If I book now, do I cut myself out of future promotions?

[Lookin4Magic]

Maybe I should already know this, but if I book a room now for a trip in early Jan12, and then room discounts are announced, can I still take advantage of them?

Or if I book now and add DDP, and then find out DDP is free, can I take advantage of that?

I am afraid the resort will fill up if I wait to book, but I don't want to cut myself out of any deals.

(Sorry if this is a stupid question or on a sticky somewhere...)

ETA: I know I didn't put this in the right place, and I would love to know how to delete/move it

 

[suemom2kay]

You can book any time and change to a better deal as long as you are not within 45 days of travelling. Even then, WDW has been known to be flexible at times.

As for the resort filling up; deals are offered for resorts that have empty rooms. The discounted rooms are a different category than rack rate rooms. For example, you have Port Orleans Riverside booked at the regular rate; a discount for January comes up in October and you don't notice it until November; you will only be able to book the discount if there are discounted rooms available. You can't just add the discount to your rack rate room reservation.

As for the DDP the same holds true. Just so you know they don't historically offer Free Dining in January. It is a common discount in the fall though.

Have a magical trip.

 

[Lookin4Magic]

Thank you SO much. That is a really helpful response!

Stinks about free DDP in Jan. though. Are there typically any deals in January?

 

[suemom2kay]

Thank you SO much. That is a really helpful response!

Stinks about free DDP in Jan. though. Are there typically any deals in January?

You're welcome sooooo much!

There usually are room discounts. I can't access Mousesavers.com at work, but if you go there, Mary (site owner) has historical discounts along with current discounts. Mousesavers is a great help for learning to save money in WDW.

 

[Lookin4Magic]

I just checked mousesavers. Great info! Looks like 2011 was the first year they offered free DDP to the general public in January (in addition to room discounts). Maybe there's hope! Thanks again!

 

[danceintherain]

Keep in mind that your particular room category might not be available at a discount. When/if discounts come out, you have to decide what is more important to you, saving money or a particular room.

Booking a room now actually reduces the probability that a discount will be released for you room type or hotel at all, because Disney decides discounts based on what rooms are not booked around 3 months out.

For example, I booked a Pool View room at AKL around June 2008 for January 2009. This allowed me to take advantage of the 180+10 day ADRs. In October, the discounts were released. The package (room, tickets & dining) discount was only available in a Standard room, but a room only discount had availability in a Pool View, so I went with that option. My original ressie was canceled and I was re-booked into the availability of the discount. Though I basically got the same room I would have gotten otherwise, I may have taken away someone elses' opportunity to book with my particular discount, because my original room wasn't included in the inventory of the discount.

In short, yes you can, and you likely won't forfeit anything by doing this assuming you're willing to pay full price for the room you book.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

FYI you might want to try the discount rates and codes board here on the Dis, although people are using this board a lot for these types of questions, this board is not for discount promotions it is more for themes or celebrations Disney does and has done in the past. The discount rates and codes board will have more activity with more up to date information than this board.

 

[1rockinmama]

I just booked for mid December when we usually go for a week WITHOUT free dining. BUT I booked all the ADR's I wanted NOW. Usually around the 1st/2nd week of July they announce free dining for our dates and times there. I was told to call back as soon as the promotion is announced and they will make sure the rooms I want are available and then add the free dining to it. We always stay at a value resort and they only give you the 2 counter service meals and 2 snacks. We upgrade for only $50 per adult, $25 for my 4 year old and we get the 1 Table Service, 1 Counter Service and 1 Snack per person per nights stay. And I like it that way. Good luck!

 

[diamondpixienc]

I had forgotten all about Mousesavers I am usually all over that kind of thing so I am going to have to start checking them out a couple times a week up until my 45th day at least.

 

[jerlove]

My biggest fear of booking with out any sort of discount with the hope of getting a PIN code to apply latter thinking what was the incentive for them to send a PIN code to someone who has already booked.

Well I can now affirm that even with a trip already booked I also got a PIN code. So it would appear the two do not go hand in hand.

Just thought I would share.

 

[Missytara]

Same thing here; every year I book my trip the week after Thanksgiving about two weeks after I get home.

I didn't even know what a pin code was until I got on the boards.

Two years ago, I got the 4/3 deal.

Last year, I got the monster pin code with 40% off my room.

This year, about thirty minutes ago, I got free dining.....

So I think you are still good even if you have booked.

 

[Lisa71]

The best thing we did was use Small World Vacations and they are on the ball about codes...so when free dining rolled out, even though we had booked over a year in advance, they did the work for us. They were awesome!! I would use them again. No fees and they make sure you get any deal you can.

 

[thehowells]

we had free dinning in jan this year, so it can happen