December rates speculation...

[Tara]

Given that resort bookings don't appear to have increased that much over last year, what do you all think about the possibility of great (or good) rates in December? IIRC, we had the Grand Floridian booked for $199/nt last year (we decided to really save money and stay at ASMu - big mistake). I don't remember if this was an AP rate or another code rate. We're thinking of going again this December and DH refuses to stay anywhere but a deluxe from now on (yay)...but GF is $377/nt with tax right now.

I think the odds are good that deals will be available...is this just wishful thinking?

 

[mickeysaver]

I too am waiting for December code news. I really don't want to buy an AP, but depending on what kind of deals they offer on rooms, it might be the best way to go for us. If I buy an AP, I will feel somewhat obligated to get more than 5 days worth of park admission out of it. Hence meaning scrapping and saving for another trip next year around Halloween. This sounds ok to me, but my honey is wanting to do something different next year.

We also have no idea if any codes will apply to our Pop Century reservations. I don't want to pay full rate, but I will if necessary. I don't want to stay anywhere else this time. Next trip I will be back to hunting for the mega deal anywhere onsite, but not this trip.

I am hoping that the powers that be don't run the FTP during December. I would prefer to see some great room only codes. That way, I can buy 7 day PHP passes from Paramount and hopefully work a good deal. This would mean we would have 2 days and a couple of plus options for use sometime in the future without the pressure of having to work myself to death saving for next year.

Thanks for listening to my ramble. lol Mickey

 

[diznee25]

I do believe that some kind of discounts will be available this December just like the past few years. Whether it's the Fairytale Package and/or room discounts is the questionable part.

Someone on this board had talked to a CM over the phone a few weeks ago and the CM said he would be shocked if the FTP Wasn't available for the rest of the year. So the chances that the Fairytale Package will be available in Nov/Dec. are looking pretty good.

Keep an eye out in July, we should start seeing discounts for travel Nov thru Dec.

I'm not purchasing any park tickets until I find out what the discounts will be for December! Don't want to be stuck with Hoppers if I need to purchase the FTP...

Diznee25

 

[zulaya]

Last year it was July 22 when public codes were available and they were within $5 of the AP rates so I wouldn't get an AP unless you really want to. Odds are you still will get a good deal. Just have to be a little more patient...

 

[Tara]

Thanks -- I'm figuring there would be some good rates -- I just remember the days when there was pretty much nothing besides Magic Kingdom Club/Disney Club rates for October - December so I have a hard time being 100% optimistic. It's good to know when the rates came out last year, though...now I have something to look forward to! If the public codes are as good as AP rates, then I might not get an AP after all. But, then again, we're already planning a trip for December 2004, so an AP might work out...

 

[jaw62901]

My december trip just went south when I found out that my Swan reservation wasn't going to work out.

Anyways, I was thinking about doing a package deal for my solo trip with AS-Sports being the resort for Dec 26 to Jan 3, OR CBR in a standard room and was wondering if anyone thought that if FTP was extended if it would be through new yrs or end like the 25th.

Many post that I have seen, seem to indicate that deals for this time usually end on 12/25.

Just wondering,

 

[diznee25]

Many post that I have seen, seem to indicate that deals for this time usually end on 12/25.

Jason,

This is correct. General discounts available to the public have ended with check in thru Dec. 25 in recent years. (Disney never has any kind of discounts Dec. 26 thru the 31st. New Years Eve, no need to advertise or give discounts ) Assuming that the FTP is available to the public for the rest of this year, it's more then likely the FTP will end Dec. 25th. (But I could be wrong, we'll have to wait and see what happens, I'm basing my opinion on Disney's actions in the past years.)

I noticed your vacation dates were Dec. 26-Jan.3. If the FTP is available and ends on the 25th, is it possible for you to check in one day earlier to take advantage of it?


Hope this helps,
Diznee25

 

[jaw62901]

diznee25,

Thanks for the response.

I would leave on 12/25, but I think that my parents would probably want me to spend X-mas eve and all of x-mas day with them.

I also got a really good deal on my airfare from expedia for Chicago to Orlando for 181.50 leaving early in the morning on 12/26. I can cancel this, but would be charged a $75 change fee plus what every the extra amount would cost to change the ticket.

I guess I will just have to look around.

Thanks

 

[off2disney]

From what I've seen, the FTP is good through October 30th. Will they extend it through November and December, do you think?

