Thinking about paying 'rack' - am i nuts?

[AbbysFamily]

We are planning a trip for my daughters birthday around halloween. (2 adults, 1 child)

We have clearly decided a few things:
Definately doing CBR.
Definately have picked our dates: (7nights 10/26-11/2)

We are thinking about booking a package:
- The MYW dining sounds pretty good for us overall
- Having not to worry too much about food money is a plus.
- We could have 90% of the trip budgeted up front

I know everyone is big into discounts here, and the cheap side of me wants to get into that, but I want this to be as stress free as possible...and somehow trying to mess with reservations just doesn't seem totally worth it.

My math works out that they are discounting the food a bit in this to convince people to go with a package. (Even better so if we do the rumored 'pay cash for child sometimes')

Am I nuts? Are the discounts really that good? We are planning on booking next weekend (working out dates/times with MIL/FIL staying at same resort) and I'm just a little nervous about this. We've been to WDW before, but stayed off-site. This trip is all Disney.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Nolcrest]

If your gut feeling says to go with the package, then do it. Like you said you'll feel stress-free. No, I don't think you're crazy. At least you know you'll have what you want and not have to play the waiting game. You can get right into planning where you want to eat.

Sounds good to me - have fun!

 

[SleepingUgly]

Can you at least get a AAA membership and save money that way? Membership fee for the first year is about $60, and you can save lots more with your package. AAA offers discounts of 15-20 percent off rack rates for value and moderate resorts, depending on season.

Good luck!

Linda

 

[Peter Pirate]

IMO, you're nutz. WDW is GREAT but unless there is a discount somewhere there are better things to see in the real world. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[skiwee1]

I don't think you're nuts! I paid rackrate for years because I didn't know codes existed. After that I would try to find a code but if not I'd still stay at the resort I really wanted. I paid rackrate for the Poly last May because we love the Poly. I could have gotten the GF cheaper but stuck with the Poly. As far as Pete telling you there are better things in the real world I think Disney is an overall bargain! I pay more for my hotels in NYC, the ocean, and on our ski trips and I have no chance at all of getting a code with those rooms! If your heart is set on the package then go for it and don't worry about it.

 

[trappednabox]

I don't think your crazy at all! we booked our trip with a package and paid rack rate. I booked before I knew about codes, but even if I had known about it I think I still would have booked the same thing. I also liked the not having to stress about anything, plus with our package we get lots of extras we all really wanted. I say go for it!! and don't feel nutz at all!

 

[Peter Pirate]

Well, we couldn't get a discount for spring break so instead we're flying to San Francisco (a great city) for 187.00 per person. Staying at the Wharf (Sheraton) for two nights, a great hotel in Napa for two nights (doing a balloon ride and winery trip via limo) then onto Mendocino for horseback riding, whale watching, redwood forest train ride, etc.. Of course not to mention the fine dining, wine tasting, mueseum visits (Alcatraz at night) and nature in its splendor and more for way less than WDW would have cost. And we may make a day trip to Reno/Lake Tahoe so the kids can see snow for the first time...

The moral? The real world is out there and sometimes it is a better deal than fantasyland.

 

[skiwee1]

Well, we couldn't get a discount for spring break so instead we're flying to San Francisco (a great city) for 187.00 per person. Staying at the Wharf (Sheraton) for two nights, a great hotel in Napa for two nights (doing a balloon ride and winery trip via limo) then onto Mendocino for horseback riding, whale watching, redwood forest train ride, etc.. Of course not to mention the fine dining, wine tasting, mueseum visits (Alcatraz at night) and nature in its splendor and more for way less than WDW would have cost. And we may make a day trip to Reno/Lake Tahoe so the kids can see snow for the first time...

The moral? The real world is out there and sometimes it is a better deal than fantasyland.

Well who is saying you can't do the real world and fantasyland? Just because you go to WDW doesn't mean that is the only place to go. We go 3-4 vacations a year. WDW is just one of many. While I do love the real world, nothing beats a visit to the mouse!

 

[Peter Pirate]

Most people don't travel as extensively as you skiwee. But even still, if you're taking 4 or 5 trips a year it makes no sense to go to Disney during a period when no discounts are available.

I take on average 7 weeks vacation per year of which Disney has been half of that. But never at full rate. There is always a better alternative than paying premium prices to visit a crowded locale. Just my opinion.

