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Wednesday Update – Yet Another Discount Rumor

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We could be utterly wrong. However, we’re hearing there may be a new discount announced next week. Possibly on Wednesday, September 30 for booking on Thursday, October 1.

Disney has a history of announcing new discounts during the last week of September, for travel dates in mid-October through December 23-ish. And October 1 is the start of Disney’s new fiscal year. If a new discount is announced, the big question is whether it’ll cover 2010 dates, which corresponds to Disney’s second quarter. (Disney’s first quarter is October through December, and they’ve already got an extra week in December to boost those Q1 numbers.)

We heard on Tuesday from internal sources that a “deal wheel” was distributed to Disney’s phone agents around lunchtime. The wheel is a paper device (like a color wheel) agents use to determine the cost and savings of the latest offer. The existence of the wheel implies the new offer is something more complicated than a standard package discount. The last time a “deal wheel” was distributed was the “Buy 4-Get-7” offer.

The standard disclaimers apply: Don’t bet the farm on any of this.

UPDATED:: The “Buy 4/Get-7” is available now.

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Len Testa

Len Testa is the co-author of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and has contributed to the Disneyland and Las Vegas Unofficial Guides. Most of his time is spent trying to keep up with the team. Len's email address is len@touringplans.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @lentesta.

26 thoughts on “Wednesday Update – Yet Another Discount Rumor

  • On the net auction websites, just like eBay are a great spot to seek out numerous coupons if you would like to begin a fantastic collection of active coupons. Ensure that they are accepted within your country, the expiry has not passed and shipping is just not high-priced.

    Reply
  • I just got an email with a passholder discounts as follows:

    Select Disney Value Resorts

    * Standard Room $69 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 10/4 – 11/24/09.
    That’s 34% Off – A Savings of $36
    * Standard Room $54 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 11/29 – 12/3/09 and 12/12 – 12/17/09.
    That’s 34% Off – A Savings of $28
    * Standard Room $89 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 12/18 – 12/24/09.
    That’s 34% Off – A Savings of $46

    Select Disney Moderate Resorts

    * Standard Room $99 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 10/4 – 11/24/09.
    That’s 41% Off – A Savings of $71
    * Standard Room $89 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 11/29 – 12/2/09 and 12/11 – 12/17/09.
    That’s 40% Off – A Savings of $60
    * Standard Room $124 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 12/18 – 12/24/09.
    That’s 40% Off – A Savings of $85

    Select Disney Deluxe Resorts:
    Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Standard Room type

    * Standard Room $169 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 10/4 – 10/8/09, 10/11 – 10/15/09, 10/18 -10/22/09 and 10/25 – 11/24/09.
    That’s 41% Off – A Savings of $121
    * Standard Room $139 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 12/13-12/17/09.
    That’s 42% Off – A Savings of $101
    * Standard Room $229 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 12/18 – 12/24/09.
    That’s 40% Off – A Savings of $156

    Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts:
    Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort

    * Studio Room $189 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 10/4 – 11/24/09.
    * Studio Room $169 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 11/29 – 12/2/09 and 12/11 – 12/17/09.
    That’s 42% Off – A Savings of $126
    * Studio Room $249 per night, plus tax*
    for stays most nights from 12/18 – 12/24/09.
    That’s 41% Off – A Savings of $176

    Not sure if its a sign of things to come for this rumored discount. But I hope someone can put it to use!

    Reply
    • Thanks Kristen!

      This is the standard fall offer, which (according to MouseSavers.com) has come out around this time every year. I’m told next week is something different.

      Len

      Reply
  • This is getting crazy. Just booked WL 11/4 to 11/12. I am an AP and it’s almost just cheap to book as a regular person. Free Dining Plan is still more expensive. Wonder if the new deals will be better for AP’s.

    Reply
  • What is a wheel deal? Is it specific advertised specials or you just find out when you call for a reservation?

    Reply
    • It seems like a device that the agents use to figure out, if guests call and specifically ask for discounts for their stay, if and how they apply.

      And just to remind people of the number one reservations line rule here (which we mention in the book): make sure TO ASK if there are any discounts and promotions when you call. The agents will not offer them!

      Reply
  • I just got an email this morning detailing a discount for the rest of the year.

    “Save at lease 28% on a stay in a standard room at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.”

    “Save 39% on a stay in a studio at Disney’s Old Key West Resort or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.”

    Some dates are not available like Thanksgiving and Christmas week.

    http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/specialOfferDetails?name=Promo&promotionCode=fy10q1roomfamily&market=fy10q1roomfamily&CMP=EMC-WDWFY09Q4CMRFY10Q1RmOnlyFOBDom0002

    Reply
    • Hey Jared, are those dates for mid-October through December 22 or 23?

      Reply
      • Looks like Oct. 4th through Dec. 24th with certain dates blocked out depending on which category you book. It is also for certain resorts for example the Deluxe options are only Aimal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge.

  • If this special is better then the free dining would it possible to switch current reservations to the special? We are still more then 45 days out so I don’t think there will be a penalty for changing our current reservations.

    Reply
      • Henry, thanks for the info. I did read and listen to the above mentioned items. We are staying at the PO-Riverside so the free dining is the best option currently.

      • Ha! You are a pro, Matthew. When are you going? Keep us updated as to how your planning is going!

      • We are going 12/3 – 12/10. This will be our first trip so it will be a lot of fun. It’s just my wife and I and we and to do things now that we more then likely not be able to do once we have kids.

      • What if you are within the 45 days? We’ll be staying at PO Riverside 10/24-10/31. Should the buy 4 get 3 return, I think that might be better for us than free dining. (2 adults & 1 toddler under 2 yrs).

      • I’m guessing Free Dining will be for January through March, 2010, with exceptions for the Marathon, Presidents Day and MLK Day. That is, if this deal is in fact free dining.

  • So what does eveyone think… will it be buy 4 get 3 or perhaps a better deal?

    Reply
  • So if a “deal wheel” has been distributed, does that mean the information is available if a person were to call Disney and ask specifically, or is it still a secret until the agents have been given the “go” sign?

    Reply
    • I’ll bug Len to come back on here and get to this question. Thanks!

      Reply
    • Hey T Frost, I think they’re trained not to answer questions until the deal launches. I got a message from a former Castmember today, who still has connections inside the travel division, and they said Disney’s recording far more calls for “quality purposes” now than ever before. The agents are apparently concerned they might say the wrong thing on those recordings, so my guess is they’ll stick to the script as closely as possible.

      Reply
  • I hope it IS true..I’m going to POP 11/21 thru 11/28…am actually thinking of leaving a day early though to surprise my 11 year old and take her to Mickey’s Christmas Party!!

    Reply
  • This sounds fishy to me. This week I’ve been trying to book a room for early December, and I’m told there is NO availability for any Value, Moderate or Studio room!

    Reply
    • are you going during pop warner week?

      Reply
  • Any idea on what the discounts might be?

    Reply
  • It feels too early for 2Q10—especially if folks are still booking closer in to their trip. I’m going to guess an extension of the 1Q10 discounts, perhaps sweetening the pot a bit.

    Reply

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