Does reserving a room & then hoping for discount make sense??

[TwingleMum]

Like everyone else I would love to see room only discounts or AP discount for Nov. But I'm wondering if we are all not our own worst enemies. By reserving a room and hoping for a discount the room shows as "sold". Disney doesn't know I'm looking to get a discount. Now if 1000's of people used this same logic where is Disney's incentive to discount? As far as Disney knows the rooms are not available. The only 2 options I see is be prepared to pay your rate or cancel your room and send Disney a message they need to discountnow. Am I making sense??

 

[Lewisc]

I agree 100%. It makes no sense to book a room if you're ONLY going to use it if a discount becomes available. You're reducing the chance of a discount by making the reservation. It does make sense if you're willing to pay whatever rate you reserved at and are looking for an additional discount later. Not to hard to find something to do with the money you save.

Originally posted by TwingleMum
[B. The only 2 options I see is be prepared to pay your rate or cancel your room and send Disney a message they need to discountnow. Am I making sense?? [/B]

 

[Disney's Deluxe Princess]

When I book a room, I am always prepared to pay rack rate. If a discount comes up, I take it. I don't see how some can plan a trip 6 months out, announce that they are staying at AKL concierge and then complain when no discounts are available. Plan for what you are comfortable spending on a vacation at rack rate. If a discount comes out, you can upgrade or save some money on the room you reserved.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

I couldn't agree more! Think of it as a store... If you owned a store and you had pre-orders on something at full price, why would you put it on sale?

 

[safetymom]

I have always looked at codes as a gift. It is up to Disney it they want to issue them. It is not a right, it shouldn't be expected, don't expect them at popular times of the year.

So I am truly appreciative when they do come out.

Just my opinion.

 

[DMRick]

I have always looked at codes as a gift.

I feel the same way about codes..however, I don't feel the same about AP rates, since that is one of the ways Disney entices you to get an AP..they tell you about discounts..and put rooms right up there on top.

Doris

 

[JACKNAG]

Only book what you can afford, if better rates come out you can save money or upgrade. I've used my AAA rate then change to an AP rate if it comes out.

The key is to me to have the room, the resort and the week you want for the time you want to go on vacation at a price that you can afford.
Then if the AP rates come out you can trash all the previous plans and and start from scratch, knowing you have the first reservation you made as a backup plan.

Good Luck
Jack

 

[TwingleMum]

While I can well afford to stay where I booked it doesn't mean I wouldn't take a discount if offered . I was just wondering why discounts seem scarce right now. Especially for room only discounts.

 

[Gary M]

Great points by TwingleMum and others. Only book what you are willing to pay.

 

[skiwee1]

I book what I'm willing to pay for. Yes, AP discounts are great but I consider them a bonus. I didn't buy my AP for the codes but for the real bargain of having free park entry after 10 days. I have gotten 25 extra free park days out of my AP and think that is a great deal!

 

[DMRick]

I didn't buy my AP for the codes but for the real bargain of having free park entry after 10 days.

We all buy them for different reasons..but that doesn't make my reason for buying mine, any less important than yours. Discount on a room is certainly one of the benefits (according to the overslip that came with mine, and what I read on the Dis site), so I feel like I should expect a discount as long as occupancy is down..and Disney keeps saying it is...it's not a burried perk, but right up front. Although I understand, that if Dis rooms were full up, not to expect a discount..for the past couple of years, that's not been a problem..especially not in September. Take note where room discounts are..not at the bottom..but right at the top:


There are many additional perks and incentives offered to AP and PAP pass holders which greatly increases the value of the pass. Some of the incentives include:
Please Note: All offers are subject to change or removal at any time, including black out dates and time exclusions.

Disney resort discounts (offered seasonally based on occupancy rates – see pass holder newsletter or call CRO for availability)
Seasonally offered restaurant discounts (see pass holder newsletter)
Occasional new attraction previews (such as the Fantasmic! AP previews at MGM)
The Mickey Monitor – pass holder newsletter released every January, March, May, August, and October.
Free parking throughout Disney World.
10% discount on Walk Around the World bricks at the Magic Kingdom (concrete only)
10% discount on WDW Family Portrait sitting fees.
Discounts on selected backstage tours – available to the pass holder only.
20% discount on the 9:30pm Polynesian Luau Dinner Show or the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. You need to mention the pass holder discount when making your reservation. Limited party size.
Discount on Florida resident Disney Dining Experience membership.
15% off DisneyQuest individual admission – valid for pass holder only.
10% off merchandise at the DisneyQuest Emporium and 10% at the Cheesecake Factory Express – valid for pass holder only.
20% off food and beverage (excludes alcohol) at Planet Hollywood prior to 6pm. Also, special VIP seating from 11am to 6pm. Limit of 6 people per party.
20% off food and beverage at House of Blues prior to 6pm. Limit of 6 people per party. 10% off some merchandise.
20% off food and beverage (excludes alcohol) at Wolfgang Puck's Cafe prior to 6pm. Limit of 6 people per party. 15% off merchandise at Wolfgang Puck's.
Pass holder discount at the AMC 24 Pleasure Island Theater Complex.
15% off food and beverage (excluding alcohol) at the Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney prior to 6pm (excluding alcohol) and 15% off Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom prior to 10am and after 7pm. Limit of 6 persons per party. 10% off retail purchases at both Rainforest locations.
20% off soda fountain, ice cream milk shakes and merchandise at Ghiradelli Soda Fountain (excludes sale merchandise and the Ultimate Colossal)
10% off merchandise at EUROSPAIN in Downtown Disney Marketplace
First available seating at the Official All-Star Café, 11am -6pm daily.
Advance notice of new attraction openings at Disney World.
AP information hot line 1-407-560-PASS (560-7277)

