What is your gut instinct on what Disney will do in 2004 to discount rooms?

[Ned Land]

What will Disney do to fill rooms in 2004?

Fairytale package (buy 4 get 3 free)?
Codes that anyone can use?
AP Codes?
Kids play free?
Visa Card with a new good deal (finally)?

 

[Linda Talbot]

Wouldn't it be nice to think that Disney would do all of things you suggested to fill the rooms? I know that had it not been for the Fairytale Package we would not have made our trip in September. I do hope they come up with a similar package next year. I had vowed not to even consider going again for 5 years, but while there in September hubby kept insisting he wants to do it again next year. So if the right deal comes along, its off to the World we go again.

 

[Kimberle]

My "gut" tells me that Disney will experiment a bit w/ 1 or 2 "smaller" packages in the spring. Late spring/early summer, they will offer a fairly decent package. Not as good as the fairytale, but better than the kids "play free".

I have a feeling they will do something to tie into DL's 50th bday. Either w/ DL packages, or maybe packages at DL & DW.

The economy still isn't "up", though it's starting. People are watching their $$$ very carefully. I do think Disney will have to offer "something" to "get butt's in the seat."

Competition, competition, competition, there are lots of "good" deals out there........

 

[Andrew_Lubow]

Now that Pop Century is online they may take an All Star of some of the buildings there out of inventory for rehab.

 

[FloridaCat]

2004 is a hard call as many mixed signals. Opening of new resorts is going to add 2000 plus rooms, so that says great package deals.

During Press Week, last wek, they are saying they had a good year, but still not back to normal , so good discounts.

They are happy with the on site trade, most on this board, maybe not so hot deals.

They want to get the locals coming back as that had been their bread & butter in the past, so good for FL Ressies, but others ???

Going to push for the International trade to return to WDW with overseas promotions, good for them, but at what cost to the out of state trade?
Going to be interesting to watch what happens.

 

[puffkin]

My gut feeling is we will see more package deals and very few room only. I think they will offer something similar to the fairy tale package for the summer and fall next year. I think we will also see a lot more of the packages like the kids stay free. It is somewhat of a deal, but not great. I think AP discounts will still be offered, just not as far in advance, and maybe in more limited quantities. I don't think we will see room only codes, except for things like the Florida residents codes.

 

[Jen D]

Interesting question. I am thinking about advance booking for our September 2004 vacation, and I'm trying to decide whether to book package or room only, based on where the discounts will be. I would love to see something like FTP again, and I think the discounts probably will favor packages, but who knows how. I hope they don't latch on to this "kids are free" thing, because it isn't a great deal for those who have one kid or no kids.

I think there will always be AP codes, but we don't do AP. My gut tells me the regular room-only codes may be gone.

 

[FloridaCat]

My opinion would be to wait until after the first of the year to book. Maybe by that time things will look clear.
A good site that seems to be on top of everthing is Mosesavers.
Here is their link.

http://www.mousesavers.com/

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by Jen D
Interesting question. I am thinking about advance booking for our September 2004 vacation, and I'm trying to decide whether to book package or room only, based on where the discounts will be. I would love to see something like FTP again, and I think the discounts probably will favor packages, but who knows how. I hope they don't latch on to this "kids are free" thing, because it isn't a great deal for those who have one kid or no kids.

I think there will always be AP codes, but we don't do AP. My gut tells me the regular room-only codes may be gone.

We generally go in Sept too. I find the best time to book in around Apr/May. Generally the "deals" are out then. That's what I'm planning on doing for 2004. That is, unless I can talk dh into a spring trip!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

We can only go to disney now during the summer. yeck,hot,hot,hot. I found this summer was so CROWDED. Im sure it was from FTP. 3 - 4 years ago we went the 1st week of June. It was packed. The last few years we went the last week of Aug into Sept, it was crowded but very do-able!! But this summer we went from 8/13 to 8/23 and WOW it was SUPER PACKED, hot and almost every day RAIN. We were so lucky all the other summers we only had showers or rain for a little . WE had STORMS almost daily. We still had a GREAT time, but i'd say it was way to busy for us. Im not about next summer, i think they will prob. do something like FTP. We usually do room only cause we come down to fla. by train. I have to book early for the train to get the lower prices. Thats why we went this summer cause i could not refund train tickets. I just hope next summer wont be as bad.I wish we could go another time, but its to hard to make up school for my dd. Oh well id rather be in disney on a rainy day then home........

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm still lost at what to do about my January trip. I'm waiting for an AP rate at the GF, but I have no idea if that'll ever happen. Not sure if we should book 2 rooms at ASMo or a standard room at AKL just to have something. But, I really want to stay at the GF (or YC, CR, PR, BC, AKL Deluxe), but not at rack rate.

 

[zulaya]

You won't see FTP again. During the press event, this was asked, and the VIPS said that it was a success but if they try something, it will be different. (Aside: They don't want to dilute the brand and have everyone "expecting" the discounted prices. They want people to have good experiences, so good they will come back if they ahve to go rack rate)

I think we will see more packages, BUT from listening to the press event, they are also thinking about AP holders and DVC members, 2 groups who don't need the package deals. So there may be some codes, etc.

You have to realize that Disney views a frequent visitor as one who visits every 3 years. Most people come for the "once in a lifetime" thing - they aren't like us on the DIS. SO those people are most likely going to buy into the package deals.

It seems though that they really are going with this new relationship with VISA. There probably are just more bucks to make on this that releasing room only/AP rates.

 

[KIS]

When will the 2004 rates be likely to come out? I have plans underway for a 4/4004 trip and wonder if I can get a better situation. (I doubt it: Dolphin at teacher's discount rate) It would have to be something like the FTP for me to come out better, I think. I just don't know how long to wait for potential discounts yet to come. I've little experience in this matter.

KIS

 

[PTarbay]

I agree I think they will tend toward toward more package deals.They definitely are better than they used to be.Maybe they can come up with some kind of package for people with AP's that don't include tickets but other perks like meals or something.

 

[Purrrrfecta]

I think it will be bad if they do away with code only rooms.

If I can remember correctly, Disney had package deals with American Express around 11 years ago, and they were sweet deals. I would have gone with them, but I could get a TA rate, and I decided to go that route.

I do not think that limiting codes will cause them to lose money. They have been discounting rooms for years.

I think the loss will come of they do away with one option for another.

 

[Harambe]

Got an email from Disney World this morning. Held my breath while opening it and chanted "Room only code, room only code!"

Alas, it was just the dumb "kid's play free" promo, which doesn't help if your kids are over 9!

Pixie dust to all, on obtaining codes for early 2004!