Walt Disney released 2013 offers-Virgin Holidays now booking OKW over 11-months out.

[princessjodiebo]

i went on complete orlando to get an idea for cost in august 2013 (we arent going til 2014 but i thought i would just be nosey )
it said on there that they are offering discounts of up to 50 percent on okw and ssr but you cant book these till 11 months before and other disney properties 500 days in advance

 

[wayneg]

That's weird, it must be a new policy. We've stayed at OKW numerous times both DVC and cash and the several times that we've booked through WDW UK we've actually booked sooner than if we were staying through DVC.

I don't think anyone knows whats happening yet for the OKW/SSR discounts.
So far I have seen posts saying they won't be available until 6 months, another saying 11 months, some saying 50% off others saying 30%. Post on here a few days back saying VH would not be offering free DDP this year. Too many rumours and guess work.

I never book next years holiday until after I return off this years summer trip, this year will be no different, I will see what offers are available Oct-Nov time, hope I get flights sorted first.

 

[JintyB]

You can't do it on the web site but you might be able to do it over the phone.

I know you settled on POFQ but it might be worth checking out your holiday costing with a stay at OKW or SSR as this offers the regular Dinning Plan and you can then upgrade to the Deluxe Dinning Plan. OKW and SSR is just as good, if not better than POFQ.

Therefore, there might not be much between the final prices of upgrading from QSDP to the Deluxe at POFQ compared to staying at OKW and upgrading to the Deluxe Dining Plan and you end up with a better category of accommodation.

Thanks for this. I am a bit loathe to go for OKW as we really like using the transportation system and OKW is heavily criticised for it's bus service. We were spoilt last year with a stay at the Poly and figured POFQ would at least have that smaller resort feel (we have stayed there before, but some years ago). Do you have an opinion on the bus/spread out nature of OKW?

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for this. I am a bit loathe to go for OKW as we really like using the transportation system and OKW is heavily criticised for it's bus service. We were spoilt last year with a stay at the Poly and figured POFQ would at least have that smaller resort feel (we have stayed there before, but some years ago). Do you have an opinion on the bus/spread out nature of OKW?

I have never been a fan of the Disney bus system, my first experience was about 12 years ago while staying at All Stars Movies, it was a nightmare, overcrowded, horrible.
Last 3 years we have stayed at OKW, it has changed me from hating the bus system to enjoying it. I find it very difficult to fault, yes a couple of times we have had to wait 15-20 mins but almost every time there is one there within 10 mins.
We like to stay on Millers Rd, its the last pick up before leaving the resort, obviously means the last drop off when returning but we don't mind that, especially if our God daughter has started a sing song

 

[tinks_1989]

Thanks for the replies every one I'll give it another go tomorrow either way we will be booking just might be that we book POR for now and upgrade to SSR later x

 

[lojo]

We checked the prices on Complete Orlando as soon as we heard the free dining offer was in the wind - OKW now comes up approx 30% discount.

They don't however mention the 200 disney dollars that I can see - did they give it last year?

Anyone know how flexible CO are about making changes after booking? I'd really like to get this sorted, so I can get on with this year's holidays , but I haven't fully sorted in my head where to stay. If we were to book 14 nights in OKW, and then decide that we really would rather have POFQ for 13 nights, followed by AK for 5, could we switch without losing the DDP etc?

Tks

PS to those of you who have taken the leap already, oh that I were so brave......

 

[wayneg]

We checked the prices on Complete Orlando as soon as we heard the free dining offer was in the wind - OKW now comes up approx 30% discount.

They don't however mention the 200 disney dollars that I can see - did they give it last year?

Anyone know how flexible CO are about making changes after booking? I'd really like to get this sorted, so I can get on with this year's holidays , but I haven't fully sorted in my head where to stay. If we were to book 14 nights in OKW, and then decide that we really would rather have POFQ for 13 nights, followed by AK for 5, could we switch without losing the DDP etc?

Tks

PS to those of you who have taken the leap already, oh that I were so brave......

What dates you checked? I can't see anything for next summer yet at OKW.

CO are not as flexible as booking direct with Disney, I added a night last year Disney did not charge me anything(except the £100 for the room) CO would charge an amendement fee but depends how much you are saving with them, might be worth it.
Also this year those of us who booked with CO have not been able to access the online ADR system, only booking direct with Disney (and odd one with Charter travel )

Personally I would not book with any company until I knew what I wanted, why book then change? I don't see the point but I don't like booking everything early, I always think they might bring better deals out nearer.

The $200 will be with Disney(possibly VH's) Complete Orlando didn't offer the $150 gift card for this year, they knocked it off the price we paid instead.

 

[stephensmum]

I got the $150 with Charter Travel & they undercut the cheapest price I had, which was from Complete Orlando.

 

[PudseyChancer]

Thanks for this. I am a bit loathe to go for OKW as we really like using the transportation system and OKW is heavily criticised for it's bus service. We were spoilt last year with a stay at the Poly and figured POFQ would at least have that smaller resort feel (we have stayed there before, but some years ago). Do you have an opinion on the bus/spread out nature of OKW?

We stayed at OKW last year and used the buses throughout our stay, there were two instances in the whole two weeks where there was a longer wait than we would have liked for a bus - the second instance was resolved by a Cast Member who was driving through the complex checking with people for how long they had been waiting, and which park they were wanting to get to.

Overall, our opinion of the buses were that we were well served, the majority of times we went for a bus we were on it within 5 minutes.

I loved it at OKW and it was only the lure of BCV and it's pool that persuaded us to miss out on OKW this year - though I am an interested observer on the prices for August next year (normally we only go every other year), as it's a milestone birthday for me and I'm thinking of treating myself!

 

[duffdo]

I want to travel to WDW for 21 nights on 29th October 2013. After booking a previous package in 2011 direct with Disney, I don't really want to do it any other way. Unfortunately, they are unable to provide flights more than 11 months in advance. They said that they could book my hotel and tickets and would let me add a flight on when they became available and would waive any admin charges. Does anyone have experience of this?

I don't know what to do to get the best deal. Do I book the hotel and ticket now, or do I wait for flights to become available and book the whole lot then. Here is the deal i'm getting anyway:

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
2 Adults
Standard View from 29th October 2013 - 19th November 2013

Disney's 21 Day Ultimate Ticket
2 x Disney's 21 Day Ultimate Ticket (Ages 10 and Up)

Disney Dining Plan
2 x Disney Dining Plan (Ages 10 and Up)

£3282.25

Now, if flights come in at around £1000 - £1200 for both, it's right on the money at what I was expecting to pay. Plus if I book just the ticket and hotel, the deposit is only £100

Thanks for any advice you may be able to offer

 

[JintyB]

Thanks those of you for your thoughts on OKW. Pleased to hear that some of you haven't had a nightmare on the buses! Think we are going to mull it over until the 11 month mark and then decide.

 

[lojo]

What dates you checked? I can't see anything for next summer yet at OKW.

CO are not as flexible as booking direct with Disney, I added a night last year Disney did not charge me anything(except the £100 for the room) CO would charge an amendement fee but depends how much you are saving with them, might be worth it.
Also this year those of us who booked with CO have not been able to access the online ADR system, only booking direct with Disney (and odd one with Charter travel )

Personally I would not book with any company until I knew what I wanted, why book then change? I don't see the point but I don't like booking everything early, I always think they might bring better deals out nearer.

The $200 will be with Disney(possibly VH's) Complete Orlando didn't offer the $150 gift card for this year, they knocked it off the price we paid instead.

We're going Jan 24-Feb 14, so not booking tooooo far in advance. Any combos I've compared so far, CO is a lot cheaper than Disney, eg 14 nights OKW - Disney £2268, CO £1820. Maybe they calculate prices differently, like adding tickets at the beginning or the end of the booking process.

You're right about booking when you know what you want, but I'm always wary of losing out on a good deal through indecision. Choice is sometimes a bad thing.

 

[wayneg]

Any combos I've compared so far, CO is a lot cheaper than Disney, eg 14 nights OKW - Disney £2268, CO £1820. Maybe they calculate prices differently, like adding tickets at the beginning or the end of the booking process.

You're right about booking when you know what you want, but I'm always wary of losing out on a good deal through indecision. Choice is sometimes a bad thing.

2 main reasons for CO being cheaper.
1 Disney will give you an incentive, for next year they are offering a $200 giftcard.
2 Disney will give you 3% cashback thru Quidco.
CO won't do either of these as they discount as much as they can upfront.
Working on the figures you quote for Disney a $200 giftcard & 3% Quidco would bring their quote down almost £200, still more than CO but a lot nearer.

Jan\Feb they will not sell out of rooms, Central Orlando had an occupancy rate of 63.2% in the last 12 months to date, that includes all the peak times like Xmas Easter etc, low season they really struggle to fill rooms, many hotels are under half full most of the year. Disney fare better than offsite hotels but still they cannot fill them low season.
If you are happy with the price then book but don't panic buy into any deal.

 

[chmurf]

I hate discounts when they're really not discounts.

I'm curious so I made a simulation for my october dates if it was 2013.
Used the same pattern (same number of fridays and saturdays, same period for rates)
The WDTC UK advertise savings of up to 15% on values, still the simulation I've made leads me to a £400 increase in price despite the 15% discount (as compared to this year's price with a 10% discount)

There was definitely a severe hike in prices, and those deals are not really deals.

Of course the free DDP is good value when you stay at moderates (granted that you upgrade to full DDP from QSDP) but it still seems way more expensive than it was this year.

 

[Samaya]

We're going Jan 24-Feb 14, so not booking tooooo far in advance. Any combos I've compared so far, CO is a lot cheaper than Disney, eg 14 nights OKW - Disney £2268, CO £1820. Maybe they calculate prices differently, like adding tickets at the beginning or the end of the booking process.

