I can confirm the following which may help some of the folks that are concerned on the expiration date versus their departure date:
I had a reservation arriving November 20 and departing November 27 at the All Star Music, preferred view, at the DC rate.
I spoke with the CM at the DC phone number and we were able to use the Fairytale Magic Package (standard room) even though we are arriving on the last date available for the package and this actually gives us the package all the way to Thanksgiving Day.
Here's the cost of our Fairytale package:
2 adults, 1 - 14 year old son, 7 nights, ASMusic Standard = $1131.73 which includes the $50 discount for DC members.
I had to do some figuring to determine if the package was really worth it and this is what I did:
Original DC reservation - 7 nights ASMusic preferred view at the DC rate = $546.00 and this included tax.
Original tickets to purchase - 3 - 5 day park hoppers adult purchased in advance = $693.50 and this included tax.
Total tickets plus DC hotel room = 1239.50 and this included tax.
So, it appears there is a savings of approximately $110, BUT we no longer get a free round of Mini golf which reduces the savings to about $75.
Then we must also reduce the savings because we are now in a standard room instead of a preferred room (Roughly $10 per day) which makes the package a wash versus doing it separately as we had planned.
We do get, however, unlimited access to water parks, pleasure island and Disney Quest for the full trip which I had not figured on using, but may now take advantage of..... We also get a couple more days in the parks than with the original 5 day hoppers we were going to buy.
So, to sum it up.... We really won't be SAVING any money based on what we ORIGINALLY PLANNED to do, but we will have the ability to do WDW parks a couple extra days and could go to the water parks, pleasure island or disneyquest if we so desire.
Hope this helps!!!
Maverick