Help - DW Decided today to go to WDW in November

[mickey0216]

I am not one to complain when the DW mercifully agrees to go to WDW. When she suggests that we go, 1st time ever, I don't want to waste time.

I made airline about an hour ago, and I am about to make hotel reservations.

Normally I make the reservations several months to a year in advance so that I can plan. I don't have time to plan...

On our last trip in 2002 I had a postcard for a great rate. Getting a discounted rate the week of Thanksgiving, my favorite week, I anticipate that a discount will be hard to come by. This is based on memory of the 3 prior trips over Thanksgiving.

What non-AP, non-resident discounts can I hope for? AAA?

Help me from forgetting the important stuff that might slip through the cracks. Ignoring some of the special dinner shows etc, I should be able to make most Priority Seating arrangements.

What should I do in the next 24-72 hours?

 

[Kae]

Check Mousesavers.com. And try the agents at this site DU.

Kae

 

[princessgirls]

mickey0216 --

When calling CR ask if there is a discount code in the system for you. I never received a postcard (my dad did), but I thought 'what the heck, it doesn't hurt to ask' and to my suprise the CM said there was a discount rate for me!! YEAH....so ask away and you may get a nice suprise.

 

[GeekChic]

congratulations! don't panic! LOL

You have lots of time! I would definitely do what the others suggest and call and tell them that you have gotten post cards in the past and could they check and see if there was a rate offer for you on file? I don't think we've heard much about discounts reaching that far yet, at least i haven't yet.

Then book something, try for AAA discount first, and then you can always change it if better rates come through and they have availability (keep checking is the best advice I can offer, and keep your eyes glued here for people posting about new codes!) We were blessed with the AZZ code that way after i'd booked a AAA rate and saved a bundle for September.

have fun planning and have a fabulous trip!

geek

 

[pixieprincessmom]

We will also be there Thanksgiving week. I booked last week and had not gotten a postcard yet (I got it this week) and did get the rate. Didn't even ask, but it was in the system. Good Luck!

 

[mickey0216]

Thanks everyone.

Sounds like I am on the same page with you guys. Start with the AAA discount and hope for something better. Somewhat doubtful that I will do better :-(.

But hey, it's only money...

 

[mickey0216]

Minor Victory!

I called Disney to make the room reservation. I asked the CM (Veronica) what discount would a be afforded as a AAA member. She indicated that typically it is 10-15% for the resort and time of our stay. She then stated that there was a discount rate noted on my account.

Since the visit is on short notice (haven't had time to save) and we don't spend much time in our room, we are going to stay at All-Star Music. Since my DD is 19, our room rate should be $87 +tax. They offered me $59 +tax per night.

Not a gargantuan savings, but $200 in my pocket, temporarily... , is better than being in their pocket already.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

That's great that a discount was noted on your account. I really need to call and find out if I have that discount--haven't gotten the e-mail or postcard, but that doesn't mean that one wasn't sent.

BTW, you call this short notice for your trip? Short notice is when you decide a week or two before to go after stumbling upon great airplane fares. YOu have lots of time to plan!

T&B

 

[mickey0216]

While I do not plan to the n'th degree, I do some planning so that bad surprises are held to a minimum. I tend to be a little methodical, anal retentive, obsessive compulsive, etc. But I do so in hopes of having a vacation without bad surprises. Note: If DD reads this thread she may offer a different opinion – which is okay).

I am sure that we will have a great time. The weather is always nice at WDW at Thanksgiving. The crowds are reasonably light Saturday thru Wednesday. They pick up significantly on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after. We try to do the overwhelming majority of our park hopping by end of day Wednesday. We hit the "re-do's," missed attractions and (most importantly from the DW and DD perspective) shopping until the end of the week when the crowds in the parks are noticeably larger.

By the Saturday before Thanksgiving, most of the Christmas decorations are up; Christmas music is playing here and there, so it gets us in the mood for Christmas!!