Package vs paying for everything seperate

[turtle51]

On my first trip i booked a package. I want to go back in 2 years and i was wondering if its any cheaper to pay for everything seperate. I like to eat 3 sit down meals a day.

 

[powellrj]

we have found that unless you get a wonderful package price, it is usually much cheaper to book everything yourself. The problem with packages (at least in Disney) is that you pay for things you really don't want and won't use. You get LOS passes and really only needed park hoppers that never expire, you get a mears ride when you could have rented a car for the same price, you get a flight time thats not the greatest. While there is nothing wrong with a package, you tend to get more bang for your buck doing it yourself! www.mousesavers has wonderful codes to get even better deals!!

 

[BethR]

I believe that even wanting to have 3 sit down meals, that you can save by booking everything separately.

It will take time and patience, but if you are willing, I think that you will be happy with the outcome.

We are here to help.

 

[BethR]

Here is what someone on the Theme Park Board had to say about the Gold Plan (the one that gives you 3 sit down meals a day in the package) :

...We went last year on the Gold Plan. If you're doing it for the meals and not using all the extras, then it really isn't cost efficient... and eating three Disney meals a day can be taxing. We had PS's for three sit-down meals every day and it was too much (and we really like to eat good!) We'd still be full from the last meal and it would be time for the next. We would feel "obligated" to eat because it was already paid for, so we ended up walking around feeling bloated and stuffed all week. Not to mention- I gained 10 lbs. that week! If you use the wishes on the Silver plan, you can still eat nicely without the extra expense (and weight gain!)

Something to think about...

 

[kerry34]

I book separately also. We don't eat three sit down meals a day. I still think it would be cheaper if we did. Also with the park tickets you are better off to book separately if you plan on visiting again in the future. I feel better knowing that if someone gets sick or the weather is bad and we opt to not do a park then at least we can save the unused days for a future visit. We also have no need of having tickets right when we get there and the day we check out. We usually lay low on the first day, and leave too early on the last day to do anything anyway.

 

[kerry34]

Forgot to mention that if I had booked a package for our upcoming trip in April, it would have cost roughly $507 more than booking separately and getting PHPs. That is the basic plan with no add ons. That is alot of money for a few lanyard sets and a 25 dollar GC to Planet Hollywood and a poster.

 

[KristiKelly]

It is much cheaper to do everything separate UNLESS like someone else mentioned, you get a really great deal. I did book a package for our Oct. trip. I booked back in Feb. when Disney Visa was offering a 4/7 package (pay for 4 /stay for 7) We stayed at the Poly for about $2500.00 Would normally have been $4000++. Good luck.

 

[WaltD4Me]

It's more work, but yes, it's cheaper to book seperately. I got two package quotes from travel agents when I first started planning our trip and they both quoted me $8,000 (there are 10 of us going) but by reading these boards and shopping around and planning, I got the whole trip for everyone down to $6,000 AND we are staying at a moderate on property as opposed to the Grovesnor which was what the hotel the TA's quote were for! Booking a car company besides Mears (which you get with most packages) alone, saved us $200. I saved a bundle on tickets too.

It was alot of work and I spent alot of time on the computer, but I actually enjoyed most of that so it was definitely worth it to me, why should the TA have all the fun?! LOL!


Lisa

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm thinking about using AAA to book a package for our April trip. The PHP passes do not work for us. My son loves Disney Quest. I'm planning to go there three times during our next trip.(I"m sure 3 times won't be enough for him )

Since we can't purchase the FITS passes anymore, the package might be a good option for us.

Maybe we'll get lucky and a great room only code will come out during our dates. If so, I'll book room only and just add the UPHP to our room rate.