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Category Archives: Savings
What is a Disney Take Over and Why Use It?
Acronyms and terminology are key to Disney vacation. We all know that ADR means Advanced Dining Reservation and EMH means Extra Magic Hours. A term you may not have heard of is “take over”. This term is used mainly between Disney and travel agencies; so you may be less familiar with it.
It seems like a scary word, but when you break it down and understand it, it’s really quite rewarding!
1. Definition of a take over-A simple form that requires your name, reservation information and signature to authorize an agency to “take over” your reservation.
2. When to do a take over-This is great for when you’ve already made your reservation exactly how you want it, then decide to use a travel agent. Doing a takeover saves you from having to cancel and wait for your refund. Take overs also come in handy if you come across an agency incentive you want to take advantage of, but your vacation is already booked.
3. Why do a take over? If you aren’t the type of person who keeps up with Disney news, new promotions, discount codes or other ways to save money on your trip, a take over is for you. Any self-respecting agent specializing in Disney travel will monitor your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best rate. As your agent they can apply new promotions or discounts that would save you money. You can go relax because now it’s your agent’s job to sit on pins and needles and wait for the next big thing.
4. How much does it cost?-This is the best part…NOTHING! Agents are paid through Disney and don’t need a cent from you. Once you sign on an agent you receive your own personal vacation planning assistant. Your agent should be able to help you as much, or as little as you like.
5. Who should I let take over my reservation? Pixie Vacations of course! Pixie Vacations offers concierge level service upon booking and no fees. You receive: Pixie Perks (free goodies), itinerary planning, reservation monitoring and much, much much more.
*Exclusively for Chip and Co readers…Pixie Michele is giving away a free landyard to each member in your travel party when you do a “take over”! Email Michele@ChipandCo.com and mention ChipandCo!
Related articles
- Hakuna Matata! Disney World Free Dining Offer is a wonderful phrase! (chipandco.com)
- Disney Free Dining 2011 and 2012 (pixievacations.com)
Annual Passholder Discounted Rates: October-December
On the heels of free dining, Disney Annual Passholders may have felt jilted into purchasing a 2-day base ticket to meet the minimum requirements for the free dining promotion. Well, fret not passholders…Disney has something for you too!
Annual Passholder room only discounts are available for stays October through December.
Travel Dates:
October 3, 2011 through December 24, 2011
(BLACKOUT DATES: November 23-November 25th)
Savings:
Save 30% at Disney Value Resorts
Save 30% at Disney Moderate Resorts
Save 40% at Disney Deluxe Resorts
Save 40% at Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
Approximate Rates for Standard Rooms:
Value Resorts: $66-$77 per night
Moderate Resorts:$115
Deluxe Resorts:$168-$318+
Deluxe Villa Resorts:$378
If you’re hungry for more, annual passholders can make a vacation package by choosing one of the Disney dining plans to add to your room reservation. The Disney dining plan is not discounted for passholders, but with room rates that great…beggers can’t be choosy!
Related articles
- Annual Passholder Room-Only Discounts! (chipandco.com)
- HOT! Disney Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Sizzling Summer Sale (chipandco.com)
D23 Members Save on a Hawaiian Holiday!
The D23 “ohana” (family, of course!) is invited to enjoy a little Disney magic in Hawaii. D23 Members are invited to be among the first to discover the brand-new enchanted resort, Aulani, with a special grand opening offer! Book a reservation at this tropical paradise through August 27, 2011 and you will receive a 10% discount on the room, plus a complimentary spa treatment (with gratuity)*. Just call (866) 814-3528 (within the U.S.) or (866) 814-3566 (Canada) to book. Please have your D23 Member number ready to give the reservations specialist.
Opening August 29, 2011, Aulani will be a Resort like no other—uniquely designed for families and inspired by the beauty and traditions of Hawaii. Located in Oahu on a beautiful beachfront cove, Aulani will be a new kind of paradise for families—from the people who know families best. In addition to the special D23 Member offer, here are a few things you’ll love about Aulani:
- Kids live their dreams with their own state-of-the-art club, unique programming, fun with Disney characters and more.
- Teens have the freedom of activities designed just for them, plus the only Teen Spa in Hawaii.
- Adults savor carefree escapes—like a beautiful spa, featuring the only outdoor hydrotherapy garden in Hawaii, romantic escapes, nearby golf and more.
- Families enjoy the best of everything with the Resort’s incredible lazy river, amazing pools, private snorkeling lagoon, plus Disney entertainment and more!
