July 10---are the packages really that great of a deal?

[klfrech]

Considering a 5 day trip during spring break. We would be two adults, probably staying at POP with park hopper tickets.

We've been to Disney many times before and I've always found it less expensive to buy everything individually.

 

[Marthasor]

It really just depends on what discounts come out for your travel period. For your circumstance, if Disney comes out with a room-only discount with a discount if you add-on park passes of 4-days or more, it may be worth doing a package. Sometimes they also offer room-only and free dining discounts simultaneously (though unlikely during spring break). In that case, you need to price out both options to see what might be the best savings for you. (We personally don't like the dining plan, so we always take the room-only discount) If they only put a room-only discount (or no discount) out, your best bet is to do room-only and then buy tickets through a discount outlet like Undercover Tourist.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I agree with the previous poster, it depends on many things. We prefer the room-only discounts, then we buy Stars & Stripes passes at Shades of Green, which works out to be much better than a package. But that's because we go in late July/early August, so other times might work out differently.

 

[mmmears]

I prefer the room-only discounts since the packages have a worse cancellation date (1.5 months I believe instead of a day or two) and you have to pay in advance. I like the flexibility of being able to move the dates or switch resorts whenever I want to. Also, I don't want to buy insurance for a WDW trip, but I always worry about having to cancel for one reason or another... But I know people who prefer the packages... I guess it just depends on the family.

 

[DebbieB]

If you are talking about full rate (no discounts), a package is pretty much the sum of all the features (room, tickets). There's no discount built in to buy a package vs buying separate.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Rumor is July 10th for discounts --- I tried and look tonight but it keeps kicking me out of the site if I put in for April 2014.

I just want room only

 

[smitch425]

Rumor is July 10th for discounts --- I tried and look tonight but it keeps kicking me out of the site if I put in for April 2014.

I just want room only

July 10 is when 2014 packages will be bookable. There is no discount coming out, just the 2014 rack rates.

 

[ge0rgette2]

Oh!!!

Don't want rack rates! LOL

Maybe packages then is the way to go - but over April break

 

[Jestocost]

Oh!!!

Don't want rack rates! LOL

Maybe packages then is the way to go - but over April break

Until and unless some kind of package discount offer is made available for your dates, a "package" will include a room at rack rate and the ticket of your choice at full price, plus a few extras that may or may not have value for you. The only "benefit" to purchasing a package would be if you want to add a dining plan to your reservation as you must purchase a package in that case (unless you are an AP holder or DVC member).

Some kind of package discount (free dining, play and stay, etc.) may or may not become available at a later date. If it does you should compare your savings for that compared with any room-only discounts that may be available.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

July 10 is when 2014 packages will be bookable. There is no discount coming out, just the 2014 rack rates.

We obviously don't know this for sure.

 

[smitch425]

We obviously don't know this for sure.

Sorry, should have specified that no discounts for April 2014 (the timeframe for the poster I quoted) will be coming out on July 10th. However, it is highly unlikely that any other discounts will be offered that day, either. Nothing has been leaked, and discounts are not typically released on Wednesdays. While anything is certainly possible, the odds are next to nothing.

 

[Sue M]

If you don't want the dining plan it is cheaper to do room only res, and buy your tickets from Undercover Tourist. You can book your room only, and if you have AAA, when you phone Disney reservations ask for the AAA discount. It can be up to 20%. Hold off on ordering park tickets until wdw announces their discounts for your time frame. Then if you're sure you don't want a package, go ahead and order your tickets from UT.