October 2011 Code Watch

[sjs314]

Example: I had a room only ressie at POP a while back. I decided to change it to a pkg and add dining/ tickets with free dining. In order to do that, she needed to make an entirely new reservation (she can't just add dining/tickets to a room only ressie,) Problem was that POP was already booked. So I couldn't make a new ressie. If I had just booked the package in the first place, she just would have applied the discount.

This is a common misconception. Promotions can not just be "applied" to an existing reservation unless there is resort/room catagory availability the same as you booked with your reservation alloted for said promo.

ex: You have Pop standard room booked and call when the new promotion is offer whether it be for room discount or FD the CM checks and there are no standard rooms at Pop available under the promo but she does have preferred room available so you book that.

Already having a reservation does nothing in the way of guarenteeing you that room under any promo that may come out and it really does not matter if you have booked a room only or a package, if there is no availablity at a particular resort/and or room catagory there is no availablity period.

Having a package already booked makes it easier to take advantage of the FD promo since your original deposit can just be applied to your reservation when you modify it.

OK, I am posting this here and on the Rumor thread, so if you read it twice I apologize.

*****RUMOR ALERT*****

I called and spoke to Tab (don't you just love the names they choose?) last night. I called because, quite seriously, I am considering cancelling my Disney reservation for POR and switching to an off-site hotel. There are pros and cons associated with this, but, considering I can save more than $1,000 if I stay off site, I'm considering it.

Anyway.....I asked if I loose my trip insurance should I cancel. He said yes (which I already knew). And then he asked why I was considering cancelling. I told him because I can save much more money by staying off site and, yes, I know it doesn't have the Disney perks, but Disney hasn't released any discounts or free dining for October yet.

Then he said something that made me very happy: "Do you think you can hold off cancelling your current reservation for two weeks?" I said, well, it's not like the rate at the hotel is going to change, so yeah, I guess, but why? He told me that it was his opinion that discounts for October would be released in about two weeks.....six weeks prior to the dates of travel. We talked about how Disney was cutting back on discounts and he said that's where this six weeks out thing is coming from. He agreed that Disney was cutting back, but that does not mean cutting out....that they are just releasing the discounts and offers so much closer to the dates of travel than they have in the past.

I hope this makes everyone a little happier today (I know I went to sleep happier) and that our codes are released soon!!!!!!

Let's keep our fingers crossed the CM you spoke with is right. From all we know from past offers it seems like mid-August should be right for a promo.
Thanks for shareing at this point every ray of sunshine is encourageing!

We have a reservation for the 2nd week in October. FD or Room discount would be great but either way we are there. It is vacation and you only live once. I have no doubt there will be a discount offered mid August for October. The real question is...how good will the discount be?

This is something that I have been wondering also, back when I orginally booked in November 2010, I thought surely Disney would offer a good room discount (40%) to tie in with the 40th anniversary theme. Boy was I wrong

When DH rec'd the snail mail game on pin for 20% back in February my hopes were dashed. Since then I have seen so many people report getting pins for between 10-22% off, watched FD with QS change from being offered at values and DDP offered at Mods to QS being offered at Value & Mods.

Definate cutbacks have been made in the discounts offered which worries me about what we can expect to see for the last quarter of 2011 since that time period Oct-Dec while slower than the summer months does have a somewhat guarenteed market being the holiday periods it covers Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas which draws in guests regardless of discounts or not.

 

[sjs314]

Sorry I am still trying to figure this out. Could you help clarify what would happen in the scenarios in my head?

#1 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day park hopper tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed). I call back within my 45 day window and add the FD offer I would be charged a $50 fee. Is this right?

#2 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day basic tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed) similar to what is offered for September where the photobook is part of the package. I call back within my 45 day window and add the FD / photobook offer to our package, I would NOT be charged a $50 fee because the package price would go up to include the price of the photobook. Then if we decide to upgrade to park hopper tickets we can do this at the parks. Is this right?

#3 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day basic tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed). I call back within my 45 day window and add the FD offer and add park hopper to our tickets, I would NOT be charged a $50 fee. Is this right?

#4 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day basic tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed). I call back within my 45 day window and try to add the FD offer but they do not have a room associated with the FD offer, I would NOT be able to get the promotion. Is this right?

Sorry for so many questions. I am just trying to figure out what happens "if" and how to avoid being charged a fee.

TIA

To put it simply any changes/modifications made to your reservation before the 45th day has no penalty fee.

Changes made after the 45th day (when full payment is required) if you change/modify said reservation and the final cost is less than the previous amounted owed and paid there is a $50 change fee. If your change results in the amount you owe is more, there is no fee for changeing but you will have to pay the excess amount at the time of making the change.

 

[snykymom]

Thank you for the response!!! Any idea how much the fee is? I am pretty sure we will not have any GP offers before our due date. We had used a 35% off moderate resorts, but free dining would be more of a savings for us. I'm just trying to weigh all of our options.

