Discount offered in middle of stay question

[TwistGrl101]

Hi everyone,


So I am getting ready to plan our longest trip yet: Aug 21-31,2014. The last 3 times we have gone the end of August, I've had to book room only for the first few nights until FD started. I was always able to pick up my package tickets early.
Since this trip is longer, and also since no FD was offered for this coming Aug, I am trying to come up with different scenarios that we may encounter if and when any discounts are offered.
IF free dining comes out at the end of our trip, I'm assuming it wouldn't even be worth is to take it, because I could only pick up my tickets a few days earlier than when the package would start right?

And secondly, IF they happen to offer a room only discount mid-trip, would I be able to apply that discount to my whole stay, or once again am I SOL?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[vinotinto]

I can answer this. Unlike FD, which is a package and you receive it for your entire stay based on your check-in date, a room-only discount can be applied to each night of your reservation that allows for that discount. So, if the dates of the discount are Aug 26 onwards, you would pay rack rate for Aug 21 - 25 and the discounted rate for Aug 26 - 31. You do NOT need separate reservations.

I've done this when traveling in October. I was able to get a room-only discount for some dates, but had to pay rack rates half-way through the reservation.

Also, many DISers have been saying this. Promotions are offered to fill rooms. If Disney is filling rooms without larger promotions (larger % off room only discounts, FD, etc.), then why offer any promotion. Why not plan your vacation, but wait until Disney announces discounts for that period to book? That way you will know the specific dates for discounts, etc. Unless the dates are unchangeable. We have always waited until we had a discount in order to book. This year, we are not going to wait, but it is because DH is running the Marathon and we are going regardless. I've booked the cheapest deluxe (WL) just in case the discounts have my dates blacked out.

Re: tickets. Cheshire Figment says you can pick them up a max of 3-days in advance. Of course, that can change, but that is what is the case now.

 

[nkereina]

PP is correct. Whether it's FD or room only discount, your check-in date would have to fall within the dates of the promotion in order to apply it to your entire stay. If the promotion starts in the middle of your trip, you would not be able to apply it to your whole stay, only the portion that is after the start of the promotion and that would only be applicable to room only discounts. And yes, you would only be permitted to pick your park tix up a few days early.

 

[cart-mom]

We are going down 8/31 thru 9/7 at BC. I have a RO ressie for two nights and our package for 9/2-9/7. Had several CM's tell me I had to buy two day passes but knew very well (Thanks to Chesire Figment) that I could have 8 day passes and pick them up pre-package stay. Huge savings for 5 "adults". I wouldn't expect any new discounts or FD for the end of August at this point. The only thing that might come out is FL resident discounts.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

Is this true?? We too are going 8/31-9/7. We are doing 2 nights at Pop Century then switching to CSR from 9/2-9/7 for free dining. I didn't get tickets for 1st 2 nights cause I thought with seperate reservations it would cost to much. Maybe with 2 resorts then I can't pre pickup passes and make it 7 day passes vs. 5 day??? Confused, but curious about my options.

 

[cart-mom]

You can add days to your package and pick up your tickets early. Since you are switching resorts you might have to go to downtown disney to get them. I don't know where the link is for chesire figments info from my phone but I'm sure someone will post it.

 

[TwistGrl101]

Jack and Ryan's mom...with your free dining package, just add on 2 extra days of park tix...you may be told at booking that you are not allowed to do this, but you are.
When you arrive at Pop on room only and go to your first park, you need to go to guest services and they will print you out tickets for that one day. You can pick up tix up to 3 days before your pkg begins, as stated by the PP.

My dates are not that flexible. I am a teacher, so the best time for us is end of August. Because we are going for 11 days this time, I know a lot of times discounts aren't offered until the very end of the month. I guess I am just going to have to kiss FD goodbye, even though it has saved my family of 6 thousands. But that's good to know that on a room only discount I do not need 2 separate ressies.
My other option is getting a CM discount. I have a "distant" cousin who has offered to book our room on her CM discount, I just feel bad. I believe it would be 40% off room, and possibly a discounted dining plan. I just get nervous that since my trip is so far out, something might happen between now and then and it falls through.

 

[purple figment]

Is this true?? We too are going 8/31-9/7. We are doing 2 nights at Pop Century then switching to CSR from 9/2-9/7 for free dining. I didn't get tickets for 1st 2 nights cause I thought with seperate reservations it would cost to much. Maybe with 2 resorts then I can't pre pickup passes and make it 7 day passes vs. 5 day??? Confused, but curious about my options.

Yes, you can pick up your park tickets up to 3 days in advance of the start of your package reservation. Since you're staying at 2 different resorts you will have to go to Guest Relations at a park or DTD to get your park tickets. Here is a link to the Ticket Sticky with a detailed explanation of how to do in post 15-I:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1452684

Once you have the park tickets, use them at least once to enter a park before adding more days to them. By using them first the tickets will have the current gate value for that day. There is an explanation on price bridging in the ticket sticky as well.

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

Thank you so much for the great info!!! I never knew this option existed!!!!