Is a package deal worth it?

[Alison]

Is it worth the money to book a Deluxe Magic Package? I thought maybe since all meals are included it would be, but now that I think about it, I don't think we will be able to eat enough to justify the money. (it is just me and my SO going)

What do you think?

"We need more fruitcakes in this world!"
-Jimmy Buffett

 

[ZerasPride]

I agree with your thinking that Disneyworld packages especially ones that includes three meals a day are not necessarily a value. My family would (1) never get our monies worth and (2) would have to take too much time away from playing in the parks to eat those big meals. We usually travel in the summer and it's just too darn hot to eat three big meals. We usually have a late breakfast about 10:30-11:00 at a buffet, then a snack in afternoon and dinner.

We also use our DC card for park hopper pass discounts so we don't need the UMPs that come with a package. I also find that between AP, DC and now SwanDolphin discount rates, we do way better booking our room separately anyway. I feel packages are good for people that don't want to do a lot of planning on their vacation and like the security of knowing everything is all laid out for them (of course they pay a premium for that privilege). I like doing the research, planning and searching for discounts myself, its just part of the fun of a Disney trip for me.

Anyway, that's just one woman's opinion on Disney packages. Have a great trip whichever route you decide to go!

Lisa

CBR - 10/98
BC - 10/98
BC - 6/00
GF - 9/00
Dolphin - 6/01

 

[Maria64]

I like the Resort Magic package better, I found it to be worth it, I've added everything up separately and the cost for the package was a bit cheaper! (We booked through Delta Vacations) There are no meals included, we ate breakfast in our room, and most lunches and some dinners at the food court, and only spent between 80-100 dollars a day (family of 4).

 

[FergieTCat]

I have a friend who bought some sort of package through the Walt Disney Travel Company. She told me she spent about $2,000 (she won't tell me exactly) for two adults for 4 nights in August at the Polynesian. Included are 2 length of stay passes, $50 Disney Dollars and a rental car. I still think she could have done better if she booked it separately, but she refuses to listen to me.

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Donna

 

[Alison]

Thanks All...
I've decided to go the seprate route, there is just no way we will eat that much, and I highly doubt we'll take full advantage of the other options anyway.
This way we'll have full control over what we spend and do.

"We need more fruitcakes in this world!"
-Jimmy Buffett

 

[pstepka]

Also (IMHO), to make a package worth it you need to visit the parks the day you check in and the day you check out, otherwise you're paying for a day you won't be using. We did not go to the parks the day we arrived so it would have been a waste for us to have the lengh of stay passes (or whatever they're called), and we only went to Downtown Disney our last day so, again, we would have paid for a day we did not use.

We ended up staying off-site, anyway, but our original plans were for on-site and after pricing it out, it was much more cost efficient to get the room separate from the tickets.

Plus, as noted, you need to eat an awful lot to make it worth paying for the meals in the package

 

[FoodLover]

I keep WANTING to find a package that is a really good deal, because it would simplify my travel plans so much! But for the last 3 years I've carefully calculated packages vs. buying separately, and the package has NEVER been a better deal. :-(

Even if you use every single thing you get with a package (and most people don't have the time/energy/appetite to use it all), the best you can do is break even with paying full price for everything separately. Since there are lots of discounts available on the separate parts, you can definitely save $ by putting together your own package. Basically, you are paying for convenience when you buy a package

 

[Thmacs]

We booked resort magic last year including airfare through WDTC. THe airfare is whre we saved money. We were living in CHicago then and when I broke down the prices the air came to $163RT. This was non-stop on american. I couldn't do better on the air even on Southwest. This was the only thing that made a package a beter deal for me. Now that we live in Florida I have been booking everything myself. CBR next week for 99$/noc. We can't wait!!!