~*~*~The Oct 2014 waiting patiently (or not so) for a discount thread ~*~*~

[shyjade]

Anyone nervous about going in the fall and experiencing any of the fp+ negative experiences (that seem to be everywhere)? We went last September and loved fp+, but that was during limited testing. We'd be going for 8 days, but with two little ones I don't want to wait forever for non-headliners (lines we've never had to really wait it).

Maybe I should stop reading the posts about crowds, fp+ and standby waits

I am just not as excited as I usually am! But, still booking dining at 180!

As long as our Magic Bands work to let us into our room...which they did not the first day of our trip last October, and we spent over 4 hours dealing with the front desk, CM's and manager before it finally got resolved just before 11pm...I can handle the rest of the FP+ drama. That "incident" sure was a rough way to start our trip!

 

[shyjade]

So, we're coming the 3rd week in Oct on the 19th. That week will be ok?

Local schools apparently have off that Friday (17th) and Monday (20th). We were there last year the same week (2 days off for fall break here in WI so we tend to travel that week, less time I need to pull DD16 out of school). I will say it seemed busier than we expected.

I talked to several other families who normally travel that same week every year and heard a lot of "we've never seen it so busy this time of year before". I think Disney did a good job filling up rooms with the FD promo last year.

 

[rdearth]

We have always had fall break and we don't have balanced calendar. Theory is if we can have a spring break we need a fall break also. We start first week in August, get week fall break, 3 days thanksgiving, 2 weeks Christmas, week spring break, and off end of May. Our kids go 185 days in a school year. Our fall break is 2nd week in October.

My main point was that this whole idea of a Fall Break is a relatively new thing to deal with for lots of families across the country and it is definitely having an impact on crowds.

Your school gets one week, but see, it's the second week of October. And that is important to note, too. The 2nd week of October gets hit the most for breaks.

Those on a non-modified "Balanced Schedule" will get two weeks Fall Break and it will most certainly be either the first two weeks of October or the 2nd and 3rd week of October, depending on when they start school (also assuming a 180 day schedule), so there's some minor variations here and there, but for the most part the first two weeks of October are not as good as the last two and the 2nd week is worst of all.

And Disney knows this that's why the discounts are mostly gone during this period.

 

[lazer]

I just made up my mind I'm not going to worry about any of that. It's our first trip so we won't know anything different, and there's nothing we can do about the crowds or the system. So we're going to cross our fingers for a good discount and try to enjoy it the best we can and worry about the money , crowds and weather as little as we can

That's smart! Once I'm there it'll be fine, I mean when we're on vacation, we're on vacation...and not much can ruin that time with my family

Hope your first trip is amazing! All of mine have been (first trip ever, first with DH, first with DS, first with youngest DS). All magical!

 

[wdwmaw]

My main point was that this whole idea of a Fall Break is a relatively new thing to deal with for lots of families across the country and it is definitely having an impact on crowds. Your school gets one week, but see, it's the second week of October. And that is important to note, too. The 2nd week of October gets hit the most for breaks. Those on a non-modified "Balanced Schedule" will get two weeks Fall Break and it will most certainly be either the first two weeks of October or the 2nd and 3rd week of October, depending on when they start school (also assuming a 180 day schedule), so there's some minor variations here and there, but for the most part the first two weeks of October are not as good as the last two and the 2nd week is worst of all. And Disney knows this that's why the discounts are mostly gone during this period.

And my point was that for lots of us that have gone in Oct for years the idea of fall break is nothing new, esp during that 2nd week. During our trips we have met many families from all over the country on fall break. What's new to you and many families is not to many more and the idea of fall breaks are nothing new to Disney, especially the second week of October. Those dates through the years have always been tough for discounts, Columbus Day is thanksgiving for Canadians and you will find that many of the UK schools are out on half term break the 2nd - 3rd week which has always restricted discounts and brought an uptick in attendance. The first of October being the traditional start of food and wine which brought in locals and filled DVC quickly. Way back we use to rent DVC just to secure a discount and those became harder and harder to find with availability. When you look at historical crowd levels going back to 2006 you won't see much difference between then and this years expected levels the first 2 weeks, just daily fluctuations. Actually, Columbus Day actually has the same to a bit lower in years past.

Looking at data from Disney you will see that occupancy rates have not gone up in years just the room prices. Disney has shifted to make money on higher room prices and less discounts rather than offering discounts and improving occupancy. People booking ahead in anticipation of discounts is one of the main reasons for less discounts offered, not more families moving to a fall break than in the past. Disney wants us to book ahead so they know how many people are coming and they have mastered that with 180 dining reservations and so on. Disney has learned that if they don't offer discounts or limit discounts people just pay the price. Let's all ask ourselves again, why would Disney discount a room/package that is already booked. Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[wdwmaw]

Also planning Oct 2014, but I dont know anything about these codes...where should I be looking for them?

Hang out here and someone will post the codes for discounts as soon as some of the insiders get some info. Most times people on here will know about discounts before Disney phone reps find out, hahahaha

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[TWK]

Maybe a stupid question... can you not make a dining reservation without your hotel/tickets booked?

We don't do a ton, but were thinking we wanted to do a character meal this time... but I was going to wait to book anything until I find out what discounts are coming out...

I tried to search for my answer, but can't really find anything.

 

[wdwmaw]

Maybe a stupid question... can you not make a dining reservation without your hotel/tickets booked? We don't do a ton, but were thinking we wanted to do a character meal this time... but I was going to wait to book anything until I find out what discounts are coming out... I tried to search for my answer, but can't really find anything.

