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Trip Planning > WDW > Resorts > Disney Accommodations: A Strategic Approach
Disney Accommodations: A Strategic ApproachJump to:
For Current Deals Look for the While TheMouseForLess.com tries to keep all information on this page current, information does change often. Please reference Disney's Official web site or the web sites of vendors for the most up-to-date rates and information. If you have tips to share or notice outdated links or information, you may contact us at moneysavingtips@themouseforless.com.
There are a number of ways to get deals on hotels and resorts located on Disney property beyond hoping for the release of public discount codes. Some of them take a little extra research or planning than others. A few are listed below.
Purchase an Annual Pass Those considering an extended stay of ten days or more or who visit the Walt Disney World Resort more than once per year should consider purchasing an Annual Pass. Some of the best discounts on Disney rooms are offered to Annual Passholders and can be up to 45% off regular rack rates. Only one person per party needs an Annual Pass to secure a room discount. With additional savings available to passholders (and usually up to 3 other guests), such as discounts on tours, dining, merchandise and recreation, this can be a less expensive option in certain situations. An adult Annual Pass costs $520.79 (w/tax) and allows unlimited admission to Walt Disney parks for a period of 12 months. A 7-day adult MYW ticket with the same parking hopping privileges as an Annual Pass and a 14-day expiration date comes in at $304.59 (w/tax), a difference of approximately $216 less than an annual pass. Depending on the resort, an Annual Pass savings on a room for say seven days can often be more. Discount savings with an Annual Pass will be the highest on stays of 5 days or more or for those staying at a Deluxe resort. Purchasing an AP will also not guarantee that one will be able to secure a discount. Shoppers will have to do the math and research to determine whether buying an AP and individual room and ticket components will save money over a package. Additionally, new AP Packages allow passholders to add the Dining Plan at regular rates to their discounted room. Packages must be purchased for a minimum 3-day stay or longer. Each person on the reservation will need to purchase the Dining Plan for length of stay. These packages also include Magic Your Way Package benefits, but do not include tickets. To learn how to get GREAT Walt Disney great deals from Undercover Tourist on Walt Disney World tickets for those on your reservation that don't have an AP, visit our Disney Ticket page. Unlike Annual Passholder room reservations, packages are subject to WDTC's advance deposit of $200 (within 7 days of booking) and cancellation and change rules with penalties incurred within 45 days of the vacation commencement. To learn more about Walt Disney World package benefits and terms, click here. AP rates are usually released several months in advance. Before making any decision, check to see if discounts are available for the travel dates and resort of choice. Using a Disney specialized travel agent can be helpful in determining the best approach for your vacation and getting an Annual Pass discount applied. Typically, Annual Pass rates have been offered throughout the year in small booking windows of several months in advance of stays. Generally, AP rates apply to most categories of resorts and rooms. However, Disney has in the past released AP discount rates that apply only to a specific type of resort, such as select Deluxe and DVC resorts. The reference below is an approximation of how general rates (on all types of rooms) have run for the past three years.
Click here to get current rates for purchasing an Annual Pass.
