Does Disney ever "dump" rates?

[AndyFL]

We go to the mountains at least once a year and if you don't mind risking it you can get some super deals 2-3 weeks in advance of your stay. The mentality seems to be "if it ain't rented yet then dump the price to at least bring in SOME income". From what I've seen, Disney doesn't follow this practice. Last time I booked a room it was the night before we arrived and the rate was the same as it was weeks before. I take it that Disney offers certain discount rates (we are AP holders) and that's IT.

 

[stephe1987]

I was reading the other day that Cinderella's Breakfast books up completely within 2 to 5 minutes, and they start accepting reservations 180 days in advance (note: 180 days, not 6 months, so you have to literally count backwards on the calendar to make sure you're calling in the right morning). I know there are a limited number of seats for that event, but if Disney can book something up that quickly, I don't think they're short on customers.

People can and will pay full-price at the last minute for unbooked or cancelled rooms. Disney is a business and it would not benefit them to accept less money when people are willing to pay full price.

Although I heard there are sometimes discounts during the off-season, or if you book super far in advance, and of course the Annual Passholders always get discounts.

I've been seeing banner ads for September/October discounts, so if you're planning to go in the next month or two, you can book now and get a pretty good discount.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you walk up and try to reserve a room for that night, you'll pay rack rate. No discounted last minute rate.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I take it that Disney offers certain discount rates (we are AP holders) and that's IT.

If you walk up and try to reserve a room for that night, you'll pay rack rate. No discounted last minute rate.

1) Right on both accounts.
2) Disney has their set discounts - only.
3) They do not offer "dump" rates or "day" rates.
4) They would rather let the room sit, than offer super discounts.
5) That would actually diminish the value of the rooms.
6) And, people might start waiting until the last minute for deep discounts.

NOTE: However, we have a spare third and fourth bedroom in our house near Disney, and our rates are comparable, and reasonable. A piece of dry toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast, inlcuded.

 

[Princess_Jo]

We often wait until 3 months in advance before booking a trip because generally that is when General Public and Passholder discounts are released. That is Disney's equivilent to "dump rates" in my opionion. They look at the inventory still available and then discount some of those rooms. That is prety much as good as it gets with Disney!

 

[vicki_c]

NOTE: However, we have a spare third and fourth bedroom in our house near Disney, and our rates are comparable, and reasonable. A piece of dry toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast, inlcuded.

 

[kmarie99]

We often wait until 3 months in advance before booking a trip because generally that is when General Public and Passholder discounts are released. That is Disney's equivilent to "dump rates" in my opionion. They look at the inventory still available and then discount some of those rooms. That is prety much as good as it gets with Disney!

Very true, and if you have a good travel agent you can book further in advance and they will keep an eye out for those discounts for you. Then they will adjust your rate if that deal saves you money.

 

[Burnt Toast]

If you walk up and try to reserve a room for that night, you'll pay rack rate. No discounted last minute rate.

Changing later this year!

No packages, but regular room only rates will be made available (AAA, AP, FL Res, CM, etc. etc.) IF IT WAS AVAILABLE TO BOOK VIA RESERVATIONS. No pin codes or website specials though.

 

[MissBritt]

I guess not, but last year when we stayed the week before Christmas, the CM told me the cheapest option was some FL res discount I hadn't seen anywhere online, that after tickets and Deluxe dining were taken out of, made the room at POR less than $58 per night. So I guess there are discounts we don't always know about?

 

[Donaldswife]

Disney does not have "dump" rates, but I have some great offers on Expedia and Orbitz this summer for fall dates. Better rates for room only than the general public offers that Disney was extending. I saw PO for September for only $70 on some days. This would be room only and no packages offered. They do have ways of increasing occupancy through these channels on "slow" dates.

 

[grimley1968]

NOTE: However, we have a spare third and fourth bedroom in our house near Disney, and our rates are comparable, and reasonable. A piece of dry toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast, inlcuded.

But does this come with WDW transportation? I've said it before and I'll say it again: what makes Disney resorts, well, Disney to me is the transportation to the parks.

And how come I don't see this option (Scupper's House) on the Our Laughing Place transportation wizard? I thought the OLP transportation wiz was the last and best source for info on how to get around WDW.

 

[MFLetou]

Well, in one sense, they do.

My understanding how it works is that they set aside blocks of rooms that are available at a certain discounted price. Once those are full, in a particular and room type, you're out of luck and they'll see the rest at a higher rate, or under a different offer code (like 40% off vs free dining, which would have theoretical blocks of rooms).

However, if a room type/rate sells out, but at any point up until the date itself an exisiting discounting reservation is cancelled, it gets relisted at the discounted price. This just happened to me and I was able to snag a room and a room type for certain days that literally had not been available anywhere for months--I know because I checked almost every day. As soon as I booked it, I checked again and it wasn't available--there was one room that opened up at the 40% off promo (and actually one room period) and that's it. The dates in question for me were the weekend of 9/16--basically 2 weeks out.

So the lesson is that if you aren't able to get what you want, keep checking right up until you leave!

 

[Haley]

They'll sometimes offer special prices to travel agents (and CMs I think) about a month or two in advance. Ive seen it more with Disney Cruise Line, though. I did the 7 night Disney Cruise last Nov for $25/night up to 4 people in the room- they just picked the room for us.

 

[goofyfordisney]

You might have better luck grabbing a good last minute rate at Dolphin or Swan (not Disney owned). I noticed that they had last minute $99 rates on TravelZoo for August and September.

 

[lizandjason]

1) Right on both accounts.
2) Disney has their set discounts - only.
3) They do not offer "dump" rates or "day" rates.
4) They would rather let the room sit, than offer super discounts.
5) That would actually diminish the value of the rooms.
6) And, people might start waiting until the last minute for deep discounts.

NOTE: However, we have a spare third and fourth bedroom in our house near Disney, and our rates are comparable, and reasonable. A piece of dry toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast, inlcuded.

Dry toast, coffee and undoubtedly the most unbiased and BS-free Disney advice during our stay? As long as the toilet paper is 2-ply and your wife uses fabric softener for the towels, we're in!