Help! Point me toward the Discounts, Baby!

[DaddythePooh]

Planning to visit Disney in late October '03 with my wife and three kids. In a perfect world, we'll end up in a PR or GF or CR room that'll accomodate all 5 of us. Now, here comes the HUGELY whiny, penny-pinching, and probably VERY annoying question I've just GOTTA ask.
HOW DO I SQUEEZE EVERY LAST BIT OF DISCOUNT OUT OF THE MOUSE AND HIS DELUXE RESORTS?
A while back, you could get a pretty hefty room discount, just by being a Disney stockholder - I think that's dead.
A while back, you could get an even heftier discount by being a member of the "Magic Kingdom Club" - but that's dead now too.
IS there some great discount or loophole out there that smart shoppers can use to pay less for a monorail resort vacation? WL would be even better, but I dont think we can fit 5 people into any of their rooms.
Last year we paid something like $238 a night in a Contemporary Resort wing room that was actually just fine - I just wonder if you Disney-geniuses know of any similar (or better) bargains that can be found over at the PR or GF (where the pools and surroundings are even nicer). Coupons? Clubs? The selling of my youngest to Captain Hook? I'm open to all suggestions.
I glaze over when I hear about long-term front-end-fee-heavy "Value clubs" and I think I'm pretty well dead set on staying at one of the "big three" resorts (or WL if somebody knows of a 5 person miracle over there). I'm just looking to pinch pennies hard enough to hurt Abe Lincoln's brain.
THERE - Could I have made this request ANY more difficult? Here's hoping you fellow Disney-misers can point me in the right direction. I obviously wanna have my cake and eat it too.
THANKS VERY MUCH - CK

 

[BrianD]

Well, the first place I will point you to is www.mousesavers.com . It is by far the best, most comprehensive website about discounts for all things Disney. Go check that out. That website will definitely become your friend.

 

[Eljay]

#1 place to check is www.mousesavers.com to get discount codes to use when making reservations. I don't know if Annual Passes would work for your family, but the discount code for AP holders is usually the best option. Even if just the reservation maker is an AP holder, the discount is still good.
I see that you aren't a FL resident, they give good rates for us that are.
AAA offers a discount sometimes.
Do check Mouse Savers (the link I provided above), they have codes for lots of situations.
If you are active or retired military, you can get a great deal.
They used to give police officers, fire fighters & teachers discounts, not sure if they still do.
The Poly would fit 5 comfortably. The rooms are very large. 2 queens & a nice day bed.
October is value season, you should have options.
Good Luck!
If all else fails, I hear Cruella is looking for PUPPIES!

 

[onceuponadream]

Hi DaddythePooh!

Your post was quite funny...gave me a little chuckle...and Eljay the puppies..too cute LOL.

Now to answer your question. There are currently codes out but they are only good through the beginning of July. Many of us are also hoping/waiting for annual pass (AP) rates that are usually available all but peak/holiday season.

Between the Poly, CR (Contemorary) Garden wing and GF you are going to find the CR to be the most reasonable. The tower rooms at CR are quite a bit more though. Currently with a code during value season you can get a CR room for about $170/nt plus tax.

WL will only be able to accomodate you in a deluxe room and I think those cost more than 2 standards combined.

Keep checking mousesavers as she updates codes and discount rates as soon as they are available .

Happy planning!

 

[tidoublegger]

Hi, if you want to stay in a Disney property, have you considered a cabin at Fort Wilderness? They're usually around $269/night, but with current codes, it's $169/night. I don't know if there will be such a steep discount when you're going, but even the $269 seems cheaper than some of the deluxe resorts! Offsite, I just saw Doubletree Resort Orlando-Villas for $95/night for a 3 bedroom/2 bath! This may be a great alternative to the high prices of a larger Disney resort room/suite! Good luck!!

 

[susy]

In 2002, Reguar season ws from Oct 3 to Nov 2-either side of that is value season , so play with your dates a little.

See if an AP might be the way to go. Since you are saving so much money with an AP rate, maybe you can come back before it expires (right before even) and get another trip (with AP rates again) and have the tickets paid for- just a suggestion.