frustrated, need advice

[Ryoo4]

Hello all. I have browsed the boards for a while, especially before our first trip to the world last fall. I know there are a lot of Disney savvy people here, so I am looking for opinions or advice.

We had such a great time last fall, we decided to go to the world again this fall. When I say we, it is actually 3 families...11 of us. It just so happened that I received a 30% discount off the room rates for all 3 rooms for six nights in November. This is where the problem starts.

After last years trip of seven nights, our family decided that we would stay 9 nights this time in order to do a little more relaxing. Because of the 2 travel days, we only need 8 days of park tickets and dining(we loved the ddp). However, in order to add 3 more nights to our trip and still get the room discount for the 6 nights, we have to break our trip into 3 reservations(2 nights @ the beginning, 6 nights next w/ discount, and the last night before heading home).

There are 2 problems with these split reservations. The first is, Disney is telling us that we have to check out and check in for each reservation(if your counting, that is 3 times during our trip in which we have to do this). The travel insurance only covers the six night portion(it would cost another $810 to insure the other reservations). Even more of a problem is we can only put 7 days of park tickets on our main reservation, and have to buy the eighth as a seperate one day ticket(due to the ddp). If anyone has looked at ticket prices lately, a one day pass is $110for an adult, and to go from a 7 day pass to an eighth day is only around $3 for that eighth day. That is a huge difference per ticket for the eighth day, especially when you consider there are 11 of us(around $1000, basically wiping out our room discount).

Our travel agent has spent countless hours on the phone with Disney trying to explain this, and the CM's and supervisors all say there is nothing they can do because they have to enter our reservations in the computer this way. I dont mean to be rambling on, but I feel that basically we are getting the short end of the deal for wanting to stay and spend our money for longer than the discount offer of 6 nights. I would have to think that with thousands of these discounts given out each year that Disney has come across this same issue many times, and maybe someone on these boards has as well.

Thanks for taking the time to hear my nonsense, and any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The travel insurance Disney has no control over. That is non-refundable after so many days and covers the dates that you booked and paid the travel insurance under.
Better you realize the dates now than try to file a claim later under dates that are not covered.
And for three res', yes you would be checking in and out three times, and hopefully not having to change rooms.
Unfortunately that goes with making plans and changing them later. (Not being sarcastic, as almost all of us have done that some time, myself included.)
The res split probably depends on the travel dates allowed for your discount. What were the travel dates allowed, and what are you taking?
And maybe your last night is a room only booking, I am guessing, and the rest are packages. Room is not WDTC, while the packages are.
And welcome to the Dis! If we have more info most likely you will get various responses on how to lighten the load.

 

[mmmears]

You can add a day or two onto each pass when you get there for a couple of dollars. I would skip the DDP on those days if you have to buy a whole new ticket. Just buy your food -- it'll be way cheaper.

I dont think they will make you move rooms unless you book a different view or category for those other nights. That would be more work for them, too!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Could you change your dates at all so that your room discount and ddp are the first part of your trip? If you do that it would make a couple of things easier: you'd probably only have to have 2 reservations and you'd have your 6 day tickets immediately and you could then upgrade those (add on) to make them 8 day tickets.

Have you considered not doing the DDP? It is different now from last year, and many of us (myself included) don't find it to be as good of a deal as in the past. Appetizers and tip are no longer included.

Do you think you'll be going back within a year? You might want to consider getting an AP. AP holders get room discounts (only for their room now), can add the DDP (again only for their room) but they can also get the DDE card. DDE (Disney Dining Experience) is for AP holders & Fl residents. The card costs $65 then gives 20% off most TS meals in the World (including adult beverages) and a few CS meals. The discount can be used for 10 people dining together. Even if you have to pay full price for one meal, it's a big savings. Just have them bill one child seperate from the party.

 

[seeking pixie dust]

I saw that you also stated you would have to check-out and check back in. We were supposed to do that on our last trip. We didn't have to change rooms, but we did have to check back with the front desk so they could update our info. It wasn't a big deal at all.

Sorry I can't offer any advice for the rest.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

If I were you I'd book the 6 nights with the discount, DDP, tix, insurance (if you really want it, we never get it), etc, all as one package, and then just go to a different resort for the next 3 nights without the dining plan and just make that your relaxing part. Pick a resort like YC/BC that has an amazing pool. Then you'll have like 2 vacations in one!

Hello all. I have browsed the boards for a while, especially before our first trip to the world last fall. I know there are a lot of Disney savvy people here, so I am looking for opinions or advice.

We had such a great time last fall, we decided to go to the world again this fall. When I say we, it is actually 3 families...11 of us. It just so happened that I received a 30% discount off the room rates for all 3 rooms for six nights in November. This is where the problem starts.

After last years trip of seven nights, our family decided that we would stay 9 nights this time in order to do a little more relaxing. Because of the 2 travel days, we only need 8 days of park tickets and dining(we loved the ddp). However, in order to add 3 more nights to our trip and still get the room discount for the 6 nights, we have to break our trip into 3 reservations(2 nights @ the beginning, 6 nights next w/ discount, and the last night before heading home).

There are 2 problems with these split reservations. The first is, Disney is telling us that we have to check out and check in for each reservation(if your counting, that is 3 times during our trip in which we have to do this). The travel insurance only covers the six night portion(it would cost another $810 to insure the other reservations). Even more of a problem is we can only put 7 days of park tickets on our main reservation, and have to buy the eighth as a seperate one day ticket(due to the ddp). If anyone has looked at ticket prices lately, a one day pass is $110for an adult, and to go from a 7 day pass to an eighth day is only around $3 for that eighth day. That is a huge difference per ticket for the eighth day, especially when you consider there are 11 of us(around $1000, basically wiping out our room discount).

Our travel agent has spent countless hours on the phone with Disney trying to explain this, and the CM's and supervisors all say there is nothing they can do because they have to enter our reservations in the computer this way. I dont mean to be rambling on, but I feel that basically we are getting the short end of the deal for wanting to stay and spend our money for longer than the discount offer of 6 nights. I would have to think that with thousands of these discounts given out each year that Disney has come across this same issue many times, and maybe someone on these boards has as well.

Thanks for taking the time to hear my nonsense, and any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

If I were you I'd book the 6 nights with the discount, DDP, tix, insurance (if you really want it, we never get it), etc, all as one package, and then just go to a different resort for the next 3 nights without the dining plan and just make that your relaxing part. Pick a resort like YC/BC that has an amazing pool. Then you'll have like 2 vacations in one!

This sounds awesome to me!!

 

[CleveRocks]

Hello all. I have browsed the boards for a while, especially before our first trip to the world last fall. I know there are a lot of Disney savvy people here, so I am looking for opinions or advice.

We had such a great time last fall, we decided to go to the world again this fall. When I say we, it is actually 3 families...11 of us. It just so happened that I received a 30% discount off the room rates for all 3 rooms for six nights in November. This is where the problem starts.

After last years trip of seven nights, our family decided that we would stay 9 nights this time in order to do a little more relaxing. Because of the 2 travel days, we only need 8 days of park tickets and dining(we loved the ddp). However, in order to add 3 more nights to our trip and still get the room discount for the 6 nights, we have to break our trip into 3 reservations(2 nights @ the beginning, 6 nights next w/ discount, and the last night before heading home).

There are 2 problems with these split reservations. The first is, Disney is telling us that we have to check out and check in for each reservation(if your counting, that is 3 times during our trip in which we have to do this). The travel insurance only covers the six night portion(it would cost another $810 to insure the other reservations). Even more of a problem is we can only put 7 days of park tickets on our main reservation, and have to buy the eighth as a seperate one day ticket(due to the ddp). If anyone has looked at ticket prices lately, a one day pass is $110for an adult, and to go from a 7 day pass to an eighth day is only around $3 for that eighth day. That is a huge difference per ticket for the eighth day, especially when you consider there are 11 of us(around $1000, basically wiping out our room discount).

Our travel agent has spent countless hours on the phone with Disney trying to explain this, and the CM's and supervisors all say there is nothing they can do because they have to enter our reservations in the computer this way. I dont mean to be rambling on, but I feel that basically we are getting the short end of the deal for wanting to stay and spend our money for longer than the discount offer of 6 nights. I would have to think that with thousands of these discounts given out each year that Disney has come across this same issue many times, and maybe someone on these boards has as well.

Thanks for taking the time to hear my nonsense, and any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I think I have a very simple solution for you.

Keep the DDP for your longest stretch in a single reservation. Jettison the DDP for the other two brief reservation stays. This way, you won't need to go to the considerable expense of buying a one-day ticket two separate times, in addition to the tickets you're getting as part of your longer package.

Make the other two shorter reservations room-only stays rather than packages. Since you won't be buying the DDP during those 2 short reservations, there's really no need for you to have packages for those reservations.

Which brings us to the subject of trip insurance. You have to pay for packages in-full 45 days in advance. I can see where insurance can be attractive with those payment terms. But with room only, you are paying for one night in advance, with the rest due at the time of check-in. You aren't exposing yourself to much risk, and therefore, in my opinion, the insurance wouldn't be protecting you from much.

Off-topic: I have a client who just bought a pay-as-you-go cellphone for $9.99. He also paid $14.99 for insurance coverage against loss or malfunction. It will be cheaper for him to just buy a new phone if something goes wrong with the first one!

 

[pooch]

have to be added 2 in front and 1 in back? Couldn't you add all the extra days on one end or the other? Ideally, at least for me, would be to have the package with the discount, tickets and DDP first. Then do a room only for the last three days. DDP is good thru midnight on your "checkout" day. When we went for 9 night a couple of years ago, we had enough leftover food stockpiled in the room fridge for at least 2 days!! And you'll only have to checkout-in once during your stay. Hope this makes sense.

 

[iloveftwilderness]

Have you considered going during free dining? You can book up to 10 days of hotels, you could buy your tickets and your food would be free. You would just have to tip and buy breakfast items.
Just an idea.

 

[justplaingoofy]

You can purchase trip insurance through other companies than Disney...

In fact, I never purchase Disneys policy. Access America is a great company and is quite a bit less $ than Disney. Pricing for travel insurance through this company is based on the ages of travelers, and the cost of the trip. www.accessamerica.com

I would recommend you go directly to their website and get a quote. You might want to consider the "family basics". Kids are free & works for most travelers. They are very helpful so you can always call and speak directly with them.

It will ask you the ages of travelers (at the time of travel) and the total cost of your trip (be sure to add in airfare or any other expenses you will have).
For an example I am traveling in Sept. to Disney with my 64 yr old mother, I am 37 yrs. old. insurance covers air & disney portion total cost of the insurance was $99 for two travelers.

If there are 3 families traveling you would want to do 3 policies.