Feb 2009 code watch

[Oggie Ogelthorpe]

Like the rest of you, we are looking for a February code. We are travelling as a family, wife, husband, 3 and 5 year old. We had some flexibility in choosing our dates and we wanted to choose a time that was not busy. So, after purchasing our flights, I learn the Super Bowl is in Tampa on Feb 1. Doh! Hopefully, this doesn't increase attendance dramatically during this week. Also, looking to stay at a Value resort, though my wife is reticent as she doesn't want anything mediocre. She wants a clean and nice room. I think Value resorts offer nice rooms, though small. We are looking at Pop Century and All Star Music, possibly mods as well, though I'm not sure the extra $$ is worth it and I hear kids love the Value theming. Good, consistent, reliable trasnportation to the parks is valued as well. We also just got our new Disney Visa cards in the mail.

Any responses to this rambling post are greatly appreciated.

 

[churchpilot]

Any responses to this rambling post are greatly appreciated.

POP is the bomb. The bus service is great because the buses serve only POP. The rooms are slightly smaller than the mods, but with two small children, it really doesn't matter. When it comes to naps, etc., you will have the same shortcomings in a mod that you might have at the POP. Use some of the storage advice on the trip planning threads to maximize space and you will be set. The Pop was quieter than PORS and the Contempory for us. The food court is also one of the best on site. Hope this helps and enjoy!!!

 

[eemmie1]

Like the rest of you, we are looking for a February code. We are travelling as a family, wife, husband, 3 and 5 year old. We had some flexibility in choosing our dates and we wanted to choose a time that was not busy. So, after purchasing our flights, I learn the Super Bowl is in Tampa on Feb 1. Doh! Hopefully, this doesn't increase attendance dramatically during this week. Also, looking to stay at a Value resort, though my wife is reticent as she doesn't want anything mediocre. She wants a clean and nice room. I think Value resorts offer nice rooms, though small. We are looking at Pop Century and All Star Music, possibly mods as well, though I'm not sure the extra $$ is worth it and I hear kids love the Value theming. Good, consistent, reliable trasnportation to the parks is valued as well. We also just got our new Disney Visa cards in the mail.

Any responses to this rambling post are greatly appreciated.

to the DIS. I have always stayed at values and enjoyed them! IMO the extra money for a moderate room isn't worth it but I only stay with my husband so the to of us have enough room.

 

[Oggie Ogelthorpe]

Thanks for the responses. Should I book now and then rebook if discounts are announced in early November? I'm worried that the values, including POP, may fill in the interim and I could be stuck spending more. I tend to worry too much. Feb 1 to 7 should be a slow time. Also, I just received my Disney Visa. Do they e-mail notification of new offers or do you have to monitor their website?

Thanks everyone!

 

[LovinPooh]

I got my disney visa a few months ago and have only gotten one. The one about free dining this year. And I got that a day after people on this board knew.
I actually am planning on doing the same thing as you. I am going the second week 7-15. I already have the package booked. Just waiting for the codes. The CM told me that when I booked that when a code comes out that they would be more than happy to apply any codes that were applicable and refund the card used. With a $50 fee.
I do go to their rewards website everyday though... just to check for myself lol
http://disneyrewards.disney.go.com/newsandoffers.html

If I am wrong in this and people have been told otherwise.. please let me know.

I do have a question of my own though... the last few years have been a discount and a tix upgrade... what has the discount consisted of?

 

[jkcyoung]

Another vote for POP. We visited 2/07 at POP. We tried POFQ in 12/07. and we are returning to POP in November. We have small children and they loved everything about POP. We didn't dislike POFQ, but like other people said, we didn't really feel like we got anything more for the extra money. Pop food court and bus service are major pluses.

