My thoughts about the new promotion due next week

[boomhauer]

I cannot FATHOM that the discount everyone talking about for next week will only be for free park hopping and water parks. There just isn't enough incentive there.

Disney is all about getting people to stay on property. Giving someone free park hopping isn't going to accomplish that.

I would think, Disney would be just as against people visiting Orlando, not staying on Disney property, and spending 3 days at Universal, as they would against people not coming at all.

In other words, I would venture to guess next week's promotion will include some sort of package deal or room discount - Something involving saving money on a room.

Anyone else agree?

 

[disneymom727]

I just assumed to get this deal you would have to be staying on Disney property. Wasn't that the case with the free dining promotion? It doesn't sound like such a great deal to me since we are going in Jan. and wouldn't be able to take full advantage of the water parks. Maybe for those going closer to March and those who like the park hopper option. I guess we'll know for sure in a week.

 

[Sammy]

I was thinking the same thing. It would take more than just park hopping and a water park (in January/February no less!!) as an incentive to book another trip. I'm hoping there will be some good room discounts attached to this promotion as well.

 

[d4est]

There has to be, otherwise, it's just silly.

Incidentally, the rumored date (11/3) is also my 90 day mark for making ADR's. It will be a busy day!

 

[Hanover]

I called Disney yesterday to confirm this promotion and to get a quote for Jan 12- Jan 17 at CBR. Right now, including the "free" promotion, it's slightly cheaper ($50) for the 5 days MYW tickets with dining than AAA and about $150 cheaper than DUT. If AAA can get me free hoppers, then they will be cheaper. I was told the packages are limited and that Disney can only give me a AAA room discount, not a package discount. I'm also hoping for something better.

 

[boomhauer]

I called Disney yesterday to confirm this promotion and to get a quote for Jan 12- Jan 17 at CBR. Right now, including the "free" promotion, it's slightly cheaper ($50) for the 5 days MYW tickets with dining than AAA and about $150 cheaper than DUT. If AAA can get me free hoppers, then they will be cheaper. I was told the packages are limited and that Disney can only give me a AAA room discount, not a package discount. I'm also hoping for something better.

That's the rumored package coming out on the 3rd???? Only a savings of $50????

I can't imagine that's it. I also can't imagine they would be giving out information on an upcoming promotion.

 

[keishashadow]

Surely, you didn't think WDW would keep offering free dining?

IMO the promo was to fill the rooms during hurricane season & to expose people who normally would eat @ TS to what they offer (hoping for repeat business in the future) & promote the Dining Plan in general.

Don't see how you can pooh-pooh the proposed discount (PH & WP). Confused, are you saying you'll save $50 pp or per family?
PH option is a flate $37 per MYW tix,
Pluses vary by days but an additional $48 pp
($37 + $48 = $85?) vs $50?
If you can add on extra days as a non-expiration option ($59 for 7 days), it would be quite the value IMO.

Value Resort rates are quite the bargin in Jan.; can't see them going any lower. If WDW allows a AAA discount on package it looks even better. It's been reported that WDW is attempting to vere away from room discounts & concentrate on package plans.
Additionally, WDW has finally started to enforce the dining option (as to sep. credits on each person's tix - eliminates the loophole exploited in the past). Could effect the plans' popularity among certain sectors.

BTW, I luv Universal but, getting a room @ one of the Loews properties will still set you back $175 to 200/night in January (even with discounts), plus you have to pay $8/day for the privledge of parking @ the hotels. They've also dropped their free Express Pass system - you now have to buy it or stay on-site for FOTL.

Always nice to get a good deal though, good luck!

 

[d4est]

Additionally, WDW has finally started to enforce the dining option (as to sep. credits on each person's tix - eliminates the loophole exploited in the past). Could effect the plans' popularity among certain sectors.

Where did you hear or read this? I haven't heard this until now???

 

[boomhauer]

I don't even care about Free Dining - Didn't use it when it was offered last time. I used my AP discount instead. But since that's expired, I could really use a room discount.

Free hopping is greta and all, but a package deal or discount can't just be aimed at 1 specific group. A free hopping promotion for solo or couples travelling isn't even worth promoting. It's a savings of less than $100. It would make more sense to join AAA and get a room discount with that.

As for the water park plus, as others have said, that would by no means tempt me to take an unplanned trip - Especially in the cooler months of January and February.

 

[HLAuburn]

I called Disney yesterday to confirm this promotion and to get a quote for Jan 12- Jan 17 at CBR. Right now, including the "free" promotion, it's slightly cheaper ($50) for the 5 days MYW tickets with dining than AAA and about $150 cheaper than DUT. If AAA can get me free hoppers, then they will be cheaper. I was told the packages are limited and that Disney can only give me a AAA room discount, not a package discount. I'm also hoping for something better.

I'm confused, too.
Did they actually quote you on this new package that hasn't been released yet?

As for specuation, I always assumed that there would be a room and maybe ticket discount as well as the "free hopper and plus" option. There's no way that during a mostly value season timeframe, all they are going to offer is $80 of savings per person.

