DL offers for end of Oct??

[PoohNFriends]

We're considering a trip to DL Oct 24-29 and I would prefer to stay on property, probably at DLH. All the offers I have seen are for travel before Oct 1. Any DL experts out there know if offers usually become available for end of October travel or not usually because of Halloween? I've read on the boards that Costco and AAA often have discounts also; has anybody looked into these for late October travel yet? Not a member of Costco, but probably will be within 2 weeks. No plans on becoming AAA members, but would consider depending on discounts. How about AP discount, anyone know what % off might be for my dates?
I know I can't always rely on discounts Disney has been offering, but might as well try to save some $$ (although it would probably turn in save more in resort $$ and spend the savings on food ).

Thanks

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Last year they did have discounts for staying onsite Oct-Dec. I think there was a 4 night minimum. I wouldn't expect it to be announced earlier than Aug/early Sept.

 

[specialks]

One thing to note -- Costco and AAA are still using the Walt Disney Travel Co. Many times their prices are all around the same for a package and you just choose the one that has the best "perks". When I booked with AAA for our 2009 trip, when I had a question my rep had to contact the WDTC to ask the question then get back to me. So, my point is that I don't think Costco or AAA will run a special that Disneyland isn't running themselves. Make sense??

 

[PoohNFriends]

Last year they did have discounts for staying onsite Oct-Dec. I think there was a 4 night minimum. I wouldn't expect it to be announced earlier than Aug/early Sept.

So used to planning everything earlier for WDW! I'll just have to be patient and wait to see if any offers come out later!

One thing to note -- Costco and AAA are still using the Walt Disney Travel Co. Many times their prices are all around the same for a package and you just choose the one that has the best "perks". When I booked with AAA for our 2009 trip, when I had a question my rep had to contact the WDTC to ask the question then get back to me. So, my point is that I don't think Costco or AAA will run a special that Disneyland isn't running themselves. Make sense??

Yep, got it! I knew I had read that they go directly thru WDTC - just so excited on the possibilty of going didn't think it all thru!
Do you (or anyone else!) know if I booked thru Costco before offers came out, if I could change my ressie using the offer without penalty? I would assume so since you can if you go direct thru WDTC, but you know what happens when you assume

Thanks again

 

[PHXscuba]

I know I booked our October package through AAA last summer with their rates, which saved us a little over whatever the basic offer was at the time. Then when the discounts started up (don't recall exactly when, but it was just after the previous offer's booking dates ended), I was able to make changes through AAA. The AAA catch: if you are spending more money when you make changes, no fee. If you spend less, there's usually a change fee of $25 or so.

We originally booked 3 nights at DLH with 2-day parkhoppers, knowing we would probably upgrade to 3-day PH before/during our trip. That third day was going to be about $200 for the 6 of us. When the new packages and discounts came around, we ended up with 4 nights at DLH and 3-day PH (which we already planned on spending extra) for $25 over our original cost. So no fee and we got an extra night and PH for way less.

So maybe book the amount of nights you plan but the least tickets, that way if/when a good offer comes around, you can get the offer without a change fee. If not, you can upgrade the tix when you get there.

PHXscuba

P.S. You could probably do all of this w/o AAA. The main reason I booked through them was we were booking for a larger group and it got logistically challenging. I am not a travel agent!

 

[PoohNFriends]

I know I booked our October package through AAA last summer with their rates, which saved us a little over whatever the basic offer was at the time. Then when the discounts started up (don't recall exactly when, but it was just after the previous offer's booking dates ended), I was able to make changes through AAA. The AAA catch: if you are spending more money when you make changes, no fee. If you spend less, there's usually a change fee of $25 or so.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[cari12]

We went last October and I wanted the DLH so all summer I checked rates on both Expedia and the Disney website. A word of caution about the Disney website, I priced out hotel only, tickets only and a package for both. For a 4 night stay, the price was about $150 more booking a package than booking them separately. I emailed them to ask why and received no response. I was not impressed.
So I kept checking on Expedia and I believe it was the first or second week of August, the DLH rates went down to $149 per night (minimum 4 nights). So I booked right away and booked our parkhoppers as well and there was no extra $150 like there was on the Disney website.
we had a great trip for a great price. The DLH was great and we will stay there again next time we go.
Try Expedia and be patient to wait for the prices to come down. Check often though.