Room Only vs Basic "Package"...and how fast do I have to move on 2011 deals?

[rodeo65]

We currently have a "basic package" booked for OKW in January. We booked room only but then looking at previous discounts on mousesavers thought that switching to the new(?) basic package would make it easy to just have say a 4/3 discount applied if it came up.

With the rumors around the room only discount that may be coming out tomorrow I am wondering how that will affect us. The CM who switched our original room only booking to this package called it a room only package. Does that mean a room only code could be applied there, or will I have to go through the whole cancellation and re-booking process again?

Also, if this discount does in fact get released tomorrow ( ) how quickly will I have to act? We have a two and then one bedroom split stay. Should I plan on being on the phone first thing or are there enough discounts for that type of room to go around? I've never booked like this before - booked and then waited for discounts to come out. The only other trip I actually booked was in 2009 and we got the 4/3 deal in about the middle of the release period. We could not get CSR - they were all taken for the 4/3 so booked CBR instead.

Also will the split stay have any effect? Would they for instance only allow the discount on one of the two reservations?

TIA - so many questions!!!

 

[danceintherain]

We currently have a "basic package" booked for OKW in January. We booked room only but then looking at previous discounts on mousesavers thought that switching to the new(?) basic package would make it easy to just have say a 4/3 discount applied if it came up.

Unless you booked the first time in the past few weeks, chances are they only booked you on a room-only anyways. Until the rates for next year were released a few weeks ago, room only was the only thing you could book. If you booked after that point room-only vs. package wouldn't matter as far as discounts go.

With the rumors around the room only discount that may be coming out tomorrow I am wondering how that will affect us. The CM who switched our original room only booking to this package called it a room only package. Does that mean a room only code could be applied there, or will I have to go through the whole cancellation and re-booking process again?

Either way you have to go through the cancellation/re-booking process. A discount cannot be "applied" to a standing reservation. You must cancel and rebook within the availability of the discount. You should be able to call and check availability with the room-only discount then cancel your "package" if the discount you want is available.

Also, if this discount does in fact get released tomorrow ( ) how quickly will I have to act? We have a two and then one bedroom split stay. Should I plan on being on the phone first thing or are there enough discounts for that type of room to go around? I've never booked like this before - booked and then waited for discounts to come out. The only other trip I actually booked was in 2009 and we got the 4/3 deal in about the middle of the release period. We could not get CSR - they were all taken for the 4/3 so booked CBR instead.

It depends on how anxious you are to get the discount. Some "sell out" within hours, while you can still find availability on others up to the day before the promotion begins.
OKW is not one of the most popular resorts, but they don't have a lot of availability with discounts to begin with because DVC gets first dibs, so who knows what you'll be able to get?

Also will the split stay have any effect? Would they for instance only allow the discount on one of the two reservations?

TIA - so many questions!!!

Yes. If the discount is not available for one of your "stays" you will be unable to book that part of the stay at a discount.

Disney discounts must be looked at as sale or closeout prices. They determine which rooms have availability with a discount by projected occupancy, which is partially determined by the number of rooms they already have "filled." Thus, you could be in a way shooting yourself in the foot by having your rooms already booked before they release a discount. They are expecting you to stay in those rooms at the rate you booked them at. If enough other people are "expected" to stay in the same room type, there will be NO availability at a discount.