Where are the deals?

[bduff]

We're going to be coming from Seattle to DLR in late September or early October. Haven't made the arrangements yet, but expect to do so in a couple of weeks or so.

Question: where are the deals?? It's a relatively slow time of year anyway, I'm reading more attractions than usual will be down for refurbishment as they prepare for the 50th anniversary, and you'd think the anniversary will cast a "rain shadow" over the months leading up to it in terms of visits. But no sign that they are bringing back "kids fly free" for the fall, and the packages I see on mousesavers and on the disney site look the same as they've posted for the past several months. Do I just need to wait longer, or are they booking enough business that they don't need to offer special deals?

[Lani]

I am not sure, but I have a suspision they are going to lay low on too many discounts because they want to concentrate on the 50th. Just my two cents.

[disneygeek87]

I don't think Disney is offering too many deals. We just booked our trip for 4 Nights at DLH for $1124 w/ 5 day park hoppers for 3 for Sept. 16-20. They are offering if you stay at one of the resorts for 3 or 4 nights, you get the 4th or 5th night of your stay for free.

[disneymania]

I did tons of research for my after labor day trip. I found that the cheapest way to go, was to book it myself. I bought my tickets from my local Disney store for 129$ each (5 day park hoppers). I booked my stay at the Tropicana directly from the hotel. If you don't mind a 10 min walk, HOJO's is offering really good prices at there site. Good luck!

p.s. I thought I heard somewhere that Southwest is doing some great deals right now.

[scatmo]

We got a really good deal thru getawaytoday.com for room and park tickets. They offered a free day if you used 4. Southwest put out some really great rates today, but I don't know what their cut off is in terms of how far out they are booking now.

[Pammer]

Southwest put out some really great rates today, but I don't know what their cut off is in terms of how far out they are booking now.

As long as you don't fly into Orange County (aka John Wayne Airport)...it's excluded from these fare sales.

[azlaura]

I just checked on Southwest Airlines web site and I can get Phx- Orange(John Wayne) for $29 each way. That is a great deal! I would check from your city just to make sure.
I hope this helps in your planning,
Laura

[Lani]

I just checked on Southwest Airlines web site and I can get Phx- Orange(John Wayne) for $29 each way. That is a great deal! I would check from your city just to make sure.

Wow, that IS quite a deal!

[Wendi]

Getawaytoday.org has the BEST prices I've ever seen on packages. I use them for all of my Disneyland trips, they're wonderful. The deals at that time of year are the free 4th night, and some dates also include free character breakfasts. You will also get a 20 minute phone card (while supplies last).

[Pammer]

I just checked on Southwest Airlines web site and I can get Phx- Orange(John Wayne) for $29 each way. That is a great deal! I would check from your city just to make sure.
I hope this helps in your planning,
Laura

Lucky you! I was going by the info they had listed for the various fares (that OCA wasn't included in the sale), but you're right...when I put in the PHX to OCA criteria for my dates, the $29 fare popped up.

Then I tried the same for SAC to OCA, and the cheapest flight from is $63 each way! We haven't seen any $39 fares since right after they started servicing OCA from Sac a couple of years ago.

Oh well, I guess it pays to live out-of-state sometimes ~ you can spend the money you're saving for an onsite room, or a special dinner at Blue Bayou instead! (or not...) I hope everyone takes advantage of this great deal, if they can, and enjoy DLR.

[bduff]

I'd never heard of getawaytoday.com before, but just took a look and that is an attractive price for their packages. However, it looks like I'd need to be flexible on where I'm going to stay? Their input form lets me specify where I want to stay (GCH), but then asks me to select 4 other properties and they get to substitute if they can't find availability where I want it? Am I understanding that correctly?

And speaking of GCH availability, the Disney site shows no availability at GCH for 10/2 - 10/4, but it is open for at least a week on either side of those dates. I didn't think any dates in October would book up this far in advance. Do the package operators have reserved blocks of rooms that they have access to, even after Disney is saying "all full" to those trying to book directly with them?

[Wendi]

Yes, they usually have prepurchased blocks of rooms, so they will probably have availability for you, especially for off-season dates. You can always call the 800 number instead of booking online. I've never gotten an alternate hotel from them. I think you can also leave those alternates blank and it will automatically tell you if that hotel isn't available while you are doing the online booking.