?'s for those using the FTP! Please!

[obnurse2003]

You sound like a lucky group!!! I will be going at the same time of year, but staying off-site, it was a gift from mom and dad.

Anyway, were most of you booked at that time anyway? And if you were, how did you learn about the FTP? I am not sure what you actually got in your package but I know it was great!

So, if you had the reservations already, how did you change your rates? Did they give you a hassle? Were the packages limited?

I am curious because we are going to book pretty far from our Spring 2004 and if a GREAT package becomes available, I wonder if you can change? You are probably not guaranteed to be included in a package just because you have ressies, right?

 

[Emy'sMom]

We had a 7-night room only reservation booked thru CRO for October 18-24 before the FTP came out. I believe I booked it in March '03.

I heard about the FTP on the DIS of course. The day before the FTP was available to the general public (sometime in May) I called WDTC to book a standard 7-night DreamMaker package and called CRO to cancel my room only reservation. I paid a new deposit wity WDTC and CRO refunded my payments. The morning the FTP was released to the general public I called WDTC to simply switch the DreamMaker package to the FTP.

I probably didn't need to jump through so many hoops but I'd heard there were only going to be a certain # of rooms at each resort available for the FTP so I wanted the call to switch to the FTP to be as quick as possible. I had a problem with the CM I got when calling about the FTP . . . I had called right at 7am the morning the package was released to the general public and she was trying to tell me I couldn't book it yet - so I was on hold, got disconnected and had to call back but eventually got it booked.

By the way, with the FTP I got:
Polynesian Resort, Garden View
October 18-24
2 Adults / 1 Child (6 yo)
Unlimited ParkHoppers
Pin & Print
$2,313

Debbie

 

[DrTomorrow]

We'd purchased PAP vouchers in March planning on Fall03/Spring04/Fall04 trips; then we heard about FTP in early May - along with possible shortages in AP discounts - so we put the vouchers in the firebox and went with FTP. Just like Emy'sMom, we were up early the first day in May where they were available to the general public [the DIS boards were full of "I'm on hold", "I got through" and "I booked!" threads!]. We were CM Roma's first call of the day, and we got what we wanted: 7 nights (10/1-10/8) Polynesian LV Concierge for DW and I for $2737.

 

[figgy4me]

DH and I usually stay offsite. But, after a few days of consideration, decided it was too good of a deal to pass up. I did not book right away and went through the Dis....

 

[LoriZH]

I actually received a postcard, however, I saw it on a HUGE scrolling billboard at a mall advertising for a travel agency!

I have never had a problem changing my reservations, upgrading, etc.

 

[msteddom]

My friend and I had decided that we were going to go about a week before the FTP came out. We were going to stay off site, but when we hear about it on Mousesavers it was too good to pass up. We booked it the day it was released to the general public.

 

[Jakesmom1]

We werent going to go to WDW this year, but I read the ad in the newspaper for the FTP and I told my DH it sounded like a good deal, I called the last week it was available, and got 7 nights at CBR with Unlimited Hopper Passes, pin and print for $1446.59, A great deal!

 

[tinawv]

I saw it advertised on a TV Commercial. Hope you have a great time at Disney World.

 

[primax]

The Pin and Print are awesome. We were there last week and it is our favorite souvenier

 

[undertheradar]

Not to sound rude or mean, most of your questions posted on the boards are answered by reading back a couple of pages on each board. The FTP was addressed heavily on the budget board when it was first introduced. Yes, those of us that were able to book it are very fortunate. There was a deadline set, and it has passed. Only Disney knows if they will repeat this offer. Rule of thumb is to reserve room for dates that you want and then watch for better rates.

 

[yecats]

First heard about FTP on these boards. About a week and a half later I saw the commercials on TV for it. I was planning a solo trip this year for after Thanksgiving holiday. When the FTP got extended out in June to cover dates almost up until Thanksgiving I decided to call Disney. Usually as a single they charge you a double fee (as if 2 people were staying in the room) even though its just you (this is one of the reasons that we never bought packages from them as I could always go to WDW cheaper with room only codes or staying off site). I didn't think I was going to get a good deal. When I called, they did provide slightly higher rates but it was nowhere near what they would've charged me before. I think that couples were paying about $500 per person (total $1,000 for both) to stay at AS when it first came out. When I called and stated I was solo and what would the cost be (I was waiting to be quoted about $1,000) but WDW quoted me $650 for AS. As I am an adult (have stayed at AS and not really fond of them, think there great for families but not for single) I decided to ask about moderates and deluxes. I was quoted $899 for moderate (GREAT!) which is what I picked. 7 nights/8 days beautiful because I would've have paid this for a really nice offsite hotel or Swan/Dolphin. They also quoted me $1283 for Woods View at WL and $1500 for Savannah view at AKL. I would have loved to stay at WL but am trying to keep the entire trip with food cost to $1,500.

I think that Disney is waiting to see how the economy is going before they ever make an offer like this again. Best advice is if you see room codes come out a few months before you want to go, reserve using them as fast as you can. If Disney would come out with something like the FTP after, you can always switch and apply your deposit to the new package.

 

[mickeysaver]

My first rule of thumb is to never book a room that I could not afford to pay for at rack rates. Then, if a code for a discount becomes available, I am able to add to the number of days or trade up to a better hotel. Disney doesn't have to offer discount deals. I was very lucky to have $49/night offered to me as a Georgia resident last year at the ASMu. I was able to stay much 2 days longer with that offer. I was prepared to have paid the $77/nite that they reguarly offer.

Watch the Dis and watch www.mousesavers.com and usually, you will find a deal. Mickey

 

[obnurse2003]

familyoffive:

I am sorry that I seem to be asking a lot of questions that have been asked before. I am pretty new to the boards. I will try and do better.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi Jackie! Go ahead and book what you can afford. Then, if a great deal comes out, you can either rebook or change your resort. We were booked at CBR for 7nights, then changed to WL. When FTP came out, we moved on up to Polynesian. Then our flights changed so we added a day and a night to the package. WDW is usually quite helpful, or at least that's been my experience, is getting you what you need. Have fun planning that on-site trip

 

[diane1102]

what is FTP?? (it's not on the acronym list that someone sent me)
Thanks
Diane.

 

[obnurse2003]

Fairy Tale Package!

 

[goofyandmore]

Diane, FTP stands for Fairy tale Package which was a great discount package that I wish now that I had taken advantage of.

Jackie, don't worry about asking questions-even if they have been discussed previously. Many of us do it because we post a question at the time we need an answer to it and don't bother to look at past posts. We are all in this to help each other and have fun.

Carolyn

 

[NJFabFour]

We had room-only ressies back in Feb. for an Aug. trip. Heard "talk" of the FTP on these boards and then of course through other sites, too. Had no trouble with changing to the FTP - the CM was more than accomodating! We were so thrilled!

 

[tinawv]

I don't feel you need to apologize for repeating a question. I have seen several questions repeated on the board. Sometimes they are worded a little differently, but are the same none the less. I think it is good when questions are repeated because you get different answers and more feedback.

Take care!

 

[tazz]

We were going to go either during Thanksgiving or just before Christmas and were going to stay offsite. When the FTP came out we decided to change to October and are now staying onsite at YC. This will be our first deluxe and can't wait! You can change anything about your reservation as long as you do it before your final payment (45 days before start of your trip).