Package or Resort/Tickets Separate?

sonofanarchy

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 27, 2013
Messages
1,821
Booking my 1st Disneyland trip this Wednesday. In general, is it less expensive to book a package that includes park tickets or to book everything separate. We'll be staying on-site if that matters.
 
Booking my 1st Disneyland trip this Wednesday. In general, is it less expensive to book a package that includes park tickets or to book everything separate. We'll be staying on-site if that matters.

I get better deals booking separately. Costco does offer a package with some added benefits. Although it is the same price as DLR it has a gift card and character meal vouchers that can be used at most any DL restaurant instead.
 
On-site or Off-site, I find it's less expensive to skip the package.

Booking a package may be easier and convenient but there is a cost associated with this convenience.

Take the time to review a cost comparison between a package and self booking of all the package items.
When I did this I found the package cost several hundred dollars more.

I haven't booked a package since.

When do you plan to travel?

Geemo
 
:p
On-site or Off-site, I find it's less expensive to skip the package.

Booking a package may be easier and convenient but there is a cost associated with this convenience.

Take the time to review a cost comparison between a package and self booking of all the package items.
When I did this I found the package cost several hundred dollars more.

I haven't booked a package since.

When do you plan to travel?

Geemo

April 2015.
 

:p

April 2015.

I don't think you can book a package for 2015 now. I'm not sure when the 2015 calendar opens for reservations.

Whether you book a package or individual items yourself, check often to see if the cost has gone down.
If there is a price decreases, you can request an adjustment.

Good luck

Geemo
 
Whichever is cheaper :) It just depends. But do bear in mind that you'll have to pre-pay your package. Booking separately, you'll have more flexibility in terms of changing dates or canceling.
 
2015 bookings can be made starting July 30. Packages only need a $200 deposit and the balance is due 30 or 45 days prior to check-in, so that's no issue.
 
Packages can be nice for several reasons. One, you put a down payment on it months ahead of your trip and pay it off as you go, so it's all paid for (including meals if you like) when you're ready to leave. You may get some extra perks like a gift card or vip seating. If you like mementos, you usually get some with a package (luggage tags, hard tickets, lanyards and pins). It all comes to your house in a neat little folder. Sometimes (rarely), the cost is less or comparable to booking on your own, especially if your party is larger.

I've found that it can pay off to book a Costco package if I'm traveling with my whole family (5) because of the free meal vouchers included. We're all considered adults according to Disney so 5 adult meal vouchers is worth over $200, which can be used almost anywhere (not just on character meals). I think they're currently offering $40 and up gift cards, depending on the number of nights you'll be there. You can also subtract the cost of tickets from your package for those who may have APs. That's a handy thing to know; you do have to call to do that. I always have an AP so I can take off the ticket charge for me.

Most of the time, though, it doesn't pay for me to book a package. I always check because sometimes I save money, but generally it's cheaper for me to book separately, especially when good discounts are offered. You can still pay off much of the trip before you go if you want, but you don't HAVE to, which is nice.
 
Every time we go to DLR, it seems we purchase hoppers and hotels a different way than the time before. What was cheaper last time is rarely cheaper this time. It's good advice to shop around and compare. We've never found a package of hotel, hoppers and airfare that was a good deal.

Keep in mind, sometimes you get perks for booking part of a package. Not through Disney, but in 2011 we bought 12 park hoppers through either getawaytoday or Ares Travel. Disney had recently raised the prices for park hoppers, but the company we used honored the price from before the rate hike. In addition, we got a small discount on the cheaper park hoppers and they gave us 12 pins too. We saved about $300 and got $96 in pins. We booked our hotel separately because it was cheaper than including it with the hoppers.
 
i've been skipping the packages. last time i checked, the package park tickets were more expensive because they bundled a souvenir (which we didn't care for). the same park ticket a la carte was less expensive.
 
Packages can be nice for several reasons. One, you put a down payment on it months ahead of your trip and pay it off as you go, so it's all paid for (including meals if you like) when you're ready to leave...(snip)

True. However you can achieve the same aim of setting aside money in advance by booking separately and purchasing Disney Gift Cards as you go in the months/weeks before the trip to use at check in to pay your hotel bill and cover expenses.
 
True. However you can achieve the same aim of setting aside money in advance by booking separately and purchasing Disney Gift Cards as you go in the months/weeks before the trip to use at check in to pay your hotel bill and cover expenses.
Good point about the gift cards. I am not a fan of doing this but many others are, and you can save money with this method if you buy them at a discount.

And to quote myself:
Most of the time, though, it doesn't pay for me to book a package. I always check because sometimes I save money, but generally it's cheaper for me to book separately, especially when good discounts are offered. You can still pay off much of the trip before you go if you want, but you don't HAVE to, which is nice.
 



New Posts



Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE









DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom