Is there an 'order' to get the best deals?

[truegirl]

Meaning, if I wanted to try to get the best discounts, where do I start, and in what order?

AAA?

Calling to book with Disney directly? (We already know we won't be using a travel agent.)

How do I use the codes here? Can anyone use them? Is there a certain website/time/place to use them? Do I mention them to the CM when I book?

How about applying for the Disney Visa? Do you get a discount for applying/and or using it for booking? Does having one make life easier at WDW? Any extra perks for having one at the park?

I know it's a lot of questions. I'm very thankful for any information you're willing to provide. true

 

[pepe of ohio]

Doing Dsien is alot different than most trips. Discounts are available through AAA, pin codes and AP's. As on TV there are other special deals available. We normally have AP's and search these first but if nothings going on we bool through CRO with our AAA, we never do the dining plan and only book room only, have no need for all the extras a package offers.

We're doing our 41 trip this fall and never pay rack rate, always one of these discounts available, we always stay in value season, we're flexible on vacation times, which helps to saving money. We've used pin codes a couple of times but relied on AP and AAA mostly. Any per cent off is better than nothing.

 

[truegirl]

Thanks for the reply! I thought maybe there was some 'magic' (sorry) system of getting the best overall deal. We're definitely looking into AAA.

true

 

[pepe of ohio]

You know you want to go to WDW, its going to cost you X money, tickets are about the same, how can I get the most bang for my buck. Basically its all relative, we've been doing WDW for 40 vacations and I just don't sweat the cost. I have the numbers in my head that its going to run me, can differ off the cost, to clip a few bucks I look at when we will return, tickets versus AP's. Food, no brainer, we got to eat but we're not the wine and dine duo, CS suits us fine so we prefer the counter services, picnic alot with our groceries and really love the buffet at FW. We will not ever pay rack rate, whether it be AP discount, pin code or AAA discount its what we use. We will never stay value or moderate, its not the vacation we're looking for. Gladly pay the extra for the ambiance and atmosphere, we live each vacation like its our last. WL, suits us to a tee, best of both worlds, close to the MK, favorite park, a deluxe, all under one roof, in hours dining, newspaper every morning and close enough to use the monorail to EPCOT. Yeah, we're cheap, normal people but like to be pampered, WL does it for us and gives us the deluxe lift.

Any discount is better than none, we're close, location means alot to us. We do not do the dining plan, its not included in package and we do not utilize all aspects of a package, we book room only, this past year we were able to visit 3 separate times, we bought AP's and really got our moneys worth. We prefer just to use the resort pool, no interest in PI. So basically our idea of Disney ,is to stay on property, at a deluxe, for 10-12 night for under 2500.00 which we do with no problem, a 5-7 night trip is a waste to us, figuring what travel cost, usually more then the stay. Our travel runs the 2 of us 450 bucks round trip, we use a car service from departure point to WDW, gives us the 30 minute grocery stop which is a Gods send, for lunches, drinks, alcohol and the room, prefer an above view, at 2200 -range for 10-12 night its sheer heaven for us. Yeah there is the values and modes, but if I had to stay there, I would stay home, just being honest, its vacation, we're away to be pampered, we'll spend the little extra to be pampered but we'll scrimp at the other, no fine dining, not iinto that, V&A is a waste along with California Grill, alittle food for a big price, come on, we don't even do this at home.

Everyone does their own thing, whats good about WDW, you can tailor your own trip, do it how you want but don't complain later, you get what you put into it, you can go cheap and you can blow out the budget and have a fling, its all immaterial, its your money.

 

[mom2jcc]

pepe of ohio.....

I love your way of thinking. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes I get caught up in the TS meals just by reading the boards. We don't NEED to have these sit down meals..afterall, they just take up more time, right? I added up that 2 adults and one child plus tip sometimes adds up to be a $100 meal!! That is outrageous. My parents took me to WDW several times as a child and I don't think we ever did a TS meal....never missed it...I have wonderful memories!

Thanks to you we are now not doing all the TS meals I have written all over my notebook, BUT are adding a couple more days to the trip....a great trade

 

[truegirl]

You probably just saved us a huge chunk of cash. I really appreciate you taking the time to post all that you did. It's making me think in a different direction.

