Making plans for 3/2004

[dt2k4]

Hey everyone, this is my first posting.
I want to make reservations through the Disney Travel Club for 2004 (I know the club discount is ending in 2003) at one of the on site resorts. I was just at Disney World in November 2002 and had a great time.
Anyone know how I go about it? Or if not, does anyone have a suggestion on how to make the reservations and get a discount similar to the Disney Travel Club? Thanks! Dan.

 

[VickiVM]

Welcome to DIS. I am by no means an expert, so fellow DIS'ers, correct me if I'm wrong - but since the Disney Club is ending in 2003 I don't believe they'll offer any so called Disney Club discounts into 2004.

However, Disney Club is not always the best route to discounts. Very often Disney will offer "code" discount rates based on which state you live, a special promotion or a postcard rate that are sometimes randomly mailed. For 2004 it is still too early to be shopping discounts. Other sources for discounted rates are AAA or Annual Passholders. Very often a WDW Annual Passholder can get substantial savings over rack rate and the difference from a 4, 5 or 6 day pass to the AP offsets the difference from rack rate to the discounted rate. (Hope that makes sense). There are a couple of things you can do - make your ressie at the regular rate to secure the room you want and later you may apply code discounts if you happen to find one that applies. Or you can just wait it out until code rates begin to appear for the time you want to go.

I just returned from a great stay this past Sept/Oct and my husband just conceded that we'll go again in 2004, so we're shooting for June. So here I am again back on the DIS after a 3 month absence scheming and planning as though we're going next week! We're not sure if we're going to rent points for a villa again (which we loved!!) or stay in a regular room. For a great rate, we might consider concierge at Yacht Club. Just have to play the waiting game.

Good luck with your plans and stick with the DIS for really accurate and up-to-the-minute info. Another site you should have in your "Favorites" is www.mousesavers.com. Mary Waring's resort rate info just can't be found anywhere else and is the BEST source of applicable discount codes and rates.

Vicki

 

[dt2k4]

Vicki-
Thanks for the reply and info- it is most appreciated.

To all- is it too soon to be planning for March 2004? By the lack of response, it seems like maybe it's not worth looking into discounts or making reservations until later this year, or will all the good rooms on Disney property be gone by then?
Help!
Thanks....Dan

 

[ceecee]

Dan, it may be a little early........I want to get my ressies for Sept. but it's too early for that. Once I have the ressies it makes it seem more real. I want to get a good rate again, we've been lucky it the past. Just keep an eye out!

 

[Bill From PA]

I'm already planning our 2/27 - 3/7 2004 trip. In a few weeks Dolphin will begin accepting ressies for that week so I'll reserve my rooms, but keep shopping for better deals. In most instances you can change or cancel reservations up to the last week at no cost. I'm keeping a weekly watch on airfare out of the airport I want to use even though the cost for a ticket that far out isn't available yet. I just pick a week 9 months away with the same profile as the week we're going and track the cost. This way I'll know when the prices are about as low as they're going to go and I'll buy them quickly. I use Dollar at MCO and you can change or cancel ressies with them up until 48 hrs before your date and it costs nothing to reserve. I just get the best rate I can get right now and keep 'trading up' as deals happen.

These boards and MouseSavers are a great source for discount codes. Start checking out the Transportation, Resort and Parks boards for info. Buy your passes if they're Hopper or Hopper Plus tix online and save major bucks. There will be 7 adults needing 7 Day Hopper Plus tickets and I've been getting them for $305 instead of $325 or whatever they are at WDW.Do the math, that's almost enough for a hot dog and coke for everybody in our party!
Start now and you'll be a pro before you ever get there.

Bill From PA

 

[disneymom3]

It's never too early to plan a Disney trip!!!

 

[JulesMom]

There usually aren't a lot of discounts for March.

I would use Dreams Unlimited. They can use any of the codes that come out. I would go ahead and make ressies now at rack rate. You'll only have to pay one nights deposit. Then when the codes come out next year, your agent will try to use one of those.

Planning is half the fun of the trip!

 

[Gillian]

It's not too early to plan, but it is too early for discounts. Disney usually announces the AAA discounts for the next year all at once. They do the same for Disney Club. I don't know if there will be something to replace DC, but it's likely the AAA discount will still be available. It was typically the same as DC. For 2003, AAA came out first. Maybe around August? DC was 1-2 months later. If you belong to AAA you can call yourself and book with the discount (once they come out).

This year there are discounts available for march, but because it's Peak season, the rates are not as low as in Value season. These special rates were just recently announced & expire soon.

In any case, if you hang out here, you'll learn all the tricks of the trade!