Financial benefits and other pros and cons booking with a package or DU?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Last time we went in May 2001 I did all the booking and phone calls etc. I didn't mind doing it and liked being emmersed in it. But, I just bought the passporter and it mentioned some of the packages. Financially which is the best bet? I know you get some choices with the packages, my assumption is that you still have to pay for your choices, or is it included? Just wondering what the benefit would be? I would prefer to save $, and I can do the research/leg work on my own. Would I be saving $ by going with a packageor with DU (I am thinking they would know deals that I might not come across?)

I just don't know------ HELP!

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally, booking airfare, Disney passes, resort separately and not booking meals way in advance will cost less than packages.

I do not recommend packages with meals. It is impossible to eat your money's worth withoug danger of getting fat, and if someone gets ill, meals are wasted.

What is a DU?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[dansyr]

We did the gold package and enjoyed it very much. It is not a budget package...but it is almost all-inclusive.
We decided we wanted to do some nicer restaraunts and things this time and decided this package was for us. I did a ton of research to see which restaraunts were more expensive and checked out some prices of some of the other activities to see what it would cost us if we did them separately and honestly we saved some money by doing the package.
We honestly had the "let's go all out mentality" We had lunches and dinners that would've cost us $100-160 if we were not on the plan. We would've never spent that kind of money if it had not been included. We got to do alot of things that we would have normally bypasses such as Cirque and leave a legacy. I'm glad we did it and plan to do it again. We spent about $1500 a person w/o airfare on the vacation which is comparable to an all inclusive resort anywhere. Really the only things not included were our alcoholic drinks.
However, if you have young children or are on a budget I would not suggest this type of plan. You would probably spend alot less at counterservice restaraunts and you would probably not need an UHP.
That is just my opinion..I know many others disagree....but we enjoyed it and didn't find we wasted money at all.

 

[Sammie]

DU =Dreams Unlimited Travel the agency for this site.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I say forget the packages, they can cost you a bit and if you don't figure things correctly, you usually won't get your monies worth on meals. Go with Dreams Unlimited though. They save you quite a bit of time by doing all your PS ressies for you...think of the money you save on long distance. If codes come up that apply to your ressie they will apply that for you too. I recommend Cathy Miller as an agent. She was mine back in 2001 and I will use her again when DH and I return to Disney.

 

[Fearthisss]

Maybe I'm just naive. I'm certainly new to this whole WDW package game. However, I've gotten quotes from MouseSavers.com, DreamsUnlimited and a couple of others that I can't think of right now (brain information overload I think), Disney's own web site, not to mention a couple of local travel agencies that "specialize" in "Disney Magic", and so far nobody's been able to touch the quote that I got on a package on my own from Expedia.

We're flying from Indiana to Atlanta for a few days, then from Atlanta to WDW, then back to Indiana. This is all taking place the first week of December. I've tried breaking it all up separately and as a package. Our WDW package includes 5 nights at POR and the DreamMaker package. Like I said, nobody's come close to the price I got at Expedia booking everything together as a package. I will say that MouseSavers.com came the closest.

Like I said, maybe I'm just naive. Or maybe I'm missing something. If I am I sure wish somebody would enlighten me, because I'm all about saving money where I can, and as it stands right now, I'll be booking my vacation through Expedia by the end of the week.

Good luck!! I'm anxious to see the responses to this thread.

Mark

 

[cart-mom]

You might want to check the board about POR -FQ closing for renovations. It will be closed for about 2 years and might affect your ressies.

Better to be prepared than surprised...

 

[Fearthisss]

Yes, FQ is completely closing for renovations beginning the first week of May. POR, if I understand correctly, IS NOT closing, only SOME rooms will be rehabbed, and that won't start until 2004. They are still taking ressies for POR, NOT for FQ.

Mark

 

[goofy4tink]

After much going back and forth, I've handed my planning over to DU. Not doing a package. I've tried to come out ahead every which way with a package and I can't seem to. I would spend about $500 more with a package. I sat down and figured what I plan on spending and even added some money for misc. stuff onto it. Realize that we don't want for much. We do probably 4 character meals and some nice restaurant meals and children's club visits for dd. I just don't do the parks every day from arrival to departure. Way too hectic. So, planning every thing piece by piece has worked for me. And I know that DU will get me any code rates that come out.

 

[princess lovers mom]

I just spent several weeks doing the same thing as you...at the onset it may look like the expedia pkg is cheaper, but we went with a room only ressiethrough DU at POR at 136/night with AAA rate, and PHP tix through paramount travel(which was the cheapest i could find Adult 300 and child 244 inc tax for 7 day) airfare not booked yet but that is not usually in the pkgs anyway. i am anticipating a code coming out before our travel date and DU can apply this for us, I wonder if Expedia would be able to if you booked with them...I am hoping to get the room down to $94- $104 with a code later.

This is our first time with DU and so far i am very very impressed - good luck with your decisions

denise

 

[ead79]

I wholeheartedly recommend booking through Dreams Unlimited. I have never booked a true package before, only the "Basic Plan"--the package you have to book to use a Disney Club discount (but it's really the same price as room only reservations, they just give you tickets to WWoS as well). On my last reservation, Dreams gave me a rebate on their own (from them, not Disney) which saved me a little extra money. On top of that, they will check for codes that apply to your reservation and switch your ressie to a lower rate if one becomes available. Plus, I really love the Priority Seating service they have for all their clients--they will make your PS's for you--once they even got me the coveted Cindy's breakfast ressie. I love to plan stuff myself too, so I give them an idea of what I want my itinerary to look like, but you don't have to do that; they can make an itinerary for you on their own as well. Give them a try!