My original thought was to:

Book POR for 5-6 nights. We're driving from Michigan and we're going to stop midway there and back, which will take an additional 2 nights elsewhere. Frustrating, but necessary. With my daughter in school, this is about our time limit in WDW. Maybe another time, once we're more familiar with WDW and its costs, we'll stay longer. This is our first journey to the World.

I was all set to book a package ~ room,park hoppers, and a dining plan. I was also going to book a couple of character meals.

Now I'm thinking that maybe I'll book the room with the park hoppers, and perhaps do one character meal by ADR without the dining plan. If it were just me and my hubby, we'd skip formal dining altogether.

What do you think?

I wonder if we do this and we cut the dining plan, and reserve only one character meal, if it would give us enough extra cash to stay instead at the Poly (my daughter is Hawaii-obsessed and a huge Stitch fan). Would that be something you or someone else would be willing to guesstimate for us? I would love to be closer to MK and access to the monorail. I also know that my daughter would love the Poly and its pools. It would be a great surprise, but only if we could afford it.

Any more advice or input is greatly appreciated. Disney has a way of making my head spin. Planning this trip is like some sort of ride in and of itself. Thanks! true

 

[pepe of ohio]

First off, we prefer to be on the lakes close to the MK, cheapest resort, Wilderness Lodge, a deluxe without the huge cost, with AAA discount, standard view, value season, say maybe 210. a night. Tickets, when we don't have AP's, we have hoppers, we'll splurge here because if a park is crowded or closes early we hop to another to make a good full day. Food, never done the dining plan, we do not like structured vacations, TS wastes time and we're not into the fine dining and big prices. We have found through the years and many stays, we have favorite places we like to eat, nothing wrong with counter service, meals are huge, we share alot of meals, we do a grocery stop en route and male sandwiches for pool picnic for lunch, same with drinks and alcohol. We do buy the mugs and refill constantly, coming, going and in between, especially evenings we close the pool with a hot chocolate, best bang for the buck, the mugs if you use them.

Alot of people like the packages, I think thats the only way you can book DDP, we like room only, get good discounts and not interested in alot of perks that we'll never use. We prefer the pool over a water park, just too crowded and rather pricey, done Disney Quest once and that was enough, again a pricey admittance. So we pay out of pocket for our food, tickets and room only resort. We feel we have a great time, do what we want when we want, have no schedule or times for ADR's and enjoy a relaxing vacation.

We have stayed at the Poly quite a few times but that was back when we had CM discounts or the discounts were alot better than they are now. It's a fantastic resort, but no a days, just to much money, WL is just as good at half the cost and the boat to the MK is great, boat to CR to catch the monorail is quick and FW, again is a boat ride away and is a quaint experience, best buffet on property, cheap too and the Lodge has the EWP at night too. I think alot of people over think these vacations, buy more than they will use and then gripe how expensive WDW is but we find is rather cheap, always stay deluxe, stay 10-12 night, see all and do all but cut out the non necessities.

Hope my scenario helps and not confuses, but everyone does Disney differently but we want our full share at a reduce cost.

 

[truegirl]

You helped a lot. Didn't confuse at all. I really enjoy your way of thinking.

Any confusion I have is in my own mind, trying to decide how to throw in a little extra 'somethin'' for our daughter while doing the less important stuff wisely, with less money.

In any case, I'll now be looking into WL after your suggestion. A boat ride and a great buffet are two great reasons in and of themselves.

Thanks again for being so generous with your information. true

 

[Rylee]

Meaning, if I wanted to try to get the best discounts, where do I start, and in what order?

AAA?

Calling to book with Disney directly? (We already know we won't be using a travel agent.)

How do I use the codes here? Can anyone use them? Is there a certain website/time/place to use them? Do I mention them to the CM when I book?

How about applying for the Disney Visa? Do you get a discount for applying/and or using it for booking? Does having one make life easier at WDW? Any extra perks for having one at the park?

I know it's a lot of questions. I'm very thankful for any information you're willing to provide. true

Hi,

The first thing I recommend is going to the WDW site and requesting their free planning DVD. This gets your name into their system and may possible generate a pin code. Also, the kids like to watch the DVD and it pumps them up for the trip.

