Is it better to book a package or to reserve direct w/hotel?

[camidges]

I am driving down so I don't need airfare.

Does it work out better overall to go with a pkg from Costco or similar,
-or-
Is it better to book hotel direct and order tickets online?

Also, should I wait until next year before worrying about tickets, because they might have some kind of a deal going on then?

Are 2011 tickets even available yet?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for letting me ask so many!

I am really excited to be planning our trip!

 

[skiingfast]

The Costco packages are ok but only if you want the extras they offer that is the discount not the tickets or room so much.

Yes hotel direct and ticket online. They are always cheaper if you preorder the tickets verses buying at the gate when you are there. You should wait for tickets until you can see if they have a deal for when you are going.

 

[Tiggerholic]

I just booked our Halloween trip through Costco and I think its a toss up whether you book separately or go the route of a package. It depends on when you're going. I know that the past 4 yrs Disneyland offers a couple on incentives during "non holiday" times: Everyone pays kids price and Buy a 5 day Park Hopper for the cost of a 3 day.

Our Costco package is a 5 day Park Hopper (x2), we get Character dining (x2 each worth $38), preferred seating at a DCA attraction, $20 Disney Gift Card and then of course the hotel. I looked at every website imaginable trying to get the lowest price and for us it was through Costco.

Hope this helps ... do some real checking because once you book through Costco, if you want to cancel, you'll pay !!

 

[aristocat65]

I am driving down so I don't need airfare.

Does it work out better overall to go with a pkg from Costco or similar,
-or-
Is it better to book hotel direct and order tickets online?

Also, should I wait until next year before worrying about tickets, because they might have some kind of a deal going on then?

Are 2011 tickets even available yet?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for letting me ask so many!

I am really excited to be planning our trip!

If I were you I would start looking at hotels online yourself now - I usually like to check all the options on travelocity first, but then go to the hotel's own website to book. The reason is that the cancellation policy is much better through the hotel itself. You can usually cancel up to the day before as long as it is not an advance non-refundable rate. That way if something better comes up, or the price goes down, you can easily cancel. Also, if you have AAA most hotels offer reduced rates (10% usually)

As Skiingfast said the Costco packages are great if you are interested in the extras they offer. Being a package though, they have usually have restrictions on cancellation (sorry, not sure of the details).

As far as tickets, they usually DO have some sort of spring deal going, whether it is adults for the kids price or 5 days for 3. Definitely wait on that. (Besides, why give them your money sooner than you have to) You can get the tickets online almost right up until your trip, so no rush there.

HTH

 

[planegirl99]

We are using www.getawaytoday.com as we are driving in fro AZ and got a good deal for 4 nights (4th night was free) at the Tropicana (right across the street from the main DL entrance) and tickets for 3 of us (2 adult, 1 kid - our other DD is 2, so free) for $850.

I priced tickets separately, hotels through their websites, etc and this was the best deal. I mean the tickets alone were like $500 at the gate, so to get the hotel for less than $100/night was a great deal, to me.

I haven't checked Costco, but you should put your travel dates into getawaytoday and see what it says for your trip! Can't hurt!

 

[DahliaRW]

Since you're not going until 2011 I would not book a package until the specials come out.

I would choose what hotel (or hotel(s)) you might want to stay at and put in a room only reservation as long as you can cancel without penalty. That way you at least have a room and if you don't do a package you can purchase your tickets online before your trip (cheaper than at the gates) and be set to go. If a good package deal comes out you book that and cancel the other hotel reservations.

 

[camidges]

I decided to put in a reservation with the homewood suites since I can cancel without penalty. I am getting a 1 bd suite (separate living room) for $129/nt! Seems like a pretty good price to me...

Meanwhile, I will keep my eyes open for package deals and for better prices. I guess the good thing is that if I book with the hotel I can get rewards points.

Again, thanks for the feedback - I am just too excited to be planning and I need to not get ahead of myself!