Frustrated....how does everyone get the great deals?

[TnTWalter]

I have been trying for weeks now to get a good deal. Everyone says how they saved hundreds and I'm just not seeing how. I'm probably going to end up at POR although with 3 kids, I'd prefer the space at AKL or cabin. I've tried Dreams Unlimited, Small World, Travelocity, Expedia, AAA in South Carolina & my AAA here in Indiana and the best I can get is $160 off.

So frustrated. Any ideas?

Trish

 

[ducklite]

When are you going? have you tried moving your dates a day or two in each direction?

Some of it is luck, some of it is flexibility.

Anne

 

[Viki]

I've never used the services of a TA before but we are currently planning a trip to AKL and I can highly recommend Magical Memories. We've gotten great price reductions. Of course, we're traveling when the prices are great, so it goes both ways.

 

[LizzyBB]

Right now, from everything I read, you're pretty much down to the AAA discount. That's it. Any deals or codes you are reading about are from earlier dates.

As for the AAA discount, what you save depends on a lot of things:

- what dates you are going
- how many days you are staying
- what level resort you are staying at

You should be getting somewhere between 10% and 20% off, depending on the resort and dates. Myself, I booked 8 nights at the ASMo during regular season and saved $145. Also, I think a lot of the people saving big bucks are the ones staying at the deluxe resorts, cause the % off comes out to a lot more when you're paying hundreds of dollars a night!

Elisabet

 

[NCombs]

Well, there have not been any general codes in ages.

The only codes I am aware of are the BRP rates for annual pass holders.

The other way people are saving money is on the free dining plan which is not available anymore.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

It really depends on the timeframe that you are traveling? If you are going during a busy time period the hotel rates will be at their highest and especially the airfare nowadays the taxes for the fuel surcharges are so high. That might be why you feel you aren't getting a better deal. Disney is pretty even with its prices. The tickets don't change from month to month it is basically the cost of your airfare and which hotel.

Good Luck!

 

[SeaSpray]

Don't feel bad, not *everyone* is getting great deals. It just seems that way when you're the one not getting one! I know this from experience. lol

This past summer, we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge concierge and the Polynesian lagoon concierge. I decided to give my reservation to a Travel Agent (Dreams Unlimited). I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I told them, well in advance, that when the AP discounts were announced, to please try and get me an AP room, because I had full intentions of buying an AP. Well the AP dates and rates were announced, and I was told "Sorry, couldn't get you a discount". Well that was fine. The trip was not dependent upon a discount, but it would've been nice to save a few $$ like I kept seeing people saving, here on the DIS. When I had originally booked both resorts, *I* got myself the AAA discount for the Wilderness Lodge concierge, but there were no AAA discounts for the Polynesian concierge lagoon view, so we paid rack rate for that portion of our stay.

We're going back to WDW next month and I have not bothered handing my reservation over to a TA. What's the point? I got the AAA discount for our Polynesian lagoon concierge, so I am happy to at least save a few $$. As far as I know, there are no other discounts to be had at this time. Even the AP/BRP rate did not save much more than the AAA discount did.

My point is, not everyone on here gets discounts all the time, or even half of the time. So try not to feel frustrated

 

[Tikiman]

Try Magical Vacations http://www.wdwvacationplanners.com/

Ask for the "Tiki Plan" and get some free extras.

 

[TnTWalter]

at a moderate so that's 20% off rooms and maybe a tiny bit off 5 day park hopper passes....
with 5 in the family it's hard to get much selection.

I just never seem to get the 'deals'. No biggie. I'm excited to be going....

Trish

 

[SeaSpray]

Try Magical Vacations http://www.wdwvacationplanners.com/

Ask for the "Tiki Plan" and get some free extras.

Steve, I'm sending you an email!

 

[thelionqueen]

I consider myself a true bargain hunter in everything I do, and especially Disney trips. The reason we are able to go to Disney once per year (sometimes twice) is because of my frugality (is that a word??)

Anyway, here is my strategy for upcoming trips....don't set times for your vacation, set a timeframe...a really general timeframe. For instance, if you are thinking of going next summer, be flexible and have some $$ set aside.

Check the DIS and Disney website for deals (like the free dining). Usually in May & September & October we have found the best deals.

Then when the deals hit, get the best deal for the hotel you want then book everything else around the ressie.

This has always been how I've done our travel arrangements, and I always get the best deal of the year...always. Hope this helps..have a GREAT trip!

 

[Joan1]

If Disney isn't offering any great deals, there won't be any great deals out there to be had. Some of the travel agencies you mentioned sometimes offer little gifts to make up for those times.