January 2020 Discounts

[siren0119]

Aren't discounts applied to booked stays retroactively? I know it is nice to know for sure, but just decide where you want to stay, assume a discount is coming and make the reservation. If it doesn't cancel the reservation and let them know why.

Nope. If you want to modify your reservation to include a discount, you have to initiate it yourself. Not every room type or resort is included in discounts. The amount of rooms they'll sell at the discounted rate is finite. If you want to get one of those discounts you have to modify your existing reservation. Once they have your booking they'll keep whatever rate you agreed on unless YOU make a change.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

we are booked for April at Pop. pretty much locked in by my DGDs school vacation week (its 9 days after Easter). Cheer competition for part of the week: ASSP is sold out, only preferred at Music and Movies. Movies generally does not get any discounts. I booked standard at POP to be sure we had a room (s). prepared to upgrade to Preferred at POP if a discount comes out. We are going discount or not, it's my retirement trip and I promised the grands.

I have been hanging around the DIS for 10 years and I have a hard time remembering a time other than major holidays when there was not some kind of discount, even a small one. Someone correct me if I am wrong on that.

I know in my early stages with all of this, Christmas to New Year's was the only time where I remember seeing absolutely nothing. Spring break time and 4th of July were iffy as well, but it was usually like they had discounts all around them. Heck, I think it was 2012 where I was able to work it so that my free dining carried into the week of Thanksgiving (went for that since room discounts cut off too soon into that trip). It was a few years ago when I remember October having issues...like too many people were going for F&W and many things dried up for that time.

Ultimately, I think we'll see them for these dates...they just may not hit at a time that fits the historical patterns.

 

[tsme]

Omg I almost died. I saw they added a 30% off pass holder winter discount today but it’s for Aulani. Maybe that means the other winter discounts will be released soon.

 

[Zia100]

Omg I almost died. I saw they added a 30% off pass holder winter discount today but it’s for Aulani. Maybe that means the other winter discounts will be released soon.

I know right - its like SHOWING us a bone.. and then throwing it over the fence to another dog.. at least we saw it! There has to be more right?!

 

[Degli]

What are "typical" discounts for January? Are highest discounts typically 30% off room only rates?

 

[dizneedoll]

Another thing is all the management shakeups across Disney Parks in the last month may have some bearing on discounts, when they are released and how much. As these new people move in, and bring their staffing and move other staff around, it could impact discounts. I don’t know for sure but I think it’s something to factor in.
I’m also not convinced that attendance and occupancy are as low as a lot of TA’s, bloggers, YouTubers etc. are claiming. As I look at different dates and resorts throughout 2020, I’m just not seeing a lot of good avaliability. I’m not sure disney is as “desperate” as some are saying. With recent prices hikes again for food and drink, I think we should just expect a less than stellar discount, but we will get something. And if turns out to be better than what I’m expecting that will be awesome for all of us! I for one, hope it’s soon as I’m am sick of getting up at 4am.

 

[siren0119]

What are "typical" discounts for January? Are highest discounts typically 30% off room only rates?

Not typically no.

Usually the highest discounts in January are 15% off rack rate for Values, 20% off rack rate for moderates, 25% off rack rates for Deluxes. Those are the "general public" discounts.

If you are a Disney Visa cardholder, or Annual Passholder, the discounts can be higher.

I noticed this year specifically they did a high % off offering for Riviera cash rooms, and the 30% off for Aulani (the Hawaii DVC) cash rooms. I don't recall seeing those high % on DVC property cash rooms in the last two years - could be an indication that those properties are not filling up the way they had hoped.

 

[meclark3]

following

 

[beldred]

Seems like some of you maybe know some TAs? I have a question.... Can a TA see rooms that don't show up on the website? I usually handle all our trips myself but everyone really wants to go back to Pop and I can't get any availability to show up. ☹ I don't like to limit the ability to make changes myself but willing to try it if it might me the rooms I need!

 

[Zia100]

Another thing is all the management shakeups across Disney Parks in the last month may have some bearing on discounts, when they are released and how much. As these new people move in, and bring their staffing and move other staff around, it could impact discounts. I don’t know for sure but I think it’s something to factor in.
I’m also not convinced that attendance and occupancy are as low as a lot of TA’s, bloggers, YouTubers etc. are claiming. As I look at different dates and resorts throughout 2020, I’m just not seeing a lot of good avaliability. I’m not sure disney is as “desperate” as some are saying. With recent prices hikes again for food and drink, I think we should just expect a less than stellar discount, but we will get something. And if turns out to be better than what I’m expecting that will be awesome for all of us! I for one, hope it’s soon as I’m am sick of getting up at 4am.

Just curious - does anyone know if DIsney/ TA or you tubers classed January 2019 as "low crowds"? When we went, i was shocked at how busy it was! So perhaps its low for real - or its low for their own projected assumptions?

2nd question - would someone know how I can find out what disney-friendly properties are out there where i can still get the 60 day Fast passes - but technically is not a disney property? I have to stick to a budget and have to find options - thanks in advance!

 

[siren0119]

2nd question - would someone know how I can find out what disney-friendly properties are out there where i can still get the 60 day Fast passes - but technically is not a disney property? I have to stick to a budget and have to find options - thanks in advance!

It's the hotels that are in the immediate vicinity of Disney Springs, also known as "Official Walt Disney World hotels". This blog post has a list as of April 2019.

http://doctordisney.com/2019/04/04/...extended-into-2020-for-disney-springs-hotels/

 

[TiggerTrigger]

What are "typical" discounts for January? Are highest discounts typically 30% off room only rates?

I was just looking back at Mousesavers' records for last year. I cut this directly from their site, but this should give you an idea of what the most recent was and what we "COULD" see. You just never know.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I just read a post on the Feb 2020 thread that got me thinking...I wonder how many people booked for this window did so in anticipation of a discount...meaning they'd cancel after a certain point if nothing hits. Like the trip can't happen without one. I know I heard TAs on some podcasts talking about this when fall 2019 discounts failed to hit in their normal window. I don't know if there's as much of a risk of this occurring with the Marathon week dates since you're not getting those race fees back, but people looking at MLK getaways may be more inclined to drop off if nothing comes out and the budget is really tight. Just a thought triggered by someone else's post.

 

[PUSMMA]

I agree with you! My trip is already paid! Jan 24th to Feb 3rd! I have been paying USD 500,00 every single month since booked at fisrt day the the reservation for 2020 became avaliable.

If Disney offers a discount for Dinning Plan (Like Stay Play Dine), will book diining plan. If not, i will book anyway! hhahahaah! I always do my Disney Budget Plan like there will be no discounts. If some appear, GREAT. If not, just keep my budget plan!

For this one, if I wont get Stay Play Dine, I wont rent a car. If I get it and save some money, I will rent a car, or maybe buy more souveniers

Exactly this, you should never plan a vacation dependent on a discount. If discount happens it’s icing on the cake. Never expect it, and be happy if it happens.

 

[Degli]

I was just looking back at Mousesavers' records for last year. I cut this directly from their site, but this should give you an idea of what the most recent was and what we "COULD" see. You just never know.

View attachment 441229

Is there a way to tell what a specific resort was? I know that certain resorts can be less of a discount such as Beach Club vs Yacht Club.

 

[FantasmicMike]

I just read a post on the Feb 2020 thread that got me thinking...I wonder how many people booked for this window did so in anticipation of a discount...meaning they'd cancel after a certain point if nothing hits. Like the trip can't happen without one. I know I heard TAs on some podcasts talking about this when fall 2019 discounts failed to hit in their normal window. I don't know if there's as much of a risk of this occurring with the Marathon week dates since you're not getting those race fees back, but people looking at MLK getaways may be more inclined to drop off if nothing comes out and the budget is really tight. Just a thought triggered by someone else's post.

I know I'm in the "can't get my RunDisney fees back" boat. I've budgeted for the rack-rate, so won't be in the "cancel unless" group. But SPD (or saving some money via room only) will be a nice addition.

The trick for me is -if SPD is available, we'll be eating at more TS restaurants than we normally would - and making those reservations is becoming a fairly time-sensitive issue.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Is there a way to tell what a specific resort was? I know that certain resorts can be less of a discount such as Beach Club vs Yacht Club.

While I've seen discounts where they've named specific resorts, I have never seen them quote the specific percentage for that resort or specific room types (unless it's excluding Little Mermaid rooms at AOA). It's always phrased like "up to" and "select rooms and dates." That's where this can get disappointing. It wouldn't be the first time I called on day 1 about discounts only to come up with nothing that works for my dates/budget.

 

[Zia100]

I know I'm in the "can't get my RunDisney fees back" boat. I've budgeted for the rack-rate, so won't be in the "cancel unless" group. But SPD (or saving some money via room only) will be a nice addition.

The trick for me is -if SPD is available, we'll be eating at more TS restaurants than we normally would - and making those reservations is becoming a fairly time-sensitive issue.

Right, I'm in the boat of my flights are booked so we are going (yay!) the question is do I stay on property or not, do we get dining or not, basically whats the best pricing can my family get. Any savings we get will go towards other costs for the year - be it home stuff or future trips (yes please!) lol

So if the Disney gods are listening - discounts will lead to people using their savings towards a better experience and/ or future return trips! So c'mon Mick!

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Is there a way to tell what a specific resort was? I know that certain resorts can be less of a discount such as Beach Club vs Yacht Club.

There is all kinds of detail in my Post from last year which I shared on page 1 of this watch thread.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/stay-play-dine-2019-calculation-thread.3708403/
I even listed the discount %s at each resort - good stuff.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I know I'm in the "can't get my RunDisney fees back" boat. I've budgeted for the rack-rate, so won't be in the "cancel unless" group. But SPD (or saving some money via room only) will be a nice addition.

The trick for me is -if SPD is available, we'll be eating at more TS restaurants than we normally would - and making those reservations is becoming a fairly time-sensitive issue.

Yeah, I tried to book a bit conservatively with my rack rate resort since my friend wants to splurge a bit on dining. I just know I won't be spending as much on food this time no matter where we eat. You could always book some ADRs now just in case.