What's the history of codes, pre-2003?

[Tinkaroo]

With all the discussion and hoping for codes, I'm curious as to what people on this board remember about room code discounts more than 2-3 years ago. It looks like Mary on mousesavers.com only has the history of codes back through 2003 (where it appeared there was always some sort of special going on).

This would make sense, looking at the state of the economy and particularly the travel industry after 9/11. They needed incentives to get people to suck it up and travel, so discounts made sense for them. Now that things seem to be back on the upward trend, are we all nuts for assuming that there is always going to be a code coming out?

I, too, am hoping for a code beginning on April 17 (currently have an AP discount because I'm checking in on 4/16 for my week-long stay, but an AP rate in regular season would be even better!). Although I haven't given up hope, and it is encouraging that there have been e-mail and postcard pin codes, the longer they wait, I think the less likely codes are going to be.

Or maybe they'll just wait longer to extend them to us (once everyone cancels their rack rate ressies after having given up on codes).

Anyone out there know what was happening several years back?

 

[FoodLover]

It looks like Mary on mousesavers.com only has the history of codes back through 2003 (where it appeared there was always some sort of special going on). This would make sense, looking at the state of the economy and particularly the travel industry after 9/11.

I used to list the discount history going back to February 2001, which is when I started my site. However, the list was getting too long, so I removed the first two years. Generally speaking, there were MORE codes in 2001 (even before 9/11, because the economy was slow) and in 2002 than currently.

People are traveling again, so Disney is not seeing the need to discount as much. I would not be surprised if we see fewer discount codes, particularly during peak times of year.

I have always said that no one should count on resort discounts. Book what you can afford, and if a discount comes out, either save money on your room (yay!) or upgrade and get a better room.

Unfortunately I think some folks have gotten used to year-round discounts, and made plans accordingly. Those people may be in for a disappointment.

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[tekmom]

Where on mousesavers do you see history of codes? I am specifically interested in any public code for room only, AKL, July 2004. Preferably after July 4th. We are going this July 17, AKL, and I am interested in any public code. We currently are booked with AAA discount. Thanks!

 

[alecam]

Where on mousesavers do you see history of codes? I am specifically interested in any public code for room only, AKL, July 2004. Preferably after July 4th. We are going this July 17, AKL, and I am interested in any public code. We currently are booked with AAA discount. Thanks!

If you click on Frequently Asked Questions on the left side and scroll down, it a little lower than half-way down.

 

[disneyjunkie]

My first trip to WDW was August 2001. I was able to use a code rate of $49.00 for All Star Sports.

 

[Sammie]

Mary is definitely right. Discounts were few and far between for many years with Disney. If occupancy continues to improve they will become fewer and fewer available.

For a long time Disney did not offer AAA discounts, most were Florida seasonal discounts and a few AP discounts. Sometimes if Disney were opening a new resort they would do a few upgrades to the new resort to introduce it.

Discounts are offered to fill rooms. If you book a room you will not keep without a discount you are actually contributing to the possibility you won't get the discount. As Mary suggested book only what you will keep with or without a discount, then adjust if one comes out.

 

[Momto8]

I've been getting AP discounts since 1998 (the first year we had purchased them). In fact, I was offered an AP discount by a CM at CRO for a Ft. Wilderness home (I don't think they had the cabins yet) before I even heard about them for $137/night. I believe it was in '97, but we didn't have APs then and I had no plans of purchasing them at that time.

The summer of '99 is the first time I can remember them offering a discount to the general public. They had a discount called "Hot Summer Nights". We stayed at the BWI for a standard room for $164/night, which was a little less than the AP discount at that time. Maybe they had discounts for the general public before then but I wasn' aware if they did. They did have the Magic Kingdom Club discount back then but that was never available for when we went in the summer.

Here is what we've gotten in the past when staying at Disney resorts:

6/98 YC $169/night - AP discount
12/98 ASM - AP discount or MKC discount but can't remember what we paid - probably around $60-65 per night (early Dec.)
6/99 BWI $164/night - Hot Summer Nights - BWV 1BR $220/nt - AP discount
12/99 ASMV - I think this was a MKC discount - either $60 or $65/night but not sure (early Dec.)
6/00 CSR $109/night - This was either an AP discount or a summer code
3/01 ASM - around $50-$60/night - AP discount
6/02 POR - around $74-$85/night - AP discount
6/03 CBR - $74/night AP discount
6/03 AKL - $124/night AP discount
6/04 POR - $74/night AP discount
12/04 ASM - $49/night AP discount (Christmas trip, checked in on 12/25)

I'm positive about the rates I paid for most of these dates with the exception of a couple of rates at ASM and ASMV. I know those were around the $60/night range, but I can't remember for sure.

I can remember there being discount codes being offered either to the general public and/or to certain states from 1999 and on with more being offered as the years went on. I also haven't had a problem getting the discounts with any of my dates. Most of the time I did get the resort I wanted but if I wasn't able to, I was flexible within the category and able to get another resort.

Maybe this is wishful thinking on my part, but I am going to be positive and hope they continue the trend of discounting rooms as they seemed to be discounting them for several years before 9/11. Maybe the economy is better but Disney also has more rooms to fill than before. Of couse, I never book anything that I can't afford. I book what I'm comfortable with, and then if and when a discount comes out, I either have the discount applied or upgrade to the next category.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks for your insight, Mary! Having not been in charge of planning my Disney vacations back then (in college/early marriage, so it was on the parents if we went), I don't know any history beyond 2002.

