Grand Floridian - how to save $$ ???

[audrey2580]

Planning my first ever WDW trip and could use some help...

I am aware of the value season but how else do you save $$ on the Grand Floridian ?

We have a AAA card
Mother in Law lives in FL ...but we do not
We are not AP Holders
We are not in the Military nor do we work for the Gov.

Any help would be great

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by audrey2580
Planning my first ever WDW trip and could use some help...

I am aware of the value season but how else do you save $$ on the Grand Floridian ?

We have a AAA card
Mother in Law lives in FL ...but we do not
We are not AP Holders
We are not in the Military nor do we work for the Gov.

Any help would be great

get an annual pass and hope for a good rate.

 

[FonFon]

Is your mother in law going with you on the trip? If she is, you can get a FL resident discount, but the reservation will have to be in her name.

If she's not, then your best bet would be to use the AAA rate, and get a standard view room.

Hope that helps!

 

[claudia]

You can try to get an AP rate and if you do purchase the pass later....you don't need the AP to book the rate, just need it when you check in.

 

[Aisling]

You can try to get an AP rate and if you do purchase the pass later....you don't need the AP to book the rate, just need it when you check in.

Can I buy an AP now and use it 2 years from now, or whenever, if I don't activate it until then?
I was just thinking that if I have the extra money, I can get APs now for our 2005 trip, and then at least it'll be paid for.
With all that's been going on with great packages which discourage AP holders, I don't know yet if that's what I want to do, but I was just wondering.

 

[mcgrawfan]

When are you going?? We just booked the GF with the Winter Dream Maker Package. For 2 adults for 4 nights with UPH our total was $1600. The normal rate for one adult during value season for 4 nights is $1017. It ended up being less expensive than Contemporary which is what we were looking at. The Winter Dream Maker package goes through Feb 11, I believe. Not sure when it starts.

 

[karebear1]

You can buy your AP's now and they will be good for 1 year from the date they are activated- if that's in Jan. 2005- then they'll be good until Jan. 2006. BUt oyu only have to have 1 AP to book an AP rate- not everyone in your party has to have an AP. While there is no guarantee for AP rates at any DIsney Resort- history shows they usually have them. Be smart and write down the rates they are offering for AP users for the next little while- it'll give you a good idea of what to expect if AP rates are offered. You can also use this idea with any other offers WDW may offer- whether it is the Fairy Tale Package or a special code you can find on Mousesavers. You can make ressies now at rack rate and pay monthly on them- ( you can pay as little or as much as you want) if there is a code you can apply later or an AP discount, they will refund the money or you can keep it in that account and charge meals etc. to your hotel room- any extra money in your account will cover the cost of that. AAA is a definite discount- but probably not the best discount if they will offer AP discounts or have a code to use during the time you will be there. When are you planning on going?

 

[claudia]

Can I buy an AP now and use it 2 years from now, or whenever, if I don't activate it until then?

You can buy now and activate it at any time in the future. Just remember that the breakeven point on the AP is eight days. So just make sure that your vacation will be that long....just in case there are no AP rates available at the time you want to go.

With all that's been going on with great packages which discourage AP holders, I don't know yet if that's what I want to do, but I was just wondering.

The FTP was a great deal, the Dream Maker was a winner for some and others it was not....The AP rates just came out and are for times that I have not seen ever before....Chistmas.....so you just never know with Disney.

It's anyones guess, but if you are not certain I would certainly wait on purchasing the AP. The yearly increase cost is never that drastic and if you do not use it for atleast 8 days or secure an AP rate it can be a big waste of money.

 

[audrey2580]

Thank You all so much!
We are hoping to go Sept or Oct 2004 (I like to plan way ahead )

We will only be there 1 night, 2 days so packages don't seem to be an option - they all seem to be for 3+ nights.

My Floridian In-Laws won't be going with us as they feel WDW is a "waste of money"
Oh well !!

I have yet to see on mousesavers any "room only" codes - am I looking in the wrong place?

Also what should I expect to pay for a room at the GF w/ an AAA discount that time of year? Any guesses? Standard view room.

Thanks for any/all help! ºoº

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says...............................This is your first trip, and you are only staying for one night?
While all the trips are special, you only get one first trip, one chance to be in awe of WDW and it's huge size. Hope you have a second trip in the works!

 

[tink2dw]

AP rates have benn released for 2003 - Oct thru at least New Years and the GF,AP rate is $199. This is unheard of during the Holiday season. You may want to make ressies for some time at the end of this year!!!!!!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
get an annual pass and hope for a good rate.

Gail, I'm going to disagree with you on this one. I'd do it the other way around, get a great AP rate then buy the AP.

Also, the MIL might be the best option for a Florida Resident rate, but she'd have to be astaying in the room as well. If she's anything like my MIL, I'd rather just stay home.

Anne

 

[audrey2580]

Originally posted by ducklite
Also, the MIL might be the best option for a Florida Resident rate, but she'd have to be astaying in the room as well. If she's anything like my MIL, I'd rather just stay home.

Anne

LOL - Yep I'd way rather stay home or atleast pay an extra $250 (well well worth it)

 

[CarolA]

For that short a stay I would not even consider an AP. One AP costs about $300. So you would have to save about $200 a night to make this somewhat worthwhile and well over that really.

Why are you stuck on the GF? While it is a wonderful hotel..... it may not be all you imagine. (My feeling is that GF is a nice hotel, but NOT comparable to the world class resorts Disney holds it up against. NOTE: THIS IS JUST MY FEELING! )

However, if money is an issue I would STRONGLY recommend you consider some other hotels.

 

[audrey2580]

I'm definitely open to other hotels. I'm looking for $200ish a night or less. View is not an issue. My only requirements are that it is accessible to the MK by boat or monorail. For such a short period of time I don't want to waste any moment on a bus.

I'm open to suggestions!

 

[CarolA]

What about Wilderness Lodge? It is really nice and you can take the boat to MK. Of all the MK resorts I like this one best.

Poly has a TON of fans also, but WL is the most affordable of the MK hotels.

 

[vhoffman]

If the monorail is what you're after try the Contemporary. Its (usually) the cheapest of the three resorts on the monorail.

 

[KIS]

I am also interested in hearing this out. I'm looking into comparing AP rates at deluxes with the dolphin at a teacher's discount for eight days/seven nights starting April 24.


KIS