I think I am going to have a coronary!!!

[puffkin]

I need serious help....

I thought planning a Disney vacation was supposed to be fun. It used to be for me. Now I am so stressed out, I can barely even concentrate at work. Between airfare and resort discounts, I am getting seriously stressed out! Is anyone else in the same situation?

Our July trip just kind of came about unexpectedly when we decided to buy our AP's early so that we can get 3 trips to WDW. My fiance didn't really want to go 3 times, but I finally convinced him. Now, we can't find good airfare, and there are no codes or AP rates past 7/03. Now, I know airfare is always a gamble, so I am stressing about that, but I thought for sure there would be some kind of code for Disney. Nothing but the AAA rate yet. This trip (per fiances trip), must be as cheap as possible or he won't let us go. I really need to hear that I am not the only one out there...

I really need to calm down! I guess I will try to get some work done and just keep my fingers crossed that things will start to fall into place.

 

[Dalpal]

Ill share the coast of a pacemaker with you.
You will be going on our 30th Ann. we will be going on the 16th-21st.
This waiting for codes is going to drive me crazy!
I cant believe EVERY code stops on the 3rd.
If I could know that I could bring my room cost down a little bit, I might be able afford some nice surprise for DH.
I would like to book a firework cruise. I need to know soon though I have heard they book up early and fast.

 

[kilee]

My secret is I get the first price- rack rate. If we can afford that, then I know we are set. Each code and discount I can find after that is just bonus spending money. I started this once planning was no longer fun. I think planning a vacation helps prolong the "hype" of vacation. But, don't let it be "work".

 

[Ashley's mom]

Have you checked the Entertainment rates? They are cheaper by far than rack rates. Also, if you beg and plead with the reservations person - sometimes they seem to pull a previously unannounced special price out of their ear. While I'd called a million times and the best price was $207 for a resort view - suddenly there was a $169 rate available. If money is the issue, just get the cheapest room you can - get your Starwood preferred guest thing set up, get that American Express card and get yourself upgraded to Gold status (it may take a phone call or 2 to get someone to upgrade you to Gold instead of whatever that new status is that they're handing out) - and then you'll get upgraded to a nice room. Don't freak out. Keep calling up until your trip to try to improve your room rate. We ENDED UP with the AAA rate but that wasn't available until the week of our trip. By the way, AAA only seems to be a good deal when you book ROOM ONLY not the AAA packages which are much more expensive. Hey, at least that was our experience. If you have mouths to feed, it's especially good to get club level privileges or be upgraded to club level. The free food is nice.

 

[bobcat]

Don't panic just yet. The codes for after July 3rd will be out soon. At least that's what I keep telling myself. We are going in July as well and it is hard to wait but something will pop up.

 

[PamNC]

Well, I don't panic during the "planning phase." But, about 1 week prior I get a little nervous. We have a farm and it takes an act of Congress to get "everybody" taken care of. I've got horses, chickens, dogs, cats. I get a little nervous about leaving the house. It's crazy. But once I get in the car and head down that highway, my panic is gone and I relax and let go.

I think my planning phase isn't stressful because we're lucky. We drive usually because it's only 9 hours. I have CM friends who get me their discount so I typically get 50% off rack rates. Or, sometimes I use a code. We don't buy packages, just hopper tickets. It makes it easy. Just jump in the car AND GO.

PamNC

 

[Dalpal]

I know about the animal problem. I have three dogs that think they are people . I can only get family to feed them and take them out am & pm. In the mean time they are staying in a kennel outside and at night they will be moved into a horse stall in the barn. They will be fine. But I know I will have to have alot of loving to give them to make up for my desertion when I get back.

 

[NomadFamily]

I go a little nuts with the planning too......but find it fun!

It is really hard to coordinate the air, hotels, etc. First, I check air and find out when I can travel cheaply around my desired dates. Then, before booking the air, I start looking for hotels and discounts. If this takes more than one day, I check the airfare at least once a day to make sure it hasn't moved. Once I think I have found a hotel and ensured that the dates are open, I book the hotel (which I can change if the air changes suddenly) and then I go book the air immediately after. Once the air is set, I can continue to play with resorts, codes, etc...but know that I have ONE booked.

I am at the point now where the resort and air is booked...and I need to figure out which parks to visit on which days and where to eat. I usually make a little calendar and chart things out. This is always the most fun. It gets pretty hectic because I might look to visit Bliz Beach on a certain day and then relaize that I have PS to eat in Epcot that day and don't want to burn a hopper day just for the meal....so I have to rearrange EVERYTHING! Do any of you have park itinerary suggestions? Any days to avoid certain parks? How far in advance are the Magic Hour days announced (aren't they on certain days at certain parks?)? Do you all plan it down to this level of detail? Is a 7 day PHP pass too much for 12 days (which are really 10 if you don't count travel days)? We also plan on purchasing DQ tickets for a 1 day visit. Thanks in advance.

My family -

 

[Ratpack]

I too am waiting on codes for the end of July. Last year they were already out by this time. But I believe we will see them either this Sunday when the current codes expire, or the next. I have a subscription to our paper just for this reason, so I can check for the codes. Then I will cancel the paper delivery.

 

[peachgirl]

Is a 7 day PHP pass too much for 12 days (which are really 10 if you don't count travel days)? We also plan on purchasing DQ tickets for a 1 day visit. Thanks in advance.

Have you considered purchasing AP's or PAP's? I believe 8 days is the break even point, but you're awfully close!

