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[Missymoe4]

I originally booked my Disney vacation with a dining pin code. I upgraded to the dining plan (as opposed to the QS pin I was given), and then upgraded again to the deluxe dining plan. I thought I was getting a good deal. Then I decided to switch my hotel (from PO to the Contemporary). When I did, the price skyrocketed (of course), but I was still willing to pay the difference.

Then today I decided to toy around on the website and tried the summer discount for a room in the Contemporary.

For the dates I am booked I would be receiving a 40 percent discount.

Guess how much money I saved? $600!!

So, since I was saving that much (from my original upgrade in resorts) I upgraded from a garden view wing room to a tower room. I still came in $200 less than my original booking with all of those upgrades and the free QS dining pin code.

My point being this: always, always, always compare. The pin sometimes work, sometimes don't work to your advantage. Compare and be wise.

Also, I've changed my Disney reservation 4 times since I originally booked, and have had superior service every single time. However, I did find that I needed to ask about cheaper ways of booking. Basically, I had to do the research before calling and explaining how I came about 'such and such' price.

All in all: Disney has some great deals out there. But find the one that works best for your travel style and your budget.

I'm so excited--although I have stayed at the Contempoary more times that I can count, I have never stayed in the main tower building. This will be my first full-blown Contempoary tower experience.

 

[DisneyJoe]

1 - the 40% off is only on the room portion of your package, not the entire package.

2 - this is the major reason that someone should use a Disney-specialist travel agency such as Kingdom Konsultants (who sponsor this board) - they automatically do all of this for you.

 

[Missymoe4]

1 - the 40% off is only on the room portion of your package, not the entire package.

2 - this is the major reason that someone should use a Disney-specialist travel agency such as Kingdom Konsultants (who sponsor this board) - they automatically do all of this for you.

Exactly with the room--but I did buy the package. I didn't mean for my post to be misleading. What I was getting at was this: the 40 percent room discount saved me more money than the free dining pin.

 

[Master Yoda]

Exactly with the room--but I did buy the package. I didn't mean for my post to be misleading. What I was getting at was this: the 40 percent room discount saved me more money than the free dining pin.

This is quite common especially when you are dealing with a deluxe room. The water tends to get a bit muddier when dealing with the moderates and the values. Like you said....you have to do your homework or get someone like me to do it for you.

 

[bhg469]

This is quite common especially when you are dealing with a deluxe room. The water tends to get a bit muddier when dealing with the moderates and the values. Like you said....you have to do your homework or get someone like me to do it for you.

I don't know why I never thought about it before this upcoming trip but the 40% is the better deal every time except value resorts but only if it is the regular dining plan and not quick service. I ended up staying at a moderate but we planned on upgrading the dining plan if we stayed at a value.

 

[Master Yoda]

I don't know why I never thought about it before this upcoming trip but the 40% is the better deal every time except value resorts but only if it is the regular dining plan and not quick service. I ended up staying at a moderate but we planned on upgrading the dining plan if we stayed at a value.

You party size and make up will have a huge effect of which deal is better. A party of 4 where the kids are 10 or older can get a better deal with free dining all the way up to a standard room at some of the deluxe resorts but a solo traveler can make out better with a 40% discount at a value.

 

[CoffeeJedi]

The difference between the two options for 2 adults with no kids at a moderate resort was negligible. I went with the dining plan because I figured I was actually getting more for basically the same price.

 

[worldfanatic]

Congrats. I've never stayed at the Contemporary. But for me, the Tower rooms would be the place to be. Glad the savings let you upgrade! :wave:

 

[Monty]

As Richard [Master Yoda] said, it really depends on the size and ages of your party. I travel with my son Morgan regularly, he's 15 now. For us a room-only at a Mod or Deluxe is a no-brainer, the discount on our room at Beach Club last August paid for my AP, his tickets, a TiW card and all of our dining expenses while there for 8 nights!

A Mod booking doesn't save quite as much, but still cheaper than "free dining". We're going to be at WDW in late August for 13 nights at All Star Sports and did the math on the supposedly free QS dining [upgrading to DDP because QS sucks for us] and it was better to get my son an AP so he can go again in December when I was going anyway [he's used to me going occasionally without him] and using the TiW discounts for the meals we want.

I do the math every time and we haven't used the Dining Plan in years, it's just not worth it for us. Particularly when you factor in the other discounts APs get you...

 

[CoffeeJedi]

Wow, I stand corrected!
Went back and checked out deluxe resorts using the 40% off deal and re-ran the numbers.

Even WITH adding the dining plan, the price difference between Port Orleans French Quarter (free dining) and Animal Kingdom Lodge was a little over a hundred bucks for the whole week.


Called up last night and got my reservation changed! We're going DELUXE baby!

 

[dizzney]

As Richard [Master Yoda] said, it really depends on the size and ages of your party. I travel with my son Morgan regularly, he's 15 now. For us a room-only at a Mod or Deluxe is a no-brainer, the discount on our room at Beach Club last August paid for my AP, his tickets, a TiW card and all of our dining expenses while there for 8 nights!

A Mod booking doesn't save quite as much, but still cheaper than "free dining". We're going to be at WDW in late August for 13 nights at All Star Sports and did the math on the supposedly free QS dining [upgrading to DDP because QS sucks for us] and it was better to get my son an AP so he can go again in December when I was going anyway [he's used to me going occasionally without him] and using the TiW discounts for the meals we want.

I do the math every time and we haven't used the Dining Plan in years, it's just not worth it for us. Particularly when you factor in the other discounts APs get you...

I SOOO agree with you, AP discounts are better than the dinig plan, we're DVC so we wouldnt get the free dining plan if we stay on points, but between the TIW card (20% off food and drink) and the other discounts it gets you, we save. When we were down the end of december-january this year, they were giving a 20% discount with you AP membership in the shops - both in and out of the parks, it was great!

You have to crunch the numbers but with APs (we also get $100 off being DVC) we save so much.

 

[kimbermouse]

Any idea when fall discounts will be out? We are planning on Oct. 7-11. We are also AP and disney visa holders.

 

[Missymoe4]

Wow, I stand corrected!
Went back and checked out deluxe resorts using the 40% off deal and re-ran the numbers.

Even WITH adding the dining plan, the price difference between Port Orleans French Quarter (free dining) and Animal Kingdom Lodge was a little over a hundred bucks for the whole week.


Called up last night and got my reservation changed! We're going DELUXE baby!

See...it DID work--for a much better hotel. Well, all are good, but when you can go deluxe with little 'extra' money, why not?!?!

CONGRATS!!!