Purchasing/Reserving thru Costco?

[redleader74]

A friend has been suggesting that I book my trip through Costco as either: it's cheaper or: they'll have better reservation ability. I haven't been able to find much on the matter but I'm pretty sure from other reservation related threads here that the latter probably isn't true. Has anyone had an experience booking through Costco? I just thought I'd ask to do my due diligence. We plan on using United Miles to book our hotel (specifically we prefer the BWPPI directly across the park entrance) and if parket tickets are cheaper through Costco then maybe use Costco for that. But from a quick look at the Costco site it looks like they only allow booking a full vacation "package" meaning hotel included. I did not see any place where you can just order tickets and make a reservation. Any help appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I use Costco every trip, it actually connects you to the Walt Disney travel company but their Costco reps. The price is typically the same whether you book thru Costco or direct thru Disney, but Costco gives you a gift card (there used to be more perks, but for now its just a gift card.) Some say that booking each part of your vacation separately is the cheapest way to go, but I have found that the package thru Costco is pretty competitive.

just did some math... we have a 3 night, 3 day park hopper trip coming up in October. Costco was $1550 and change and included a $145 gift card. Tickets and hotel separate is $1568 and I won’t get that gift card.

 

[Bigmace]

I use Costco every trip, it actually connects you to the Walt Disney travel company but their Costco reps. The price is typically the same whether you book thru Costco or direct thru Disney, but Costco gives you a gift card (there used to be more perks, but for now its just a gift card.) Some say that booking each part of your vacation separately is the cheapest way to go, but I have found that the package thru Costco is pretty competitive.

Probably depends on what kind of trip you want and how much effort you want to put into. Personally most of our airfare and lodging is paid for through credit card points. Obviously Costco wouldn't be able to match that but we did book a trip to the Dominican Republic a few years ago through Costco. It was nice that airfare, ground transportation, and the resort was all taken care of plus some spending money for excursions.

 

[redleader74]

Thanks for the quick and helpful responses. Yeah, because we're going to pay for hour hotels (~5 nights total) using miles, that savings is pretty substantial, more than any benefit the Costco package could offer. So unless Costco just seels standalone park tickets (i.e., not as part of a hotel package) then it looks like we'll save Costco's services for another trip.

 

[laugard]

Thanks for the quick and helpful responses. Yeah, because we're going to pay for hour hotels (~5 nights total) using miles, that savings is pretty substantial, more than any benefit the Costco package could offer. So unless Costco just seels standalone park tickets (i.e., not as part of a hotel package) then it looks like we'll save Costco's services for another trip.

Are you a AAA member? If so, they do offer slightly discounted tickets not bundled in a hotel package.

 

[AmyMac1109]

So I am not a Costco member, but was just looking into their travel deals for WDW. It was sort of a last ditch effort because I'm struggling to find anything on property for my dates within my budget. Basically, I can find nothing but a few select deluxe resorts and once I factor in airfare, it's just not feasible.

However, Costco is offering 5 nights at Grand Floridian, 4 day base tickets, and non stop airfare for almost $700 LESS than Disney is offering for just 5 nights at GF and 4 day base tickets. The same flights separately are $1200 (I had been pricing out those exact flights already).

Is this for real? I feel like there needs to be a catch. I'm ready to become a member immediately.

And what is this about a gift card? If there was a gift card offer would it be noted on the page?

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

So I am not a Costco member, but was just looking into their travel deals for WDW. It was sort of a last ditch effort because I'm struggling to find anything on property for my dates within my budget. Basically, I can find nothing but a few select deluxe resorts and once I factor in airfare, it's just not feasible.

However, Costco is offering 5 nights at Grand Floridian, 4 day base tickets, and non stop airfare for almost $700 LESS than Disney is offering for just 5 nights at GF and 4 day base tickets. The same flights separately are $1200 (I had been pricing out those exact flights already).

Is this for real? I feel like there needs to be a catch. I'm ready to become a member immediately.

And what is this about a gift card? If there was a gift card offer would it be noted on the page?

I haven’t priced WDW in awhile, but for most of my Costco travel reservations there is some sort of gift card offer, cruises send you a Costco gift card after the cruise, and Disneyland there is a disney gift card you get when you check in, both were noted on the check out page.

 

[Bigmace]

I haven’t priced WDW in awhile, but for most of my Costco travel reservations there is some sort of gift card offer, cruises send you a Costco gift card after the cruise, and Disneyland there is a disney gift card you get when you check in, both were noted on the check out page.

We got a $400 giftcard when booked a Resort Package in the Dominican Republic through costco. That was a nice little perk.

 

[StormyCA]

So I am not a Costco member, but was just looking into their travel deals for WDW. It was sort of a last ditch effort because I'm struggling to find anything on property for my dates within my budget. Basically, I can find nothing but a few select deluxe resorts and once I factor in airfare, it's just not feasible.

However, Costco is offering 5 nights at Grand Floridian, 4 day base tickets, and non stop airfare for almost $700 LESS than Disney is offering for just 5 nights at GF and 4 day base tickets. The same flights separately are $1200 (I had been pricing out those exact flights already).

Is this for real? I feel like there needs to be a catch. I'm ready to become a member immediately.

