Are packages any better than separate purchases?

[Keyser]

I'm not clear on what benefit there is to purchasing a package (Disney resort + tickets) vs. handling the two independently (purchasing tickets and resort separately). I'm talking about the packages offered by Disney, not ones from external sources.

If I understand correctly, there is no price difference. Is a package necessary to get the Dining option on the hotel? Or, is this just a convenient way to package everything into one easy payment (and thus fewer costs if changing/cancelling)?

I'd appreciate any clarification. Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

The dining plan is only available as part of a Disney package. If the dining plan doesn't fit the needs of your family/group then there is no reason not to purchase park tickets from an authorized discounter.

 

[wendypooh]

While I'm not an expert on packages, this is my understanding, and if I'm wrong on something, someone will come and clarify it.

I think it "used" to be more cost effective to book everything seperate....... with codes, etc..... you could save a lot of money. ( If you did it right....LOL)
Now, though, it seems as if Disney has "wised up" and the cost seems to typically even out. Yes, you can still get codes, and deals, and they may save you money. You have to crunch all the numbers to see if it will work for your particular situation.

As for the dining option, it is my understanding that the only way to get that is by booking a package. We just booked the MYW package with dining and hopping, since there are no codes to be had as of now, this is the most cost effective way for us........... we do not have AAA either. We priced it out as to what we would eat on the dining plan and off.......... and while obviously we would save money without it, (eating hot dogs, etc.....) we priced out how much eating where we'd like to, and pricing that out against doing that without it, it is a substantial savings........ so, it just depends on how you look at it. What I mean by that is, if we didn't get the dining plan, which is costing us $420.00, we would NOT be eating at LeCellier for example........... we'd be eating a burger at cosmic rays............ so those who say you save money by not getting the dining, they are right, but you probably wouldn't be eating the same places/things either. At least we wouldn't. If you haven't yet, go check out mousesavers and allears, they both have extremely useful info.

I would say, if you do not have AAA, or find no codes for the time of your stay, I'd go with the MYW package. My DH plans, figures numbers, etc...... to the point of obsession, so while I may not be able to give more specifics, trust me, if he thinks the package is the right way to go...........(with no codes, or AAA) then it probably is........ LOL

I hope I helped a little bit........... I'm sure others will come along who are more knowledgeable.

 

[babar41]

There is also the added advantage of having everything tied to your room key. It keeps you from having to carry extra things and knowing which card is for who and what.

 

[stinkerbelle]

for our next trip...with an AAA code...we purchased our tix/room separate (no package) and ended up saving like $200 I think. (I know it was a significant amount of money)

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

When I was researching things a few months ago I found that the package actually cost more. . . . not by a lot, but something like $20, no biggy, but still, weird.
This was comparing things just on the Disney website, not using codes or discounts or anything. Comparing the room rate for the week + 7 day base tickets with the equivelant in a package. I found it odd. And needless to say I went ahead and booked them seperately, and bought the tickets from a discounter. Every bit helps.


Then again, I just wasnt interested in the dining plan either.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Sometimes it is better to pay for a package other times not. We booked a package because Disney was running a great promotion for free dining plan added onto any reservation with 3 or more days with at least a 1 day park pass - We are booked for 10 days with a 7 day hopper pass and managed to lose our AAA discount (Only 100.00) for the free dining which will be a significant savings for a family of four. So definitely check the deals out there - I would check mousesavers.com as they seem to be the most up to date on sales!! The dining plan would have cost us OOP about $900 - eating CS for 10 days would have cost us about the same so even paying for the plan we would break about even - I like the convenience of having everything but souveniers and extras paid for before we get there. So compare costs of what you can save w/o the package cost and then w/a package. If you have a AAA card you can apply your discount to the package but I believe your discount is applied to the room portion of your package only. If you are getting 1 discount like AAA you can not apply any other discounts or savings - you are not able to stack. IF you want the dining plan but feel you can get passes cheaper elsewhere you can purchase a 1 day base pass and be qualified for the dining package - then you could purchase the rest of your passes through whichever discount place you choose - alot of people who also have old passess or AP to use did this to get the dining plan free promotion. Good Luck, I'm sure if you look around you will find some great ways to save money...

 

[jennyl772003]

There is also the added advantage of having everything tied to your room key. It keeps you from having to carry extra things and knowing which card is for who and what.

It may have been true before, but they are now able to add park tickets purchased at a third party vendor to your room key. We did it twice on our trip in August.

 

[addicted2disney]

I know with booking your room seperate, you only need a one nights deposit. You pay the rest when you check in.

With packages, dont you have to have them entirely paid in full like 45 days before you arrive? I liked not having to pay until we get there.

I have found in the past that with my AP's, its much cheaper for us to book it all seperate.

 

[babar41]

It may have been true before, but they are now able to add park tickets purchased at a third party vendor to your room key. We did it twice on our trip in August.

WOW! That is great news! Thanks for posting!

 

[Goofy DS]

We acutally are turning our package into 2 trips!
We always have done AAA and been very happy. We decided to go for Christmas this year so we booked our normal AAA package with 6 day park hopper tickets. We will only use 5 days (we get in LATE on the first day).
From info I got here on these boards, I looked into up-grading our tickets ($118 ea)when we arrive for our Dec trip, to 10 day no-expire tickets. So we are going to up-grade 2 of our tickets when we are there in Dec and we'll have 5 days left on them for DW and I to use in MAY!
We then booked a "room only" for May with AAA discount for $300.00ish!

We saved about $250-300 compared to booking two seperate packages!

 

[msobotka]

Sorry if I'm doing this wrong as is my first time here. I am planning a trip for x-mas to WDW and trying to get tickets. Already booked the very expensive airfare. Having a AAA card how do I get the best deals through them-- calling the travel services or using the website? Also any hints on how to survive the crowds over x-mas. I assume staying at a disney property is a must to get the extra hours.

 

[malibuconlee]

When I was researching things a few months ago I found that the package actually cost more. . . . not by a lot, but something like $20, no biggy, but still, weird.

That sounds like it might have been the cost of trip insurance.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

That sounds like it might have been the cost of trip insurance.

Does the Disney site add trip insurance to their packages? I didn't see it offered or anything. . . .but, ya, I figured it was probably something like that. . . . I didn't delve to far into it after that since I knew it wasn't going to be what we wanted then.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

Disney adds trip insurance to a quote, you can opt out of it if you want. the charge is approx $59 per adult, no charge for kids.

If you book through an AAA travel agent, you can get the AAA room discount applied to the price of a MYW package. you cannot get the AAA discount on MYW if you book through Disney or another TA.

 

[plutoNme]

We always book thru AAA and make out well. I guess I am a little lazy with doing things on my own and afraid I will mess things up. This way I know everything is done right. I have kept a tally on how much we would have spent on food when we were on the eating plans and believe me we saved alot of money. Somewhere around $1800. I know that sounds like alot, but like someone said you would never eat at some of the places that you can have an appetizer, entree and dessert and have that and your tip already paid for.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

It really depends on the situation.

Traditionally, booking seperately is better. It allows you more flexibility, has much less restrictions, and doesn't have to be paid up a month and a half in advance.

As some have pointed out, packages have grown in value when they do things like free dining, or their "pay for 4, stay for 7" deal from last year.

It's best to look into both. If codes of any type are available to you, then booking seperately may be the answer. If Disney is offering a deal, then a package may be better.

Personally, I prefer the flexibility of not doing a package - I like the control. On the other hand, many people don't want the control - they want the convenience of a package.

Sorry to be so wishy-washy, but it really is a "case by case" basis.

N.E.D.