Wise or Unwise?

[minnierocks]

We are going to WDW for Thanksgiving...
I called a couple of weeks ago and was planning on making ressies starting on Nov 17. Well, I happened to have the 40% off code attached to my name, but I have to check in on the 16th. So I make the reservation for the 16th to get the discount. That means that we have to fly when we were planning on driving. We are going with extended family and we have to fly out that evening because everyone needs to work on Friday.
My situation is this...I need to find a good deal and the right flight times for this to work out. The guy from CRO told me that we have to check in by midnight or lose the rooms. I have two options...wait (on pins and needles) hoping for everything to work out and if it doesn't we are driving. I was thinking about keeping the reservations and just calling them to tell them that we are getting there later than expected and asking them to hold the rooms. (I will have already been charged for that night anyway.) We would get there around noon on Saturday. Would that be wise?
Option #2-Just forget the discount (which will kill me ) and change the reservations to the 17th and book with a AAA discount. I am afraid that if I wait to change, then all AAA rooms will be gone. Then I am stuck paying full price.
I just don't know what to do and knew that my friends here on the DIS would give me some ideas!
Help me decide please!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Take the 40% off and have someone sacrafice to fly down there a day early to check in and hang out at the pool. Tough task... How many of thousands of $ do you stand to save?

 

[sconnell]

Take the 40% off and have someone sacrafice to fly down there a day early to check in and hang out at the pool. Tough task... How many of thousands of $ do you stand to save?

Good idea! I wouldn't have thought of that! Sending just one person is bound to save some money. That should get rid of some anxiety about getting a good rate. Then if you get a REALLY good rate you can all fly, but don't worry if you don't.

 

[Magical JenK]

My situation is this...I need to find a good deal and the right flight times for this to work out. The guy from CRO told me that we have to check in by midnight or lose the rooms.

I'm pretty sure this is not true. Our flights don't come in to MCO until 1130, then because it's so late, we wait for our luggage & then grab the DME, arriving around 1245 last year. We did not loose our room. I think I've read on here that you have until 6am to check-in.

I'd double check on that info before booking your flight in case you can get a cheaper flight at a different time.

Just my two cents...
Jen

 

[HayGan]

One thing that you have to keep in mind is that you are flying around one of the busiest times of the year. "Good deals" on airfare will be harder to get (not impossible but definitely harder!) Where are you planning on flying out of? If you can get to an airport served by SW, that might be your best route to take!

I think you really need to figure out what flying versus driving is going to cost you. Then see if your 40% discount makes up for that difference. Do the math for each scenario and see which one makes more sense.

I travel alot for business and most places will be very accomodating for you if you keep them informed of late arrivals. I'm sure that Disney would be the same.

 

[minnierocks]

Flying one person down early is a great idea, but not feasible for us...We all will be traveling together.

We would like to fly out of CAK, but CLE and PIT are also options for us. Allegiant also flies out of Youngstown, but they are very limited on their schedule. Southwest hasn't released their flight schedule yet, so at this point, it's a waiting game...

We are saving about $175/room times 3 rooms by booking the discount. And not having to drive 18 hours, will save us gas $ and time.

I will call and double check about checking in no later than midnight...
Thanks so much...
Keep the feedback coming...
I am spending way too much mental energy on this!

 

[Lauralee131]

Flying one person down early is a great idea, but not feasible for us...We all will be traveling together.

We would like to fly out of CAK, but CLE and PIT are also options for us. Allegiant also flies out of Youngstown, but they are very limited on their schedule. Southwest hasn't released their flight schedule yet, so at this point, it's a waiting game...

We are saving about $175/room times 3 rooms by booking the discount. And not having to drive 18 hours, will save us gas $ and time.

I will call and double check about checking in no later than midnight...
Thanks so much...
Keep the feedback coming...
I am spending way too much mental energy on this!

Maybe you won't even have to worry - if you're taking DME, then Disney will have your flight info so they'll see you've got a late arrival time. And if that doesn't work, maybe you can say

"DON'T YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE?!?!? WE WON THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM!!" Play that card sista!!

 

[minnierocks]

Maybe you won't even have to worry - if you're taking DME, then Disney will have your flight info so they'll see you've got a late arrival time. And if that doesn't work, maybe you can say

"DON'T YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE?!?!? WE WON THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM!!" Play that card sista!!

If only that would work all my troubles would be over!

 

[mumom95]

We are getting there on the 16th (originally planned on the 17th, but with the 40% off I figured the kids could miss one day of school )

This may sound crazy, since you don't even know me, but if it is possible for someone else to check you in, I would be willing. I'm also from Ohio, the Cincinnati area. I don't even know if it is allowed, since you probably have to have ID. But if someone knows that it could be done, and it is your best option, let me know. What resort are you staying at?

 

[minnierocks]

I appreciate the offer...I don't know how that would work...or if it is possible.


I am still weighing all the options and running all the numbers. I can justify the cost of the airfare because the room is so cheap. Flying in really late is still better than arriving on Saturday.
I think I might wait it out a little longer and think on it a little more!

 

[MEK]

Personally, I think you should fly. You have plenty of opportunity to book a flight between now and November. I'm sure you can get a decent flight out of PIT on SWA. I wouldn't fly Allegiant because then you have to pay for transfers to the hotel. This could negate your savings.

Maybe you can work a half day on the Friday you leave. Take one less vacation day this summer. Then your flight times might be more flexible. 18 hours in the car sounds bad to me, when you can fly instead. Look at it like this - your room discount is paying for aprroximately one round trip flight.

If worse comes to worse and you have to drive, call disney and explain your circumstances and that you will be a late arrival. You package cost should remain the same. You are still saving $.

You are lucky to get the coveted code! Don't stress over it.

I booked flights in February last year for November. Paid $179 RT out of PHL. When SWA released their flights they were about the same price. It will work out!