Do I need to keep checking my rate?

[Wes1stTrip2016]

I booked a package directly through the Disney site, I'm curious to know if I need to check the rate for the same package periodically to see if it will change...or will it remain the same until a discount may get released?

We have a Carnival cruised book for June 2016, I check the fare everyday, and have since lucked into 1 price drop and 1 upgrade. =)

Thank you!

 

[tobikaye]

As far as I have ever seen, the rate does not change, but discounts do come out occasionally. So you just need to watch for discounts to come out. If a discount comes out, you just have to call and see if it can be applied to your current reservation.

 

[BrokeMack]

I do this regularly, albeit with room only reservations.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

Thanks!!!

 

[buzznina]

If your current booked package is at rack rate, then you need to be looking for a discount that comes out covering your dates. Based on your countdown banner, it looks like the end of February. For the same time this year, there was a Stay, Play and Dine discount and a 10%-30% off room-only rates for general public (also bookable as package) that came out in early October(2014). Good luck.

 

[Kevin355]

Depending on what CM you get and how good of a mood that they are in, most will try to find any discount that they can, unless you already have one.

 

[BrokeMack]

Just let them know which ones you may be eligible for, commonly military, Florida resident or AP. Typically the Florida/AP discounts are identical and the military discount is ~5% better (for rooms). The packages may be trickier because of length of stay requirements.

 

[soniam]

Here's a link to the historical discounts, specifically what dates they applied, when it was released, and what the discount was. I usually look at this for the past couple of years and get an idea of when I need to start looking for discounts for my stay. I always book room only first and then have a discount applied later. None of this is set in stone, so you might need to look earlier than the historical dates and keep an eye out on the DIS.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codetrends

 

[jsrj21]

I'm curious to know if I need to check the rate for the same package periodically to see if it will change

If you use Dreams Unlimited Travel, they do this for you automatically....just sayin'. I've used Dreams for my last 3 trips and they're great. I use them as a way of showing my appreciation for these boards and the priceless information that I get from the podcasts.

But to answer your question, it sure doesn't hurt to check...you never know.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Here's a link to the historical discounts, specifically what dates they applied, when it was released, and what the discount was. I usually look at this for the past couple of years and get an idea of when I need to start looking for discounts for my stay. I always book room only first and then have a discount applied later. None of this is set in stone, so you might need to look earlier than the historical dates and keep an eye out on the DIS.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codetrends

I'm new to discounts, and I've read other posts on other threads that agree with your "book-the-room-only-first" approach. Please help me understand more, and explain why you wouldn't, say, book a package and then keep checking for all discounts. Is it harder to change a reservation when it's for a package?

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

I'm new to discounts, and I've read other posts on other threads that agree with your "book-the-room-only-first" approach. Please help me understand more, and explain why you wouldn't, say, book a package and then keep checking for all discounts. Is it harder to change a reservation when it's for a package?

I've already booked a package, so I'm curious to know the answer to this as well.

 

[BrokeMack]

Typically the cancellation policy is more restrictive for packages than for room only.

 

[JonnaP]

I'm new to discounts, and I've read other posts on other threads that agree with your "book-the-room-only-first" approach. Please help me understand more, and explain why you wouldn't, say, book a package and then keep checking for all discounts. Is it harder to change a reservation when it's for a package?

From my experience of watching prices/discounts, a lot of the discounts that come out are applied to "room only" bookings.
For example "20%-40% off room only discounts" or whatever % seems to be much more common than the package discounts. But if you book a package it definitely doesn't hurt to keep your eyes open for the discounts that can apply - CM's are happy to apply them if you qualify.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

From my experience of watching prices/discounts, a lot of the discounts that come out are applied to "room only" bookings.
For example "20%-40% off room only discounts" or whatever % seems to be much more common than the package discounts. But if you book a package it definitely doesn't hurt to keep your eyes open for the discounts that can apply - CM's are happy to apply them if you qualify.

Thanks. I was thinking I might book a package just to have it set, then cancel it to take advantage of something else (like room only) that came along. But if there are more restrictions cancelling packages (thx PP), I'll just start with a room and add on the rest later. As long as I can add on tickets just before the FP+ window, that is. Timing is everything!

 

[soniam]

I'm new to discounts, and I've read other posts on other threads that agree with your "book-the-room-only-first" approach. Please help me understand more, and explain why you wouldn't, say, book a package and then keep checking for all discounts. Is it harder to change a reservation when it's for a package?

As others have stated, packages have more restrictions. Plus, it's always been cheaper for me to do room only with a discount and buy tickets from Undercover Tourist. We don't do the dining plan, so there hasn't been any incentive for me to book a package.

 

[brinkley07]

I have been looking recently because we have thought about extending our trip and the only thing that has changed are room rates have gone up, and certain room types have sold out. If we wanted to add a few nights now we would have to upgrade our entire stay to a higher room type or we would need to book the new nights separately. If you don't have a discount yet, then definitely keep an eye out! I have noticed they may add more availability to room types when the new discounts come out, and of course you may get a discount that lowers your price. They also had raised rack rates on our room type and then lowered them when the new discounts had come out a few months ago. Good luck and a little pixie dust!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

The only restriction with cancelling a package that I'm aware of is that you must do it prior to 45 days from your check in date in order to get your entire deposit back.

If you have a room only reservation, you will be charged one night's lodging as a deposit, but will get that refunded in full if you cancel prior to 5 days from your check in date.

Any discounts will be released well before 45 days from your check in date.

I do not advocate booking a room then hoping for a discount you can apply to your existing reservation. Disney doesn't offer discounts out of the goodness of it's heart. It does it to fill resort rooms that they believe will otherwise remain empty. The more people who book reservations, thereby increasing projected occupancy, the fewer discounts they will offer. We've seen that recently, with certain popular resorts (POFQ for example) where no discounts were available when discounts are released. Or others have very limited discounts (WL and ASMo come to mind). I recommend doing what I do - just wait until the discount is released then book your resort.

 

[cleophus12]

I do generally keep checking the rates mostly just because I like to do that. However, for my July trip I did run across a great rate for AKL for the first night of my stay, so I switched one night and did a split stay. It was great.