And what is this about a gift card? If there was a gift card offer would it be noted on the page?

I've always found it cheaper to stay onsite at WDW than DL when I've done price comparisons, even in the same category of resort. It's always priced out to be more expensive to stay at the Grand (standard) vs the Floridian, Poly, or Wilderness Lodge (all deluxe category) in the MK area which is where we like to stay, not to mention there are also 'moderates' that are very nice and a lot less expensive. What bumps WDW over the price for DL for me is the airfare. That's why we always end up towing our trailer to Ft Wilderness!

 

[OneThree]

We have also booked every DL trip, and a couple to Mexico, through Costco and always that while the package may not save much the gift card makes the Costco trip cheaper in the long run. Also, depending on your membership, the cost of the package goes towards your annual cash back accrual.

 

[AmyMac1109]

I've always found it cheaper to stay onsite at WDW than DL when I've done price comparisons, even in the same category of resort. It's always priced out to be more expensive to stay at the Grand (standard) vs the Floridian, Poly, or Wilderness Lodge (all deluxe category) in the MK area which is where we like to stay, not to mention there are also 'moderates' that are very nice and a lot less expensive. What bumps WDW over the price for DL for me is the airfare. That's why we always end up towing our trailer to Ft Wilderness!

I've never been able to stay on property at DL. With the cost of airfare, it just doesn't work out. With WDW, I almost always stay on property and I generally prefer the moderates (factoring in airfare, it just works better), but there are literally none available for my dates- only 4 deluxes (Beach Club, Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary). But the cost to get from Disney directly just isn't feasible. However, Costco rooms, tickets, and airfare beats Disney (room and tickets only) by $700. It's crazy. Of course, still way more money than I wanted to spend because I was hoping for a moderate. But, it's almost too good a price to pass up.

 

[AmyMac1109]

We have also booked every DL trip, and a couple to Mexico, through Costco and always that while the package may not save much the gift card makes the Costco trip cheaper in the long run. Also, depending on your membership, the cost of the package goes towards your annual cash back accrual.

Good to know! I'll look closer to see if there is a bonus gift card. Honestly, even if there isn't, the cost is incredible. I'm just convinced there is a catch.

 

[edhmom]

Their travel deals can be amazing. I booked thru them for a 3 night stay in NYC on Times Square. Our price for a Times Square view with transportation to and from the airport is less than just the standard view room was directly from the hotel.

I'd say if the trip is within your budget. It sounds like a great deal and who knows when it will come around again.

 

[AmyMac1109]

Is anyone familiar with the cancelation policy if booking through Costco? I assume it's not as generous as Disney. But I've seen different policies stated on the website, so I'm not sure what applies.

 

[OneThree]

Is anyone familiar with the cancelation policy if booking through Costco? I assume it's not as generous as Disney. But I've seen different policies stated on the website, so I'm not sure what applies.

For Disneyland yes? If so than when you book with Costco you are actually booking with the Walt Disney Travel Company so Disney's policies are in effect which I believe for a package is at least 30 days prior in order to avoid a fee.

 

[wildekatza]

I was just looking for this thread. I have always booked my reservation for Disneyland through Costco because they give you a Disney gift card for $185 for 2-4 nights stay and more than that if you stay longer up to $245, I think. You also get a lanyard with pins if you are into that, but I am like Ryno and could care less about the pins. I normally walk into the park and stop at the pin shop over by Soarin and hand the 2 unopened packages to a small child who thinks they hit the jackpot. LOL! The rooms are always available when we look last minute for a trip (I just looked 10 mins ago for a week in September) but I use the DIS so much for information that I wanted to see if anyone found The Dis were much cheaper to book through. They are always so much information that I feel indebted to them.I used them last fall during the pandemic for a DW trip (Costco stinks for DW-no gift cards) and they were tremendous help with what all I needed to do during the pandemic and booking the parks, etc. but have never thought about Disneyland and wondered if anyone else found them to be better or pretty close to Costco. I would use them in lieu of Costco even if they were a few hundred more just because of how valuable they are with their videos.

 

[Araminta18]

If you’re staying at a good neighbor hotel, Costco isn’t always cheaper even though you get the gift card. Pricing out a room at the Fairfield Inn by Disneyland was much more expensive through Costco.

 

[Babybears]

If we are booking a package, we always use Costco Travel. You get the exact same package and price as through Disneyland website, but as others have stated, with added "costco perks". You need to put $200 down and pay the balance 30 days ahead of travel. You can cancel between 5 - 29 days and only lose your deposit ($200). In addition to the pins/lanyards and gift card, your vacation total adds to your annual rebate from costco if you are an executive member, so it greatly increases your cash back bonus check from costco at renewal. We've also used Costco travel for cruises and the perks are fantastic there as well.

 

[Nonin]

Just came back from a stay booked through Costco Travel. No catch. I was treated the same as if I booked though Disney. Costco pairs well with Disney. They are both white glove kind of service.

 

[ambgoph]

Does anyone know if you can use Disney gift cards to pay for a Disneyland package booked through Costco?

I was able to pay using Disney gift cards for an ABD trip booked through Costco two years ago. Since ABD through Costco went directly through Disney, I’m hoping it’s the same for Disneyland.