Book now and hope for discount code later?

[Tinkwings]

Did not go last year and was kind of hoping they would notice and send me the elusive pin code...but alas no. In years past I think I booked a few times to later see a public discount code and called to have them adjust to obtain better rate....but I am not sure if I did that or waited for code offer....has anyone here booked and called at least once to take advantage of a newly released room code? I am not going til January and see only Aug-Oct codes when googling.

In your experience with room only deals....do YOU wait til you see the deal or haggle after your initial booking?

THANKS!:king:

 

[Master Yoda]

I book rooms and packages at rack rate and re-book with promotions for my clients all the time. The best advice I could give is to book what you can afford at rack rate. If and when a promotion is released you can pocket the savings or upgrade. If you can only swing a promotional rate then wait until one comes out before you book.

 

[becanya]

Absolutely! I've even booked at one promotional discount (free dining) then called back with a new discount (40% off deluxe) and they have compared the savings for me to tell me which one is better. You can only use one, but they will compare them and tell you which one will save you more. I always say to book at soon as you can, then adjust later. That way you get what you want.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

People book all the time (even pay in full) and still get codes--I don't think the system is sophisticated enough to tell that you've already booked. I never get codes but my husband does all the time, so there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Maybe sign one of the adults in your travel group so that you can use their code if they get one?

 

[got2lovedisney]

If you're going, with or without a code, book now. That way you have a better chance of getting the dates, resort, room category you want.

Just keep in mind that just because a code comes out, it does not automatically mean you can apply it to your reservation. Keep hunting on the boards for your code and call as soon as it comes out for best results.

 

[Tinkwings]

Yes that was my hesitation...that once entered when I called back they could easily say nothing was available as I already was booked....or would prohibit codes and pins being generated...but thinking back two years, I think I did book at the club level at the WL hoping for a break later, and that wonderful 40% thing happened and I called asap expecting no club level rooms would be available at that code. I jumped out of my chair when she said yes...the only catch was that it had to be a package offer and I had a room only booking, so she was somehow able to code it as a package but I still only had the room on that package....think I had to forego the giftcard offer but it was an awesome deal. Hopefully they will come out with a December/January pre president's day offer again....and it is simply too early to expect that.... :animwink:.

I have had some peeps great at the reservation system and others? not so much....a few offered up some codes once and that was fun.:sohappy::king:

 

[Master Yoda]

Yes that was my hesitation...that once entered when I called back they could easily say nothing was available as I already was booked....or would prohibit codes and pins being generated...but thinking back two years, I think I did book at the club level at the WL hoping for a break later, and that wonderful 40% thing happened and I called asap expecting no club level rooms would be available at that code. I jumped out of my chair when she said yes...the only catch was that it had to be a package offer and I had a room only booking, so she was somehow able to code it as a package but I still only had the room on that package....think I had to forego the giftcard offer but it was an awesome deal. Hopefully they will come out with a December/January pre president's day offer again....and it is simply too early to expect that.... :animwink:.

I have had some peeps great at the reservation system and others? not so much....a few offered up some codes once and that was fun.:sohappy::king:

There is always option 2. Book with kingdom Konsultants and let us worry about all of that.:wave:

 

[Monty]

The booking game is sort of a multi-edged sword.

- If you book and there are enough bookings to satisfy their capacity goals, they may not offer discounts.

- If you don't book, there may not be rooms available that match your needs when the discounts do come out.

- There are high-occupancy times of year when they may or may not offer discounts at all, so if you require the discount, you might have to cancel.

As Richard said, book what you need and can afford. If something comes along take advantage of either the reduced cost or upgrade to something that becomes affordable as a result. Never depend on a discount.

I've often called to make changes and they'll happily tell me what's available and whether it's better or worse than what I've already got.

 

[dreamfinder]

In my mind it comes down to your desire for a certain room type/resort. Disney will almost without a doubt have a room available at last minute at rack rate. A few exceptions like prime season and all, but for the most part you can find something. If you are dead set on a certain hotel/room type, then book it. Take the best rate you can get now and then be happy if something else comes along that is better. There is always the chance that your booking will push them over the magical unknown amount of rooms and cause them not to offer a discount for that particular room type. But if you are happy with simply being at Disney, and will take anything in a given category, then wait and see and jump from resort to resort as needed.

Or as Richard said, let them do it for you!

But don't ever ever book a room more expensive than you can afford with the hopes of getting a discount to make it affordable. Book what you can afford now, and make the change later.

 

[Korfar]

The booking game is sort of a multi-edged sword.

- If you book and there are enough bookings to satisfy their capacity goals, they may not offer discounts.

- If you don't book, there may not be rooms available that match your needs when the discounts do come out.

- There are high-occupancy times of year when they may or may not offer discounts at all, so if you require the discount, you might have to cancel.

As Richard said, book what you need and can afford. If something comes along take advantage of either the reduced cost or upgrade to something that becomes affordable as a result. Never depend on a discount.

I've often called to make changes and they'll happily tell me what's available and whether it's better or worse than what I've already got.

This is always my thoughts. If enough people book at full price waiting for discounts then why would Disney feel a need to offer one? If enough people did this they could end up hurting thier chances of a discount.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

I've done this in the past and ended up getting a pin code. Matter of fact, yesterday I booked the Poly for next Sept. $200 deposit, no problem. If I'm lucky enough to receive a pin code, awesome and I already have a reservation made. If no pin comes along, I'll downgrade.

 

[Tinkwings]

Thanks FoolishMortal....gives me hope....'tis not so foolish to wish for a pin code even though you are already booked! Guess I kind of got spooked when their spyware emailed me about my families "reservations" when i only went on WDW site and entered dates to check out rates quoted....did not enter email on that site and thought 'oh darn now they know I am considering..."...:lookaroun Since noone has demystified the pin code selection process there is still hope!!!!:king:

 

[coachwnh]

we have done the same, but there is no guarantee that the room or resort you have booked will be where you can stay with the PIN code. For example, we had AKL and Coronado booked w/o a deal then ended up adjusting once deals came out. We ended up at AKL 8 nights with a AP discount, the swan for 5 nights with another deal, then WL with a PIN code for 3 days. we ended up staying for 17 total days at multiple resorts for cheaper then our original plan (AKL then Coronado) only because new deals came out and the room we had booked at Coronado were no longer available using our AP. hope this helps

 

[Magical Dreamer]

I currently have November 2011 paid in full and November 2012 booked.

If or when the discounts are released for November 2011 the cash back will go directly to our 2012 booking.

I'm hoping free Dining will be released as it would make a $2K payment for me.