Help Planning Please for Vacation Package

[LAL]

I was reading a bit but honestly this is quite overwhelming amount of information. We're flexible about going, just sometime in the next few months.

I was interested in going around March 5, 2012 to March 8, 2012, and either doing the buy 3 days and get 4th day free promotion or free dining. But I called WDW and they couldn't tell me about this free dining promotion I read about here.

And the price of the package from them including the part tickets seemed pricey. Would it make more sense to buy a vacation package from say JetBlue where I get airline tickets + hotel for the cost of the hotel + tickets from WDW?

Also is the free shuttle worth it? How much is it to stay off site and pay for a shuttle? How convenient is it to get back to the on site resorts like the All Star Value resorts?

Thanks for suggestions.

 

[LJSquishy]

There is no current free dining promotion. The only promotion available for your travel dates is the One More Disney Day & Night Free. You must book this promotion TODAY, as it expires today (Jan 31st). Under this promo, you are required to book (pay for) a 3-night stay, meaning your minimum stay would be 4 nights including the free night, so 3/5-3/9.

Resort availability is extremely limited now under this promotion. There is zero availability at the Value resorts, and the cheapest moderate resort that is available is Animal Kingdom Lodge standard view room. I don't know how many adults/children you have in your party so I plugged in 2A/1C age 7. With room & 4-day base park tickets, it comes to $1822.48 ...AKL is pretty expensive. On top of that you would have flights and dining expenses.

I would urge you to try and travel on different dates, preferably more than just a couple of months out so you have your choice of resort and are not forced to choose between just a few with availability. You can play around with booking packages on DW's website, as well as booking room-only reservations. DW park tickets are expensive, so take that into consideration if you choose to book through JetBlue and buy park tickets separately. The shuttles that run from Disney resorts are amazing. They run constantly so you only have to wait for a few minutes before a bus comes by. Staying offsite is doable, but usually they only offer shuttles a few times in the morning and that's it. Otherwise you'll have to rent a car and pay for daily parking in the parks.

 

[Missytara]

I was reading a bit but honestly this is quite overwhelming amount of information. We're flexible about going, just sometime in the next few months.

I was interested in going around March 5, 2012 to March 8, 2012, and either doing the buy 3 days and get 4th day free promotion or free dining. But I called WDW and they couldn't tell me about this free dining promotion I read about here.

Promotions are done to fill rooms. You cannot arbitrarilly pick a time and a promotion that you think you fit your needs. If the resorts already have rooms filled, they will not need to go promotions. As the PP stated, there is only one promotion for your week and it must be booked by today.

My suggestion is to go onto the discount rates and codes board at the top of the resort board and get a little more info regarding discounts/promotions

And the price of the package from them including the part tickets seemed pricey. Would it make more sense to buy a vacation package from say JetBlue where I get airline tickets + hotel for the cost of the hotel + tickets from WDW?

Disney is pricey. There is no way around it. But you have to look at the benefits you do get, like free transportation, Extra Magic Hours, free parking at all the parks, etc.

You can book through another source, but then they are acting as a travel agent. You don't have control over your reservation until they release it to you; and sometimes with sources like Jetblue, you cannot get the perks like the dining plan, etc.

Also is the free shuttle worth it? How much is it to stay off site and pay for a shuttle?

When you refer to the shuttle, are you talking about the Magical Express from the airport. There is a lot of great info on the Transportation board. It is a wonderful service, but you will get the usual complainers. I wouldn't hesitate to use it.

You can check out the transportation board for costs to take alternative transportation from off-site resorts, i.e. renting a car, transportation service, and taxis.

How convenient is it to get back to the on site resorts like the All Star Value resorts?

You will get just as many people complain about the bus service from resorts/parks, as you will like me, who just love it. Disney has spoiled me by picking me up at the airport and taking me all over the parks and resorts. I get more savvy every year. For people who aren't normally used to public type transportation, they can get impatient. But look at it for what its worth, it is free, someone else is driving and you get to interact with other people while waiting.

Hope that helps.

 

[LAL]

Thanks for all the info so far! Much appreciated.

I have a lot of flexibility is it better to book farther out than closer and last minute deals?

The transportation was from the airport to the hotel. I assumed that staying on the property made life easier to get to the parks. I'm sold on not driving

 

[LJSquishy]

Thanks for all the info so far! Much appreciated.

I have a lot of flexibility is it better to book farther out than closer and last minute deals?

The transportation was from the airport to the hotel. I assumed that staying on the property made life easier to get to the parks. I'm sold on not driving

Unlike other hotel stays around the country, Disney does not offer any last minute deals. The longer you wait to book, the less chance you will get what you want. They announce promotions far in advance so you will have plenty of time to book under the promo. I would recommend booking 3-4 months out as a minimum.