Staying longer than the new package allows?

[PoohBear]

We (2 adults, 2kids, 1 infant) were planning 11 nights at POR. Since the package is 10 days at most, we booked the 10 day package and another night with just room only.

$2362 ...10 day package with 10 day hoppers (4/3 + 3 nights at rack rate)
$150 ...one night at rack rate room only
Subtotal $2512
-$200 card
Total $2312

We know we would be two days short on tickets but we figured we would go to Downtown Disney. But then the CM brought up that since we were paying for four extra nights anyway ...we should get 3 more free nights or at least another gift card.
So we tried to do two 7 night packages.

$1859 ...7 day package with 10 day hoppers (This was the cheapest way to break the tickets)
$994 ...7 day package with 1 day base (cheapest for second package)
Subtotal $2853
-$400 cards
Total $2453

So it would have cost us $141 to get our 3 free nights? I have seen on the boards how others said they have saved by booking to packages butu I can't get my math to work. Can someone tell me what we are doing wrong? I may be brain dead. I would really appreciate any thoughts.
Thanks so much!

 

[mmmears]

It's so hard to untangle the packages -- this is why I hate them...

But, my guess is those 1-day passes. They are $75 per adult, and close to that per child. That's almost $300 right there that you have to "spend" to get a $200 gift card for "free."

There may be a better answer, but I've been playing with this, too, and that's what I'm finding.

 

[PoohBear]

I think that is the answer. You are right. Even though we are still paying for the extra 4 nights, we can't get anything for it. You would think Disney would have figured this out for people who want to stay longer. That was the whole idea of this package, wasn't it?
Now instead of staying and spending three extra days in the parks spending money, we will be sticking to the original 11 nights. Disney really needs to plan better.

 

[SereneOne]

I am confused, I guess I need to read the OP again. We booked for eight nights and nine days and still recieved the PayFourThreeFree deal. It was a difference of about $700 of savings.

 

[zumbergc]

I think you want do 2 different types of packages.

From the mousesavers website. It says for people who already have passes, or APs. You can do a room only version. So you buy a package (buy a 1 day base ticket per person), with the room. So, you still get the savings on the room portion.

So, combine the packages. Do a 4 plus 3 for room, and a base ticket.
Then do another 4 plus 3. But buy tickets for your # days you want to be in the park -1. Which should save you more money, than doing to regular 4 plus 2 deals.

The cost of the tickets days 4-7, or 7-10 are only fraction compared to the first couple days on a park ticket. See below.

Best of luck. If they won't let you purchase it like that all at once. You could say your staying offsite for another x days, and ask why they won't let you get park tickets all at one purchase, cause it is cheaper.


-- this is from mousesavers ticket info--- they are good for 14 days from check-in. -------
Magic Your Way Base Ticket
(gate price for admission to one theme park per day, including tax)

# Days Adult (ages 10 and up)
1 $79.88
2 $158.69
3 $225.78
4 $233.24
5 $236.43
6 $239.63

7 $242.82
8 $246.02

9 $249.21
10 $252.41

 

[mickeymotto]

Question: According to MouseSavers, if I have an AP and purchase this special I can keep the 1 day base tickets for a future use. Do those tickets have to be used by the same people or could they be given to other family members to be upgraded during another later visit????

 

[KikiFan]

Yeah I was in the same boat. I was trying to decide if I should change an August 2 week trip to a June 2 week trip. But I couldn't get the math to work out either.

The offer stipulates that you can only recieve "three free" once on a package. So I was paying for 12 days (at the higher "summer" rate) and only getting 3 days free.

Then we tried booking two seperate one week trips. But with that I was having to buy two four day park tickets for each person instead of a 10 day ticket - which doubled the price of the park tickets even with the free days. And on top of that, we wanted hoppers and WP. So that added an extra $200 to each week. In the end, I was only saving about $100 compared to my August trip. And the august trip was priced out at rack rate - with a special or AAA I'll come out better in Aug.