Rent DVC Points Disney Vacation Club is Disney's point-based timeshare program. Disney timeshare units are some of the nicest on property and one does not have to be an owner to reserve one. While often limited, Disney does sometimes make these resorts available to the general public. Additionally, DVC members often sell or "rent" points to third parties, frequently at half the cost it would require to book the same accommodations directly with Disney when available. Units all have fully-equipped kitchens making them an even more attractive choice for larger budget-conscious families. Neither does renting DVC points come without drawbacks, and one will need to do some research before taking this approach. A good place to start is Mouseowners.com. Third parties pay the DVC owner directly for points and it will be up to the owner to make reservations in the buyer's name. So, the opportunity does exist for a buyer to be taken. Paying by credit card is probably the safest option when entering into this type of transaction. Those who rent points will also not be able to involve Disney if something goes wrong as Disney will negotiate only with actual DVC owners. There should be a written contract or letter of agreement, signed by both of renter and owner, outlining the rental cost, payment due dates, dates of stay and any other specifics. Typically deposits are much larger when renting points than booking through Disney and final payment is due sooner. Most DVC owners have a “no cancellation/no change/no refund” policy. Many people have successfully rented DVC points, and, with proper precautions and research, such transactions can yield some great deals. DVC by Resale offers point charts to help determine just how many points one will need to reserve the unit of choice and dates. DVC properties include: Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs (including new Tree House Villas), Villas at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge, with Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary Resort recently added to the list. Just because a DVC owner is willing to rent points, this does not guarantee that the resort of choice in will be available. DVC owners can rent their "home" resorts up to eleven months in advance and may reserve all other DVC accommodations seven months prior. One should try to have arrangements set in advance of these booking windows. Once the decision to rent points has been made, visit the Rent/Trade/Transfer board on Mouseowners.com to locate a DVC owner offering points. Those staying in DVC units on points are also eligible for a few perks, such as free high-speed internet access, no additional charge for adults above the number of two staying in a unit, the ability to purchase Disney's Dining plan and access to Magical Express transportation. When renting points, additions such as the Dining Plan or Magical Express will need to be made through Member Services by the owner. Renters can pay for the Disney Dining Plan during check-in at the resort and make their own dining reservations through Disney's dining number. Park tickets cannot be purchased through the DVC member and must be purchased by the renter through Disney. Finally, there is no housekeeping available for DVC units rented on points. While trash is emptied daily, a full clean occurs only on the fourth day of stay. Towels are delivered on day 4 and 8, if staying that long.
Try the Swan and Dolphin Technically, the Swan and Dolphin are not Disney resorts, but they are two award-winning hotels located on prime Disney property in the Epcot area. Both resorts have access to Disney transportation, participate in Disney's Extra Magic Hour, and guests may park free of charge at Disney theme parks. Guests of the Swan or Dolphin may not participate in Disney's Magical Express roundtrip airport transportation program or Disney's Dining Plan. Cross charging between wings of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is permitted. However, guests may not charge dining back to their room from any of the venues in the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney offers guests at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin the opportunity to have items purchased in the theme parks delivered back to the hotel. The Swan and Dolphin both charge guests parking fees. Self parking is $9 per day with a max charge of $45 per stay. There is also a Resort Fee, which is currently $10 per night plus tax and includes up to 60 minutes free local telephone calls, unlimited access to the resort’s health club facilities, in-room high-speed Internet access and 2 bottles of water daily. Ticket desks are located in the lobby of each hotel, which allow guests the opportunity to avoid long lines at the Disney parks and purchase park tickets before leaving the hotel. There are several options for reserving rooms or packages at the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. These include booking offers directly on the Swan and Dolphin web site, from the Starwood Hotel and Resort web site, through a travel agency or directly through Disney. A Disney-specialized travel agency should be able to help you book most offers. Limited Magic Your Way packages can be booked for the Swan and Dolphin Hotels directly through Disney or a travel agency. These packages offer room, MYW tickets, and special features such as a $15 Planet Hollywood certificate, one round of miniature golf and 30 additional minutes of Sea Raycer use when 60 minutes are purchased. Ticket option upgrades are available. Options such as insurance, airfare, airport ground transportation, rental cars, Cirque du Soleil, and Richard Petty's Driving Experience can be added. Swan and Dolphin guests who book through Disney can not take part in Disney's Magical Express round trip airport transportation or Disney's Dining Plan but can make Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) at Walt Disney World restaurants. As part of the Starwood chain of hotels and resorts, the Swan and Dolphin often offer discounts not found at Disney resorts of similar caliber. Check the Special Rates Page on the Swan and Dolphin's web site for discounts catering to teachers, nurses, military, Florida residents, WDW annual passholders, senior citizens and the general public. Occasionally the Starwood Hotel and Resort web site will also have Westin Deals that apply to the Swan and Sheraton Deals that apply to the Dolphin. Both the Swan and Dolphin are classified as resorts, so search for deals applicable to that category in the "terms" for any package deal that you find. Special Notice: The Swan and Dolphin have expanded their Teacher discounts to include office staff and custodians.
