official east coast Subsonic meet-up

[foldmama]

JS3901 - I have been trying to download the tool over the last few days as you suggested and the Disney site tells me it is not available. Any ideas?

[addlema]

So where are the pictures from the breakfast and the meet up?

[js3901]

hmm. not sure what's going on with the Disney website and the Magical Gatherings tool. the page itself is there, but the download page isn;t working. I've been having some problems myself lately with some of the Disney sites... maybe it'll be up soon. I just sent a contact us thing to them asking if/when it'll be back up. I'll let you know as soon as I get a response.

as for the pics, there are a couple we did with the Photopass service. here they are:




and a slightly enhanced version:


it's me on the left (white hat), Kelly (knedeau) in the middle, and Brandon (Dr. Ravenscroft) on the right (black hat). I gave both of them one of the shirts (and one to Kelly's sister who didn't join us (she was at the spa). Kelly forgot hers in the rush to get to the monorail (which she really didn't need to)

[rdeacon]

Nice pics guys.... one year we should really plan and East Coasters meet.

Rich

[GhostHost]

Nice pictures guys and gal! Beauty and the Beasts!

[Dr. Ravenscroft]

Nice pics guys.... one year we should really plan and East Coasters meet.

Rich

We have already started that, just give us a couple more weeks. I have to call a couple of places to find out more pricing.

[rdeacon]

We have already started that, just give us a couple more weeks. I have to call a couple of places to find out more pricing.

Cool...

I've already got plans going to go in March... let me know when you guys are looking to go.

Rich

[js3901]

December. sometime around the first to the seventh or first to the ninth.

[js3901]

ok, here's the info I got from AAA today. I priced out for 6 people total going from 12/1 - 12/9/07. I priced it for the Pop Century (2 rooms), as well as the Ft. Wilderness Cabins (fits all 6). If we have more than 6 going, we can get updated pricing as needed.

Pop Century (or any Value Resort)
Up to 4 in one room
$2091.68 for 4 adults (no dining) - $522.92/person, $65.37/night
$3529.88 for 4 (with dining) - $882.47/person, $110.31/night

Pop Century (or any Value Resort)
$1371.98 for 2 adults (no dining) - $685.99/person, $85.75/night
$2091.08 for 2 (with dining) - $1045.54/person, $130.69/night

Ft. Wilderness Cabins
$4062.00 for 6 adults (no dining) - $677.00/person, $84.63/night
$6219.30 for 6 (with dining) - $1036.55/person, $129.69/night

Will price match if can find better deal
Special benefits included - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/ ... 0001-1.jpg
Prices include Disney travel insurance (as was priced out so early before trip, they automatically add insurance in. can be taken out) - http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/ ... y/scan.jpg. Cost is 59.50/person.
All people in the same room must be on the same package (if one person wants dining, all in the same room need to take dining).
Sleeping arrangements can be broken up (3 and 3 if getting the 2 rooms).
Prices reflect hotel and tickets (base ticket with park hopper) only. Airfare is not included.
Should we start to book and new promotion is offered (free dining, free ticket upgrade, etc), we will get call explaining promotion and offer to upgrade.
Should new promotion come out after we pay in full and we want to take it, we would need to cancel the booking ($20 fee) and then rebook under new promo.
Should you want to book a trip yourself, you may, and we can just meet up on some of the days we are there.

The woman I spoke with at AAA was not sure if these prices included any AAA discounts. She was also unclear as to if these prices included taxes (she said sometimes they do quote taxes included, but these quotes did not specify either way). As a travel agent, they have access to a special Disney booking site which takes the discount into consideration. when I went, that website was down, so she had to call into Disney to get these prices. The gentleman who helped me with this last trip was not there today (and I prefer workng with him as he is GOOD at getting the info). I will try and schedule an appointment with him soon to discuss these plans in full detail with the discounts. If anyone wants questions answered by him, please send me an email or IM and I'll add them to the list I'm going to ask already.

