Hotel and Tickets - Separately vs. Through Disney?

[Susan595]

I am thinking of looking into a DL trip next year sometime with my dd and mom, we have family in California and if we go visit them I'd love to go here also, get my fix, I couldn't sleep last night for thinking of it all. I started planning for our WDW trip 8 months previous, so to think that I get to start all over again gets me excited. Just have to talk my mom into it now So there isn't a separate website they are both connected?

 

[larina]

I am thinking of looking into a DL trip next year sometime with my dd and mom, we have family in California and if we go visit them I'd love to go here also, get my fix, I couldn't sleep last night for thinking of it all. I started planning for our WDW trip 8 months previous, so to think that I get to start all over again gets me excited. Just have to talk my mom into it now So there isn't a separate website they are both connected?

If you are staying onsite with a senior (over 60) it is almost always best to call and get the senior rate (not available on-line), which is 30% off, minimum (I've heard it can be more, but for our Christmas stay it is 30%). Every time I mention it here, someone is surprised to hear about it, so I try to share the tip often. Don't know how old your mom is, but it could help save some money on your room. If you do that and get discount tickets and/or meals (there are several options including AAA, through Disney themselves if they're having a promo, and a couple of pretty dependable discount places including lastminutetravel.com) to continue your savings. You won't get the Toon Town early entry. I heard there was somewhere you could buy coupons for it, but I don't know if that is still true. Maybe someone else will know.

 

[GenGen22]

It's almost always cheaper to book separately. You get a few "perks" for booking a package, like Toontown Madness vouchers and preferred seating for Aladdin, but nothing that justifies the cost in my opinion.

I agree. I have booked through AAA which pretty much offers the same as disney accept they offer a free pin and lanyard and free parking as well. I have also booked through getawaytoday.com and saved a little more (4th night free) but just did the room only and bought my tickets through AAA and still got the free parking. You can have anyone who has an AAA card go to AAA and purchase the tickets to DL for you and get the free parking. Also, I have looked at the actual hotel website and saw what the difference in price is as it's usually cheaper that way. A lot of hotels/motels have an additional discount for booking online and sometimes if you pay in full in advance you can get it even cheaper. I would also check into costco rates.

I would also look for free hot buffet breakfast at the hotel you stay at. We have saved a ton of money just on the free breakfast as we have a total of 5 of us.

 

[mydisneymoney]

I never assume Disney Travel is more when I book my trips. Each time I book a trip I price out all options, every time. Just because one way was way less last year doesn't mean it will be this year. Make yourself a spreadsheet and price it all out including the perks you get with each thing. It all depends on what you are looking to get out of your vacation. GCH is mostly likely not ever going to be less then a Good Neighbor or even PPH but if that is that atmosphere you are looking for, then you are going to pay for it. When I price out my trip I include columns for Airfare, Hotel, Tickets, Car Rental and Parking at the hotel. Sometimes a package is the better option.