New to the board, new to disney, looking for advice

[mjpisat]

I'm looking at booking our first family disney. Two adults, three kids (12, 6 and a 1 yr old.

We are looking at going Nov 7 - Nov 14 (sat to sat). I decided that we are going to give Coronado springs a try, the big selling point is two queen beds. We decided not to go during the free dining plan period since it is during peak hurricane season and I've read it's still pretty hot then. I have no way of getting discounts so the price is $3300 including seven days of passes, hotel, and the dining plan. Is that a ridiculous price or can I get a better deal if I book hotel, passes, pay for food seperately?

Once I book the trip I'll be looking for some advice on planning meals and some sort of itinerary. We rarely get to go on family vacations and I want to make this trip as good as I can.

 

[Metro West]

 

[ParrotBill]

Welcome! Find the right boards for your questions and I am sure you will get help. I haven't done vacation packages in a while so I can't judge your price well. I take that back. Let's see:

Tickets
Magic your way hopping water parks and more 7 day
$350 adult (x3) $312 child (x1) = $1360
Basic Dining Plan (1 table service, 1 counter service, 1 snack per day)
$40 per day adult $11 per day child
Adults $120x7 = $840, child $11x7 = 77, total $917
Hotel typical - not sure - $150? x7 = total $1050

Total $3327
but maybe my hotel estimate is too low. Interesting how close I came separately though. Are the tickets and dining plan I picked a match?

I would hope a package would save you a few hundred dollars.

Good luck!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Keep watching the Disney World site for Special Offers. If something comes up and you have already booked your package, call Disney Travel immediately and ask if you can apply the special offer to your package. I've done this two times and saved over $350.00 each time. Hey, it's not a huge chunk of change but it's $350.00 back in my pocket.

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[Disneydonnam]

Welcome to the Disboards.

 

[Aliceacc]

Are you AAA members??? It may very well be worth it to you to join, even if only for their discount.

From www.mousesavers.com:
"AAA and CAA Resort Hotel Discounts
American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) members qualify for "room only" discounts almost year-round, though there are a limited number of rooms available for each date. You can generally save about 10-20% at the Disney resort hotels, depending on the season.

The 2009 discounts seem to run as follows:

Value Season: 15% off at Value, Deluxe and Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) resorts; 20% off at Moderate resorts and Ft. Wilderness cabins and campsites.

Regular Season: 10% off at the Deluxe and Deluxe Villa (Disney Vacation Club) resorts; 10%-15% off at Value and Moderate resorts and Ft. Wilderness cabins and campsites.

Peak Season and Summer Season: 10% off at all resorts.
The only time AAA/CAA discounts don't usually apply is Holiday Season (around Christmas).

You don't have to book AAA/CAA rates through the Auto Club. Room-only reservations with an AAA discount can be booked directly through the Disney Reservation Center at (407) W-DISNEY or a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. Just ask if there is an AAA or CAA discount for your dates and resort.

AAA/CAA rates for all of the following year are usually released in the summer. 2009 AAA/CAA "room only" discounts were released on August 3, 2008. "

 

[Aliceacc]

Also, if you're willing to play with your dates a bit, consider this, also from mousesavers:

"Fall 35% Off Discount

Valid most nights: 8/9/09-10/3/09. Some resorts will NOT be available for all dates. Use code TDU. Compare these rates with regular "Rack" rates. Your stay will be priced on a day-by-day basis, so rates may be higher or not available on weekends.

Availability is limited and some dates during this span are blocked out. These rates can also be booked as part of a vacation package.

Sample rates:

Value resort, Standard view: $69 plus tax
Moderate resort, Standard view: $96 plus tax
Saratoga Springs, Studio: $169 plus tax
Other resorts and room types are available
About Booking

You must book by 8/8/09. For phone bookings, you pay a deposit of one night's room rate plus tax. No change or cancellation fee will be charged if you make your modification more than 5 days before arrival.

Thanks to Small World Vacations for info.

To reserve a room with the Fall 35% Off Discount, call the Disney Reservations Center at (407) W-DISNEY or contact a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel, and request the specific offer code"