Help for first timer

[rascal_6742]

Hello,

Let me start by saying I have been lurking on this board for a couple of months and really appreciate all the postings by the veterans. For new people like me it is a real blessing. That said I could use some help. We are planning our first WDW trip for 8 days at the last of April 05. We have nine people in our group using 4 rooms. We would like to stay at WL and can afford it with AP rates if they are available. If not we would need to stay at a moderate resort, most likely POFQ. The general question is how should we book rooms ? We are unsure if AP rates are a sure thing. Should we book at both places, and if the rates are good, cancel at POFQ ? Or should we just book at WL and hope for the best ?
Any help from you vets would be much appreciated. Disney planning is confusing for us, but we are having great deal of fun with the anticipation. Thanks in advance.

Rascal

 

[Naisy68]

I would say to book your stay where you'd REALLY like to stay. If that's at WL, then I would go ahead and book there especially if you want to be together. When are you planning to go? Mary at Mousesavers has a page that gives information on discounts and what kinds of discounts they have had in the past at various times. I guess if it were me, I would book where you really want to stay and hope for the best. That's what we did for our upcoming trip and it worked out pretty good. We got a AAA 5+2 package that we are happy with. Good Luck!
--Renee

 

[The Great Kazoo]

I agree you should book at the resort you REALLY like to stay. I also this past April thought of the WL but decided on POFQ instead. Be careful however to book during the regular season and not the peak season around the Easter/Spring Break holidays. Lots of money can be saved by waiting those few extra days. At POFQ it was a signifigant diffrence. The rate codes you mentioned usually start showing up around the 90 day out barrier. If you do change your mind you do have the chance/opportunity to switch resorts without a great deal of trouble as long as there are slots available.


If it was me I would book WL mainly due to the fact that in my experience when the codes come out the Deluxe resorts usually go first then the moderates.

 

[Gary M]

I believe you should book the rooms that you are willing to pay for. If you book four rooms at the WL and will not stay there without the AP room rate, then you have taken 4 rooms out of the inventory. I would assume the management decides how many room to offer at the AP rate on the number of rooms not reserved and by taking four rooms off the market fewer rooms will be at the discounted cost.

 

[SR]

I noticed that you are from Oregon too. I just have to ask what part are you from? I am in Southern Oregon. I too have really enjoyed these boards for planning my first trip to WDW in Dec. 2000. Now I am planning my second trip and again have come to these boards for help... Even though I have been once, this is a different trip. The first one was a special anniversary trip for me and my husband. This time it is a "girls only" trip with my girlfriend, so a different plan is needed.
Good luck and welcome.

 

[rascal_6742]

Thanks for the help. Sounds like booking only at WL and playing the wait-for-the-rate game is the way to go. You guys are great.


SR - Always fun to meet fellow Oregonians. We are up North in the Portland area, Hillsboro to be more specific. We are planning that big extended family trip and are really excited. Hope your second trip is wonderful!

 

[LuvTigger]

Since you're planning for a group, I just wanted to suggest that you create a budget now (I wouldn't assume the AP rate though, better to budget for a larger amount). What I did for my friends when we went on a group trip was create a "payment plan" and everyone paid me x-amount of money every month which was deposited into a joint account with me and another friend for the trip. You don't have to get that elaborate, but just to give you an idea on how we saved. That way we all didn't have to come up with a lot of money at one time since we had saved the money ahead of time. If you have extra money, you can use it for tickets, meals, etc.

Keep in mind that if you book now, you'll have to put a one nights deposit per room at the current rate. While I think you should book where you want to stay, I agree with Gary M that you should only book it if you will be able to pay for it regardless of what rate you get. It's possible that you won't be able to get all 4 rooms at AP rates. (Sorry, don't mean to be a downer, but just want you to be prepared!)

Since you're planning pretty far ahead, I think if you make a plan now and get everyone on a budget, you can do it! WL is a beautiful resort!