Packages expected for '07?

[BurleyGirl]

Hey Guys,
We have decided to go to DW for a weekend this December (woohoo!) to see the World at Christmas-time (a first for us), and we plan on going back for a week in May of '07. I'm trying to crunch the numbers for both trips, and it definitely makes sense at this point to purchase at least an 8-day no expire ticket. I'm just wondering if I'll be shooting myself in the foot by purchasing tickets now in case Disney comes out with some great offer for next May, like the free dining plan I've been reading about.

Anyone remember what kind of packages they had this year so that I might compare? The last time we went in '03, we stayed at the Poly on the Fairytale Plan.

For December, I can get the Yacht Club on Travelocity for $527 for the two nights, which is really good. But May's rates are showing $360.

I just can't decide whether to book it now all separately, or take a chance that they'll offer some great plan.

Any advice?

 

[InstImpres]

One thing to consider is if you will want the dining plan. If so, you must buy at least a 1 day base ticket. Free dining has been an August/September promotion which is the height of hurricaine season. For May last year, they had a promo for free hopping and fun and more on your regular passes.

Enjoy

 

[daisy58]

when they had the free hopper/water park promo last may, was that only
for packages, or could anyone get that???

 

[InstImpres]

when they had the free hopper/water park promo last may, was that only
for packages, or could anyone get that???

It was for packages only (room & tickets booked together under the travel company guidelines, 45 day out payment in full, etc.)

 

[rantnnravin]

you may consider getting one day more than you would need as a non-expire for the December trip and upgrade later if no deals are offered, and if they are, you've left room for getting a package
otherwise--having the 1-day base-ticket for the future isn't too bad of a deal either...we've got a couple of those from taking advantage of the free dining, even though we're AP holders

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

If you are going twice in one year I would consider an annual pass. Then you can apply annual passholder rates to your room reservation. These are pretty good discouts. You can also order a Disney Dining Experience card ($60) and this will get you 20% off all table service meals. I have found that we do a lot better with AP discounts and the DDE than with booking a package. Hope that helps.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Thanks for your responses.

I'm 95% settled on purchasing a 10-day no expire, hopper, water park ticket, as a 2-day basic (for the December trip) would be $412 or a 3-day $563, and I know we'll need 5 days in May, and buying a 5-day hopper water ticket would be $847. So, when you add the 5-days we know we need and the 2 or three days for December, you're still coming out $10 cheaper by buying a 10-day hopper water, no expire (thru Undercover Tourist). So, this seems like a no-brainer to me. The only thing would be if they offer a fantastic package deal--then, I'd be disappointed. But, from what I've researched on here, it doesn't seem like any package would beat this too much. It looks like we're going to get the best deal by purchasing things separately. I'm getting a good rate for Yacht Club in December, and I'm just going to hope for some great rates to come along for the May trip. If I did an annual pass, which I did consider and crunch the numbers for, I still would not be coming out as well, as the rate I'm getting on Travelocity is the same as the AP rate, and this way I'll have two days left for a future trip (but if I got a Pass, I'd have to purchase more tickets for the other two I've got). I'll give myself a couple more days to mull it over, and then I'll take the plunge!

 

[MEK]

I went for free dining in August and purchased a 10 day non-expiring hopper with the pluses. I used half during that trip and will use the other half when I go back 6 weeks from now. I only plan on using 1 or 2 of my pluses on my November trip along with my other 5 days of park passes. That means I will still have 1 or 2 pluses for a future trip. The 10 day pass was a no brainer for me, but if I was to return again before August I should have purchased an AP.

Have fun!