I just don't get Disney and their pricing

[momoftwins]

After reading several threads regarding package offerings, it is obvious - as another poster noted, that Disney is trying to realign their marketing strategy with these package deals. We are going to the Pop Century 4/18 thru 4/25. I got a AAA rate of a total of $653.00 for the room only - standard view. I do not yet have tickets.

So, I was curious and called Disney and asked how much their basic DreamMaker package would cost (room and UPH passes). I was quoted a total of $2143.00 for 2 adults and 2 kids, same resort. No AAA discounts available on this package.

Well, we do not go to the park the first or last day of our trip, so I decided to check their site for 6 day hopper plus only. Total price for 6 day passes only: $1063. So, this option plus my room only reservation: $1716.

I checked Ticketmania's pricing for the same 6 day hopper plu, $1050. So, this brings me down to $1703.

Surely, even if I did go to the park for the first and last day of my trip, this plus the pins and lanyard that I believe you get from the package is not worth an extra $500!

I can't imagine how packages would save anyone money- JMHO.

 

[safetymom]

I think they are trying to get the Disney newbies. The rest of us know that most times package deals are not the cheapest way to go.

 

[Lesley]

Apparently these packages are a savings for some....there are plenty of reports to that effect here. But, as always, I think its a good idea to price everything out separately and make sure you're getting the best deal. Some people don't like to be bothered with that and will just book the package, though.

Hmm....maybe that's Disney's strategy right now....try to get more guests into the parks who don't think about what they're spending and just keep opening their wallets! LOL (Though I'm sure Disney loves this sort of guest....I'm just kidding about it being their current strategy!)

And my basic response to your post title.....I don't think anyone does...and I'm having my doubts that Disney really knows how to make the best of things financially right now (I don't know that anyone does). I'm guessing they're grabbing at straws....just trying anything hoping to strike on a big improvement. Or any improvement.

 

[reldridge]

You know that the marketing people @ Disney are not crazy, so it makes me wonder how many people just "go for" the packages
without knowing any better. I sure would not know any better if I hadn't stumbled across this board and some others in my meager research before our first trip in many years. Go figure.

 

[DJGifford]

I have to say that we did go to WDW this past July only because the Fairy Tale Packages was soooo inviting.

We stayed at the Boardwalk for less than if I had booked without the package....

I saw the Dream Maker package and wasn't impressed.

Dolores

 

[momoftwins]

that I just told about these boards. Both of them alway book packages. One books thru AAA and the other always uses Delta Vacations. I am amazed with how much they end up paying. I bet you all are right though Lots of people really like to book thru an agent because they feel more comfortable.

I wonder how many there are of "us" that use boards like this and, for example, Mousesavers to get great deals? I realize there is certainly a cost of doing business, but wouldn't Disney rather have people totally (food, tickets, hotels) in their parks - even if it is at discounted rates, rather than have them go another park (ex: IOA)?

I am not asking Disney or any other company to give away the farm. But for me, for example, we always bring extra food with us and also do a grocery stop. I would much rather buy the food from Disney if it was more affordable. I think some of the meals are reasonable, but can bottled water be worth $2.50 each?? Even at our local 7-11's, where everything is marked up water is only $1.25 for the same brand/size.

I would much rather buy my tickets directly from Disney. Disney obviously knows about all of the ticket brokers that sell their tickets. And you know the ticket brokers must make a profit or they wouldn't be doing it. Why can Disney just sell the tickets at similar prices and they can make the brokers profits.

Anyway, just scratching my head ...

 

[hulabird]

If it were up to my DH to do all our vacation plans we'd be paying rack and doing packages everywhere we vacation, because he is not the type of person to do research and wait for codes etc....he figures we have the money so why not do it the easiest way. There are alot of people like him, some are too lazy (like DH's case ), some just don't know how to use computer resources and stuff to be able to look for the deals. We, my friends, are a breed all its own, the Disneyholics, addicted to the planning and waiting for codes as much as we are addicted to the mouse himself.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Personally, I feel alot of families believe they can't afford to stay at Disney because if you go to their website & try to book a vacation the prices to me are outrageous! The first time I went to WDW with my family we stayed on site & we did a package thru a travel agent. That was before I had a computer & before I knew better! Whenever anyone mentions to me that they want to go to WDW & stay onsite but they can't afford it, I offer to help them. I especially advise them to look at this site! I think Disney needs to realize that today's consumer is much more savy (sp?) & if they truly offered discounts (no AP's, Disney club, etc!) they would get many more people to fill their hotels & parks! They should especially focus on larger families...I don't think they offer enough to families of 5 or larger, who find staying or going to Disney just out of there reach. I could go one, but I've rambled way to much as it is! JMHO Kathy

 

[Madi100]

When I go to McDonald's, I know I want a sandwich, drink and fries. So, I just order a value meal. Now, if I was to order seperately, I would probably only get a small fries and drink. However, it's a SAVINGS, so I get the meal. I spend a little more money than I would have otherwise, and I'm not spending as much money as I would if I bought them all seperately in the same size. Why doesn't Disney do this? Why don't they give me a deal on my hotel, even charge reg. rate for tickets, and throw in some food vouchers or something that would ensure that I am spending money on meals. I'd do it. I'd book that package in a second. They could make the vouchers for one sit down meal a day. They'd probably get people spending more money, but they'd still feel like they were getting a deal, and they would be.

Their whole idea of saving money by booking a package is a load of bull. I would be saving -$300 by booking their package.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'd rather have an UPHP than a PHP.