I know most people use PHP's,but really I can't imagine not being able to come and go to the parks as often we want. We always got length of stay or Unlimited PHP's until we purchased PAP's because of that. If we want to go to the MK for an hour, it's no big deal. We jump back and forth and don't even have to think about it! With PAP's you also get unlimited use of the water parks and more importantly for us, Disney Quest! We love DQ and like to go in the afternoons when it's hot or late in the evenings after the parks close. Just a thought, but we love the convenience!

A hidden bonus with AP's is that you'll undoubtedly get an extra trip during the year just because you won't be able to resist the temptation to get in just one more trip on those passes!

 

[NomadFamily]

Yes, I have thought about the APs. You make a good point. I need to compare....see...something else Disney to do today. I am just weighing out the possibility of us going again within a year. In the past....buying annual or season passes to anything is a waste becasue we end up not using it. I would only do it if it was close in price or offered enough discounts to offset the extra cost.
I'll check it out...thanks.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by kilee
My secret is I get the first price- rack rate. If we can afford that, then I know we are set. Each code and discount I can find after that is just bonus spending money.

I agree with this poster and this is what I do too... just book what I want (obviously I know if I can or cannot afford it)

I pay for it in full early and then I can relax that all that is out of the way and enjoy planning the other aspects...

If the rates go down - great! Last year they did not go down and I ended up paying rack rates.. but I wasn't stressed out because I paid it so far in advance - by departure time it was like a free trip!

Here's hoping your stress level goes down and you can just enjoy the "dreaming & planning" stage.

>>^..^<<

 

[glo]

I do not know if this will help but....

Special Limited Time Offer
Rates as low as $139 per night available for most nights June 1 - September 30, 2003.

No special proof of eligibility or minimum night stay required for this special promotion. Black-out dates apply and subject to availability.

A limited number of rooms are available at this special rate, and offer ends 5/01/2003, so please act fast!! Simply leave "None" in the "Check for Discounts" list options to qualify for the special pricing.

 

[Kallison]

We are flying out of Lehigh Valley Airport (Allentown) on Southeast airlines - $120 roundtrip into Orlando, Sanford (this is about 60 min. from WDW as opposed to 30 min. into MCO). I know Allentown is a few hours from you but it might be worth the drive. We are waiting for rates the end of August. Something will come out soon.

 

[Dalpal]

Where did you find this? do I need a code? Id like to check this out is there a web site or somthing?

 

[Gillian]

Hopefully discounts will be out Sunday!

For now, I would book AAA rates. And if a non-AP code comes out before the AP rates, I'd change to that. AP rates are not always cheaper!

As far as I know, there are no Disney resorts that offer Amex or Entertainment card discounts. The swan/dolphin has an entertainment rate, but that $139 special is better.

It will all work out just fine, and you will be able to relax, I promise!

 

[glo]

No code needed for the Swan and DOlphin discount. Just go to Dreams Unlimited website...they are one of the banners at the top and I think on the side...It is the website that is associated with this site, and has an exclusive Just follow the directions above when requesting a quote Good luck

 

[abt426]

Puffkin

If Swan/Dolphin are an option for you I would encourage you to check hotwire vacation packages. They have recently had good rates for packages to S/D that include airfare. These have at times been cheap enough to make it very tempting. Also Swan is usally available as priceline package along with hilton at DD. The budget board has alot of information about this sort of thing. You should try posting there as well (if you haven't already.) By the way DH and I did the same thing this year (AP with 3 trips) and the best money saving thing I did was buy DVC points and stay at OKW in early december. Have a great trip!

Alena

 

[puffkin]

Call me nuts but I booked my airfare.

USAirways dropped rates on Tuesday afternoon for my desired dates and times. $215 per person from Philly to MCO. Well, I called my fiance to check if this price was ok, and he said yes so I went to book and it was GONE! It hadn't even been 5 minutes. So I got on the phone and the cheapest she could do was $309 a person. She said in this instance they couldn't even match Orbitz's price. I tried to book our flight on Orbitz at $225 and it wasn't available. I tried the next earliest return time, and I got that for $225. Not a great rate but...

What a weight off my shoulders. We got an 7:00 am flight (which was very important to us) and a 6:30 pm return flight. I would have preferred the 9:20 pm return, but this is pretty close to our times. Now, at least I know we won't be wasting our entire first and last day for travel. Plus, I know I can afford these rates. I probably could have done better if I waited, but I got a price I can afford at times I am 90% happy with. Just wanted to update you all!

 

[cindala]

puffkin,

You are definitely not alone in your panic! There are many of us that are still waiting to put the finishing touches on our vacations!

Most of us are waiting for discounts past 7/3. We arrive on 7/3, but because it is the July 4th weekend, any other discounts are filled up, so this last round of AP rates didn't do me any good!

Keep your eyes open for airfare at neighboring airports. Many times they are cheaper. We fly out of LaGuardia because it offers lower fares for us than Newark. Do a search on Orbitz, and get a feel for what is good.

Many seem to think new codes will be out shortly. I SURE hope so!!!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!

And for those with animal problems, well, we don't have a farm, although sometimes it seems like a zoo, but our 5 year old Jack Russell Terrier literally makes herself sick when we are away. We are still trying to figure out who will take care of her this trip. She doesn't do well boarding at the Vet, and having someone come into the house only twice a day just won't work! Still working, and panicing over this!!!