Please help me to feel better about my FTP decision

[frannn]

We are going early to mid Oct (10 nights). I had the Fairytale pkg booked for the AS Movies, with the DC discount. There is a possibility, though, that we will also go in March next year, depending how DD1 reacts on this trip, our finances, etc. Keeping the pkg would have saved about 350 this trip, but then we would have had to buy tickets (APs) again if we go in March (only for DH and me, as DD will still be under 3). We already have credit for about the cost of 1 plane ticket for 3/04.

I did not put the deposit on the pkg, and instead booked a room only ressie at AS Movies, with the DC discount, so it will cost 94/night. I am crossing my fingers that there will be room discounts through codes, APs, etc, so that I can feel like the savings I would have had with the FTP was less and less. I won't care if I have to switch to a different AS resort to get a better discount. I hope I will not be kicking myself that we didn't stick with the pkg, especially since it will probably be extra crowded due to the pkg and Columbus day. Did I do the right thing?

 

[BethR]

You did the right thing, frannn. (And I am not just saying that. )

 

[rlduvall]

I think you also did the right thing. Hope I don't get flamed, but I think everyone is overreacting to the "greatness" of the FTP. The UPH tickets you have to buy and paying rack rate for the hotel is really pretty expensive, even with "free" nights. For me personally, I don't think it's all that great of a deal. In the not so distant past, I could do a 7 night trip, on-site with a code, for alot cheaper. I know, I know, I couldn't go to the parks, Pleasure Island and the water parks everyday, but that's overkill to me. You'll have a blast.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Frann - I truly believe you did the right thing. For your circumstances the FTP is not a great deal in the long run and you are being very practical to realize that.

Not to be argumentative but the FTP is a GREAT deal. If you go once a year or less you can't beat it. My husband and I have gone the last two years in December (value season WITH codes for the $55/night rate) for 5 nights/6 days. We like the flexibility of the UHP's and get them because that's what we want - we want to be able to go to any park at any time. We won't take a day off from the parks and we won't take park time at DisneyQuest and the likes during park hours. With the truly great rates they have had the last couple of years we paid close to the same amount for those 5 nights/6days as we are paying for 7 nights/ 8 days. As far as that goes this upcoming trip we had gotten the INCREDIBLE Courtyard $20.03 rate. We had planned on getting 5 day PHP passes. We are spending $350 more for the FTP (total trip) than we were with the CBM. That is including adding 2 days to our car rental and the additional days food budget AND we are now staying ONSITE - granted it's at the All-Stars but I think if we were billionaires my DH would want to stay at the All-Stars - he likes them. So factoring all that in I may be spending more but I am getting a TON more for the money I am spending. And since we never know for sure that we will get another trip in within a year the expense of AP's aren't worth it - especially when we would want PHP's for their flexibility. So - anyway my point is that it's not for everyone - but the package is a great deal. Sorry to be so windy. OH and RLDuvall....please don't take this as flaming - I did not intend it that way at all - my intentions are just to clarify that in some situations it is a good deal.....it's just not for everyone. I just wanted to make sure you knew that I meant no ill-will towards you

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I did the same thing. We had our room booked at CBR for this October and I was hoping for codes to come out. The fairytale package came out and the cost of the trip would have been $1233 for the 2 of us but we had planned on purchasing AP's for this trip since we intend to go back next spring. I hemmed and hawed about it for a couple of days because I didn't want to commit to the FTP and then have a great code come out. We decided to stick with the room only and buy the AP's. A code for Canadians did come out and that's what we are using. It will cost us about $200 more to do the room only with code and get the AP's than what the FTP was going to cost but we are looking at it like we are getting the AP's for that extra $200 and we will have tickets already for our spring trip. If we had gone with the FTP we still would have had to pay for the AP's for the spring trip so we figure we will come out ahead in the long run.

Sorry this is so long but I think you did the right thing.

 

[rlduvall]

WDWorBUST

No ill-will taken. For some people, it is exactly perfect.

 

[MaMudduck]

You made the right choice
I went back & forth, back & forth also. Crunched numbers until I had a headache and for my situation(& only MY situation) the FTP was right. But I do understand how your feeling, until I put the deposit down I really was still wavering.
You'll have fun, you saved money & best of all YOU'RE GOING TO WDW.
BTW- Is it REALLY going to be packed Columbus Day/ CANADIAN Thanksgiving weekend? I hate crowds.

 

[bugbugmom]

WDWorBust

You made me feel so much better with your response to this thread. I too, got the $20.03 rate at CBM. However, when the FTP came out I booked that also. We didn't have our passes. We are driving and for a little more than 300.00 we will be staying on site and for a extra couple of days of parks. It is our first trip to WDW and I think staying onsite will be more beneficial