Opinions on WDW vacation packages?

[JustinsMama]

Greetings all! It's been a long time since I've been on these boards after moving to 5 minutes outside of WDW for a couple of years and then moving back (and being back in my hometown now for a couple of years)...the time has come to plan another WDW vacation. We've always just planned our vacations ourselves (okay myself)...made the reservations, eventually bought the tickets, saved for food, etc. (and normally only a few months before we went). I'd like to look into actually booking a package about a year in advance this time - where we can make payments on it throughout the year and not feel so strained when it comes to our budget when we finally get to go. Can anyone recommend the best route to do this? How about which type of package (dining plans, etc.)? We are a family of three and love staying on site. We're by no means rich so while the deluxe hotels would be wonderful - there is probably a better use of our funds since we can go visit the deluxes while we're there (Polynesian being our favorite). I can't see us eating three sit down meals per day but if we had at least one sit down meal - we'd probably like it to be a dinner as we're not big breakfast people.

So with the above in mind - can anyone give their expert opinions? Go through WDW directly or Dreams Unlimited (pros and cons to each). Thanks very much in advance for any help and glad to be back!

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

Both times to WDW I have done all the reservations myself. I'm a planner. We did the regular meal plan before (1 TS, 1 QS, 1 snack). It was perfect for us and we will be doing the same next trip. We are doing three character meals.

Also booking in advance and making payments has worked great for us. And if you book before any discounts are released you can call Disney and have them apply it to your reservation. We did ours and got free dining this trip, which saved a lot.

As far as hotels go, I have only stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge (deluxe). This time we are trying Pop Century and very excited! A value resort (like All Star Movies) would probably have more appeal if you have a young child.

Hope this helps! Happy planning!

 

[babydoll65]

Iv always booked my own pkgs online and if I had any problems I would just call Disney for any help. The 2015 pkgs haven't come out yet but should be out in a couple of months. We're looking at Sept since that has been the one month that consistently has free dining. We're traveling with my husband's sister,husband and 11year old son and it will be there first disney trip so hopeing to save them some money. When are you thinking of traveling? Sept is quiet with low crowds but still very hot. We went last November ( second week ) and the weather was great.

 

[JustinsMama]

Thank you both. It will most likely be in the Summer (son is 12) - we don't want to go Spring break or any other massively crowded holiday and we don't mind trading the heat for the crowds - though we know it's pretty much always crowded anymore it seems. We've pretty much stayed at all of the onsite properties (except the Grand Floridian, Port Orleans French Quarter and Art of Animation - the family suites do interest me though for the extra space.) My biggest fear (if you want to call it that) is booking a package in advance and making payments on it and something happen with one of our jobs (i.e. scheduling) and have to reschedule the trip to another month or something. Not sure if Disney would work with you to reschedule it if there's resort availability (or a different resort if no availability at original location) and applying the payments already made to a different reservation. I think one of the dining options sounds good - the one table service, quick service and snack sounds perfect for us.

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

Thank you both. It will most likely be in the Summer (son is 12) - we don't want to go Spring break or any other massively crowded holiday and we don't mind trading the heat for the crowds - though we know it's pretty much always crowded anymore it seems. We've pretty much stayed at all of the onsite properties (except the Grand Floridian, Port Orleans French Quarter and Art of Animation - the family suites do interest me though for the extra space.) My biggest fear (if you want to call it that) is booking a package in advance and making payments on it and something happen with one of our jobs (i.e. scheduling) and have to reschedule the trip to another month or something. Not sure if Disney would work with you to reschedule it if there's resort availability (or a different resort if no availability at original location) and applying the payments already made to a different reservation. I think one of the dining options sounds good - the one table service, quick service and snack sounds perfect for us.

I believe you can cancel or modify your reservations up to 45 days before without penalty.

 

[JustinsMama]

Good to know!

 

[babydoll65]

As long as you reschedule your trip before the 45day Mark, there's no problem moving it up to a different date. We have stayed at POR,pofq,all the all-stars and POP. My son's favorite value resort is POP plus there transportation is great. I personally love POR though it is a very large resort.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I always book my own packages. I'm an A-type, planner and I like being in control of my own trip...lol. Ive also found that many agencies know FAR less about WDW than I do and I don't trust them to do it the way that I want.

Now, if you can find a knowledgeable and trustworthy agent, or don't want/like to plan on your own... then by all means seek help

 

[DisneyWisher]

We've been able to modify even if within the 45 day window. As long as you don't cancel outright Disney will work with you. We've modified to a later date to then cancel because we were now outside the window where you wouldn't be charged. Believe me we didn't want to cancel but something came up that made trip at the time not possible.

