January 2013 Discounts

[ciera321]

You now have up to december 13 2012 to book the free dinner offer. It was september 29, before...

I don't see anything about free dining, where are you looking? Pretty sure the free dining for the rest of this year is gone....

 

[eeyoreland]

I don't get it. I was on a random website and a Disney ad was on the page. It talked about an offer starting January 2 so I clicked on it, which took me to the Disney website. I put in my dates, etc. and it wasn't any cheaper than what I have currently booked. I got myself all messed up and clicked out of everything which took me back to the Disney home page and from there I don't see this special offer.

 

[jmclester]

Ok let's all relax and take a deep breath.

Now, the reason for extending the deadline is not to punish or stress those of us who are paitienly (or impatiently) waiting on Jan/Feb codes. The real reason is they have a LARGE number of rooms that are not yet booked for the holiday season. One of three things will happen:

1) They will issue Jan/Feb discount code in the month of Oct along with the holiday code. (Most likely)
2) They will wait until the holiday code expires and issue a Jan/Feb code in the month of Nov. (Likely)
3) They will cut out discounts altogether. (Not likely -- since they just exteded the fall code til 10/31).

Disney's goal is to book rooms. They know the discount codes help this happen. To counter the codes they go up on the price of the rooms every year when other hotels in the area stay the same. Codes are just around the corner.......trust me!

 

[Luvamouse]

And there are a number of us who already have rooms booked, some with AAA discounts, waiting for a better discount. I'll still be going in January, so my room is already booked in Disney's eyes, but I'll be happier with more savings to spend there! I hope I don't jinx myself , but I have always been lucky enough to get a discount better than the AAA before each trip . January seems to offer the possibility of FD, so there is even more reason to hope!

 

[ErinsMommy]

And there are a number of us who already have rooms booked, some with AAA discounts, waiting for a better discount. I'll still be going in January, so my room is already booked in Disney's eyes, but I'll be happier with more savings to spend there! I hope I don't jinx myself , but I have always been lucky enough to get a discount better than the AAA before each trip . January seems to offer the possibility of FD, so there is even more reason to hope!

I second this, although we're booked for February.

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

I will say we've never gone to Disney without a discount. We are currently booked for January at POFQ. We are going whether they come out with a discount or not. On the one hand, a discount isn't a given. And Disney does keep threatening us that they are going to do away with the discounts. But what I don't like is that they seem to be stringing us along for their benefit. They obviously aren't as full as they would like so they've extended the current promotion for just a bit longer (at least I think that's the case). I love Disney. Don't get me wrong. But I don't like how they appear to be playing games. They certainly don't have to come out with an announcement telling us there will be no discounts. We've just come to expect them. What will make me mad is if they come out with something for January in mid-November. That may help line their pockets, but it's not fair to those who have to travel, get time off of work, etc.

In an interview in June, Bob Iger stated, "We worked really hard to wean the consumer of the discount, and it worked in the second quarter, where we had slightly improved — if you factor out Easter — attendance and occupancy rates and better pricing, which was really important," Iger said. "The goal remains the same for the third quarter."

Disney is like any other public traded company, they are obligated to their shareholders (which are a lot of pension plans and 401K's) and employees to make a reasonable profit and with the state of affairs in our nation's capital have very little visibility regarding the economy, so they are working to grow profitably, but will do what is necessary to entice their customers to visit. You almost have to tweak your business plan daily depending on the news affecting consumer spending. They have the same problems most companies do now, consumer's budgets are tight, consumers have gotten used to the discounts offered over the last few years, so now they expect them, and despite the government's reports (that leave out real items we have to buy everyday) we have serious inflation and business costs are rising. If you think Disney is neurotic with discounts trying booking an airline seat, pricing changes minute by minute sometimes.

 

[jmclester]

If Disney "weans" it's consumer off the discounts by suddenly REMOVING discounts, their hotel occupancy rate will suffer, I guarantee it. That's what happened a few years ago and they quickly brought the codes back. (Probably some bean counters idea of improving profitability in a depressed economy). Now they are smarter than that. Got a good thing and it's working. More than likely we will see the amount of the discount get less and less over time as the economy improves. This would contitute proper "weaning". This is how Disney is able to raise rack rates every year while other hotels outside of Disney have basically remained constant. The main problem is OUR SECRET is out and now more and more people want and wait for a code.

There will be a discount code for Jan/Feb..........we'll just have to wait for it.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I'm sure Disney is counting that after the holidays are over, that the Fantasyland expansion itself will fill rooms.

 

[Mom2twinboys]

I'm trying to decide whether or not to go ahead and book for Jan 2-6 or to wait for a discount to come out. If rooms are booked are they less likely to offer the discount or do most of you book the room and then wait for the discount? Not sure what's the best plan??

 

[Sarah_Rose]

We're in the boat this year that we will NOT be going unless a substantial discount is released. I'm trying not to get too stressed about it - we originally said that we wouldn't be going again until 2014 because we have a new baby in our family.... but we're beginning to miss Disney already.