Yes you can!! I actually start making mine tomorrow and every morning after I will be online making the next days ADR until I get my whole trip booked. A little inconvenience that may help me and everyone get a discount. I will book hoping for a package with dining discount and if that doesn't happen I will cancel most of our dining ADR's as for is DDP is not a bargain

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[Ceryssa]

Maybe a stupid question... can you not make a dining reservation without your hotel/tickets booked?

We don't do a ton, but were thinking we wanted to do a character meal this time... but I was going to wait to book anything until I find out what discounts are coming out...

I tried to search for my answer, but can't really find anything.

Yes you can you just can't book them all at once, have to do them one at a time exactly 180 days from the date.

 

[TWK]

Yes you can you just can't book them all at once, have to do them one at a time exactly 180 days from the date.

Ok, great! That is fine, I think we are only going to do one, so it isn't a big deal.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I just made up my mind I'm not going to worry about any of that. It's our first trip so we won't know anything different, and there's nothing we can do about the crowds or the system. So we're going to cross our fingers for a good discount and try to enjoy it the best we can and worry about the money , crowds and weather as little as we can

I'm the same way. It's been a long time since I've been to Disney (before FP), so I don't know the difference either. I'm also not worrying about ADRs and if I can get FD either. If I can get FD, then great, if I can't, then I have enough money to not have to worry about starving. I am paying a lot of money to be on vacation. To me, that's not having to worry about rushing around worrying that I might miss a reservation or a ride time. To me, a vacation is about relaxing, enjoying where I'm at and just having as much fun as I can with the time I have.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[wdwmaw]

I'm the same way. It's been a long time since I've been to Disney (before FP), so I don't know the difference either. I'm also not worrying about ADRs and if I can get FD either. If I can get FD, then great, if I can't, then I have enough money to not have to worry about starving. I am paying a lot of money to be on vacation. To me, that's not having to worry about rushing around worrying that I might miss a reservation or a ride time. To me, a vacation is about relaxing, enjoying where I'm at and just having as much fun as I can with the time I have. Don't sweat the small stuff.

We'll said, wish everyone had this attitude. We will spend 15 days in Disney and just like all our other trips we will return rested and relaxed.

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[mommyof3princess27]

I am having the worst time trying to figure out my schedule :/ i cant decide what day to do MNSSHP!

 

[LisaTC]

I am having the worst time trying to figure out my schedule :/ i cant decide what day to do MNSSHP!

Both times we did a party, we did it on a Sunday night and it was great. Most of the locals don't go on a Sunday night because of work the next day. Also, some people are coming on a Sunday for their vacation and don't want to do the party on their first day. May be a coincidence, but we lucked out on a Sunday party.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

i was debating between tuesday or halloween but maybe sunday night might be the best bet!

 

[Honeystar120608]

i was debating between tuesday or halloween but maybe sunday night might be the best bet!

I always tend to stick with a week day (Sunday night being 2nd choice). It doesn't seem as busy. Which means the park is all ours!

 

[TWK]

I think we are doing Tuesday for MNSSHP.... although I am still on the edge of whether or not to do it... we I think we are going to have to see what kind of flight prices we get, and if we get free dining. I think if we get free dining, we will for sure do it.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

We'll said, wish everyone had this attitude. We will spend 15 days in Disney and just like all our other trips we will return rested and relaxed.

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Thanks. I'm just seeing so many people here stressing out about ADRs and FP+ and scheduling everything nearly down to the minute. I'd rather spend the extra time in a line than running across a park to the next scheduled thing. Or looking at a clock and saying "I can't do that because I'll miss my time for this thing".
I would think that a lot of people are missing out on a lot of little (possibly magical) things and enjoyments while rushing around worrying and trying to get the "most" out of their time and money.
If I don't eat somewhere or see something or miss a ride, I don't think it's going to be the end of the world. There's so many other things in this world to worry about.

I must admit, I'm a little jealous that you'll be there for 15 days (against my 5 days) as by the time I get there, it'll be over 17 years since I've been to any Disney property.

Both times we did a party, we did it on a Sunday night and it was great. Most of the locals don't go on a Sunday night because of work the next day. Also, some people are coming on a Sunday for their vacation and don't want to do the party on their first day. May be a coincidence, but we lucked out on a Sunday party.

I'm coming in on a Sunday and the current schedule indicates that night and then Thursday night would be my only 2 choices since I'm leaving early Friday afternoon. I'm thinking I'll end up at the Sunday night party since at the point I'll be getting in will be too late to do much else at any of the parks. (I hate my flight times).

 

[LisaTC]

I'm coming in on a Sunday and the current schedule indicates that night and then Thursday night would be my only 2 choices since I'm leaving early Friday afternoon. I'm thinking I'll end up at the Sunday night party since at the point I'll be getting in will be too late to do much else at any of the parks. (I hate my flight times).

You may as well Party on your first day!

 

[catrax]

Hoping that someone who tried to book around Halloween last year has a sense of when blackouts were for FD. I want to go around Halloween - as late in that week as possible, but I can't find any posts that describe blackout dates from 2013 on or around Halloween (not specific anyway). I know each year is different - I'm not looking for guarantees. I just want to start planning and potentially book some flights based on previous year's valid FD arrival dates. I'm hoping to arrive on 10/30 and get FD. Did anyone arrive and have free dining in the days leading up to Halloween in 2013?