Need help with 1st time resort booking

[markshaw]

My dh and I are going to Disney next October with another couple and staying on site for the first time. The other couple has never been to Disney so we are doing a lot of the planning. I was all set for us to book a package until a friend of mine (who is a Disney veteran) told me to look into booking everything seperate and to start watching this board and asking questions. As you know her advice was a great money saver and I have found LOTS of valuable info. So I know that we have over a year to book a lot of stuff but from reading the threads I'm going to need every bit of the time I have.

When would be a good time to book our resort. I've been watching the discussion on the WL and the Poly. I've been trying to figure out which one would be the best for us. AND my Disney veteran friend said that I would only have to pay 1 night up front to book but I'm hoping the prices would go down so how would I be assured the better price? Also, we feel that it would benefit us to purchase AP's so do I need to purchase those now to get the AP discount or can that wait. And if it can wait then how can I get the AP rate for the resort. They take my word for it?

I'm sure that she has told me some of this stuff but I'll remember it if I see it in writing. I know for the true veterans these questions are really silly but please help. One day I'll be a veteran too.

 

[tkldisney]

You will have to purchase you ap before you book your resort room. If this is something you know your going to do, I'd go ahead and purchase ap's and make resort ressies. If a better rate comes up, you can call to get the better rate.

 

[AllStarFan]

You will not regret staying on site. As you heard, buying everything separately usually saves you money. If you get a package, you will have a Park Hopper Plus. This is great unless you have horrible weather or an emergency that requires you to leave earlier than expected. The unused days expire at the end of your stay. If you book your room separately and buy Park Hopper passes you can save a ton of money and have the peace of mind that the unused days on the passes are good forever if you don't use them all on you trip.

Are you set on October? October is typically Regular Season, while September or November are usually value season. As a comparison, my room at All Star Sports for Sept. is $59 per night, but the best price in Oct. is $74. You may want to look at adjusting your date if possible.

I am new to this site as well, but have already seen a lot of good information, tips, etc. You should also check out www.mousesavers.com. You can sign up for a free newsletter that has exclusive savings as well as useful info.

Have fun planning your trip!!!

 

[AllStarFan]

Regarding the AP's here is an excerpt and link to info from mousesavers.com:

A few facts to keep in mind about Annual Passholder discounts at the resorts:

You don't need the Annual Pass when you reserve your room(s), only when you check in. Don't buy the Annual Pass until you have to!
You only need one Annual Passholder to book the room(s). The rest of your party can buy whatever kind of passes they please, but the Annual Pass should be in the name of the person making the reservations.
Each Passholder can book up to three rooms per stay.

http://www.mousesavers.com/annualpass.html

 

[UltimateWDWFan]

It used to be that you could buy an Annual Pass and then wait until you first used it to "activate" it, thus making your year of use extend from when you first used it. Now, from everything I've read, your AP starts when you buy it. Thus, if you were to buy it right now, it would expire in August of 2003 and not do you any good at all. Also, I don't know if there is much out by way of discounts for Annual Passes this far in advance.

You might want to weigh the pros and cons of Annual Pass versus joining the Disney Club. I've been a Disney Club member forever, but this is the first year I've acutally bought an AP. Many of the perks are the same or very similar, and I find it very difficult to get info on the AP discounts for accommodations. (I've been looking for discounts for December, 2002, and finally got some details (thanks to this site and wdwig.com) just last week. Also, with a DC membership, you can buy discounted passes for your entire party. (Not a great discount, but some savings.) If you have a Disney Store near you, you can use the DC to save $$$ on all your purchases there. AND, included with your DC membership, you'd get the Disney Magazine subscription to keep the magic coming all year.

However, if you don't live too far from WDW and think that you might be able to make a second visit within a year from when you first activate your AP, then the AP starts to look better than the DC. (Now that I have the AP, it was an excuse for me to make another trip!)

You might want to make a ressie now for whatever looks like the best deal at the moment, and then you can always revise it (actually, I believe you do this by booking a second reservation and then cancelling the first) later when the better discounts are announced. They will want a deposit now equal to your first night's stay, but I think it's totally refundable up until less than a week before your scheduled arrival (although you might want to double-check on that).

As for Poly versus Wilderness Lodge, I've never stayed at either, but the Poly is great in that it's on the monorail, and in the past the transporation from the WL had some problems (although I haven't heard much about it lately). At the Poly, though, you have to walk to various buildings (weather sometimes becomes an issue there). The Wilderness Lodge is so totally way-cool that I'd choose it in a minute over the Poly, but I know a ton of people who love the Poly. (One friend became moved to FL and became a Cast Member because her experience at the Poly was so good!) It wouldn't be surprised if general opinion sways you toward the Poly, but--if you do stay there--try to make it over to the Wilderness Lodge just to check it out.

Have fun!

/th

 

[AuntBJ]

Are all four of you going to buy AP's? As stated above only one person has to have an AP but if you are buying four you may want to consider joining the Disney Club. Currently Disney Club members can buy up to ten AP's for $15 off each one. Not to mention the other discounts. As far as finding the discounts, all you have to do is check Mousesavers.com. The discounts are posted there as soon as they come out. You can even sign up for a reminder now and you will get an e-mail every time the page is updated.

There is a thread on the boards saying AP passes may go up soon. If you wish you can go to your local Disney Store and order your AP vouchers now and pay for them when you pick them up. (usually takes about two weeks) You could then activate your passes when you go and they will be good for a year from the date of activation. If you plan to join the DC, you need to have your card to order the passes at the Disney Store.

 

[AuntBJ]

BTW, I see you live about the same distance from WDW as we do and I will tell you that an AP can get you addicted pretty fast. Suddenly 7 hours doesn't seem like that far of a drive, especially when you get a really good AP rate at the resort.

 

[jennymouse]

Looks like everyone is steering you in the right direction. Here's the steps I'd take if I were you:

1. Purchase Disney Club. There used to be a code on www.mousesavers.com that you could use to get a price break on joining. Not sure if it's still there or not, you need to check. Then go to www.disneyclub.com and join.

2. With your new Disney Club card in hand, go to the Disney Store and purchase a park hopper pass (with your DC discount)that you think will most suit your needs for the amount of days are you going to actually be in the park. You'll be doing this before prices go up and the passes are good forever.

3. 2003 resort rates aren't out yet, you can wait or go ahead and book now with a Disney Club rate. The price will go up if/when 2003 rates come out, so it doesn't really matter....I'd wait.

4. With this done, all you have to do is wait until about 3 months or so before your vacation date for the discounts to come. Sometimes there are "code rates" that you can get that are as good or better than AP rates....but more than likely the AP rate will be the better rate. You gotta do the math and figure out if the savings will be greater than the extra cost of the AP. If you opt for the AP, you can upgrade those Park Hoppers you purchased in step one when you arrive at WDW. If you opt to go with the code rate, you need to quickly call and have your reservation switched to a room with the code rate, then cancel your first ressie.

5. While you were waiting for the discounts to come out, you might have been discussing with your traveling companions, where you would like to dine while you're in the world. You can start making priority seating arraingments for some restaurants beginning 120 days from the day you want to eat there....some are 90 day, some are 60 days.

6. Pack & go have fun!


Oh, and welcome to the DIS!!

 

[tkldisney]

Duh! Where was my brain. Don't tell me! When a friend of mine booked hers using ap discount, they asked her for #. I wasn't paying enough attention to realize you were going Oct. 2003 not 2002. So no you don't want to purchase now, but I would go ahead and make ressie, then change if you get better rate.

 

[susy]

I've always booked at the AP rate and have never been asked for anything. You have to have the AP to check in. You can book up to three rooms with one AP- so if you want to buy an AP, your friends don't necessarily have to in order to get the same great rate. You would have to have both rooms under your name and credit card, however and trust your friends to give you a check.

All good advice above.

 

[JennSaint]

jennymouse:
Here is a link to 2003 room rates:
http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2003.html