Resort Question

[gsu1988]

This is a question for anyone who in the past has reserved a room at this time of the year for marathon weekend in January. How much do the rates typically increase from one year to the next? I have always used DVC to stay but this year I have to go another direction and I was trying to do some calculating and wondered how much the rates typically go up. Thanks

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Sorry Ken, I can't answer as I typically use DVC. I hope someone else may have info for you.

 

[scoolover]

I don't rally recall but I don't think it's more than a few bucks a year. I pretty much book and always say, "yeah, that's about what we paid last year". We just booked a suite at the ASMovies and supposedly got a great marathon weekend rate at $215 a night. Beats me though. That could be double the normal rate.

 

[Duanerice]

We don't have the 2009 rates yet for AAA or Florida Resident. I assume they will be pretty much in line with what we paid last year. Not usually too much of an increase from year to year. I called for the Marathon rate and it is a bit higher than I expect to pay using AAA or Florida Resident. They told me that if I change to the marathon rates then I can't switch to the AAA rate once they come out since it is considered a "package".
enjoy,
Duane

 

[dsnyfan21]

I tried writing to the "Contact Us" email and asked about the SPorts Travel people that I used last year for a BASIC marathon package because on the WDW web site for the weekend it is a package deal that includes theme park tickets!! I told them can I do the package without the tickets and they said to call a number that was 407irunwdw or 407wdwirun or something like that. Last year I used the Disney Sports Travel Agency to book a room only at the Polynesian and loved it. I haven't called the number yet that they gave me to see if I can do the same thing or not. My previous package was a room only, luggage tags and tickets to mini-golf.
I think I will call on Wednesday which I am off from work and can call in the afternoon when the lines are so busy.

 

[nataliela]

Does the marathon package discount the rooms and the tickets? Do you just request it when booking or do you show proof? Also, what is the normal discount?

 

[wfloyd]

Last year we booked a room only for the marathon in July. We paid the deposit and when the new rates came out, we were told that if we made any changes to the reservation we would be charged the new rates. Otherwise we didn't have to pay any extra.

This probably wouldn't happen with the packages though.

My guess from past years is the increase in rates will be between 5 and 10%.

Bill

 

[dsnyfan21]

I just called the 1407-939-irun number that was suggested because the Disney Sports Travel is not doing room only packages.
Here were some quotes that I got for arriving Jan 8th and leaving Jan 12th Basic Marathon Package and no park tickets.
Pop Century: 379.68 (94.92 per night)
Beach Club: 1507.52 (376.88 per night)
Polynesian (Garden View): 1575.04 (393.76 per night)
Contemporary (Not in the main building): 2385.04 (596.26 per night)
***I paid 1147.50 last year to stay at the Polynesian Garden View room for 3 nights, which came out to be 382.50 a night, so looks like about 11.26 a night difference.***We were upgraded upon arrival to the concierge building, we never asked for it, but was very nice!!*****

I did look up prices on the AAA web site and some are cheaper however when you click the availability button it says there are no rooms available. I guess I would have to call AAA to find out the real story.
Pop: 84 a night
Poly: 350 a night
Beach Club: 335 a night

I hope this helps out.

 

[CarolA]

We don't have the 2009 rates yet for AAA or Florida Resident. I assume they will be pretty much in line with what we paid last year. Not usually too much of an increase from year to year. I called for the Marathon rate and it is a bit higher than I expect to pay using AAA or Florida Resident. They told me that if I change to the marathon rates then I can't switch to the AAA rate once they come out since it is considered a "package".
enjoy,
Duane

You can cancel a package with no penalty up to 45 days in advance! Not sure what they were trying to sell you!

You would have to cancel the package, but you could change.

Now IMHO the risk of using AAA is too high for me. (I read more horror stories then I care to risk over on the resorts board)

 

[Duanerice]

You can cancel a package with no penalty up to 45 days in advance! Not sure what they were trying to sell you!

You would have to cancel the package, but you could change.

Now IMHO the risk of using AAA is too high for me. (I read more horror stories then I care to risk over on the resorts board)

Sorry, I think I said it wrong. Yes I can cancel at anytime, just can't change the rate. With my generic reservation I can change it to AAA or Florida Resident when they come out.

I use AAA rates at Disney quite often with no issues at all. I've done it for years. There is no risk using AAA rate especially if you book it directly with Disney. It is just another rate code.
enjoy,
Duane