Originally Posted By MPierce This is the information I got from my latest MouseSavers Newsletter for those interested. >> Free Nights Package Offer for January-June 2009 Disney is offering a fantastic "free nights" vacation package offer. This is probably the best offer I've seen since 2003. It is valid for stays January 4 through June 27, 2009 (with April 5-18 blacked out). Here are the details: * Buy a 4-night/4 day vacation package, get a 7-night/7-day package. That's 3 FREE hotel nights and 3 extra days on your theme park admission tickets! * Travel between January 4 and March 29 and you will also get a $200 Disney Gift Card, redeemable for dining, souvenirs and more at Walt Disney World! (Travel after March 29 does not include the Gift Card.) You can stay longer than 7 nights (up to 10 nights) with this package, but there is a maximum of 3 free nights and 3 extra days per ticket, per stay. You can stay less than 7 nights, but you still must purchase 4 nights, so you'll end up with less than 3 free nights/extra days: stay 5 nights, get 1 free; stay 6 nights, get 3 free. Obviously a 7-night stay is the best deal. You can add the Quick Service Dining Plan, the regular Dining Plan, or the Deluxe Dining Plan, but you will pay full price for your dining plan (no free days of dining). You must book this special package by 12/20/08. For lots more details, visit: <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#fairytale" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/pac...airytale</a> For lots more details, visit: <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#fairytale" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/pac...airytale</a>
Originally Posted By joe80x86 The problem I see with most of these deals is that they appear aimed solely at out of state/out of country visitors. There are no real deals for people who actually live in Florida. I say this because every deal involves more than 3-4 days stay and most people who live in FL (at least the ones I know) tend to go for a weekend or 2 or 3 days in the middle of a week. Maybe they could get more people in the door if they came up with a real deal for actual Florida residents, the people who only have to drive between 1 to 4 hours to actually get to the gate.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 They also offer nothing for DVC owners - but them like Florida residents,we are taken as a given.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> The problem I see with most of these deals is that they appear aimed solely at out of state/out of country visitors. There are no real deals for people who actually live in Florida. I say this because every deal involves more than 3-4 days stay and most people who live in FL (at least the ones I know) tend to go for a weekend or 2 or 3 days in the middle of a week. Maybe they could get more people in the door if they came up with a real deal for actual Florida residents, the people who only have to drive between 1 to 4 hours to actually get to the gate. << >> They also offer nothing for DVC owners - but them like Florida residents,we are taken as a given. << You are both right about the lack of benefits for locals, and DVC owners. I bet WDW recognizes that fact, and makes corrective measures. Both groups are their hard core base. If they leave you guys out of the loop it would be devastating for WDW in the future. Even Disney Executives should be smart enough to realize that you always play to your base.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<Do not despair bobbelee I am off the proverbial warpath>> Actually I agreed with what you said. It was a few of the others who had me wondering what I'd walked into. I haven't gotten to those threads yet tonight, hope all is well there.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I just booked one of the 4 day/3 free packages and we saved about $600. Also, check prices online FIRST. I called the WDTC to book and then checked online; the online price was about $240 LESS than the price I got with WDTC. I booked online and then called back and canceled the first trip.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 Well, I just got an email today offering Florida residents a free Waterpark ticket if they purchase an annual pass before Christmas. I wish they would finally break down and offer a flex pay option(pay over 12 months) which they have now started to do at DL.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I'd look for something similar soon as I know it's been discussed. And there will be deals for FLA residents and APers too. They wanted to ge this out on the same day Iger spoke on CNBC because the pace of cancellations has spiked and, right now, this is shaping up to be one of the worst Januarys in WDW history. I think I may visit the first week of 2009 instead of in December as I have a feeling the Mouse will try and make it worth my while.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> think I may visit the first week of 2009 instead of in December as I have a feeling the Mouse will try and make it worth my while. << It's hard to beat almost half price. Not to mention a lot of free food with the $200 gift certificate. That's 3 meals at the California Grill or Artist Point or the Brown Derby or the better French restaurant. I forget the name of it now. No telling what they will finally offer to locals, and AP holders as well as DVC owners. It has to be comparable. You never want to offend your base.
