October 2011 Code Watch

[snykymom]

I "locked in" my rates because I wanted to stay at AKL, savannah view, at Jambo House. My requirements this time weren't flexible, and I got my AAA discount, so I booked it. It's room only so I do have the option to cancel for a fabulous discount, but I think it'll be unlikely. I'm going to stick with my booking and if that means I miss a discount, so be it. We don't intend to go back to Disney for a good long while.

 

[PaulaSue]

I just got a game on pin today. It was for oct but a few days were blacked out.

Guess waiting was good....

 

[TwinsComeInTwos]

We'll I just talked to Talbot who was less than helpful unfortunately. I told him I wanted to check to see if any PIN codes were attached to my name or my husband's and he told me I had to have the code to "unlock" it and use it. I told him my husband had been receiving emails from Disney but wasn't checking for a PIN code until recently. He blamed it on the system - to which I pressed, I had seen online where people had been calling in the last couple of days so I guess this must be a recent change? He didn't confirm and again, blamed it on their system.

In addition to checking out PIN codes for me, when I told him the time we were "thinking" about going and are looking at Poly and WL (which we are already booked at). I told him our dates were Oct. 15-22 and that we were looking at a Deluxe he told me that those fill up quickly since it's the holiday season (MNSSHP - weird to use the phrase "holiday" I thought) and they are close to MK and the monorail. He said I really would need to book those 499 days out, they have limited availability.

Without saying the magic words, "locked in" he let me know it was in my best interest to book now that it was only a $200 deposit and that I could cancel 45 days in advance, yadda yadda yadda. I told him I needed to do more research and decide on the resort. I didn't want to make him look up anything since we are already booked and I was just calling about the PIN codes.

Has anyone else been told they couldn't look at their names to see if a PIN code was attached? I'm pretty sure others on this thread have called and asked relatively the same thing I did... weird. Talbot didn't seem super knowledgeable (as he tried to discourage me from coming during my dates!) so maybe it was just the luck of the call and if I got a different CM I might be able to get "into the system" ...

 

[DeepSouth]

So if you're "locked in", can you no longer apply a PIN or a general discount that comes along?

 

[FigmentChick]

So if you're "locked in", can you no longer apply a PIN or a general discount that comes along?

No....you can still add a discount or a PIN, as long as it is applicable to the room you have booked and available. For instance, there may only be 50 rooms at POR available for a certain promotion. If 50 people have already used the code, you may have to change your preferences.

Does that clear it up or did I make it more mucked?

 

[sjs314]

We'll I just talked to Talbot who was less than helpful unfortunately. I told him I wanted to check to see if any PIN codes were attached to my name or my husband's and he told me I had to have the code to "unlock" it and use it. I told him my husband had been receiving emails from Disney but wasn't checking for a PIN code until recently. He blamed it on the system - to which I pressed, I had seen online where people had been calling in the last couple of days so I guess this must be a recent change? He didn't confirm and again, blamed it on their system.

In addition to checking out PIN codes for me, when I told him the time we were "thinking" about going and are looking at Poly and WL (which we are already booked at). I told him our dates were Oct. 15-22 and that we were looking at a Deluxe he told me that those fill up quickly since it's the holiday season (MNSSHP - weird to use the phrase "holiday" I thought) and they are close to MK and the monorail. He said I really would need to book those 499 days out, they have limited availability.

Without saying the magic words, "locked in" he let me know it was in my best interest to book now that it was only a $200 deposit and that I could cancel 45 days in advance, yadda yadda yadda. I told him I needed to do more research and decide on the resort. I didn't want to make him look up anything since we are already booked and I was just calling about the PIN codes.

Has anyone else been told they couldn't look at their names to see if a PIN code was attached? I'm pretty sure others on this thread have called and asked relatively the same thing I did... weird. Talbot didn't seem super knowledgeable (as he tried to discourage me from coming during my dates!) so maybe it was just the luck of the call and if I got a different CM I might be able to get "into the system" ...

I would probally try calling again and hopefully get a more helpfull CM.

When I called to inquire about the terms of the pin# DH had got via snail mail back in February, the CM told me he did not see it and asked if I had the pin#, which I did perhaps he really did not want to look either but once I did give him the pin# he was able to tell me the details of the offer.

 

[sjs314]

So if you're "locked in", can you no longer apply a PIN or a general discount that comes along?

You can always change your reservation room only up to 5 days before, and packages before the 45 day mark without penalty.

Locking In refers only to booking your first choice of resort and room catagory in case said resort/room catagory should sell out. Having a reservation does nothing but guarentee you that particula room.

