Disappointing Discounts

[reptar77]

Has anyone noticed the discounts of FL res and AP discounts decreasing? We always book Deluxe resorts (Grand flo or Boardwalk) and have never had any problems getting room only discount until this year. I usually book online, no availability was listed. I also called and was told that these resorts are not on the discount list. Very strange!

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I know that with this last round of discounts we ran into that a lot also. I know that crowds are back 1000 % and that the resorts are booking up without the discounts. When I spoke with a CM recently they told me that the resorts are 85% booked already between now and the end of the year.

Pam

 

[Vernonpush]

Has anyone noticed the discounts of FL res and AP discounts decreasing? We always book Deluxe resorts (Grand flo or Boardwalk) and have never had any problems getting room only discount until this year. I usually book online, no availability was listed. I also called and was told that these resorts are not on the discount list. Very strange!

We were able to book an AP rate at the Boardwalk for Dec. when the discount was first released, thanks to Elizabeth at Kingdom Konsultants.:sohappy:

 

[nbodyhome]

October and November are very busy this year, no matter what discount you may be looking for - or even none at all. October is a big convention month.

Denise

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Yep. The past 4 trips since '04 I was able to get room-only discounts for us at Pop. Our upcoming December trip we booked the Contemporary. I called at 8:30 a.m. central the day I saw the discounts release and they were already sold out for my resort. The time it would've made the biggest difference...no luck. Bummer. I figured maybe it was because: A. The hotels are filling up without discounts so why offer them....B. They probably offer fewer discounted rooms in the deluxe hotels....and C. I'm just not lucky like that. We haven't changed our plans. It would've been nice to get the discount, tho.

 

[nbodyhome]

If the resort is full (and the CR is a convention resort as well), then there isn't a need to discount. For fall and December, it's been really pick and choose - you have to be flexible in many cases if you want a discount.

Saratoga Springs is usually available.

Denise

 

[imamouse]

I am also bemoaning the lack of AP room only discounts - even for early Dec! I booked a woods view (requested MK side) in April, but when the discounts were released, WL was not on the list. I could get a std view at AKL for about $100 less per night - but what's the point in that? I made the mistake of accepting a std view at AKL once and won't be fooled again. :hammer:

 

[vilegirl]

Yep...no AP discount for us this Dec. We were willing to stay at WL, Poly or BC, but no discounts were available. Oh well...I did get a good discount when I went last week and stayed at BC though, so I guess I'll just be happy with that and enjoy December regardless. Having that discount always makes the trip just a little more magical though! :lol:

 

[Vernonpush]

I am also bemoaning the lack of AP room only discounts - even for early Dec! I booked a woods view (requested MK side) in April, but when the discounts were released, WL was not on the list. I could get a std view at AKL for about $100 less per night - but what's the point in that? I made the mistake of accepting a std view at AKL once and won't be fooled again. :hammer:

When you pre-book a room at a resort then you reduce the chances of getting a discount at that resort/level, since the discount is a % of the unbooked rooms when they release the discount. So if all the Woods View rooms at the WL for Dec. are already booked by July, when they offer the AP Discounts in August for the unsold rooms at each resort, then you've pre-booked yourself out of a discount.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Its my understanding that WL is one of the highest occupied resorts in the month of December.

 

[hansel1]

Don't forget that disney has also been moving people out of Animal Kingdom Villas and into Deluxe accomodations due to the new construction. They have offered DVC members, that need to be moved, accomodations at both POLY and GF

 

[Chezman1399]

from thge 19-24 of October I've found 8 resorts only that have availability, but very little else.

 

[nbodyhome]

Seriously, early December is one of the worst times to try to get a discount. Conventions, Pop Warner, and people who have heard that it's the best time to be there! The resorts are pretty fully booked at that time.

Denise

 

[cabihler]

discounts are harder to get

alas we are seeing that our home is rarely having a DOWN season. there use to be a time when you could go to WDW in the beginning of december or february and feel like the parks were yours. i always hated that the parks closed early during those seasons but it was sort of made up for by the fact that the parks were so empty.

it is rare anymore that you have the feeling that the parks are just yours. many, many times my family would be in MK over by space mountain during the last hour that it was opened and you could easily walk on the ride over and over and over... no longer

so what does this have to do with AP discounts? well it use to be a benefit to both the holder of the AP and to disney to have the AP because they knew they would get fannies into the park. today the AP holder is not so much of a benefit to disney. i'm not being negative to disney about that just realistic. so while they are happy to sell you the AP the benefits are less and less apparent other than you have your ticket already paid into the parks.

vernonpush made a good point about taking away potential numbers of rooms. however there is a fault with his logic. 2 years ago his logic was more realistic. however today with more and more rooms being sold before hand his logic is that by my taking the room it would not be availible for the AP, he is correct of course but the real danger is that more than likely in today's disney that room is still not going to be available for the AP discount and that if that is the room and dates that you really want well you find yourself with a real chance of not having it all all with or without the discount.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

When you pre-book a room at a resort then you reduce the chances of getting a discount at that resort/level, since the discount is a % of the unbooked rooms when they release the discount. So if all the Woods View rooms at the WL for Dec. are already booked by July, when they offer the AP Discounts in August for the unsold rooms at each resort, then you've pre-booked yourself out of a discount.