If free dining comes out, you would be paying rack rate for your room, so the total price of the package may go up (even though it's a greater savings for you). If so, there is no change fee.

Sorry I am still trying to figure this out. Could you help clarify what would happen in the scenarios in my head?

#1 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day park hopper tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed). I call back within my 45 day window and add the FD offer I would be charged a $50 fee. Is this right?
If there is availability under the promotion at CSR for your dates and for the room type that you booked, AND the price of your package decreases (you weren't using a room discount), then yes, you would likely pay the change fee. You may also have to change room categories. I once had a standard view room at CSR booked, but in order to take advantage of a promotion, I had to change (at an increased cost) to a water view room.

#2 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day basic tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed) similar to what is offered for September where the photobook is part of the package. I call back within my 45 day window and add the FD / photobook offer to our package, I would NOT be charged a $50 fee because the package price would go up to include the price of the photobook. Then if we decide to upgrade to park hopper tickets we can do this at the parks. Is this right?
If there is availability under the promotion at CSR for your dates and for the room type that you booked, AND your package increases, then you generally do not have to pay the change fee. Again, you may have to change room types.

Once you have tickets in hand from any package, regardless of promotion, you can upgrade each of them any way you want, including adding park hoppers. Each ticket is individual at that point, and can be upgraded without regard to the other. Some people, for example, buy only the minimum base ticket for whatever package, and then upgrade them individually after they get to the parks; some are for fewer days, some get the WP&M, some get hopper, whatever.

#3 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day basic tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed). I call back within my 45 day window and add the FD offer and add park hopper to our tickets, I would NOT be charged a $50 fee. Is this right?
See caveats above.

#4 - If I have a package reserved with 10 days at CSR and 10-day basic tickets and then FD comes out (fingers crossed). I call back within my 45 day window and try to add the FD offer but they do not have a room associated with the FD offer, I would NOT be able to get the promotion. Is this right?
You may be able to get the offer if you are willing to change room types or resorts. But if the room you booked is not available under the promotion, you will not be able to apply it to your package reservation.

Sorry for so many questions. I am just trying to figure out what happens "if" and how to avoid being charged a fee.

TIA

See responses in red.

 

[stephielela]

My siste just informed me that through her work, she can get 40% off WDW tickets! So I suppose if FD isn't offered, at least I can use that... I'm still hoping for FD!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I'm glad to hear the rumors and I don't mind if the discounts are offered in two weeks. I can't book yet because I'm waiting to hear some stuff at work which should be communicated within the next two weeks. Once they let me know the schedule at work, I can schedule my vacation. And I would rather book the first day of the discount for a better choice of rooms. Of course, this is all dependent on those rumors being true but I've got my fingers crossed

 

[sjs314]

My siste just informed me that through her work, she can get 40% off WDW tickets! So I suppose if FD isn't offered, at least I can use that... I'm still hoping for FD!

And if a good enough room discount should be offered, combineing that with your sisters discount on tickets the savings would be substantial.

 

[doombuggygal]

I as well have been anxiously awaiting an announcement of some sort of discount. Well last week I got sick of waiting and figured I could do better on my own anyway. I started playing around with some numbers on Priceline and snagged an off-site but very close hotel with ammenities comparable to a moderate resort for $38 per night for 8 nights. I then enrolled both the kids in a Youth Education Series Class so I could get us four 8 day park hoppers with water parks and more tickets for $850. Booked 4 round trip flights through Jetblue for $717 and currently have an 8 day intermediate car rental through autoslash for 220. I am very pleased with my bargain hunting so far and can't wait for our cheap trip!!!!!

 

[FigmentChick]

I as well have been anxiously awaiting an announcement of some sort of discount. Well last week I got sick of waiting and figured I could do better on my own anyway. I started playing around with some numbers on Priceline and snagged an off-site but very close hotel with ammenities comparable to a moderate resort for $38 per night for 8 nights. I then enrolled both the kids in a Youth Education Series Class so I could get us four 8 day park hoppers with water parks and more tickets for $850. Booked 4 round trip flights through Jetblue for $717 and currently have an 8 day intermediate car rental through autoslash for 220. I am very pleased with my bargain hunting so far and can't wait for our cheap trip!!!!!

Awesome!!!! I'm begining to think I need to check out Priceline. I usually snag a great car rental price the week before we go, but I will have to check out Autoslash.....I've never heard of it before.

Where in Delaware are you from? I live at the base of the DE Memorial Bridge (NJ side, of course). Old New Castle is right outside my front window.

 

[scoopmorgan]

I as well have been anxiously awaiting an announcement of some sort of discount. Well last week I got sick of waiting and figured I could do better on my own anyway. I started playing around with some numbers on Priceline and snagged an off-site but very close hotel with ammenities comparable to a moderate resort for $38 per night for 8 nights. I then enrolled both the kids in a Youth Education Series Class so I could get us four 8 day park hoppers with water parks and more tickets for $850. Booked 4 round trip flights through Jetblue for $717 and currently have an 8 day intermediate car rental through autoslash for 220. I am very pleased with my bargain hunting so far and can't wait for our cheap trip!!!!!

