Package price questions

[stefplus3]

So we're finally planning a return trip to DW!!! Last time (our first trip) we stayed off site but this time we'd like to stay on site and get the dining plan. I'm graduating from nursing school and we all deserve a nice relaxing vacation without me cooking!

Here's the situation:
2 adults (me, dh)
2 juniors(the boys will be 15 and 11)
1 child (dd, she'll be 5)

dates: December 3-12 2010

I priced a package at ASmu family suites and was quoted $4906.85 (regular tickets and dining). Is that a good price? Will Disney release better rates closer to the dates? I always read about people getting awsome deals so I want to be prepared to do the work to find one if I can

I'm nervous about renting from DVC members so I think the family suite is the best value for us. Ideas???

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

That's probably the best package price that you're going to see. The room-only discount for the general public has been blacked out for that period - I'm not sure why. You will have to jump on this rate quickly because there are only 5 days left to book it (okay 4 after today).

You will also want to book your ADRs ASAP! The window opened up for ADRs at the beginning of the month and you will need to check back repeatedly for cancellations if you cannot get your first choices right away.

 

[stefplus3]

I can make adr's for 2010 already? It's not this December, it's next year.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Sorry, I misread your first post. I thought that you were booking for this year.

If that's the case, you will have plenty of time to book your ADRs. Just mark your calendar for 180 days prior to your arrival date.

However, the rate on your package will probably be less when codes for Dec 2010 come out next summer.

BTW - Children 10 & older are considered "juniors". The 5yo is considered a "child" for booking purposes. An "adult" is 18yo and up. If you have 4 "adults" in a room, you will pay an "extra adult" fee per night for any number more than 2 adults.

 

[stefplus3]

Thanks! I just about had a heart attack when I read your first reply, lol.

I'll correct my original post. We'll have 2 adults and 2 juniors and 1 child So confusing!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

What the heck, let's make it a little more confusing

For room purposes, you have two adults and three children.
For park tickets (and a Dining Plan, if you choose to include one in your package) you have four adults and one child.
There's no 'extra adult' charge with the Family Suites, or the Fort Wilderness Cabins - not that it matters, since your room only has two adults . Confused yet?

Family Suite for nine nights, with tax = $1,879.56

Four adult base passes, ten days, with tax = $1,035.18
One child base pass, ten days, with tax = $223.65

Four ten-day adult passes with hopper OR water park option = $1,256.70
One child as above = $279.03

Four ten-day adult passes with hopper AND water park options = $1,478.22
One child as above = $334.41

Quick-serve dining plan, four adults and one child, nine nights = $1,241.19
Basic dining plan, four adults and one child, nine nights = $1,619.55
Deluxe dining plan, four adults and one child, nine nights = $2,780.55

Family Suite with:
base passes no dining plan $3,138.39
hopper or water park option no dining plan $3,415.29
hopper and water park option no dining plan $3,692.19
base passes and quick-service dining plan $4,379.58
hopper or water park option and quick-service dining plan $4,660.44
hopper and water park option and quick-service dining plan $4,933.38
base passes and basic dining plan $4,757.94
hopper or water park option and basic dining plan $5,034.84
hopper and water park option and basic dining plan $5,311.74
base passes deluxe dining plan $5,918.94
hopper or water park option no dining plan $6,195.84
hopper and water park option no dining plan $6,472.74

See if your quote includes insurance and if it does, do you want it? Also, while there is never a guarantee of repeat promotions - this year, free dining was extended into much of December (although the Value resort Guests can only get the quick-serve plan free).

 

[SandrA9810]

Don't the suites cost more than a moderate?? And if they extend the free dining like this time, it'll be well worth it to be in a moderate for the regular free dining. With two teen boys, the quick service plan just won't cut it. And you could book up lots of buffets for lunch and dinner.

Park hoppers are a lot of fun, especially during the holidays, but each park has so much to offer, that it'll probably take a whole day to see everything. Many people have stopped paying for that upgrade and haven't missed it a bit.

Another thing you'll want to think about, is if you would like to attend the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Tickets run about 50$ per adult.


You could always compare prices on the DVC trade board, see if the deals are much better than what you're getting in a regular resort. But you'd have to pay the additional $40+ per adult for the dining plan, and $20 something for the child. Since it's December, try to make up your mind by feb, and find some one with the home resort you want to stay at, since they can book 11months in advance. It's a popular board, and many people seem to be happy with it.

Good Luck with your choices. Just remember if you book now, you can add a discount to your reservation when one comes out. But if you're already a AAA member, they've always got discounts.

 

[stefplus3]

Thanks for adding up all my options! We definetly want the basic dining plan so sit down meals will be included. CS will be fine for most lunches but I wouldn't want to have all CS. A girl can only eat so many burgers, lol!! If they did by some miracle have free dining I can pay the different between the 2 plans if we're in a value right?

What would my options be for moderates with 5 people? I'm not worried about loving the room or view since all we'll be mainly do in it is sleep.

I do have AAA so I'll check with them for discounts. I can't actually book until my dh's vacation is finalized in December of this year but I'm trying to get everything as taken care of as possible before then so I can just get it done as soon as he knows he can go.

One more......is it better to book the package or room only and then add the dining and tickets? Can I switch it from one to the other if a good code comes out? If not, would the package be better so I could downgrade if a great room only code came out?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

You can book a room with a trundle bed at POR for 5 people. The trundle is small but the 4yo should not be uncomfortable in it.

As far as booking a room vs. a package here's the skinny...

• 
  
  [*]You can always cancel and rebook room-ony or packages without any consequences IF your TA does not impose a change fee and IF you are within Disney's cancellation/change range.
  
  [*]Room-only reservations require a deposit equal to 1 night's stay. A package reservation requires a $200 deposit, regardless of its length or cost.
  
  [*]Packages must be paid in full 45 days prior to your scheduled arrival. Room-only reservations must have their balances paid when you check in.
  
  [*]Packages may be cancelled any time prior to the 45-day mark for a full refund. If you cancel on any day between 44 and 7 days prior to arrival, you will pay a $100 fee. Less than 6 days out and you will pay a $200 cancellation fee.
  
  [*]Room-only reservations can be cancelled as late as 6 days prior to check in with no penealty.​

If I were the one making these plans, I would book the room-only so that I would be guranteed that I could get the trundle bed room. You don't need to go thru a AAA agent to do this. You can call Disney directly to book this and still get the AAA discount. This works for room-only reservations but not packages. If a better room-only code or package discount comes out later, you can always change your reservation to apply the discount.