Fairytale Package vs. doing everything separate

[dturner]

Ok, I keep going over whether or not to ditch my current reservations for the end of September at the Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Disney (yes, the $20.03/rate for 5 nights) to book a Fairytale package for the same time at the All Star Sports for 2 adults and 1 child.

I just went to the Disney website put in my dates for the All Star Sports, 7 nights with UPH, 2-adults and 1-child came out to $1,127.00 (which is cheaper than I thought it would be, why? offseason maybe?) so now I'm thinking ok, I already have a room at the Courtyard so I'll loose $100.00 but if I keep that room I have to buy at least a 4 day Park Hopper for three of us that's $550.00, not to mention my DS (7) loves Disneyquest so there is another $60.00 for Disneyquest for just one time and I need another night at the Courtyard which will be another $100.00 (regular price, yuk) so now I'm close to $800.00 and this is for 6 nights and only 4 days in the parks. I'm thinking the extra money for the Fairytale package would be worth it, don't ya'll???????

Come on people, tell me that it's worth the extra $300.00 to have the UPH passes so we can do Disneyquest more than once this time and I can't forget the magic of being in a Disney resort with unlimited refills of drinks which will save me a lot of money since my family drinks nothing but soft drinks.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[NHLFAN]

Hi,

For the extra $100 per person ($300 total)...I'd go for the Fairytale package.

That way you have the extra days to comes and go to the Theme parks, Water Parks and DisneyQuest.

The park passes you receive with the Fairytale package are good the day you check in all the through (including) the day you check out.

Don't forget you'll also get a gift with the Fairytale package.

I had to pass on the Fairytale package because I wanted to stay at a Deluxe Resort...for DW and myself It would have been around around $2500 for the resort we wanted.

I ended up renting pts from a DVC member a 5 night stay at a Deluxe and grabbed a 3 nights at Hard Rock Hotel (entertainment rate) so we could visit Universal/IOA with FOTL (front of the line) passes.
So for $1600 total we get the the rooms, 4 day passes at WDW and 3 day passes to USO/IOA.

The extra money we saved goes towards rental car and food and park goodies.

 

[FINFAN]

I would go w/ the FTP, altho I know the thought of letting 20 a night go is hard, To me there is just no comparison between on/off site, I call on site a "land cruise" everything is on the grounds at your disposal. You could look into an AP( $395) for just yourself tho, and 7 day PHP for the kids, I think they are about 325 adult and 270 child. The AP rate for that time at AS Resorts is 69, or 7 nights for 541. If I did the math right, it about the same as the FTP, but you get the AP for any future trip in the next 365 days and any room discounts in the future. You will still have to pay for your individual entrance to any water parkd ot DQ, bit you can also play that by ear. Plus the un-used hoppe days never expire. Just a thought. Plus, if you book this seperate and not a FTP you have the 5 day cancel policy, not 45.

 

[indyanna]

No doubt in my mind - go for it!

 

[>>^..^<<]

I would change just to have access to the Disney transportation and EE days. Staying off site holds no magic no matter how cheap it is.

Go for it - then your son can visit Disney quest a few times

>>^..^<<

 

[bugbugmom]

dturner,

I was in the same dilemma as you. Yes, I have the $20.03 rate at the Cty by Marriott. We are driving and it will be our 1st visit to WDW. I decided to cancel my Marriott reservation and go with the FTP... I know, I will lose the 100.00, but I think by being 1st timers to WDW staying on site is the way to go. I guess when we become WDW veterans we'll probably stay off site. By the way, we will stay our 1st night at Cty and check in onsite the next day. So, we'll atleast get one night. Good Luck!!!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Go for it, you know you want to!

You will NOT regret it!

 

[babyblues68]

Go with the FTP!!! Like said before EE, refillable mugs, disney transportation and Disney Quest more than 1 time in your trip. Also you could check out the water parks too.

I went against advice here in 2001. Everyone said stay on property. Well I didn't and my first post here when I got back was...I WILL NEVER STAY OFF PROPERTY AGAIN! I just don't want to leave the magic, even if it is just to go sleep.