Wow! You did great. How about I call you next time I'm planning a trip? lol- JK But it just goes to show that diligence pays off!

 

[doombuggygal]

We live in Seaford in southern DE. Check out autoslash it's really cool, you book your reservation and then the website continually checks for codes and specials to lower your price and will automatically rebook you. You can also cancel anytime so there's no risk!

 

[stephielela]

And if a good enough room discount should be offered, combineing that with your sisters discount on tickets the savings would be substantial.

I hadn't even thought of it that way! So true! And since I already am signed up for a fridge swap, I could probably save $ on food

I as well have been anxiously awaiting an announcement of some sort of discount. Well last week I got sick of waiting and figured I could do better on my own anyway. I started playing around with some numbers on Priceline and snagged an off-site but very close hotel with ammenities comparable to a moderate resort for $38 per night for 8 nights. I then enrolled both the kids in a Youth Education Series Class so I could get us four 8 day park hoppers with water parks and more tickets for $850. Booked 4 round trip flights through Jetblue for $717 and currently have an 8 day intermediate car rental through autoslash for 220. I am very pleased with my bargain hunting so far and can't wait for our cheap trip!!!!!

Awesome deals!!

 

[Vidia2]

.

 

[KayMeg'sMom]

My siste just informed me that through her work, she can get 40% off WDW tickets! So I suppose if FD isn't offered, at least I can use that... I'm still hoping for FD!

That is an AMAZING discount on park tickets as I know CM's do not get anywhere near that type of discounts on park tickets!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I'm starting to think there won't be free dining beyond the already advertised memory package that ends in September. Last year they began offering free dining to the public via mass email (not just random) in July for dates beyond. Maybe they are, as someone stated in another thread, trying to wean us off discounts.

I hope this isn't the case. We'll still go to WDW but we won't be able to go as often.

My email from last year announcing free dining through dates in December was from Disney Destinations with link to main Disney website is dated July 17, 2010.

Don't think it's happening this year. Travellers from overseas are filling up resorts due to sad decline of dollar.

I just looked up my PIN email from last year...it was sent 7/14....

 

[babynala]

I as well have been anxiously awaiting an announcement of some sort of discount. Well last week I got sick of waiting and figured I could do better on my own anyway. I started playing around with some numbers on Priceline and snagged an off-site but very close hotel with ammenities comparable to a moderate resort for $38 per night for 8 nights. I then enrolled both the kids in a Youth Education Series Class so I could get us four 8 day park hoppers with water parks and more tickets for $850. Booked 4 round trip flights through Jetblue for $717 and currently have an 8 day intermediate car rental through autoslash for 220. I am very pleased with my bargain hunting so far and can't wait for our cheap trip!!!!!

Wow! you did great "shopping" for your trip. We usually stay at Value resorts and drive to the parks each day but I think that for our next trip I will consider staying off site at a "better" hotel.

 

[LuvnWDW]

We have a reservation for the 2nd week in October. FD or Room discount would be great but either way we are there. It is vacation and you only live once. I have no doubt there will be a discount offered mid August for October. The real question is...how good will the discount be?

same, same!!

 

[doombuggygal]

We've stayed off site and on and there are certainly benefits to staying on but without a significant discount those benefits come at a steep price. We are park warriors so as long as we have a clean, decent place to sleep and shower we're happy. Plus with pre-planning and knowing your park schedules and crowd levels you can have a great trip staying off-site and luckily I enjoy the shopping around and planning almost as much as the vacation itself. Also the money I save by shopping around means we get to take 2-3 Disney vacations a year instead of once a year or less.

 

[esmetutu]

I was running some numbers last night while watching "24" season 2 last night (so my math could have been a little off! )...

BUT...

A package at POFQ for 8 nights with 7 day MYW tickets is $2302.41

Getting the room and tickets separately through WDW is $2362.83

I thought packages didn't save you any money, but in this case it's saving $60.42.

Any ideas? What am I missing?

 

[sjs314]

I was running some numbers last night while watching "24" season 2 last night (so my math could have been a little off! )...

BUT...

A package at POFQ for 8 nights with 7 day MYW tickets is $2302.41

Getting the room and tickets separately through WDW is $2362.83

I thought packages didn't save you any money, but in this case it's saving $60.42.

Any ideas? What am I missing?

Perhaps when you run the package it gives you the tickets at the old price and when ordering just tickets it is the new prices that just came out?

 

[myhoney]

I've got my spreadsheet ready of various places, prices, and discounts! Free DDP wins hands down, 40% off a mod edges out offsite (with a car) by $80. Room only discounts on a deluxe are not worth it.

Come on, Disney!! I'm (not so) patiently waiting!