Deals for Special Groups Shades of Green Active and retired military (see a complete list of military discounts), as well DOD employees and other authorized patronage, can purchase special discounted packages for Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) located on Walt Disney World Property. Located across from Disney's Polynesian Resort and newly renovated and expanded in 2004, Shades of Green is a first rate resort in every sense of the word. This military retreat is surrounded by two PGA Championship Golf Courses offering military discount green fees, offers large rooms, two restaurants, lounge and sports bar, 2 heated pools, hot tub, mini PX store, banquet facilities, Internet cafe and in-room web access, fitness center, arcade, playground and lighted tennis courts. It also offers some of the best Disney bargains to be found. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance, and can take six to eight months of advance notification to reserve. For soldiers on short leave, Shades of Green has overflow contract arrangements with alternate hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort. Guest of Shades of Green are eligible for Disney's Extra Magic Hours but do not qualify for Disney's Magical Express round trip airport transportation. There have been some complaints that the buses shuttling guests to and from parks are smaller and run less often than those in Disney's fleet, but most reviews concerning this resort are quite positive, and guests also have access to nearby Polynesian Resort transportation. The hotel sells tax free discounted tickets to all Orlando attractions, and even the mouse ears in the PX cost less. Room rates, except for suites, are based on pay grade and a valid military ID or DoD ID and LES is required. Room Rates for 2010 Per Night (1 October 2009 - 30 September 2010)
Category 1: E-1 through E-5 (E-1 thru E-5 Sponsor and dependents will receive the rate that applies to Category #1. Any additional sponsored rooms will receive the rate that applies to Category #2) Category 2: E-6 through E-9, O-1 through O-3, WO-1 to CW-3,Widows, Medal of Honor Recipients,100% Disabled Veterans, Cadets and Category 1 sponsored rooms (see above). Category 3: O-4 through O-10, CW-4 and CW-5, Active and Retired Department of Defense Civilians, Foreign Military assigned to a U.S. military installation only, DoD Contractors assigned to a U.S. Military installation only
Offer valid through 12/24/09. No minimum night stay required. Rates are per room, per night based on rate schedule availability and do not include the mandatory Resort Service Package, daily parking fees (if applicable), applicable taxes or gratuities. Military personnel must present proof of service and valid drivers license, passport or birth certificate to verify birth date. Call 1-888-828-8850 and ask for rate code TROOPS or contact The Magic For Less Travel for a quote (Use the WDW Room only quote form and ask for Swan & Dolphin code TROOPS in the comment section).
To reserve this and other packages call the Shades of Green Reservation Office at Reservation Office at 888-593-2242 or visit the Shades of Green web site.
Other Groups Searching out deals may require a bit of footwork, but don't assume that you don't qualify. Other groups that may be entitled to special discounts and rates on rooms at Walt Disney World resorts are Florida and other state residents, airline employees, Disney Visa Rewards Cardholders, AAA members, AARP members and Canadians. Check out our Current Codes and Discounts Page, visit your airline employee benefits office, contact a Disney Specialized Travel Agency or contact your local AAA office for more information.
Click here to see current Florida Resident and Other State discounts. Click here to see current Military discounts. Click here to see current Canadian Resident discounts. Click here to see current Disney Visa Rewards Cardholder discounts. Click here to see current AAA discounts. Click here to see current Annual Passholder discounts.
Additional Accommodation References and Discounts Additional information to assist in locating and securing the best deals for Walt Disney World and Orlando Area hotels and resorts can be found throughout our web site. Below are a few links to visit. Complete information and rates for Disney Resorts can be found here. Current discounts for the general public at Walt Disney World Resorts can be found here. Information for Downtown Disney Hotels is located here. Information for Disney "Good Neighbor" hotels and resorts located in the surrounding Walt Disney World area can found here. Information for Universal Orlando accommodations discounts and savings can be found here and on our Universal Tips page. Information on Orlando area hotels offering Gas Cards with stays can be found here. Information on other Orlando area hotels discounts and savings can be found here. A discussion on budget hotel choices located on Walt Disney World property and in the surrounding area is here.
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