How far out can room be booked with Friends and Family Discount

[Angeliki19]

Hi- my lovely cousin works at WDW and will be hopefully making a reservation for us for January 2014. She is on vacation so I haven't been able to get in touch with her so I thought I would ask some questions I had here to see if anyone else knew:

1) How far in advance can she make a reservation? She went on the HUB a few weeks ago to check the dates we wanted and didn't see anything so we thought maybe it is too early?

2) I read that once she makes the initial reservation, we can call the reservation line ourselves and check to see if there are better CM discounts being offered. That would be great so I don't have to hassle her. Is that true?

3) We are thinking of doing a split stay between AoA suites and AKL Villas. We have extended family staying at AKL Villas that we want to be near, but for cost reasons, we are going to stay the first few days at AoA. That shouldn't be a problem for a F&F discount, right?

4) Does anyone know if we are likely to get any additional discounts in January? Its a slow time of year so I wasn't sure if that would make it better for discounts or worse.

Thanks!!!

 

[PatMcDuck]

2014 is not opened yet. It may open in September? I can't remember.

I don't know the rules for F&F reservations. But I would be surprised if non-CMs could call and get information about them. (I understand you would have an existing F&F ressie).

The split stay would be ok, but would count as 2 reservations for the cast member. There is a yearly limit to the # of F&F reservations. Might not matter, if she rarely books rooms for people, but if she does this often, it might be an issue.

It is possible that a better discount could pop up closer to your travel dates. But that could be 1-2 months prior to the trip dates. It really is up to the cast member to handle this reservation, she would see any new offers on the Cast Hub, and would call to try and switch the reservation. However, that might mean accepting a different resort.

 

[WishUponAStar]

I am in a similar situation. What is the discount % off of rack rates? Ate there any other limitations? My daughter (CM) will be making the ressie and staying with us.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am in a similar situation. What is the discount % off of rack rates? Ate there any other limitations? My daughter (CM) will be making the ressie and staying with us.

If she is staying in the room, it is not Friends and Family, and is a different rate.

 

[jce2]

Dont know if this info will help, but I have an F&F rez in November for 40% discount and no Dining discount. I am NOT the cast member. Since the CM made the original rez. I have been able to add magic express on my own as well as shift the entire trip by one day. I was able to inquire about any DP plan but was told the CM would have to add it if one becomes available. This are the FACTS that I have.

Now for info. I have gleaned on these boards that are NOT necessarily facts but based on other peoples PAST experiences or guesses. If the CM is staying with you it is not a true F&F rez and the discount MAY be 50%. Also, if it were an F&F and a DP discount was offered it SEEMS the discount would go to 50% room and 15% dining discounts. This is the most likely scenario but can and does change.

I must emphasize (hence the capital letters) that this second paragraph is past trends, speculation etc. Event the CMs will have different answers. As an example, early this year people were stating as fact that there would be no DPs this year and that has proven to be false.

Hope this helps.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) How far in advance can she make a reservation? She went on the HUB a few weeks ago to check the dates we wanted and didn't see anything so we thought maybe it is too early?
. . . usually 3-5 months ahead of time
. . . some have been as short as 3-months
. . . once in a while put to 6-months

2) I read that once she makes the initial reservation, we can call the reservation line ourselves and check to see if there are better CM discounts being offered. That would be great so I don't have to hassle her. Is that true?
. . . you would have to call the Cast Member line for changes
. . . the CM on the phone will ask for your CM identification info
. . . and verify that you are the CM
. . . SOMETIMES, the ressie CM will let you inquire
. . . none *should* tell you of special deals
. . . and, none *should* allow you make changes/adds/deletes

3) We are thinking of doing a split stay between AoA suites and AKL Villas. We have extended family staying at AKL Villas that we want to be near, but for cost reasons, we are going to stay the first few days at AoA. That shouldn't be a problem for a F&F discount, right?
. . . shouldn't be

4) Does anyone know if we are likely to get any additional discounts in January? Its a slow time of year so I wasn't sure if that would make it better for discounts or worse.
. . . for employee discounts, you simply wait and see
. . . they are solely dependent upon how strong public bookings have been