The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Savings based on the non-discounted price of the same room. Excludes Resort fees and taxes. D23 Member must present a valid D23 Membership Card at check-in. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or offers. Offer excludes suites and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. Additional per adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room. Limit two (2) rooms per member per reservation. Advance reservations required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.
*Offer includes One (1) Spa Treatment per room that may be only be redeemed at Laniwai Spa at Aulani (gratuity included). Guest must be 18 years of age or older. Excludes signature, specialized, and other upgraded spa treatments.
Related articles
- Disney Confidential – Spa at Disney’s Aulani Resort gets a new name (chipandco.com)
- Where to Find Disney Characters and Buffet Dining at Aulani (chipandco.com)
Hakuna Matata! Disney World Free Dining Offer is a wonderful phrase!
Hakuna Matata “a problem free philosophy”…
If your morning hasn’t been problem free because you’ve been on hold with Disney since the wee hours of the morning, fret not…so has everyone else. If you really want your trip to be worry free, find a travel agent and let them sit on hold for you; it’s what we do…we revel in it.
Now that the gossip and rumors have come true it’s up to us to sort through all of that and find the official news (and dates) from Disney, and as of this morning here they are:
Booking Window
August 3, 2011 through October 29, 2011
Travel Window
Valid for arrivals on most nights:
October 2-8
October 23-November 5
November 13-19
November 27-December 3
December 11-17
January 8-14 (2012)
January 22-February 4 (2012)
February 12-18 (2012)
March 4-10 (2012)
March 25-31 (2012)
Previously, dates beyond March 31 were in the mix, but these are the dates released by Disney as of this moment. Of course we’re all sending Pixie dust to those traveling beyond March 2012 and hoping the offer will be extended, (as it’s rumored to).
Terms and Conditions:
Buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way package for 4 nights, 5 days at select Disney Value resorts and get a FREE Quick Service Dining Plan
~or!
Buy a non-discounted Magic Your Way package for 4 nights, 5 days at a select Disney Moderate, Deluxe or Deluxe Villa and get a FREE Disney Dining Plan.
Ask about packages for other lengths of stay!
Tickets must be used within 14 days of first use
No group rates or other discounts apply
Excludes campsites and 3 bedroom villas
Mention Chip & Co and when you book with *PixieMichele* you’ll receive a free landyard for everyone in your travel party, great for those late night extra magical hours!
P.S.-Even if you have already booked your reservation through Disney give me a call or email and I can take over your trip free of charge and apply this or any other discounts for you!
Related articles
- Disney Free Dining 2011 and 2012 (pixievacations.com)
Mama Bargains.com Review – Great Service and Excellent Products
I had the pleasure of trying out Mama Bargains recently. You might remember the giveaway we ran last month where one lucky Chip and Co fan won a $30 Gift Card. As an added bonus for that giveaway MB also gave me a $30 Gift Card to try out their service.
So with Gift Card in hand I started stalking monitoring their website. I left a tab open in my firefox and checked their website 5-7 times a day. I also became a fan on Facebook Page so I wouldn’t miss out on anything. I read on their site you can also have them text you when a new deal comes available which didn’t interest me but it might for some people.
It took me a little bit to figure out that they post offers on their website and it stays there till it sells out. Then the next deal goes live. Doesn’t matter what time it is the next one goes live. So you have to monitor their site constantly. If you check out their FB page you will see they have a community that does the same thing I have been doing night and day.
It actually turned out to be alot of fun.
Most of the products listed didn’t interest me. Some were for boys, others were to fru fru girly for me so I waited for the right time to strike. It took about a week of watching and waiting till I found something.
This bright bin lunch box came available. Which is perfect since my oldest starts Kindergarten this year. We have a Ariel lunch bag now but I remember the good old days of bringing in my Gi Joe Night Rider lunch box to school and thought this would be a good gift for my little one. My idea is to get some Disney Stickers and Paint Markers and decorate it up.
So once this deal went live I ordered it. Ordering was a breeze and took only moments. I think it took me longer finding my email with my Gift Certificate code than it did to order the product.
Now we played the waiting game. It took about 8 business days to receive the product which is not bad. The product comes straight from them so that is pretty good shipping time.
Here is our lunch box. Just like the picture. The color is a little off from the lighting on the camera but it is a Firetruck Red. My little one really liked it and is excited to personalize it like we did with her Disney World Autograph book.
Overall my experience was great and I had no issues with my experience. Mama Bargains has some really great deals if you don’t mind waiting. If you have young children this website is perfect! I look forward to watching their website and facebook for more deals and offers.
Let me know what you think in the comment box below.