Help-Planning First On-site Stay

[carolinagirl]

My DH and I are planning a surprise WDW trip for our kids for Sept 25-Oct 3rd of this year. We have a DD who will be 8 and DS who will be 4 at that time. DD is out of school 3 days during that week which makes it a good time for us to go.

My father lives in Altamonte Springs, Florida and for the past 6 years we have visited Disney at least once a year and saved on room expense by staying with him. But there was a 30-45 minute drive each day to and from the parks, and well, quite honestly, visiting with family isn’t always the same as being on vacation. So, we have decided that it is time to live the magic 24 hours/day while on vacation and stay on-site.

I have never booked a Disney vacation before and have been doing quite a bit of reading on the resorts board and have learned lots. But I want to make sure that I’m understanding how things work. Here is what DH and I have discussed doing.

Since we have gotten into the habit of going to Disney at least once per year, we thought purchasing Annual Passes and using them again next year would be a smart idea. When we plan our visit next year, we will plan it before the Annual Passes expire. That way we will get double duty out of the Passes. And who knows, since we live in NC and the drive isn’t that bad, we might even make a birthday or anniversary trip during the year as well. My DH loves Disney as much as the children and I do!

So am I understanding correctly that Disney regularly comes out with room discounts for AP holders? So if I go ahead and book a room only reservation now, there is a chance that I can get the room at a discount later? We are currently looking at a Moderate resort, but if we can get a discount on a Deluxe, then we could swing that. Should I book now at a Moderate or go ahead and book a Deluxe with the anticipation of a discount? I guess I’m just worried that if I don’t get a discount, then I’ll end up paying more than I’d like for the room, but if I don’t book the Deluxe that it will be full later. Also, how does the Annual Pass thing work? Do I have to have the Annual Pass at the time the AP codes comes out, or can I wait and get those when we get there?

Also, I have read about CRO, WDTC, and DU. Is there any disadvantage to booking through DU? Can they apply discounts later? It seems that I’ve read lots of wonderful comments, no negatives, and wonder why everyone doesn’t use them, if they are so wonderful.

Thanks for reading this long post and your input is welcome and appreciated. I’m so excited for our first stay at Disney on-site. Yippee!!!

Kim S.

 

[Kimberle]

I would go ahead and book a moderate now. We all hope codes will come out, but there is no guarentee. If you book a deluxe & codes don't come out. You'll either have to pay more than you can afford or be disapointed to "downgrade". If codes do come out, you'll be excited to "upgrade". Some people, too, like the mod's as much as the deluxes.

Though by having your own car, you won't have to worry abt getting around if your room is one of the further ones.

Have fun planning! Where ever you stay, you'll have a wonderful trip!

 

[disneydiz]

You only need to show your AP when you check into the hotel. You could stop and activate/buy your AP right before you check in.

I would book at a Moderate, and then if the AP discounts come out you can change to a Deluxe. You are taking a risk by booking a Deluxe and possibly miss when the discounts come out.

I believe the difference between DU, CRO, etc. might be the cancellation policy. Some are 45-days and CRO might be only 5-days.

 

[Grumpy92]

Since everyone has already answered your hotel booking question I will try and help with the others. By the way I totally agree book the moderate and check for ap rates when it gets closer. www.mousesavers.com Rates normally come out 2-3 months in advance.

The moderates are great we especially like POR & POFQ.

As for the pass if you go more then 8 days a year it is well worth it especially for the resort discounts.
You also might want to go thru the travel co. They can do everything with one call, just have the codes ready for them. Plus it is an 800# (828-0228). I tried it recently and had a really good experience.

 

[Desnik]

Personally I like to book using CRO. You only have to send in 1 nights deposit within 14 days and you can cancell with no penalties up until 5 days before your trip. You pay in full at the resort, or you can send it in ahead of time. I like to be hands on and book everything myself. WDTC you have to give a deposit, and then pay in full 45 days before. They have diferent policies for cancelling.

I think it's a wonderful idea to get AP's. You don't need one in hand to book with the discount code. You need it at check-in. You can buy it at DtD on your way to the resort, or at the TTC. They usually give discounts for AP's but I think I remember last Sept. no AP rates? I could be wrong.

I would go ahead and book a moderate and just keep on these boards and mousesavers.com for the discounts. Believe me when they come out you will see it a few days before on these boards. You shouldn't have a problem upgrading and applying a code.

I also want to say that you will love being on-site. You will be spoiled with the Disney ambiance!! I hope you have a wonderful trip. It is so exciting staying on-site for the first time!!!

 

[Kala]

We have had annual passes for years, (and we live in Texas!) for exactly the reasons mentioned. We have always used our annual passholders rate to book the rooms, and have never been asked for the passes at check in, so far. I guess it just depends on the CM checking you in. We also usually do not renew, just use the pass once, then again in 10-11 months, then buy another new pass the next year and use it again after another 10-11 months. This last visit was more than 2 years since our last visit... way too long! We also buy our passes at the Disney store, where they give you a card you could show, but it is not activated until you go to the park. We usually stay at the Polynesian for convenience and room/bed size, but have also stayed at a couple of moderates which were great too. I agree with booking a moderate with the possiblilty of an upgrade if available, just check out the maps of the resorts, and request a building close to the main building or bus stop or pool, whichever is important to you. There are no guarantees, but they really try to accomodate if possible. No matter where you stay, I think you will find the extra magic of not leaving every night to be worth the cost. I really believe what they say... Once you stay inside the world, you will never go back out.

 

[carolinagirl]

Thank you so much for your responses! I'm going to take your advice and go ahead and book a moderate. Now I just have to decide between CBR and POR.

Desnik, I'm hoping that the reason there were no AP codes last Sept was due to FTP. If they run the FTP again this year, I'll be a happy camper. If not, maybe they will have special rates. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I really want to stay at the Poly, but just can't pay full price.

It's good to know that I can activate the AP on arrival. That would work out perfectly. We could go back the next year for DD birthday in Sept and still use the same APs.

I appreciate all the input! THANK YOU!

Kim S.