How do discounts work?

[phewms]

Hi. I'm new. Planning our 1st trip to WDW for Nov 2013 (patiently waiting for the rates to be released). We have been on a Disney cruise but not WDW as a family.

Like everyone, we would like to save money on this trip. We have budgeted $5,000 for 2 adults and 1 child. From research, I would like to stay at AKL in a savanna room. We would be staying 7 days/6 nights but will only utilize the parks for 5 days. We have earned enough FF Miles for our flights to be free and we would be there the week after Thanksgiving. I think I am on the right track.

We are hoping to get a % off the room or free dining. Can you get both or is it one or the other? Can someone explain to me (or point me in the direction of) information regarding Kroger and Disney Gift Cards? Any other information you can share would really be appreciated!

 

[Missytara]

Hi. I'm new. Planning our 1st trip to WDW for Nov 2013 (patiently waiting for the rates to be released). We have been on a Disney cruise but not WDW as a family.

Like everyone, we would like to save money on this trip. We have budgeted $5,000 for 2 adults and 1 child. From research, I would like to stay at AKL in a savanna room. We would be staying 7 days/6 nights but will only utilize the parks for 5 days. We have earned enough FF Miles for our flights to be free and we would be there the week after Thanksgiving. I think I am on the right track.

We are hoping to get a % off the room or free dining. Can you get both or is it one or the other? Can someone explain to me (or point me in the direction of) information regarding Kroger and Disney Gift Cards? Any other information you can share would really be appreciated!

You cannot stack discounts; you can use one or the other.

Most likely when you are going deluxe, a room discount is better; values or mods, then free dining is better. You have to run the numbers and decide what works best for you.

It also matters what time of year you go; some weeks are blacked out on discounts due to peak season (don't need discounts). I go the week after Thanksgiving every year and that Saturday is usually blacked out. You would do a room-only the first night and then switch to a package the remainder of the trip.
You will find a lot of info on the discount codes and rates board at the top of this forum.

 

[wdwrich]

Be sure to take a look at Mousesavers.com. They have up to date information on discounts, codes, and promotions for WDW.

 

[phewms]

Thank you! Checking now.

 

[Melodious]

A general public discount won't be released until much closer to your trip, but there is something called a pin code discount which is a kind of personalized discount that is either emailed or mailed to you (check out the sticky on the discount board which is a sub board of this resort board). Though no one knows the secret to getting a pin code, you must first have a login to the WDW official site to make sure that they know how to contact you. Some will say that it helps your chances to go on the WDW site and pricing out packages and saving a few to let Disney know that you're thinking about a trip and when . Though I don't know that I've heard of pin code discounts being sent out more than a year before your dates...