2008 Booking Advice Needed

[mousefan1972]

I could use some advice regarding booking our family's spring '08 trip. Specifically, my dilemma is: AAA rate room-only vs. package and hope for a discount released later. Does that make sense? We are planning to stay at the Poly, garden view April 25-May 3. For room, 8 day PH and dining plan I was quoted an astronomical amount of money. However, we went the same time of year last spring and Disney offered a "late Spring discount" on packages, which lowered our tab by $600. If this is offered again, we're good. If not, not so good. So my ? is do I book room only at the AAA rate now(which is a guaranteed 10% off), or book the package and pray a discount is released, and that it's available for our dates/resort?? I'm afraid if there's no discount, the AAA rates will be gone since the discounts last year weren't released till March. This is giving me a major headache. DH is no help. He says "whatever you think". :brick: Any help will be appreciated.

 

[jjgoo]

Yikes! Not a fun situation. You got the discount last year, do you have any other historical reference? I mean has that same discount been offered for the past five years? If so it might be worth taking the chance.

I would factor in to the equation if they are still doing work on the Animal Kingdom Lodge and transferring people to the Poly. That may increase their bookings and make it less likely they will offer the same discount this year.

Maybe you could consider booking at a Moderate with no discount and then upgrading to the Poly with the discount if it comes available (I don't actually know if this is possible). At least that way you know you could stay in budget.

Hope my thoughts help. Have a great trip!

 

[coltow]

We sort of just had the same thing happen. AKL package was way too pricey. We didn't want to chance waiting for discount just in case there wasn't one. AAA would have saved us some, but we knew that if a discount came out it would be more. As a group we decided to keep package but at POFQ instead, and still hope that discount comes, but if not we're paying at POFQ what we had hoped to pay at AKL with discount.

 

[ryguy]

Definitely book the AAA rate, you can always cancel or modify. Just because they release a room only code doesn't mean you will get. Especially since were talking about the Polynesian, such a popular hotel. Bascially you have to be lucky or real dedicated. I booked my AAA rate the other day for a week earlier in April at the Polynesian. The good news is that Easter is falling so early this year, April should be slower. Which could be good news for a room only code. Your dates are more likely to get the code than mine, as they are closer to May. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

 

[mousefan1972]

Definitely book the AAA rate, you can always cancel or modify. Just because they release a room only code doesn't mean you will get. Especially since were talking about the Polynesian, such a popular hotel. Bascially you have to be lucky or real dedicated. I booked my AAA rate the other day for a week earlier in April at the Polynesian. The good news is that Easter is falling so early this year, April should be slower. Which could be good news for a room only code. Your dates are more likely to get the code than mine, as they are closer to May. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Great points, that helps alot. That's what I was leaning towards... booking the room only at the AAA rate, and if Disney releases a better discount for my dates/resort that I can use, I'll switch it. Thanks for the replies; you guys are great.

 

[sbkline]

I keep hearing everyone talking about AAA. What is AAA?

 

[lilclerk]

I keep hearing everyone talking about AAA. What is AAA?

American Auto Association.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I got one heck of a discount when I used my AAA card when I called the reservation line...Nice thing was it was a preferred room with a king size at Pop in the 60's...man I can't wait!!

 

[JPVonDrake]

To clairify...

First, an AAA rate is never guaranteed. Like all discount marketing offers there is a limited number of rooms available at each participating Resort for each day during the offer period. Once they sell out, they are gone.

Second, you may consider booking directly with a AAA Travel Agent to see if a AAA discounted vacation package is available for your dates and resort choice. If a better discount is released you can go back to your AAA Travel Agent to see if your reservation can be modified to the new offer, again based on availability of the new offer. Also remember, you will not be able to combine two marketing offers. You will need to choose one over the other.

Lastly, the average Guest will save about 30% per day on meals on the 2008 Magic Your Way Plus Dine Package, and about 40% per day on meals on the 2008 Magic Your Way plus Deluxe Dine Package. The AAA room-only offer will save a Guests about 10-20% (depending on season and resort) per night on the room. Overall, the meal plans packages are a better savings.

 

[TestTrack]

To clairify...

First, an AAA rate is never guaranteed. Like all discount marketing offers there is a limited number of rooms available at each participating Resort for each day during the offer period. Once they sell out, they are gone.

Second, you may consider booking directly with a AAA Travel Agent to see if a AAA discounted vacation package is available for your dates and resort choice. If a better discount is released you can go back to your AAA Travel Agent to see if your reservation can be modified to the new offer, again based on availability of the new offer. Also remember, you will not be able to combine two marketing offers. You will need to choose one over the other.

Lastly, the average Guest will save about 30% per day on meals on the 2008 Magic Your Way Plus Dine Package, and about 40% per day on meals on the 2008 Magic Your Way plus Deluxe Dine Package. The AAA room-only offer will save a Guests about 10-20% (depending on season and resort) per night on the room. Overall, the meal plans packages are a better savings.

