Why Get A Disney Package When There's No Price Break??

[AndyMcV]

Hi Gang

I haven't looked into the Disney vacation packaging but it seems to me that it's not that great of a deal. From what I've heard it's basically paying full price for all the individual pieces just sold altogether. Why would they/we do this? I'd think that if you were going to book an entire vacation package with Disney you should get some good discounts as well with it.

Ok what have I missed??

Andy

 

[Eeyore1954]

Sometimes I'll book a package if it includes items I want to have/do in hopes that they will release a discount code in time for me to apply it before the final payment is due. So far, I've been lucky and managed to apply a code and drop the price. However, I plan/budget for the full price, because you never know.

 

[MomofKatie]

I haven't personally purchased a package, but I think the main reason others do so is the convenience factor. Plus, some of the folks planning a Disney vacation either don't know about all the discounts out there, or don't want to spend the time to research them. They would rather pay extra for the ease of booking than save but expend the time and energy it takes to set everything up on their own.

 

[sue1013]

If they are running a special package (7 for 5 they have now) it may be worth it. You've got to figure it out for your situation.

 

[manning]

Way back when I didn't realized there wasn't a price break. In fact it was more.

No more. The little extra effort brings greater savings and more money to do more things.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I have never booked a package, but it dedends on the iindividual some like having everything included and no worries. I love to receive the most more less...Room only codes, annual pass, calling and making my own PS

 

[disneyatl]

Our first two trips we purchased the package. We thought it was a cheaper deal if you purchased it all at once. After discovering these boards I learned all about the code thing. We sure won't purchase a package again unless it is a killer deal.

 

[Wenlitz]

I have always booked our trip with discount codes and have been able to save more that way then buying the disney packages, however the 7 for 5 is pretty good when you break it down and figure out the passes and rooms separately.
Just my opinion!!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Disney, and the travel industry, doesn't publicize room-only deals to the general public (sometimes in travel sections of newspapers, but not as prominently as packages).

Have you ever seen a TV commercial for Disney where they tell you to call and ask for code XOA and get the latest room-only money saving offer? No!

Packages stress convenience to the general public - "call Disney or your travel agent today" and book this neat and tidy package - and you'll get some pin lanyards too!

Because of this, the general public does not know any better. Only with the internet and some guidebooks does a travel consumer become educated.

I once heard a statistic that only 5% of visitors to Disney had ever opened a guidebook....

The special packages have been getting better - many times it still pays to do the math.

 

[flyball]

Normally packages are not more economical, but last year and this year (with the Disney Visa) we booked the 7 for 4. It's a good deal for us because we weren't able to purchase APs since our visits were not within a year of each other. We did do our homework and this is the best deal for us; we like to have access to all the parks, including the water parks.

 

[AndyMcV]

flyball

Where can I get more information on this Disney Visa, 7 for 4 deal? Do you know?

Andy

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Originally posted by AndyMcV
Where can I get more information on this Disney Visa, 7 for 4 deal? Do you know?

The Disney Visa 7 for 4 was offered earlier this year, mainly to new Disney Visa card members. The date for booking this deal has passed.

 

[Sirius]

I used to always purchase a package but savef quite a bit of money when I did everything separately. This year we did the 5 plus 2 and saved over $500.00. Even with annual passes and an AP code (if one comes out), I think I came out better with the 5 plus 2.

Just my 2 cents. I think it'll vary for everyone depending on what you need.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Our first trip to WDW was in 1996, and I just went to my AAA travel agent to book it. She told me how much the different resort pkgs. were, and I picked the one we could afford. I did not know there were discounts available, everybody said Disney never discounted their tickets, and I thought the AAA discount on rooms was the only one. Even though technically I got a AAA discount on the pkg. I paid more in the long run, as we didn't use all the pkg. components.

By our second trip, I had bought guide books and found out that booking separately was the best value, and have been doing that ever since. Once I found the discount codes, I was in heaven!!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I had intended to book a package for our trip this time, because (1) it was more convenient for me, I don't have to fool with tickets ahead of time, keeping track of them, etc., and (2) for us, the cost difference (without any codes) was only about $20 when I added it up. The $20 wasn't worth the hassle. Now we are on the 7/5 package, and that was better still.

We don't go that often, but we'll evaluate the cost difference each trip, and if it's not much difference, we'll do the package for the convenience. We also arrive early and leave late, and we have a room-only ressie for our last night, so we'll have 7 full days in the parks, and 2/3 of the arrival day. We go to a park each day,and we will visit a waterpark one morning, so it was worth it for us.

It's a preference thing.

Steph

 

[TN Traveler]

Ok, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here too. I am a travel agent....have been for 9 yrs now. Also a Disney Specialist--took all the tests, have the cute little Mickey Hat and pin etc. I sell ALOT of Disney. Whenever I have a client call for a Disney pkg I ALWAYS tell them of discounts I'm aware of and how they can qualify for them. The AAA discounts aren't any better than anything I can get. I am a home based agent w/o any strings attached to AAA, Am Express Travel, Carlson or any other major travel agency. I get the same thing they get. I worked for Am Express Travel for 2 yrs and always pushed the White Glove treatment but it wasn't anything special. When my clients call me and ask for a pkg to WDW, they are pretty much locked in on their dates of travel. If not I always suggest going at a different time other than summer and holidays. Not just b/c of the price but b/c of the weather and crowds. You are correct, you can get alot of good tips from these websites but the majority of my clients don't have the time or desire to go here and shop. That's my job and why I love doing it. It's true regardless you're looking at Disney, a cruise, a trip to Cancun or The Caribbean.
Karen aka TN Traveler

 

[purplebelle]

Just asked this ? the other day on the boards. I looked into that 7 for 5 deal but it's only travel thru late November and I'm going early December...such a pity. Also, that AP thing sounds nice but don't you have to pay like $60 to get it anyway? If I stay at a Mod for like 5 nights would it be worth it to buy an AP? My last trip was Dec. 3rd-7th and this year would be Dec. 2-7th or Dec. 3-8th. Would I qualify for the AP rates with the dates coming up? There's also the risk of not even getting an AP rate, right? Seems too risky. What do you all think?

 

[classicpooh]

It all depends on your dates - you have to do the math. We have two rooms booked this year and the package came out more expensive then buying an AP and booking two rooms at the AP rate and purchasing park hoppers seperatly for everyone. The great thing about this board is that it helps you do your homework so that you get the best deal!

 

[julybride]

Originally posted by manning
Way back when I didn't realized there wasn't a price break. In fact it was more.

No more. The little extra effort brings greater savings and more money to do more things.

Same here. In fact when I did the math for my family even the 5 plus 2 package would have cost us more money. However, one of our children is under age 3 - so we didn't have to consider tickets for her.

 

[momxx5]

Like others said, we are paying for convenience.

Although with the 7/5 package I consider it a price break/special.
I am trying to compare 7 nights with July room only discount and then having to buy PH+ tickets for 6 people. The package is coming out to cost more money - BUT I will not have to keep track of the park tickets, what days we can go to the park, etc.

I also agree that most people are unaware of any savings - room only, AP rates etc. Last year the FTP was never advertised in North Carolina - no one around here knew or heard of it. The CM at WDW told me about it when we were booking a 4 night stay - imagine our delight when we could stay 7 nights for the price we would be spending anyways.

I guess everything has a price - #1 being convenience.