The May 2007 Rate/Code Watch

[Terry's Angels]

Hi everyone,

I just booked today with AAA. The cost for me, dh and dd (5) for May 7 through May 13 was $2,253.00 with 6day dining, tix and water park option. POFQ

MannyEdge, how did you get $1846 - maybe I need to talk to you AAA agent, it seems that we've got a similiar family and package? Please share your secret

 

[MyZoeJane]

I'm considering booking a trip in May to celebrate getting my degree... Could you kind folks tell me how AAA works? I looked up the website. It's $54 to join. How much would it save me on room rates?

Also curious... Can I book room and dining only or do I have to book tickets, too, to get the DDP?

I am totally hooked on the DDP. We've used it twice this year and couldn't imagine going without it! But we have leftover 1 Day Park Hoppers that we had to buy to get free dining and I'd like to out them toward upgrading to another 10 day Park Hopper with no Exp.

Did that make sense?


What's my best bet, guys?

 

[jenr812]

I'm considering booking a trip in May to celebrate getting my degree... Could you kind folks tell me how AAA works? I looked up the website. It's $54 to join. How much would it save me on room rates?

Also curious... Can I book room and dining only or do I have to book tickets, too, to get the DDP?

I am totally hooked on the DDP. We've used it twice this year and couldn't imagine going without it! But we have leftover 1 Day Park Hoppers that we had to buy to get free dining and I'd like to out them toward upgrading to another 10 day Park Hopper with no Exp.

Did that make sense?


What's my best bet, guys?

You have to buy the whole package (room, tix, dining) together to get the ddp (which is why you have those 1 day passes!). You'd be better off selling them which is perfectly fine as far as I know since you never activated them; they're not connected to you. KWIM?

As far as AAA, we got it just for the discount (well that and peace of mind since we both drive older cars). We saved $292 for our 10 night POR package, not including what we paid for our AAA membership. Definitely worth it for us! How much you save depends on when you are going and what class of room you book (value, mod, deluxe). HTH!

 

[jenr812]

Hi everyone,

I just booked today with AAA. The cost for me, dh and dd (5) for May 7 through May 13 was $2,253.00 with 6day dining, tix and water park option. POFQ

MannyEdge, how did you get $1846 - maybe I need to talk to you AAA agent, it seems that we've got a similiar family and package? Please share your secret

Yours looks about right compared to mannyedge's package - you're staying another night and have the water park option. It's around $211 just for the DDP for the extra night and the water park option, not including the extra night of your room, which is around $165 if I'm not mistaken.

 

[MannyEdge]

Yours looks about right compared to mannyedge's package - you're staying another night and have the water park option. It's around $211 just for the DDP for the extra night and the water park option, not including the extra night of your room, which is around $165 if I'm not mistaken.

I agree with jenr812. I am only there for 5 nights with the dining package, I am not doing the water park option and you are staying an extra night. I think you did a good job.

Terry's angel, you did just as good as me. Thanks for the info. I think we are getting good deals. Let's all hope for some codes to come out.

Mannyedge

 

[Terry's Angels]

Hi,

Thanks Manny for the info. I'm happy with the price -- if codes come, that's another story.

 

[GOODoldPAL]

Jumping on the May Mickey Train?

Hi all - planning on May trip, me my DH & DD (age 13) who will be celebrating her 8th grade graduation. This will be our 2nd WDW trip as family (I went in the 80s w/ gf - huge change since then u think?! LOL)
Probably ASM (like last time) but hoping code will help move us to CSR or another moderate or at least fund the Hopper/water options.

Working on AAA rates now w/ TA for probably 4/30 - 5/9; with 9 nights will look into AP or disney CC for other savings options.

GREAT board!! Thank you to all that contribute advice & experiences!
Who else is going with teen? Probably will let DD invite friend if they can at least pay their own air & park tickets so maybe we will be a group of 4.

Question: Do discount packages (for AP or Disney card) ever include a substanially lower airfare rate?
Thanks - look forward to hanging with all of you until May.

 

[bdtracey]

Jumping on the May Mickey Train?

Hi all - planning on May trip, me my DH & DD (age 13) who will be celebrating her 8th grade graduation. This will be our 2nd WDW trip as family (I went in the 80s w/ gf - huge change since then u think?! LOL)
Probably ASM (like last time) but hoping code will help move us to CSR or another moderate or at least fund the Hopper/water options.