If and when a promo should come out if there is availablilty for what you already have booked you can apply the discount or offer. If not you will have to change resort or room type.

It is best when you call to have in mind what other resort or room type you might be interested in booking so when they start telling you what is available you will have something already in mind. I usually do the math so I know what each possiblity should come to money wise.

Hope this helps.

 

[disneysnowflake]

When I booked I had a 20% pin code I received in an email in June. I booked POFQ. I saw on the WDW website they had a 1 bedroom available at BLT for the last 5 days of our trip. I called and tried to get it. I was told I couldn't get it with any type of code. I had to pay full price. I asked about a studio at BLT and got the same reply. So, I tried to get Contemporary and was again told there were rooms available, but no rooms available for any discount codes, only full cash price. Same with Beach Club.

I wonder what types of rooms will end up being available if a public code does come out?

 

[myhoney]

When I booked I had a 20% pin code I received in an email in June. I booked POFQ. I saw on the WDW website they had a 1 bedroom available at BLT for the last 5 days of our trip. I called and tried to get it. I was told I couldn't get it with any type of code. I had to pay full price. I asked about a studio at BLT and got the same reply. So, I tried to get Contemporary and was again told there were rooms available, but no rooms available for any discount codes, only full cash price. Same with Beach Club.

I wonder what types of rooms will end up being available if a public code does come out?

I wonder the same thing - if it's mostly booked up now, and a public discount comes out, what will really be available? I just booked room only through AAA at POFQ, with no discount. They said currently all rooms are taken/on hold, and I would have to wait to see if anyone cancelled. But, AAA and Disney keep saying that there are not very many rooms available. We want a room with two queens. Coronado has no queens available, Riverside is just starting to be converted, so no guarantees of a queen. POFQ is it for us, so I had to book. Crossing my fingers (and planning to call my AAA rep weekly!).

 

[im4kycats]

When I check POFQ through Disney there are rooms available at every level. My AAA rep. said there were no discounts at POFQ so I think discounts for POFQ are probably going to be hard to come because they just renovated. My mom and I have both received room discount pins that won't work for POFQ.

 

[Original]

Question: Right now we are holding a value resort package with park tickets and Plus Dining. If they extend the FD package, traditionally the value resorts get QS meals. However, you have the option to upgrade to TS (plus dining). On the flip side, moderate resorts have traditionally come with TS when the FD was released. Did anyone run the numbers in 2010 for what the difference is between Moderate/Plus Dining and Value/Upgrade Plus Dining? If the cost is the same, wouldnt most people just book the Moderate (assuming they want the table service)?

 

[keishashadow]

When I booked I had a 20% pin code I received in an email in June. I booked POFQ. I saw on the WDW website they had a 1 bedroom available at BLT for the last 5 days of our trip. I called and tried to get it. I was told I couldn't get it with any type of code. I had to pay full price. I asked about a studio at BLT and got the same reply. So, I tried to get Contemporary and was again told there were rooms available, but no rooms available for any discount codes, only full cash price. Same with Beach Club.

I wonder what types of rooms will end up being available if a public code does come out?

my experience

the larger % deluxe offerings i've priced (40%) usually include AK & WL, rooms - not the villas

POFQ was available just once (i booked it FDP pop warner week 2 years ago) vs Rverside being typically open, along with the other mods.

 

[jsgrand0]

Question: Right now we are holding a value resort package with park tickets and Plus Dining. If they extend the FD package, traditionally the value resorts get QS meals. However, you have the option to upgrade to TS (plus dining). On the flip side, moderate resorts have traditionally come with TS when the FD was released. Did anyone run the numbers in 2010 for what the difference is between Moderate/Plus Dining and Value/Upgrade Plus Dining? If the cost is the same, wouldnt most people just book the Moderate (assuming they want the table service)?

I have run those numbers for my family of 4, and when i checked, from a value/upgraded dining to a mod (CBR) and free dining, it was still almost $400 more...so we would just upgrade the dining. When you upgrade the dining, it is only about $12/night per adult...and nothing for kids, so an extra $24/night for us....However, the price difference for rack rate from a value to a mod is...$95/night for a value rack rate (for most weeknights, higher on weekend), and for a mod is somewhere around $160/night, so $65/night more...meaning $41/night more than just upgrading the dining...plus tax on that difference...so I guess it is more around $300 more..and to me...I don't see any advantages to a mod..I'd rather stay in the very DIsney value resort that's smaller and quick to get around...