 

[sharadoc]

Hi. Phone CM told me 10 day maximum, but online I could put in my 11 days with no problem. I don't understand why there's a difference Have you tried to book the trip online?

 

[Traveliz]

Question: According to MouseSavers, if I have an AP and purchase this special I can keep the 1 day base tickets for a future use. Do those tickets have to be used by the same people or could they be given to other family members to be upgraded during another later visit????

I have an AP and have given the tickets to others to use on various trips.

Liz

 

[slickthomas]

Hi. Phone CM told me 10 day maximum, but online I could put in my 11 days with no problem. I don't understand why there's a difference Have you tried to book the trip online?

No, it won't let you do that - I tried.

I already had air for 11 nights. I right now have 10 days on the deal and a separate 1 day booking through the airport transfer stuff is messed up (online it had to match the reservation dates) so I need to call them.

I don't know if this would work and I haven't had time to try. What if I dropped that reservation down to 7 days to get the deal, but I think you can still get a 10 day park ticket right? Then go through AAA to get the other 4 nights. Anybody attempted this?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Yes, you can still get a 10 day park ticket with the 7f4.

 

[bettyann29]

I already have a 7 night booking and I just tried to call back and make a separate booking where we check in on the day we check out for the 1st reservation and I was told I couldnt do this.. I was thinking we could do another 7 night (buy 4 get 3 free).. I guess I dont understand.. as it sounds like others have been able to do it..

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't know why you could not. Unless it is not with the travel dates of the offer. Maybe they did not understand you wanted to book a second res and keep the original too.

 

[rt2dz]

Yeah I was in the same boat. I was trying to decide if I should change an August 2 week trip to a June 2 week trip. But I couldn't get the math to work out either.

The offer stipulates that you can only recieve "three free" once on a package. So I was paying for 12 days (at the higher "summer" rate) and only getting 3 days free.

Then we tried booking two seperate one week trips. But with that I was having to buy two four day park tickets for each person instead of a 10 day ticket - which doubled the price of the park tickets even with the free days. And on top of that, we wanted hoppers and WP. So that added an extra $200 to each week. In the end, I was only saving about $100 compared to my August trip. And the august trip was priced out at rack rate - with a special or AAA I'll come out better in Aug.

For the second package you need to purchase 1 day base tickets and then get the full ticket you want for the first trip, then re-run the math. It might still not work, but it will give you a different outcome/numbers.

Actually, for 14 days, you might want an AP. After 11 days in a 366 day period, an AP is cheaper than MYW PH tickets. Depending on how many times you want to do water parks, you can then either get PAP or just purchase discounted AP water park tickets. 4+ days in a 366 day period and it is cheaper to get a PAP, but less than 4 days and it's less expensive to just buy discounted tickets.

If you do take the 4/3 deal, then make sure you use the tickets once before doing the upgrade to get full gate value of a 7 day ticket.

We were deciding between beginning of June and end of August. I went ahead and booked the June trip with this offer since I can cancel up to mid-April without penalty if a better deal comes out for June (we have APs) or for August in that time period. This doesn't save me much $$ over rack rate August, but just in case nothing comes out or we decide we defiantly want June, I booked. Haven't told DH yet though.

 

[rt2dz]

Question: According to MouseSavers, if I have an AP and purchase this special I can keep the 1 day base tickets for a future use. Do those tickets have to be used by the same people or could they be given to other family members to be upgraded during another later visit????

You may give the tickets to anyone until they have been used once. No reselling partial tickets, but unused tickets are fair game. Tickets don't expire until first used, and can be used (or upgraded) at any time in the future.

 

[mickeymotto]

You may give the tickets to anyone until they have been used once. No reselling partial tickets, but unused tickets are fair game. Tickets don't expire until first used, and can be used (or upgraded) at any time in the future.

I have an AP and have given the tickets to others to use on various trips.

Liz

Thanks to you both for answering my question. Then this is definitely a better deal for us then. I can give those tickets away and get my $200 gift card to boot!!!