New here and sooooo confused.....? re discounts

[studentmom]

Hello everyone,
I have never been to DW before. My hubby and I would like to go in early November with our two kids (would be 2 and 4). We are on a budget so most likely we would stay at a Disney value resort. I'm confused because I bought the book The Unofficial Guide to WDW 2005, and it gives the rates for rooms at that time, but I've been reading on the Disboards about codes and rates that people have gotten that are cheaper than those mentioned in the book. How is that possible?? I'm so new to this and I want to get the best deal as we are budgeting? Is it better to go with the new Magic your way Vacation package or to book a room and tickets seperately ( I already know the airfare for the 4 of us will be 1000+). Any help at all would be so VERY appreciated. THANK YOU.

 

[chrisann]

first off, about the room codes, usually about 3 months ahead of time Disney release specials on their rooms. You can only get these specials by knowing what the code is. They're always posted on mousesavers.com(sign up for the newsletter). I'm a big fan of booking everything myself and separately, it's time consuming, but it saved us about $1000 when we went a few months ago. As for the airfare, keep your eyes on it because some airlines will give you a credit for the difference if you notice it(Last year our airfare was originally $486 for the 3 of us and it went down to $296, we got a credit of $200 so we're using that in the next few weeks for a weekend getaway) basically if you keep checking this site and mousesavers, you'll save lots of money and gain lots of valuable advice!!!!

Good Luck!!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Hi studentmom and welcome to the DIS!

Your kids are at such a great age to visit WDW. And the nicest bonus of all is that your 2 yo will play and eat for free! Most restaurants do not charge for children under 3 when they order the kid's meal and children under the age of 3 do not need a ticket to get into the parks!

Someone almost always posts the news when a new code is announced. MouseSavers.com will have it too but I usually find out about it on the resorts board first. The code could be for a discount on a room-only reservation or it could be for a package. They can run as high as 40% off the rack rate, so their well-worth looking out for. The currently available codes are only for Florida residents and Annual Pass holders. The will run thru 4/16/04.

Sometimes a package can be a better deal than booking separately. Right now, Disney is charging full rack rate for the rooms and their "advance" purchase price for the tickets when you book a MYW package. That is definitely no deal. Even if you were to book the room yourself at rack rate, you could still purchase the tickets at a discount from a legitimate ticketbroker. Unless a code is announced for the MYW package, you will be better off booking the parts yourself.

One thing to keep in mind is that Disney has "seasons" and their room rates vary with the "seasons". Not only that, but the "seasons" are different for deluxe resorts than they are for the value resorts. The least expensive time to go to WDW is during a "value season". If you begin your stay during "value season", your room will be for the value rate, even if that stay extends into the next "season". For instance, if you check in on Dec 19, 2005 (the last day of value season), then you room rate at POP would be $77/night for your entire stay. That would be inspite of the fact that "holiday season" begins on Dec. 20, 2005 and the rack rate for that same room will jump to $114/night!

Let us know when you plan to visit the "World" and we might be able to give you better advise on what kind of discounts you can get.