[Rookie]

We are planning a trip to WDW in early Nov. 2003. The last time we went we used a travel agent and ended up paying for some extras we didn't use so, this time, we want to try to make the arrangements ourselves. Based on what I've read on this board, it seems like we may be able to save some money doing so. We want to stay at a moderate resort, do one park a day, don't have much interest in the water parks (should we at that time of year?), plan to visit DisneyQuest ,and might want a character breakfast - but that is a lower priority. I really could use some advice with a few questions.

1) even though it's a year away, should I already be trying to book a room through the central reservation system or should I wait for a couple of months to do that?
2) If I book a room now, what happens when the codes come out (in July???) with the lower rates? Will WDW automatically give me the lower rate or do I have to call and request that the lower rate be applied to my existing revervations? How does that work?
3) We are looking at Park Hopper Plus tickets. Does that make sense given our preferences?

Thanks so much for any advice!

[mickey]

I would be happy to submit my suggestions:

1) even though it's a year away, should I already be trying to book a room through the central reservation system or should I wait for a couple of months to do that?

I would suggest making your reservation now through CRO. They will require a one night deposit. You can change the reservation at any time.

2) If I book a room now, what happens when the codes come out (in July???) with the lower rates? Will WDW automatically give me the lower rate or do I have to call and request that the lower rate be applied to my existing revervations? How does that work?

No, WDW will never give you the lower rate. Even if you call and say you know there is a discount, they still won't give it to you. You must know the code exactly, and exactly what you are looking for. You will have to make a new reservation, and cancel the old one. They may even let you transfer your deposit from one reservation to another, but don't hold your breath.

3) We are looking at Park Hopper Plus tickets. Does that make sense given our preferences?

I think that depends upon how long you are going for. If it is for a week or more, I would consider getting a standard annual pass. The discounts are better, it only gives you access to the four theme parks, and there are quite a few discounts on restaurants, Disney Quest, etc... Plus, you can all return in 11 months and you won't have to buy passes again. (A good excuse to go back!)

I would also suggest to avoide the first 10 days of November. This year it was completely sold out. Try to go between about the 10 and 20, and it should be great.

And yes, it may be possible to save some money by doing it yourself, though that isn't always the case. We run a Disney only travel agency, and I would say that at least 90% of the time we save our clients substantial amounts of money and time. We know all of the codes and tricks to save money. You don't have to research them, call Disney multiple times or worry about anything. I think that stands true for most Disney only agencies. In the end, it comes down to whether you like doing all of the work, or you like someone to do it for you. Personally, I like doing it, hence, why I do it for others.

[trishb]

We want to stay at a moderate resort, do one park a day, don't have much interest in the water parks (should we at that time of year?), plan to visit DisneyQuest ,and might want a character breakfast -

Hi Rookie! If I have any advice to give, that might help you it is this:
Pick your favorite moderate resort (mine is POR) and go for a basic package (like the dreammaker package) that includes room, length of stay passes, and a few neat 'extras'. It is easy to compare prices of room vs. package rates on disneyworld.com. They have a really neat interactive trip planner. Once you decide what you want...call Mickey and have him work up a price for you. I'm a AAA member, and have been able to secure a small discount on the package I have booked through them. The prices are about the same either way you choose.

[MelissaLee]

I'm fairly new to the WDW scene. I'm going for my third time (in 27 days!!!!! :D )in 19 months and I'm in love!! The first time I booked through DisneyCruise Line (7 day land and sea adventure). Once I came home I knew I had to go back to WDW soon, so I paid the small fee to join DisneyClub and I booked the other two trips through them. I found that I saved hundreds this way.......as opposed to booking it through Disneyworld.com

Like I said, I'm new to this world so I dont know it all!! This is just a suggestion. And if anyone else has any advice for me about saving on my next trip, let me know!!

Oh, and Port Orleans Riverside (POR) is the best moderate resort there is!! My screne saver at work is a beautiful picture of a manor at POR I took on my digital camera!

[disneycouple30]

I have to agree with Mickey, if you like to do the work to get the good deals then I suggest doing it yourself, if you don't have the time I suggest letting a Disney TRavel agency like Mickey's to do it. Since I'm now retired I do it myself and enjoy doing it for other friends of mine.

I do suggest that if you want to stay at a moderate priced hotel on property the POR is the best place for a family. We normally stay there if I can't get into the Shades of Green. Since I'm retired military it not bad to pay 89.00 a night to stay at one of the best places on Disney. But since you are not retired military or work for the government POR is the best for the price.

If you are going to go back down within the next 11 months after you come back I agree with Mickey get the annual passes, and since you don't want to go to the water parks don't get the premium passes. We have prenimum passes but we spend 15 to 20 days a year at WDW. Plus they give us a discount on POR if we don't get into the Shades of Green. Otherwise a Park Hopper Plus is the best bet. Just remember that WDW is huge and a 3 to 5 day trip won't let you see much of the place.

I suggest going the week just before the thanksgiving week, the crowds will be smaller so the lines won't be so long. Plus the conventions will be over with. And yes call for reservations now, you can alway call later to see if there are better deals later. Try to check this site at least twice a week to see what deals are available. This site is great for that and ideas for the trips.

[YensidFan]

I agree.
:)

[Tish]

DisneyClub is no longer taking memberships I guess they are cancelling it and switching to something else.

[alexa1466]

The original questions posed here is exactly what was on my mind! I'm going down WDW Dec 7-12, 2003 and staying at the Port Orleans French Quarter. I called for rates yesterday but I didn't want to make the reservation this early because the rates might go down. Is it best then to make the reservations then the "earlier the better" or should I wait a few more months?

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by Tish
DisneyClub is no longer taking memberships I guess they are cancelling it and switching to something else.

They cancelled the club 'cause there's going to be a Disney VISA rewards card. We're still waiting for the details which should be out by the first week in March at the latest!

[Rookie]

I have done a lot of reading and research and decided to book our November trip myself. It isn't too difficult doing that because our plans are pretty basic. For more complicated arrangements, it might be different. I decided to do it myself after I called a local travel agent and was quoted a "package price" that was over $800 more than it will actually cost me to book the same hotel, transportation, and tickets myself. I called a second travel agent, this time through AAA, and was told that they didn't offer any AAA discounts on rooms - only on packages. I decided that I could do better myself than these two agencies were offering.

I called CRO and had no problem getting the AAA rate. (Just have to show my card at check in). I also was told that I really should make the room reservations now, watch for the codes to come out over the summer, and call back when they do. If I am lucky, CRO will apply the codes to my existing reservation but it is more likely that I will have to book a new reservation with the codes and then cancel my existing reservation. I have to admit that when I called CRO back to inquire about making a change, I discovered that it really matters which agent you get - different ones seem to have different level of information and accuracy. It has taken me three phone calls now but I think that everything is straightened out. Perhaps that is what an agent would have done for me but I am more than willing to make a couple of 5-minute calls to save $800.