June/July/August 2006 Code watch

[mkymouse4ever]

Eeyorelover22 > exactly. This is the one thing we save big for every year. We actually cut out a lot of stuff during the year to do our vacations. But then when it comes down to it. You start thinking; maybe I should just keep if for retirement, pay off something big, buy something big, whatever. But your right, we really don't want to go somewhere else either. Last time we went to wisconsin dells (wisconsin tourist spot) I spent almost as much. And totally not worth it. hotels that made the allstars look super deluxe, for 250.00? That's is a waste in my book. Don't want to get anyone mad, (W. dells do have a lot of activities just all are expensive. )

In the end, I know we will keep the plans I have made, but just thinking about it is scarry sometimes.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Scanne > I agree, with just sis and I the dining plan really does not help if your in anything other than a value resort.

Yikees, I got to get going to work. To pay for this vacation.

 

[catherines_mama]

I was so desperate I even called about doing a MYW + Dining pkg @ POR. It will technically save us money (vs. Deluxe AAA room only rates) BUT neither of us really, really want to take a chance on POR for the week of July 4th. The whole reason we booked CR & Poly is b/c it's the week of the 4th & the crowd level is unbelievable!!! We just don't like the bus service for that week ..... any other week of the year it's fine .... it's just the crowd level.

Same here, in a way. I looked into POP from our current Ressie at POFQ. But the reason I chose FQ was b/c of the heat and the crowds. I plan a daily break to swim. DD really wants the slides etc since she's big enough this year. We're staying at POP in December - who needs the pool then? So Oh well! I DID cancel our last night. We'll have friends in town that week at a condo, they leave Thursday but the condo is theirs til Sunday, so Thursday night we move over to the condo (its free). SO I saved 1 night at POFQ, and we leave Friday anyway, so no big.

I wanna be sad about it. but then I realize 1 mos from TODAY I leave to start the trip. 1 1/2 hrs to my parents to leave the dog, sleep there then... to WDW. So I can't get TOO sad!

 

[annieh6]

I know you meant "FL resident" discount" and , no, I can't remember the last there was no "FL resident" code. Quite honestly, my DD and I will be in WDW at the end of June. Last year, the codes for that time period was out by March.

At this point, you'd have to pick me up off the floor if codes came out for June.

Thanks for catching my error, it is indeed the Fl. Resident code, guess I am hung up on passholder

You would have to have somebody pick us both off the floor if the discounts were released for both June and July........ We will be there in July, but it will be a shorter trip, unfortunately......

 

[annieh6]

I think my problem at this point is feeling "guilty" on spending soooo much on the resort. Yes, we can cut corners on food, and spending elsewhere, and we do use the resorts alot. but; the $$$$ is large and you just feel like, should I really do this? So, at least with a bigger discount you feel like you did all you could to get the best price. No, I don't think wdw owes me a discount. But, I do think I have to decide, if I really want to spend that much.

I have a back up plan at this point, but still don't want to change things yet. And really don't care for the DVC option; just not our thing. I guess I really just don't want to think about the cost, price we will be paying even with the AAA rate.

Ok, sorry; now will try to get positive again.

You aren't alone, I feel the same way...exactly. We are working on the back up plan as well, but I am fearful of cancelling anything at POP. It really doesn't sound too good though.

 

[keishashadow]

Disney has raised rack rates approx. 10%/year since I began monitoring them in '03.

They're no different than any other hotelier in the respect of charging what the market will bear (even challenging the market) then running specials/codes/pkgs to make you think you're getting a wonderful deal.

All depends on your perspective, I guess. Unfortunately, people have confused AP's w/frequent guest/loyalty programs. It is upsetting when a historical, long-time perc is not granted though.

IMO, free dining is a great deal when there are no other rack rate discounts & ! the Value Resort price structure.

As I read over this thread I have to wonder if anyone at Disney reads internet boards like this one. And then I wonder what they think if they DO read them. I understand that business is business, but would it kill Disney if they dropped ALL of their rack rates across the board by 10-20%? I mean if they're filling the rooms at rack rate, wouldn't 95% full at the Polynesian for $225 a night be just as good as $300 per night? I know what you'll all say - why should Disney drop the rates if they CAN fill the rooms at $300+ per night?

I don't know. I'm certainly no businesswoman, but I think customer loyalty should speak volumes and should be taken into consideration - SOMEHOW.

And I for one do NOT think the free dining promotion is a deal at all. That's just me.

