booking room and pass separate> the cheapest?

[fishcall]

I have read on here how booking your room and park passes separately is always the cheapest route, but when I try to do that it comes out much more expensive. I currently am booked for the Winter Dream Maker package which is 5 nights at the Poly GV including Unlimited Hopper Pass for 2 adults which cost about $1600. When try to book the rooms w/o the package, the room cost alone is more than $1600. Am I doing something wrong? I am not a FL residnet and do not have AP, but do have AAA. When I called AAA, the rates were much higher! Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sue1013]

Booking separate sometimes is cheaper but not always, depending on what packages are available for your time. You have to compare just like you have done. I also have Winter Dream Maker and it was the cheapest for the time I am going. Have a great trip.

 

[XStAnt]

Buying UPHs are what's causing the "problem". When Disney is running a package promotion (like the Dreammaker Package currently available) they discount the rooms. But to get the discounted rate you have to buy the UPH.

If you change from UPH to a PHP you may save money. Also, there are some discounts available on PHP from ticket brokers listed on www.mousesavers.com.

Also, if you arrive late in the pm the first day or leave early the last day you probably won't be going to a park those days. However, with UPH you are paying for those days. If you buy the UPH seperately and at check in you can drop off the first or last day. Although you lose the advance purchase discount you still save some money.

Sometimes Disney has room only codes for discounts on their resorts. Combining these with a PHP would probably be cheaper than something like the Dreammaker Package. Unfortunatley their are no room only codes available to the general public at this time. There are some AP discounts and you may want to consider if it is economically practical to buy one AP )to get the room discount) and PHPs for everyone else.

Of course, only you can decide if the UPH is better for you than the PHP. I'm not looking to start a huge debate on that subject but I usually find the PHP is better for us. It depends on how you tour while at Disney. How many times will you go to a water park, PI, DQ? Will you be going to a water park and a main park on the same day?

If PHPs will do the trick for your family I would try pricing a room only usung a AAA or AP rate and buying the PHPs from a legitimate ticket broker. If it's cheaper do it that way. Otherwise, go with the Dreammaker Package.

 

[PTarbay]

I booked the package you talked about.The Dream Maker is one of the exceptions to the rule.Even if you bought the cheapest passes the package works out to be a better deal.The little extras are an added bonus.I figured them in at nothing.This is just a really terrific deal.This is the first time I booked a package in years.It never worked out before.

 

[Grumpy37]

I agree, the only way a package like that is the best (lowest) price is when it is pretty heavily discounted.

What I don't like about the UPH deals is that I feel like we have to spend every day at the parks or water parks, etc. to get our money's worth. If you relax at the resort, play golf or take a trip over to Universal or SeaWorld, you are paying for days at the Disney park that you'll never use and that are gone when your stay ends. The PH/PHP passes never expire.