Help! What are we doing wrong? Trying to book resort.

[RetroJulie]

Good Morning everyone!

My DH and I just purchased Premium Florida Resident annual passes in December. We went down last weekend and had planned on returning the weekend of Feb 10th. We have tried and tried to get a room at a Disney resort for this weekend and can't. We've even tried rack rate prices and still can't. So, we called reservations and were informed that there was some sort of Cheerleading competition and a builders convention in town that weekend.

No sweat... we switched our plans two weeks later. Again, same problem.
First dates we could get resorts (that would work with our employment schedules) was the first weekend in March.

So, here's my question. For you annual passholders - where are these fantastic room rates that these premium annual passes entitle you to? We chose the premium passes for the resort discounts... but we can't find those discounts ever available. We tried to book out a few months thinking that was the "key to the kingdom", but were only able to select dates two months out. Their website didn't allow us to chose any month beyond March in their drop down menu.

We're disappointed that we want to hit the parks and resorts, but can't find rooms. How do passholders land all these resorts and how do you book them in advance if their site won't allow to book that far out.

Clearly we're still learning all the secrets, but we never in a million years thought that finding on property lodging would be so difficult.

Thanks for your responses,
Julie

 

[karibritt01]

Not an AP holder, so I may not be much help. I do know that Feb is reported to be a terrible time to go in terms of crowds. With Presidents day weekend, Mardi Gras, winter breaks, conventions... they are probably just slammed. I have heard many find the great deals at mousesavers.com, so you could look there for sales and codes. Otherwise, I would get several dates in order, and call CRO, and see what you can work out. Good luck!

 

[LadyRob]

Hi Julie,

So sorry you're having trouble getting a room. The discounted rooms do go fast once they are released which is usually just a few months in advance. That is why you can only check up to a certain date. I purchased the FL resident seasonal passes last August and have learned to book as soon as the dates are released.

If you are willing to pay rack rate this time, try Travelocity. I waited until the last minute to book a room for marathon weekend and Disney had nothing but Travelocity did have rooms. No problems!

 

[RetroJulie]

LadyRob,

How do we know when the rates are released? Is that the whole Mickey Monitor thing? We haven't received one yet, but is that how you know in advance when passholder rates are available and where? Or do you just log in to the passholder site daily?

 

[taximomfor4]

Hi, I might be able to help a little...I have had the AP for quite a few trips. Some dates the AP discounts are blacked out (none offered). Like I think in March, there are limited dates that they were offered.

My best advice is to get AP's when you think you are going to use that many park days, but don't ever get them for room discounts. Sometimes there are discounts offered, sometimes there are not. Sometimes the general public's discounts end up being better (we skipped our AP discounts last August and used the general public's deal).

I do know that currently, the AP discounts are only available through March. Go to Mousesavers and look for the current AP rate deals -- she is very complete when listing the dates they are offered. Perhaps you just need to adjust your trip in one direction or another. Like if I were arriving on 3/12, I wouldn't have AP discount--but I happen to be arriving 3/13, so I got it. I booked the FIRST day they opened the dates, though. .. kind of like with Southwest Airlines!

Beth

 

[LadyRob]

Beth is right! Mousesavers is very good with keeping up with the current rates and dates. I also watch the discount board. Someone will always post first thing on the morning the dates are released.

 

[LadyRob]

Oh and don't wait on the Mickey Monitor. By the time you get that, the rooms are gone.

 

[RetroJulie]

Thanks everyone for all your input. We managed to find a hotel offsite, but it's just not the same. We like the full Disney experience. I'm very surprised to learn that February is so busy. I would have thought that would be a slower time of year. See.... you learn something new every day.

 

[taximomfor4]

Thanks everyone for all your input. We managed to find a hotel offsite, but it's just not the same. We like the full Disney experience. I'm very surprised to learn that February is so busy. I would have thought that would be a slower time of year. See.... you learn something new every day.

Outside if Presidents Weekend, try AAA. The discount might more than cover a membership! You might even be able to get part of your trip with AP discount and a few days AAA.

Beth

 

[fla4fun]

It seems like they release the next round of discounts around the time the current ones expire. So start watching the website carefully starting about the 10th of February, since the next batch to expire is 2/14. Also, keep an eye on the codes section of the forum here, as they are a great source of information. Have some dates ready ahead of time and be ready to pounce when the discounts are released. I didn't have any trouble booking my AP discount for February, but I called at 7am the day they were released.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

AP rates aren't like they use to be. I can remember when an AP pretty much assured you'd get about 40% off the rack rate at almost any resort during the dates of the code. Now Disney limits the resorts and the number of rooms, so if you don't call the MORNING the code is released you don't get it. We probably won't renew our AP's this year because of this. It stinks.

 

[Seahunt]

Also be sure and check the "Florida Residents" section of the website - in looking there right now, if you could go on Saturday 2/10 -check out Sunday 2/11 (instead of checking in on Friday 2/9), there are still some leftover deals like this:

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside $117.00† (same $ quote for CSR)
Arriving on 02/10/07 for 1 night
Adults: 2
Room Type: Standard View Room
Park Tickets: None
Package Type: Room Only
Special Rate Type: Florida Residents Room
Per Night Room Price $104.00
Room Total $104.00
Tax $13.00
Grand Total $117.00

Deluxe
Disney's BoardWalk Inn $270.00† (same quote for YC, CR Garden Wing @ $258)
Arriving on 02/10/07 for 1 night
Adults: 2
Room Type: Standard View Room
Park Tickets: None
Package Type: Room Only
Special Rate Type: Florida Residents Room
Per Night Room Price $240.00
Room Total $240.00
Tax $30.00
Grand Total $270.00



Edited to add also 2/24 -2/25 still has $79 ASMU available
Disney's All-Star Music Resort $89.28†
Arriving on 02/24/07 for 1 night
Adults: 2
Room Type: Standard View Room
Park Tickets: None
Package Type: Room Only
Special Rate Type: Florida Residents
Per Night Room Price $79.00
Room Total $79.00
Tax $10.28
Grand Total $89.28

 

[undertheradar]

Not to offend the OP, but an AP does not "entitle" you to anything other than admission. Discounts are added benefits, but should not be considered the only reason to purchase an AP. Discounted rooms are great when available, but no one is entitled to a discounted room. We have too many AP holders here in SOCAL(Disneyland) and have fewer discounted rooms offered. It is nice to stay onsite, but not the end of the world if discounts aren't available. Here at DL, many chain hotels are closer to the entry gates than the DL Resorts themselves.