 

[EEyorelover22]

MKY:
I haven't had time to read all the posts except yours...will catch up later tonight, but wanted to say...The Dells are VERY expensive!! Their hotel rooms are about what Disney's are, but it included our waterpark admission. Overall though, it's less expensive since we can drive and food was much, much cheaper. We are 3 hours from there. We also went to DC and had a great rate at $150 at the Hilton right downtown 3 blocks from the White House, but for the most part, once we arrived, the stuff we saw was free. So, that vacation, too, was cheaper over all. I didn't want to go on either trip though The night before we went to DC, I was upset that I had even planned it! We had a wonderful time though.

I can see DH and I going eleswhere once the kids are gone. I know people who do nice places in Mexico with all the food included with the hotel stay for less than our WDW trips. He's not a fan like I am so I doubt after this year we will ever go back once the kids are gone. So...AKL it is Who knows though because then we could stay somewhere else with double beds too if there are no kids.

 

[disneyfans4ever]

We are booked at BC June 9-17th and have been addicted to this code watch for months hoping for an AP code. It is getting rather discouraging; nevertheless, I am still here every morning checking faithfully. I just checked on Disney's website and ALL the deluxes had availability for those dates although none of the moderates did. So, they cannot be totally booked. Any thoughts on them releasing codes for at least the deluxe resorts! Trying to keep hopeful.

 

[kretsch]

What should be interesting is watching all the other code watch threads for the rest of the year and to see what Disney does. It seems like WDW doesn't have a slow time anymore. From what I'm reading the crowds even in May are bigger than normal.

I just heard from my sister who is still at the World and she and her family are practically walking on everything. I'm not sure if she is just touring strategically or if everyone is experiencing the same thing.

 

[Tess]

After the demise of BRP, there were some theories bandied about regarding passholders and the overselling of APs and PAPs. The thought process went something along the lines that Disney was tired of having so many passholders and felt too many folks were buying them for the discount (duh!).

There was conjecture at the time that it was felt Disney would be reigning in the discounts in an effort to discourage AP purchases for other than the park admission benefit. Perhaps, and it's a big perhaps, we the summer folk--as a result of higher than expected resort reservations--are the "test" to see if Disney's withholding of AP discounts will have the desired effect, e.g., reduce the number of folks purchasing APs. While we all know the original intent of an AP was to give unlimited admission at a premium price, the side discounts could not be ignored and, in fact, was a selling point for Disney--why else broadcast the fact?

I would be curious to see how many people actually have not renewed (or will not) as a result of the withholding of benefits (which are advertised right in the passholder sleeve) AND if it does benefit the Disney bottomline. Frankly, Disney is in the money making business--and doing pretty well at it right now, but it could well be that the APs/PAPs are no longer the profitable venture Disney had hoped and there truly is a desire to decrease the number of those passes sold. Just a thought. . .

 

[roozlilone]

Reality is starting to sink in now! Now, I have to figure out how to tell my mother-in-law

 

[ski37]

Don't give up yet!!!

I know most people are pretty down about the fact that AP codes haven't been released past 6/3 but......

I checked the history of AP codes on Mousesavers.com and there have been 4 times since 2003 when codes have come out less than a month before the previous codes expired. In fact just this year on Jan 10th codes were released for 1/10-1/15 and 1/16-2/4

On April 21st, 2003 AP codes were released for 4/28-7/3.

So despite all the gloom and doom, we could still see codes released for the summer/

ski

 

[LuvDuke]

Don't give up yet!!!

I know most people are pretty down about the fact that AP codes haven't been released past 6/3 but......

I checked the history of AP codes on Mousesavers.com and there have been 4 times since 2003 when codes have come out less than a month before the previous codes expired. In fact just this year on Jan 10th codes were released for 1/10-1/15 and 1/16-2/4

On April 21st, 2003 AP codes were released for 4/28-7/3.

So despite all the gloom and doom, we could still see codes released for the summer/

ski

This is what I want to read, not gloom and doom. I want to be in Code LaLa Land right up until the day I sign the guest register.

 

[5boyz]

Mike that sounds great about DVC but what do you do when 1 King Bed and 1 queen pull out sofa is not enough for your family of 6? Are there larger suites or bedrooms?

 

[roozlilone]

Don't give up yet!!!

I know most people are pretty down about the fact that AP codes haven't been released past 6/3 but......

I checked the history of AP codes on Mousesavers.com and there have been 4 times since 2003 when codes have come out less than a month before the previous codes expired. In fact just this year on Jan 10th codes were released for 1/10-1/15 and 1/16-2/4

On April 21st, 2003 AP codes were released for 4/28-7/3.

