Some questions from a newbie

[Redhead3]

Hi all… a newbie here. Ok, actually I’ve been lurking on these boards for nearly a year, but this is my first post!!

I’m planning a trip to WDW for mid-May with two of my best friends. This will actually be our second trip to Disney in less than a year (yay!) In September, we went as part of a convention, so basically the only plans we had to make was to decide which park to visit during our free times. Most meals and our hotel were included as part of the convention package.

So, because of this, I don’t have much experience in planning or making WDW reservations. The one of us who lives in Florida is actually going to make the resort reservations (were thinking POR) so that we can get the resident rate. Does anyone know how much of a difference in price there is between that and the rack rate? Should we also be on the lookout for a code? She isn’t an AP holder, so that would leave just a general code, right? Sorry, the code thing is still a little confusing to me.

Also, is a request for which section of POR we’d like to be in the same as a room request, meaning we may not get it? We’d really prefer to be in the mansion section, but beyond that we aren’t too picky.

Of course, if I was lucky enough to get an email code or one of those handy-dandy postcard things that I got back in the fall, I wouldn’t have to ask all you nice people… but that would leave me still in lurkdom and it feels quite exhilarating to make my first post! :jumping4:

Thanks for any help

 

[Gary M]

Welcome Redhead3, for room discounts I would keep an eye on these boards and check www.mousesavers.com Some room discounts can be 40% off rack rate. Let CRO know room location request when you make your reservations. They will do their best to honor the request, but it isn't promised.

 

[Momto8]

Welcome Redhead3, POR is one of my favorite resorts. I just love the grounds around this resort. We are planning on going back in June again this year as well.

I would think you should be able to get the mansion section with no problem as they probably have more of a need to save the AB rooms for those families with 5 in their room.

You didn't mention if you were all staying in the same room, but if you do, they will charge you an additional $15/night for the 3rd adult.

As for the discounts, check this board daily and Mousesavers.com for discounts. They will be posted here as soon as they come out. Last June (which is regular season same as May), we had AP discounts for POR for $74/night, which I believe is the same as FL resident discounts. I think the code for the general public was around $85/night. The rack rate for a standard room was around $144/night if I remember correctly.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Redhead3]

Thanks for the welcome!

Yes, Momto8, we will all be staying in the same room. And I already signed up for the Mousesavers newsletter, but I'll have to start checking out the website more often.

LOL, no need to remind me about checking this board daily... I spend too much of my workday lurking!

 

[steelmans DW]

The AP rates and FL resident rates are the same or very close to the same.
When your friend makes the ressie she needs to ask for the FL resident rate and whatever your room requests are. You probably can't beat the FL resident rate. My inlaws live in FL and last Christmas they surprised us by checking into the room next to us at CSR. They paid the exact same rate as we did with our APs.