Is this a good deal?

[ccathcart]

This is my first trip to Disney. I am taking my wife, 4 year old daughter and 1 year old daughter. I dont want to get ripped off here. My trip is for September 4th to Spetember 8th and we are staying at the WDW All Start Movie Resort.

It includes the preferred room, Plus Dining package (which they will discount in Disney gives this away for free again), 4 day park hopper and transportation to and from the airport.

Total is 1461.23.

Is that good??

Please help.

 

[karajeboo]

I think that sounds great! I think we paid $1600 two years ago for Pop Century, 6 nights, 2 adults, 1 child, and NO dining plan. Also, ditch the preferred room and just request it at check in. I've never had a problem with that, we always get upgraded for free -it's all in the attitude!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I priced it out on the Disney website and came up with $1557.13 for four nights preferred room, three four day park hoppers, and the dining plan. Transportation to and from the airport is free using Disney's Magical Express for anyone staying on-site (I don't believe it is included for the Swan, Dolphin, or Shades of Green, but all other resorts). You don't have to get a package or go through a travel agent for that.

A couple of things to consider:

if you have AAA, you can get 20% off the room portion at Value resorts during value season, but you have to book the package through AAA (you may have already done this, which might account for your lower price). You can get a AAA discount on room-only by booking through Disney or AAA, but the package has to be done through AAA.

If you have a discount on your room, you will probably lose that discount if you get free dining. Typically, no other discounts can be used with free dining. You will still come out ahead with free dining, but the difference might be less than you expect.

Even if free dining is offered, it has to be available at your resort for your dates. The number of packages is limited, so you might have to be flexible with dates or resorts.

Some people on the DIS have posted that free dining might only be available at moderate and deluxe resorts. Typically it has included all resorts, so I don't know what they will do this year.

Your 1-year old is free on the dining plan at all buffets and family-style restaurants and can eat off your plate other places. You do not get credits for her, but you probably knew that already.

Hope this helps some!

 

[danx2plus3more]

ok i was waiting to book my trip..waiting for free dining that is...if i go ahead and book now they will upgrade me when it comes out..i dont want to book now and then be charged for changes to my trip..im wanting to stay at p o riverside

 

[Rylee]

This is my first trip to Disney. I am taking my wife, 4 year old daughter and 1 year old daughter. I dont want to get ripped off here. My trip is for September 4th to Spetember 8th and we are staying at the WDW All Start Movie Resort.

It includes the preferred room, Plus Dining package (which they will discount in Disney gives this away for free again), 4 day park hopper and transportation to and from the airport.

Total is 1461.23.

Is that good??

Please help.

It sounds like a good deal.

Remember, if Free Dining is offered, they won't automatically upgrade you to the Free Dining Package, you will NEED TO CALL and request/have it applied.

We've never been during Free Dining, but from what I understand, it is like any other discount... a set amount of packages are available, and when they are gone, they're gone. Having exsiting reservations will not guarantee it. It will, however, guarantee you have a room at your choice resort.

If you book through an agent, you will need to stay on top of the discounts (as many agents are not on top of it) and make sure your agent acts quickly to have any better discounts applied.

 

[ccathcart]

You guys are awesome! Thank you for all the info. The agency was AAA that quoted me that price. So it seems like the concensus is that is is a pretty good deal and that for the free dining portion I will need to saty on top of it and work it out with AAA. Thank you all for the info and if there are any more folks who want to provide an opinion I very much appreciate it.

Thanks!