I don't get it...what's the big deal with the new packages..

[MBW]

And their effect on future AP and other codes? I priced out our vacation options, and frankly, we don't save a cent. In fact, even if I don't get an AP code, I can get a cheaper price on tickets if I don't buy the package. With a bunch of picky eaters, the dining option doesn't save us money either.

So what am I missing? Why does Disney think, in a tumbling economy, that people will be flocking to buy into this new pricing scheme?

 

[Lollipop Mom]

The new marketing campaign advertising that a family of 4 can spend a week in a WDW resort with park tickets for less tha $1500 is really drawing a lot of interest from people who have never been before. We all know people who say "I'd love to take the kids to Disney, but it's too expensive for us." and most of them have never even priced a vacation...they just assumed it was too much. I'm getting lots of requests for quotes and information from families who have never been before and before this promotion, most of the time Disney specialists were working mostly with Disney veterans who know what they want, they just don't want to deal with the hassle of watching for codes, calling every day and long hold times. Lots of the people I'm hearing from ask for an "under $1500 quote" but end up booking a moderate or deluxe once they look at the stuff and start comparing prices. They aren't comparing to last years code rates like people here are, they are just saying "this isn't as bad as we thought it would be...it's expensive but not AS expensive as we'd been led to believe."

So my guess is that the resorts aren't filling up with Disney veterans who are just over the moon about the MYW set up, it's the people who are new to Disney or who haven't been in many years that are making the difference.

The MYW set up does save money for families who want to stay for a week or more, who aren't buying longer tickets than they need and may not want to go to water parks etc.

The Happiest Celebration stuff is also a big draw right now. Spring and summer are looking pretty busy but Fall and Winter, while maybe a little busier than past years, aren't quite as full right now. Only time will tell what will happen then.

 

[barbaraann]

I found that after going to Disney the past two years, and planning my present vacation for 2005, the biggest savings is on the tickets. The daily cost of a ticket is definitely cheaper than before. We can now go for a week or 8 days, and knowing we will be in a theme park every day, we are now able to forego the costlier tickets with no expiration or plus features that we don't want. We are actually saving about $450 on Park Passes. During the regular or value season, this almost pays for 3 days at a moderate and definitely 4 at a value resort. I like not paying for options I do not use. I still have plus features on previous passes, that I may or maynot use on my 2005 trip. When they advertise these vactions for a family of 4, they are usaully refering to the value resorts. They are quoting, just the room rates and park passes for park hopping. Air fare is extra. If you are smart, you can eat pretty well at Disney, without the dining plan. That is the key. Plan. There are a lot of ways to have fun at Disney without Breaking the Bank

 

[huskies90]

Actually, the $1500 is for a value resort and the tickets are basic MYW tickets with no hopping...

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Why does Disney think, in a tumbling economy, that people will be flocking to buy into this new pricing scheme?

Actually, tourism is up, and many people are traveling more this year.

According to some sources, Disney reservations has had 3 record setting months.

 

[MILEMRKR63]

Yes the 1500.00 deal is for 6 nights at value with the base passes. I usually would price out a 7 night stay as I thought most families do, but I am no expert.

This package does not really meet the needs for those who enjoy Pleasure Island and the water parks, since on the 7-10 day passes, you only get 5 extra features, meaning if you plan on visiting Pleasure Island every night, you'll have to spend additional monies for tickets to the outlets there once the 5 extra features are used up. If you also plan on visiting water pakrs, you would also have to buy admissions to them since with only 5 extra features, every visit to water/pleasure island deducts an extra feature. What I did is buy an annual Pleasure Island pass for 59.95 to allow me 5 visits to the water parks, since I like to go to them every day veafore visiting the other parks. What this means botom line is that my tickets that were 295.95 (8 days park hopper with all options except non expiring) and my annual Pleasure Island ticket now costs 355.95.

Just my thoughts.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

The same 4-day trip dh and I took last fall to AKL would cost quite a bit more with this new pricing system.

 

[tekmom]

Disney is also promoting the same trip but at a deluxe for $2500.00. We are doing AKL 7 nights with 7day hoppers for 4 people for right at $2100.00. You could definately do better booking on your own.

 

[Got Quattro?]

I usually would price out a 7 night stay as I thought most families do, but I am no expert.

Just my thoughts.

We always do 6 nights. Saturday to Friday. That way we can get home on a friday night (fly) or Saturday (drive) and have a day or 2 to unwind before going back to work on monday.

There is nothing worse than a week at work exhausted from the week befores vacation.