With the AAA booking, as can be seen on the special features page I posted, there is a 15% tour with the "Diamond Card" feature. I would LOVE to do the "Around the World at Epcot Segway" tour again (assuming it's still offered/times open within travel dates), and would love it if everyone would attend that. The normal cost is $80.00/person (all tax included). With the Diamond Card, the price is reduced to $68/person.

Now, there is a POSSIBILITY of not needing to pay for airfare. I have just recently applied for a job with US Airways. They offer free travel for me, and up to 8 Guest passes per year so I can fly friends/family for free. If people are willing to book, and are confirmed to go (and I get this job), then I will "pay" for your flights (unless you have other arrangements). Remember, that as of right now, this is just a possibility. I could get turned down for the job and would not get these travel benefits. If that is the case, prices quoted would end up increasing for you based on airfare/driving costs. At this point, fingers crossed I get this job.

Dr. Ravescroft is gathering some pricing info in his spare time. Feel free to do the same. As I stated in the above quote, if we can find a better price than what I listed, or what the AAA discount will offer, they WILL price-match it. So, please look for the best possible rates with the info I gave above.

Any other questions, feel free to ask.

BTW, as far as the tool I posted about (Magical Gatherings tool), it is still not working as of this post. I receved an email from Disney which reads:

Dear Justin,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Since the Magical Gatherings application works outside of a browser,
please make sure that your internet connection is configured to accept
this. This could include adjusting any firewall application that you
have installed on your computer or use through your internet provider.
Since a wireless router acts as a firewall, any routers in use will need
to be set to allow the application to communicate over the internet as
well. Please refer to the manuals and help information provided with
your firewalls and/or routers to determine the proper settings
necessary.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Gail Williams

WDW Online Communications

I have since sent a second email saying that is it not a problem with the application itself, but a problem DOWNLOADING the application. I sent that off on 1/6/07 and have yet to receive a response. The first email was sent aound 1/3 and response was on 1/5.

[js3901]

ok, I just got an email quote from AAA with updated pricing (with the AAA discounts).

I asked them originally for multiple rooms, with 6 adults total at a Value resort with the MYW park hopper plus dining for 9 days/8 nights. However, they gave me the pricing for just 2 adults. I emailed them back asking for 4 more adults. I'll post the entire contents of the email here:

Dear Mr. Sherman,

Thank you for visiting AAA.com for your Magical Disney Vacation. Disney is one of my favorite destinations, having been there many times!

Based on the information you provided below, I priced Disney's Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining. The package based on 2 adults per room is $1875.92 with insurance or $1756.02 without insurance.

The Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining will include:
Accommodations for 8 nights including taxes at one of Disney's value resorts (standard view rooms)
9 Day Park Hopper Tickets per person
1 snack per person per night
1 quick-service meal per person per night
1 table-service meal per person per night
Document delivery to your home or office

Exclusive AAA Member Benefits to include:

- AAA Diamond card for savings on selected meals, merchandise, recreation and more at participating locations
- Must See, Must Do, How To Guide
- Preferred parking in the AAA Diamond Parking Lot (black out dates may apply)
- Keepsake AAA Vacations luggage tag (one per person)
- $15 certificate valid for food and non-alcoholic beverages at Planet Hollywood (one certificate per room).
- Round of Miniature Golf at either Disney's Fantasia Gardens or Disney's Winter Summerland courses (valid for one
Round of golf per room).
- Certificate valid for 30 additional minutes of watercraft fun when you purchase 60 minutes at Sea Raycers by Sea Ray (one certificate per room, restrictions apply).
- Exclusive storytelling experience with a character from a classic Disney animated feature (subject to availability
And blackout dates apply).

Rooms and AAA discounts are limited and sell out quickly. To ensure availability and rates, I would highly recommend putting this package on a courtesy hold. To do this, I would need the legal names of all travelers, which allows me to hold the reservation for you for 7 days. At the end of the 7 days, a $200.00 deposit per room (plus optional insurance) is required with full payment due 50 days before departure. All rates are subject to change until the package is paid in full. After the package is paid in full, the rate is subject to change due to imposition of taxes or other charges of governmental authorities.

