Site only reservations vs. package?

[Cdash]

We made reservations for January 2009, but opted not to do a package for the tickets (and maybe dining). Main reason we did it is the uncertainty of the economy and the impacts that it will have on us, personally, come January. We want to go, but we didn't want to get too far into it in case things tank and we can't react until the last minute.

From what I can tell, it didn't sound like there was much benefit to getting the package up front, or much of a downside to waiting until we get there. Is that the case as far as you all know?

I do understand that sometimes packages become available, and figure if we see on that is a great deal, we'll make a decision and live with it.

Any input?

 

[rt2dz]

You can always upgrade to a package up to about 3 days before arrival--never any change fees if your overall price goes up. The only thing is, if you are within 45 days of your trip, you must pay everything right then and there. Really not a big deal, imo.

Personally, I've found that doing everything separately is almost always cheaper (and easier). The only exception I've found is our trip in a couple of weeks--the package code was a great deal so I changed from room only (with a discount code at that) to a package code.

Tickets can always be purchased at a cheaper price. One way is to use the Undercover Tourist link in the Mouse Savers newsletter. As far as dining goes, head over to All Ears and look over the restaurants and menus. Plan your ideal dining. Then figure out how it fits into the dining plan and what all the OOP costs are (the daily cost of the plan, items not covered under the dining plan, and tips, for example) and compare it to what paying totally OOP would be. It might be that the DDP doesn't save you anything, but costs you.

 

[mommydawg]

I was wondering the same thing and have just about come to the same conclusion that it is cheaper to buy separately. It would be nice to have everything paid for in advance. I will keep checking the board for more replies.

 

[4daubers]

We never buy a package and we buy our park tickets at the Fort. We didn't find a big enough discount and it was easier.