Hard to get discounts

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Is it me or are DW discounts harder to come by (Back to School Discount)? We have been going to DW for years and have never paid full price. The least discount we have ever gotten was 25% off. We don’t want the FD offer since we are AP holders and don’t need park tickets. It took me 2 days to get through and waiting on the hold for almost 2 hours and couldn’t get the discount on our top 3 deluxe resorts or Mod choices. In the past I have been able to book a trip within 2 months and have gotten great deals on deluxe resorts during busy times like February break or the summer. I am still hoping that the AP discount will come out for August/September and I can get my discount.

Who got the discount that they wanted?

 

[MsThumper]

No, its definitely not just you. This has been a topic of many threads here on the boards.

The last several years, DH and myself have been making several trips to WDW per year, because we are Florida residents and it is an easy and enjoyable trip for us. We have been fortunate through the years to be able to move up from staying at the campgrounds, to being able to stay at the deluxe resorts. I do all the trip planning, and we never go without a discount.

This year we have already taken two WDW trips, and have 2 more reserved. We have an AP, plus we can get the Florida Residents discount. I have had to find other ways to book our RO discounts this year, due to either the lack of availability or the discounts rates being lowered, to keep the cost per night within our comfort zone. Our first two trips this year were booked through Orbitz, where I was able to "stack" an Orbitz discount on top of the Disney discount, because the discount % offered through Disney was so low. Our next trip coming up was booked directly through Disney website, but if I find a better offer, I will cancel and rebook.

Our planned November trip, we could not get a bounce back for, because the dates we want for November were not offered. We have already booked through a travel agent who is offering an excellent rate for our dates.

I have already told DH that I see our trips coming to an end, because when I can no longer afford to stay in a deluxe resort, I'm no longer going. I know that sounds snobby, but we go to experience the resorts and the dining. "That's how we roll".

Of course, Disney doesn't need to offer anyone a discount if they can fill their hotels and parks at full price and people will keep paying it.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

No, its definitely not just you. This has been a topic of many threads here on the boards.

The last several years, DH and myself have been making several trips to WDW per year, because we are Florida residents and it is an easy and enjoyable trip for us. We have been fortunate through the years to be able to move up from staying at the campgrounds, to being able to stay at the deluxe resorts. I do all the trip planning, and we never go without a discount.

This year we have already taken two WDW trips, and have 2 more reserved. We have an AP, plus we can get the Florida Residents discount. I have had to find other ways to book our RO discounts this year, due to either the lack of availability or the discounts rates being lowered, to keep the cost per night within our comfort zone. Our first two trips this year were booked through Orbitz, where I was able to "stack" an Orbitz discount on top of the Disney discount, because the discount % offered through Disney was so low. Our next trip coming up was booked directly through Disney website, but if I find a better offer, I will cancel and rebook.

Our planned November trip, we could not get a bounce back for, because the dates we want for November were not offered. We have already booked through a travel agent who is offering an excellent rate for our dates.

I have already told DH that I see our trips coming to an end, because when I can no longer afford to stay in a deluxe resort, I'm no longer going. I know that sounds snobby, but we go to experience the resorts and the dining. "That's how we roll".

Of course, Disney doesn't need to offer anyone a discount if they can fill their hotels and parks at full price and people will keep paying it.

I agree with you 100%. We love the deluxe hotels. I am going to try orbitz. What I love about going through Disney is that I can make changes or cancel without an issue.

I really can't believe how little the discount is that I got. It is not even 20% even though it says up to 30%.

It's our DDs 21st birthday surprise and I really wanted it to be special. I am still hoping for a better discount.

Thanks!

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

I agree the discounts are harder to come by and I'm not even trying to get deluxe hotels. I knew end of October more than likely wasn't getting FD so I didn't bother getting up early. I logged in a little before 7 am and couldn't even get a RO discount for a preferred room at Pop for my dates. Sheesh!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I agree the discounts are harder to come by and I'm not even trying to get deluxe hotels. I knew end of October more than likely wasn't getting FD so I didn't bother getting up early. I logged in a little before 7 am and couldn't even get a RO discount for a preferred room at Pop for my dates. Sheesh!

