Is the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” package ever worth it?

[SweetieinVT]

What am I missing? If I look at the package pricing for the dates and resort we are looking at, it seems more expensive or the same to do the package than to go it a la carte. Am I missing something?

$3714 (with tax)
1 adult, 2 kids (10+)
HRH Garden View 2 queen room
3-park, 3-day park to park tickets
Three Broomsticks breakfast
Keepsake box
Leaky Cauldron breakfast
Shutterborne Studio package

 

[Travelgrrl]

The conventional wisdom on the Universal boards is that packages are rarely worth it. I would price out the room and park ticket cost (checking to see if an annual pass for even one in your party will get you a reduced rate on the room itself) and then just book that. You can always decide on the breakfasts later, and I doubt the keepsake box and photo package will be worth the overall more expensive cost of the package!

 

[SweetieinVT]

The conventional wisdom on the Universal boards is that packages are rarely worth it. I would price out the room and park ticket cost (checking to see if an annual pass for even one in your party will get you a reduced rate on the room itself) and then just book that. You can always decide on the breakfasts later, and I doubt the keepsake box and photo package will be worth the overall more expensive cost of the package!

Yeah, I had booked the hotel under that assumption, and am planning to buy UT tickets which will save a little, but saw an advert suggesting that there was some sort of discount for the package, and I just don’t see it.

 

[Travelgrrl]

Some people feel more comfortable not messing with individual reservations and would prefer a package. Usually they are sold with the idea that they're a great deal, but often it's cheaper and more flexible to buy the items a la carte.

 

[Husker Mike]

3 day, 3 park tickets are $340 = $1020
4 nights HRH at $600/night = $2400 (probably far less)
That leaves about $1200 for two breakfasts and a photo package.

Unless the actual Potter movie stars are going to be at the breakfasts, that doesn't seem like any sort of deal.

 

[Jbausch]

I think it depends. We got the package and are going Thanksgiving week. We are staying at RP for 5 nights with 4 days in the parks. ( we have park to park tickets) We have the two breakfasts and the 3 shutterbug - which is what ?? $85 a session? ( you get the 12 scenes and a picture - not sure if that is the same package as everyone else or not ) We also got 3 HP lanyards - which if we bought them are $15 each - so $45 there. The luggage tags are nice and adorable - not sure if they sell them or not.
we got the entire package for $2400 for 3 people. One adult and two 13 year olds. Now I am use to Disney prices so I think that’s a steal. I guess it depends on how you view it and my daughter is a huge fan so we would have been making reservations for all of that.
We got a box today from Universal with our HP stuff and a cool things to do book -my kids are really excited and it got us in the mood for our trip - similar to getting your magic bands from Disney. It was very nicely presented. For us it was worth it.

 

[cfoxga]

While $2400 is pretty good, here is how it looks with Annual Passes and an APH rate:

3x Seasonal Passes @ $350 = $1050
5 nights APH Rate at RPR @ $220 (approx) = $1100
Total = $2150

Not sure I'd see $250 in value in the other items. The big advantage of the APs is being able to go in the parks all 6 days, plus you can come back for additional trip(s) and just pay for the room. The APH rates for deluxe resorts are quite reasonable, even during crowded times. We got 3 trips on our last APs, and will likely do the same on this set (Thanksgiving, Presidents Day, Halloween)...