 

[DrTomorrow]

Keep in mind that the FTP is a marketing tool to fill empty rooms and increase other spending (food, souvenirs, etc.) by extending guests' stays. So if occupancy for Nov/Dec is low, I wouldn't be surprised if Disney extends the FTP as opposed to AP/public room-only rates. YMMV.

 

[ragu]

Originally posted by diznee25
I do believe that some kind of discounts will be available this December just like the past few years. Whether it's the Fairytale Package and/or room discounts is the questionable part.

Someone on this board had talked to a CM over the phone a few weeks ago and the CM said he would be shocked if the FTP Wasn't available for the rest of the year. So the chances that the Fairytale Package will be available in Nov/Dec. are looking pretty good.

Keep an eye out in July, we should start seeing discounts for travel Nov thru Dec.

I'm not purchasing any park tickets until I find out what the discounts will be for December! Don't want to be stuck with Hoppers if I need to purchase the FTP...

Diznee25

Do you think the offer will be extended to Dc members before the general public???? I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!

 

[diznee25]

Do you think the offer will be extended to Dc members before the general public???? I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!!!

Probably so. That's what happened earlier this month. DC members were offered the FTP a few days before the general public for travel July 4th (?) thru Oct. 30th.

This doesn't help me as I let my membership expire, but good luck to you!! I'll have to wait till it's available to the general public.

Diznee25

 

[ragu]

Originally posted by diznee25
Probably so. That's what happened earlier this month. DC members were offered the FTP a few days before the general public for travel July 4th (?) thru Oct. 30th.

This doesn't help me as I let my membership expire, but good luck to you!! I'll have to wait till it's available to the general public.

Diznee25

Thanks for the info!!! Have a great trip in Dec!!!

 

[Jomrog]

My only problem with the FTP being extended into the winter months is there is a good chance that you won't be able to use the water parks because it's too cold. They are part of the package.

I know it might be a "little" thing that you have to live without but for me, we would only need passes to the main parks & wouldn't feel like I was totally getting my $$'s worth. I would prefer just a room only code & then I would consider AP or PH's.

JMHO

 

[Tara]

Joanne, I definitely agree with you! I hope that there are AP rates in December (I don't really care if they extend FTP or not -- I hope not if it affects AP rates at all). I think the deal is really only good if you can make use of the water parks, and we likely wouldn't even in the summertime, but definitely wouldn't in December. Plus we'd probably go back within a year, making AP's the better choice for us.

 

[diznee25]

My only problem with the FTP being extended into the winter months is there is a good chance that you won't be able to use the water parks because it's too cold. They are part of the package.

I didn't even think of that but maybe it's because I don't know how to swim and won't be going to the water parks anyway.

Granted, while the water parks are included in the package, the savings over all are so great that it's still worth it. There is still free entry into PI, DisneyQuest and Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

But really, I hope it's warm enough this winter so everyone can utilize the water parks, even if I can't.

Diznee25

 

[honeymom]

Diznee 25 - Check with Disney Club. I've been reading that they've been allowing people to renew their membership for the rest of the year on a prorated monthly basis. They seem to have done so even for people whose memberships had expired for several months.

 

[diznee25]

Diznee 25 - Check with Disney Club. I've been reading that they've been allowing people to renew their membership for the rest of the year on a prorated monthly basis. They seem to have done so even for people whose memberships had expired for several months.

Thanks for the advice honeymom, I'll check it out!

Diznee25

 

[WDWSuperFan]

Diznee25,

How were the DC members informed of the FTP? I am a DC member and would love to take advantage of it if extended into December. Thanks for your input.

 

[diznee25]

Welcome to the Disboards WDWSuperFan!

Diznee25,

How were the DC members informed of the FTP? I am a DC member and would love to take advantage of it if extended into December. Thanks for your input.

I'm not sure. Since my DC membership expired 3 weeks ago, I wasn't informed of the FTP by the DC. I found out about it by reading a thread, (not sure of the exact title), but I think it was "DC Memebers Post your discounts here." This thread was under this forum, the Disney Resorts.

If I can remember correctly, I think DC members were informed by e-mail, or by visiting the DC website. If this deal is extended into Dec., and if DC members get to book before the public, I'm sure you will hear about it from Disney or from this board.

Hopefully someone who has booked this FTP thru the DC will tell us how they found out about it.

Hope this helps,
Diznee25