Next, check out the mousesavers site, and sign up for the free news letter. Each month, a news letter is sent out, listing discounts, etc. This information is also listed on the site. (Lots of discount codes... car rental, hotels, etc.)

Check here at the Dis. It list the latest information.

The best advice I can give... don't purchase anything you aren't certain you will use! You can always upgrade later or at the resort.

I don't know much about the Disney Visa, but I believe they do release discount codes to Disney Visa holders, from time to time. Same with AP holders.

Discounts are usually avaiable with AAA. The discount is on the "room" portion, if booking a package.

• If you want to book a "room only" reservation using AAA, you can do so directly with Disney.
• If you want to book a package, you must do so through AAA.

If you aren't booking a package, you can receive a small discount on the tickets, by buying with undercover tourist through the mousesavers site.

*If you want to book using a discount code, you must request it while making your reservation. Disney does not usually automatically apply codes, just by traveling during the dates it is offered.

pepe of ohio has given some great advice and ideas, but... there are many ideas on "how to do Disney."

Some people think of the resort as a place to shower and sleep. For people who enjoy spending most of their time in the parks, they see spending more than needed on the resort as a waste.

The reason most people begin dreaming of a Disney vacation, is to visit the parks and see the attractions. Most first time visitors or those with only a few days to vacation, spend most of their time in the parks, and may not have time to enjoy the resort.

Your "park experience" will be the same regardless of which resort you choose.

Since the extra add-on options to the Magic Your Way base tickets is a one-time fee per person, depending on the number of people in your family, not purchasing the Hopper passes or Water Park and More option can save money. There is enough to see and do in each park, without "hopping" around. If the park closes early or you finish touring early, you can spend time at your resort or visit Downtown Disney. (Also, hopping... traveling between parks takes time.)

Water Parks... if you plan to visit only once, it is cheaper to buy admission at the gate. More than one visit... it's cheaper to buy the Water Park option.

Now... where I differ greatly from pepe of ohio... I want a Table Service meal each day! I would be miserable eating counter service for an entire vacation. (While I agree there are some decent Counter Service meals available, I like the atmosphere of a full service restaurant.) We love the TS restaurants. They are a nice break from the parks, heat, and crowds. Sitting down in a themed restaurant, or fun environment, relaxing while trying new foods or old favorites, is also a way of being pampered.

As a wife and the mother of 5, having someone wait on me, in a finer dining restaurant, is part of the vacation experience for me. (My family enjoys it, too. Even the kids put in their request for certain restaurants.)

Also, since we only schedule 1 ADR per day... we don't think it's a big deal to be at a certain place, at a certain time, once a day.


We have enjoyed the Deluxe Resorts and the Value Resorts, we taken trips with and without "hoppers," and sometimes we visit the Water Parks, and sometimes, we don't, but... we always have a great time... We're at Disney.


Have a magical trip! (When are you going?)

 

[truegirl]

Thanks to you as well for posting so much information. Trust me, I'm weighing all of my options. For our little family of three, it'll probably be a combination of everything.

I'm kind of in the middle between how you and Pepe feel. We'll probably book in a moderate ~ Hubby still really loves what POR looks like (it's really 'us'). I'd love to book the Poly, but realistically we could use the cash elsewhere. I did check into WL, and that's gorgeous as well, but I think that would better serve us when we have a little more time and money to spend there. This time around, it'll definitely be about the parks and making some magic for my daughter.

I think we've decided on 1-2 character meals by ADR, and fly by the seat of our pants with the rest. I'm sure we'll be fine.

We're looking into the options AAA will afford us, and so far it's looking good.

I don't know now how people can just call Disney and book a bunch of stuff willy-nilly without doing some research first. I'm sure it can be done, but not by this here control freak!

Thanks again for your time and your post. true

 

[2bagator]

Tks to all of you for posting info. In the beginning stages of planning and this helps..

 

[Lovin Mickey]

Your AAA agent will really be able to tell you when you can get the best price. Also go to the book store and see what they have in the way of Disney touring books. I learned so much by picking up a few. That's how I found this site.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

If you want to invest in a good guidebook, the Passporter is a fun way to plan and it's a write in, keepsake planner. They have a good website also. We like the official and unofficial guides but don't overload! You can't do it all in one trip, that's the beauty of Disney, you always want to go back!!!

Have fun planning.