January 2014 discount watch!!

[middlesista]

We're going in May 2014. Our dates are flexible though, we just thought May was a good time? Not to hot? Taking our daughter, her husband, and 4 year old grand daughter, and probably our daughters in laws will go with us, as our darling grand daughter has never been to Disney, and they would hate to miss out on her excitement!

Just starting to look and plan. Wanting to stay at a Moderate, we have stayed at CS, and l enjoyed it, but that was before our grand daughter came along, and we are open to suggestions on that too.

What do you think, is that a good month to go? I have never received a pin code, or any kind of discount for that matter, as I know a lot of you haven't either.

Any kind of suggestion as to how to get one? Or is it luck of the draw? Is FD ever offered in May? Or should we change the month

We are AAA members, and I could have a TA do all this planning for us, but that would take away all the fun. I LOVE planning!!!

Any suggestions, and hints would be appreciated!

You will have a WONDERFUL time with your granddaughter! We went with our daughter, son-in-law and then three year old granddaughter and are all planning a January 2014 trip with the addition of our newest granddaughter who will be about 1 1/2 when we go. We brought our son to WDW when he was about 1 1/2 and although he does not remember - we have some great memories of his first trip and some photos that are truly timeless.

Have never gone in May so can not speak to the weather. Have gone in the Fall and we are actually hoping for a bounce back next year to return at that time, have gone in the summer (way hot and humid) and in the winter. My favorite was the Fall but now we are finding January/Feb with low crowds and value season works for us. We have never gotten a pin and have done all the "things" suggested to try and get a pin to no avail. We hope for a discount of some kind but will not know about those until later.

Have stayed at the Polynesian - LOVED IT, but can not see paying that type of $$ at this point. Have also stayed at CR and Port Orleans FQ and will be staying at FQ again this winter. The small size suits us although a lot of folks prefer the larger resorts due to more amenities.

Our real joy was our granddaughter - she had the best time. Meeting the characters was her dream come true. She still talks about her breakfast at Cinderella castle. In fact, we are hoping to make our ADR's tomorrow and CRT is high on that list!

One suggestion - we did try to pace the day so that our granddaughter (as well as the rest of us) would not get tired and/or cranky. You see so many families that look exhausted with crying children rushing from place to place. Can ruin a trip - add to that heat and humidity and well - not fun. Since the parks close early off season (unless magic hours) we found that this worked well for us. Some folks consider this a negative - closing early and also that some rides are closed for refurb - but we prefer. Lots to do outside the parks also.

Enjoy!!

 

[Cobern]

We're going in May 2014. Our dates are flexible though, we just thought May was a good time? Not to hot? Taking our daughter, her husband, and 4 year old grand daughter, and probably our daughters in laws will go with us, as our darling grand daughter has never been to Disney, and they would hate to miss out on her excitement!

Just starting to look and plan. Wanting to stay at a Moderate, we have stayed at CS, and l enjoyed it, but that was before our grand daughter came along, and we are open to suggestions on that too.

What do you think, is that a good month to go? I have never received a pin code, or any kind of discount for that matter, as I know a lot of you haven't either.

Any kind of suggestion as to how to get one? Or is it luck of the draw? Is FD ever offered in May? Or should we change the month

We are AAA members, and I could have a TA do all this planning for us, but that would take away all the fun. I LOVE planning!!!

Any suggestions, and hints would be appreciated!

We went in May this year and I really liked it if you go the first 2 weeks it *normally* not too hot (we live in south florida so I am used to the weather here). We stayed at POR and while it was a beautiful resort it was just way to spaced out for me and my family. The buses were very inconsistent too. one afternoon we waited over an hour for a bus to epcot (closest park to POR). The only discount I saw offered was a room only. I believe it was like 20% off for a moderate.

We took breaks around mid day we hit rope drop, did what the kids wanted to do, ate a cs at the park and then headed back to the hotel for a rest or a swim. We had a ts ADR every night because my 2 kids are used to a sit down meal at night.

I really did. It find the parks that crowded. I will suggest to follow a crowd calendar. We followed it 2 of the 4 days for the most recommended park and we noticed a huge difference in crowns levels/wait times. Our son was just a shade over a year when we took him in May and I know that he could only stand waiting in lines so long before he was ready to take off and explore

I also depends on what park you want to spend more time at for a resort and of course how much you want to spend. We are going again in January this year and our daughter will be 3 1/2 and our son will be just shy of 2. We are staying at the contemporary (bay lake towers) so we have easy access to MK. We are planning on going there at least 2 full days and possibly a few half days/nights. You might want to look into renting points or calling AAA and seeing if they offer any discounts at a resort close to where you think you will spend a lot of time. I will tell you with the buses it sometimes took us over and hour to leave the park and get back to our room. By that time we had some very crank or wound up kids.

Hotel also depends on if you all want to stay together or if you want separate rooms. We are going with my parents so we are splitting the cost of a 2 bedroom villa

Sorry if this is unorganized, I type as things enter my head, hope this helps and if you have any questions I will answer as best as I can.

 

[cpd5215]

Free dining is out for the fall, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/fall-free-dine-offer/

 

[RnbwSktles]

Free dining is out for the fall, https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/fall-free-dine-offer/

I see that POR was excluded from room-only discounts, but does have free dining. This makes me nervous for January! I was really counting on the discount for POR. I don't think free dining will work as well for us.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[judypriv]

We have gone in May and it is also very nice but hotter and more crowded but not deadly crowded. I like the first week in May. The flower show is fabulous but my allergies have gotten so bad the last few years and my son suffers now too so I don't think I will be actively trying to go to that.