The package may cost more, but with the UPHP I don't have
to worry about getting my $$ worth when I enter a park. If son and I spend the day at BB, then he wants to ride BTTMR at the end of the day, I won't have to worry about "wasting" a day on our hopper passes. I won't have to spend extra money to enter Disney Quest.

DS and I took our first trip to Disney during the same week that one of my friends and her family took their first trip. My friend book a package with her TA. I took advantage of a great code rate for the All Stars and got 5 day PHP with 4 plus options. My trip cost less than my friend's but she had more freedom to come and go as she pleased.

Several times during our trip DS and I went to DTD in the evening. DS wanted to go to Disney Quest but I didn't want to spend the extra money for just and hour or two. My son wanted to go to a water park each day and I wanted to go to PI several times. By the end of our trip I was sick of trying to make sure we spent enough time in a park to make it worth using a day from
our tickets. On our last morning we went to Epcot to ride Test Track one last time. We were there for less than an hour, and I'm sure many would say we wasted a park day, but it was worth it.

For me convenience is more important than saving money.

 

[sue1013]

I agree that convenience is worth it. It may be more money but it gives you more options. From reading these boards I know I am the monority but I want freedom to do what I want each day. The thought of having everyday and dinner planned takes away from the fun for me. The rest of the year my life is so scheduled vacation is a much needed change.

 

[mbaker1277]

As a travel agent I advise all of my clients to book their room and passes separately. This is definately to their benefit, since they save more money, and not to mine because i lose more money. But I would want someone to be honest with me if there were a way to save up to $500. We also see that Disney resorts are some of the most expensive out there. An average family of 4 can go to Europe or Hawaii and stay in a 4 star resort for a week for the same price or less as Disney. The only exception was the Fairytale Package, which we sold a ton of. For most people the packages are a rip off.

 

[princess angel]

when the package is discounted such as the winter dreammaker currently out now, and the only room discounts are AAA or disney club, it is cheaper to book the discoutned package then to do room only anf hopper tiockets separately.

I know, I price it all day long!

Laura

 

[Madi100]

when the package is discounted such as the winter dreammaker currently out now, and the only room discounts are AAA or disney club, it is cheaper to book the discoutned package then to do room only anf hopper tiockets separately.

It is not cheaper for me to stay at ASMo with the current package. I priced it out. I save about $300 by booking seperately. If you can tell me a way to save, I'd love to hear it.

 

[SueEllen]

Packages are a fantastic deal for anyone who will do one of the following:
1) visit Pleasure Island
2) visit a water park
3) go to Disney Quest

As a previous poster said--I personally LOVE the flexibility offered by the UPH--if I want to go to a park for only a couple of hours after being at a water park for the day I don't feel like I have "wasted" a day. I can go to a theme park--leave and go to a water park for a few hours--then go back to a theme park for the evening. It makes good $$ sense if you use any of the 3 things listed above. If you are ONLY going to park hop the 4 theme parks then often times it is not worth paying for a package--UNLESS it is a discounted package--such as the Fairytale plan or the Winter Dream Maker. These plans are often less expensive than paying for a room only reservation and adding tickets separately.

It used to be that you paid much more for a package than booking componenets separately--but Disney has made it to where now it is the same price or less to get the UPH and room as a package instead of separate.

I used to be die hard book separate, however now I see that it's not always the best way to go--in fact I often will recommend packages for anyone who is planning on doing anything other than the 4 theme parks.

Sue Ellen

 

[Lesley]

The UPH's are available outside of the packages. You can essentially book everything separately and get the same things....its not an apples to oranges comparison like PHP's vs. UPH's.

The thing is, each visitor needs to evaluate their needs and determine what exactly they need and want. If the package is providing "benefits" that aren't going to be used.....the cost of those benefits that are built into the package will cause the visitor to pay more than they need to.

Certainly UPH's have their good points....but its a trade off. There are times when they may be the way to go...and there are times when a different type of ticket may be less expensive and more closely meet the needs of the guest.

What I'm having a hard time understanding is why Disney is choosing to create discounted packages when it seems that those who tend to book packages really aren't so concerned with overpaying for their vacation. Perhaps its just in an attempt to change the perception of a Disney package vacation to "you know, its really not that expensive if you compare it to other vacations" I don't know. But then again, lots of us have been saying this about WDW for years...I know for us, its been cheaper than going to the beach!

I know I've told people for years on end to never buy a package....when we first started going to Disney I know I did price comparisons and saved hundreds just by making a couple of simple phone calls myself. In the past its always been hundreds of dollars more for the package! Now I have to advise people who ask to really evaluate the packages....sometimes they're a good deal and other times they stink. Buyer beware! Of course this could be the perception they're looking to change as well....to make the "never buy a package, its always more expensive" statement untrue.

Sue Ellen, I do think you're right about those who are going to visit the minor attractions paying less with UPH's....if they are doing enough of those things to make up the difference in price. I know its hard to compare UPH's and AP's....but I know that the upgrade to a PAP (year long UPH basically...) has so far not been worth it for us. We would have to visit a water park or DQ more than 3 times a year to make up the difference...and we already seem to have enough on our plates at WDW. It costs us much less at this point to pay for one day tickets to these things if we do them. But when my kids are older, those PAP's will probably be worth it. (UPH's just don't do anything for us since we definitely spend more than 8-10 days a year at WDW...we'd be insane to buy them!) I did recommend the UPH's to my parents when they stayed with us at BWV...with the DVC discount they were only a few bucks more than PH's and gave them the freedom to do whatever they wanted our whole trip. Certainly worked well for them.

I guess my point is...as much as things change...the basic rules are the same for those of us trying to make the most of our vacation budgets. Look at all your options, know what you want to do, and then match up what works best for the least cash!