Looking at the Bigger Picture Discount Options

[Kid_@_50]

I don't know why Disney works for vacation for two adults without kids, but my wife loves it.

I am trying to understand the bigger picture for discount options for staying at the Walt Disney World Resort with DDP. Most likely times to visit are Feb/Mar or Sept/Oct.

- PIN Codes
- Disney VISA, general public free dining promotion
- Bounceback discount offers with free dining
- AP room only discount which allows you to add DDP
- Room only discounts which allows you to add DDP?
- Rent last minute DVC points
- DVC owner discount room rates?

I will admit that I am not good with chasing PIN codes, sorting thru snail junk mail or sorting thru volumes of email spam. PIN codes may not be a robust option.

Any thoughts on what you consider your best discount strategy for Disney?

 

[SmileyJoyz]

We're not regular WDW visitors, but this August will be our third trip and our first time staying at a Disney property. I can only speak to two of your options, since we don't have DVC points or APs.

I weighed the pricing options between doing a WDW vacation package with free DDP and getting our own room with a discount code via Expedia ($65/night at POP including taxes) and buying tickets on our own. The difference between the two options was $357 for seven nights. So that's $51 per day towards food, or $25 per person, per day for food. Given the high cost of food prices in the park (and really, who is going to leave the parks to eat somewhere else?), that's more than worth it to us. We're actually going to Universal for two of the days, so we're doubling up a few of table service meals at signature restaurants. My husband and I are big foodies and would rather have a few nice sit down meals over the course of our vacation than an average meal each night.

Joy

 

[vicki_c]

DVC owner room discount rates are only for DVC owners and only for rooms at DVC resorts. I'm guessing you're not an owner since you included "rent DVC points" in your post? So that wouldn't work for you.

Also on renting points - it's not really a good last minute plan, necessarily. It can be - if you find someone with a reservation they need to get rid of (this would normally be a <30 days type thing, at least here on the DIS, since reservations for rent posts aren't allowed more than 30 days out). But in general, to rent DVC points, you want to try and book those early, especially if there is a particular resort you want. You're best to find an owner with points to spare that will book for you at their 11 month window.

October is also very very popular for DVC reservations, especially @ the Epcot resorts, so that's a reservation you would want to try for at 11 months, for a points rental.