Strategy for Best December rates?

[Emmyfaye]

Okay, pros - once again I need your help!

Our next trip to Florida and WDW is now in the serious planning stages (vs the talking about it, but not 100% sure).

We plan to stay at WDW from December 15 to 23, 2003 (followed by a stay at a gulf coast resort at a yet to be determined location).

My fantasy is to stay at WL for a couple of nights and then move to CBR for the balance of our WDW stay...and I need to get as good rates as possible since our Canadian dollar seems to diminish in value every day.

I hope that we can get value season rates - at as good a discount as possible - for both resorts.

Can anyone advise me how to do this, when to book, when best rates might be published, etc? I would really appreciate your help!

 

[puffkin]

I would like to piggy back on this post.

We just decided on a December 7-14, 2003 trip and were wondering the same thing. Any info greatly appreciated and we will probably have AP's for this trip.

 

[RNMOM]

May I suggest you stay at CBR first then go to the WL? You may be less happy with the moderate after staying in the deluxe.

Let me tell you about my trip this year. I booked in June and got $199. for mod and $434 for deluxe. Our trip was booked from 12/21-29.

When the codes came out I was able to get the moderate for $94 (including tax) and the deluxe for $199 (including tax). Big savings.

This year they were discounting WL greatly and you may be able to stay there for more days than you think. This is our favorite resort but we wanted to try different ones this trip. This was a mistake because I had the burning desire to be at WL the whole time. LOL.

WL has smaller rooms but has more food options than other deluxes and is simply beautiful.

What I would suggest is to book the rooms you really want now and watch carefully for the codes to be posted in the summer. They came out for xmas the last week in July I believe this year. WL books up very fast and if you even think you might want more days there I would grab them now. You will have much easier time trading them for days at CBR then the reverse. Hope this helps you plan.

 

[Kim&Chris]

My best advice is to keep checking www.mousesavers.com

Mary always lists special deals that are only available to those from Canada. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal via her website.....just keep checking!

 

[Emmyfaye]

One thing I am not clear on is whether you can change an existing reservation to take advantage of codes once they come out - for example, if I booked something now and then saw discounted rates in August, could I call CRO and just say "change my reservation!" or how would I do this?

 

[Kim&Chris]

I'm 99.9% sure that you CAN do that. Most likely, they'll cancel your old reservation & re-book it using a discount code. You'll get a new confirmation number as well.

 

[lisareneeo]

Yes, you can change your reservation when codes come out. We booked Wilderness Lodge 12/4-12/13 2002 at the Disney Club rate which was $183.00 a night. We watched for codes and AS SOON as they came out called and switched our reservation. We actually used the AP rate and got a standard room at the WL for $121 a night (this included tax) Once you book, keep checking for codes. This resort is very popular during December (it was awesome) and the amount of rooms they have set aside for "code/annual pass rates" go quickly. Good luck!

PS-- I would also suggest to stay at the WL second if you are splitting your stay between two resorts. You will LOVE the WL.