would be greatly appreciated!

How many people are going?

The tickets and DxDDP plan cost looks a little low.

 

[nicki.momof3]

We always stay in a moderate and I thought that there were also differences in the size of the beds, the size of the rooms, and the fact that refrigerator is standard in every room at no additional charge.

I think your points above are valid and a value resort is fine, but I did want to point out that I think there are more differences than what you mention, because those particular features are essential to us when we choose our disney resort.

I could be wrong, so just let me know if I am.

You are correct - there are a number of differences between moderates and values.

Moderates have:
Coffee pots
Fridges in all rooms
Larger rooms
Larger beds (most - if not they will soon with refurbishing)
Themed pools
Water Slides
Whirlpools
Many have multiple pools on property - POR has 6
More landscaped properties
Shaded bus stops
Table service dining at many locations
POR and POFQ have boat service to DTD

Value resort are exactly what the names says "VALUE". You get what you pay for with WDW resorts. I personally am not a fan of value resorts - they remind me of dorms.

Just my opinion

 

[moozle]

You are correct - there are a number of differences between moderates and values.

Moderates have:
Coffee pots
Fridges in all rooms
Larger rooms
Larger beds (most - if not they will soon with refurbishing)
Themed pools
Water Slides
Whirlpools
Many have multiple pools on property - POR has 6
More landscaped properties
Shaded bus stops
Table service dining at many locations
POR and POFQ have boat service to DTD

Value resort are exactly what the names says "VALUE". You get what you pay for with WDW resorts. I personally am not a fan of value resorts - they remind me of dorms.

Just my opinion

Thanks so much! That's exactly what I thought. I'd do a value if my choice was that or nothing at all, but it's such a small difference in price (in my opinion) for a lot of extra conveniences. The fridge alone is HUGE for us because I let the kids grab a quick breakfast in our room in the mornings rather than waste a dining credit when they barely touch breakfast (unless we're doing a character bfast buffet).

We are staying for the second time at POFQ this trip and I can't wait. I LOVE that resort.

 

[ChiBub]

How many people are going?

The tickets and DxDDP plan cost looks a little low.

I've figured it out-- I wasn't figuring in the room tax when I was doing my calculations. I was just going on $330/night rather than $330/night - 30% discoung PLUS tax. As it turns out, I believe I actually got the 30% discount EVERY night, even though the pin just said Sunday-Thursday nights (full price of room for all 6 nights is $2,239 and I'm paying about $1,567 total.

I hope others who get this offer get to use it for all of their nights too!