How do you plan?

[grumpalina]

Do you book where you really want to stay (and/or more expensive) & hope for the best that a code will come your way? Or, do you book a lower priced (aka more affordable) stay and hope you can switch ressie when/if a code comes out?

We're looking to go Nov 30th for 4 nights and price-wise would prob book moderate. but in my heart of hearts, i would SO love to stay at WL! I'm so unsure of what to do! We've maximized our chances (if that's possible) of getting a code (visa, dvd request, etc). ugh, i just want to make a decision and book!!!!

 

[heartbeeps]

I'd book conservatively and hope liberally!
Because if you booked liberally and got yourself into a financial squeeze, it wouldn't be a fun-filled vacation!

Worst case scenario - no pkg offered at WL. It still gives you an opportunity to want to come back. AND, if they offer you a bounceback, perhaps you could get WL for a steal! just an idea.

of course, you could consider a split stay 1/3 or 2/2 and go to the moderate first then move to WL.

 

[Aliceacc]

You book a place where you would be happy to stay.

It's like buying a house. You don't buy the mansion on the water, hopping to win the lottery. You buy a house you can afford and will love. Then if the lottery happens, you upgrade or not.

 

[Native NYer]

I agree with the two PPs. Book the resort that's within your budget and that you'll enjoy. If your budget allows for a moderate, research all of the resorts in that category and book the one you like best. If you get a code, then upgrade if the room at the WL is available. You can end up with a code, but then no rooms at the WL are available with that discount.

 

[sherry8253]

Well... I used to refuse to book anything until a room only code or AP rate came out because I thought the less rooms booked at rack or AAA rate meant better rate discounts & more rooms avail when they finally did announce discounts. But room only codes are getting scarce and AP rates are not what they used to be. We booked WL honeymoon suite for our honeymoon as soon as AAA discounts were announced for 01/08. When the AP rates came out, I called to see if I could apply that rate to our reservation and it turned out I could but the AAA rate saved me more money (first time AAA ever saved me more than AP rate ). For our Dec '08 trip I booked a room we can afford and would be satisfied with (our first two choices did not have AAA discount avail and I refuse to pay rack rate) that had a AAA discount. Then when other discounts become available, I will call to see if I can get a better rate where I booked or at one of the other places we would like to stay. They key for our always getting some kind of discount has been we always have a list of at least 4 places we would be willing to stay and we take the one with the best discount.

 

[cmysprkles911]

I have been reading alot on this site and getting all kinds of tips. I am thinking about joing to save on our up coming trip.. Do you think its a good idea to so we can save a little money?

 

[grumpalina]

thanks for the great advice!!! i've only been to WDW 1x as an adult (my mom is the disneyphile ) so the realization that there is a whole world of strategies & codes out there is VERY overwhelming!

i love the analogy of the mansion & the lottery! that's a great way to sum it up. I'm heavily leaning toward POFQ for this trip. It sounds like it'll be the best of all worlds for our needs. The POP Century threads scared me away LOL We stayed at AKL last year (and called it the "trip of a lifetime" LOL ) A moderate would be perfect.

Now to book!!!