How do the Disney pros get the best resort discounts?

[mickeysimba]

I just read this article again about accusing the Disney resorts of charging too much.
https://luxerecess.com/disney-world-resorts/

In those comments, so many people claim that they never pay the web rates.

I was talking with a woman in the line at Soarin last visit who mentioned brokers who pass on group rates to individuals.

Who knows more that they can share or direct message me? Thank you!

 

[fla4fun]

You just have to put in the time researching rates. Start with Disney's site on the Special Offers page. Then start Googling Disney World Hotel Discounts and go from there. There isn't one special place that has the best rate ALL the time. I've booked with several third party OTA's, as well as direct with Disney - it's all about where I can get the best deal.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are on these boards, your best bet is to search the discount forums and have a general idea of when you want to go. Booking a discount as soon as it's released, stacking discounts with third-party sites like Orbitz, working with agencies who book group rates, buying discounted tickets from third-party sellers. These are all strategies people use on these boards. I've been going to WDW multiple times a year since 2008 and I've never paid rack rate for a WDW resort.

 

[AngiTN]

I just read this article again about accusing the Disney resorts of charging too much.
https://luxerecess.com/disney-world-resorts/

In those comments, so many people claim that they never pay the web rates.

I was talking with a woman in the line at Soarin last visit who mentioned brokers who pass on group rates to individuals.

Who knows more that they can share or direct message me? Thank you!

If that is talking about rack rates, I would agree. The vast majority of guests do not pay rack rate. Because out of 365 days in a year, Disney discounts their rooms for about 355 of them (just a guess, not quoting an exact figure). Point being, it's only a few days of the year where they offer no discount at all. It's just a matter of being flexible or fast if you aren't flexible.

And yes, there are a few special broker rates out there but they are even more fixed and limited than Disney discounts.

 

[tobikaye]

The only time I have paid "rack" rates was with a special "gift card" offer. Then it was only because the gift card was greater than the room discount offer for that same time. So far, I have always booked through Disney, but that is usually because the discount was as good, or better, than I could get from a 3rd party site, or I needed a HA room for my sister that I could not book 3rd party.

 

[PSUGuy]

For the last 10 years we've been renting DVC points and staying at Board Walk, often for less per night than a Value, always for less than a Moderate.

Bill From PA

 

[Marionnette]

I just read this article again about accusing the Disney resorts of charging too much.
https://luxerecess.com/disney-world-resorts/

In those comments, so many people claim that they never pay the web rates.

I was talking with a woman in the line at Soarin last visit who mentioned brokers who pass on group rates to individuals.

Who knows more that they can share or direct message me? Thank you!

• Research.
• Familiarize yourself with the usual discounts.
• Look for offers that are made to groups that you belong to.
• Find out how to purchase Disney gift cards for less than face value.

Digging up the discounts is a lot of work. Some of them require quite a bit of searching. I got tired of waiting for good resort discounts and purchased DVC. Now, I generally focus on ticket and dining discounts. But we also travel to Disney at least every 2 years for the purpose of attending a meeting. The room discount for that trip makes it worth renting out my DVC points instead.

My brother works for a company that sponsors a Disney attraction. He can buy deeply discounted tickets through his work portal. There are discounts for FL residents, at-par rates for Canadians, military rates, AP rates, DVC member discounts and discounts for Disney Visa cardmembers. CMs get great discounts and a number of free passes for their guests.

There's no one-size-fits-all path to great discounts. You have to be your own Sherlock Holmes and do your own sleuthing.

 

[LovingPooh]

I agree with the above, reasearch, maybe even talk to a TA.
With the price of accomodations going up yearly, I am so glad that I bought into DVC years ago.

 

[tiggerluver12]

Multiple times we booked through a TA at rack rate --- but never paid it because once a discount comes out the TA got us that discount. TAs are wonderful!!!

 

[buzznina]

We have been going for over 12 years now and never paid rack rate for a RO and only paid rack when it came with FD.
You really have to put some time and effort into it, there is no "one size fits all" answer. DVC point renting is a good way but you need to know all the restrictions etc. and also want to stay in a studio (only category that will save $$). It also depends on when you are going as the points prices changes. WDW is always putting out specials for either RO or FD. Also; if you are currently on a trip at WDW you have the BB discount option. You also have deals on Orbitz that you can combine on top of a WDW discount. Another very good discount, is to find a TA that offers an TA exclusive deal. I also think this is the easiest for the folks that do not have time to keep searching for deals. If going with a TA, I STRONGLY suggest to make sure they specialize in Disney vacations like the TA that sponsors the DIS forum.

 

[verleniahall]

we only paid rack rate last year so that we could get the free dining offer.

in 2014 we got the military discount and we will also in 2017 - we are getting 40% off the room rate at the Grand Floridian

 

[mickeysimba]

I am already really familiar with these already, so I was hoping to learn more about accessing group rates. The Disney discounts themselves are never that big compared to the group rates.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

Last trip we bought a package through the airline and got a nice discount and free dining.

This year the timing was wrong and we are paying through the nose.

My advice would to watch for deals and plan your travel for non peak times of the year.

 

[Marionnette]

I am already really familiar with these already, so I was hoping to learn more about accessing group rates. The Disney discounts themselves are never that big compared to the group rates.

If you're a member of a group that is holding a meeting at Disney World, they will have a website with links to information on how to book your room and obtain discounted theme park tickets. I recommend that you begin your search by checking your professional and social memberships to see if they have any conventions planned for Disney World.

There are some travel agencies that obtain blocks of rooms at a group rate and then sell those rooms to the general public.