Hope this is the right place to ask this...

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

On average, are the packages cheaper than booking everything seperately?

We are currently planning our first trip to DW, and I apologize if this question has been asked before. I am an "oldie" on a candlemaking board, and I know it can be a annoying when the same questions are asked over and over.

Thanks!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

On average, are the packages cheaper than booking everything seperately?

We are currently planning our first trip to DW, and I apologize if this question has been asked before. I am an "oldie" on a candlemaking board, and I know it can be a annoying when the same questions are asked over and over.

Thanks!

To be honest with you, many of us here on the DIS figure to price things separately does come out cheaper in the end. Sometimes A LOT cheaper, other times, just a little. I don't do packages any longer as being a FL resident, things are cheaper when I price them separately as I get discounts on rooms and tickets.
I have read others saying that packages are more for convenience. Having everything paid for all at once is easy. Some will add dining to their packages as they like having meals paid for in advance.
I will leave you some links at the end of my post so you can visit and get a good idea on what you can spend on a trip to Disney. If you have any other questions, just let us know.

DISNEY MENUS

MOUSESAVERS (for discounts)

DISNEYWORLD (use this one for whatever general questions you may have)

Those should get you started!

Blessings,
Denise

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

It used to be true that Disney packages almost always cost you more than doing everything separately. That was mostly because of the Ultimate Park Hopper pass that you had to get with the packages. The UPH was good from check in to check out and allowed for unlimited admission to all the themeparks, waterparks, DQ, PI and WWoS. It covered it all, everyday.

The catch was, not everyone wanted it all, every day. So very often it was more economical to book a room and purchase PH or PHP tickets that met your needs better. Now that Disney has introduced the MYW passes into their packages that line between the two ways of booking has blurrred and the choice is not as clear-cut.

If I didn't have an AP and leftover PHPs, I would be seriously looking at a package for our next trip. I will definitely consider one for any future trips after my AP expires. It's all going to depend on what my total costs turn out to be.

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

Thanks you guys! I have been doing a lot of research, and I have heard conflicting opinions about the packages. I appreciate your replies! We want to go without having to worry about money too much, but every little bit helps.

This will be my first time flying, and I never realized how expensive airfare is! But the prospect of being on the road for 2 days with a 4 year old in July makes me ill! LOL 4 hours in the air sounds much more appealing.

Those links are lifesavers. I have spent days on the DW official site. The link to the menus is awesome and will help a lot!

Thanks again!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

In the past packages were more - to repeat from above - but this year, I heard a rumor that Disney was no longer offering the discounts that they have had in recent years. Now the prices are closer, and the Dining deal may actually be a better deal. It pays to do research. One thing I wouldn't do though is to book a car rental or airfare through Disney - at the very least - their cancelation policy sucks. Do check out Mousesavers.com.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Isn't the web is great. Planning is 1/2 the fun... well not 1/2 the fun, but it definitely adds to the trip.

Airfare, transfers and car rental can add up quick.

We drive from St. Louis and it's not that bad 15 hours or so. Sounds bad, but it's not. We put a 9" tv vcr combo in the car (not sure about the price anymore, but I know they are under $150) I am not a fan of TV in the car, in fact we use it for trips only, but it does keep them occupied.

We have done it three years in a row with two boys now age 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 and have been very lucky.

I pack the van and go to bed early (8pm) the night before and set an alarm for 2 am or so. My wife keeps the kids up for as long as she can that night. So at 2 am I'm rested (6 hours) and we head out. By the time the kids wake up we are over 1/3 of the way there. And by the time I'm wearing down the sun comes up, we stop for gas and breakfast and we are ready to hit the road again. When we stop the second time (for gas and lunch) we let the kids play for an hour or so while we rest and eat. Then we let the kids eat in the car (it kills 15 miles for them) I'd rather let them play while we are stopped rather then make them sit and eat when they've been sitting for so long and will have to be sitting again so soon. Anyway, after that stop my wife drives for as long as she feels like while I relax and we switch off one more time if we need to. Knock on wood... It's worked like a charm getting us to Orlando in time to experience a little magic before hitting the pillow that first night.

 

[barbeml]

Just wanted to say welcome to the DIS!

It is great that you are starting your research & planning early. I agree with what someone said about packages being a bit better these days. DH and I have APs and are getting three trips out of them. If we didn't, we would be looking at MYW package this year.

Just keep reading and asking questions here. You will find all the info you need..and then some!

Enjoy the planning, it's half the fun!

 

[HayGan]

Thanks you guys! I have been doing a lot of research, and I have heard conflicting opinions about the packages. I appreciate your replies! We want to go without having to worry about money too much, but every little bit helps.

This will be my first time flying, and I never realized how expensive airfare is! But the prospect of being on the road for 2 days with a 4 year old in July makes me ill! LOL 4 hours in the air sounds much more appealing.

Those links are lifesavers. I have spent days on the DW official site. The link to the menus is awesome and will help a lot!

Thanks again!

I'm not sure what city you will be flying out of but checkout www.southwest.com for some great deals on packages including airfare.

 

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

Thanks for the tip about SW. We'll be flying out of Tulsa, and SW is one of the major airlines around here.