Costco Travel Package - HUGE savings...what's the catch?

[SFMommy]

I just priced a Costco Travel package (room & park tickets) that was $2000 less than booking through the WDW website. It was for 8 nights at the Swan (view room) and 7 day park hopper tickets.

Is there a catch? I've booked Costco packages for DLR before and it was great. Is it different at WDW? Will I be able to link my reservation and tickets to my MDE in order to make ADRs and FP+ reservations at 180 + 10 and 60 + 10?

If anyone has booked a Costco Travel package lately and has any feedback, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[dansdad]

I have not booked a WDW package through Costco. But if you are able to get your Disney confirmation number from Costco then you will be able to link everything in MDE. But you do have to get that number from Costco. Costco will own the reservation so Disney will not be able to give it to you.

 

[mousefan73]

Keep in mind Swan/Dolfin are Sheraton not Disney properties. So I assume Cosco got some great bulk/ corporate rates from them.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would make absolutely positively sure that everything in your package was exactly the same as you were pricing out. That's too big of a difference for me to be comfy booking without writing it all out, looking at all the "fine print" (which generally isn't fine print anymore, but just hyperlinks), and being SURE that I'm looking at the right year, the right tickets, the right number of people, etc.

In case you haven't stayed there, remember that there's a parking fee if you have a car and a resort fee each night.

 

[SFMommy]

Keep in mind Swan/Dolfin are Sheraton not Disney properties. So I assume Cosco got some great bulk/ corporate rates from them.

Yes I think you are right. All of the hotel choices through Costco packages are various Sheraton hotels. The Swan/Dolphin are the only ones that I'm considering. But I'm guessing the pricing for the other Sheraton hotels in the area will be a good deal too.

 

[TheSpooph]

We used Costco a few years ago for the Swan and had a great time. Unfortunately, there was a hiccup in the reservation and we almost didn't have a room. I showed them my Costco reservation number and the 'Disney reservation' number that Costco provided. They kinda cared and kinda didn't care about the numbers. The Swan staff was very nice but basically said that if Costco didn't transfer the reservation correctly, there was nothing they could do since they were full.

As it turns out, it was a problem on their end. We had two temporary rooms that we switched out of the next day. That was a pain but it worked out. We ended up with a slight upgrade when it was all said and done.

In the end, we had a great trip and enjoyed the hotel. Of the two reservations (three rooms total), one reservation went through and one failed. I'm sure it was just a fluke.

As for the resort fee, it's included in the price already. Parking is extra. We were there before MagicBands so I have no clue on that. I will say that you can't do 180+10 for ADRs - Swan doesn't participate in that. We did enjoy the Garden Grove several times. And, it's an easy stroller walk or boat ride.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Kimberle]

We booked our Hawaii trip through Costco a couple of years ago. Everything was exactly as presented. The only catch was it had to be paid in full when booking and it had a no refund cancelation policy.

 

[BrerNashville]

If it matters to you, no magical express to Swan/Dolphin

 

[partigus]

not sure what you mean by the dolphin/swan on disney...I always get a message saying to contact a different number- is that what you are referring to? Since I always priced then m from the Starwood page...what is the costco price difference from that?

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

We went through Costco last year without an issue. I booked this years trip as well through Costco as well for June. Was able to link my reservation via MDE without issue (did have to wait a day or two) I do believe that parking fee is not included in the price, however the resort fee is included. We are also a family of 5 so the roll away bed was also included.

Another thing is that when you book through Costco you have to pay for the tickets in full at the time of booking, and I do believe they are NOT refundable if you have to cancel.

 

[Ozzygirl]

Just an FYI Swan and Dolphin can do the 180+ for reservations and can also do FP at 60 days out. No ME though...

 

[SFMommy]

not sure what you mean by the dolphin/swan on disney...I always get a message saying to contact a different number- is that what you are referring to? Since I always priced then m from the Starwood page...what is the costco price difference from that?

I actually got a quote from the WDW website as a package with tickets and a room at the Swan/Dolphin. This was not through the Starwood page.

 

[partigus]

I actually got a quote from the WDW website as a package with tickets and a room at the Swan/Dolphin. This was not through the Starwood page.

Yeah- I tried after posting this- I had to go a few clicks further before seeing a price, and from what I could tell the price did not include the resort fee or parking fee if applicable.

Someone else posted being able to show a room key to get free parking in theme parks- news to me (with dolphin and swan that is)

 

[nkereina]

I believe the rates quoted don't usually include the $23/day resort fee, or the parking fee if you're driving. So make sure to add that in too. As mentioned, Swan/Dolphin has no DME, no MBs (room charging), no dining plan, and no package delivery. Those are the only major drawbacks I can think of, so should be worth the savings.

 

[Ozzygirl]

They actually do have package delivery but it's to the conceierge desk (or shop not sure) not right to your room

 

[nkereina]

They actually do have package delivery but it's to the conceierge desk (or shop not sure) not right to your room

Good to know. There was a time when they didn't, so it sounds like they're trying to adapt to the WDW amenities as best they can.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

We are doing a grown ups only F&W in October and just booked this package -- basically, with the resort fee we are paying the same rate as we would for a preferred location at a moderate. However, we are walking in and out of Epcot, which makes it a wonderful alternative for us. We have close friend who just moved to Winter Garden who are going to pick us up and drop us off at the airport so we won't have to worry about a parking fee. We like taking the monorail back and forth from Epcot and MK, and we don't get too concerned about buses and AK isn't on the venue this trip. All in, I think we have a great trip ahead of us.

Tom