Tell me if it is worth the money (RE: Codes)

[tlt]

We just booked 7 nights at AKL with code CKO/"room only," for $925. The Discovery Magic Code CLO would be $2579...is that worth it?...should we change to that code? I don't even know what the Discovery Magic is. Can I just get "length of stay" or Hopper Passes for a lot less money? we also got MVMCP tickets and plan on CP and Cirque. Just not sure the cheapest way to go.

 

[PistolPete]

take the room only code and run like the wind. Depending on how many people there are in your party and how often you want to go into the parks, waterparks and pleasure island, purchasing park hoppers passes separately is the way to go. Buy an annual pass if you are a frequent traveler to WDW and reap the benefits that go along with that also. Disney Club membership is also another way to save 5% on Passes.(with a membership fee, though).

 

[Disneydenise]

Generally it is less expensive to book room only and purchase your hopper when you get to the resort. If you want a length of stay pass when you check in you can leave off the first or last night and it saves you some $$$. I think that Discovery Magic includes some meals but if you aren't big eaters i would think you won't get your $ worth. Packages are more expensive and they are for convience rarely for savings. I think you got a great rate. I am going for 5 nights using the same code at the Poly and paying $1104.

 

[adams66]

I can't break the dollars down for you but consider this. You only get LOS passes with a package. They expire on midnight the day you checkout. You are paying for every day of your stay for a park admission. If you just want to kick back at the hotel for a day, you don't get any credit. (Believe me, at AKL, you will want to kick back around the resort) Park Hoppers never expire. Even if you aren't planning on a return trip anytime soon just think you are buying future vacation time at today's dollars. LOL. I suppose if you like the convenience of not keeping track of each day the LOS would be OK, but I always buy my passes separate. Check out mousesavers.com Mary usually breaks all of that stuff down for you.

 

[dtuleya]

I did some quick calculations today for our trip in November. Our room only (using CKO) for courtyard view, Wilderness Lodge, for 7 nights came to $1,080.

If I use my DC membership and add UPH for us (3 adults/1 child) the total comes to $2,397.58 ($1,317.58 for the passes). The CM told me I could add them to my room only ressie through CRO and not pay for them until check-in.

If I used the code CLN for room and UPH, CRO gave me a price of $2,461.

Purchased seperately using my DC membership, I save $63.42. I find this ironic since most package deals from other companies save you money, but that isn't the case at WDW.

I'd price everything seperate and see how you fare.

 

[DancingBear]

Discovery Magic package includes ultimate parkhopper tickets plus two options per person per night including meals, boat rental, golf, mini-golf, etc.

The package may or may not be "worth it" in terms of what you can get if you really use all of the options for expensive dinners, etc., but my guess is it's not "worth it" in terms of what you would really plan to do if you did not have the plan.

Don't know your travel dates but you mentioned MVMCP and note that Cirque takes a long layoff in November/early December.

Don't know how many people you are pricing for and whether adults or children, but:

--Buy the Ultimate Parkhoppers from the resort and leave off your arrival and/or departure day.

--OR go with Parkhopper Plus passes. Remember you get 3 plusses each with a 6-day Plus pass, or 4 plusses with a 7-day Plus Pass, so you can do water parks and Pleasure Island. Unused days and plusses never expire.

--Remember you don't need to use a parkhopper pass day if you are just going to MVMCP. Save by doing something outside the parks during the daytime hours on your MVMCP day.

We are arriving in the morning Saturday 12/7 and leaving Sunday morning 12/15 and only planning to use 5 parkhopper days. Saturday we will eat at AKL and view animals, check in to CR and relax at the pool, then have a character dinner and watch MK fireworks and electrical water pageant from one of the lagoon resorts. Tuesday is our MVMCP day; we'll have breakfast at Chef Mickey's and maybe go to a water park (other options: swim at the pool, play mini-golf, go to Downtown Disney, go to petting zoo at Fort Wilderness, etc.). Thursday we are playing golf and going to Downtown Disney.

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by dtuleya
If I use my DC membership and add UPH for us (3 adults/1 child) the total comes to $2,397.58 ($1,317.58 for the passes). The CM told me I could add them to my room only ressie through CRO and not pay for them until check-in.

I think if you do this you can only do it for your full length of stay. If you want to drop your arrival and/or departure day I would just buy them at the resort.

 

[Bella923]

Hmm.. I am going in Jan 2003 (two adults) and we have ressies at the Contemp with the "Discovery Magic" package ( I don't remember new name of package). After reading this thread I am not sure if I making the right choice. My husband and I are going for two weeks and I thought it was a good deal b/c we do intend to go to the parks just about everyday, and as far as our wishes we were thining we would at least use the the dinner option every night and then either another meal or something recreational? I don't know. I need some advice.....

 

[mark & sandra]

Hello Bella923- I'm not sure of your situation, but if you're going for 2 weeks, an annual pass costs the equivalent of 8 days on parkhopper pass. You could go for your 14 days and still go back within a year and use your AP's again. ( remember to plan that next vacation to end before the anniversary of your AP) If you buy a Disney Club membership it will save you more money on your AP's. Price out your room only and AP's separately and see if you save some $$.

 

[Gillian]

If anyone is wondering, La nouba will not be playing on Oct 21 & 24 or from Dec 3 through the 11th.

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/tickets/resident/lanouba/default.htm

Oh, and go for the room only

 

[erikthewise]

tlt,

It looks like you got a Standard View room, i.e. parking lot/bus stop view. A great bargain, but 80% to 90% of the rooms at AKL are Savannah View, which is also a terrific bargain at $159 + tax under the same code. Do you really want to slum it, or would you rather have a view of the animals like nearly everyone else at AKL? Your call; I just want to make sure you know the situation.