If you act now, I can confirm this great price for your vacation before it sells out. You can contact me at the phone number listed below or I am available to contact you by phone at your earliest convenience. Please provide a telephone number where I may reach you and what time is good for you.

Remember, when you're ready to travel, we're ready to help!


Sincerely,
Sarah Millen
Accredited Cruise Counselor
AAA Western & Central NY
'Travel With Someone You Trust'
1-800-937-1222
716-630-3703

I'll post the response to the 4 adult inquiry as soon as I get it.

Any questions, feel free to contact me.

Edit: 1/13/07
just got a response back from AAA. here's how it reads -

Dear Mr. Sherman,

Thank you for responding!

I apologize for the confusion, I had quoted you $1875.92 with insurance
for 1 room based on double occupancy in the room. I assumed that you
would want 3 rooms with 2 adults in each room so I gave you the price
per room instead of total. Since you are only looking for 2 rooms with
3 adults in each the package total would be $5225.44 with insurance
($2612.72 per room) or $4865.74 without insurance ($2432.87 per room).
This is price is for the same package of 8 night stay at one of Disney's
value resorts and a 9-day Park Hopper Ticket per person.

If you have any further questions please feel free to email me back.
Thank you again for visiting aaa.com!

Sincerely,
Sarah Millen
Accredited Cruise Counselor
AAA Western & Central NY
'Travel With Someone You Trust'
1-800-937-1222
716-630-3703

with this pricing, and the one above, I'll break it down per person, as well as per night..

with the 3 per room, 2 room option, the prices of $2612.72 (with travel insurance) and $2432.87 (no travel insurance) works out to be $870.91/person, or $100.99/night (with the insurance) or $810.96/person, $101.37/night
with the 2 per room, 3 room option, the prices of $1875.92 (with insurance) and $1756.02 (no insurance) works out to be $937.96/person, 117.25/night, or $878.01/person, $109.75/night.

Remember that if you find a better price, please let me know as AAA said they WILL price match, as well as give us all the special features I listed above.

Any questions, feel free to contact me.

[js3901]

ok, here's the definitive word on the Magical Gatherings tool. I just got an email back from the one I sent them back on the 11th.

Dear Justin,

We are currently in the process of removing the Magical Gatherings
planner application from the site, and have no plans at this time of
replacing it with another application. Any previously downloaded
instances of the application will cease to function shortly advising
that the application has been discontinued. We apologize for the
inconvenience.


Ric
WDW Online Communications

So, with this news, don;t worry about trying to download anything. we'll just post any of the price quotes and such here

[foldmama]

Hi - If we wanted to have our own room, would that cause a problem? I can go either week so that is not an issue.

Eileen

[js3901]

not a problem at all. In fact, I asked a AAA agent for some more options, rather than just the value resort pricing I got before. I got the pricing for both a moderate resort, as well as a deluxe resort, in case anyone wants to "trade up" so to speak:

Dear Mr. Sherman,

Thank you for responding!

AAA does do price matching of tour packages, however, Walt Disney World packages always give AAA the best pricing as long as the discount is available so we don’t typically have to price match those packages.

Based on the information you provided below, I priced Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining. The package for 2 adults is:

One of Disney’s Moderate resorts (standard view room)
$2326.80 ($1163.40/person, $145.43/night) with insurance or $2206.90 ($1103.45/person, $137.93/night) without insurance

Animal Kingdom Lodge resort (pool view room)
$3195.28 ($1597.64/person, $199.71/night) with insurance or $3075.38 ($1537.69/person, $192.21) without insurance

Beach Club, Yacht Club or Boardwalk Inn (standard view room)
$3799.76 ($1899.88/person, $237.49/night) with insurance or $3679.86 ($1839.93/person, $229.99/night) without insurance

The Magic Your Way Plus Dining Package will include:
Accommodations for 8 nights including taxes at one of the Disney resorts above
9 Day Park Hopper Tickets per person

1 snack per person per night
1 quick-service meal per person per night
1 table-service meal per person per night

Exclusive AAA Member Benefits to include:

- AAA Diamond card for savings on selected meals, merchandise, recreation and more at participating locations
- Must See, Must Do, How To Guide
- Preferred parking in the AAA Diamond Parking Lot (black out dates may apply)
- Keepsake AAA Vacations luggage tag (one per person)
- $15 certificate valid for food and non-alcoholic beverages at Planet Hollywood (one certificate per room).
- Round of Miniature Golf at either Disney’s Fantasia Gardens or Disney’s Winter Summerland courses (valid for one Round of golf per room).
- Certificate valid for 30 additional minutes of watercraft fun when you purchase 60 minutes at Sea Raycers by Sea Ray (one certificate per room, restrictions apply).
- Exclusive storytelling experience with a character from a classic Disney animated feature (subject to availability And blackout dates apply).

Rooms and AAA discounts are limited and sell out quickly. To ensure availability and rates, I would highly recommend putting this package on a courtesy hold. To do this, I would need the legal names of all travelers, which allows me to hold the reservation for you for 7 days. At the end of the 7 days, a $200.00 deposit per room (plus optional insurance) is required with full payment due 50 days before departure. All rates are subject to change until the package is paid in full. After the package is paid in full, the rate is subject to change due to imposition of taxes or other charges of governmental authorities.

If you act now, I can confirm this great price for your vacation before it sells out. You can contact me at the phone number listed below or I am available to contact you by phone at your earliest convenience. Please provide a telephone number where I may reach you and what time is good for you.

Remember, when you’re ready to travel, we’re ready to help!

Sincerely,
Sarah Millen

Accredited Cruise Counselor
AAA Western & Central NY
'Travel With Someone You Trust'
1-800-937-1222
716-630-3703

As you can probably tell by the quote, I had asked about the validity of the "price-matching" statement that was told to me by someone in the AAA office. She just confirmed what I asked. The rest of the information is right there:

Based on the information you provided below, I priced Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining. The package for 2 adults is:

One of Disney’s Moderate resorts (standard view room)
$2326.80 ($1163.40/person, $145.43/night) with insurance or $2206.90 ($1103.45/person, $137.93/night) without insurance

Animal Kingdom Lodge resort (pool view room)
$3195.28 ($1597.64/person, $199.71/night) with insurance or $3075.38 ($1537.69/person, $192.21) without insurance

Beach Club, Yacht Club or Boardwalk Inn (standard view room)
$3799.76 ($1899.88/person, $237.49/night) with insurance or $3679.86 ($1839.93/person, $229.99/night) without insurance

I could book the trip for you, so you do not have to be hassled by it, But, I would need your information (names of people going, address to mail you all the confirmations and such), as well as the $200 deposit as soon as you're ready to book. I can get you my information iin a PM or email so you have it.

If you'd rather book the trip yourself, you're more than welcome to do so. I would highly recommend booking through AAA (if you have it) as you get all the same benefits as if you booked through Disney directly, plus all the AAA benefits I've posted about. Plus, the price is typically cheaper than Disney direct or another travel agency.

Either way, let me know what you want to do.

[foldmama]

Justin: I also have AAA so not a problem. My preference is actually to stay in a moderate, but if everyone was staying at the Pop I would mostlikely do the same. I believe at that time of year Disney often offers special rates (with a special code) that is usually available some time late fall. You can book a room at the AAA rate and then add the discount code if available later on. I would, assume at this point, I would be traveling on my own, so I would book a single room. I just found out yesterday that someone I work with willl be visiting the first week of December. I currently have an AP, but am not planning to renew at this point. December is usually a value time of year to visit and the rates are good, so I may hold off on purchasing a new AP. This AP was worth it, because I got three vists out of it and 4 rooms at a reduced rate (Moderate for $115.00 per night). Not sure at this point what my rate will be for this May. i am currently holding a AAA rate until the AP rates are issued. I believe I can purchase the meal plan if I wish when I book a room in December. I currently do not have a meal plan because I have the Disney Dinning card which is 20% off, but that will expire the end of October.

[foldmama]

I just checked out the Dinsey Dinning Plan and you can only purchase the plan when you purchase a Disney magic Your Way package which I would not do with only one person in the room.