(Update in OP.)Please help a disney novice on a short time frame, family of 5

[mom2binsd]

I can pm you a travel agent my friends all use, they say she is so good and thinks of things you'd never dream of and keeps looking for deals etc. Let her do all the work.

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[brittone2]

momofbinsd-that would be absolutely fabulous, thank you!!!

[egoldber]

When you call, ask them for discounts. Mention the 30% off promo and then ask them explicitly, "tell me any other available discounts for my travel dates or nearby dates". They will tell you what is available. They are very helpful. Remember it is their job to make you book a vacation. They get rewarded if you book with them. If you find a CS rep not very helpful, hang up and all back.

I hate using travel agents because I hate using a middle man. I prefer to just do it myself, but YMMV.

[brittone2]

If I book now, I can cancel without penalty? Just wondering if we should go ahead and book something on site for now.

I just ran the #s and came up with 3729 for the Polynesian plus five days of tickets for 12/8-12/14. Airfare will be roughly 1000-1200 for us, and then I'm assuming food will be another 1K?

Thoughts on Polynesian vs. Contemporary if we stay on site?

I guess it would also be hard to resist the Very Merry Christmas party with Mickey.

[egoldber]

I have only done the Halloween Party and personally I would not do it again. I don't think you need to do it, but it just galls me to pay for another entry fee on top of the already sky high prices.

The parks are already very beautifully decorated for the holidays.

[brittone2]

Okay, that is good to know, Beth. I can put those $$ to work elsewhere then!

[spunkybaby]

If I book now, I can cancel without penalty? Just wondering if we should go ahead and book something on site for now.

I just ran the #s and came up with 3729 for the Polynesian plus five days of tickets for 12/8-12/14. Airfare will be roughly 1000-1200 for us, and then I'm assuming food will be another 1K?

Thoughts on Polynesian vs. Contemporary if we stay on site?

I guess it would also be hard to resist the Very Merry Christmas party with Mickey.

I just sent you a PM. We stayed at the Polynesian two years ago and loved its convenience to the monorail and the TTC (easy access to the non-monorail resorts).

[brittone2]

Any thoughts on doing points and staying at the Bay Towers for a family of 5? Pricing that out in Dec, I get 2268 for standard view, 2674 for a lake view for a 1 BR.

[hellokitty]

If you are wanting to take advantage of the room discount or free dining promo, you must book by tonight. Today is the last day. You can book and cancel or switch to a different promo later if you want. Just FYI. I'd prefer early DEC, due to the Xmas decorations and Osborne lights!

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[brittone2]

Free dining ends tonight, but when I click on the resort deals, it says: for November 30 through December 23, 2013—book through November 3, 2013.

So I assume it runs through Nov 3 to book it, but since it is a limited # of rooms, the better rooms and deals will be gone by then.

If I book the Polynesian or Contemporary tonight and cancel later, there's no fee for the cancellation?

I am kind of leaning that way but still mulling over off site at WH or WBC, or now I'm thinking of doing points and staying at the Bay Towers. That is about 2500 for 6 nights for a one bedroom, and that looks like it kind of has a separate MBR and a 2nd bathroom.