Originally Posted By MPierce So far this is all I could find for AP holders at Mouse Savers. >> Note that the "Free Nights" Package Offer might be a better deal for you than the Annual Passholder rates if you plan to stay 7 nights. The "free nights" package can be booked with 1-Day Base Tickets. You will not get extra days on the tickets if you do this, but you'll get the free nights. Here's an example of how an Annual Passholder might do better with the "free nights" package: 1/5/09-1/12/09, 2 adults, Wilderness Lodge Courtyard View, "free nights" package with 1-Day Base Ticket per person and $200 gift card, $1,579.56 1/5/09-1/12/09, 2 adults, Wilderness Lodge Courtyard View, Annual Passholder room only rate, $1488.00 So in this example, with the "free nights" package you are paying $91.56 more, but you are getting a $200 Disney Gift Card and a 1-Day Base Ticket per person that you can use later (valued at $79.88 per adult). I also tried this with a Moderate resort, Standard room, same dates, 7-night stay and it worked out similarly. Dining can be added to either package and will cost the same either way, so it doesn't affect these results. <<
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<It's hard to beat almost half price. Not to mention a lot of free food with the $200 gift certificate. That's 3 meals at the California Grill or Artist Point or the Brown Derby or the better French restaurant. I forget the name of it now.>> Bistro de Paris. ... and the way I eat (and drink) it's more like 1 1/2 meals, but it still is a great offer. <<No telling what they will finally offer to locals, and AP holders as well as DVC owners. It has to be comparable. You never want to offend your base. >> I know they'll have some deals. My guts says it will include something on the dining end ... possibly free dining with a stay. I know that would get me to stay at a Disney resort more than any thing else as food is a huge expense. The $49 rooms sound great, but I paid that to stay at the DD Hilton last month and that place is on par with a Disney deluxe not a value. Disney doesn't operate in a vacuum and as it lowers prices and offers enticements, local places will do likewise. There are $20-35 a night rooms (at very decent and then some) places to be had in Orlando with Priceline.com's Name Your Own Price. That undercuts Disney by a big margin UNLESS you toss food in. Merchandise discounts are nice, but no one needs another pin or plush ... food is a requirement!
Originally Posted By magnet >>>food is a requirement<<< I've gotten some amazing deals for food from www.restaurant.com. You can buy gift certificates online for reduced rates at restaurants all over the USA. You have to eat outside the Disney parks, but it's worth it. Just today I bought $100 worth of gift certificates for only $16.
Originally Posted By kennect Spirit, Do you really think so about January? A good time for me to get out of town due to my work schedule...Any thoughts about what the mouse might do to really make a Jan. visit worthwhile????
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<It's hard to beat almost half price.>> Problem is that the airfares and meals are still full price. I think the free meal plan offers in the fall are a better deal.
Originally Posted By kennect You know I was just sitting here thinkng about this thread and it hit me to think about my visit there right after 9/11...What a strange trip...We started our trip with a stay at the Yacht Club...Upgraded to a premium view since there was no one there..Didn't even have to ask for such...But for the socalled idea of no one being there the parks were packed...First night there we walked over to veiw Illuminations...Epcot was a madhouse it seemed...The rest of the trip played out pretty much the same...We left there and finished the trip at AKL...Not a ton of people but still we found the parks to be very busy throughout the overall trip...
Originally Posted By dshyates Throw me some ticket discounts. I will not stay on-prop again so all the hotel deals in the world won't budge my a$$. And I don't give a rats patootie about their real estate issues. NOT MY PROBLEM. Hey UniOtown has a brand new coaster opening where you select your own music and then edit your own souvenir video to email or upload to YouTube.
Originally Posted By figment1986 Now I see why mom got such a good deal on a cabin at Fort Wilderness for our DEC trip. It was even considered off season when the last trip in October was considered on season. not to mention both occasions she got the AP rate...
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle >>Come on over. Bring your families, and friends. We Love Aussies in the USA. << Thanks! I think I'll take you up on that