You have a point. However, if there's a particular resort you want and your dates can't be flexible you gotta book what you want or you won't get it. Back in like March when I booked my room mine was one of 2 or 3 left for that particular level/view for the 1st week of December. If I hadn't gone ahead and grabbed it someone else would and I wouldn't have what my dream accomodations. It's one of those things you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. You know?

 

[blackerbys17]

I too was disappointed by the lack of discount rooms available in late October. I had thought about booking early but I took the family to Disneyland this July and being from Florida, that was VERY expensive for us! (GREAT trip though!!!)

Anyways, when we got back from our trip to DL (in early August) I checked prices for FW cabins, they were about $285 a night for last few days of October, discounts had not been released yet. I decided not to book yet and wait for discounts. A couple of weeks later I checked if discounts were out, they were, and yet, no rooms at any resort I liked, only value resorts.

Well, I HATE paying full price for anything. There was no way I was spending $250 a night to stay at a moderate when i've stayed there less than 2 years ago for $79 a night.

So, I decided to try Bonnett Creek, you know, that timeshare resort inside Disney? I've been trying to stay there FOREVER and it is either ungodly expensive or completely booked. To my amazement, they had 1 two bedroom, 2 bathroom condo left. Even better, only $222 a night!!! Way cheaper than FW cabins and a way better deal and still inside Disney! (For those that don't know, Bonnett Creek is right by Epcot, next to the Beach Club I think.)

Point is, if you can't find the deal you are looking for, you can still stay inside the Disney resort AND get a great deal! Try the Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green (if you are military), Bonnett Creek, or consider staying at a hotel at Downtown Disney, great views over there!

To sum it all up, don't let it ruin your fun, you CAN have your cake and eat it too!
Bonnett Creek, here we come!!!:sohappy:

 

[devoy1701]

When you pre-book a room at a resort then you reduce the chances of getting a discount at that resort/level, since the discount is a % of the unbooked rooms when they release the discount. So if all the Woods View rooms at the WL for Dec. are already booked by July, when they offer the AP Discounts in August for the unsold rooms at each resort, then you've pre-booked yourself out of a discount.

I didnt find this to be true in my case. I booked my Woods View room in May for the middle of December because of my college exams being the week before. I called the day the rates came out, around noon or so, and not only did I get my discount for WL but also an upgraded level for the lower price. It really depends on who you're working with and how polite you are to them! I've even been able to change my Le Cellier reservation twice with no problems at all... CMs on the phone must like me or something...:shrug:

 

[sleepybear]

It is discouraging. I tried to get an AP rate for the first week of December on the first day they came out. By 9:30 a.m., there weren't any for AKL, GF or POLY. I think there was one left at WL, but since we stayed there during our last trip in the same type of room, I passed, thinking an AP room would open up eventually at another resort. I was wrong. And dumb.:brick:

 

[KingStefan]

...
(For those that don't know, Bonnett Creek is right by Epcot, next to the Beach Club I think.)
...
Bonnett Creek, here we come!!!:sohappy:

Congratulations - I'm very happy for you. I've been wondering about Bonnet Creek, and would be interested in hearing how you enjoy it.

Bonnet Creek is not near the Beach Club. It is on the other side of the Carribean Beach Resort from Epcot. You get there off E. Buena Vista Drive.

Be prepared - there's no Disney Transportation or EMH. I've heard that the resort provides transportation, but not very frequently.

It looks beautiful from their web site, and the price seems great!

Have a magical trip! Let us know how you like the resort!

 

[blackerbys17]

Congratulations - I'm very happy for you. I've been wondering about Bonnet Creek, and would be interested in hearing how you enjoy it.

Bonnet Creek is not near the Beach Club. It is on the other side of the Carribean Beach Resort from Epcot. You get there off E. Buena Vista Drive.

Be prepared - there's no Disney Transportation or EMH. I've heard that the resort provides transportation, but not very frequently.

It looks beautiful from their web site, and the price seems great!

Have a magical trip! Let us know how you like the resort!

Thanks for the correction! I knew it was next to one of the beach resorts, just not which one, lol! EMH isn't a problem since we are only going for MNSSHP and neither is transportation since we always use our own car. Most important thing to my husband when we are on vacation is space and privacy so a 2 bedroom at $222 is an unbelieveable deal for us. I'll let you know how it goes when we get back! :wave: