discounts for camping

[castlehappy]

Well, we finally did it! We have purchased our first travel trailer. I have never been very big on camping, but my DH just loves it. I will be the first to admit I am spoiled and must have a nice comfy bed, bathroom, and heating and air, and our new "home" has all of these so it's time to start planning a camping trip to where else but DW! I have a couple of questions: 1) when codes come out, can you use them for the campgrounds, and 2) how far in advance should I make the reservations?
I was thinking that since it is cheaper to camp at the world then probably codes are not available for the campgrounds.
Thanks for the help...

 

[John VN]

Congratulations on your new home.

Make reservations as early as you can. At that time you can ask if any discounts are available.

I just made reservations for June '05 and got a AAA Discount that lowered the price by $10.00 per night and I will keep on checking back to see if a better discount has come up.

John

 

[tim5055]

As John said make your reservations as soon as you know the dates you want.

Even if a code is not available when you make the reservation, you can always call back and "add" the code to your reservation to get the discount.

You are correct, not many of the codes include campsites. The most common discounts folks use are AAA and AP.

I get there next week and got a AAA discount.

Check out my FW site link below for more information.

 

[dis4fun]

Has anyone ever gotten a discount on a preferred site?? I have never had any luck for any time of the year. I have AP, AAA, Disney Visa and have also tried other codes found on Mousesavers. The only time I was ever able to get a discount was when I still had the Disney Club, which I miss sooo much!

 

[castlehappy]

Thanks everyone!
Tim5055- I have been checking out your website frequently!
Lots of good information there and it makes me feel better about camping already!

 

[clkelley]

It appears that in the last year the campground has been very stingy with the codes. In previous years I got GREAT AP discounts on my December Ft. Wilderness camping trips. I did manage to get a discount for part of my stay this last December and it was through Disney's Website on their fall offer.

You have to be creative on your dates and possibly be willing to make multiple reservations.

Another thing I have found with the campgrounds on reservations. Availability almost never pops up if you are just asking for Friday and Saturday night. You need to include at least one weekday night when making reservations to get availability to show up, then call back and cancel any unneeded nights later.

For example, this last trip, I got Wednesday and Thursday night at a discount. I booked Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at full rack rate to get the weekend nights, then called back and cancelled Thursday night. Then I got Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night at a discount. It was three separate reservations, and the only thing I had to do was drop by the front desk at each new reservation and pick up a new resort ID.

Carol

 

[tim5055]

Has anyone ever gotten a discount on a preferred site?? I have never had any luck for any time of the year. I have AP, AAA, Disney Visa and have also tried other codes found on Mousesavers. The only time I was ever able to get a discount was when I still had the Disney Club, which I miss sooo much!

I almost always get a AAA discount. I arrive next week and got the discount for a preferred pet site.

Sometimes is just the luck of the draw.


clkelley, remember December is becomming a VERY popular month as is evidenced by FW having a "pre-holiday" rate. I doubt you will find many discounts then.

 

[unctigger]

When does the "pre-holiday" rate begin? School schedules might permit us to go early in December next year. Maybe we could get a discount

 

[clkelley]

Pre-Holiday rate begins the week before Thanksgiving. According to AllEars.net it begins on November 18th in 2005.

Carol

 

[tim5055]

When does the "pre-holiday" rate begin? School schedules might permit us to go early in December next year. Maybe we could get a discount

"Per-Holiday is a higher rate, priced between Value and Regular. Until this year the post Thanksgiving dates were all priced as value season, but due to demand Disney decided to get a few more dollars out of the December folks.

 

[clkelley]

Oh by the way, I got a survey from Ft. Wilderness and one of the questions was about "Value" for my dollar. I rated it only average, whereas everything else I rated excellent. They then asked me why and gave me 1000 characters. I let them have it about the Pre-Holiday rate, and told them that if I had not found a discount, I would not have been at Ft. Wilderness.

I hope somebody listens.

Carol