Planning for March, 2006

[Soupermom]

Hi All! Anyone interested in helping me plan/book for a year from now? For last summers trip I did all of my research and ended up booking through the Visa "Kids stay/play for Free" offer. No brainer. Saved lots of money. Now I'm planning for next March and am feeling overwhelmed with where to start. I've checked with AAA (we're members) and Dream Unlimited and there really arent' any prices out for target date yet, except for the MYW tickets. So, do I try to book some thing(s) now, and then wait for codes to come out? If so, who should I book thru?

Specifics:

*DH, DD11, DS8 and Me (Mom)
*March, 2006
*I'm leaning towards the 10 day MYW tickets (maybe 7?) with hopper and non-expiration options. We'll probably only use 5 days on this trip, 4 if we go with the 7 day option.
*AAA members
*if we go with 7 day, may go to WDW 4 days, Sea World 1 day (kids have never been and would really like to go)
*Value Resorts (POP) are probably our only option, unless there is a really good bargain at moderates--something close to the Value price. Will stay 5 nights

So, who should I book with, and if I do, can I make changes later? I don't think a package will save much, but that is where I'm getting confused with all of this new info.

Can anyone make a suggestion? TIA!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

HI THERE~

JUST GOT BACK ON SUNDAY, FROM WDW
& I AM ALL READY PLANNING OUR NEXT TRIP FOR FEB 18TH THRU THE 25 2006

I GO EVERY YEAR, & FIND IF I PLAN, I SAVE.

THE AIRLINES WON'T START SELLING UNTIL NEXT MONTH. I ALREADY BOOKED THE SHERADON VISTANA, SO NOW HAVE A PLACE TO STAY.

ONCE, I HAVE THE AIRLINE TICKETS & THE PLACE TO STAY AT, THE REST IS EASY.

PS WE ARE BOOKED FOR THIS NOV ON A 3 DAY DISNEY CRUISE. EVERYTHING IS ALL DONE. WHAT GREAT DEALS I GOT, IT REALLY PAYS TO PLAN!!!!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

At this points, there is no advantage to booking a package. They cannot give you a final price for it and they cannot even tell you what it will include. What they will do is require a $200 deposit. That's a lot more of your money than you would give them for a 1-night deposit on a room-only ressie. My advise would be to book just the room for now. At least you will be assured of a place to stay.

Book the highest level of room that you are willing to pay for without any kind of discount code. You can always re-book at a higher level if codes come out and your get a good deal. But changing to a less expensive resort might be harder to do, since your vacation is scheduled for spring break.

I have both AAA and use a DU agent. I just didn't feel that the AAA agent knew as much about WDW as I did, whereas the DU agent was a Disney expert. It's so easy to just send off an email to her and I always get an answer within a day. A DU agent will also watch for any codes that can be applied to your ressie and she will automatically do it. A AAA agent won't watch for those codes but she will probably apply them if you call her and ask. One additional perk from DU is that they will call to make your PSs for you. That includes (but doesn't guarantee) phone calls for Cindy's or the Princess breakfast. It saves you a few phone calls. The only disadvantage would be that a DU agent cannot book a AAA package. They can book a AAA room-only rate but not a package. It will be interesting to see if Disney offers any sort of package discounts in the future. So far, there has been nothing this year forthe general public, except for the packages that were made available last Fall.

The difference in cost between a 7-day MYW Hopper (non-expiry) and a 10-day MYW Hopper (non-expiry) is between $55 and $57 (child & adult). The extra amount is worth it for an additional 3 days in the parks. If your budget can handle the strain of an additional $226, I think that getting the 10-day passes make sense. If your second trip will be within less than a year of the first trip, you might want to consider purchasing one AP. The cost is only $67 more than the 10-day Hopper (non-expiry). Definitely purchase it if codes for your dates are announced for AP holders. This year's spring break rates for the value resorts was $74/night. Rack rate was $109/night. It will more than pay for the price difference. The AAA rate was $93/night.

I hope that this at least helps to get you started. It's frustrating when you're trying to plan for a trip and can't even get a price. Good luck with your planning!

 

[Third times a charm]

A DU agent will also watch for any codes that can be applied to your ressie and she will automatically do it. A AAA agent won't watch for those codes but she will probably apply them if you call her and ask.
Definitely purchase it if codes for your dates are announced for AP holders.

Where do you watch for the codes?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

If you're already an AP holder, you can register online at Disney.com - Passholder Site . If there's a code coming out for AP holders, I usually get an email from them beforehand.

You can also check for other codes at MouseSavers.com - Resort Discounts . Mary is usually on top of things with updates to her website occurring daily. She usually has any codes posted within a few hours of them being announced.

And one last place: DISBoards.com - Resorts Forum . There will be a flurry of activity over there when codes are announced.