Discount Questions

[WDWmom08]

I am relatively new to the ABD trips. We are DVC members and have always heard that this isn't a good use of points. So while I have always longingly watched the ABD videos on the magical express, we have always taken Disney resort vacations. Well, I just can't take it anymore. I have been scouring the itineraries and am having trouble choosing which one to go on first but regardless money will definitely be a big factor. That being said when is the best time to book to maximize discounts. I know Dreams Unlimited had a discount now that ends on the 30th but is that they only one that will be offered this year? Are they similar to the Disney resort discounts in that they are relatively predictable? Thanks for the info.

 

[Tozzie]

I am relatively new to the ABD trips. We are DVC members and have always heard that this isn't a good use of points. So while I have always longingly watched the ABD videos on the magical express, we have always taken Disney resort vacations. Well, I just can't take it anymore. I have been scouring the itineraries and am having trouble choosing which one to go on first but regardless money will definitely be a big factor. That being said when is the best time to book to maximize discounts. I know Dreams Unlimited had a discount now that ends on the 30th but is that they only one that will be offered this year? Are they similar to the Disney resort discounts in that they are relatively predictable? Thanks for the info.

I dont know about dreams unlimited as i dont use them but as for DVC you could always rent out your points and pay cash for the trip

 

[Bobo912]

Some travel agents like DU offer discounts or rebates, but since ABD dropped the early booking discount in 2009, Disney hasn't offered any discounts. Occasionally they would offer an incentive ($300 gift card, 3-day cruise, iPod, are the ones I can recall) for itineraries/dates that were not selling well, but I haven't seen an offer like that since 2011. The price just goes up as more people book. But fortunately for you, since you're a DVC member, you will get the opening day price regardless of when you book.

 

[WDWmom08]

Does that mean prices typically increase as the season goes on?

 

[Bobo912]

Does that mean prices typically increase as the season goes on?

Yes, they go up depending on the number of bookings. Sometimes they go up by $1000 or more over the initial price. And it can happen very quickly depending on the popularity of the trip. The first year of the Scotland trip, some of the dates went up by $1000 within the first week or two. The last two years, I've noticed that the trips I booked went up by $100 when there were only 7 or 8 people booked and then just continued to go up from there. But you don't have to worry about that because DVC members always get the opening day price.

 

[WDWmom08]

Wow! Thanks for the info. So are the original 2015 prices listed somewhere?

 

[Bobo912]

On the ABD website, the lowest price for each trips might be the original price, but it's not necessarily, because all of the prices could have gone up. I found one travel agency's website that never updates their prices, so they always have the initial price. I'm not promoting them and I don't know anything about them, I just happened to find their website a couple of years ago when I wanted to find the original prices too. I won't post the link, but I'll send you a PM.

And you can always call ABD, since they would quote the original price for DVC members

 

[WDWmom08]

Thanks much!

 

[Bobo912]

You're very welcome. Forgot to mention, ABD does offer one discount that you might be interested in later. Return guests get $100 discount PP. They've offered that for the last few years, but you never know when that may change.

 

[DisneyKevin]

As a DVC member, you are guaranteed the lowest pricing of the year, which is the opening day pricing.

also, Dreams Unlimited Travel offers a booking discount. The schedule can be found here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/abd/specials.htm

ABD usually offers a $100 per person discount to guests that have completed two Adventures.

This year, ABD is offering $300 per reservation for guests that qualify.

This is great if you are a party of two, but a loss if you are a party of four.

If you have questions, please let me know.

I can be reached at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[sayhello]

ABD usually offers a $100 per person discount to guests that have completed two Adventures.

This year, ABD is offering $300 per reservation for guests that qualify.

This is great if you are a party of two, but a loss if you are a party of four.

What about folks traveling solo?

Sayhello

 

[DisneyKevin]

What about folks traveling solo?

Sayhello

The promotion is per reservation.

 

[Tozzie]

The promotion is per reservation.

Wow one time when traveling solo actually benefits me!

 

[paddles]

I book all my trips through Costco and I love them! Its 8% off (given in the form of a Costco cash card after the trip), and so far, I think its the best deal around. I've never had any trouble using those cash cards, and you can talk directly to ABD agents after you book the reservations. So for me, it's been a win-win.

 

[SingingMom]

I book all my trips through Costco and I love them! Its 8% off (given in the form of a Costco cash card after the trip), and so far, I think its the best deal around. I've never had any trouble using those cash cards, and you can talk directly to ABD agents after you book the reservations. So for me, it's been a win-win.

Paddles, when you book with Costco, do you get the "pre- trip box" sent directly to your home? I booked the first time with AAA and all correspondence went directly to their office. Next trip I booked directly through ABD and liked it better because everything came directly to our home.

Thanks, Kevin, for the info about $100 discount after 2nd trip. We are deciding on our third ABD for this summer!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Paddles, when you book with Costco, do you get the "pre- trip box" sent directly to your home? I booked the first time with AAA and all correspondence went directly to their office. Next trip I booked directly through ABD and liked it better because everything came directly to our home.

Thanks, Kevin, for the info about $100 discount after 2nd trip. We are deciding on our third ABD for this summer!

Dreams Unlimited Travel has everything sent directly to our clients and we offer a booking discount.

The discount comes right off the cost of the Adventure.

You are not required to use a gift card at a certain location.

Kevin@ DreamsUnlmitedTravel.com

 

[SingingMom]

Dreams Unlimited Travel has everything sent directly to our clients and we offer a booking discount. The discount comes right off the cost of the Adventure. You are not required to use a gift card at a certain location. Kevin@ DreamsUnlmitedTravel.com

Thanks Kevin. I will keep that in mind!

 

[Bobo912]

Paddles, when you book with Costco, do you get the "pre- trip box" sent directly to your home? I booked the first time with AAA and all correspondence went directly to their office. Next trip I booked directly through ABD and liked it better because everything came directly to our home.

Thanks, Kevin, for the info about $100 discount after 2nd trip. We are deciding on our third ABD for this summer!

I'm not Paddles, but I can answer the Costco question. The pre-trip box is sent directly to your home. In fact, you never deal with anyone from Costco. The phone number to book ABDs on the Costco Travel website, goes directly to ABD.

 

[SingingMom]

I'm not Paddles, but I can answer the Costco question. The pre-trip box is sent directly to your home. In fact, you never deal with anyone from Costco. The phone number to book ABDs on the Costco Travel website, goes directly to ABD.

Thanks bobo! Still waiting for some "info" before we decide on our destination.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Just to clarify though . . . the new policy is actually a boon to our family of four--netting us an extra $200--as we always book two reservations of two.

Unless ABD has changed things, there is no monetary benefit to a party of four booking a quad versus 2 reservations of two--in other words, there isn't a financial break for a party of four on one reservation. As many of the hotels can't even accommodate party of fours, families of four will often be in two rooms anyway.

I'm all for family togetherness (LOL) but to me it doesn't make any sense not to book two parties of two (and I encourage all families of four to do it that way when I tell them about ABD). ABD has done a great job of getting us adjoining rooms or connecting rooms (although nothing is guaranteed). The extra space (and extra bathroom!) is awesome and with older kids/teens even more appreciated.

I'm bummed I wasn't alerted to this on my first trip--that was the only one we didn't book as two reservations, and while we were in one room in a couple places others on our trip had two connecting rooms. I was actually kind of upset that the option of booking as two reservations hadn't been brought to my attention. I hope ABD makes this clear nowadays to new families of four booking for the first time.

As a DVC member, you are guaranteed the lowest pricing of the year, which is the opening day pricing.

also, Dreams Unlimited Travel offers a booking discount. The schedule can be found here:

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/abd/specials.htm

ABD usually offers a $100 per person discount to guests that have completed two Adventures.

This year, ABD is offering $300 per reservation for guests that qualify.

This is great if you are a party of two, but a loss if you are a party of four.

If you have questions, please let me know.

I can be reached at Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com