Did I get a deal??

[delswife]

Please help me out.

I dont know where elce to ask about this, so if this is the wrong place, please tell me where to go. (But be nice, okay?)

I booked the FTP for POR 10/2-10/10 (9 days) for 5 of us. AAA originally told me $3650.41
Air from Manchester RT 183.40 each, Star Taxi/Limo $41.50 each included.

They called me back and said there was a mistake on the package price and I owe $4075.41. She explained she forgot to add my DH DD (age 6). A $425 mistake.

So, it seems to break down like this:
$915 for Air RT
$208 for Star transportation
$2952 for POR

Does this seem to be high? What do you guys think? When I was booking this package I also book my brothers family, then we had to move people around and some people deceided they couldnt go, so the whole thing got confusing. Could you help me, before I call the Agent? Please, please please!

 

[shep]

No hopper passes or anything in the deal??
I am not sure if its high or not since we usually drive....not sure of air fare prices....

 

[delswife]

Yes, UPH are included in the FTP.

The more I think about this, the more I think she made a mistake!

 

[Keli]

It doesn't sound like it to me. I tried to do the math for you but my problem is I'm not sure what the best rate you are likely to be able to find POR during that time. That would take a little research. If you can find a rate of say $120-$150 a night then you would probably do better planning this on your own. The airfair sounds good though and I don't know about the limo at all since I've never done that sort of thing. Overall I'm pretty sure you could save some money doing this all yourself but it would be a lot of work and it might be worth it to you just to stick to what you already have planned.

 

[delswife]

I am all for saving money and dont mind the work, at all. I usually book things by myself, but for some odd reason this time, I listened to my mom (why do I do that?) and went threw AAA. The FTP was suppost to be "pay for 4 nights, get 3 free". But I am a dummy and cant seem to figure out what I should be paying for the extra nights. (I have so many stupid attacks, why cant I ever have a smart attack?) I think she quoted me wrong, and doesnt $208 seem pretty high for 5 people round trip for the limo? Why do I need a limo? Isnt there a cheaper way to get from the airport to Port Orleans?

**Fast foward to my family and I hitchhiking from the airport to Port Orleans, Okay kids thumbs OUT. **

 

[WillyJ]

Well let's see. . . just estimating some things:

The airfare sounds like a good rate.


The average for a PH+ is $40 a day, so 5X9X40= $1800

That leaves $1152 for just the rooms at PO which averages to $128 a night for 9 nights, which is not out of line. . but if you're only supposed to be paying for 4 and getting 3 free, it comes to $288 a night which is pretty high.

The limo thing sounds about right if it's a shuttle rather then a real limo because they charge per person rather then per trip. . I'd think you could get a real limo cheaper. .


My advice is to make the travel agent break down everything better for you. . the PO rate isn't bad, it just isn't like getting 3 of the nights for free. . .

I'd say if you could get the airfare on your own for that price, you could do better with the rest by doing it yourself. . the Resort and Transportation boards here on the DIS would be a good place to start checking for better deals. .

Good luck with it!

 

[Michelle]

Delswife, I am going to move this to the Resort Board for you, only because there are SO many people there who booked the Fairytale Vacation Package, and they can tell you if what you booked is a good deal or not. Overall the FTV package is an EXCELLENT deal, you not only get free hotel nights but free days on your passes as well, so unless your pricing is messed up you really can't have gone wrong with this package.

Good luck

 

[peachgirl]

doesnt $208 seem pretty high for 5 people round trip for the limo?

It seems awfully high to me. You should be able to get a limo for well under $100 for everyone. You might be a little tight for room with 5 people if you have a lot of luggage, but even a van from a limo service should be under $100.



As far as the room/ticket part of your package.....

Part of the reason the cost is high is because the FTP package saves you the most when you do just the 7 day package. You're paying rack rate for those extra 2 days, so instead of paying 4 nights and getting 3 free, you're paying for 6 nights at rack rate and getting 3 free.

There used to be a list somewhere that showed how many additional free nights you got when you stayed more than 7 days, but as I recall, with 9 total nights you didn't get any more than the 3 free.

I really think that's what is eating up your savings.

 

[swilphil]

The limo rate is high. We booked a van for 5 with lots of luggage through Tiffany Towncar for $90 round trip with the online coupon (plus tip). They pick you up at baggage claim and load your luggage for you. It also includes a free grocery stop if you're interested. We stayed at the Dolphin (by Epcot) for $129 a night. It's a wonderful resort.

Where you save money on the FTP is with your park tickets. I've heard that if you are going for 10 days buying the Annual Pass is the cheapest way to go. I'm not sure if 9 days is worth it. The Annual Pass also gives you other discounts on rooms, and maybe food. We did not do FTP because it included several things we would not use like Pleasure Island, Disney Quest, etc.

I think I would talk to someone in management at AAA and try to keep your original rate. If they quote you a price, they should stick with it even if they made a mistake.

Good luck!!