The free Dining for the fall sounds promising for January but if I remember correctly, they offered free dining last fall and then did not for January.

What's with no FD for ASM and POR? I can see Floridian and 3 room DVCs and even AoA (since it's new people are flocking there I assume). That seems to make no sense? Anyone?

I sucked it up and booked a alligator room at POR for 1/29 - 2/9 and then Grandpa's gonna squash in with us. If they offer FD we may book 2 rooms there or POP (or equivilant).

I remember last year we booked AoA and once the discounts came we were told no AoA so we ended up a POFQ. It ended up costing us the SAME to stay at POFQ with dining then ASM with QS so we went to POFQ and kinda got hooked. Hubby and kids LOVED it there. Too bad we are poor!

 

[mariamouse]

Me too! We are planning to stay at the Dolphin using the teacher rate but will consider switching to YC if we can get 35% off. I'm really starting to wonder if we would be at a disadvantage at the Dolphin instead if truly "on site" with a package when this whole new Magic Band/Fastpass+ thing is live, which I'm pretty sure will be by January.

Just FYI, seems like the best RO rate you can possibly get these days is 30%. I think the days of 35% RO discounts are long over.

 

[Cobern]

Just FYI, seems like the best RO rate you can possibly get these days is 30%. I think the days of 35% RO discounts are long over.

I thought FL residents and AP normally saw 30-40% depending on season (at a deluxe)

 

[luvallprincesses]

Just FYI, seems like the best RO rate you can possibly get these days is 30%. I think the days of 35% RO discounts are long over.

Yeah, wishful thinking on my part. I actually had a 40% off room pin not that long ago, maybe 3 years ago. The Dolphin is looking better all the time!

 

[mariamouse]

I thought FL residents and AP normally saw 30-40% depending on season (at a deluxe)

The military rate is 40% also, but I was referring exclusively to the general public room discount. We got 35% off at the GF through a pin in the mail a couple of years ago, but haven't seen a 35% public discount in a while.

 

[Cobern]

The military rate is 40% also, but I was referring exclusively to the general public room discount. We got 35% off at the GF through a pin in the mail a couple of years ago, but haven't seen a 35% public discount in a while.

Ahhh, I never really pay attention to the gp ones since we are fl residents

 

[martiniglassesforme]

What app do you guys like best to see the crowd levels?

I use the crowd calendars from easywdw dot com

 

[disney-inspired]

The extended Free Dining dates came out yesterday.

I don't understand how January could have more visitors than December. It just seems really unlikely and odd! So, when they offer FD for dates in December and if not in January, it makes me wonder.

 

[vacation_junkie]

I just popped on the Disney site to check out some restaurants again. I choose all restaurants in MK on Jan 30th and low and behold BOG popped up with availability.
Of course I booked it for dinner!
I went back in and tried again after I booked it and it still showed availability for a table of 4..Hurry before its gone

 

[vacation_junkie]

The extended Free Dining dates came out yesterday.

I don't understand how January could have more visitors than December. It just seems really unlikely and odd! So, when they offer FD for dates in December and if not in January, it makes me wonder.

I hear ya. Its much quieter in January. For some reason they think Play/Stay/Dine is better for January.. Personally Free Dining is better...heck anything "free" is better then having to pay for it!

 

[jcjen519]

just booked a short visit at the end of jan. and was able to get bog for the 29th. it looks like there is still availability there in general at the end of jan! would love to see a room only discount or free dining as we are bringing my mother in law and for simplicity will get the dining plan. happy planning everyone!

 

[vacation_junkie]

just booked a short visit at the end of jan. and was able to get bog for the 29th. it looks like there is still availability there in general at the end of jan! would love to see a room only discount or free dining as we are bringing my mother in law and for simplicity will get the dining plan. happy planning everyone!

January 2014 will be a repeat of Jan 2013.
Play/stay/Dine and a Room discount.
P/S/D has been released by pin only for the time being

 

[STLMickeyMom]

We are going jan 5-11. This is only the second time we've stayed on site and I am hoping for any discount, but definitely not depending on it. We went last over thanksgiving 2012. Can someone explain what the pins are I keep reading about? And what is the stay/play/dine?

 

[alm99]

We are going jan 5-11. This is only the second time we've stayed on site and I am hoping for any discount, but definitely not depending on it. We went last over thanksgiving 2012. Can someone explain what the pins are I keep reading about? And what is the stay/play/dine?

PIN code is something you can receive via email, snail mail, or by calling Disney directing and asking if you have one attached to your name. They are special offers like free dining or the stay/play/dine offer that may not be available to the general public at the time your offer is.

Stay/Play/Dine is where adults pay kid prices for the dining plan.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Thanks, alm99! Think I might call tomorrow and check!

 

[judypriv]

So I need serious Disney intervention. I just spent all morning pricing out different resort and dining options as well as rental of a DVC and then what the HYPOTHETICAL discounts may be! That's sad. We laready book our 11 days at POR but I am always looking for a deal and also what to do with my dad. he usually goes with us but now with the three kids it isn't so cheap to just bring grandpa. Luckily the baby is still too little for prices but she does through a wrench into the room situation! We were always good in one room but if the room fits five is that five total or five and a baby? They told us at OKW that the 1 bedrooms fit 5 people and one infant but apparently none of the other resorts do. We are currently in the alligator bunk room and I guess dad will have to get his own room next door if so or we may to downsize to a value although I perfer not.