packages vs room only

[dreaming]

Hello, Its been a while since I planned a trip. Before it was always better to go room only and buy everything individually because WDW always had great codes on mousesavers. Is this still true or are packages as cheap now? We won't use all those extras they add to some packages but I always felt the only thing that was not worth the money on my trips was the food. Do the dining packages save you alot on food? Where is the best place to find out the details on the dining packages?

Thanks!

 

[brentalex]

you should look on the restaurant board/dining plan area to find out information about the dining plan. I still believe that for my family, it is better to get a room only AAA discount, buy my tickets myself and pay for my meals. On our last trip we saved all our receipts for food and totaled it up to see how we made out. We paid a bit less out of pocket than we would have if we had bought the dining plan, the only reason to have to buy a package. This is mostly because my DD would have been charged as an adult, but hardly eats a thing, and we do not eat table service meals each day. Many days we ate at the food court for breakfast, fast food in the park for lunch and either another fast food or back to the food court for dinner. If the dining plan makes sense then a package is now the way to go, and many people love the dining plan. Depends on your circumstances.

 

[jmclester]

In 20 years of visiting the World I have not discovered a package that would save me any $. Others will differ but I find that purchasing everthing individually is the way to go for my family.

 

[indigoxtreme]

I am one that says package save money. The dining plan is 37.99 per night for adults. That is age 10 and up. We find that there is no way we can eat at WDW for less than this per day. 1 TS meal with app, entree, dessert, non-alcoholic drink and tax and tip all include. 1 CS meal with entree drink and dessert and 1 snack per night of stay. Here is a great sticky thread for info. With the new magic your way packages you do not have to buy what you do not want. Ie water parks, hopping, non expire. We will not go back to WDW without it unless they do away with it. Go to www.allearsnet.com to check out menus and prices to compare

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1023429

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm inclined to say that sans package has been cheaper for us, but the dining is an interesting proposition. If you are the type who can eat one snack, on QS and on TS (FULL meal) per day, then it is not a bad deal, and will save quie a bit over ordering the same items a la carte, out of pocket.

Disney has been more limited in their discounts recently, so there is a good chance that there would be no other discounts for your dates and party size.

IF, an AP discount is offered when you go, then that might be a better deal, especially if you have a large group, plan to go for a longer trip, and/or stay at a deluxe. But Disney has been really holding out on releasing AP discounts until the last minute, if you wait that long, depending on when you want to go, you might not get the room type/resort that you want.