So I am going to give up FD if our ADR's do not go well

[FINFAN]

I am very fortunate to have a 40% room only code that is valid for booking thru 12/31, so I am free to make this choice. We have several factors, a big one being arrival date...12/17 ( last day for FD) Is not looking good, and need better cancellatioin flexibility such as the room only policy. We cut our FD package to 5 nights as we are rescheduling an Aug weekend that had to be cancelled,,,the point of that stay was CRTower MK view...to book that at rack, at Christmas for FD...40% is far more economical for us for those dates. I am torn, as DD loves FD, kid can eat any type of food and loves trying new stuff, so she will be our $$$$$ on food...DS is a chicken strip/hot dog kid, so he is our savings on $$$$$. DH and I agree that we need to go for a resort that has a bed situation for 2 teens vs food. We have the extra adult fee, but even with that we rebooked CSR for 5 nights to a total of $750..breaking down to about 114 less per night than the room portion of FD( keeping in mind that is only for 2 meals per day and we do not generally eat a TS each day, only when on FD) So, if the ADR's we are after do not pan out, I will change. I know many will tell me I am nuts, but I need flexibility and food is always the spot where we have that! Good news is we have a CSR/CR split stay, see familyfor a few days and then back to CSR for NYE, all at 40% off! It is the BDAY code btw., when we had to rescedule our August ressies, CM told me the code was valid thru 12/31...and she was right!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Hey Pam,
It's Tina. Glad to hear everything worked out. I know what you mean about sweating your arrival in time for FD. We had to get there by the last day of FD for our Christmas trip last year and there was a MAJOR snowstorm the morning we left. I was so worried we wouldn't make it in time. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[FINFAN]

Hey Tina!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I remember you fillng me in on that...and as of now we are driving as well, so really need to havrhte flexibility. NOt to mention DS finals days are scheduled as the 16, 17, 18th We do not know which classes have finals when until 2 weeks ahead. I could MAYBE get them switched to the 16/17 ( doubtful tho)but no way of knowing before I would have time to cancel a package. SO, we will see after I can make ADR'S a week from today. If we can't get the places that make the rack rate worth it to us....we will go rooom onl. We also have the Dolphin as a back-up, but CSR room only is about a $400 savings ovethe 5 nights. so hard to ignore. That covers 3/4 of our travel expenses, big iSSue there tho is DS HATES outside doors..spider issues...and he is more than likely the one who gets the air mattress on the floor ( hoping to get a rollaway) so....but we'll see. He has no idea about the Contmeporary, if he knew about that he would be deal with CSR's outside entrances.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Not to hijack your thread... I'd be likely to go with the 40% code as well...rack rate can be so much, and sounds like your family is like ours and does not generally do a TS every day if not on the DDP.

Would you still go with CSR using the pin or upgrade to indoor corridors for DS? It will be so crowded at TS or CS that time of yr, so if you cannot get the ADR's you really want, why not save money and upgrade, for at least part of the stay?

Sounds like a great trip either way!

 

[FINFAN]

HI Minnie&Nana...we're joined at the hip these days! Well, good question, we have not tried CSR yet, and they are cheaper if we go room only by anout $30 a night( we will have a car so have to pay that at the Dolphin) here's the basic breakdown remember we have an extra adult)OK ready to follow all this?
12/17 BASE RATES
Dolphin $149
CSR $104

12/18-21
Dolphin base continues @149
CSR goes up to $140.40

12/22----------> 12/28
Dolphin goes up to $186 (AAA rate)