I know. I was trying mods as well and nothing was available for what I wanted.

I tried just to see what the FD would cost me and it wasn't available for the hotels I tried. Going to DW shouldn't be this hard.

 

[Merx]

I agree the discounts are harder to come by and I'm not even trying to get deluxe hotels. I knew end of October more than likely wasn't getting FD so I didn't bother getting up early. I logged in a little before 7 am and couldn't even get a RO discount for a preferred room at Pop for my dates. Sheesh!

I'm also staying at Pop, ring in this morning to try to get the discount, couldn't get it.

My guess is that, since the discounts had already been announced for 3 days and I'm too late. I'm kicking myself for not reading the news articles properly, the news got buried in the Free Dining promotion headlines... and I was checking for news every day...

When did you try?

 

[Huff]

I'll be cancelling CBR w/FD for 4 adults for 9/29-10/9 soon. CM had to double book it temporarily (long story!). Can now release one. Not sure if someone else will be able to grab it.

 

[THEDISNEYTHREE]

I'm also staying at Pop, ring in this morning to try to get the discount, couldn't get it.

My guess is that, since the discounts had already been announced for 3 days and I'm too late. I'm kicking myself for not reading the news articles properly, the news got buried in the Free Dining promotion headlines... and I was checking for news every day...

When did you try?

I tried the day it was released before 7am, so there could not have been many preferred rooms available for the promotion at that time. However, I have been checking a couple times a day since then because my 180 day ADR is coming up soon and I was going to just have to book at regular price. Luckily, last night one became available for my dates!! I would have much rather had free dining but I did save a little under $200, so I'll take it. My advice would be to just keep checking and hopefully your dates will become available. I wish you some. Good Luck!

 

[Merx]

I tried the day it was released before 7am, so there could not have been many preferred rooms available for the promotion at that time. However, I have been checking a couple times a day since then because my 180 day ADR is coming up soon and I was going to just have to book at regular price. Luckily, last night one became available for my dates!! I would have much rather had free dining but I did save a little under $200, so I'll take it. My advice would be to just keep checking and hopefully your dates will become available. I wish you some. Good Luck!

Thanks for your tip. I'll keep checking

 

[MickeynMinnie]

I found out Sunday through threads on here that the discount was coming out Monday and would be released online sometime after midnight. I was up every hour checking to see if the sale went live... At 4:03 I saw the back to school sale load!! I was so excited!! I got a RO discount at POP on my exact dates! Was tired on Monday morning but it was 100% worth it .

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I found out Sunday through threads on here that the discount was coming out Monday and would be released online sometime after midnight. I was up every hour checking to see if the sale went live... At 4:03 I saw the back to school sale load!! I was so excited!! I got a RO discount at POP on my exact dates! Was tired on Monday morning but it was 100% worth it .

That was great. I bet you were tired but happy that you got the discount. I knew that the free dining plan was going to be that day but not the RO discount. By the time I found out at 8am the phones lines were busy all day. But I did get a discount on 2 rooms - not a big discount though. We are doing a split stay and have 2 rooms with our party.

 

[shan136]

I have long thought that WDWs prices were inflated but assumed that was to allow for the generous discounts that were offered. Realistically, there are very few hotel rooms in Orlando that are worth what Disney charges for deluxe rooms especially considering that their rooms offer the basic comforts of most mid-range hotels. Free dining and 30% room discounts brought the outrageous cost of WDW hotels and parks down to a somewhat affordable amount for many families.

We travel with a larger group to WDW every 2-3 years. However, this year we decided to do DCL with a stay at the parks before the cruise. Three-quarters (10 people) of our group decided to forgo WDW in favor of Universal. I foresee this happening a lot this year. For the money, Universal is offering more right now between extra park hours and free express passes.