We're putting away our money for this trip, but we just won't be able to afford it at rack rate, this year. But if we do skip this year, that money will just get spent on a nicer vacation next year. Disney has our money either way, it's just a question of whether it's this year or next!

 

[CanadianGuy]

I'm trying to decide whether or not to go ahead and book for Jan 2-6 or to wait for a discount to come out. If rooms are booked are they less likely to offer the discount or do most of you book the room and then wait for the discount? Not sure what's the best plan??

I refuse to book til I know. Reason being, I figure if I book now, they'll presume my booking is 'solid' and will happen at the full price. I assure that given the economy and my own personal economy.. it won't.

See, I don't want to be a guy who gives others the 'wrong idea'.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Subscribing!

My family hasn't been to WDW in over 3 years! We have been AP holders at DL for a couple of years now. Our APs expired last month and thanks to the HUGE increase in price we decided not to renew.

Looking at flights, etc...WDW is almost the same price as a DL trip now!

We will go if there is a good offer. If not, it's back to DL.

 

[crazy4tig]

I'm sure Disney is counting that after the holidays are over, that the Fantasyland expansion itself will fill rooms.

That's exactly what i'm worried about!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

I refuse to book til I know. Reason being, I figure if I book now, they'll presume my booking is 'solid' and will happen at the full price. I assure that given the economy and my own personal economy.. it won't.

See, I don't want to be a guy who gives others the 'wrong idea'.

Same here. I'm worried if I book, they will figure they don't have to give discounts to fill the room. For us, If there isn't a decent room only code or fd, we will be booking offsite. There are 5 of us and onsite options (that we can afford!) are limited.

 

[loveshak22]

If Disney "weans" it's consumer off the discounts by suddenly REMOVING discounts, their hotel occupancy rate will suffer, I guarantee it. That's what happened a few years ago and they quickly brought the codes back. (Probably some bean counters idea of improving profitability in a depressed economy). Now they are smarter than that. Got a good thing and it's working. More than likely we will see the amount of the discount get less and less over time as the economy improves. This would contitute proper "weaning". This is how Disney is able to raise rack rates every year while other hotels outside of Disney have basically remained constant. The main problem is OUR SECRET is out and now more and more people want and wait for a code.

There will be a discount code for Jan/Feb..........we'll just have to wait for it.

I agree completely. Weaning people off discounts means offering less discounts throughout the year or keeping room and food rates reasonable and offering lower discounts. Instead they raise prices which, in many ways, offsets say FD or 35% off room discounts so that while you still save money you are not making off like a bandit!

And I do not care what anyone says about the economy! In August 2012 it was reported that Disney had record setting quarterly earnings: http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/07/investing/disney-earnings/index.htm.

Two particular quotes of interest from the article:
"We had a phenomenal third quarter, delivering the largest quarterly earnings in the history of our company," Iger said in a statement.

and

The company's parks and resorts division also booked solid gains, with profits rising 21% to $630 million.

Yes - - that does say Disney parks and resorts had a 21% increase in profits!!! Given all those profits with discounts offered in 2012 I'd say they were successful giving people options to afford a WDW vacation.

 

[haPevraftr]

FWIW- We are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek b/c I knew I couldn't count on a discount. My DB and Dsil really wanted to stay onsite with a discount for at least a few nights. Now I am glad that we made our WBC (we will have a car and APs to cover transportation and parking, just missing out on EMH) plans for the whole week b/c with 9 of us going..... I would have been sweating it big time worrying about a discount for 3rooms onsite. As it is now we have a 3 bedroom presidential at WBC for $1950 for 9 nights (including NYE). No way Disney will come close to that (in terms of price, but i am loving how close it is in terms of location) And now with them holding out on issuing Jan discounts, makes me even more comfortable with my offsite decision.

 

[prune1977]

Honestly, what I'm most upset about at this pt is the fact that discounts have been out for Europe for over a month now and when i asked CS about this very fact there response was "Europeans typically book earlier than Americans." WHAT!!! I almost feel discriminated against like i'm being punished for being an American.

 

[BanditsMommy]

I have reservations and flights booked currently, but I am thinking of canceling just my room only reservation in hopes that they send me some sort of offer. Is this crazy?

 

[javert78]

The thought crossed my mind, too but no one really seems to know how pins work. We're booked at Little Mermaid section of AoA so I never really counted on a discount there. Would love to throw more money at Disney to upgrade, but need free standard dining to do it. Otherwise we're very very happy staying put. We're going in low season but I don't want to lose AoA gambling on the chance I fit a profile for a pin that happens to be for our dates.

 

[yooperfan]

Nothing this morning. CM said they expect them any time now, probably this month.
Don't you feel like they will never come? I don't know if I will be able to comprehend it when they do, I've heard no so many times.