lockedoutlogic
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2007
- Messages
- 15,781
As previously mentioned, yes it is exactly that. We just came home from Grand Californian Hotel today. Disney was offering 25% off rooms and cheap tickets had an 18% discount code. I was able to stack the two. It took a few days after Disney announced the discount rate to reflect in the Cheaptickets system, but eventually the advertised rate on Cheaptickets lowered by 25%, and you could still use the code for an additional 18% (which basically just paid for taxes, lol).
I actually had previously booked at full rack rate + the 18% Cheaptickets code, but was able to cancel the old one and rebook at the lower rate.
I believe the number of rooms Cheaptickets will offer is limited though. I think it's often possible to book on Disney's site even when sold out on Cheaptickets.
If you can get the combined discounts...it's a much better deal than what I've noticed through Disney.
For me its semantics that I think are off in this discussion. Disney does not "coordinate" discounts with cheaptickets unless Disneyland has a completely different management structure. It's certainly different than WDW...but not THAT different. All their forecast models and accounting are the same (they are...can't restate that in any other way).
I think cheaptickets and orbitz adjust their promotional pricing to try and stay "one step ahead" of the Disney direct sales. Disney has other things to worry about.
Perhaps I can see more realtime cooperation...IF Disneyland was having trouble booking their rooms. I don't know - is that the case? It seems from corporate press releases and some comments on the boards that they are not having occupancy issues. We suspect WDW is having a small decline...perhaps...but overall numbers are very high...
Are the Disneyland rack rates "hoax pricing"? Like we know WDW's to be? What some refer to as "kohls pricing"...as in Jack the rate up and automatically discount 20-30%?
This is an interesting topic for me...I'm learning.
Based on experience though...I don't see how anaheims overlords would "coordinate" to the level being suggested with orbitz, Expedia, cheaptickets, etc. it's much easier/better to cut them out and book 100% without.
Are those sites "good" or "respected" on the west coast? Because in experience on the east side...if you book using them and not direct you often get the attitude/sneer/shaft.
I just think cheaptickets is doing the discounting on their own to match Disneylands website...but your wallet is happy either way it is. And Disney is happy to have you there buying tshirts...which is how it's ALWAYS been for them.