Thanks chris! I am thrilled with the enormous amount of info, support and kindness exhibited on these boards...keep up the great work!
Yes! You certainly covered all the bases here...and explained it all in detail. I appreciate your expertise and knowledge. I regret purchasing the Orlando ent. book, and it hasn't even arrived yet! Perhaps they'll permit me to exchange it for a local version. I was told it had some coupons to the downtown area restaurants, etc.-but the site was vague at best. I would use the rental car coupons, as we always use national for a day or two while on property. Other than that, we ususally dine on property...so the coupons in the book are futile.
I agree with you about the DC benefits...and have not been able to use my card since I paid for it. I think I used it more, when it was the MKC. I wonder if AAA offers any discounts on tickets, passes? I'm just trying to make sense of the $39.00 annual fee, if I can't recoup the cost...it's not worth renewing. A couple in WDW told us they went to a local Sheriff Office and obtained Florida Photo I.D. cards(?), and used these to purchase the "Florida Residence" Rate Annual Passes!? Has anyone ever heard of this before? I'm too fearful to try this stunt to save a few $$...knowing our luck, we would be interrogated, asked for license-address-etc., and then thrown in the "Mickey" Jail for an eternity. It doesn't seem feasible...that is why I don't believe EVERYTHING I hear!!
We have learned much of our traveling skills (not many-haha) by "trial and error". We used to buy the length-of-stay passes, and soon realized we were paying more than the annual pass price! We purchased the annual pass, but then wanted to visit the water parks. So, we purchased the premium annual passes, and do exactly as you do--we return within the 12 month pass life. We travel late July to August the first year, and return Late June to July the second. It saves a bundle on pass expenses!(as you know!). I cringe to think of all the $$ I threw away before knowing this secret. If a guest stays for at least one week or more, and expects to return again the following year, they should buy the pass-instead of the tickets.
This year was the BEST year yet for the premium annual passholder, as they included DISNEY QUEST in the benefits! We visited the DQ location 5 times, and had a blast (when it's not too crowded).
I do know the Orlando Entertainment book has a coupon for 50% off at the Dolphin/Swan hotels-valid through next summer! This offer is good for all rooms, even suites. I called to see if it was truly available, just asking for the "Entertainment rate"-and was amazed at the savings! I have been unable to secure the savings offered to the DC holders, as the times/dates do not coincide with our visit.
The vouchers seem like a great deal, and certainly are worth purchasing and trying at the locations offered. I used the link you gave, and found it very helpful. I am open to "anything" which saves a little $ at WDW. I wish Disney would offer a coupon book, with some % off of the hotels, etc.,and some buy-one get one-free offers for dining! I would pay $35 for that book!
I would like to stay at the Contemporary, and would love to hear of any discounts, etc. for this property. I also love Disney's Vero Beach. I would love to visit again, (yes-we've stayed twice now, and loved it), and have heard of a DVC timeshare offer (if you endure the 90 min. presentation) of 99$ per eve (for four eves). Has anyone heard of this? We stayed at DVB this summer, and went on the tour. We were told if we didn't buy into the DVC, we would not be able to stay at Vero Beach much longer, as all the property would be fully sold-out to DVC members. I felt a bit pressured, but decided it was not worth the investment at this time, (besides, I was ON vacation-and didn't feellike dealing with REAL WORLD issues...like real estate!). Also, even though I LOVE Vero, we were cleared from the water on 3 occasions due to sharks, and the mosquitos are very thick/hearty everywhere (even in our villa). We used the birnbaum's discount of 25% while visiting, which was a substantial savings. Anyone know of any "better" savings/prices?
Thanks again, for all the wonderful help with my questions! This site is the BEST for Disney insider info, and I feel after more than a decade of Disney traveling...I'm just catching-up! Our family discusses other locations for possible summer trips...but year after year...we end up at WDW (and wouldn't have it any other way)!! Our friends, neighbors and family do NOT understand the attraction-and if they "don't get it"...I'm not going to enlighten them!! The magic HAS to be inside already...which is why all of us here--"Gets IT"!! Always...
P.S. Sorry about the length of this....
inkbounc
) in '92, --which I'm sure is nothing like this cruise! We are paying about double the cost of the May/Aug cruise...but can not travel then due to school! It helps to know others are paying a prem. too...misery loves company!
TTFN
