So I (Future Husband) Did Something Really Stupid

[sdlipton]

To all of you who are just dying to find out what i did.. here it is.

I booked the 2005 Romance Package straight from Disney for my fiance's and I honeymoonand I am paying over 3K for 6 nights in a tower room at the Contemporary. Since then, I have read, and read, and read about codes, and rack rate versus discounts... and well.. I think I am paying too much.

How, or is it even possible, to get all that comes wiht the Romance Package and somehow take advantage of these codes and discounts i keep reading about. I feel like I am Paying WAYY too much.

BTw.. our honeymoon is October 3, 2005 and we are both REALLY excited.

Someone from these boards, i read you are so very helpful.. please help me!

 

[inloveindisney]

Well, there aren't any codes out at this time for those dates. I booked way in advance as well and my advice is to just wait it out. you have to wait until the discounts come out. Had you booked through a travel agency such as www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com you would have a travel agent that would check on new discounts for you every so many days. I booked through dreams unlimited and they check every 45 days for discounts on your particular reservation and they will make your priority seating reservations for you.
I hope this helps.
Welcome to the boards and don't hesitate to ask ANY type of question. There is always someone on this board that can answer it.
Oh! by the way, here is a link to the codes when they come out. http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#codes

 

[Disney845]

First off congrats! You do have some things working in your favor here. First, if your honeymoon starts on Oct. 3rd you are still in value season for a deluxe resort, meaning that your hotel costs will be the lowest (as opposed to regular or peak season rates). Packages are a tough subject. Some people like to do them merely because all the work is taken care of ahead of time for them, while others love the hunt for discounts and the thrill of putting together their own vacation stay. You could always cancel your package and research and book everything separately.

In fact, with the new myw packages I didn’t think there was a romance add on as there was with the dreammaker package. There are many ways to get hotel discounts. AAA offers 15% discounts for deluxe resorts during value season. AAA rates however are only one option and generally not the deepest discounts. Annual passholder rates (if you plan on purchasing an annual pass) are great rates only offered at certain times of the year. These and general codes (those open to anyone) are normally not broadcast until 1-3 months before they go into affect. The best source for info on codes is mousesavers.com. Codes are normally offered for room only and for package deals. With the addition of this new myw system though, it is anyone's guess as to how many codes, if any, will be available throughout the year. Another great site for pricing options is wdwig.com. This site gives you a ton of resort information including pricing for different room levels. This is also a valuable site for making dining decisions as it offers listings of restaurant menus including pricing.

For example (basing my info on what a historical dreammaker romance package would include), doing it separately you would be looking at:

Contemporary tower-rack rate value season 2005 for a standard room - $345 x 6nights + 6.5% sales tax +11% resort tax = $2297.70

Historically discounts came out in August of 2004 for stays September-December. so using that information one might assume a possible similar discount available for the 2005 season. Discounts of anywhere from 25%-45% may possibly happen. Using the worst case discount scenario of 25%:


Contemporary tower-rack rate value season 2005 for a standard room - $345 –25% x 6nights + 6.5% sales tax +11% resort tax = $1835.29

7 day myw premium ticket including hopping and plus options advance purchase price: $285.42 x 2 = $570.84

30 min-carriage ride – (at either Ft. Wilderness or Port Orleans Riverside) = $30 (tax included)

choice of 2 of the four options (dinner at select restaurant, Cirque Du Soleil La Nouba, spa treatment (takes 2 options), or photo session (takes 2 options)

Dinner at California Grill for 2 (appetizers, entrée, desserts, no alcohol) approx. - $140.00
Ticket to Cirque Cat 1 - $87 x 2 +6.5% = $185.31

choice of 1 of the 3 options (mini golf, character storytelling, leave a legacy)

Leave a Legacy 2 images on 1 tile - $38

Total for 6 nights 7 days discount room rate, myw premium hopper/plus tickets, carriage ride, dinner at Cali Grill, La Nouba tickets, and 1 leave a legacy tile = $2799.44

I hope this info has helped slightly. If you have any more questions I would be happy to help or point you in the direction of where to find the info.

 

[sdlipton]

Thank you so VERY VERY MUCH for all of your help. This last reply was ridiculously helpful and I after your help i realized that with the ability to make payments on my reservation by booking the package.. and having it all done ahead of time.. that I actually may have gotten a great deal. I almost don't feel so bad.
Thank you for all your help..

Additional comments/suggestions/relies/admonisments/laughing is always appreciated.