Last Minute Reservation Pricing in February

[MSGymMom]

Hello~

My daughter is supposed to compete in a gymnastics meet at Wide World of Sports in February. However, my family has had some unexpected financial hardship in the last 2 months. My reservations are due on Dec 30, for the room, tickets and dining, which, we will not be able to pay.

So....my question is, if I wait and book my reservation closer to the date of arrival, are the prices much higher last minute???

My little gymnast will be devastated when I tell her she cant go and compete at Disney. So my hope is to try and save before the trip and pay last minute, but I don't know what kind of pricing to expect.

I appreciate any knowledge, experience or advise. Thank you in advance!!!

 

[arihillfarm]

With both of the current offers (Stay, Play, Dine and Save package offer and the room-only discount) available for Feb. 2014, those can be booked through Dec. 31st. You can cancel your package and book a room-only reservation before Dec. 31st. The RO only requires a one night's room rate as a deposit with the balance due at check-in and is fully refundable until 5 days before you arrive. Buy your tickets separately and pay OOP for dining.

-Astrid

P.S. I forgot to say welcome to the DIS!

 

[nervous1sttimer]

Did you get a group package discount when you originally booked for the cheer competition? You might be better off taking the tickets and dining off your current package and keeping whatever group rate you got on the room. Good luck!

 

[danygirl]

I like astrid's suggestion. Otherwise I would see if DD can go with a team mate if funds are the issue.

 

[dpswift]

Could you book room only and add tickets when you got the funds? Last year I booked a room for February (LM so no discounts) and did not add the tickets until a few days before we left.

 

[MSGymMom]

I think the best option is to book the room for now and get tickets later. I can swing that!
I appreciate your kind responses!!!
Thank you!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

You can wait to add the dining. I think it's up to 14 days before check out but you can ask.

 

[Happyjen27]

I agree to book the room only discount now while it's still active. Once a discount booking period has passed, you may get stuck paying "rack rate" which is pricier. Packages are far more restrictive if you need to cancel, and rebook offsite or somewhere cheaper.

 

[gone2disney]

I recommended that you stay off site. It will be much, much cheaper and you can cook some meals at home. My daughter was in a softball tournament this summer at Wide World and we stayed at Windsor Hills. So easy and quick to get to the sports complex. You can score a great last minute deal on VRBO for places not rented. If you need a car, we bid on priceline the week of our trip (height of summer season) and got a full size for $9/day from Avis. We bought our tickets at a discount through the softball organization. We saved sooo much by staying offsite. Hope things work out for you.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

As others have said, book your room now (or by the last date possible for the discount) & add your tickets later. (I think the deadline for adding the DDP is up to three days before your arrival date). If you can't afford the dining plan, don't add it and just pay out of pocket at less expensive places, such as MK's The Plaza & DHS's Sci-Fi Dine-In. If you want to splurge on a breakfast, the Wave at the Contemporary has an amazing buffet for $20 & Rainforest Cafe in AK has a delicious breakfast for half the price of their lunch & dinner menu items. I'm sure you're not planning to, but I'd also stay away from pricey extras, such as adding the park hopper option. Don't fret! It will all work out!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You could do room only and then if you do a Christmas exchange within your family ask for Disney gift cards that you can use for ticket.

Also look at Undercover Tourist for discounted ticket prices. We have used them many times and had great service. THey sometime offer buy 3 get 1 day free tickets.

Also don't wait till last minute to book your room. Once the rooms are sold out you will be out of luck. February is a busy month at Disney and the values tend to book up with all the groups that will be there not to mention the North Eastern states have winter break the week of President Day so they flock to Florida.