You're right about booking when you know what you want, but I'm always wary of losing out on a good deal through indecision. Choice is sometimes a bad thing.

Complete Orlando changed yesterday the savings quoted on their web site from 50% to 38% at OKW and SSR.

But still unable to book these two resorts on the CO web site after Feb 2013 but they do quote the following room cost per night for most of 2013 of.........

These reduced prices and the FREE Disney Dining Plan offer are available for arrivals on the following dates:

01 Jan - 19 Mar & 07 Apr - 24 Aug 2013:
Delxue Studio room: £130 per night
One-bedroom villas: £178 per night
Two-bedroom villas: £258 per night

25 Aug - 08 Dec 2013:
Delxue Studio room: £124 per night
One-bedroom villas: £168 per night
Two-bedroom villas: £234 per night

FREE Disney Dining Plan: includes per person per night at over 100 locations:
• 1 Quick Service meal
• 1 Waiter Service meal
• 1 Selected snack
• Refillable Resort Mug per person per stay

Reduced prices are only valid for arrivals on the above dates and when purchasing the Free Disney Dining Plan & Disney Park tickets.

 

[dixonsontour]

We've paid £112 a night for a OKW studio in October with complete orlando.

This is similar to the price we paid to disney direct in 2010.

So a £12 a night increase doesn't seem too bad to me - had skim read some threads and thought the price increase was alot more.

 

[wayneg]

We've paid £112 a night for a OKW studio in October with complete orlando.

This is similar to the price we paid to disney direct in 2010.

So a £12 a night increase doesn't seem too bad to me - had skim read some threads and thought the price increase was alot more.

The prices direct with Disney are a lot more if you take the base room rate at £162/nt in a studio but then they discount if you buy with tickets, give you a $200 giftcard and 3% Quidco, taking all that into account it makes the room nearer £142/nt.
If the figure with CO is going to be £130/nt with no messing with giftcards and cashback then that is a more acceptable figure, still not sure we are going to do it as we are missing staying and eating offsite, we will make a choice after this years holiday(if its still available)

Prices we have paid for an OKW studio in August with free DDP
2009 £80 (Disney.co.uk)
2010 £100 (Disney.co.uk)
2011 £111 (Disney.co.uk)
2012 £118 (Complete Orlando)

2013 £130 (Complete Orlando) Or Offsite & eat offsite approx £90
Maybe toss a coin to choose.

 

[Samaya]

2 main reasons for CO being cheaper.
1 Disney will give you an incentive, for next year they are offering a $200 giftcard.
2 Disney will give you 3% cashback thru Quidco.
CO won't do either of these as they discount as much as they can upfront.
Working on the figures you quote for Disney a $200 giftcard & 3% Quidco would bring their quote down almost £200, still more than CO but a lot nearer.

Although CO don't offer other discounts there is an option to input a promotion code once you have entered all your request in your 'Shopping Bag" where it sates, 'If you have a promotional code you can enter it here'.

So the question is, has anyone every used a promotion code with Complete Orlando to reduced their offers further or was it similar to the 'DS10' code that Disney is currently offering to anyone for travel in 2012?

 

[wayneg]

Although CO don't offer other discounts there is an option to input a promotion code once you have entered all your request in your 'Shopping Bag" where it sates, 'If you have a promotional code you can enter it here'.

So the question is, has anyone every used a promotion code with Complete Orlando to reduced their offers further or was it similar to the 'DS10' code that Disney is currently offering to anyone for travel in 2012?

Seen the box but I have never come across a code unfortunately.

 

[TracyK]

Complete Orlando changed yesterday the savings quoted on their web site from 50% to 38% at OKW and SSR.

But still unable to book these two resorts on the CO web site after Feb 2013 but they do quote the following room cost per night for most of 2013 of.........

These reduced prices and the FREE Disney Dining Plan offer are available for arrivals on the following dates:

01 Jan - 19 Mar & 07 Apr - 24 Aug 2013:
Delxue Studio room: £130 per night
One-bedroom villas: £178 per night
Two-bedroom villas: £258 per night

25 Aug - 08 Dec 2013:
Delxue Studio room: £124 per night
One-bedroom villas: £168 per night
Two-bedroom villas: £234 per night

FREE Disney Dining Plan: includes per person per night at over 100 locations:
• 1 Quick Service meal
• 1 Waiter Service meal
• 1 Selected snack
• Refillable Resort Mug per person per stay

Reduced prices are only valid for arrivals on the above dates and when purchasing the Free Disney Dining Plan & Disney Park tickets.

These prices are considerably cheaper than booking direct with Disney although you don't get the Quidco and Disney giftcard. We definitely want to stay onsite but I will find it hard to hold out until September to book with CO as I am worried we won't get what we want. Decisions, decisions!! Also does anybody know if you are charged the same rate for your whole stay as my booking would start with the higher rate but go to the lower rate during my stay.