I doubt your numbers at the end there. Especially the Deluxe Dining package.

 

[Monty]

I doubt your numbers at the end there. Especially the Deluxe Dining package.

Never doubt JP! :lol:

Those numbers are likely Disney's official estimates of average savings to guests using the package as designed. As such, and given my own experience eating everything they offer and attempting to 'maximize' my value on the plans in the past, their estimates are usually fairly accurate. That said, to obtain that 'value' you've gotta be prepared to eat a lot of food! :slurp:

 

[TestTrack]

Never doubt JP! :lol:

Those numbers are likely Disney's official estimates of average savings to guests using the package as designed. As such, and given my own experience eating everything they offer and attempting to 'maximize' my value on the plans in the past, their estimates are usually fairly accurate. That said, to obtain that 'value' you've gotta be prepared to eat a lot of food! :slurp:

Exactly. I just doubt that most people in the world eat $50 of food per person at the World per day. However, maybe I am just in the clueless minority:hammer:

 

[frankd1962]

Exactly. I just doubt that most people in the world eat $50 of food per person at the World per day. However, maybe I am just in the clueless minority:hammer:

Remember some of the prices for the meals I had (I was on the dining plan but still looked at the prices) getting over $50 per person by lunch time is about right. Factor breakfast is around $15, a snack is about $5, lunch could be about $30 and all this depends on where and what you're going to eat also. So $50 sounds very conservative in range.

 

[Lindsy1052]

I could use some advice regarding booking our family's spring '08 trip. Specifically, my dilemma is: AAA rate room-only vs. package and hope for a discount released later. Does that make sense? We are planning to stay at the Poly, garden view April 25-May 3. For room, 8 day PH and dining plan I was quoted an astronomical amount of money. However, we went the same time of year last spring and Disney offered a "late Spring discount" on packages, which lowered our tab by $600. If this is offered again, we're good. If not, not so good. So my ? is do I book room only at the AAA rate now(which is a guaranteed 10% off), or book the package and pray a discount is released, and that it's available for our dates/resort?? I'm afraid if there's no discount, the AAA rates will be gone since the discounts last year weren't released till March. This is giving me a major headache. DH is no help. He says "whatever you think". :brick: Any help will be appreciated.

Book your package with your AAA agent and take your discount. A bird in the hand...........Should Disney come out with a special, call them directly, if available, book it and then cancel the one you have with AAA. Just do not add insurance to your package until final payment with AAA and you would get a full refund. Play the game...that's all you can do.

 

[Monty]

Exactly. I just doubt that most people in the world eat $50 of food per person at the World per day. However, maybe I am just in the clueless minority:hammer:

I eat more than $50 in food at one sitting at Le Cellier... Don't know where you eat.

 

[TestTrack]

I eat more than $50 in food at one sitting at Le Cellier... Don't know where you eat.

Ok, this isn't about how much I eat or how much you eat. This is about how much the average guest eats. But we're wayyy off topic. Doesn't really matter anyway because all that matters is if it would save us money personally.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Exactly. I just doubt that most people in the world eat $50 of food per person at the World per day. However, maybe I am just in the clueless minority:hammer:

uuuummmmm Should I not tell you that I probably spend $50-$60 dollars a day easily on food and beverages in WDW?? I susually do a sit down breakfast, a snack and beverage of mid afternoon and a sit down meal at dinner. Breakfast is usually $10-12 dollars, snack figure about $7-10 and sit down Meal $35-40 including a tip isnt outrageous. Belle

 

[met19]

Remember some of the prices for the meals I had (I was on the dining plan but still looked at the prices) getting over $50 per person by lunch time is about right. Factor breakfast is around $15, a snack is about $5, lunch could be about $30 and all this depends on where and what you're going to eat also. So $50 sounds very conservative in range.

it depends if you eat sit down meals or not daily. If you do, then its great. If you dont you prob will not break even: 10 for breakfast, 5 for snack and 10-15 for lunch/dinner barely makes 50. And those are on the high end.

 

[TestTrack]

uuuummmmm Should I not tell you that I probably spend $50-$60 dollars a day easily on food and beverages in WDW?? I susually do a sit down breakfast, a snack and beverage of mid afternoon and a sit down meal at dinner. Breakfast is usually $10-12 dollars, snack figure about $7-10 and sit down Meal $35-40 including a tip isnt outrageous. Belle

That may be true for most of the people here. However, I don't think the average tourist in WDW has two sit down meals a day. But I am just speculating.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Back a great number of years, I didnt know about any of the sit down restaurants in Disney either. Also eating like that does take up far more time that grabbing a muffin and tea on the run, but it has become a pretty integral part of my trips. As far as the new people booking this package, I would think by having the package offered with the attendent "is accepted at over 100 restuarants in the WDW Parks and resorts" would prompt the question from the guest regarding the dining options at WDW. I am sure that everyone would agree a little planning in Disney goes a LONG way!!!! Dining styles may vary, however the knowledge is invaluable. Belle