From what I recall from last year when we booked our Disney vacation in February for a May vacation, Disney came out with the same discount as they have this year for the MYW ticket upgrade. Our trip last year was cancelled due to personal situations, but we were to reschedule for the June/July, but there were no discounts offered. Disney then released a dining plan discount, but for August. Unfortunately, our plans were cancelled all together for 2006. Now, we're ready to go again for 6/28 to 7/9, staying at the Polynesian Garden View 10 nights, MYW W/basic Dining plan, park hopper, water parks & more, 2 adults, 2 children and a baby. Now, even though I don't believe Disney will release any discounts for the fourth of July week because it is a peak time for them, I was lucky this time in many other ways in saving money, even though it still comes out to a good down payment for a mortgage. Without air, our Disney trip price with
travel insurance came out to roughly $7200. My sister works for a
travel agency in Florida, but she is not charging me for her commission, which is huge! $671.00, I've checked with other friends in the business and that is what travel agents make from this vacation. I then found that the Space Shuttle is scheduled to launce on 6/28 at 1140am, I now wanted to arrive on the 27th and rent a car for two days. I signed up for Holiday Inn email specials and whatever membership they offer and I was able to get a very good price concidering location and timing for the Shuttle, this part came out to only $71.00 with tax, this is great as we'll be right there to witness probably the most amazing thing we'll ever see in our lives. We booked JetBlue at $99.00 departing to MCO/non stop, and $119.00 returning. Originally, we were scheduled out of Stewart airport (SWF), an hour and 45 mins away, this would have required a cost for a limo, both ways to and from our home. We lucked out when we learned JetBlue will now fly from White Plains, NY (HPN). JetBlue charges $30.00 PP to change flights. BUT, The new difference... flying both ways to and from HPN is only $99.00, saving us quite a bit, the $30.00 PP fee was a wash, we only had to pay a total of $58.00. On the rental car, I want to pick up a mini van from Alamo in MCO, but want to return it at the Car Care Center at WDW. I called Alamo at the WDW CCC, the agent was nothing short of extremely pushy and not listening to my requests. I told him what I wanted, his price for a two day minivan? A dollar shy of $300.00. I said I was a Disney guest, military veteran, member of the American Legion, these should have counted for something, the price, using a disney guest discount, he then said "$250.00, can I book this for you now?" I said, "no thanks, I'll call you back, thats still too much." Then, all of a sudden, the price came down to $157.00, that I think was a good price, so I took it. All I can recommend to you is, there are discounts out there, maybe not for Disney, but, dig deep, somethings can turn up in our favor. I'm still hoping for some form of a Disney discount, but I'm not holding my breath. When I procrastinated last year, if all had worked out with our personal problems, I waited, we couldn't find a flight or a good price, fares went way up in only two months. We are so looking forward to this trip, praying for my kids, my newborn grandson and myself to be healthy, good weather, safe travel and the Shuttle going up on time, without a hitch. So, what I've booked and saved so far is working in our favor.
