June/July/August 2006 Code watch

[cindyfan]

As for the DVC......
We've checked into it..... but it IS EXPENSIVE! Especially if you are used to staying moderates with a discount.
And IMHO..... the typical WDW traveler does not have that disposable income.
Yes, we go every year! And LOVE IT! And if we had an extra $20,000 sitting around, we might think about DVC.
But we have been going every year for 10 years and even if I added up all that we spent on all the resort stays...... It doesn't come anywhere close to what we would have had to spend on DVC. We stay at mostly mods and values. And once in a while we will splurge on a deluxe.... usually if we get a good discount.
This year DD and I are spending the last 3 nights of our trip at CR.... I hoped for a better discount.... but doesn't look to be happening. But it is our treat for a well deserved vacation.... it has been a tough year for us.
But without any discounts...... there won't be another trip in Oct.... and next year..... will definitely be moderate again.

 

[keishashadow]

Keep monitoring this thread to get a feel for when next round of discounts will be announced (and to validate my jumping ship)...

FYI, if anyone is seriously interested in DVC, check out the thread(s) on this board. You can buy a small resale contract for far less that the current offering costing $15K; then add on as your budget permits or bank & borrow points/transfer more in as your needs demand. They're all about flexibility. We like to hop around on vac., especially up to Univ. for FOTL! Even if we don't venture off-site, we like to sample the non-DVC deluxe resorts for a few days each trip or take a short cruise.

BTW, don't rule out DVC @ CR or AK just yet.

Hope CRO ends your suffering soon.

 

[Esmerelda]

Oh my gosh....DVC has been great for us. Myself and my new husband bought into it in Oct of 04. Our payment each month gets us a solid week at a 1 bedroom DVC resort. It truly is a moneysaver if you like to vacation each year. We have already put in for Hawaii in summer of 07 so that too will be exciting. That's what made it appealing to us...we can use it as a huge variety of places...we aren't just stuck with Disney. Plus if we don't use the points one year...we just bank them and stay longer the next year. Hey...works for me...lol I love the fact that once its paid off...we just have to pay our annual dues each February..and the rest is ours...for 40+ years. We can also will it onto to our boys...which I love. Because we financed thru Disney, the interest is tax deductable also which is nice.

There are a LOT of pluses about DVC...it will save you money in the long run if you do the math. We have no regrets.

Esmerelda

 

[cindyfan]

Like most others, I am very surprised at the lack of AP/FL res rates for June. We've been traveling at the same time of year since the early 90s (with occasional stops in other months) and we have only been "shut out" on one occasion. Even on that one occasion, there were AP rates. We were simply not able to obtain one for our resort/room category.

If there are no AP rates, it surely means the parks will be packed in June! Thank goodness for experience in touring and knowing the ins and outs of handling the crowds!

Same goes for us.... wer've been going to WDW every year for 10 years and this is the FIRST time we were not able to get anything better than AAA discount!
But I really don't believe the parks are going to be that crowded!
I don't understand what is going on.
I know that where we live..... things are REALLY tough! People just can't afford paying a lot for vacations. I haven't heard very many people going to Florida at all this year.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Nothing here this morning either. I did receive an offer to stay at the Yaht Club/Beach Club water view for $200 per night. Tink

P.S. For all of those with cold weather, I got sunburned this week-end!

 

[java]

You poor thing what does DH do that he is forced to Vacation July 4th? only?

The DVC does not work like other times shares. You can bank points to use the next year. Rumor has it Disney just bought land in Vegas for the DVC.
I would love to buy into it but DH is not ready. It is a great deal if you stay deluxe. I like that you can go anytime a year.

Don't feel too bad for me DH works in the diamond business! The industry closes down the week of July 4th. Actually once the kids are a little older- I will get a yearly Vegas trip also... conference there every year. I just don't have anyone to care for all 4 children right now. But in a few years.... look out Vegas here I come!

 

[CanadianGuy]

I suspect part of what's going on is that with the Canadian dollar at some of the highest levels in 28 years.. Canadians (like me) who haven't been to Disney in years are deciding en masse, this is the year to go.

I know several folks up here who haven't been to Florida for a vacation since 1999 and 2000 who have decided to go. And I'm one of 'em.

The stronger Canadian dollar (or weaker US dollar depending on your point of view) might be having a bigger impact than you realize.

J

 

[keishashadow]

Unfortunately, it's also working the other way too...not many regulars I know are planning usual getaways to Niagara Falls (CN) either; Buffalo side just isn't the same.

I suspect part of what's going on is that with the Canadian dollar at some of the highest levels in 28 years.. Canadians (like me) who haven't been to Disney in years are deciding en masse, this is the year to go.

I know several folks up here who haven't been to Florida for a vacation since 1999 and 2000 who have decided to go. And I'm one of 'em.

The stronger Canadian dollar (or weaker US dollar depending on your point of view) might be having a bigger impact than you realize.

J

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

Nothing here this morning either. I did receive an offer to stay at the Yaht Club/Beach Club water view for $200 per night. Tink

Was the $200 offer for YC/BC an email-personal pin code type thing or did they offer it to you after calling? I guess I am wondering if I call would they offer it to me

 

[annieh6]

It would be great to have some insight from your friend, thanks!!!

Hi to all, well I heard back from one of my castmember friends who had to check with several other castmembers. He said "there are no discounts for that period of time" - July 17 thru Aug 2

I am not clear whether he meant at this time, or there definately will be no discounts. I am assuming there will not be discounts. I am now hoping for a postcard or any other discount greater than AAA. I am seriously considering NOT renewing the AP.

I am sorry for the bad news, maybe the execs will change their minds. Should we do a mass emailing to the front office?

 

[Stephanie VanMeter]

Thanks so much to you guys for keeping me posted! I have been checking this site for over a month now. Today I am paying the remaining balance on my July trip so I guess I am going to throw in the towel. Thanks for everything! Have a great week!

 

[cindyfan]

Nothing here this morning either. I did receive an offer to stay at the Yaht Club/Beach Club water view for $200 per night. Tink

P.S. For all of those with cold weather, I got sunburned this week-end!

Would you mind telling me more about the offer for YC/BC for $200 ?
That is better than the AAA rate I have at CR.
For what dates did they make that offer?
Thanks,

 

[tripplanner2]

Unfortunately, it's also working the other way too...not many regulars I know are planning usual getaways to Niagara Falls (CN) either; Buffalo side just isn't the same.

I know this is way OT but DH wants to go to Niagara Falls in July and we have never been. Can you tell me a decent place to stay with 3 kids? We wants to be near the casino so he can play after I go back to the room with the kids. We are looking to keep the cost down so I am not sure where to find a room for around $100 per night. Also, are there any good sites to find specials or learn the ins and outs?

 

[cjsmith]

I just hung up with grand gatherings to see about changing our hotel from the Yacht Club to the Boardwalk Villas. I asked her about discounts and she said to keep checking back. The CM said it's so strange that they haven't been released as usually there is some kind of warning and she hasn't heard that they won't be released this summer.
Who knows at this point what the heck Disney is thinking. They usually do at least offer something to Florida residents and don't seem to be doing anything about that as well.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I got very excited this morning at the commercial showing Everest..They said "Florida Residents...."
but it was just a discount ticket offer...maybe that is all we are gonna get this year.

 

[Mike]

I am sorry for the bad news, maybe the execs will change their minds. Should we do a mass emailing to the front office?

I don't mean to single you out but I see far too many comments like this on these boards. Do people not understand that Disnay is a business?!?!?! If they can fill rooms at rack rate then they do not need to offer discounts. Discounts are offered to help fill rooms!!!! You can send all of the emails you want. Get a petition going, call your Congressman, get Dubya on the phone .... it is not going to matter. We are not entitled to discounts. Disney is not a charitable organization.

If you sell a car privately you get what you can for the car. If you agree to a price of $2000 and then the person who is going to buy the car has all of his friends, family, neighbors and co-workers email you, are you going to then offer a discount? This is ridiculous.

