How do you book? WDW? AAA?

[terrilt]

I've mostly used DisBoards in the past for a trip to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure/SeaWorld. We haven't been to WDW since Dec.2002 - so we know there's many changes. In the past we've stayed at Wilderness Lodge in 2000 & AKL Dec.2002. It's just me & my husband, both 50. We are blown away at how expensive the resorts have become. I was just on the WDW webpage and for 11/27 to 12/8 for the cheapest, standard view room at AKL, the pkg is $4976. We assume that is room and park tickets? It says "Package Total." So we'd pay for flights/food/souvenirs. Is that what everyone pays for the Deluxe Resorts? We may consider CS, AoA . . . but we LOVE the nicer resorts, esp for the length of time we are going. It also seems that many places say "unavailable" - seems early to be booked? Just curious how most people make RSVPs for WDW? We have AAA and have used them for other trips. This is actually going to be in celebration of my 50th Bday. We are also looking at Italy (but we went there a few years ago and thought WDW would be significantly cheaper . . . although, it may not be!!!!!) Thanks for any input. We are just now researching and learning about the dining plans, etc. There is a small chance 2 other family members may join us for part of the trip and they would stay in the same room.

 

[Babsy]

Four people in the same room at AKL will be cosy, but you have stayed there before so you are aware of the room size, I guess. Don't forget about the extra $25 per person, per night for each additional adult in the room over two.

Yes, prices are much higher now than they were just a few years ago - and rising all the time! If the package includes tickets, it will say so. Discounts may become available later, but they are becoming fewer and farther in between as well as much lower in value. The days of 45% off at deluxe resorts are over! These days it seems like 30 - 35% is as good as it gets for a room only discount. If free dining is offered and there are four in your room, you might want to do the math to see what type of discount will work better for you. Dining has also increased in price exorbitantly since 2002.

We typically book directly with WDW. Some people have received additional/larger discounts with some large online booking websites, I believe, but we don't use those so I'm no help with that. I would suggest doing some searches online to see if you can find better deals that may be out there.

WDW resorts are running close to capacity these days, so some resorts may be booked... Personally, I would book something that I would be happy with (and that is in my price range even without discounts) for now and keep an eye out for potential discounts. You can always switch if you get a better deal but if the room you want sells out, you could be stuck without availability. Discounts are never a guarantee.

FWIW,
We were to Italy year before last and it was significantly cheaper than what we typically pay for deluxe at WDW. YMMV.


Good luck!

 

[caliope]

We book directly with Disney. I watch for discounts and plan my trips around those, including bounce backs. We are flexible with travel dates, so that helps. I know others have had luck with sites such as Orbitz, but I've not used those.

In comparison to our Disney trips, we went to Italy for 10 days several years ago and definitely spent more. However, that's because we had to include transit costs into our budget (trains between Milan, Venice, and Verona; water taxis; ferry around Lake Garda; etc.). Flights to Europe were also more for us than flights to Florida. Our nightly accommodations were cheaper than Disney, but the overall total of the vacation was higher because of the incidentals.

That said....I'd love to do Italy again sometime soon! It's amazing.

 

[MillauFr]

The days of 45% off at deluxe resorts are over! These days it seems like 30 - 35% is as good as it gets for a room only discount.

The late August discounts at the Poly are still 50+%. I got a quote from the travel agent that many posters here use and the discounts are still huge.

 

[happymommy]

I would start your research by looking at www.mousesavers.com first.

Your "package" may have thrown in things like a dining package, that you may or, more likely, may NOT want to purchase. Also look at the tickets included, which may or may not include things like park hopping (some folks don't utilize that, but I always add hopping).

You may be interested in the Swan or Dolphin as well, so don't discount them (much better rates usually than the other Epcot resorts, but you don't get Magical Express or a few other perks, and they do have a stupid "resort fee").

If others join you, honestly, I'd have them get their own room if possible. I'm not sharing a room with another couple (I just turned 50).

 

[MsThumper]

We will only stay deluxe, room only, and we won't go without a discount. We don't do the dining plan. I book with wherever I get the best deal, but mostly directly through Disney when the discounts come out. We are already booked at BWI for the end of October through a travel agent. I have also booked through Orbitz, because they had rooms at the Disney discounted price plus I was able to "stack" an additional one of their discounts on top.

I do forsee a day, probably not too far off, when we just refuse to pay the prices.

 

[MsThumper]

I would start your research by looking at www.mousesavers.com first.

Your "package" may have thrown in things like a dining package, that you may or, more likely, may NOT want to purchase. Also look at the tickets included, which may or may not include things like park hopping (some folks don't utilize that, but I always add hopping).

You may be interested in the Swan or Dolphin as well, so don't discount them (much better rates usually than the other Epcot resorts, but you don't get Magical Express or a few other perks, and they do have a stupid "resort fee").

If others join you, honestly, I'd have them get their own room if possible. I'm not sharing a room with another couple (I just turned 50).

This is all excellent advice.

 

[ProudSoccerMom]

The late August discounts at the Poly are still 50+%. I got a quote from the travel agent that many posters here use and the discounts are still huge.

Hi MillauFR...not to detract from the OP, but is there a way you can send me a private message with the name of the Disney TA you used? I know the name has been mentioned here before, but I can't remember it and I know we're not supposed to post about businesses. Thanks for your help!

 

[Hopefully]

Everything is significantly more expensive than it was 15 years ago.
We book directly with Disney. We watch for discounts, but will book with or without a discount.
You need to decide what your budget is. We too prefer Deluxe, so yes it is expensive. But we do not want to stay at a Value, too loud and to garish for us.
Good Luck

 

[Babsy]

The late August discounts at the Poly are still 50+%. I got a quote from the travel agent that many posters here use and the discounts are still huge.

Sorry, I should have worded this more clearly. I meant that through Disney directly discounts seem to be less than they were many years ago - generally the best that we get is in the order of 30-35%. the discounts to which you are referring are a result of online bookings with an agency that isn't allowed to be referenced on these boards - at least that is my understanding. It is why I suggested doing an online search for better deals that may be available elsewhere.

Also, OP is planning on going in Nov - Dec. These huge discounts are usually in August/September, as you said.

 

[MillauFr]

The travel agency discounts were so huge it caused me to adjust my plans when I go just to take advantage of them. The price they quoted me was so low I thought it was a scam at first. I booked after getting reassurance from many other posters here that they are legit.

 

[loves to dive]

I research the heck out of it and book whatever way is cheaper. Sometimes that is going through Disney with an AP discount (not very often) sometimes it is going through Disney with a general discount, sometimes it is going through Orbitz if they are offering a discount at the same time there is a general discount since you will get both. Sometimes I go to Swan/Dolphin but you have to be careful there because there are add ons which are not in the first quote on their site. There is a $20/ night (approx) resort fee and a $20 / night (approx) parking fee if you drive. Sometimes I can actually get BW or YC/BC for less than Swan/Dolphin when you add that all back in. Swan/Dolphin does offer a AAA discount and it might pay to join SPG because sometimes those rates can be less. I never pay rack rate and never get a package. I have an AP and my son does too right now but before he did, I would get his ticket separate through Cheaptickets.com, I could usually save about $20 on tickets that way. I always stay in deluxe resorts, most of the time I do split stays with the first night or two at a moderate then switch over to an Epcot deluxe.