Don't believe everything they tell you on "packages"

[Mortlives]

If there's a serious special going on (remember the FairyTale Package?), I'll book a package. Otherwise, I book room separate with code or AAA depending, and buy tickets from a reputable ticket broker (UnderCover Tourist, Maple Leaf Tickets). This seems to result in the maximum of savings. Of course, we didn't qualify for free dining this year, and the dining package costs more per day than we ever spend on food, so we don't need a package.

 

[missypie]

I went onto the Disney web site a couple days ago and played around. I noticed what has already been mentioned:

they quote an upgraded room - you can back out the higher price

they quote parkhopper tickets (maybe even with water parks)

I also noticed that they were quoting one too many days of park tickets. We will arrive at about 10:30 on a Friday night and leave the next Friday afternoon. That gives us 7 park days. They quoted 8 day tickets (which we would need if we arrived at, say, 8 am).

They also quote insurance, which you can back out.

 

[Atchley]

I have never known AAA to be higher than Disney even with a package, but then again, I have a great TA. I believe that she probably books the room with AAA discount and then adds the tickets and dining. We usually save around $220-$300. The AAA discount varies by what type of resort that you are staying in too. I believe that at the values it is 10%, the moderates 15%, and the deluxe at 20%. I believe that is what my TA told me last year, but who knows, things could've changed since then.

 

[jenseib]

I think you some of you are misunderstanding the OP, or maybe I am...but... She isn't comparing prices off the Disney sit to AAA, but buyin a package from AAA verses buying everything seperate through AAA. She is saying that if you book your hotel and tickets seperate, it is cheaper than booking the package of hotel and tickets together. Which seems dumb. The package should be a bit cheaper in my opinion. And since they didn't want the dining plan, which you have to have a package in order to do, they went with booking the hotel seperately and then also buying their tickets from AAA as well, just not as a package.

 

[helenk]

I just booked my trip with AAA, I only saved about $13 by booking with them over booking the room and ordering the tickets separately. But every little bit saved can go to a Mickey Bar or Popcorn.

 

[cigarboo]

I am not a fan of the "packages" disney offers, unless like a previous poster stated, that it's part of a special, like "free dining" or something. I've always found the package rate was about the same as if you bought everything ala carte. If you find value in the dining package, then you have to purchase a package to get it. I find I save the most money by booking "room only"(hopefully with a discount). I buy non-expiring tickets and only going when I want to go. As far as food goes, we eat where we want and over the week, we probably end up spending the same money as the dining plan. Maybe even less because my family are small eaters. I never go to the parks every single day of my trip because I also like to relax. The best part about the "room only" rate is that I can cancel 5 days prior to arrival if I need to. With the package I think it's like 45 days prior to arrival. I love the extra flexibility.

 

[MissionMouse]

Packages equate to convenience and often provide additional items to entice guest to select a specific package tier. Check-out Mouse Savers and see what they say about packages...this is how they make their living. If you have the time and patience you can do better by grabbing up the special deals when they arise. The other side of the coin is that they do offer things you can not buy...like VIP Seating at Wishes and Illuminations. Also nothing is free. You are either paying for it, someone else is, or their writing it off as a marketing promotion which may funnel back as a price increase for guest somewhere else. We currently are finding greater savings in not buying a package and this goes for Sea World too. Like anything timing iand viglence is important along with what you need and desire to have a part of your vacation experience.

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

I think you some of you are misunderstanding the OP, or maybe I am...but... She isn't comparing prices off the Disney sit to AAA, but buyin a package from AAA verses buying everything seperate through AAA. She is saying that if you book your hotel and tickets seperate, it is cheaper than booking the package of hotel and tickets together. Which seems dumb. The package should be a bit cheaper in my opinion. And since they didn't want the dining plan, which you have to have a package in order to do, they went with booking the hotel seperately and then also buying their tickets from AAA as well, just not as a package.

This is what I thought too