 

[JACKNAG]

From My 2003 PAP Folder:

Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Discounts

Special Passholder rates may be offered seasonally at select Walt Disney World resort hotels and select Disney Vacation Club resorts. See your Mickey Monitor news letter for specific details.


Unfortunately Disney is sticking to the "may" right now, May means they may and its not a definite, and worse yet select resorts doesn't mean all resorts. We have been lucky to date.
That folder was written by people that don't want Disney to have a lawsuit on them for broken promises.


On the flip side I think any one with an APs is entilted to the minimum 15% discount that the now soon to be defunct Disney club offered.

We are all loyal Disney fans and deserve to be treated this way.
The airlines do it with frequent flyer miles and a Disney credit card is a poor substitute for the Disney Club card.

Just my opinion
Jack

 

[DMRick]

That folder was written by people that don't want Disney to have a lawsuit on them for broken promises.

And while we all understand the "may" part..if they just said..sorry, there will be none for this time period, we wouldn't be having this thread...we would have moved on to decisions about a Didney hotel or wherever else we would be staying. But to come out with them for a short time, and withdraw them, and say the new system doesn't work right with them..that leads me to believe, Disney is playing games. I'm assuimg they will be out, if they are coming, this weekend. If not, that is my deadline, and I will be making other plans, and it will include extending my offstay visit to the Marriot or one of the hotels Mary has told us about, and not repurchasing an annual pass when this one is up...not becasue I got no discounts on rooms or other items (and I do have a DC club), but because of the way the game is played. I should be at least as good in their eyes as Florida residents, and have as much time to plan my vacation. More of my visits to FL may be taking advantage of Sea World and Universal specials.

 

[safetymom]

I agree that there should be something to replace the Disney Club. Also the AP's need to offer discounts during slow times of the year especially if they are promoting it as a perk of being an AP holder.

 

[Lesley]

I typically don't book anything that I'm not willing to pay for. And now that we have DVC we're only looking to fill in a day or two at the beginning or end of a trip....so I don't book anything at all until I know what discounts may be available. Staying at a deluxe full price is something I'm not willing to do....that's just too much for a hotel room no matter how nice.

And I do think that booking and hoping for the price to come down is a way to help insure that the price won't come down...if the rooms are booked already they don't need to offer a discount.

And, btw, a discount is not a gift from the allmighty Disney gods.....its an incentive to get more people to book hotel rooms when they aren't full. If they're full, I don't see why they'd bother (and they won't!) That said, WDW is so overbuilt hotel wise at this point that it works to our advantage! I seriously doubt that they have their rooms filled for the fall.

 

[susy]

While I agree, I certainly don't see codes as a gift. I look at them like, "this is what it's worth". Same as when I go to a store and pay $18 for a top on sale that was originally priced at $50. It was not worth $50. Some tops are, but not the one in my example. If I pay rack rate, then I am choosing to pay an inflated rate. Compare the WDW hotels to other comparable hotels in FL. See what you come up with.

 

[safetymom]

I look at codes like a gift because they don't have to offer them. As with any business they need to take a look at the reservations and make decisions based on them.

If the occupancy is high then they don't need to offer discounts. If it is low then they might. It is our job to see if the dates offered are when we want to go and the codes will help.

Codes are no different than sales at the grocery store or airline fares that are only available for a short time. It is up to take advantage of them when and if they are offered.

 

[Gary M]

WDW will also be opening some rooms at Pop Century Resort, this winter, if I'm not mistaken. This will add several other rooms to the WDW inventory. I just received in the mail today, from AAA a special package for Universal Studio hotel rooms and park passes. The offer is for Sept. 1-30 and Dec. 1-23. It was $359 per person(double occupancy) for 3 nights at one of their hotels with park passes. I don't know if this is a good deal or not , but compared to what WDW is now offering for those dates, it probably is good.

 

[mariamouse]

Just a random question... do Florida Resident Codes tend to come out year-round or just in value seasons? Are they usually available in the peak seasons?

mariamouse

 

[sherry8253]

Wow - I guess I am different than most of you. I do not book until I get a code - No codes; no reservations!! I think that Disney luxury resorts are overpriced and I just refuse to pay rack rates for any of them. We always have a couple of reosrts that we would be happy with for our yearly trip and when the codes are announced, I call to see what is available with a code during the time we are going and then select one of them. I never make a reservation before the codes are announced and then just hope one comes out. And, if no codes come out, we would stay off-property. There are many other very nice hotels within a few miles of the mouse house that are reasonably priced and as much as I prefer to stay on property I would book one of these before I pay rack rates at Disney.