I'm a little anxious...2009 Sept booking

[chimo2u]

Hello all!
well I bit the bullet and booked a room only ressie for Sept 1-12, 2009. When first quoted, the CM said 18,000.00 for a 1 bdrm suite (which is all she said was available for club level at AKL)... I told her there was no way we could afford 18,000.00 and explained I was surprised there was no room so far in advance. She said hold on and checked again and found availability for a Standard room for our dates on club level (5,618.00) still a tad high for 11 nights for room only... but I took it with a deposit of $528.75.... five hundred dollars a night for a room must be peak pricing, I am hoping it goes down quite a bit when the real dates come available for packages. I am also holding out hope that free dining may be available when we go. I am excited we booked, but a bit nervous that I had to leave such a large deposit! She said changes to a package or discount would be no problem to apply if they come out. She said disney always aims for the best prices for their guests and there would probably be better pricing in the future. I am happy she found us a CL room, as this is what I was worried would be sold out. Now the waiting game begins for the best package deal! Did i do the right thing by paying such a high deposit now to secure our room? I need some assurance from DIS veterans that things should work out ok in the end!
I miss Disney and will be so happy to go back! Thanks guys,
Marie

 

[Madonna3]

First of all, the $500 is something you inevitably end up paying, so let's not worry about that.

Secondly, the rates for 2009 are not out yet so right now, any reservations are being booked on speculation. When the rates are announced and do come out, your reservation will be adjusted to reflect the actual rates. Sept. is NOT peak season and it's my opinion that you won't see a price increase from Disney in 2009. So, I would tend to believe your reservation will be more on par for 2008 rates for the same time.

 

[wdw1972]

Don't expect the rate to go down - I remember the rate being about $500 for a standard club level room in AKL in January (as cheap a season as September) several years ago. If you aren't ok with paying the $5.6k for the room, then book somewhere else. Also, if you do get free dining, why would you want concierge?? There's no way you can eat all the free dining food, without even considering all the food available at concierge. I'd do concierge OR free dining, but not both!

 

[Madonna3]

Good point about the free dining and CL. I agree.

However, I think the OP isn't counting, but rather wishing on the free dining and wanted to make sure they at least had CL.

I think 5.6k for a hotel is nuts anyway, but that's me. My beloved Coronado never costs me more than $99 a night.

 

[chimo2u]

Hi again! Your right, I am hoping for club level... we really enjoyed it last time, the boys loved being able to go grab a cold pop whenever they liked. The breakfast was amazing, the lounge so relaxing. Just for those reasons, I'd love to do CL again. I only paid $15 more than a bunk bed savahnnah view in January 2008.... which was $335 plus $15.00 (only came to $350 per night). Not too much more for our family to upgrade to CL. I'd love to try CSR, but sadly, the rooms are only double beds and the junior king suite (which is the only other thing i'd consider there) is almost as much a night as AKL... $330, I believe..... so if i'm paying almost the same, I'd rather pay for a deluxe resort. The resort hopping/flopping i've done over the last few months is mind- boggling (between Poly, AKL and CSR) and we ADORED AKL in January/08, so the whole family would love to stay there again (even DS 12 requestd it! so, i guess I'll just have to hold tight for the package rates. Also regarding food.... I know CL has offerings, but they'd be no way enough for 2 growing teen boys (age 17 and 13) who have endless pits for stomachs! We found regular plan and Club level alot of food, but doable.

 

[RachaelA]

Just so you know all club level rooms at AKL are savanah view due to the conversion of most of the rooms to DVC villas.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Have you considered DVC? You can get a wonderful suite every year and stay at AKL or other DVC resorts for the money you're spending for the club level, and then just your monthly dues.