Tammy

off-site 12/2001

 

[dg39]

Disney may never release a package this good ever again. Go for it, or you'll regret it. Nothing beats being on property. You have magic there 24/7.

 

[mep319]

I gave up 7 free nites at the Marriott Royal Palms for the AKL FTP, spending $1200.00 more ( I would have just needed passes...maybe subtract another $200 for a car & parking). We just bought a house and really have no extra money. But hey..it is a good deal and it is Disney and she will only be 7 once!!

 

[Miscrapper]

I think this package is a very good deal! We figure it gives twice as many days in park for same money that we were planning on! (we were planning 7 nights, four day park hoppers with a trip to waterpark, Seaworld or the beach for a day). When we added it up the FTP with UPH was same cost with more bang for buck!

I cannot wait!

 

[mrsR123]

Hey there dturner,

The last time I checked, the FTP wasn't available on the website; so if you got a quote for seven nights, that's a quote paying for seven nights. If you want a better comparison, you need to get a price for just four nights-- don't you? Or am I just up too late and confused?

If I'm right, then you'll save even more.

 

[DrTomorrow]

FTP is availabe on the website. Go here and click on the yellow "Vacation Savings"box on the left - this'll take you to a place where you can book - price out - FTP.
Erick

 

[wdwobsessed]

Don't forget if you are a DClub member you can get another $50 off.

Also ... the website always figures in Travel Insurance. You could dump this to save more $$ or get it cheaper on your own.

wdwo

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm a really strong advocate of planning myself and buying everything piecemeal. That being said.....I had WL booked for 7 nights this Aug. I was going to buy 4 day ph's for each of us (2 adults/1 child) and use a left-over day from our previous ph's. When FT pkg. came out I jumped on it. We are able to stay at the Polynesian, my dd's dream come true, for about $400 more than I had budgeted for. THis deal is way too good to let go by. Book the AllStars. I have a feeling that you'll never go off-site again after being on-site. For us, that is a huge part of our vacation. Spend the extra money. You won't regret it!!!

 

[cindala]

Except for the first year we went to WDW with the kids, we always booked our room alone, and either drove down or booked our own airfare.

This is the first time I can actually say that a package saved us money over the "book everything separate route." The FTP saved us close to $500, plus we got the UPH passes which gives us more time in the parks than we would have had with the passes we'd planned to buy. Plus, DQ is also included!

I am a DC member, AAA member, Disney Visa Card holder, and an AP holder, and nothing else compared room rate wise for us.

I know this package may not work for everyone, but if you have to buy your park passes anyhow, this probably works out better for you. If you have your park passes already, then it's probably not a good deal.

sunny:

 

[Disneylvr]

As a big believer in staying onsite, I say go for the FTP!!!!

 

[TCPluto]

The hazard in staying on site.... you'll never want to stay off site! If you try offsite after staying onsite, you will be sorely dissapointed in your trip. Nothing compares to the WDW resorts.

The FTP package is too good to pass up.

 

[dgaston]

I need to be a lone voice reminding folks that magic happens where you make it. I'm staying for a 2nd year at the Courtyard because our trip there last year was so much fun. I love to stay on-site and will do so in October, but I know I'll have a terrific time in August too.

I can really understand OP using the FTP especially for the DQ admissions--without our 14 yo DS we can easily skip that! LOL

 

[GOODFELLA]

I stayed at the Court yard last year & I would never do it again
The best part was it was so cheap.Once you stay in a Disney hotel there's no turning back.The 1st thing I missed was the Disney buses which drop you off at the front gate,& pick you up every 10 minutes. Every time we took the CY bus it picked up 10 other hotels which took up about 45 min to an hour.That was nuts #2 I missed the option of charging everything to my room & getting my packages sent back to the room.#3 I missed the Disney themed pools & the food courts and the refillable mugs
Shoot I could go on & on & on about why not to stay at the CY, But in the end it's only my opinion.My advse would be The Fairytale Package don't miss out on the Disney expierence everybody at there hotels are great and the rooms are 100% better.Please let us know what you decide, have a great trip