Help please - overwhelmed

UMTerp

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 5, 2003
Messages
1,517
DD decided that she wanted to run the marathon in Jan 2018 so I am playing catch up trying to make this work for a family trip (4 adults). We will arrive at MCO late on Fri Jan 5 and leaving Fri Jan 13th. From looking at the website it appears that the packages for rooms and tickets (and dining) are not available for our dates. I found availability at Caribbean Beach Resort (2 queens which is preferred) if we check in on Sat Jan 6 which would be fine. I'm having trouble figuring out the different discounts that may be available. I have AAA but do not currently have a Disney Visa (I let it expire). We would like to go to each of the four parks over four days, don't need hopper. Does anyone have suggestions about the best/least expensive combination of hotel/4 day tickets and possibly dining? Thank you so much in advance for your help!

UMTerp
 
Although it is tedious, I've found that calling Disney Reservations is the best way to price out all of your options. They seem to find rooms and packages that don't show up on their website.
Are you wanting least expensive dining options, also?
 
DD decided that she wanted to run the marathon in Jan 2018 so I am playing catch up trying to make this work for a family trip (4 adults). We will arrive at MCO late on Fri Jan 5 and leaving Fri Jan 13th. From looking at the website it appears that the packages for rooms and tickets (and dining) are not available for our dates. I found availability at Caribbean Beach Resort (2 queens which is preferred) if we check in on Sat Jan 6 which would be fine. I'm having trouble figuring out the different discounts that may be available. I have AAA but do not currently have a Disney Visa (I let it expire). We would like to go to each of the four parks over four days, don't need hopper. Does anyone have suggestions about the best/least expensive combination of hotel/4 day tickets and possibly dining? Thank you so much in advance for your help!

UMTerp

Others can chime with more specific answers, but just FYI, discounts are very limited - if not non-existent - for marathon weekend dates. DW is going/running and we’re paying rack - honestly we’re just happy she has a room!

Good luck with your planning.
 
It doesn't look like the room/ticket/dining package is available. I would go with Port Orleans instead of Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs as they are both under construction. There is only River View now listed with the room discount but if you keep checking, standard view might open up and save you some money. Buy 4 day tickets from someone like Undercover Tourist and pay out of pocket for dining. The dining plan is not worth it in my opinion.
 

Not sure if this will help, but I was in the same predicament last year. My DD decided to run for a charity, Juvenile Diabetes, and we were able to get two rooms at Coronado Springs for $150.00 a night (each room). We did not get any ticket discounts, although DD did get a one day pass through JDRF. This could be an option for your DD as CS does block off rooms for the people running for charities.
 
I'd check again. I just priced out a few different package deals for the 6th through the 12th. Maybe try dropping or adding a day and do a split stay that one day. They weren't coming up until I selected a hotel, and then they were displaying along the top of the screen. There were a few different 4 people family deals that included food and tickets that popped up for different rooms at different hotels.
 
Have you tried contacting travel agents? I know that multiple agencies had blocks of rooms for marathon weekend. That's how we booked our resort right after the race last year.
 
There aren't any rooms available on the 5th (occasionally something $$$ pops up.) I've been trying and trying. We arrive the 5th and are there until the 13th. You're gonna have to search split stays.
 
Honestly keep checking and then check some more like hourly or more.

Calling Disney reservation might be the way to go here, at least they can help you piece together a split stay.

My friend came to run last year they rented a DVC from David's and stay at Saratoga Springs it was last minute, a bit pricey, but they made breakfast and sandwiches in the room.it was only for 4 nights. They had a one bed room. They are AP holders so they did not have to worry about tickets.

Also if you have a travel agent you might want to check it out and see if they can make it happen.
 
I agree with calling Disney directly. I have found that everytime I have had problems going on line to get a dinner ressie, a room, tickets, etc. I have always found the call in service to be the on stop and shop service that solves all my needs.
 





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