Rack Rates

[tbaptista]

Hi All!

Not looking for prices or things of that nature, just more of an understanding.

As I've read more and more posts I notice quite a few DIS'ers mention that they never pay "rack rates". Is it possible to not pay rack rates at any time of the year?

I just did a 4 night visit in Mid-July at POFQ and pretty much booked it right on Disney's website.

Did I miss out on discounts by not using some other site?

I kinda just went on Disney and said ok my budget is X and these hotels with park hopper and meal plan are within X and the reviews for this hotel are good. Book it..

Now that I think about it I didn't really shop around.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Hi All!

Not looking for prices or things of that nature, just more of an understanding.

As I've read more and more posts I notice quite a few DIS'ers mention that they never pay "rack rates". Is it possible to not pay rack rates at any time of the year?

I just did a 4 night visit in Mid-July at POFQ and pretty much booked it right on Disney's website.

Did I miss out on discounts by not using some other site?

I kinda just went on Disney and said ok my budget is X and these hotels with park hopper and meal plan are within X and the reviews for this hotel are good. Book it..

Now that I think about it I didn't really shop around.

Disney offers discounts off of "rack rates" at various times during the year...though those discounts are becoming less and less. You can typically get upwards of 30% off direct through Disney depending on the time of year you travel.

Other ways to get a discount are through AAA, and if you are a member of the military, Disney offers a wonderful discount on resort prices (40% off of deluxes, 35% off mods, and 30% off values).

If you are an AP holder, you can also get good deals at various times during the year.

 

[sndral]

I avoid paying rack rates in part by traveling when Disney is offering discounts - many people don't have the flexibility to travel during less popular times and thus they have to pay more.
The WDW site has info. on almost all discounts - but it helps to know that there are discounts and then making sure you book them via the right place on the WDW site, the WDW phone or your TA.
Keeping an eye on the discount subsection of the resorts area of dis helps (people posting there are generally hunting for discounts of various sorts.) Here's a link to information about past discounts offered by Disney
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codechart
If you look at this chart for July 2012, there was a % off rack rate offered when you went in July - however, not all resorts and not all rooms are offered as part of any discount and sometimes what is offered books up fast and there are always blackout dates which are not included in discount offers. POFQ is a very small and popular resort, so there very well may not have been discounts for it in the July offer.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

You can also rent DVC points to get a Deluxe resort at an amazing price.

I would also be on the look-out for TA agency exclusives... or try AAA.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

When you book online if you just put in your info on the first page and book it, you're paying full price. To get any deals, you have to click at the bottom where it says "Special Offers." Then, you go to a new page where it shows you the general discounts they are currently offering, then select the deal you qualify for and put in your dates/party size/preferences.

The best way to know if there are any deals is to stay tuned to the DIS!

 

[MMS1125]

When you book thru Disney online you need to book thru the Special Offers page in order to receive the current discount. If you book straight from the front page you will more than likely pay rack rate

 

[MMS1125]

i obviously type entirely too slow

 

[aubriee]

I don't go to WDW during the summer or during spring break, but as an AP holder have gone Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, and May (usually going 4-6 times a year). The only times I've ever paid rack rates were the times I was using free dining. Otherwise I have always gotten 30%-45% off my rooms, using either an AP discount or a GP discount.