 

[markman04]

i don't understand what the bus system to the POP does differently than the other resorts on property? Can someone explain it. Is the same bus system at the POP also available at any other resorts? Thanks~

 

[jkcyoung]

Pop does not share buses with other resorts. When you get on the bus you go directly to your park of choice- no other stops, and the same on the way back to the resort. Most other resorts share buses, so there are sometimes several stops along the way. Hope this helps

 

[Sabrina90744]

Another vote for POP here. We wanted to try a moderate or moderate deluxe last trip and this trip, but dont like the idea of having multiple bus stops. The only downside is at most parks POP is usually the farthest bus stop.

 

[DisneyMom5]

Re: Disney Visa - I almost never get notification of the D.visa discounts, but you can still use the codes. You just need to pay with your disney visa to qualify.

Re: booking early - it won't help if you are determined to book with a code. They set aside rooms for the code, and already having a room doesn't guarentee you will get a code room.
But, if you for sure want that resort, code or not, book it. You usually can change, add the code, or cancel and rebook with the code (depending on the CM you get.)
If you aren't as picky about resorts, have a second choice ready.

If you book during a visa code that is about to go general public, you will get a few days ahead of everyone else. If you call the first morning, you should get your first choice, unless it is a popular resort without codes (for example, sometimes Poly is hard to get into with a code.)

All that to say: you can book now if it makes you feel better, but it doesn't guarentee you will be able to keep that room and use a code.

Re: Pop buses - the only time they stop somewhere else on the way to a park is at the water parks. I think the AK bus goes to Blizzard Beach, and the DTD bus goes to TL. (Don't quote me on that.)
Otherwise, the buses at Pop are awesome.

Unlike a bus experience we had at the Contemporary while trying to get to DTD. Oy.

 

[churchpilot]

For the poster inquiring about why the bus service is exclusive to the POP (not sharing with other resorts), it is a matter of the capacity of POP. It is a huge resort, and I think only second to PORS which also has exclusive buses (at least in the past they did). We truly love the POP because our kids love the POP. PORS just didn't do it for us---it was beautiful but we just didn't like the feel of the resort. We don't spend hardly any time in our room, so the value of POP really suits us.

 

[Goobergirl]

I'll wait with everyone. We are planning the beginning of Feb, hoping people's comments about the SB affecting the crowds is wrong...

 

[Sabrina90744]

I'll wait with everyone. We are planning the beginning of Feb, hoping people's comments about the SB affecting the crowds is wrong...

Me to!! But I just am going to have touring plans available just in case they are necessary and enjoy every moment. I figure 10 crowded days at Disney with my kids is better than being at work!!

 

[Poohbear123]

Me to!! But I just am going to have touring plans available just in case they are necessary and enjoy every moment. I figure 10 crowded days at Disney with my kids is better than being at work!!

Good idea....I am trying to decide WHICH Resort to stay at. I have narrowed it down to 3! COME ON CODES!!!!!!!!!!

 

[markman04]

I have narrowed it down to 3! COME ON CODES!!!!!!!!!!

tell me about it..... this standstill can't be a healthy thing for me. my hairs falling out waiting for this code.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Not planning at trip for Feb this year, I'm waiting for July so I'm not as anxious as you all BUT I was planning a Feb trip last year and I can tell you that the code was released at the END of the October. If it follows the pattern, you still have a few weeks to wait. Just thought that tidbit might help you not stress out so much!! Good luck with you codes everyone!

 

[kristinanderic]

Since we are all waiting together I have a question...

We will be arriving at POP around 1 am, will anything be open in the line of food if we get there and are starving?

 

[Sabrina90744]

Since we are all waiting together I have a question...

We will be arriving at POP around 1 am, will anything be open in the line of food if we get there and are starving?

I dont think anything is open past midnight. But could be wrong

 

[markman04]

I dont think anything is open past midnight. But could be wrong

yeah, ive never seen anything open past midnight. you should probably call though, im sure there's something.

 

[kristinanderic]

I'm sure there will be a vending machine somewhere, or I guess we could find something at the airport...my DH is ALWAYS Hungry!!!