help..I need info. on DC -vs- a Package

[stephaniebatesjones]

Help, I'm new to the site. You guys have great info. and i'm learning alot just from reading all the threads and comments.
My questions are :

1:I'm a Disney Club member, is it cheaper to get a room at the discounted rate and just pay for tickets, and meals, and activities seperate or to get a package deal with room included(like a discovery magic...etc.) Does anyone have an insight on this.


2: What is connections? Is that something just for vacation club members( I'm not a vacation club member).

Thanks so much for the help guys,

steph:

 

[NotTooGoofy]

I'll try to provide a partial answer. Don't know about question #1 but Connections is "... a membership program that offers members savings on entertainment and shopping services. By enrolling in the Connections program, you and your family can enjoy savings of up to 10% - 40% on a wide variety of leisure and fun-time purchases including: savings on movie tickets, music, videos, books, toys and games, popular restaurants and admission to major theme parks nationwide. " This is from the Connections (FAQ) web site www.connections123.com.

So Connections is totally separate from Disney and covers restaurants outside of WDW like Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and others. I think the first month for a membership is free but then after that it's somewhere around $80 a year.

 

[stephaniebatesjones]

Thanks for the info on connections. Alot of people seem to subscribe to it...I'll have to check it out.

Thanks Again,

Steph

 

[WorknFires]

Hi Steph,
I belong to connections and I wouldn't recommend it unless you'll get use out of it at other places. To have it just for Disney discounts isn't worth it to me. I find I can get better discounts from other sources.
As to your 1st question, I have gone with and without packages and for ease of use and some savings packages are great. I especially like the food plans, not that they save you any money but for the shear convenience. It's great to have everything paid for up front. But if you have the time and energy to look for deals it's actually a little cheaper to price things seperately. As a Disney Club member you can get discounts on your admission tickets as well as lodging and by paying close attention to these message boards and similar sites, you can get codes (when available) that can net you significant savings beyond the Disney Club discount.
It really depends on what you're looking for and what you'll actually USE. The packages tend to give you the most of everything so for what you're getting, they are good deals. BUT, are you going to be able to USE everything it allows you?

Good luck deciding and enjoy your trip,
Cheryl

 

[iluvtig2]

Packages are great, if you are going to use all of the features that the package includes or want the convenience of having everything available. As a travel agent, I generally steer my clients away from a package, unless I qualify that they will actually use the items they are paying for, or would rather have the convenience of everything the package includes, and do not mind paying for things they may not use.

You will see that things like Recreation (boat rentals, etc.) are included in some. If you will be taking the time to do this, great. If money is no object, a package makes it simple. If you think you want to do a park in the morning, BB in the afternoon, another park in the evening, and bop over to Pleasure Island for a few hours, just so you can get up and do it all over again, and you're staying on site, the Unlimited Magic Pass for On Site guests is a good value. Otherwise review the costs on the hopper & hopper plus passes to see which works out the best for you.

Hope this helps a little.

iluvtig

 

[bjakmom]

Steph - I don't go for the deluxe packages with all the extras because we just don't have the time or inclination to do them and we aren't big eaters, so I don't book a package with meals (I have booked packages with 1 flex feature because we always do at least that). Here's what I do when comparing package prices to DC discounts or room only prices: I make sure I have the prices in front of me that my UPH or Hopper passes will cost each of us, I have the price it would cost us for any flex features included. Then when I get the package price from the CM, I deduct the cost of our tickets and flex features and divide the remainder by the # of nights - that gives me a quick idea of what my room rate will be and I base my decision on that for comparison. Once I hung up from a great code quote to do the math and when I realized that I had the best price offered at that time (189. incl tax for AKL savannah) I called back, only to have the next 3 CMs tell me they couldn't find that package/code. The 4th CM found it again for me at that price and I booked it - that's why I have my figures and calculator available now when I call - I won't hang up again on a good deal- it could disappear or no longer be available!

 

[helenk]

I planned each vacation differently, I look for discounts and codes, etc to see what gives me the best deal and then book from there. My DS and I will going to WDW in December and I actually got a good deal with the Disney Club, we are staying 5 nights at the AS Music with the Unlimited Magic pass for $120.00 less than was offered on the WDW site and I got great airfare from the US air website, $164.50 rt from Phila, leaving early on the day we go to WDW and departing at 6:00pm to come back so I was thrilled with myself.
I will keep looking though between now and when we go, maybe they will offer a deal on the moderates or a super deal on the deluxes (well I can dream).
You just have to be willing to do some looking and searching to get the best deal

 

[stephaniebatesjones]

You guys are the greatest. I knew that you all would have great advice for me. I'm defintley going to do as you suggest. One question though, how do I access the codes. Do I just call up Disney and say "Can you tell me the price of the trip using this discount code or How much of a discount is there with this code?" OK, two questions....Can you guys suggest any other sites or places (besides DISavers ) whrere I may be able to find codes.

Thanks Again'

Steph

 

[dgaston]

Visit Mary's site www.mousesavers.com.

 

[bjakmom]

Yes, steph, when you have a code you just ask the CM to price the dates & resort that you want to check with the package name and code- or just the code if it's for room only - they will not volunteer any information regarding codes unless you give the code to them - they're not offering any discounts you don't ask about!

 

[stephaniebatesjones]

COOL.......I'll give it a try. I'll let you know how I do on my first time out. Wish me luck.

Steph