News Round Up 2020

[rteetz]

Maybe old news, honestly can't remember if this was posted at some point but I saw this as well: "Enjoy added peace of mind when booking! You can modify or cancel your reservation with added flexibility through December 31, 2020."

This was extended a couple weeks ago.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

For me its always transportation. I am too young to rent a car. Magical Express and onsite transportation will always be the biggest perk for me. I have never had any major transportation issues either.

You can rent a car if under 25 with certain car companies but the youthful surcharge may make it cost-prohibitive and just not worth it in the end especially if you're already super comfortable with Disney's transport.

 

[skeeter31]

You can rent a car if under 25 with certain car companies but the youthful surcharge may make it cost-prohibitive and just not worth it in the end especially if you're already super comfortable with Disney's transport.

Yeah, it was always Enterprise with us when we were under 25. Costs a little more because of that surcharge, but at least it’s an option.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

You're not the first person I've heard that happen to before. Did you try a different zip code? Any older zip codes from past trips?

I figured it out. The code is for my boyfriend's mom who lives in Texas.

I pretty much hate you right now, Disney. I know they won't let me use that because it's not connected to me. Though why they send me an email with a code attached to my boyfriend's mother is beyond me.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I figured it out. The code is for my boyfriend's mom who lives in Texas.

I pretty much hate you right now, Disney. I know they won't let me use that because it's not connected to me. Though why they send me an email with a code attached to my boyfriend's mother is beyond me.

Now that is just rotten luck.

Is it pulling from your MDE account? Like do you or did you have his mom on your MDE account?

 

[rteetz]

You can rent a car if under 25 with certain car companies but the youthful surcharge may make it cost-prohibitive and just not worth it in the end especially if you're already super comfortable with Disney's transport.

Yeah I know. I would just rather take the "free" option and save that way. I haven't looked into it too far though.

 

[firefly_ris]

Yeah I know. I would just rather take the "free" option and save that way. I haven't looked into it too far though.

I like how you made sure to put "free" in quotes like that.... XD

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Now that is just rotten luck.

Is it pulling from your MDE account? Like do you or did you have his mom on your MDE account?

No, we are connected as friends on MDE. But I have never used his mom's address or anything connected with her on my own MDE account.

I think that has always been a problem when Disney sends out the personalized codes. I remember people in the past having the code linked to a relative who they had vacationed with in the past, but whose personal info had never been entered in that person's Disney account.

 

[tlmadden73]

I feel like there are zero perks for staying onsite right now unless you're an AP holder and need to in order to book parks. Or did I miss that availability is easier for APs now? I've been out of the loop lately.

1) SLIGHTLY cheaper parking rate (if you drive) than parking at the parks.
2) SOME transportation (probably the Skyliner is the most reliable/quickest?) .. I can't imagine the buses being very effecient right now due to the inability to pack them with more than just a few families.
3) Free Magic bands and cheaper premium bands
4) In a different "bucket" for park reservations .. you'd be in the "resort guest" bucket - (the AP ones or the ticket-holder ones may be full compared to the resort ones)

But ya . that's it. No EMH, no dining plan, no Fast Pass reservation perk, probably no extra activities AT the resorts (like are they still showing movies, doing campfires, etc? (I would doubt it).

Do they even offer the gift cards if you reject the mousekeeping? Or is daily room cleaning just not being done "for safety" anyway?

 

[Iowamomof4]

1) SLIGHTLY cheaper parking rate (if you drive) than parking at the parks.
2) SOME transportation (probably the Skyliner is the most reliable/quickest?) .. I can't imagine the buses being very effecient right now due to the inability to pack them with more than just a few families.
3) Free Magic bands and cheaper premium bands
4) In a different "bucket" for park reservations .. you'd be in the "resort guest" bucket - (the AP ones or the ticket-holder ones may be full compared to the resort ones)

But ya . that's it. No EMH, no dining plan, no Fast Pass reservation perk, probably no extra activities AT the resorts (like are they still showing movies, doing campfires, etc? (I would doubt it).

Do they even offer the gift cards if you reject the mousekeeping? Or is daily room cleaning just not being done "for safety" anyway?

They are showing movies and doing pool-side trivia and things like that - at least at Pop (according to reports on the ground).

 

[Pens Fan]

Yeah I know. I would just rather take the "free" option and save that way. I haven't looked into it too far though.

When our son and his friends headed down there last month (all 21 or 22 year olds) they researched the rental car prices with the added age surcharges, just in case Disney transportation proved a problem with the limited capacity right now. They couldn't justify the price on their budgets. Ironically enough the only place they could rent from without a surcharge was U-haul. Yes, you can rent a U-haul truck with no age surcharge, but not a passenger car.

In the end, Disney transport mostly worked just fine, and when it didn't Uber/Lyft filled in quite nicely.

 

[Farro]

We don't drive. We both enjoy the drink.

