Please Help!

[Disneyvacation]

im so confused with this codes and rates board! i am going to disney POFQ on november 9-15 with 20 people (4 rooms) are there any discounts or rates then that anyone knows about?

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

We are also going to POFQ in September for 10 nights (1 room). The only discount available right now is a AAA discount on the room only. We booked using the AAA discount and this took us from $1676.30 for our 10 nights (rack rate $167.30 per night) to $1341.10 (discounted rate $134.10 per night), for a difference of $335.20 for our 10 night stay.

Other discounts may be offered later this spring. Free dining, which someone explained to you very well on another thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1677045) might be offered, but then you would have to go back to a rack rate for your room. Also, an Annual Passholder (AP) discount may be offered later this year, but again, you cannot get the room discount AND free dining. You and those traveling with you are the best judges of whether a discounted room or free dining will save you more money.

ETA - I forgot to mention that the AAA discount we got was by calling Disney CRO (Central Reservations Office - toll free 877-939-3732) directly and not through our local AAA office. January is Disney month at AAA and there are supposed to be some promotions going on now, but to the best of my knowledge, these promotions are only for travel through May or June.

 

[heartbeeps]

Tink - thanks that was such a clear explanation. I've been wondering the same thing from reading various threads and it's so confusing. I really appreciate the explanation!

To take it one step further, if I'm looking for the best rate available at, say All Stars value resort, and I don't have an annual pass, then are the best prices typically only offered by AAA or should I be searching elsewhere as well? (I'm looking for lodging late April / early May 2008.)

 

[karliebug]

How are 20 people registered in only 4 rooms? You can only have 4 per room unless there are infants you aren't counting?

 

[Disneyvacation]

yeah i messed up we are actually getting five rooms.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Tink - thanks that was such a clear explanation. I've been wondering the same thing from reading various threads and it's so confusing. I really appreciate the explanation!

To take it one step further, if I'm looking for the best rate available at, say All Stars value resort, and I don't have an annual pass, then are the best prices typically only offered by AAA or should I be searching elsewhere as well? (I'm looking for lodging late April / early May 2008.)

We have also traveled to WDW in April/May. If we do not have AP's we will begin by calling CRO and asking if AAA rates are available for our dates of travel (there are a limited number of rooms CRO will allow for AAA discounts). If AAA rates are available, we will have them applied immediately so we will at least get a small discount. If AAA rates are not available for our travel dates all is not lost. If there is wiggle room in our travel dates we may try adjusting them by a day or two, OR...

... at least twice that I know of and possibly more than that, WDW has offered discounts to the general public (meaning they are not linked to APs) around the end of January or first of February for the April/May period that are at least somewhat better than AAA discounts. The offers have varied and they are limited, as are the AAA discounted rooms. The WDW general public discounts usually are for packages and include tickets sometimes upgrading the tickets from single day admission to one park to tickets that include Park Hoppers, water parks, & Disney Quest. However, there is no guarantee WDW will release a general public discount, or that it will include your travel dates so don't count on it as a sure thing.

I suggest you call CRO as soon as possible if you know your exact travel dates to at least get the AAA discount applied if its available for your travel dates. Then, if a WDW discount comes along later that is better than just the AAA room discount you can call CRO back and change to the WDW package discount. Watch these boards closely because WDW package discounts are always announced here the same day they are released. And you have to be ready to jump on it if it beats the discount you already have. Those WDW discounts go quick.

Also, if you are a AAA member you may want to check with a AAA travel agent (TA) to see what special WDW promotions AAA is offering during January, which they have designated "Disney Month". If the AAA promotions this month for WDW are indeed for travel through May/June, this could very possibly include the time you are thinking about going. But you need to remember that any changes to a AAA promotion would have to be done through AAA, not Disney's CRO, and your tickets and travel documents will also be handled through AAA, who will forward them to you. Do not call CRO about any arrangements made through a TA because they cannot help you with them.

Hope this helps!

 

[heartbeeps]

I already have res. for May made thru AAA. Inquired about Disney Month at AAA during January and was told:
1) it's for new res only
2) it's a $25 (or $50) gift card
(I don't recall the difference)