April 2011...

[soin2disney]

Question???
Someone had suggested I book a room-only for April 2011 with my AAA card. How would that work? Would I have to put $200 down now, and then when packages become available, put another $200 down? Would I be given a 2010 quote, and then the price would go up in 2011? Very confusing....Any sugggestions??? Thanks, Tina

 

[Firepath]

I just booked room only for Jan. 2011. My deposit was one night at the 2010 rack rate, but they don't apply the AAA discount. When the 2011 rates come out you can call back and apply the AAA discount at that time based on the 2011 rate. I believe it works the same with a package. When the package rate your hoping for comes out, you call and they switch it over to a package. In the meantime, you know you've got a room at your choice of resorts.

 

[Mikester71]

I always go in about a year out and put the deposit down on a room only reservation to hold our rooms for us (one night's rate) and then go back in to our local CAA/AAA in August to switch it over to the package deal. You only have to put the money down the first time yo book it, and then you have up until 40 days before your actual trip to pay the rest off. We usually put around $500 down initially and then usually pay the whole trip off when the package comes out in August. Heck, last year, a better deal came out after we had already paid our whole trip off and we actually got a cheque back from Disney for the difference. Kinda nice to get Disney sending YOU money instead of the other way around! :sohappy:

 

[Frightful]

So you CAN upgrade to a package from a room only reservation, and not have to book a separate package and then cancel your room only? I'm only switching to a package if a superior deal comes out, but I want to make sure I know the right protocol.

 

[soin2disney]

???

Ok, so what does everyone suggest I do? Should I book the room only now for April 2011, or should I wait for when the packages come out this Summer? Our vacation hits the week of Easter, although we won't be there on Easter. We are going from April 14h-22nd, and Easter is the 24th.
We usually always stay at The Polynesian. Any suggestions???
Thanks, Tina

 

[cegrant]

Book now. Any changes you make will come far before deadlines, and things are definitely going to book up that week. A reservation agent I spoke to not too long ago said people book rooms early all the time and then switch to packages or call back to have discounts applied.

 

[Mikester71]

Book now for sure Tina...no reason not to really. Like I said, come August, it is as simple as calling Disney back (or in my case, my local CAA agent) and getting them to switch it over to the package. Honestly, I can't remember if they just upgrade the room only reservation or cancel it and do a new one as the package deal, but either way, it only takes my agent a couple of minutes on the phone with WDW and we have the new reservation and a new balance of what we have left owing. Book it now and save yourself the worry!!!

 

[Mikester71]

So you CAN upgrade to a package from a room only reservation, and not have to book a separate package and then cancel your room only? I'm only switching to a package if a superior deal comes out, but I want to make sure I know the right protocol.

You can, but I can't remember if my CAA agent has to cancel the room only reservation while she is making the package one or if it is a simple upgrade. Either way, it still only takes like 5-10 minutes on the phone and WDW will give you your new reservation and your new balance from the upgrade. :shrug: