Packages vs. Piece meal

[CapeCodTenor]

I’m not sure where this goes, it does involve resorts, so Moderators, if you do need to move this please do.

I’m planning my first trip to the World in almost 5 years, last trip was in ’01, and my first as a non-Cast Member, so there goes my discounts. So I’m trying to plan this trip with some frugality (is that the correct use of the word?). Last time I went, I was told by several friends, who went quite often, that piece-mealing a trip to WDW is cheaper (maybe that was a Cast Member thing, you know, using the discounts). Does anyone find this statement to be true? Are packages the way to go? I know of mousesavers.com, and I am a member of AAA, so there are discounts there. I guess the idea behind a package are the incentives you get, the extras (not sure what all, never used a package). I guess my question is; what would be the best bet, a package, or piece meal? Would getting a room only reservation, the passes, and then the airfare for two people separately be better than a package? I’d appreciate some advice. I really do appreciate it.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Doing all of your planning à la carte used to be the way to do things. That's a throwback to the restriction Disney used to place on packages that required you to purchase length-of-stay, all-inclusive passes for everyone in the room. Now that they offer "Magic Your Way", guests buying packages can customize their tickets to their needs and budgets.

Disney also offered a lot more room-only discounts to the general public in the past than they have in recent months. The last "room-only" code for the general public was for stays beginning 10/23/05-11/23/05 and had to be booked by 10/22/05. Since then, the offers for the general public have all been on pakcages.

So, the days of getting a cheaper vacation onsite are limited to the package deals that Disney offers. You can still book discounted rooms thru AAA, the AP holders program or if you're a FL resident. Postcard codes are offered once in a while to select people, but they are sporadic.

 

[goofy4tink]

You know, I booked my very first trip in '99 as a package, through Disney. I knew no better. Then, I found these wonderful boards, and others, and started doing all my own planning. With the various great codes out there, it was worth my while to do it that way.
However, now, with the DDP, it makes it a harder call. You can't get an AP discount on a room if you want the DDP. But, you can book, buy a one day MYW pass (if you already have an AP) and add the DDP. If you get the free dining, it's even better. I guess the only way to tell what is the best way for you to go is to price it out every which way.
I own at BWV now, so a lot of the packages just don't work for me, especially since I usually have a current AP. But, who knows what wil work and what won't, down the road.
Grab some paper and a pencil and figure it out. (I could go into a great song here, but won't!!!)

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Thanks for the imput guys. I know Disney's changed things, that's why I asked. I'm considering going with a package. I started to price through BJ's Wholesale, so we'll see what happens. I'm going to do a lot of digging and number crunching. Thanks again, and if anyone has any more input I'd love to hear it.

 

[gshumaker]

When we went in '04 we did the piece meal route and it was cheaper since Disney was offering reduced room rates at the time but now this fall we went thourgh Southwest Vacations and saved about $300 vice doing it piece meal.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

When we went in '04 we did the piece meal route and it was cheaper since Disney was offering reduced room rates at the time but now this fall we went thourgh Southwest Vacations and saved about $300 vice doing it piece meal.

I'd have to admit that all this is a little confusing. It use to be so easy for me. I was a CM, so I got my discount on the room and I got in the parks for free, now... I'm glad I'm not going until next year, I have plenty of time to research all this. I just don't know when I'm going.

 

[RedRuby]

I’m not sure where this goes, it does involve resorts, so Moderators, if you do need to move this please do.

I’m planning my first trip to the World in almost 5 years, last trip was in ’01, and my first as a non-Cast Member, so there goes my discounts. So I’m trying to plan this trip with some frugality (is that the correct use of the word?). Last time I went, I was told by several friends, who went quite often, that piece-mealing a trip to WDW is cheaper (maybe that was a Cast Member thing, you know, using the discounts). Does anyone find this statement to be true? Are packages the way to go?
[\quote]

Like others, I'd say the only way you'll know is through pricing everything out. What are your dates? Which resorts (hotels or DVC) are you considering? Do you want the meal plan or will you buy food/meals out of pocket? How big is your travelling party, and do any of you have special needs which should be accomodated, etc., etc.

Everyone's answers are a little different. Packages are likely more popular (for discounts) with the MYW tickets and dining plan, but aren't the only way to go. For instance, you might find that you qualify for a discounted room only rate at the Dolphin, and would eat dinners there to use their complementary kids' program....in that case, a MYW with meal plan, package at a deluxe in the Epcot area might not be a bargain, comparatively speaking.

Good luck with crunching the numbers. I've done a bit of that since the free dining deal was released again for this year, and keep finding that for our purposes, it makes just as much sense to go in January when the free dining isn't available even if we had a travel budget for WDW this year....wierd but true.

 

[dobball23]

Thanks for the imput guys. I know Disney's changed things, that's why I asked. I'm considering going with a package. I started to price through BJ's Wholesale, so we'll see what happens. I'm going to do a lot of digging and number crunching. Thanks again, and if anyone has any more input I'd love to hear it.

Let us know what you find out! I am interested in your research since I have been wondering the same thing as you.

Todd

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Like others, I'd say the only way you'll know is through pricing everything out. What are your dates? Which resorts (hotels or DVC) are you considering? Do you want the meal plan or will you buy food/meals out of pocket? How big is your travelling party, and do any of you have special needs which should be accomodated, etc., etc.

Right now I'm not sure when I'm gonig. I'm looking at either April or October of next year, maybe even late Sept., but we'll see. As for the hotel, I was looking at one of the All-Stars, or Pop century. As for the meal package? Never used it in the past, I always paid for my meals out of pocket.

I understand that peoples expierences and answers are going to be different, but by asking I can get an idea.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

we have always done ours sep. i book every thing sep. we have not used the dining plan though. i guess you would save, but there is no way i would want to have to do all that work before just to eat somewhere. plus , i have to be in the mood for certain foods. like we could never book a chineese or italian dinner 2 months ahead. but that is just us. some people do. .. oh by the way we vacation down in Fal mouth, my sister has a house there.we love it. ( i dont tell her that i'd rather be at disney though..haha)

 

[zipuzee]

On our previous trips, I always "piece mealed" them. But, we usually would be planning at least a year in advance. This time (and it's our first time back since '01 as well), we decided to go to WDW three months ago. Initially we were just gonna do resort and tickets, but some friends had just returned and raved about the ddp, so we added that as well. I also had some extra $$ in the savings, so we decided to not worry so much about the cost.

 

[mickeysaver]

The answer to this question is, it depends. Sorry, but there is no set answer that can be cookie cuttered out for everyone's consumption. Unfortunately, but there is hope. I can say that we travel as a couple without kids. We drive down every time that we go. I have always booked everything separately and depending on what discounts are available, I might book using AAA or a good ole' Disney discount. Just keep your eyes on Mousesavers.com for the best discount rate deals.

Last year, I about drove myself insane trying to answer this question. We really wanted to make the best use of our cash, so I went so far as to break down every possible meal at every restaurant that I thought that we would go to, including snacks and beverages outside of what the dining plan covers. I created meal plans for each projected dining location and totalled up the damage and ran the numbers against the dining plan. It came out as being about even $ for $. So, instead of giving Disney our money 45 days out, we kept our room only ressie with the AAA discount. If we had switched to a package deal when the Disney code came out, we would have saved $20 off the entire trip, so I decided it just wasn't worth it to me to change anything out. So the mouse made an extra $20 and I got to keep my sanity and the money in my pocket for the extra days...thus reducing my freakout factor, being that we were so close to the holidays. lol

Our next trip is planned for late October of 2007. I am watching to see what the deals are for this year as well as keeping my eyes open for any changes in the package offerings with the new Year of a Million Dreams campaign. I am anxiously awaiting the 2007 package details....rumored to be coming out the around July 1st.

Happy Planning! Maggie

 

[CapeCodTenor]

The answer to this question is, it depends. Sorry, but there is no set answer that can be cookie cuttered out for everyone's consumption. Unfortunately, but there is hope.

Oh don't be sorry, I understand - it depends, everyone is different and I'll get different answers, but it was the general idea I was going for. You have to understand, the last few times I went down I was a CM, so I got up to 50% off of rooms and I got in the parks for free....so I didn't have to worry about packages. When I last looked at packages, several years ago, they were filled with extras. Extras that I felt I was paying for but never going to use. I've looked on Disney's site and priced a package for my wife and I for January of next year for $1220, that included the room at All-Star Music and the passes for 7 nights (I chose a 5 day park hopper instead of longer) and I didn't see any extras, unless I just didn't see it, which could be the case. I'm not the one to go through and crunch numbers down the meal, so it was the basicall it was the general idea I was going for. Thanks everyone...and keep posting if you have something to add.


TTFN