is this a fair deal?

[Marshall70]

Hi all, my wife and I have recently started planning a trip to disney in september and working through AAA we were quoted this today:

AKL pool view bunk bed (6 nights)
6 day pass to park (not park hopper)
we added the water parks option to our pkg (included in below price)
includes snack, sandwich type meal, and 1 sit down dinner

$2,542 including taxes


We almost booked it today as it seems like a good deal, but thought I would post something here to be sure before we went ahead with it. We have 3 children (girl 6, boy 2, boy 5 months) and are open to suggestions on our trip as nothing has been booked yet.

Thanks all, great site..

[karibritt01]

When do you plan to go?

[karibritt01]

According to the website, for Sept 7-13, you would be spending $2920. AAA only discounts the room. Tickets and DDP prices are set by Disney, and no one except Disney can discount them.

[Marshall70]

we are planning to go 9/14 - 9/20

[karibritt01]

The price works out to be the same as quoted above. If it were me, though... I would drop the water park option and add the hopper. Your kids are too young to get much out of the water parks, and your DD will be thrilled with the pool at AKL. Since you will most likely going to your room for naps (guessing by the kids ages) you might really like having the option of going to a different park in the evenings. Hope that helps!

[Marshall70]

great point on the water parks...I'll run that past my wife - I agree the AKL pool will be more than enough...

I was just perusing through the msg boards and noticed some posts regarding 'free dining', seems like we're in the right date range - what is this and would we be eligible through AAA?

[karibritt01]

I didn't really pay attention to the details of free dining, because we already had our vacation planned for Oct. I believe you have to choose between either the free dining or the room discount. Your AAA TA could tell you which is cheaper. You may have missed the window to get free dining, though. If you do get it, free dining is the DDP for everyone in your party at $0 to you.

You should seriously consider DDp even if you do have to pay for it. Your oldest DD will cost $11/day, and the other 2 are free. IMO, there is no way to feed a family of 5 for $87/day at WDW. We always found the DDP paid for itself with our sit-down meal, and the rest were just icing on the cake!

[asmit4]

I think your price is great, but I do think you should drop the WPs and add the hopper. With kids that young, I think the waterparks are not necessary and things like the wide world of sports and disneyquest would mostly be lost on them. I'd use the hoppers and just spend more time in the 4 main parks.

[megnsamsgracie]

I agree wholeheartedly with dropping the water parks. Although when my kids were that young, we didnt park hop either! I went one time when my younest 2 were 25mo and 5w! One park was MORE than enough in a day!

[snykymom]

We've done the Water Parks options, and unless you go to the Water Parks three times during your stay, it's really not worth it. It's just as cheap to pay the regular ticket price, and cheaper if you only go once. I always want to get my money's worth, so I felt really "boxed in" with the idea that we had to go to the water parks (even though we love them!) or we'd have waster our money.

[Luv2Roam]

The booking dates for free dining packages has passed. And as mentioned your room rate would be higher anyway.
To book a AAA package, you have to use AAA.
However, you can book a AAA room only res through Disney.
If you are a WDW newbie, I suggest sticking with the package. :goodvibes

Also -- during your WDW stay you may have an option for a Bounceback offer. Meaning you may see a flier in your room. If not, look for the offer on a Disney resort TV channel. This means getting a discounted room rate on a return visit -- if you book before you check out.
Just keep in mind and consider there may be an offer so you don't have to spend your trip wondering if you should go for it. The answer would be yes. ;) Worse case, you could cancel later. Best to book when in doubt. We see many here who did not book against the bounceback and kick themselves once they return home.