As for DVC do not dismiss it so quickly. Don't forget that the cost of rooms will be going up every year. Think what they will be 10, 15, 20 years from now. With DVC, you are locking in the price now. The only thing that can go up is the annual maintenance fee. The points required to stay will never go up. If you plan to go every year or every other year and stay at a moderate or above you should seriously consider DVC as an option. It does make sense if you crunch the numbers. You also have to consider that you are comparing a basic hotel room to a 1 BR unit with jacuzzi, full laundry in the room, a full kitchen, king sized bed in the master bedroom, queen size pull out sofa, etc .... no comparison. And the DVC resorts are all top-notch.

 

[annieh6]

I don't mean to single you out but I see far too many comments like this on these boards. Do people not understand that Disnay is a business?!?!?! If they can fill rooms at rack rate then they do not need to offer discounts. Discounts are offered to help fill rooms!!!! You can send all of the emails you want. Get a petition going, call your Congressman, get Dubya on the phone .... it is not going to matter. We are not entitled to discounts. Disney is not a charitable organization.

If you sell a car privately you get what you can for the car. If you agree to a price of $2000 and then the person who is going to buy the car has all of his friends, family, neighbors and co-workers email you, are you going to then offer a discount? This is ridiculous.

As for DVC do not dismiss it so quickly. Don't forget that the cost of rooms will be going up every year. Think what they will be 10, 15, 20 years from now. With DVC, you are locking in the price now. The only thing that can go up is the annual maintenance fee. The points required to stay will never go up. If you plan to go every year or every other year and stay at a moderate or above you should seriously consider DVC as an option. It does make sense if you crunch the numbers. You also have to consider that you are comparing a basic hotel room to a 1 BR unit with jacuzzi, full laundry in the room, a full kitchen, king sized bed in the master bedroom, queen size pull out sofa, etc .... no comparison. And the DVC resorts are all top-notch.

The statement was made more tongue in cheek than anything else. I recall from castmember friends, and travel agents that the annual pass was something that Disney intended to reward in terms of certain perks. We have had it for 10 years and this is the first year there has been no discount. Folks can do what they want about it, but : I was only trying to provide some information, don't shoot the messenger.

 

[dkostel]

In checking AAA availability this AM, I was told that there was none by Disney for my dates/resorts, but then I went to the AAA website and booked no problem. Just an FYI, I'd check both sources if hoping for a AAA discount.

 

[Mike]

The statement was made more tongue in cheek than anything else. I recall from castmember friends, and travel agents that the annual pass was something that Disney intended to reward in terms of certain perks. We have had it for 10 years and this is the first year there has been no discount. Folks can do what they want about it, but : I was only trying to provide some information, don't shoot the messenger.

Not shooting the messenger ..... just responding to the suggestion the messenger made.

It's been said before but is worth mentioning again .... APs make sense for guests who plan to spend a lot of time in the parks in a given 12 month period. That is the only reason they should be purchased. Any other perq or benefit should be considered gravy.

Disney will offer room discounts when they need to, not when we need them to.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see them offered. I am trying to get an AP discount for friends and family that are traveling with us and paying cash for Fri and Sat night at OKW.

Yet another benefit of DVC .... not worrying about codes anymore.

Good luck everybody.

 

[cindyfan]

I know this is way OT but DH wants to go to Niagara Falls in July and we have never been. Can you tell me a decent place to stay with 3 kids? We wants to be near the casino so he can play after I go back to the room with the kids. We are looking to keep the cost down so I am not sure where to find a room for around $100 per night. Also, are there any good sites to find specials or learn the ins and outs?

Sorry, still OT, but it's better than worrying about AP rates!
Anyway.......
I highly doubt you will find anything at Niagra Falls near the Falls or the Casino for less than $150 / night in July!
Be careful.... you may see good deals advertised, but there is always a catch, especially at that time of year. It may say "minutes" from the "Falls". but you could easily be stuck riding around in the car looking for parking.
July and August are the busiest times for Falls tourists.