12/22----------12/24
CSR stays 140.40, changes up $10 thru 1/1 departure( I have a seperate 12/26-1/1 ressie booked at CSR, we arescheduled to see family in there until the 29 or 30, but booked the week for any changes/cushion?
NOW:
Let's go back to August...we were to have a long weekend surprise celebration at CR Tower MK view for DS 15TH BDay...had to cancel/reschedule to the December trip, sooooo, at this time have a 4 night block at CR 12/22-26..not as good a deal as August for that room, actually it is still insane, but it is at 40% rack at Christmas..but basically breaks down to $450 a night, again, that includes the $25 hit for the extra adult, but al least there is a day bed, it is DS dream, still a surprise so if funds fall thru, we have the Dolphin.
So we have a room booked 12/17-1/1 at a total of 3 resorts, just a matter of how we choose to break it up
Obviously keeping the CR is key, but we may drop to just 12/24,25 or 12/23/24..and drive to see family on the 25th, then return on the 29th...not sure if we can be gone that long tho, dog to board, tha will be a small fortune. Todays project is to compare #'s, see if visiting family over Tday is more cost effective...bottom line is total cost to do WDW, family between now and Jan.
I think DS can handle CSR (exterior doors) for NYE portion, we will barely be in the room, Dolphin location would be best for that but they could not keep the AAA rate for then, so CSR is a decent deal at about $160 including tax..even the CM was like, your code works for NYE? Veeeeery lucky!
so we will see, good thing we are driving becsue flights and rental car would prevent us from staying at CR which is how this WHOLE THING STARTED! ( That and thats when DH can get 2 weeks off, can't ever get it in the summer, kids have school so that blows any cheap travel times, and that my frend is the travel novel of the FINFAN family, TBH, I think I haev it fairly well scheduled for pretty decent rates for that time of year. While FD is nice to have, I do not want to be a slave to our ADR's when there are crowds, we did FDonce before ona 8 day trip and got 1/2 of what we usually do accomplished, too much jockeying around, waiting for tables, I am pretty sure Christmas will be the same, if not, oh well, we can still order whatever we want, just have to be able to pay for it!, AND there a resome restaurants that we would like to maybe try that are not on the plan, and I KNOW I will not pay OOP if on the plan that we've already paid for.

 

[FINFAN]

OK...We were able to get decent ADR's, 2 main ones for Christmas Eve and Day , but was also able to get a lot of late lunch times which is what we like to do for lower menu price and cover lunch/dinner some days. After working our numbers, we went ahead and switched to room only, have our ADR's and can arrive easily on the 18th instead of killing ourselves to get there the 17th. We are $ 250 over the FD package based on how we eat and menus etc., and honestly , that is with a TS each day and I do not think we will do that. The key thing is, even tho we are over, that total includes us getting to stay at CR 3 nights! 12/23, 24, and 25 tower MK view!The 40% codewas more valuable overall for our choices this trip. DS is in the dark about it but DH and I decided giving up FD, that eating the way we normally would is a better value/trip for us than the FD requirements. Luckily, I have 2 day base tickets on will call that we purchased for each of us prior to the rate increase, so after using day 1 of those ( if I understand it right) we can upgrade additional days at the old rate, just like if we kept the FD package. I am relieved to be out from the 45 day penalty, and not have to stress about making sure I am there by the 17th...I asked at Orientation last night about DS shifting his finals around and it was NOT received warmly. Teachers wouldn't even disclose the dates yet, as they frown upon skipping out a day early for vacations big time. SO....as they say on Millionaire..."FINAL ANSWER" on our decision. Now watch, DS finals will all be scheduled for the 16 and 17th ending by noon... but that's ok. That would require airfare and that is not in the budget right now..however, never say never!

 

[KELLY]

Everyone situation is diffrent. We are not doing free dining we took the room only discount instead. We only eat 2 character breakfest which are the cheapest. Plus we do t-rex and rainforest. So the dining plan is not for us all the time ok most of the time. We did it last year and I felt I always had to be some where every day. I rather just get up in the morning a decied where we want to go.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

FINFAN ~ sounds like it all worked out great...and wow how about that CR MK view!!!

My friend and I just decided to take a short early December trip to Disney and after holding both room only and free dining, went with room only, even just for POP this time. It was so money saving and with an unexpected trip did not need more (even though we'd both rather be on the monorail). I'm not thrilled at being back at POP (once as something unique when it was brand new was fun, but give me the monorail resorts, please.)

By the way - not to throw more options into the mix, but it might be worth checking this TA - they have some incredible group rates for some days between Christmas and NY's. Well, Dec 23 - Jan 2:

http://www.**********************.com/mv/index.php

P.s. So sorry I did not get back to post sooner - was busy counting my 'gold' check...)

 

[FINFAN]

Hi Minnie....lol.....yeah, I have emailed with Lisa at MV....the Poly is quite tempting for the NY rates....but I *think* we are in the the same price as her for CSR as MV's bookings are for water view and ours are for standard so that knocks a bit off per night. I did ask her abut CR rates but I do not htink that resort is in their supply right now. I am going to email her again tho, just to make sure...just can't leave well enough alone...did you not see the "FINAL ANSWER" part of my post? LOL....

 

[Minnie&Nana]

OMG!! Missed the FINAL AMSWER!! (okay, I skimmed!! )...well, don't even want to think about that possibility -when do you think you can squeeze the info out of the teachers? What about the Guidance Counselor?? They CAN get the info and you may have more pull with him/her.

As a former pre-school teacher, we never had such issues, so I'm on the parents side when it comes to travel -any travel is educational. Yup, even a visit to the Mouse

But really, it's the holidays and families will be trying to plan extended trips, so forthcoming with Finals dates is fair.

 

[FINFAN]

oh they post the dates....only it won't be until Thanksgiving when they do. It's ok, we are planning on driving, so we are flexible, but would really like a day in the beginning for the lower crowds( or if by some miracle insanely cheap A/F show up on the 17th)...DS health teacher did volunteeer to the parents that her final isn't until AFTER the break in January, so she was cool, I mean, I didn't evne have to ASK her,,,( and if SHE knows the dates of the finals, it is obvious ALL the teachers know )
Hope you enjoyed your GOLD delivery..I know I did!So glad you booked a holiday trip, we love POP, I was all for booking it w/the FD but DH begged for more room space this time around. Since we are gone for a long time it was a togh choice as overall we need a lwer per night rate for longer vacation, but longer vacation means needing some room and comfort! DH won..lol...we all win!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I like POP too, but for many years there was only Poly, CR and the Golf Resort - then came the GF and CBR - after about 8 stays alternating between Poly&GF we tried CBR when it was brand new - hooked! Gorgeous - we felt like we;d landed in the Caribbean...then BC/YC, Dolphin, finally tried GF (could live there, but as my mother always liked to remind me "You have champagne taste and a beer pocketbook"). Then in 204, when POP was only 3 mos old, my friend called from MN (I was in Boston at the time) and wanted to get away to somewhere warm for a long weekend - the only place affordable we could both fly into was MCO - aw, what a shame!! lol...She had never been to WDW before and I was not excited about going with her b/c she poo'd poo'd all things Disney as Mickey Mouse lmao: )...anyway....POP was the right price, so off we went. I nearly fainted driving up...UG LY!! Asked at check-in if they could find us another resort ...the elderly CM convinced us to give it try and promised to move us if we still wanted to change resorts.

Well, walking to our room (furthest away, back side of 50's, but not bad to me b/c deluxe walks can be longer) we decided to go with the spirit of the resort. Lady and Tramp were charming and when we opened the door to the room - wow! Pleasant surprise! Understated (nothing like photos of AS) ad terrific for us! we could see IllumiNations at night from our window. We did enjoy the stay. She still is not crazy about Disney and refused to admit after she returned home that she ever felt anything magical or enchanting (but she did walking up Main street!).

So what was this all about? OH! This will be the 5th POP stay and I;m sick of it! Need a refurb now....but hey, it's cute during the holidays and at $60 a ngt inc tx, whose to complain...at least not too much!!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I'm glad you got everything settled Pam and that you won't have to worry too much if bad weather delays your driving a little. You've going to have a blast. We spent Christmas day at EP last year and it was surreal -- walking around in shorts and tshirts when I knew how cold it was back home. Hope you guys have a great trip!!!!!

 

[FINFAN]

I'm glad you got everything settled Pam and that you won't have to worry too much if bad weather delays your driving a little. You've going to have a blast. We spent Christmas day at EP last year and it was surreal -- walking around in shorts and tshirts when I knew how cold it was back home. Hope you guys have a great trip!!!!!

Thanks Tina,,,keeping our fingers crossed that nothing derails us this time. Still a while to go, 88 days ( only know this due to the 90 day dining window) so I am sure we are going to have parental challenges to deal with for sure between now and then. Hope we are as fortunate on te weather as you were. We will most likely be driving to my folks Christmas Day ( 4 hours) but plan to hit WDW on the return for NYE....thats a whole 'nother reservation!

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We also have this 40% off code and I have been searching these boards for months trying to find someone else who has it. When they told me it was good until 12/31 I thought it was too good to be true. They could not tell me what the code was called, but I had cancelled my birthday code trip in June, so I guess now I know what it is since it sounds like you had something similar. I was worried I'd get to check in and they'd tell me it was some code for travel agents or something. There are never any discounts at Christmas! We are arriving on 12/25. I would like FD too, but this is almost as good. Thanks for posting.

 

[Chelley00]

We also got the elusive 40% off code, and when I ran the numbers for a deluxe, it was cheaper to use the room code and just add the dining plan than it was to pay rack rate and do free dining.

 

[Mom22girls56]

I'm new to this message board, so please excuse me if I ask stupid questions! lol Where did you get a 40% off code?!?! My family is going in February and that would be a HUGE help if I could find a discount!

 

[juliebee]

I'm new to this message board, so please excuse me if I ask stupid questions! lol Where did you get a 40% off code?!?! My family is going in February and that would be a HUGE help if I could find a discount!

at the top of the Codes And Rates forum there is a thread that has the info on pin codes. A 40% off code that she talked about is not for the general public, it only is given to random people (more or less). Here is the thread for more info: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1686236

 

[FINFAN]

we received the code as a Birthday promo....we registered at the disney site for the free admission on your birthday for each of us in our family, and in July rec'd the 40% code. DH is a Jan bday, DD is June, I am July and DS is August. I was the only one to recieve the code, and coincidentally I rec'd it by email not even 24 hours AFTER I had booked a weekend trip for DS upcoming BDAY. I had no idea it was valid past 30 days until I called to cancel our August trip due to DD illness. That was when the CM explained to me that the code was valid clear thru 12/31! It really is random, I would send your email/name to just about everything WDW is connected to, at least that is what we do.

 

[FINFAN]

We also have this 40% off code and I have been searching these boards for months trying to find someone else who has it. When they told me it was good until 12/31 I thought it was too good to be true. They could not tell me what the code was called, but I had cancelled my birthday code trip in June, so I guess now I know what it is since it sounds like you had something similar. I was worried I'd get to check in and they'd tell me it was some code for travel agents or something. There are never any discounts at Christmas! We are arriving on 12/25. I would like FD too, but this is almost as good. Thanks for posting.

I must have called 10 times asking every CM, and they all agreed the code is valid. I know it is crazy cool to have it for NYE..we are jumping around a bit, CSR to start, then to CR, then back to CSR for NYE. I sure hope we like it the first time there...but the Q beds are the deciding factor, like I said, sleeping arrangments trump eating arrangements in our family. Also with having the extra adult fee, the room discount is nice. We did go deluxe /deluxe one trip, stayed at the Polynesian w/FD one August..while it was very cool to enjoy such a top notch trip, we did lose a ton of park time...seriously got 1/2 of what we usually do done. We enjoyed trying new TS, and glad we did, but food costs are flexible, you can tweak here/there...ticket prices are not, so we like to get the value out of our tix and hit the parks. We are good for 4-5 TS late lunches a trip (and DD and I split a lot of stuff so OOP is better), after that we get too impatient and want to be out and about especialy with the crowds that Christmas brings!