If you don't use a PIN

[rodeo65]

Are you likely to get another? We went in June of 2009 for the first time in 15 years and around November or so received the 20/35/40 PIN which unfortunately we won't be able to use this year. We are planning on moving this summer so all $ is marked for that. We are, however planning a trip in January 2011.

Considering myself a rookie - do people that use their codes then get more offers or do they keep trying to entice guests back who have stayed once (recently) but haven't been back again or is it random?

I'm trying to decide if I should book room only now at a mod and hope for a code that would allow me to upgrade maybe to a deluxe, or wait until the deals come out in August and/or see if a PIN finds itself to my door again. ARGH!

THe CM I spoke to this morning said I can book room only now and then apply any deal later "if it was available" meaning if the deal sold out quickly then I'd be out of luck.

 

[marcielm]

I have gotten PINs for years without being able to go, and finally did use one last spring. I still got another one this past fall for this year. I think that once you get on the list, if you don't use the first one they may still try and continue to entice you until you finally do come again.

I don't see a problem with booking now, and then if a deal comes out modifying your ressie (either to take advantage of the savings at your current booking, or to upgrade). Other posters have said that if you book now at rack rate, then Disney views that resort as a certain % full, and there will be less rooms available on a discount if they release one.

What the CM told you is correct. I've seen some folks not be able to get a deal for a peak time in a specific room because there are not many rooms available on these deals.

 

[rodeo65]

Thank you marcielm - I was hoping to hear that but was afraid it might be a kind of use it or lose it situation.

I'm torn about booking now. Last trip we booked through CAA on the 4/3 deal but I kind of want to book directly this time. The CAA policy is pretty inflexible and there was no cancellation , no transfer. We were ok since we knew exactly what was happening as far as our trip last year went. This time, though it is much more up in the air. We are moving in June and I know there will be all kinds of unexpected costs there, so I need to be able to change dates and push it back to March if necessary. I keep thinking wait and see what kind of deals come out but also want to get what we want. Except I don't know what that is other than to GO!!

But I just want to book it - it will seem real then

I am making myself crazy.

 

[marcielm]

Thank you marcielm - I was hoping to hear that but was afraid it might be a kind of use it or lose it situation.

I'm torn about booking now. Last trip we booked through CAA on the 4/3 deal but I kind of want to book directly this time. The CAA policy is pretty inflexible and there was no cancellation , no transfer. We were ok since we knew exactly what was happening as far as our trip last year went. This time, though it is much more up in the air. We are moving in June and I know there will be all kinds of unexpected costs there, so I need to be able to change dates and push it back to March if necessary. I keep thinking wait and see what kind of deals come out but also want to get what we want. Except I don't know what that is other than to GO!!

But I just want to book it - it will seem real then

I am making myself crazy.

I've heard that AAA & CAA can be inflexible.

If you skip trip insurance on this trip, and you book a package, then you can move the dates at no cost as long as you do it before the 45 day mark (when the final payment is due for a package). I had a client have to push hers back from Oct of last year to this April... she emailed me saying it may need to go to the first of May. She had to go to rack rate when she changed over to this April, bu then when the deals came out we were able to swap her over and save some more $$ on her trip.

I'm not sure if there is a change fee if you have a room only booking (which is what you'd have to do for Jan 2011) and need to push your dates back. You might ask the CM that when you call.

 

[chefmb]

I would think that if you're booking for January, you would be fine waiting a little while. If you're going to stress out about dates if you book, then maybe you should wait. January shouldn't be so busy that you couldn't get a special, as long as you keep an eye out for those specials announcements.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation, but I want to go this summer. We wanted to go the day after my school gets out (I'm a teacher), but with the winter we're having, there's a chance my year will be extended to make up snow days. I also would like to get in on a really good deal, and rates aren't out yet. So, I'm hoping that by waiting, I'll still be able to get where I want at a better price!

 

[rodeo65]

I'm thinking waiting a bit would be fine too, chefmb. I don't really want to book room only, would prefer a package. If I understand the system, I can try to upgrade from room only to a package if one comes along IF there are enough rooms available. But if I have booked room only that can take away from that availability? Will they not look at removing my room and adding on a package with the same room as valid? Or is there some sort of waiting list system that if I gave up room only it goes into a pool for the pkgs?

If we're going in January it will be the first week after the holidays. We can use the week between Christmas and New Year's to drive down and then the kids will only miss a week of school. That is the only week in January I'd consider. I really don't want to go in March - crowds, peak rates. We'd only do it if we need a couple of more months after our planned move this summer to get finances in order.

Our kids do get two weeks break in March but I figure that is peak rates time and I remember it being busy 20 years ago when I'd go on spring break so I can only imagine how crazy it is now.

Are there ever any deals offered in March? I figured there would be a much better chance in January for specials.