 

[Original]

I have run those numbers for my family of 4, and when i checked, from a value/upgraded dining to a mod (CBR) and free dining, it was still almost $400 more...so we would just upgrade the dining. When you upgrade the dining, it is only about $12/night per adult...and nothing for kids, so an extra $24/night for us....However, the price difference for rack rate from a value to a mod is...$95/night for a value rack rate (for most weeknights, higher on weekend), and for a mod is somewhere around $160/night, so $65/night more...meaning $41/night more than just upgrading the dining...plus tax on that difference...so I guess it is more around $300 more..and to me...I don't see any advantages to a mod..I'd rather stay in the very DIsney value resort that's smaller and quick to get around...

Thanks for the reply and insight

 

[jaywalker17]

it's $22 per adult per night to upgrade from Quick Service Dining to Regular Dining Plan (and nothing for children). So it's $44 extra for a couple to upgrade. This is exactly what we did last trip. Stayed at ASSports w/ free dining and upgraded to the regular dining plan.

 

[jsgrand0]

it's $22 per adult per night to upgrade from Quick Service Dining to Regular Dining Plan (and nothing for children). So it's $44 extra for a couple to upgrade. This is exactly what we did last trip. Stayed at ASSports w/ free dining and upgraded to the regular dining plan.

It's not that much..I hope you didn't pay that much! for 2011 QSDP is $34.99/night per adult and $11.99/night per child.

The cost of the regular DP is $45.99/night ... so I was wrong..it's actually only $11/night per adult...so that's prob where you got the $22/night...that's for 2 adults!

 

[DeepSouth]

No....you can still add a discount or a PIN, as long as it is applicable to the room you have booked and available. For instance, there may only be 50 rooms at POR available for a certain promotion. If 50 people have already used the code, you may have to change your preferences.

Does that clear it up or did I make it more mucked?

No, that makes perfect sense. Thank you!!

 

[disneygal58]

Checked my email this morning and found a "Game On" Pin - unfortunately it was the same one that I recieved a few months ago with ticket upgrades only. .....

 

[snykymom]

We'll I just talked to Talbot who was less than helpful unfortunately. I told him I wanted to check to see if any PIN codes were attached to my name or my husband's and he told me I had to have the code to "unlock" it and use it. I told him my husband had been receiving emails from Disney but wasn't checking for a PIN code until recently. He blamed it on the system - to which I pressed, I had seen online where people had been calling in the last couple of days so I guess this must be a recent change? He didn't confirm and again, blamed it on their system.

In addition to checking out PIN codes for me, when I told him the time we were "thinking" about going and are looking at Poly and WL (which we are already booked at). I told him our dates were Oct. 15-22 and that we were looking at a Deluxe he told me that those fill up quickly since it's the holiday season (MNSSHP - weird to use the phrase "holiday" I thought) and they are close to MK and the monorail. He said I really would need to book those 499 days out, they have limited availability.

Without saying the magic words, "locked in" he let me know it was in my best interest to book now that it was only a $200 deposit and that I could cancel 45 days in advance, yadda yadda yadda. I told him I needed to do more research and decide on the resort. I didn't want to make him look up anything since we are already booked and I was just calling about the PIN codes.

Has anyone else been told they couldn't look at their names to see if a PIN code was attached? I'm pretty sure others on this thread have called and asked relatively the same thing I did... weird. Talbot didn't seem super knowledgeable (as he tried to discourage me from coming during my dates!) so maybe it was just the luck of the call and if I got a different CM I might be able to get "into the system" ...

I just called this morning - gave the CM my reservation number and asked her to check for PINs. She did, under my name, my husband's and my daughter's. It took a little while, but she had no difficulty.

I'd try another CM.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

When I booked I had a 20% pin code I received in an email in June. I booked POFQ. I saw on the WDW website they had a 1 bedroom available at BLT for the last 5 days of our trip. I called and tried to get it. I was told I couldn't get it with any type of code. I had to pay full price. I asked about a studio at BLT and got the same reply. So, I tried to get Contemporary and was again told there were rooms available, but no rooms available for any discount codes, only full cash price. Same with Beach Club.

I wonder what types of rooms will end up being available if a public code does come out?

I booked a public discount code for a 1 BDR villa at WL (which we stayed at a couple months ago). I have found that you will have more choice if you book the day (or within a few days) of the discount release but as time moves on, that discount code is used up at many resorts so you end up only being able to choose Old Key West. The only place I have never been able to find the discount at is BLT but I found it at Beach Club villas and Boardwalk villas and AKL.

So if a public discount is offered, be sure to reserve your room quickly if you want to take advantage of it.

Oh, and HI everybody! I've been lurking here I manage to bribe my husband into a yearly Disney trip and we went in May of this year but I really want to go for food & wine festival this fall (it would be my first time). I'm hoping for a discount with the rest of y'all! That way, I can justify my deluxe choice