October 2011 Code Watch

[snykymom]

can you back back up to the 8th and start your reservation on the 8th to get it applied to your entire stay? I have several friends doing that - they are paying to get the extra night even though they aren't actually getting there until the 9th. It wound up saving them over $1000 even though they paid for the extra night.

As previously noted, you run the risk of having the entire package cancelled if you do not check in by the 8th or very early on the 9th (about 4 AM, I think). Disney knows that people do that and they are not very accommodating when it's the last day to check in for free dining.

OK, so are the AP discounts out? I have never had an AP, but might if it would make things work out. Where can I find these posted?

Yes, they're out. 10/3-10/22 and 10/26-12/14. Values & Mods - 30% off; deluxes and villas - 40% off.

This is what I am thinking about doing. It would come out to be amount the same money I am now, but with the option of going back within the year. Not too bad.

Or I am thinking of going back to a family suite at ASMu. We loved it last time and really didn't have any issues with the buses. That would save us over a $1000 right there.

Family suites are not often available under the discounts as they book very quickly. If you're thinking about it, do it now.

Since our dates are excluded from the FD and I saw AP rates came out I am in the process now of seeing if it makes sense to buy an AP for myself to get the 40% discount , I am thinking NOT since I would only save an additional$225 on our room (I already have a 20% pin) and not sure if we are going back next year or not.

I have thought about maybe downgradeing to CSR but WL is DH favorite resort, we already switched from BC and not sure if I could get him to give WL up. But like you CSR would save us about $1000.

I have the DxDP am I understanding correctly that I could still keep that but would need to purchase a one day base tix for myself & DH since my DH is also going and will not have an AP?

As noted, availability under the AP rate is limited. I couldn't get anything for my dates at AKL Jambo House. I had been booked into a Deluxe Studio at Jambo House but moved to a 1 BR in Kidani for the same price using the AP discount. Would have preferred to stay at Jambo, but for more room . . . what the heck.

And no, you don't have to buy the 1 day base ticket for you and DH. You only need the lead guest to have the AP (you) and you can add the DDP or DxDP for everyone without buying tickets. DH can get his tickets elsewhere at a discount; I recommend Undercover Tourist with the Mousesavers newsletter link.

If you want the AP 40% off I assume you just need 1 ap out of the group? Can it be a child's ap?

You only need 1 AP but it must be an adult AP. The lead guest must be the AP holder, and must be at least 18 years old.

Are you guys applying FD to a discounted room or package, or to a full priced rack rate room or package?

Even if the room or package had been discounted, to apply FD the room goes up to rack rate. You can have a room discount or FD but not both.

 

[BigGreen73]

With FD announced, may have to book 10/29-11/05. Not quite the week after my DW's B-day, but I don't think she'll mind. Now I just need to find a decent flight.

 

[asc]

going during the blackout period in oct. 11-18, just booked the hilton bonnet creek and cancelled all our dining reservations at disney restaurants other than the buffet at Boma and crystal palace but probably will only do Boma. oh well. FD would be nice but it will be cheaper for us at the 106 a night we got the bonnet creek for.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

going during the blackout period in oct. 11-18, just booked the hilton bonnet creek and cancelled all our dining reservations at disney restaurants other than the buffet at Boma and crystal palace but probably will only do Boma. oh well. FD would be nice but it will be cheaper for us at the 106 a night we got the bonnet creek for.

Did you book on Last Minute Travel?

 

[asc]

Did you book on Last Minute Travel?

yup.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

yup.

Do you happen to know what the resort fees are???? Thanks!!!

 

[asc]

Do you happen to know what the resort fees are???? Thanks!!!

0$

self parking is $13 per day.

 

[FigmentChick]

0$

self parking is $13 per day.

Wow! I can't believe some resorts actually charge these fees. I wasn't aware of it until I made my reservations and was told by the person at Buena Vista Suites that they are proud to not charge any resort or parking fees. I'd be ticked off it I had to pay $13 for parking at the resort on top of $14 parking at the parks.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

0$

self parking is $13 per day.

Wow! That is great!

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

Wow! I can't believe some resorts actually charge these fees. I wasn't aware of it until I made my reservations and was told by the person at Buena Vista Suites that they are proud to not charge any resort or parking fees. I'd be ticked off it I had to pay $13 for parking at the resort on top of $14 parking at the parks.

Hidden fees .... hate them I have an ap so if I have a rental car I don't worry about parking at the parks but if I have to pay a parking fee at the resort I want to know so I can figure it in my budget. And I really wish all resorts would do away with resort fees .... just increase the room rate so I know what I'm really paying.

 

[sjs314]

As previously noted, you run the risk of having the entire package cancelled if you do not check in by the 8th or very early on the 9th (about 4 AM, I think). Disney knows that people do that and they are not very accommodating when it's the last day to check in for free dining.


Yes, they're out. 10/3-10/22 and 10/26-12/14. Values & Mods - 30% off; deluxes and villas - 40% off.


Family suites are not often available under the discounts as they book very quickly. If you're thinking about it, do it now.


As noted, availability under the AP rate is limited. I couldn't get anything for my dates at AKL Jambo House. I had been booked into a Deluxe Studio at Jambo House but moved to a 1 BR in Kidani for the same price using the AP discount. Would have preferred to stay at Jambo, but for more room . . . what the heck.

