December Deals

[Jedi Osborn]

I posted yesterday about wanting to go to WDW in late Nov to early Dec, but that I was having a hard time turning down the low prices that are being offered (and the free dining plan!!) for late September.

Does anyone have any idea what might be offered for the time after Thanksgiving?

And if there's nothing available now, does anyone know when we would hear about anything they'd offer for that time frame?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

There most likely won't be any MAJOR deals during that time period... Not like you're seeing with the free dining add-on. Attendance usually drives these promotions, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are obviously huge attendance times. The few weeks in between aren't as busy, but the chances of Disney offering something in that small window are very slim, I'd say.

It's probably a decent bet that the great deals you're seeing now might resurface for travel after the first of the year before Spring... But that doesn't do you much good.

Your bigger problem is that the current offering will end before anything else is announced or offered. So you're going to have to roll the dice... If you don't take advantage of this deal and there's not another one on the horizon, you're going to be kicking yourself.

I know where you're coming from with wanting to be there during the holidays, there's nothing like it. But I might make the suggestion that you plan for the very tail end of the offer (the first few days of Oct.) and think about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party... It's not the same as Christmas, but does have a holiday feel, the park is decorated, the kids wear costumes, and there's a special parade and fireworks... Like I said, it's not the same as Christmas... But it would be something different and would also take advantage of the free food.

Just my two cents.

 

[shoppingnut]

There most likely won't be any MAJOR deals during that time period... Not like you're seeing with the free dining add-on. Attendance usually drives these promotions, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are obviously huge attendance times. The few weeks in between aren't as busy, but the chances of Disney offering something in that small window are very slim, I'd say.

It's probably a decent bet that the great deals you're seeing now might resurface for travel after the first of the year before Spring... But that doesn't do you much good.

Your bigger problem is that the current offering will end before anything else is announced or offered. So you're going to have to roll the dice... If you don't take advantage of this deal and there's not another one on the horizon, you're going to be kicking yourself.

I know where you're coming from with wanting to be there during the holidays, there's nothing like it. But I might make the suggestion that you plan for the very tail end of the offer (the first few days of Oct.) and think about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party... It's not the same as Christmas, but does have a holiday feel, the park is decorated, the kids wear costumes, and there's a special parade and fireworks... Like I said, it's not the same as Christmas... But it would be something different and would also take advantage of the free food.

Just my two cents.

I totally agree. Definitely take advantage of the free food and do the MNSSHP and enjoy the Food & Wine Festival in Epcot, there is free entertainment back in the American Garden Theater during the Fesitval and all the food booths set up around WS. I have been down at this time of year and can tell you it is lots of fun.

You can just say to yourself, well, this year we will experience halloween and the F&W festival and next year we will do xmas time. I know I love xmas time too, but I do like the October festivies too.

 

[wannabeBelle]

There most likely won't be any MAJOR deals during that time period... Not like you're seeing with the free dining add-on. Attendance usually drives these promotions, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are obviously huge attendance times. The few weeks in between aren't as busy, but the chances of Disney offering something in that small window are very slim, I'd say.

It's probably a decent bet that the great deals you're seeing now might resurface for travel after the first of the year before Spring... But that doesn't do you much good.

Your bigger problem is that the current offering will end before anything else is announced or offered. So you're going to have to roll the dice... If you don't take advantage of this deal and there's not another one on the horizon, you're going to be kicking yourself.

I know where you're coming from with wanting to be there during the holidays, there's nothing like it. But I might make the suggestion that you plan for the very tail end of the offer (the first few days of Oct.) and think about Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party... It's not the same as Christmas, but does have a holiday feel, the park is decorated, the kids wear costumes, and there's a special parade and fireworks... Like I said, it's not the same as Christmas... But it would be something different and would also take advantage of the free food.

Just my two cents.

Well said, Buried!!! Also I would advise you to get in contact with Pam of Kingdom Konsultants. She may be able to advise you better as to what the historical trend has been for discounts around the holidays. I dont recall many beyond the AP room discount, AAA, and Florida Resident ones. Sorry Belle

 

[Jedi Osborn]

Thanks for the tips guys (and gals). You're exactly right, if I miss out on the deals now I will be kicking myself when I have to pay for it.....but then again the lights of winter and the return of the Osborne festival of lights may take the sting out of those kicks.

I've noticed Pam's posts before... I don't usually use a travel agent and I'd woudn't want to waste her time with just a question. Does she mind that sort of thing?

 

[Buried20KLeague]

It sounds like you and I traveled the exact same path, Jedi... Not only with taking advantage of the free DYW, but I've always booked my own trips and feel like I'm fairly adept at doing so and didn't really feel like I wanted to involve Pam. In fact, part of the fun to me is getting everything all set up. But after people raved, I worked through her, and it worked out great. Honestly, she didn't uncover any great deals I didn't find on my own (probably because the obvious pick was the free DYW), but she handled everything quite well and quickly and best of all it's at no cost to you. The real upside I have in my mind is that I have one central point of contact, should I get down there and something not be correct... I'll have Pam to call to rattle someone's cage, rather than having to concern myself with it.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Thanks for the tips guys (and gals). You're exactly right, if I miss out on the deals now I will be kicking myself when I have to pay for it.....but then again the lights of winter and the return of the Osborne festival of lights may take the sting out of those kicks.

That, I think, is what it comes down to. You just need to weigh out what's more important... Taking advantage of the free DYW and missing out on the holiday stuff... Or be willing to pay for food (and potentially higher hotel rates depending on when exactly you want to go) so that you're there for the holidays.

If I were making the choice, I would probably focus on when I thought my next trip to WDW would be. If I thought it was going to be potentially the following year or maybe two, I'd save the money this time and take the DYW and concentrate on the holidays for the next trip, especially if money is a little tight. If you think it could be a LONG way down the road, then ignore the free food and take the trip when you know you'll be happy. :wave:

 

[bears163]

Thanks for the tips guys (and gals). You're exactly right, if I miss out on the deals now I will be kicking myself when I have to pay for it.....but then again the lights of winter and the return of the Osborne festival of lights may take the sting out of those kicks.

I've noticed Pam's posts before... I don't usually use a travel agent and I'd woudn't want to waste her time with just a question. Does she mind that sort of thing?

i don't think she minds at all. she helped me out alot last september. thanks to her she gave me suggestions that i would never even had thought of..like the the carriage ride for one was really nice. thanks again pam :wave:

 

[Jedi Osborn]

Buried20KLeague: its a tough path to walk...save money...Christmas...free dining...more enjoyable weather...nothing is ever easy.

I enjoy setting up my own vacation and handling all the details, that way if its messed up I can only blame myself. But more than that, its a pride thing. I like to do things myself. That being said, I might contact her anyway...but what did you mean "no cost to you" her services aren't free are they??

Now there's a good thought...I really don't know when our next trip will be. Probably not for at LEAST another year, more like two. Maybe that is what's really making me lean towards December. I don't know when I'll be back and I want this trip to be special. Not that a trip to Disney isn't special, but Christmas makes it extra special.
:xmas:

 

[wannabeBelle]

I enjoy setting up my own vacation and handling all the details, that way if its messed up I can only blame myself. But more than that, its a pride thing. I like to do things myself. That being said, I might contact her anyway...but what did you mean "no cost to you" her services aren't free are they??
QUOTE]
Yes Pam's services are paid for by Disney or whatever other package ( vacation destination) you book through her office. She does not charge her clients at all, although I have heard of other agents who do! Belle

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Buried20KLeague: its a tough path to walk...save money...Christmas...free dining...more enjoyable weather...nothing is ever easy.

I enjoy setting up my own vacation and handling all the details, that way if its messed up I can only blame myself. But more than that, its a pride thing. I like to do things myself. That being said, I might contact her anyway...but what did you mean "no cost to you" her services aren't free are they??

Now there's a good thought...I really don't know when our next trip will be. Probably not for at LEAST another year, more like two. Maybe that is what's really making me lean towards December. I don't know when I'll be back and I want this trip to be special. Not that a trip to Disney isn't special, but Christmas makes it extra special.
:xmas:

Nope. No charge from Pam.

It sounds to me like you've already made your choice in your mind, you just haven't been able to justify it yet. Sounds like the only way you'll be truly happy is December. I'd run with it, and don't worry... I'm willing to bet when you're there you won't think at all about the food issue. I could help push you along and mention the EVER SO SLIGHT possibility that Expedition Everest could be in soft openings by around the holidays... A possibility I won't have when I'm there next month!! :drevil: Ah, to be the devil's advocate!!

 

[Jedi Osborn]

Hmmm, no charge, eh? Maybe I will contact her then. I can just go through the web site, right?
I'll drop her an email and see what happens. Thanks a lot for the tip.

You're right...I have made up my mind. The only way I'll be happy is if we go in December. I could go in September, but in my own mind, I'd be settling. So December it is!! Now I just have to hope for some sort of deal, special, discount....something.

EE might be in soft opening?! oh man, I haven't been watching that project much because I didn't think I'd be around for it, that'd be SWEET!

Horray! Decision made....December.

Thanks!