December 2012 Code Watch

[fla4fun]

Congrats, friends!!! I need an AP room only for December free dining is not really a good deal for me since I am traveling solo with tables in wonderland. Fingers crossed!

Same here. I have a target number I need to be below to make the trip work, and the AP rates they just released aren't very promising (much higher than the bounce back I already have booked for September) - so I'm a little concerned that I will either have to make some major sacrifices or skip my December WDW trip. I have my fingers crossed too!

 

[saskdw]

YEP We're all set with FD

Our TA went over and beyond what we ever expected. She was up at 5:30 am to call Disney and was on hold for 3 hours just to make sure we got FD! But boy did she go through a lot just to get it!

Originally the CM told her that only the pirate themed room qualified for FD. So b/c of that, she had to upgrade my mom and brother from a non-themed standard room with water view to a pirate themed one with water view just to make sure we all had FD. Somehow it was saving her $600 . She then upgraded us from a pirate themed standard room to water view and requested adjoining rooms. Thereby increasing our cost by $400.

My mom wasn't happy with the room change as her and my brother never wanted the pirate rooms to begin with. But I told her to look at it this way - she has FD and we are not in the room that much anyway. We're in the parks all day. The other way would mean that she would go back to her original room request and pay for the DDP. In the long run it would cost her more. That still didn't convince her.

About an hour or so later, our TA calls me and tells me that she went online to the TA web site and saw that a non-themed standard room opened up for FD and she grabbed it. She put both of us back to our original room requests, added FD and would call Disney to cancel the other reservation.

DH and I were not expecting her to go through all of this so that we could have FD. Especially having her do this on her own time prior to her office opening up at 10 am! That shows true concern for their customers. We're thinking of sending her and her office a thank you basket for all their hard work.

On the Disney website I can book every type of room at CBR with FD. Like I said in an earlier post CBR is usually the last resort to sell out. I would bet I can book a room for December with FD in October at CBR and get any type of room I want. I think there's just alot of chaos with the booking system the first few hours when FD is released and once things settle down everything is fine.

 

[shoes99]

Not eligible for FD since we are using DVC points at BLT 11/29 to 12/3/12. We then drive to The Villages to visit my sister and BIL. On 12/6 we drive back to WDW so I ( a big CARS and NASCAR fan) can stay in a Cars suite at AOA for one night. I booked at the 10% AAA rate, not good but also not bad.
Our goal is to stay at all WDW owned resorts and after AOA, I'll only have AKL-Kidani left.
Michele

 

[shopgirl72]

We're arriving the same day. Where are you staying?

Pop Century

 

[shopgirl72]

Sorry, OT-How do you think the PW crowds compare to just regular 'ole crowds? We are there 12/4-12/11 with the 30% off pin.

We have also went later in Dec. Crowds of PW aren't bad, they are in competition during day. Sometimes, ride time wait not bad you notice groups saying cheers, but weather is "usually" nice, i think nice time of year!

 

[cybrkitn]

On the Disney website I can book every type of room at CBR with FD. Like I said in an earlier post CBR is usually the last resort to sell out. I would bet I can book a room for December with FD in October at CBR and get any type of room I want. I think there's just alot of chaos with the booking system the first few hours when FD is released and once things settle down everything is fine.

Most likely. The FD offer just came out that day so of course, everyone was jumping on it. The dust has now settled b/c I've called Disney for other things and haven't had a long wait time at all.

 

[cybrkitn]

Pop Century

That's where we stayed in 2006. We loved it. Our room was facing the parking lot in the 50's section. Which wasn't too bad b/c when we came back from one park and got back to our room, we could see the fireworks from DHS.

 

[Valgoof]

Not eligible for FD since we are using DVC points at BLT 11/29 to 12/3/12. We then drive to The Villages to visit my sister and BIL. On 12/6 we drive back to WDW so I ( a big CARS and NASCAR fan) can stay in a Cars suite at AOA for one night. I booked at the 10% AAA rate, not good but also not bad.
Our goal is to stay at all WDW owned resorts and after AOA, I'll only have AKL-Kidani left.
Michele

Wow!! That is awesome. I am staying at my first WDW resort this year. Which resort was your favorite at each level??

 

[longing4disney]

I just changed our 11 days Contemporary TPV to Poly TPV to enjoy FD. Without the discount, Poly would have costs $1000 more then Contemporary. Now we are actually paying $1400 less instead,

We would have been happier if we can get FD with Contemporary TPV but well this is better then nothing. We will definitely miss the convenience of having everything in one building at the Contemporary.

 

[shoes99]

Not eligible for FD since we are using DVC points at BLT 11/29 to 12/3/12. We then drive to The Villages to visit my sister and BIL. On 12/6 we drive back to WDW so I ( a big CARS and NASCAR fan) can stay in a Cars suite at AOA for one night. I booked at the 10% AAA rate, not good but also not bad.
Our goal is to stay at all WDW owned resorts and after AOA, I'll only have AKL-Kidani left.
Michele

Wow!! That is awesome. I am staying at my first WDW resort this year. Which resort was your favorite at each level??

My first stay was at the Contemporay Garden wing in 1973 so that is my sentimental favorite, but we like AKL and VWL. When we use our family's DVC points we get a studio at any DVC that is available.
Michele

 

[Bryan0316]

need some help. Booked our flight today, looking to stay at a nice resort with my son and wife. Its our 1st time with him. No idea how these discounts etc work. Could someone please PM so I get into the action quickly

 

[cybrkitn]

need some help. Booked our flight today, looking to stay at a nice resort with my son and wife. Its our 1st time with him. No idea how these discounts etc work. Could someone please PM so I get into the action quickly

When are you going?

 

[2ofUs]

need some help. Booked our flight today, looking to stay at a nice resort with my son and wife. Its our 1st time with him. No idea how these discounts etc work. Could someone please PM so I get into the action quickly

Glad to hear you are going to be able to take your son to WDW for the first time. I have had several opportunities to take 1st timers including:my daughter at age 6, granddaughter at 3, both of whom have now been back several times, and my son at age 43 (he & I are planning his 2nd visit for this November).

DH and I visit as frequently as we can and have stayed at many resorts/villas and eaten at almost every location.

Just sent you a PM - It would be my pleasure to help in any way I can.

 

[Bryan0316]

we are flying in Jetblue from Providence, RI on December 2nd -7th. We would love to go to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom and hopefully seaworld

 

[2ofUs]

we are flying in Jetblue from Providence, RI on December 2nd -7th. We would love to go to Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom and hopefully seaworld

So you are thinking of visiting 2 of the 4 theme parks and Seaworld?

Seaworld is not too far from WDW, but would require alternate transportation - car, limo, cab.

Both theme parks are available by WDW transportation if you stay on Disney property. At which airport will you arrive and what time of day?

 

[2ofUs]

You might also consider seeing Disney's Hollywood Studios because of the amazing Osbourne Lights that 'turn on' every night beginning 11/9 through early January. There is no charge for the spectacle and it is truly something to see.

 

[Bryan0316]

i would consider all 3, orlando airport. MCO we are flying into

 

[2ofUs]

Have you checked your PM yet?

 

[Tltorrez]

need some help. Booked our flight today, looking to stay at a nice resort with my son and wife. Its our 1st time with him. No idea how these discounts etc work. Could someone please PM so I get into the action quickly

I would probably start by going to the Disney website and reviewing the resorts. Narrow down what resort level (Value, Moderate, Deluxe) and theme might appeal to you. Once you narrow that down, then we can start talking discounts and which ones are relevant.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/

As a general planning tool, I also highly recommend The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. This book will walk you through every aspect of planning your vacation.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I've been out of touch for a while and am too lazy to read through all the posts. Short question: Have they announced a code for AP holders during december?