Advice on booking 2011 trip

[Tink*My*World]

Mods please move if this is not in the right place!

Sorry this is gonna be long but I am looking to all the great Disers for advice . I have been waiting for the 2011 rates to come out to book our August trip. Yesterday I spent an hour on the phone trying to get prices and book our trip but was unsuccessful. Here is what happened:

Our trip is planned for August 15-24, 2011 (some flexibility on dates but only by a day or so) and wanted to get the free dining offer for part of the trip. The CM I spoke to said I need to book 2 seperate packages, Aug 15-19 without free dining and Aug 19-24 with free dining, okay I get that, BUT when he told me the price I about choked! It was appox. $800.00 MORE than booking the entire trip with NO discounts !!!!! Can that be right ?????

Here are all of the details:
Dates - Aug 15-24, 2 Adults, 1 Child (12y)
Resort - All Star or POFQ (leaning towards POFQ)
Tickets - 9 day hopper
Package - Dining Plan

Thank you for all of your help!

 

[mareed]

I believe the price increase would be because 2 packages would require 2 sets of tickets. That increase was probably for the 2nd set of tickets that you don't really need.

 

[disneyfan55]

I believe the price increase would be because 2 packages would require 2 sets of tickets. That increase was probably for the 2nd set of tickets that you don't really need.

Yes, sounds like it's 2 sets of tickets to me as well. I don't know how many days they let you pick up tickets early, but if you can do that, book the first reservation without tickets and get them early and get 8 day tickets which cost much less than two 4 or 5 day tickets. Too bad you just can't start the trip when FD starts, that would be the best option!

 

[B-Ride]

If you have one day flexibility I would recommend the following:
1. Aug 16th - August 19th with no tickets.
2. August 19th - 25th with 8 or 9 day tickets.

I believe, you can pick up your tickets 2-3 days early, not sure which. If it is two days you can pick up your tickets on August 17th and use the 16th as a pool day since it is probably a partial day anyways.

Just be aware that if you pick up your tickets early you will have one card for your tickets and a second card for your room key/dining plan.

 

[Tink*My*World]

Thanks everyone. I figured it was for the tickets BUT I didn't think it would be $800! I will keep trying different options.

 

[disneyfan55]

Thanks everyone. I figured it was for the tickets BUT I didn't think it would be $800! I will keep trying different options.

You're welcome. A 4 day and 8 day not much price difference. Two 4 day very costly and really a waste of money esp. if you're getting hoppers-you will pay twice! Anyway if you decide to do this the way you are. Get a 4 day what ever ticket you like with the first package and only get the 2 day with the FD and KEEP them for a future stay. You can upgrade the first set of tickets to cover your entire stay you can do it anytime but use them first incase of any ticket price increase, you will get the current value instead of what you paid if it's greater, of course you will always get at least what you pd! ANyway, hope it helps but it would be best to just change the dates if you can! FD for the trip and tickets for only the times you need at the least price! Good Luck.

 

[Tink*My*World]

Thanks again disneyfan55.
I have tried to convince my husband to move the entire trip back so all of it would be under free dining but he does not want to miss his golf tournament which is held at the end of August . So his choices are now to move the trip earlier in August with little or no discounts or do a split package and pay more. I hope his golf tournament will be worth it! Sometimes these discounts are so frustrating.

 

[disneyfan55]

Thanks again disneyfan55.
I have tried to convince my husband to move the entire trip back so all of it would be under free dining but he does not want to miss his golf tournament which is held at the end of August . So his choices are now to move the trip earlier in August with little or no discounts or do a split package and pay more. I hope his golf tournament will be worth it! Sometimes these discounts are so frustrating.

Maybe there will be room only or something else and you can do that but 2 4 day passes are really costly.