I agree - everyone should book what they can afford, and if codes come out, then the rest is just gravy, as they say. Good luck!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Yes, we've always been using codes and have been for several years now.

I remember in 2002 getting an AP code for the Yacht Club for 169 a night, and now the lowest price AP rates I've been finding in the last year or two has been closer to 220. It's really gone up. Same for GF. I remember 2001 at 199 a night (AP) and now its closer to 250 for the garden view.

I was hoping for some room only codes w/o the AP this year. I'm just waiting to see if they come out. If not, we won't go

 

[Alice42]

In summer of 2001, I remember getting a postcard in the mail for yacht and beach club for around $180/night. It had a code listed on the card. We ended up using this code for the end of July, 2001. I don't think it had a pin attached at that time, but I could be wrong.

 

[BuckNaked]

The first time I ever used a code was in September, 1998. We stayed in a 2BR Fairway Villa at the Disney Institute for $229/night + tax (AP rate).

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I May of 2001, we were able to stay at CSR, for $79/night, with an Ohio Resident code.

It seems that codes for certain states (other than FL), don't happen much anymore.

 

[ead79]

In 2001, I think I remember getting 40% off at AKL (general public code) and 45% off at Poly concierge (also a general public code).

In 2002, I believe I got 40% off at YC concierge and Poly concierge (general public codes again).

These were all during value season in early to mid-December.

Discounts have definitely been decreasing since then.

 

[Gary M]

We have gone to WDW each Dec. since 1992. My memory isn't good, but I would guess around 1995 or 1996 we would get a Jolly Holidays package. This would include a very good room discount and a ticket to the Jolly Holiday show and dinner at the CR. We did this for a few years and they discontinued it and we have gotten AP room rates since. As mentioned before, I think the discounts for value season were often available, but scarce during the busier seasons. It seems like the slower times are getting less slow.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Maybe this is wishful thinking on my part, but I am going to be positive and hope they continue the trend of discounting rooms as they seemed to be discounting them for several years before 9/11. Maybe the economy is better but Disney also has more rooms to fill than before. Of couse, I never book anything that I can't afford. I book what I'm comfortable with, and then if and when a discount comes out, I either have the discount applied or upgrade to the next category.

Hope this helps.

I also book what we will keep and I made the same point that you did about Disney having more rooms to fill now. Yes, the economy is better now, but I don't think it's back to what it was in the mid to late 90's. And, with people being use to having discount rates, I don't think Disney really knows what will happen if codes don't come out whether people will cancel and go off site.

 

[maxsmom]

I don't know a history but DH and I stayed at the YC in 01 with a view of the lake and boardwalk for like $169. I haven't seen anything even close to that. We're not AP pr FLR.

Michelle

 

[DMRick]

We got a code the year the year CB opened. but I don't know what year that was.

 

[Princess Dot]

I remember the "hot summer nights" discounts too! I know that they had AP rates in 1999 when I got the BC for $169. I remember the GF was $199 (AP rate) and I thought that was too much! LOL! Can you imagine! Now I'm considering the WL at $192! Can you think I turned down the GF!

But when I first started "DIS"ing back in 1997 I don't remember any posting of general discount codes. People talked about AP rates, managers specials, upsells, and there were special general promotions like the hot summer nights (that was the year with all the fires,if I remember) and that code that was posted in the Spanish language paper (anyone remember that?). I remember a lot of posts about receiving post cards and there was the posting of PIN#s that soon was banned. But until I found mousesavers, I don't recall the use of general codes.

 

[Poohbear123]

In 1999! I was going to stay at Music for 105.00 a night, and got a phone call from CRO. They wanted to know if I wanted to "upgrade" to another resort for the same price as I was paying for Music! I said yes, and was upgraded to CSR! Needless to say, I was thrilled, as that resort was 145.00 a night back than! I than started hearing about "codes" for Fl. Residents and been using them ever since!

 

[Momto8]

I remember the "hot summer nights" discounts too! I know that they had AP rates in 1999 when I got the BC for $169. I remember the GF was $199 (AP rate) and I thought that was too much! LOL! Can you imagine! Now I'm considering the WL at $192! Can you think I turned down the GF!

But when I first started "DIS"ing back in 1997 I don't remember any posting of general discount codes. People talked about AP rates, managers specials, upsells, and there were special general promotions like the hot summer nights (that was the year with all the fires,if I remember) and that code that was posted in the Spanish language paper (anyone remember that?). I remember a lot of posts about receiving post cards and there was the posting of PIN#s that soon was banned. But until I found mousesavers, I don't recall the use of general codes.

I remember them offering the GF for $199/night and passed it up also. We went with the BWI. I also remember a general promotion called "Dancing in Your Dreams" or something like that. I think that was in 2000 but it could have been earlier.

The first year I remember them offering AP discounts was 1997. I do remember reading in the Unofficial Guide back then to ask for discounts when you called as they said they won't offer them without asking, so I did and that's how I found out about AP discounts. Since we didn't get online (AOL) until 10/96, I wouldn't have known if they offered them that year.

Back in 1996 they had the discussion forums right on the official Disney World website. Does anyone remember those forums? That was the first time I had ever heard about discussion forums. Shortly after I got online Disney discontinued them and AOL took them over. For the past 5 years, I've been on the DIS boards.