 

[d4est]

BTW, I luv Universal but, getting a room @ one of the Loews properties will still set you back $175 to 200/night in January (even with discounts), plus you have to pay $8/day for the privledge of parking @ the hotels. They've also dropped their free Express Pass system - you now have to buy it or stay on-site for FOTL.

This isn't completely true. Here's what I found with a search:
Actually they are not available at this time. They are experimenting with eliminating the express pass machines during non-peak time. The express pass machines have been covered up for the last two weeks. The good news as they haven't been needed as most rides are a walk on.

I got it here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=912356

Just so no one gets confused/wrong info.

 

[Hanover]

I finally got my paperwork out to see exact figures.

AAA and DUT charged about $120 for the hoppers.

For our 5 days at CBR with 5 day tickets and dining (2 adults, and a 4 and 8 year old)

AAA quote $1977.06 with hoppers ... it would be $1855.60 without hoppers
AKL was offered for 2328.56 with hoppers and $2207.16 without hoppers
DUT quote $ 2010.00 with hoppers .... $1,893.00 without hoppers
Disney quote $1893.00 including the "free promotion"

So (if my math is correct) Disney is actually $84.00 cheaper than AAA right now and AAA will be $ 38 cheaper than Disney if I can get that promotion. Not a whole lot, but $38 is $38. DUT said they cannot match AAA and go through Disney to get the packages. Disney told me they only use the AAA discount for rooms, not packages. I asked if there were any other discounts, pin codes for this time period and she told me that this was it.

 

[boomhauer]

So (if my math is correct) Disney is actually $84.00 cheaper than AAA right now and AAA will be $ 38 cheaper than Disney if I can get that promotion. Not a whole lot, but $38 is $38. DUT said they cannot match AAA and go through Disney to get the packages. Disney told me they only use the AAA discount for rooms, not packages. I asked if there were any other discounts, pin codes for this time period and she told me that this was it.

She was not giving you the information based on the promotion rumored to be coming out next week. I don't know this for a fact, but there is no way that would be it. Disney wouldn't bother with such an insignificant promotion.

 

[Gary M]

If I'm not mistaken TL has been closed during our past stays during Jan. and Feb. so that leaves BB the only water park open.

WDW may be offering a minimal discount and have a big advertising campaign. Most people aren't as familair with pricing as the people on the DIS. Advertising can make people think they are getting a great deal when they really aren't. Just a thought.

 

[boomhauer]

If I'm not mistaken TL has been closed during our past stays during Jan. and Feb. so that leaves BB the only water park open.

WDW may be offering a minimal discount and have a big advertising campaign. Most people aren't as familair with pricing as the people on the DIS. Advertising can make people think they are getting a great deal when they really aren't. Just a thought.

That's true. However, the general public codes that go out, are more geared to the frequent Disney traveller as opposed to the not so frequent traveller who gets the postcards and emails.

We'll have to just wait and see, but I would certainly venture to say there will be some sort of room discount or package discount involving more than just free hopping and water park entry.

 

[Hanover]

That price for Disney does include the new promotion. I have it on hold until it officially begins. I thought there would be better savings myself, but the CM told me AAA can discount the package deeper than what Disney does. I could only get a AAA discount through Disney on the room, not the tickets and meal plan.

 

[boomhauer]

That price for Disney does include the new promotion. I have it on hold until it officially begins. I thought there would be better savings myself, but the CM told me AAA can discount the package deeper than what Disney does. I could only get a AAA discount through Disney on the room, not the tickets and meal plan.

Are you serious???

What a joke. That really stinks for us who have been waiting until November 3 for a good discount.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Actually they are not available at this time. They are experimenting with eliminating the express pass machines during non-peak time. The express pass machines have been covered up for the last two weeks. The good news as they haven't been needed as most rides are a walk on.

I got it here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=912356

Just so no one gets confused/wrong info.

This is a little off-topic, but this doesn't sound new to me. They did this last year too. In fact, Disney does the same thing, at least during certain hours. We were going to buy express day passes, and the woman at the counter told us not to bother. She was right. We didn't need them.

 

[Sammy]

That price for Disney does include the new promotion. I have it on hold until it officially begins. I thought there would be better savings myself, but the CM told me AAA can discount the package deeper than what Disney does. I could only get a AAA discount through Disney on the room, not the tickets and meal plan.

Really? I've never heard of Disney booking/holding reservations for upcoming promotions in the past...? Most times, you can barely get a CM who knows about current promotions....never mind being saavy to upcoming ones...LOL! Is this something new they are doing?

 

[boomhauer]

Really? I've never heard of Disney booking/holding reservations for upcoming promotions in the past...? Most times, you can barely get a CM who knows about current promotions....never mind being saavy to upcoming ones...LOL! Is this something new they are doing?

I think the OP is a bit off on this. There is no Disney employee who would give out information on future promotions. They wouldn't have it in their system to give to anyone.