Reservations Questions

[chaznabby]

Hello,

I am looking for pros and cons to purchasing a package or buying tickets and rooms separately. Separate seems to be cheaper. I do have AAA and I am interested in the dining option. Should I go ahead and book my rooms now versus waiting for discounts. We will be going February 2006 to Disney World.
I'm just a little nervous about what to do. I'm definitely looking to save as much money as possible without compromising a lot of quality. It seems purchasing tickets via the mousesavers link to Ticketmania is the cheapest and booking rooms through AAA will be the cheapest. Like I said I want the dining package also. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[HLAuburn]

We're in the same boat...hoping for deals for Feb, but things aren't lookin' too bright! First of all, if you decide you want the dining, you need to get a package, either through AAA or CRO at Disney. (Probably wouldn't hurt to call both and compare quotes). But without dining, probabaly your best bet right now is to book a room-only AAA rate and wait and see what happens.

IMO, there's still a chance of some deals for Jan/Feb value season. If you have a room only reservation (at an AAA rate) and some package offers come out, you can change to that deal. Otherwise, you already have your discounted room and you can order tickets through ticketmania.

Did I just confuse you more?? I guess what I'm basically saying is go ahead and book a AAA room only reservation and wait and see! We still have a little more time to hope for offers...like through October.

 

[cobbler]

Well if you get the AAA room only discount and purchase your tickets through another place you won't be able to add the dining option.

You can go to your AAA office and book a pacakge, that includes the room, tickets and dining option that way. I am pretty sure there is a small discount but not sure how much. Also not sure if there is one if you go during peak season.

Bottom line is if you want the dining plan you have to book a package. And AAA is the only way to really get a small discount on a package.

 

[brentalex]

If you really want the dining plan, I think that currently the best thing is to go through AAA. Get a package from them, with one days park tickets for everyone, and the dining package. Then go to ticketmania for the rest of the tickets. I would love to do that, but my DD is 11, gets charged as an adult for the dining plan, but hardly eats a thing. So, I am so far just getting a AAA room only discount and will buy my tickets through ticketmania.

 

[chaznabby]

Thanks for the input. Is the dining plan really worth getting the package? Traveling will be myself, my wife, my 4 year old, and 1 year old. My wife and I expect to eat probably a counter service and table service meal each day. We would probably get ice cream as a snack each day. Our 4 year old would eat the kids menu. Do you think the dining plan will make enough difference to go ahead with a package instead of getting rooms and tickets separate?

 

[metivier]

Is the dining plan really worth getting the package? Traveling will be myself, my wife, my 4 year old, and 1 year old. My wife and I expect to eat probably a counter service and table service meal each day. We would probably get ice cream as a snack each day. Our 4 year old would eat the kids menu. Do you think the dining plan will make enough difference to go ahead with a package instead of getting rooms and tickets separate?

Price out what it woud cost you both ways. We tend to do lots of character meals and when we priced it out, it was cheaper for us to go the dining plan route than "on our own". (We are a group of 4 similar to you -- my husband and I, plus our 4 year old daughter and our then 2 year-old son.) Dining plan is $35 per adult and $10 per child (ages 3 - 9) per day, plus resort tax (since it is a package).

Here's more on the dining plan:
Dining Plan