And no, you don't have to buy the 1 day base ticket for you and DH. You only need the lead guest to have the AP (you) and you can add the DDP or DxDP for everyone without buying tickets. DH can get his tickets elsewhere at a discount; I recommend Undercover Tourist with the Mousesavers newsletter link.

You only need 1 AP but it must be an adult AP. The lead guest must be the AP holder, and must be at least 18 years old.


Even if the room or package had been discounted, to apply FD the room goes up to rack rate. You can have a room discount or FD but not both.

Thanks snykymom, I need to do a few more calculations with various resorts/catagories and of course run all this past DH to see if we might come out ahead.

Wow! I can't believe some resorts actually charge these fees. I wasn't aware of it until I made my reservations and was told by the person at Buena Vista Suites that they are proud to not charge any resort or parking fees. I'd be ticked off it I had to pay $13 for parking at the resort on top of $14 parking at the parks.

Additional fees are definately something to take into consideration, when we stayed offsite years ago we did not incur resort or parking fees at the Hotel.

 

[asc]

Wow! I can't believe some resorts actually charge these fees. I wasn't aware of it until I made my reservations and was told by the person at Buena Vista Suites that they are proud to not charge any resort or parking fees. I'd be ticked off it I had to pay $13 for parking at the resort on top of $14 parking at the parks.

resorts have been charging resort fees for the last 10 years as i recall. did you ever get the gift certs from the class action settlement with Westin - at least the results in them telling you about it now... in any case, we factor it into the room rate. so even at 119 at the Hilton....if you have a car, is more in line with the quality we want for the price we want to pay. we would love to stay at AKL again, but even at the AP rate, the price is pretty darn high.

we probably will only have a car for the days that we do not plan to go to the parks in any case and will just take the shuttle the hotel offers.

 

[FigmentChick]

resorts have been charging resort fees for the last 10 years as i recall. did you ever get the gift certs from the class action settlement with Westin - at least the results in them telling you about it now... in any case, we factor it into the room rate. so even at 119 at the Hilton....if you have a car, is more in line with the quality we want for the price we want to pay. we would love to stay at AKL again, but even at the AP rate, the price is pretty darn high.

we probably will only have a car for the days that we do not plan to go to the parks in any case and will just take the shuttle the hotel offers.

That's what I did with the parking fee at the parks....I factored it into the room rate to compare apples to apples. And I agree with you, I want to stay onsite so badly, but even with an AP (which I am willing to buy), I still have considerable savings if I stay at BVS compared to POR.

Plus, I figure if we are not eating at TS restaurants because we don't have the dining, we might actually eat more at the F&W Festival than we did in 2009. I'll just have to remember: eat and then drink alcohol (I had a bad experience in April for my best friend's birthday....was too busy to eat before we went out).

 

[Bell30012]

I'm happy with the 30% off Value/Moderate and 40% off Deluxe for AP... Made me choose to stay on property.

 

[KEPE]

Before the FD rumor started a lot of people were tossing around 8/13 and 8/16. Maybe a GP room rate?? Maybe you will all get lucky and not have to buy Ap's and will be able to apply. Anyone know if the GP discounts are usually the same as the AP?

I had what a morning yesterday trying to get FD. When all is said and done I got it, but to be honest doubt I will ever do that again. Next time I'll just wait and call in later.

I hope you all get the discount you want!!

 

[sjs314]

Before the FD rumor started a lot of people were tossing around 8/13 and 8/16. Maybe a GP room rate?? Maybe you will all get lucky and not have to buy Ap's and will be able to apply. Anyone know if the GP discounts are usually the same as the AP?

I had what a morning yesterday trying to get FD. When all is said and done I got it, but to be honest doubt I will ever do that again. Next time I'll just wait and call in later.

I hope you all get the discount you want!!

Glad you were able to get the FD, it had to be frustrating being on the phone waiting for hours like many reported doing.

I do think we are going to hold off and see if a GP comes out as a last resort we will do the AP maybe

 

[manderso]

Just got my Free Dining! Saved over $800! Only waited 15 minutes. Good luck everyone!

 

[npcougar]

I checked on AP for my dates today. No WL availability. So no AP, no FD, only chance left is GP. No way I'm paying rack.

 

[Grumpy Grandma]

I checked on AP for my dates today. No WL availability. So no AP, no FD, only chance left is GP. No way I'm paying rack.

So sorry but maybe you'll get WL with GP .... here's some pixiedust for you

 

[asc]

That's what I did with the parking fee at the parks....I factored it into the room rate to compare apples to apples. And I agree with you, I want to stay onsite so badly, but even with an AP (which I am willing to buy), I still have considerable savings if I stay at BVS compared to POR.

Plus, I figure if we are not eating at TS restaurants because we don't have the dining, we might actually eat more at the F&W Festival than we did in 2009. I'll just have to remember: eat and then drink alcohol (I had a bad experience in April for my best friend's birthday....was too busy to eat before we went out).

i know about not eating but drinking EtOH.

last year we used almost 100% of our snack credits at the F&W. very good use of those credits.

granted we have never stayed at the poly or GF, we so love AKL and often find it hard to leave the pool area - even when the AP rates got as low as $149, that was still not cheap. now that our child is getting older, she really loves the pool and why we chose the Bonnet Creek. funny, but we were at all star sports last year during FD and did lots of pool time and found at times, we were the only ones in the pool...granted that was end of Oct. and starting to get a little cool...

glad some are getting dates in Oct. just wish that my ressi's would have helped some out. we had lots for tables for 5 at prime times.

my waist line appreciates the blackouts dis.