 

[susy]

The whole thing sounds like way too much. I don't know about arifare, but I'm thinking you even rent a car for the same or cheaper. I would shorten the vacation by two nights and save the extra$$$, if you still want to do the package. Otherwise, figure out how much everythgin would be separate and if you are TRULY going to do everything that is included in the UPH. See how much it would cost if you bought one AP. I know AP rates are not out yet, but they should be out soon. During Oct they might be $84-99 .

 

[goofy4tink]

Is it still regular season at POR at that time? That may make a difference. But...we have the Polynesian booked for next month (it is value season there at this time) for 2 adults/1 child for 8 nights/9 days, like you have. We are paying $2400.(rounded) for resort/passes, $600 for airfare from Boston, and $90 r/t for Tiffany Towncar from MCO. This plan worked for us in a big way since we were able to upgrade. I would double-check with AAA and have them break down the cost. I would also book your towncar by yourself. You certainly can do better on that! We had 6 people in a stretch limo from Sanford to WDW and it only cost $180!!!

 

[darlene walker]

I would see if you can get a room only rate for 10/9, since your pass will be good for that day also. If you won't be going to the parks on the day you leave this will save you alot of money.you are paying alot to add on that 9th night in a pkg. It was to cost me around $500.00 to add 1 more nite on our ft pkg for my family of 6 so I did a room only booking through cro for our last nite.
Good luck, Darlene
oh, this price was for 2 rooms at the allstars so our savings actually were around $350.00

 

[Pryncess'mom]

I have been a AAA member for many years, but only used the travel service once!! 3 yrs ago we booked a millenuim trip with them and the agent had everything I requested on the confirmation. When we went to pick up our trip documents as I was going thru there were transfer coupons for Mears *instead* of thef rental car coupon. When I brought this to their attention they brought out their manager. I had my original confirmation which showed the price I paid and what I was supposed to be getting. They quoted my another $130 for the rental!! I told them the error wasn't mine and I should not have to pay anymore. They were very calm and told me the agent no longer worked for them! Not my fault!!!! WE settled for half the amount, but I told them I will never book another trip with them again. It didn't seem to be really worth the discounts you get and the coupon for a cold drink in the AAA MK lounge was nice, but not *that* nice.


If I were you, I would do some research yourself. (The airfare sounds really good though!! We are paying 201.50 RT from Phila. to MCO in January on US Airways)


Good luck!!

Deb

 

[lmhall2000]

X=Standard room rate at POR
Y=UPH ticket 4 day price for adult
Z= UPH ticket 4 day price for child

X x 4 + Y + Z = what you should pay for 7 days on Fairy tale package

Subtract this figure from your total and you'll see what you're being charged for those extra two days for UPH and room. My suggestions would be to only get the 7 day parkhopper- not add the two extra days in there- you'll need two days just to hang out at the pool and on your travel days- hit a restaurant at the resorts and don't use up a pass. Two options- just spend 7 days at POR and two days offsite or at one of the DTD hotels- some are offering great deals at $79 a day. If you can give me the prices for X, Y, & Z I'd be glad to figure it out for ya! Oh, yeah, take the transportation off- call Tiffany Towncar- get their $5 off coupon on the website paying $85 RT for ALL of you and add in a $10 tip each way- that's only $105 and you get a grocery stop if you want it.
Good luck!
Tara

 

[ceecee]

AAA was high for us as well. Call Disney Travel, also you can exclude travel insurance and the limo and get your own (Tiffany Towncar, etc) for $85.00. Definately, call around. I called Disney Travel and got a rate I knew was too high. Called back 5 min later and got another person and got the correct rate. You may be able to save $$ if you book room only rates for the day you arrive and leave unless you plan on go to the parks those days as well. We did that, as we don't arrive until 9:30 PM.

 

[mikesmom]

By the way, park passes should average $50/day (not $40), that does up that cost by $450.

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

I would make them stick to the origional price or go elsewhere. I was quoted a price for a DCL cruise with insurance by my TA few years ago. When I called the next day to book the cruise the TA told me that she quoted me the wrong price for the insurance (quoted me 4 night cruise insurance instead of 7 night). She told me since she made the mistake that she would honor what she quoted me. To me, that's bad business practice to increase the price once the quote was given and I would never book with a company who did that to me.

 

[undertheradar]

Why not go to the WDW site and price out a 4 night stay. This should give you the cost basis for the basic FTP. Have you considered changing hotels for the other 2 nights? I would look at hotels at DTD for the other nights. The FTP became pricey once any nights were added beyond the 7 night stay.

 

[goofy4tink]

When I booked my FTP, I also checked out WDW official site to compare prices. But, remember...you are going for 8 nights/9 days. So, you are only getting 3 free nights. So, when you go to the site, plug in 5 nights. That's what you're paying for with the FTP.

 

[Experiment626]

so is that 8 nights or 9 nights?

if its 8 nights then adding a 6yo would cost:

$183.40 for airfare
$239.63 for UPH for 5nights/6days (get 3 free with FTP)
------------
$423.04 for the additional child

now, if you want to calculate the entire trip cost, this can be done, but I'm not sure if its 8 or 9 nights from the post, or what the breakdown of the 5 ppl are (2 adults, 2 child 12-18, 1 child under 12?). If its 8 nights then something definitly isn't adding up and it might not even for 9.