Discount Predictions

[lauren75]

I am brand new to these boards and just started my planning. I see that there is a free dining plan available and discounts of about 30% depending upon the dates you go for the low season. The dining plan must be booked by October. Do you think Mickey will offer a sweeter deal than this one at that time or will the offers be not as good. Some of you Diehard Disney people may be able to offer a better educated guess.

 

[retlt72]

I spoke to a Disney insider and all she could tell me was that you never know what the "Geniuses" at the Disney travel and marketing departments are thinking. But alot of is driven by how bookings are going! Airfares are high so bookings especially at moderate and deluxe resorts are slow so you never know!

 

[mcd2745]

I spoke to a Disney insider and all she could tell me was that you never know what the "Geniuses" at the Disney travel and marketing departments are thinking. But alot of is driven by how bookings are going! Airfares are high so bookings especially at moderate and deluxe resorts are slow so you never know!

I think bookings will be very soft for the next year or so. I can see a lot of people who maybe would have gone in this time frame, possibly holding off until the FLE is complete. So there may be some aggressive discounts in the short-term, but then a real drop off in discounts once the new FL attractions start opening.

 

[indypacers639]

This is a great question. I have asked on other sites, but have not heard of anything. Really hoping for something to be announed or hear a solid rumor at least. We are hoping to travel in June 2012.

 

[patrick9261]

We are going in May 2012. We are hoping to get some kind of discount also. Getting a discount will be the difference in us driving 13-14 hours or flying.

 

[canopynut66]

I am brand new to these boards and just started my planning. I see that there is a free dining plan available and discounts of about 30% depending upon the dates you go for the low season. The dining plan must be booked by October. Do you think Mickey will offer a sweeter deal than this one at that time or will the offers be not as good. Some of you Diehard Disney people may be able to offer a better educated guess.

Welcome and just so you will know for reference when we use a discount on rooms then cannot also receive free dining. It is one or the other sorry to say

 

[Coffeemate]

Hey Guys,
We are thinking about going in June. I would have inlaws with me which has never been. I am also wishing for a discount. I hope some pop up soon. Good luck everyone.

 

[Stan Solo]

If you know that you are going a certain week for sure I say go ahead and book. If a better deal comes along you can call and have the difference taken off of what you owe. This happened to me last spring. I had a PIN for a good room rate then free dinning came out, I called and saved a bunch of cash with no penalty.

 

[Coffeemate]

Thank you so much Stan Solo. That is very helpful. Ok, what if you make your last payment and then a discount becomes available, will they give money back or do something else or are you just out of luck since you made your last payment?

 

[Coffeemate]

Oh, also another big question.....Do dining plan or not to do dining plan? What is everyone's opinion? Our family usually doesn't eat all that much but we will be going with people who do and we will be having character meals. I do know you can turn dining plans in for those. Help. Thanks.

 

[rebecca06261]

Depending on when FLE opens, you will unlikely find a discount for the summer of 2012

 

[Coffeemate]

I am sorry I keep asking questions but what is FLE? Thanks.

 

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

I am sorry I keep asking questions but what is FLE? Thanks.

FLE is the Fantasyland Expansion. To be completed in 2 parts (summer of 2012, ands summer of 2013...I think...I may be off). It's highlighted by a Little Mermaid dark ride, a new 7 dwarves indoor coaster, a doubling of Dumbo, a new restaurant and some stuff I'm surely forgetting.

 

[Coffeemate]

Thank you so much.

 

[retlt72]

We went 7 straight years without the dinning plan, then 3 years ago there was a deal for the plan so we took it and even upgraded to the deluxe dinning, I will never go without it again! If you like to eat it really adds to your trip. I have food that I would never order due to the cost, just leave a tip! I enjoy eating, so for us it's worth while, but each person has to do what's best for themselves and their budget.

 

[Coffeemate]

That is great advise. Thank you. I think we all are hoping for deals next year. Times is getting so hard for everyone and living expenses just keeps getting higher. I wish Disney will take that into consideration. Just because it is peek season doesn't mean we have money to spend. The working class people work hard and when it comes to taking a break we want to enjoy it. If we could get a better deal on hotel or dining that doesn't mean Disney won't get as much money, that just means we will buy more stuff to bring home...hahah. Most of the time people has a limit to spend and end up spending all of it regaurdless. If people got a really good deal on the hotel then they are more likely to stay longer and spend more money. I know I would. So if any person out there works for Disney and is reading this, could you pass it on...haha.

 

[retlt72]

They know, but they get what demand will allow, We are going Christmas and the prices are sky high but I am hopeful that if booking is slow they will offer a deal or discount even for Christmas, they have done so in the past but they wait until it gets real close!

 

[Coffeemate]

I hope you get a discount!

 

[Figment632]

I'm very mixed on this issue. While I like using DDP because its all prepaid and ive even used Free dining once the quality of the food has suffered from DDP as of late.

 

[JuliePoppins]

I am brand new to these boards and just started my planning. I see that there is a free dining plan available and discounts of about 30% depending upon the dates you go for the low season. The dining plan must be booked by October. Do you think Mickey will offer a sweeter deal than this one at that time or will the offers be not as good. Some of you Diehard Disney people may be able to offer a better educated guess.

Usually, there's not much that is sweeter than the Free Dining Plan. (Unless they offer the Memories photo album in the mix, and then charge you a fee for the book!)

For 2010, Disney did offer a gift card, amount depended on which type of resort you booked. I believe the moderates got a $500.00 GC. If you use the card to pay for your dining, the $500.00 would only cover 2 Adults for 5 nights. So many guests took the $500 GC and still bought the dining plan. The Dining Plan is well worth the costs.

Also, Disney has in the past released the buy so many nights, get so many nights free. That was a good offer too.

If the discount is a room only discount for a Deluxe resort, sometimes that discount can be better than the Free Dining.

You just have to run the numbers for the offers. But you don't want to wait so long that you lose the offer!

If there are no discounts right now for your dates, and you book, and Disney releases a discount, you can call Disney to see if you can take advantage of the offer. They will not do it automatically for you! You have to watch and call to request it. If you use a TA, good ones, will watch the discounts for you, and you don't have to do a thing.

I say book early while the availability is there! Then keep your eye out for the discounts to be released.