 

[JustinsMama]

I definitely do love to plan myself...I guess I was mainly wanting to be able to just make payments on it throughout the year. I guess I could just be a responsible adult and put a certain amount in savings each month and then make the plans closer to next summer...stinks to have to be a grown up sometimes.

 

[disney meema]

I've always booked through the wdw site and loving the my disney experience app. It's great to look on the site and see our dining plans as well as I put in reminders of parks extra magic hours and shows ect. Once the 2015 packages come online later this summer you can start looking at the dw website and see what package works best within your budget. Pop and AofA are great resorts and I recommend both.
I'm not a fan of going through outside travel companies but I guess this is because the wdw travel has always worked well for us with no problem making changes of dates and to add free dining on our upcoming November trip was a plus : ) you can make payments throughout the year which is nice as well
Have fun planning!!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

We get to go to WDW about every 5 years - time, cost, wanting to see other places like Washington DC, Niagara Falls, etc. prevent us from returning every year (even though I would LOVE to!)

That being said I too like the pay down method. I book the trip as I want it as early as I can, so I know how much my ideal trip would cost if I paid OOP for everything - length of time, hotel I want (Value, Mod, Dlx), and options I want - tickets, dining plan, hoppers, etc. $200 deposit at time of reservation and you can make changes up to 45 days out (pay off date) without any penalties. When you book your trip that is the only time you can add trip insurance to the package IF that is something you want to include.

I watch these boards to keep my eye open for upcoming deals... free dining. As soon as that deal is dropped that applies to my vacation period I call WDW and have our vacation adjusted to fit into the discount - this time I had to switch resorts from Port Orleans to Coronado due to the fact that Port Orleans wasn't included in the free dining promotion. By doing it this way I see how much of a savings I'm really getting.

The other thing I do is from the moment I book that trip, I start putting aside essentials for the trip and saving $$$ for spending cash. It's another way to spread the cost over several months vs. last minute expenditures.
Examples:
When I go to Walmart, Target, etc. I will pick up a bottle of shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc. and put those items into a box off to the side. By doing this I have all my travel stuff already purchased and put away. If I have 1/2 filled bottles at home, sometimes I put my new ones in the closet & pack the 1/2 filled ones and just toss the empty bottles at the resort so I have less to bring home.
I keep a 2nd set of toothbrushes & hairbrushes/combs that always still in the travel luggage. When we get home I boil the toothbrushes and repack so they are always the spare set.
Saving cash - every time I use a coupon I take the "savings" and put them in a jar. If I save $1 I throw $1 into a coffee can and use that $$$ saved towards souveniers, extra snacks, etc. You'd be surprised at how quickly that cash adds up and then your not hitting the ATM before heading to WDW for money to spend.
We have bottle returns here in MA.... you pay $0.05 for every soda can/bottle you purchase. If you return it for recycling you get that $ back. We throw the return money into our jar as well.
Everyone is always looking to get rid of stuff around the house - use online sites - yard sales, e-bay, craigs list that stuff and put that cash into your vacation fund.

 

[georgina]

I don't do packages, but I always try to buy Disney GC at my local grocery store when they have extra Fuel Perks rewards and use them to pay off my room reservation ahead of time. (I get gas discounts plus 3% back at grocery stores on my credit card.) It is a way to space out the expenditures even if I don't actually pay until just before I go. The money is tied up in the GC so saved in a way.

 

[JustinsMama]

All great tips - thanks so much! I think the magic your way app will be the way to go once I get to that point.

 

[luvthemouse71]

In April, I did a room only thing. It was ok. I think I like paying the whole thing off over several month, TBH.

We have November at AKL with free dining. Very excited..

 

[Missymouse18]

I definitely do love to plan myself...I guess I was mainly wanting to be able to just make payments on it throughout the year. I guess I could just be a responsible adult and put a certain amount in savings each month and then make the plans closer to next summer...stinks to have to be a grown up sometimes.

When you book a Package with WDW (by going to their website or calling), you are able to make a minimum down payment of $250 and can start making payments daily, weekly, monthly, or however you like, as long as you always pay a minimum of $25. I always plan our trips using the Disney website. Anytime I get stuck, I simply call them and can usually get help right away. I just returned from WDW two weeks ago and will be returning again in late September with the free dining. While I was booking the Sept trip, I asked the CM if I could book next summer's vacation. She said the packages should be out late July. So with that in mind, you could start researching now, and kind of have a game plan ready for next month when you can actually book your package! So as far as your package, that would need to fit your own preferences. We always stay Value, usually Pop Century (just the DH and I so we don't need much room). We do QSDP and usually do one sit down during the entire trip - out of pocket, of course. I am a commando park goer so I get a little too antsy when we have to sit and wait for meals.
I hope this has been a little bit of help. Hope you have loads of fun planning- I know I always do