Am I overthinking ALREADY???? About This Page:

[lilprincess]

OK...I have booked a AAA room-only WL standard view room for April 29-May 6, 2006. I am hoping for an AP discount (I have never bought an AP, usually applied general room-only codes onto previous 2 trips). Now, here's my dilemma, should I also book another ressie but a package through Disney with the tix/dining just in case the AP rates aren't offered/available for my dates? I don't want to wait for last minute and not have the standard view available. What would you do? Am I driving myself crazy about this already???

By the way...DH doesn't know I booked already! Ooops! Does anyone else do this also??

[luv2sail]

Keep in mind that the WL is one of the first hotels to sell out. They book up quickly and sometimes it's very hard to get a discount rate at that hotel. What happened to me is that the hotel was booked solid for most of my vacation before the AP or Free Dining rates came out.

Back in February I booked a AAA rate, room only at the WL (Woodsview). I was hoping I would be able to apply an AP discount to that when the rates came out. However, when the rates came out all that was available was a Courtyard View which even with the AP discount was more money that the AAA rate for the Woodsview. Right around the same time the Free Dining packages came out. I tried to apply that to my room reservation and again couldn't get it and the only thing available was the Courtyard View...and again...too expensive. So, I'm still getting the AAA rate which is fine. When my TA called the WL directly to find out why she couldn't get any of the better rates or packages she was told by the manager that it was because the hotel was booked for 6 of the 8 days I would be there.

I believe that in order to get the dining package you need to pay the rack rate for the room. When I figured out how much I would be paying for the rack rate and the dining package vs. the AAA rate and paying for the food on my own I found it to be much less to stick with the AAA rate and pay for the food. It's something you need to look at knowing your own eating habits.

Hope some of this info is helpful to you!

[HakunaMatata]

I have had a similar experience in terms of WL booking fast. I had booked a standard room at <font color="green"> </font> WL about a year out. Then about five months out, I had to change the reservations by a week (both were in early November, value season). When I called 5 months out, no standard room was available - - I had to book woods view. When my mother called a day later, they had booked all the woods view rooms and she had to take a courtyard view.

[msmickey65]

I'm glad I read this post. I've been procrastinating about booking WL for January and I just sent an e-mail out to the agent to put a courtesy hold on my ressie. Now I'm definately going to book right away. I didn't realize how quickly WL books. The last time we went we stayed at the Poly and we made those reservations about a month before we went.

[lilprincess]

Cheryl: Thanks for your input! What part of the Jersey Shore are you from? My in-laws live in Manahawkin.

I didn't realize that WL is SO popular! Maybe if you try back the sooner the time comes, maybe they'll have cancellations! Here's some for you! I was even thinking that since we're going at a more quieter time, I would have a better chance of snagging a good deal for the room.

I thought that if I book a package deal, I'll always have 46 days out to cancel without a penalty (is this correct ) if the AP rate comes out and I can snag it. So confusing!!!

Thanks also HakunaMatata: That's a bummer that you couldn't get what you wanted! Do you try every once and a while to see if there are any cancellations? I'm sending you some for good luck! What part of Jersey are you from?

[luv2sail]

Hi Chris...I'm from the Toms River area which is about 30 minutes north of your in-laws. Where in North Jersey are you from? I'm originally from Westfield.

My TA is continually checking on the WL for me but I'm really not counting on anything opening up. Booking for the free dining is over now so that's not an option. The only thing that could come up is the AP rate but I doubt it will.

Don't know about the cancellation policy for a package deal. I just know that it wasn't worth it to pay the rack rate just to get the dining plan.

Good luck with your planning....unless it was the Free Dining plan!

[lilprincess]

Cheryl, I was just in Toms River 2 weeks ago at a BBQ! LOL I'm from Butler.

I hope that something does come up for you and you get a better rate! It seems hard to find a good rate on a room-only at Disney now. I really miss the general room-only codes they used to offer. I got really good deals with them at the Poly and AKL. Oh well...

I am going to go back and figure out the cost both ways and decide what to do. I usually budget about $100-125 a day for food/snacks. I'll have to see where I come out ahead. Thanks for your input!