Working on AAA rates now w/ TA for probably 4/30 - 5/9; with 9 nights will look into AP or disney CC for other savings options.

GREAT board!! Thank you to all that contribute advice & experiences!
Who else is going with teen? Probably will let DD invite friend if they can at least pay their own air & park tickets so maybe we will be a group of 4.

Question: Do discount packages (for AP or Disney card) ever include a substanially lower airfare rate?
Thanks - look forward to hanging with all of you until May.

GOODoldPAL:
Welcome to the boards!
I'm pretty new to the boards as well. I'll be in the world for the same days (+1 at the start and +2 at the end). SWEET!!! We figured that we're paying quite a bit for airfare, we might as well make the trip as long as possible!

I'm on the AAA rate (well...it's CAA here in Canada ) One suggestion would be to stay away from the AP unless you think you'll be back within the year. DW and I were looking into it and its pretty pricey compared to going with the 10 day passes we've got. As far as Disney Visa...I don't have one (I hate credit cards) so I don't know about any saving options there. I also haven't heard about any cheap airfare from the AP or the Disney Visa but I also haven't looked into it.

Again, welcome to the boards and I look forward to helping you with all your planning!

 

[popstar7867]

Jumping on the May Mickey Train?

Hi all - planning on May trip, me my DH & DD (age 13) who will be celebrating her 8th grade graduation. This will be our 2nd WDW trip as family (I went in the 80s w/ gf - huge change since then u think?! LOL)
Probably ASM (like last time) but hoping code will help move us to CSR or another moderate or at least fund the Hopper/water options.

Working on AAA rates now w/ TA for probably 4/30 - 5/9; with 9 nights will look into AP or disney CC for other savings options.

GREAT board!! Thank you to all that contribute advice & experiences!
Who else is going with teen? Probably will let DD invite friend if they can at least pay their own air & park tickets so maybe we will be a group of 4.

Question: Do discount packages (for AP or Disney card) ever include a substanially lower airfare rate?
Thanks - look forward to hanging with all of you until May.

Welcome to the boards!!! I have an AP and Disney Visa! My AP was great. My DBF and I went last May with it and got about a $400 discount on our moderate hotel for an 7 night stay, plus we get free park tix for this May! My Disney Visa is also great! I use it for everything. I also own my own dance studio and charge all my business expenses to it which racks up a lot of points. So far I have over $100 spending money to go back to Disney in May!

 

[bdtracey]

Ok, here's a question. DW and I are going in May (who woulda thunk it ) and we're there for 12 nights at POFQ, DDP, 10 day MYW + hopper + water parks. Grand total of $3457.00, would it be more beneficial for us to purchase an AP? We're not huge fans of credit cards but would there be any benefit to having the Disney Visa prior to this trip?

 

[magicmom99]

Ok, here's a question. DW and I are going in May (who woulda thunk it ) and we're there for 12 nights at POFQ, DDP, 10 day MYW + hopper + water parks. Grand total of $3457.00, would it be more beneficial for us to purchase an AP? We're not huge fans of credit cards but would there be any benefit to having the Disney Visa prior to this trip?

We're going in Nov and Disney Visa holders were given the opportunity book a discount code 3 days before it was advertised to the general public. We just had to pay the $200 deposit with the card. I found the discount on these boards! (visa never notified me) so keep watching. That, IMO, is the biggest advantage of the credit card.
I's sign up for the May rate code watch on these boards and watch for the codes to be posted.

 

[GOODoldPAL]

Ok, here's a question. DW and I are going in May (who woulda thunk it ) and we're there for 12 nights at POFQ, DDP, 10 day MYW + hopper + water parks. Grand total of $3457.00, would it be more beneficial for us to purchase an AP? We're not huge fans of credit cards but would there be any benefit to having the Disney Visa prior to this trip?

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but here is how I interpret the AP savings thing:

Your cost for a 10 day ticket w/hopper + water is approx $330. The cost for premium AP (which incl water etc) is about $595 making difference in cost $265.
IF an AP special comes out that reduces your WDW resort by say $400
(as in popstar's example), then factoring extra cost of AP, you still saved $135 on your package and of course will save at least ticket cost again should you return to theme parks within a year.

But I think you would realize more savings if you buy only regular AP and add on the individual admission of water parks etc. The regular AP is only $462 which is a hefty $167 cheaper than premium AP. Adult 1 day water park tic is only $35 and Disney Quest about $30 so even if you did one day each in all 3 of these venues, you would spend only $100 (compared to $167). So by purchasing the reg AP, an accomodation/package discount could save you over $200.

Hope that all makes sense. LOL :

I plan to hold off ticket purchase until last minute that way if an AP discount becomes available I will crunch the #s regarding hopper/water add ons and MYW package vs AP.
Doesn't it feel like going to war and trying to out-strategize the enemy? HeHe

 

[bdtracey]

GOODoldPAL:
That totally makes sense, I was intially thinking that it would be cheaper but my plan right now is to keep my package booked as is and make any necessary changes if an AP code comes out. I have until March 15, 2007 to pay the remaining balance for our trip and I think the codes/discounts came out last February if I'm not mistaken. If something comes out I'll consider it but I can't see us heading back to WDW within a year of activating our AP (Canadians Eh!). Thanks for the info!

Out-strategizing...yeah I'm all about beating the system...I studied the UoG like I was having an exam. I'm now hooked on Tour Guide Mike but I've got lots of time to study, 183 days to be exact until the "test"

 

[jenr812]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but here is how I interpret the AP savings thing:

Your cost for a 10 day ticket w/hopper + water is approx $330. The cost for premium AP (which incl water etc) is about $595 making difference in cost $265.
IF an AP special comes out that reduces your WDW resort by say $400
(as in popstar's example), then factoring extra cost of AP, you still saved $135 on your package and of course will save at least ticket cost again should you return to theme parks within a year.

But I think you would realize more savings if you buy only regular AP and add on the individual admission of water parks etc. The regular AP is only $462 which is a hefty $167 cheaper than premium AP. Adult 1 day water park tic is only $35 and Disney Quest about $30 so even if you did one day each in all 3 of these venues, you would spend only $100 (compared to $167). So by purchasing the reg AP, an accomodation/package discount could save you over $200.

Hope that all makes sense. LOL :

I plan to hold off ticket purchase until last minute that way if an AP discount becomes available I will crunch the #s regarding hopper/water add ons and MYW package vs AP.
Doesn't it feel like going to war and trying to out-strategize the enemy? HeHe

Great analysis. But now you've got me considering buying APs instead of 10 day passes, forcing another trip You can't get the DDP with APs though, can you? That'd be the deal breaker for us!

 

[GOODoldPAL]

You can't get the DDP with APs though, can you? That'd be the deal breaker for us!

If you have an AP you have to buy at least one MYW base ticket @ $67 to participate in a MYW package w/ DDP.
You also have to buy same ticket duration/configuration for everyone (I think). But it would be easy to buy the minimum 1 day for all and upgrade the other peeps that don't have AP (upgrades & add ons don't have to be same for those sharing same ressies - kind of defeats purpose of Disney's equal for all thing IMHO).

So when considering cost advantage of buying an AP for one person in your group, when intending to do DDP, minimum add'l investment is $67
Yes I agree - this might be a deal breaker: additional $67 makes it unlikely an AP discount will work in our favor considering we would already invest almost $200 more in the AP itself.

We just started crunching #s for DDP (maybe split 10 day ressies in 2 places allowing us to "test drive" DDP for only half our stay).
Another inconvenience is adding one day water park tics to AP which are non-flexible. This kind of screws up having rest of group with about 6 water park admissions and hopper feature since AP holder would have to commit to a specific day for each water park. $167 upgrade to premium w/ water options is waaaaaay outta our comfort zone.
Our family is crazzzzzy for water parks so enjoy them as much as the theme rides.

Maybe Disney is paying attention and will change the rules in response to the high interest & feedback of potential APers who want to participate in DDP.
Seems like it would be to their advantage to have all those extra AP holders who would be spending $$$$ on accoms and bringing others for at least one more trip in the same year!
Instead they are losing AP business because of 1 day tic requirement w/ DDP?

 

[GOODoldPAL]

Out-strategizing...yeah I'm all about beating the system...I studied the UoG like I was having an exam. I'm now hooked on Tour Guide Mike but I've got lots of time to study, 183 days to be exact until the "test"

That's how I felt 1st time we invaded WDW. HeHe
My UoG is 6 yrs old so I have to get a new one for 07 and study all over again!!
Hopefully not quite so commando style 2nd time around.

 

[popstar7867]

Ok, here's a question. DW and I are going in May (who woulda thunk it ) and we're there for 12 nights at POFQ, DDP, 10 day MYW + hopper + water parks. Grand total of $3457.00, would it be more beneficial for us to purchase an AP? We're not huge fans of credit cards but would there be any benefit to having the Disney Visa prior to this trip?

I've read that if you spend 10 days plus it's cheaper to get an AP and then you save a lot on the hotel

 

[popstar7867]

GOODoldPAL:
That totally makes sense, I was intially thinking that it would be cheaper but my plan right now is to keep my package booked as is and make any necessary changes if an AP code comes out. I have until March 15, 2007 to pay the remaining balance for our trip and I think the codes/discounts came out last February if I'm not mistaken. If something comes out I'll consider it but I can't see us heading back to WDW within a year of activating our AP (Canadians Eh!). Thanks for the info!

Out-strategizing...yeah I'm all about beating the system...I studied the UoG like I was having an exam. I'm now hooked on Tour Guide Mike but I've got lots of time to study, 183 days to be exact until the "test"

Ya with the AP you cannot get the DDP, but you can get the DDE. AP prices usually go up the beginning of the year so if you do get them make sure to get them before the first of the year. They are not activated until you get to Disney.

My DBF and I don't eat out too much. Maybe a sit down dinner once every other night while we are there so the DDP would be way too much food for us. But the benefit of not having to spend money on park admission is great for this year!

 

[bdtracey]

Ya with the AP you cannot get the DDP, but you can get the DDE. AP prices usually go up the beginning of the year so if you do get them make sure to get them before the first of the year. They are not activated until you get to Disney.

My DBF and I don't eat out too much. Maybe a sit down dinner once every other night while we are there so the DDP would be way too much food for us. But the benefit of not having to spend money on park admission is great for this year!

We were on the DDP on our last trip (May 06) and we loved it but you're right...its WAY too much food. At the time my wife was having gallbladder problems (apparently dropping 70 lbs will do that to you) so she had to be very selective about what she ate. Me on the other hand, I ate my fair share as well as hers. This next time might be really different because basically since we got back I've gotten my life on track and have been going to the gym 5 times per week and my eating schedule is vastly different than it was back in May. I honestly eat close to 6 times per day, all fairly small well balanced meals. The DDP doesn't really allow you to do this, you get 1 small meal, one medium sized meal, and one HUGE meal. I'd almost rather eat the TS meal for breakfast but the dinners are so nice to get out to. I'm almost thinking about pulling the pin on the whole DDP thing to tell you the truth. Sorry for but are there any gym rats or other health freaks like me out there that can help me with this issue???

THANKS!

 

[popstar7867]

We were on the DDP on our last trip (May 06) and we loved it but you're right...its WAY too much food. At the time my wife was having gallbladder problems (apparently dropping 70 lbs will do that to you) so she had to be very selective about what she ate. Me on the other hand, I ate my fair share as well as hers. This next time might be really different because basically since we got back I've gotten my life on track and have been going to the gym 5 times per week and my eating schedule is vastly different than it was back in May. I honestly eat close to 6 times per day, all fairly small well balanced meals. The DDP doesn't really allow you to do this, you get 1 small meal, one medium sized meal, and one HUGE meal. I'd almost rather eat the TS meal for breakfast but the dinners are so nice to get out to. I'm almost thinking about pulling the pin on the whole DDP thing to tell you the truth. Sorry for but are there any gym rats or other health freaks like me out there that can help me with this issue???

THANKS!

I'm a total gym rat! My Boy friend and I go to the gym 6 days a week and I am a dance instructor and studio owner, so my job is very physical. I do about an hour of cardio and weight training every day on top of dancing. When we were in disney we ate really well, but of course cheated! You are walking around so much that it's pretty impossibly to gain any weight! lol We ate a lot of couter service meals. I loveeee the grilled chicken salad from flame tree BBQ (AK) and the chicken wrap from pecos bill (MK)!