When to book for August '04, and where to stay

teentoddlermom

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 9, 2003
Messages
944
Barring any really unusual complications, our family feels we must go back in August 04. We had such a blast in August 03, and the Fairytale Package made it happen financially for us. We want to stay closer to Epcot/MGM this time. What resort and when to book? If we book early and something like the Fairytale Package comes out again, will they transfer our reservation to it for the savings? Thanks!:wave2:
 
Hi, I already booked our Aug 04 trip. I booked the Dolphin for a ET rate of $147.50 +tax. The Dolphin is a wonderful deluxe hotel and you can't beat the rates.... unless they would offer something similar to the FTP again, which I'm hoping they will!!
 
entertainment rate, those coupon books you have to buy.

Try AAA, it's often the same rate.
 

I'm sorry...ET rate = Entertainment Book. You don't need the book when you make your ressie, but you do need to have your card at check in.

Also, if you are a teacher or work for the govt. there are great rates available if you fall into any of those catagories.
 
Hi
Just booked our Aug trip for 14 days!! We're booked at the AASP. AAA rate of 94.25 a night ( includes taxes). I hope there will be good AP rates out for this time.
I would also like to stay at the Swan, but DD's really like the ASSP and this is a surprise trip for them. Maybe if I find a great rate at the Swan it will change my mind or I'll do a split stay! I have a lot of time to decide.:earsgirl:
 
When in Aug. is everyone going?:wave2: We just booked for Aug.5-12 at the CBR:Pinkbounc then on to the WONDER.:bounce: Our friends are going with us that NEVER been to Fla. We booked through AAA. Hope to see you there.:D
 
I think I really want to stay at the YC or BC, because of the access to MGM and EPCOT. I don't think this will be feasible unless some good discounts come out, though. Hoping for that! So it looks like I won't be booking until late spring or early summer, since that's when the Fairytale package came out last year. I keep checking many boards and the feeling is that Disney won't release something as good as the Fairytale package unless they are really underbooked. Hoping for that too!:sunny: :wave:
 
I would highly recommend the Dolphin. It's a deluxe resort at a moderate price. Instead of booking a package, you can stay there and buy a park hopper pass for the number of days you want to go to the parks. Those Entertainment Books are only $20 and well worth it for the savings. Plus we use the restaurant coupons in our hometown. You can also cancel your reservation at the Dolphin a week in advance and not have to pay anything. That way if a great package comes out for another hotel, you can still get it if you want.
 
Also, the Dolphin is right next to the Beach Club. If you're going for location, I think you'll be just as happy at the Dolphin. You'll save a ton of money, and the staff there treats you great. I personally would hate to have to worry for months about when and if the discount rates for packages are coming out. Plus it seemed that when the last package came out, there was very little, if anything, available at the Beach Club.
 
Just so you know Swan, Dolphin, YC/BC & Boardwalk are all within walking distance to Epcot and MGM.

We just stayed at Boardwalk and really enjoyed it. It was our first in the Epcot resort area and it was wonderful to have the two parks so close!!!
 
If cost is a factor, Port Orleans Riverside is a good choice for access times to both Epcot and MGM. As I have posted elsewhere, the POR could be considered another Disney bus "HUB" because it provides the quickest access to the most places as compared to any other resort. Sehlinger's Unofficial guide provides a chart for travel time ranges, but I have confirmed this for myself with two stays at POR.

There are many variables when estimating travel time between Disney destinations. The best access is from a resort from which one may WALK to a park (e.g. Contemporary to Magic Kingdom). If you must be transported by train, bus or boat, you must wait to board before you can travel. Bus times can be delayed not only by traffic and traffic lights, but also by the extra time it takes to load and unload wheel chairs and people-movers. This hold true for the monorail as well. One must also keep an eye on whether the bus that visits your resort is also the same one that must visit other resorts.

Park to resort distance is often irrelevant. Park closing travel time between MK and Grand Fla. can be as long or longer than travel time from MK to AKL because of the number of people lined up at the monorail station and the pier wait for a limited number of trains and boats to arrive. Disney bus travel rules at park closing time.

If you have a high priority need to travel between resorts so as to make it on time for performances or priority seatings...RENT A CAR!
 




New Posts









Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom