Do packages really work for any of you?

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I guess I could figure this out for myself with some time and patience, but I always get the vague feeling that a package is a rip-off.

Do any of you feel that you've really saved money with a package?

 

[shatzjsl]

I did a package from Travelocity last year. I booked in February and about two weeks later discount codes for the time I was going to be there came out. I couldn't upgreade my room or change anything on my package without a big charge so I was stuck. This year I'm doing it by myself because I feel more confident about what I want. Last year is was a spur of the moment kind of thing. So, if you know exactly what you want, go for the package. Just remember to find out up front if there is a fee for any changes you might need to make.

Note: I didn't really see any savings by using the package over doing it my self. It was just more convenient.

 

[Tess]

When we went to WDW the very first time, we purchased a package--complete with airfare--through Delta, the then "official" airline of WDW. It was a complete rip-off because we were unschooled in how to use it to our advantage (and, BTW, we way overpaid for the airline tix). Live and learn. . .

I again made the error of purchasing a package BEFORE I learned about discount codes (and in my pre-DIS days). It was fine, we got what we wanted, booked airline tix so we took full advantage of "Be Our Guest" passes which were a precursor to LOS, UPH, & UMP--arrived at 9:30 a.m. and left Orlando around 10:00 p.m. So, in that regard, we did all right.

Now that I've learned about codes and we are card carrying PAP holders, I want a room only because I don't want to be tied to the cancellation restrictions of a package. If those codes/AP rates are released within that 45 day window, I want to be able to grab one without penalty. Further, I don't want Disney having advantage of using my hard earned money for 45 days before I am there to enjoy it! I don't mind paying a deposit for my res, I just don't want to fork over the entire bill before I'm actually there living the vacation.

 

[mom2cinderella]

The only reason we did a package this year was because the room AND passes were discounted (the 7 for 5 deal). Otherwise I think you are better off booking separately.

Michele

 

[kelscross]

In 2003 they had the 7/4 package and it was a really good deal. This year we were going to do things separate but then the 7/5 deal came out and that was pretty much equivalent to the discount codes that had came out.

Fortunately Disney has been advertising the discounts lately because I don't remember seeing the ads for discounted rooms or packages in this area until recently.

I do have to say do not get the airfare through Disney, we were originally going to do that in 2003 but it was a BIG rip off! Try 200 more a person.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

We have friends who just booked a package--silver---. It should work fine for them because it is Christmas week and they waited til late to get plane resie so the price was very high if they did it separaely. They just need to do a lot and eat a lot to make it worthwile.

 

[HM]

I've been to WDW 8 times since 1999. I've only booked a package once, on our last trip last Christmas week. We were able to get a discounted room rate that would have been unavailable to us any other way (YC room at approx $200 night Dec 20-26) and found that we did like using the UPHs (never used those either) during the trip. I would only use one if it was the best deal. You still have to do a lot of research and number crunching.

-HM

 

[mom2rb]

We did a package for our honeymoon in 1996. We didn't know any better. For our 2003 trip we got lucky. My step-dad works for DOD. We got a great rate on the hotel and the park tickets. I thought this was the only way to ever get a discount. Then I came home and found the DIS. I don't see ever doing a package again.

 

[MsLefty]

Last year DH booked our first ever WDW vacation using the "kids stay free" package for our Jan '04 5-night visit. He was sure it was the best deal available. I cringed! This time I was in charge of booking and I'm happy to say that we are paying LESS for our Jan '05 7-night vacation than we did last year. Two extra nights, same week, same hotel and room category. Thank you DIS!

 

[Tink]

I once used a package years ago. It was the now defunct Sunshine getaway. It was a discounted pkg with room and breakfast. We were AP holders, so we haed passes. We maxed the breakfast part by eating lots of character meals. When I added it all up, we saved money.

Other than that, we do it all ourselves.

