Best price for packages?

[ncbyrne]

I keep a finance journal for every vacation - every dime is recorded. It's easy to see that our biggest expense is food. DH LOVES trying new restaurants. For our next WDW trip, I really think that the new dining option will save us money on food. However, in order to get it, you have to purchase a package deal which includes tickets and the resort. I've always purchased all components of a trip separately so I'm completely unfamiliar with packages. What's the best most cost effective way to take advantage of the dining option. (DH will not stay at a Value resort) I already have our air fare book (free with Amex Sky Miles) for Oct 15-23. Are there ever codes that can be applied to a package?

 

[cslittle999]

I keep a finance journal for every vacation - every dime is recorded. It's easy to see that our biggest expense is food. DH LOVES trying new restaurants. For our next WDW trip, I really think that the new dining option will save us money on food. However, in order to get it, you have to purchase a package deal which includes tickets and the resort. I've always purchased all components of a trip separately so I'm completely unfamiliar with packages. What's the best most cost effective way to take advantage of the dining option. (DH will not stay at a Value resort) I already have our air fare book (free with Amex Sky Miles) for Oct 15-23. Are there ever codes that can be applied to a package?

At this point the only discount available for packages is AAA and you have to book it through a AAA travel agent.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you thought of getting ONE Annual Pass and then paying $50.00 for the DDE card. This might be your best deal especially if most of your meals are at table service or buffet restaurants.

The only downside to APs is that they sit in your drawer and home and yell: USE ME!

 

[ncbyrne]

The cost of joining AAA is $61, the DDE card is $50 and gives a max discount of 20%. How much can you save on a AAA package?

 

[MeredithJ]

The AAA discounts for the room portion of the package range anywhere from 10-20% depending on the type of room and the season. I thought I had the exact percentages for each type and season, but I can't locate it at the moment I do know I got it from this board, so if you do a search for AAA discounts, you may find it. I know you will at least save enough to more than cover the cost of AAA, and that doesn't take into account the other benefits you get. I'm not a member either, but I too am thinking of joining and doing the package with dining also. The AP just isn't going to work for me because we want to do water parks, and it would be quite a large price difference to include that. The only way I will decide differently is if we were able to get a huge discount on our resort with an AP discount, which I doubt would happen since we are going in August. I'm here with you though, trying to find the absolute best deal for our family, and it's looking like AP and AAA are the only discount possibilities if you want any kind of meal plan.

Good luck!

Meredith

 

[MeredithJ]

Ok, it was driving me crazy , so I went to find the AAA discounts for rooms and here they are:

Deluxe and Home away from Home resorts:

15% off during value season
10% off during regular and peak season
No discount during "holiday" season

Value and Moderate resorts:

20% off during value season
15% off during regular and peak season
No discount during "holiday" season

By the way, your finance journal is a good idea, we always spend more than we plan to, so this will be a good way to keep track of what we spend and for budgeting purposes next trip. I will definitely have to do this when we go.
Do you just keep a small notebook, or an envelope for receipts, or something different?

Meredith

 

[ncbyrne]

MeredithJ - thanks for the valuable information! Ok, now I am just assuming that the discount covers the room on a package deal too. I did the math, and during regular season the cost per night at Coronado Springs is $149.
$149 x 8 nights = $1192. The 15% discount is about $179. The cost for me to join AAA is $61. Comes to a savings of $118. The check to AAA is in the mail!
As for my financial journal. I guess to call it a "journal" is a stretch! I carry a small spiral notebook (you know those little ones that will fit in a waist pouch). I keep a page a day, writing down every single cent that we spend. I tell where, what, and how much. I also keep a separate line for tips. We were amazed on our last 10 day trip to find that we spent over $200 in gratuities!! Those small constant amounts sure add up! If it was charged on our AMEX card (gotta get those free skymiles!), I also put an * next to the amount, and keep those receipts - DH keeps the receipts in his wallet. When we get home I total up all the expenditures in categories so that we know exactly how much we spent on food, souvenirs, gratuties, etc, etc.

 

[MeredithJ]

Thanks for the info on your notebook. I will definitely have to use that.

You are right about the room discount for the packages, it is available as long as you book the package through a AAA travel agent. If you book a AAA package during January, you also get $25 (I think it's in Disney Dollars, but I'm not positive). I'm not sure I'm going to book a package this early, but it's a little extra bonus if you do.

Coronado Springs is a very nice resort, I'm sure you will love it. I was there for 3 days last year for a convention and it was very nice. Pepper Market has a good selection of food also, but the bad news is I don't think they are available on the dining plan

Have fun on your trip!

Meredith