 

[skiwee1]

Most people don't travel as extensively as you skiwee. But even still, if you're taking 4 or 5 trips a year it makes no sense to go to Disney during a period when no discounts are available.

I take on average 7 weeks vacation per year of which Disney has been half of that. But never at full rate. There is always a better alternative than paying premium prices to visit a crowded locale. Just my opinion.

I don't travel to WDW during peak either. I go in May and October because we enjoy the weather and the lesser crowds. May discounts for the Poly were far and few between and since it isn't a Disney vacation without staying at the Poly we paid rackrate. We spend over 30 days a year at the Poly and don't mind paying for what we want, when we want. We follow that rule no matter where we go or when. It works for us.

 

[currycook]

never pay rack , is my moto, you can get some disocunt.

 

[mickeyluv]

First of all, IMHO...I think Peter Pirate and skiwee1 need to actually take their debate to another forum. Abbysfamily is wanting some solid advice about her vacation to WDW!!

Okay Abbysfamily,

I don't think you are nutz at all. We stayed at the Poly last year, me, DH and DD and got a package for under $2000.00 for 5 nights and 6 days with park hoppers. That did not include any meals or anything though. But I still don't think that was a bad price. Have you thought about applying for the Disney Visa? I know that when you purchase a package and book through WDTC you can get 6 months with 0% interest as long as you have the balance at $0.00 (check on this by calling them at 1-800-300-8575). You also can get $25.00 free Disney Reward Dollars for new customers, not to mention that you get $1.00 for every $100.00 spent in Disney Rewards. I put my groceries, gas, etc. and pay it off monthly. I would be writing a check for it anyway right? So why not earn something while doing so!! Check into this, you might find that it is worth getting the card for!!!

Also, you can apply online and when you call WDTC, ask them about any discounts with the Disney Visa card. You never know what CM's might say!!!

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful vacation with your family!!!

 

[magicmouse2]

I have to pay rack rate I am staying at the BC on NYE. Never heard of discounts then. I think it will be worth not having to get squished trying to exit parks and get on a bus after EPCOT NYE celebrations.

 

[ckckc2000]

And who's to say that you can't add a code for a discount later-if you find one-my friend has done this all the time and has never had problems with WDW excepting the code-Good Luck-We also are going with MYW tickets included for 7d/6n and only cost us 1400.00(value ASMo)

 

[swilphil]

If you were paying rack rate for a deluxe, I'd say you were nuts. For a mod or value, I don't think it's too bad since you want the dining option. If you plan your restaurants carefully, you can save a ton of money with the dining. Also, you aren't going during peak season, so rack rate isn't going to be as bad as it is for people going spring break or Christmas. Definitely look into joining AAA and booking through them. You could save a lot of money that way.

 

[ducklite]

IMHO if you want to go, you go. Unlike Swilphil I'd pay rack for a deluxe, I really don't find the prices to be any different than deluxe accomodations at many fine resorts that never discount more than a small AAA discount.

Anne

 

[DBC]

I think you're nuts for not even trying to get a deal (nothing personal, you asked). At least call them and ask if there are any discount codes apply to the time/place you are staying.

I guess sometimes you get a rep that won't help, but that 3 minute call, without any stress or bargaining, saved us $150/night at the WL this week. She said, "oh yes, you must mean the winter internet code" or something like that.

Think of what you could do with that money. That'll motivate you to make the call.

Good luck.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I don't think you're nuts. You know what you want and are willing to pay the asking price for it.

It's your money, I say spend it the way you see fit.

 

[webray]

I don't think you are nuts either. We have done disney all ways. The big packages with the food, the packages with tickets. AAA savings are not all that much..a little less than tax basically is what we have found. Now we are FL residents and annual passholders, so we wait for the discounts, because we go a lot. When the kids were little, we did not live in FL, we had travel time, college, work and of course the kids schools to worry about. We went when it worked best, stayed as long as we could..lol, and booked which ever way would make the trip most convenient.

 

[tubachick]

I do not think you are nuts. I think you should go ahead, and book it, and if something comes out, you could update it. You could get an AAA discount for pretty cheap, usually it pays for itself, along with some PS for wishes/illuminations We have done both, depends on the time we have to plan, the length of the stay and how much I want to keep searching for the code.

It is your trip, do it the way you want, no one there is going to see you walking around MK with a price tag on your head.