Disney transportation is free and good enough for us. (even the bus!) We will always stay on-site.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No, we are connected as friends on MDE. But I have never used his mom's address or anything connected with her on my own MDE account.

I think that has always been a problem when Disney sends out the personalized codes. I remember people in the past having the code linked to a relative who they had vacationed with in the past, but whose personal info had never been entered in that person's Disney account.

Well that's just a major bummer than especially knowing your plans in October

 

[jlundeen]

I too like the transportation to/from airport, as well as the park transportation. - at least up until this Covid mess. Before the DME option was available, we certainly did many trips where we had to find our way to and from the airport ourselves, whether that meant renting a car or taking a taxi, but really like the convenience of the DME. (Especially when we can do resort airline check in again!)

I often use a scooter rented from outside, which the Disney buses can accommodate (up until now, anyway). If it wasn't so far from the entrances/exits, I'd be happy renting in the park, but can't do that long walk to the buses, so I get it delivered to the resort, and actually pay less than renting every day in the parks.

I also like staying closer to the parks, and usually try to book closest to which ever park we plan to visit the most, saving more time in transporting back and forth.

And, some day - maybe not today, or even next year - onsite does have advantages for FP and ADR bookings.

Plus, I just like to stay in the Disney "zone" and am willing to pay a little more for the convenience and atmosphere - again - before COVID changed all of our lives.

We are not "locals" or within driving range. So when we do go, we want to be immersed and plan our finances for that experience.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I too like the transportation to/from airport, as well as the park transportation. - at least up until this Covid mess. Before the DME option was available, we certainly did many trips where we had to find our way to and from the airport ourselves, whether that meant renting a car or taking a taxi, but really like the convenience of the DME. (Especially when we can do resort airline check in again!)

I often use a scooter rented from outside, which the Disney buses can accommodate (up until now, anyway). If it wasn't so far from the entrances/exits, I'd be happy renting in the park, but can't do that long walk to the buses, so I get it delivered to the resort, and actually pay less than renting every day in the parks.

I also like staying closer to the parks, and usually try to book closest to which ever park we plan to visit the most, saving more time in transporting back and forth.

And, some day - maybe not today, or even next year - onsite does have advantages for FP and ADR bookings.

Plus, I just like to stay in the Disney "zone" and am willing to pay a little more for the convenience and atmosphere - again - before COVID changed all of our lives.

We are not "locals" or within driving range. So when we do go, we want to be immersed and plan our finances for that experience.

Oh I will probably always book onsite. I love being in the bubble, too, even if we prefer to drive ourselves to the parks or take Lyft. I just find the lack of perks interesting when you see what they're charging right now.

I tell you that hiring a car service for airport transportation changed the game for us. I am not a fan of DME anymore and using a service sealed that deal for us.

 

[Greta]

I don't know if it's everyone. But it's one of those offers with a code.

My TA told us on Tuesday that we were eligible and getting a refund from Disney since our trip is already fully paid. We live in Arizona

 

[firebringer]

Whenever these PIN codes come out it makes me extra happy I'm DVC and don't have to battle for the best discount. $135 a night for 7 nights at Boardwalk next month - thank you DVC.

To me - the "benefit" of an on site stay is that you are on-site. My wife and I called it "In the Disney bubble" long before COVID and as far as I'm concerned I never want to visit Disney any other way. All other benefits (transportation, early FP, EMH) are minor and incidental. I do normally like not needing a car - but with the current situation for transport we are actually renting a car because (a) they took away the best part of MDE which is transferring your bags for you and (b) the bus situation to the parks sounds terrible with extremely limited capacity and long waits.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I am too young to rent a car.

You're rubbing that in a little there Ryan! Young whippersnappers!

 

[firefly_ris]

Whenever these PIN codes come out it makes me extra happy I'm DVC and don't have to battle for the best discount. $135 a night for 7 nights at Boardwalk next month - thank you DVC.

To me - the "benefit" of an on site stay is that you are on-site. My wife and I called it "In the Disney bubble" long before COVID and as far as I'm concerned I never want to visit Disney any other way. All other benefits (transportation, early FP, EMH) are minor and incidental. I do normally like not needing a car - but with the current situation for transport we are actually renting a car because (a) they took away the best part of MDE which is transferring your bags for you and (b) the bus situation to the parks sounds terrible with extremely limited capacity and long waits.

I'm sure DVC can be great but I don't go to Disney every year, I vacation other places so the overall cost plus yearly dues is not attractive to someone like me. I go to Dis on average every 3 years or so, sometimes less, so I don't mind "battling" for a discount when I do go there. Plus if on site is just too expensive, I don't really need to battle at all, there are tons of really awesome accommodations very close by. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

 

[Tigger's ally]

We both enjoy the drink.

Yes we do! (I know you weren't talking about me, but I do fit the requirements so I thought I would answer )