Question about 2010 Package Deals!

[RebeccaDreamsDisney]

Hi everyone,

I'm just curious about the package deals they're offering to the runners. I heard you can't add the dining plan to them? Are they really that good of a deal? I've been trying to judge them but can't get prices for January 2010 without looking at the marathon packages and ideally I'd like to add the dining plan. Any advice, I would appreciate!
Thanks!

 

[Mr. Baloo]

Curious about this as well....

 

[jessily]

I don't remember the details, but I remember looking at the marathon prices last year and not thinking they were a very good deal. The negative of booking another way is that the rates probably won't come out until August (that's when they were released for 2009 last year). You can always book a room now and then make changes later when the rates are released. I'm planning to keep my eyes on deals this year as Disney has been putting out a lot of them.

 

[momof2minnies]

They are not a good deal.When I called for this year the price for OKW was exactly the same as through Disney that I already had booked.The CM said to me "This is a deal they are offering the runners" I said"Oh yeah this is the same price what the heck?" Of course I called back to see if I got another answer but it was the same- no deal!

Linda

 

[RebeccaDreamsDisney]

Hmmm...ok well thanks for the answers!
I don't know if I should just book it through CAA now or wait a while and see if any other packages come out. I don't want to wait too long though! Does anyone know how much of a difference it usually is year to year for prices? Am I able to book a package now and then if another deal comes out change it? Sorry, so many questions. I've been to Disney 5 times but have never done this part of the research etc.
Thanks in advance!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

do they use the same hotels each year as designated hotels that have the bus/monorail to the marathon events? Or do they change? I want to get an idea of where we will want to stay. How soon is it advised to book? I want to make sure we get a room. TIA

 

[Kira G.]

The Marathon deal was definitely no better a deal than booking a regular package, so there is no need to jump on them.

All of the WDW hotels have bus service to the Marathon & Expo - stay wherever you want to stay! If you stay in monorail resort, it is very easy for your friends/family to get around to cheer for you. And if you stay at an Epcot resort you can walk back to the hotel after the race (a mixed blessing I think after 26.2 miles - plus you do have to enter the park to do it). A lot of people really enjoy staying there, and I think we are hoping to stay at the Beach Club ourselves next year.

If you are really set about what hotel you want to stay in, and it would ease your mind, feel free to make a room-only reservation now. You will be able to upgrade to whatever package you like in August when they are released. Then you know you have what you want. However, you should be able to wait until then without any problem if you prefer.

(and yes, I am a travel agent!)

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hmmm...ok well thanks for the answers!
I don't know if I should just book it through CAA now or wait a while and see if any other packages come out. I don't want to wait too long though! Does anyone know how much of a difference it usually is year to year for prices? Am I able to book a package now and then if another deal comes out change it? Sorry, so many questions. I've been to Disney 5 times but have never done this part of the research etc.
Thanks in advance!

I think if you want a specific room type and you have extra cash available, then you should book it. Not sure about packages but I know for room-only reservations, if the rates for 2010 haven't been released yet, you get charged a one night deposit but it will be at the peak season rate. I think the code for marathon packages was released around June/July last year.

That was my problem last year, I wanted a CL room at the Poly but was short on money. When I went to book it in July, they were all gone! Go figure! So much for a recession

 

[Kira G.]

That was my problem last year, I wanted a CL room at the Poly but was short on money. When I went to book it in July, they were all gone! Go figure! So much for a recession

One difference between booking a room-only reservation and a package is that for the room-only reservation you pay one night's rate as a deposit - and this far out that's rack rate! This can be a lot of $ if you are booking a deluxe, but you will get it credited back when you change to a package. A package requires a $200 deposit, whether you are reserving the Presidential Suite at the Grand Floridian, or a standard room at Pop!

But again - if you know what you want, and want to be sure to get it, book it now!

 

[bunnyfoo]

One difference between booking a room-only reservation and a package is that for the room-only reservation you pay one night's rate as a deposit - and this far out that's rack rate! This can be a lot of $ if you are booking a deluxe, but you will get it credited back when you change to a package. A package requires a $200 deposit, whether you are reserving the Presidential Suite at the Grand Floridian, or a standard room at Pop!

But again - if you know what you want, and want to be sure to get it, book it now!

I'm probably going to hold out again ... I'm crossing my fingers for a deal. I'm hoping that if there are fewer reservations that Disney will be more inclined to offer a deal. But then again who knows

 

[Sarah_Rose]

The one benefit to the marathon packages is that you lock in the 2009 room rate price for 2010. That means that any prices increases that go into effect when they announce the 2010 rack rates won't affect you. For example, we booked WL with the marathon package for $225 a night and it stayed that price, even though the 2009 rate when up to $240. Not a huge bonus, but it is something.

The other bonus is that you get the first crack at room availability before the "crowds". Yes, the general public can still book for 2010, but there's much fewer people doing it before the rates are officially announced. So, if you have your heart set on a certain resort with a certain room type or view, it's worth it to book with the marathon package. You're pretty much guaranteed to get what you want. Then, if room discounts are released for January (as they were with the buy 4/get 7 deal this year) you can call and try to apply the discount to your booking. You may get the deal, you may not, based on availability, but at the very least, you have something booked. We ended up getting a 40% off PIN for our stay at WL, and applied that to our "marathon package" reservation that we made made over 6 months earlier.

So, the short answer is no, the marathon package is not a good deal. It's just 2009 rack rate, but they're letting you book it earlier than everyone else because of the marathon, so that's at least worth something. If you have your heart set on a particular resort, I'd book now and watch for deals. However, if you aren't picky, I'd wait and see what comes out.

Just my $0.02, for what it's worth.

Edited to add: Oh, and we were only able to book room only when we called to book the marathon package. I had to call in August once the rates were announced to add passes and the dining plan. It looks like if you book online you can add passes, but not the dining plan yet. But it is no problem to call up and add the dining plan!

 

[RebeccaDreamsDisney]

I think I'm just going to book it now and then add the dining plan and look for better packages later in the year. Anyone think Disney is likely to do the buy 4 get 3 free deal again next year??