Split Stay Cost Increase

[Turtlegirl]

We have always enjoyed splitting our stays between AKL and the Poly, usually staying 3 & 4 nights respectively. Using free dining, we get an 8 day park hopper ticket associated with our first hotel which we use over the entire week's stay. We then also are required to buy a 2 day 1 park ticket to add on the second hotel in order to get the dining plan. Disney used to only require a 1 day 1 park pass on the second half.

Anyway, it seems that Disney has increased the price of the split stay even more than just the 2 day ticket, which is $692, as the difference in price is almost $1,000 by staying at 2 hotels -where is the additional cost coming from? I've priced the Poly for all 7 nights and AKL for all 7 nights and then priced 3 & 4 nights and vice versa at both hotels an the total comes out to way more than the 2 day ticket. Does anyone have any insight into this?

 

[Singinglizzie]

Have you thought about doing the second resort as a room only? Maybe you can get a discount on the room. You will not be able to do free dinning, but if you plan it right, you can do the bulk of your table service meals with the first resort and do least expensive out of pocket and quick service with your room only resort. Not sure why your plan comes out $1k more expensive. I'd double check the tickets prices and the dining to make sure you are price out the right number of days and that free dining is in fact included.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

We have always enjoyed splitting our stays between AKL and the Poly, usually staying 3 & 4 nights respectively. Using free dining, we get an 8 day park hopper ticket associated with our first hotel which we use over the entire week's stay. We then also are required to buy a 2 day 1 park ticket to add on the second hotel in order to get the dining plan. Disney used to only require a 1 day 1 park pass on the second half.

Anyway, it seems that Disney has increased the price of the split stay even more than just the 2 day ticket, which is $692, as the difference in price is almost $1,000 by staying at 2 hotels -where is the additional cost coming from? I've priced the Poly for all 7 nights and AKL for all 7 nights and then priced 3 & 4 nights and vice versa at both hotels an the total comes out to way more than the 2 day ticket. Does anyone have any insight into this?

Could it have something to do with which resort you are staying in over the weekend? Resort rates are higher on the weekends. Another option is to buy annual passes and pay full price for the dining plan, then you might find an annual passholder resort rate for your dates. We have had good luck with that strategy.

 

[vicki_c]

You don't need a 2 day ticket to get the dining plan. Only for free dining. If its paid dining, you can buy a 1 day ticket. Still wouldn't be worth it to me to add dining. I would forego dining for the 2nd stay and not buy any ticket.

Regardless, there is no discount for booking a single stay, or surcharge for a split stay, so something is wrong with the figures you have. Or something is different in what you are comparing, not counting the 2 day ticket issue. Something like insurance, weekend rates, different resort season, etc.

 

[Sue M]

Looking at the free dining promo doesn't it say minimum stay 7 days? So with doing 2 - 4 day split you are under the stay requirement?

Here is their wording: Get a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 6-night/7-day Magic Your Way room and ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels, for arrivals most nights:

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nope. The 6 days/7 nights is an example (and a marketing tool). Many visitors can't stay for a week.

 

[POOHsie]

I have a split stay coming up with FD. Disney didn't break out the costs on their invoice, but I used the rack rate chart on Mousesavers.com to determine the cost of the room for both resorts, including the additional weekend price. For my stay, part of it went into Thanksgiving week, and the prices also jumped because of that. Then I added in resort tax (12.5%), added ticket cost+tax(6.5%), and the total came out basically the same as the Disney quote (my figure is $.85 less ). Here's the Mousesavers 2012 Rack Rate chart for you to check Disney's Resort Pricing by "Seasons" and standard/preferred/water view/suites, etc. http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2012.html

Here's Disney's June 3, 2012 Ticket Prices (excluding tax): http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33009006&postcount=18

 

[Sue M]

Nope. The 6 days/7 nights is an example (and a marketing tool). Many visitors can't stay for a week.

Interesting marketing tool yes! Because I thought it meant you had to now stay 7 nights to get free dining!!
I wonder how many people read that and think they have to book a week to get the free DDP

 

[kddisney502]

Interesting marketing tool yes! Because I thought it meant you had to now stay 7 nights to get free dining!!
I wonder how many people read that and think they have to book a week to get the free DDP

It's a marketing tooling they've been using the last few years too. Very slippery. Even some DIS members were fooled

 

[elfbo]

It's a marketing tooling they've been using the last few years too. Very slippery. Even some DIS members were fooled

I was fooled until i actually played with the pricing for lower number of days, and was like ... wow. I bet they got ALOT of people to plan longer vacations because of this. Last year it was 3 nights, lol.

 

[binkytell]

You can also get the free dining for up to 14 days, which we have booked ; ))

It is very misleading

 

[Lynne M]

It's misleading and counterproductive. I got that e-mail last night, and thought "eh, I might have gone for it, but I can't stay for a week" and trashed it.

 

[Turtlegirl]

Thanks for your replies. I'll do a little more methodical math, etc. but I already felt I had done my due diligence so I'll dig deeper!