So despite all the gloom and doom, we could still see codes released for the summer/

ski

Really? That makes me feel a little better! 24 days and counting!

 

[cindyfan]

Just curious...... for those that hoped for AP rates at deluxes...
How many have opted to stay at Swan/Dolphin???
When Disney was taking sooooooooo lonnnnnnnngggg to give out any rates (back a couple months when we thought AP rates would still be out for June!)
We went ahead and reserved Swan. There was plenty of room there then, not sure about now.....
But I really haven't heard too many people saying they were going to stay at S/D as an option to no AP rates for regular Disney resorts.
For an Epcot resort..... $165/night is pretty good! Even the AllEarsnet.com special rate of $184 beats what else is available.

So we are happy we have at least that!!!
So Disney loses again..... I would have moved over to BC/YC or BW if the AP rates would have come out... but looks like Swan will get my money.

 

[speedyf]

I'm really wondering now if Disney got rid of the BRP because they figured in the future, there may be a point where they don't have to offer as many discounts.

Everyone just assumed that it was Disney admitting that the system was flawed....but, maybe Disney was concerned that they were booking up more rooms at rack rate and wanted to get rid of the "automatic" discount associated with the BRP.

Now....with the old AP code system....if they choose not to release a code, then they can possibly book more rooms at rack rate. I'm also guessing that Magical Express has something to do with more people staying onsite than in years past. That's probably why the codes may be more limited in the future and the prices will be going up with the new "season" next year. You knew they weren't going to eat the cost of Magical Express....and so the cost gets trickled down to the guest in the form of higher resort rack rates.


Speed

 

[Mike]

Mike that sounds great about DVC but what do you do when 1 King Bed and 1 queen pull out sofa is not enough for your family of 6? Are there larger suites or bedrooms?

There are 4 different room types in DVC:

Studio - sleeps up to 4
1 BR - sleeps up to 5
2 BR - sleeps up to 8
Grand Villa - sleeps up to 12

The studio has only a kitchenette and no laundry in the room (you have access to free washer/dryer). All of the other rooms have a full kitchen and laundry. Each room type has different point requirements. I was only using the 1 BR as an example because it works for my family of 5. Jump on over to the DIS DVC forum. There is a lot of information there. There are links to the point charts for each resort so you can get a better idea of how many points you will need.

Hope this helps.

 

[ciera321]

Don't give up yet!!!

I know most people are pretty down about the fact that AP codes haven't been released past 6/3 but......

I checked the history of AP codes on Mousesavers.com and there have been 4 times since 2003 when codes have come out less than a month before the previous codes expired. In fact just this year on Jan 10th codes were released for 1/10-1/15 and 1/16-2/4

On April 21st, 2003 AP codes were released for 4/28-7/3.

So despite all the gloom and doom, we could still see codes released for the summer/

ski

I like your attitude!!! I've been following availability at ALL the resorts for August 6 - 16 for 4 weeks now and there is still availability at all the resorts, the only one that is limited at all is GF. Most all other resorts (BC, YC, BWI, POLY, CSR, CB, POR, POFQ CR, ASMU, ASSports, Pop) have
everything from standard thru the top price available, wide open, AK and WL have everything EXCEPT standard, ASMovies has only Preferred...So August, at least the first part, isn't too full yet. Maybe we can still hope for AP rates???

 

[disneywithfive]

In response to Tess - I'm one of the ones who has been waiting to purchase an annual pass. If no discounts, than I probably won't purchase any. We already have the MYW 10 day Tickets with no expiration. We will just wait and only go a couple of times during the year and not stay at the deluxe resorts. We have three children (ages 2,3,&4) and live close enough to be able to go on the weekends but it is a lot of work to drive 3.5 hours each way from a Friday night to a Sunday and only be able to go to the parks on Saturday with three little ones but am willing to go if we can stay at the deluxe hotels for a good rate. Without the annual passes, I won't feel like I NEED to go as often to get the best value for my money. Now if they do offer the hotel discounts, I would take advantage of purchasing the AP. I can truly say that when we have had the annual passes and used the hotel discounts, Disney probably didn't lose to much on us. Food alone for 5 and all the extra JUNK the kids put in for us to buy, is a lot. I always spend more at Disney per day than at any other place we go for vacation.

Someone also asked about staying at the Swan & Dolph and we've found some good rates for them and have planned our June trip to stay there. We are thinking about staying there in August too at $159 per night at the Swan which is a good rate. We just stayed at the Hotel Royal Plaza in April with a very good rate and like the location and the room. They had a sofa sleeper for our 3 year old son and there was a good amount of room for the kids to move around.

Time will tell....