That said, we took a Dismey Cruise Line pkg for next summer. It is our first cruise and our 10th anniversary. We figured we wanted it all taken care of for us for the first time. Beth at DU is doing a great job.

 

[lap3]

As I discovered through Mousesavers, these boards, and by my own research that packages don't really save you money vs. piecing your vacation separately. In fact, all a package is able to do is spare you the time and headache of planning your vacation. The planning, to me, is part of the fun plus I learn a lot on the way. I itemized everything on our first trip for next year and I noticed that I'm saving anywhere from $1000-$1500 by doing everything separately. So, in my case, I don't think a vacation would save us much money at all.

 

[drgnfly30]

I've only done a package once, this last trip & only because it was the 7 for 5 deal - other than that I always recommend doing it yourself - btw I only did the hotel & passes. I purchased my airfare through SWA & did my own rental car.

Christine

 

[cdntourguide]

I find that buying the annual pass, getting the discounts with those passes enables me to make two trips a year. The price of one of the package would be about the same price for me to take two trips that I planned myself. Besides the planning is the best part of the vacation other than actually being on Disney soil.

 

[F1Julie]

I think the biggest rip-off in the packages is the UPH. For me, it's much cheaper to buy a regular park hopper for the number of days I'm planning on using or saving days on a park hopper for a future trip. I don't go to the parks every day, and never on arrival or departure day. With a package, you are paying for park tickets for those days. For us, the cheapest way to go is to book room-only with a code and buy park hoppers ahead of time. I enjoy all the planning and looking around for the best deal.

 

[drgnfly30]

Originally posted by F1Julie
I think the biggest rip-off in the packages is the UPH. For me, it's much cheaper to buy a regular park hopper for the number of days I'm planning on using or saving days on a park hopper for a future trip. I don't go to the parks every day, and never on arrival or departure day. With a package, you are paying for park tickets for those days. For us, the cheapest way to go is to book room-only with a code and buy park hoppers ahead of time. I enjoy all the planning and looking around for the best deal.

I would normally agree with with F1Julie but this time around the UPH's worked to our advantage... we flew in late Friday night (stayed off property), checked in CR early & went directly to MK, then we flew out late check out day & were able to go to the parks until around 1pm....

Christine

 

[KEANE]

I just had this problem this past wknd. I had saved my "Dream maker package" hoppers from last year and to my suprise they had expired. They are considered length of stay and not individual day passes. So if you only go to the 3 days out of 5 w/ a dream maker package( 4 day hopper ) the days unused don't carry over they expire at the end of stay. Not fair!

 

[Bugsmom73]

This is my first time booking all myself and I have found it cheaper this way. I will continue to do this all the time. We had no clue on our honeymoon and we missed a lot of great things but we also had a conceirge who booked us a few great things like CRT and Illuminations cruise, so I can't complain too much.

 

[turtle51]

I got the gold package and booked my airfare seperate. I love to go to shows and yes even at disney i eat 3 meals a day. There were 3 of us we ate over $500 in food. When i added up if we saved at the end of the trip the savings were enormous. If your a person that likes mcdonalds dont get the package but if you 3 adults who love to go to a seat down mean with the works do the package.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

If your a person that likes mcdonalds dont get the package but if you 3 adults who love to go to a seat down mean with the works do the package.

We're somewhere in between the two. And although I do like the idea of pre-paying, we determined that the packages were just a way for Disney to make more money.

Don't forget that all packages begin with length of stay ult. park hoppers, which are more costly unless you plan on going to the parks every single day.

We also like the flexibility that not having a package offers.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We always use the package and find it is the best value for us. We get discounts on airfare and find that by using a package, everything is taken care of and we dont have to worry about a thing. We always have reward dollars to spend as well and find this works for us. We have always been able to change things, upgrade or whatever when booking packages and we have had nothing but positive experiences with it.
I dont think a package is a rip off for anyone but rather it works for certain people and not for others. We like the ease and convenience of it.