Vacation packages cheaper?

[EllenMurphy]

Hello, I am new to the Board and live in Ottawa! I am looking to plan my first Disney trip of four (two young boys) in fall of 2022. I am just beginning my process but I think we want to stay offsite because the affordability of a suite that separates us from the kids seems more affordable offsite.

I should have enough airmiles to cover two out of the four flights so I think flying will be our option.

That being said, are vacation packages like the ones sold through Costco, etc. cheaper or is it doing piece meal cheaper? I could use the airmiles for a car rental or something...

 

[Aladora]

Hello, I am new to the Board and live in Ottawa! I am looking to plan my first Disney trip of four (two young boys) in fall of 2022. I am just beginning my process but I think we want to stay offsite because the affordability of a suite that separates us from the kids seems more affordable offsite.

I should have enough airmiles to cover two out of the four flights so I think flying will be our option.

That being said, are vacation packages like the ones sold through Costco, etc. cheaper or is it doing piece meal cheaper? I could use the airmiles for a car rental or something...

Hi there and welcome! I grew up in Ottawa and there are a bunch of us here who live there!

Honestly, I am a numbers person so I actually do up a spreadsheet to compare costs to see what the better deal is. FTR, I also do this to see if the dining plan is worth it, but for us it has not been on either of the two WDW trips we have taken. (They don't have the dining plan at DL)

 

[EllenMurphy]

Thanks! I did look into staying onsite but for my husband and I's sanity after a long day we need somewhere where we can have our own room instead of sitting in the dark while the kids try to sleep at a value. The spreadsheet is a great idea!

 

[Aladora]

Thanks! I did look into staying onsite but for my husband and I's sanity after a long day we need somewhere where we can have our own room instead of sitting in the dark while the kids try to sleep at a value. The spreadsheet is a great idea!

Back in 2015 we did a 2 week FL trip with the first week at WDW and the second one exploring Orlando. The second week we stayed in a 2 bedroom condo at Polynesian Isles Resort. Not only was it pretty inexpensive but the place was clean, decently appointed, had a full kitchen, laundry ensuite, 2 full bathrooms, and as it turned out only 4 miles from WDW. You can book it on Expedia at a really good price.

Not sure if that is too far from the parks for you but at least back in 2015 I would recommend it.

 

[bankr63]

Welcome from another Ottawan.

Like @Aladora says, you really need to crunch the numbers to be certain. I would expect you might do better with the package as generally everything included is discounted. Your 2 free flights might require the purchase of 2 full-fare flights, and the prices for most of the villa resorts is higher if you book directly. Car rentals at the airport in Orlando are almost always inexpensive - it is arguably the most competitive rental market in the US, so rates stay pretty low and discounts are easy to find.

Our first trip to Orlando was with AC Vacations to Sheraton Vistana Villages on i-Drive. It is a great location and introduced us to the timeshare concept. My son has severe Celiac, so the thought of trying to navigate a week of restaurant meals without any cross-contamination episodes was daunting. Having our own kitchen opened up a wealth of possibilities and took a huge pressure off. Realizing the space and luxury in a full 2BR villa was mind-blowing! We ended up buying a couple of timeshares in the area (resale for near $0) and use them now to trade and travel all over.

I would recommend either of the Sheraton Vistana properties (Resort or Villages), the 3 Marriott Palms properties on World Centre Drive, or the Hilton Vacation Club Parc Soleil or Tuscany Village as a starting point. All are top tier properties with good access to Disney (car rental is required). Do beware that some have resort or parking fees though - Sheraton does not; not sure about the others. Also the Wyndham Bonnet Creek property is a perennial favorite here on DIS.

Note that these are all timeshare properties, so if not picking up through a package deal you might consider renting from an owner, or picking up a surplus rental through skyauction.com. Discounts are pretty easy to find (again, a very competitive market) except for holiday weeks when everything is full.

 

[Average Joes]

We did save money with Costco staying at Universal. I would be surprised if there was much savings thru them at Disney. Renting a timeshare offsite is a good way to save and still stay at a nice place. Especially if you want the extra space. Bonnet Creek is really nice and basically on site. I may be alone but if you can eat a couple meals in your room with a kitchen I bet you save about $1000 for a family of 4 for the week. That is not something we do but I wish we did.
Cross your fingers for Canadian discount tickets. Unlikely though.

 

[mshanson3121]

Hello, I am new to the Board and live in Ottawa! I am looking to plan my first Disney trip of four (two young boys) in fall of 2022. I am just beginning my process but I think we want to stay offsite because the affordability of a suite that separates us from the kids seems more affordable offsite.

I should have enough airmiles to cover two out of the four flights so I think flying will be our option.

That being said, are vacation packages like the ones sold through Costco, etc. cheaper or is it doing piece meal cheaper? I could use the airmiles for a car rental or something...

For us, it's cheaper to piece meal it together ourselves, especially if you have air miles you can use.

 

[mshanson3121]

This is a rental we stayed at. An easy 15 minute drive to the parks in morning rush hour traffic. The owners are Canadian and if you reach out to them, will rent in Canadian dollars etc...

Check out this Vrbo rental:
https://t.vrbo.io/PGOHofRnCdb

 

[EllenMurphy]

We did save money with Costco staying at Universal. I would be surprised if there was much savings thru them at Disney. Renting a timeshare offsite is a good way to save and still stay at a nice place. Especially if you want the extra space. Bonnet Creek is really nice and basically on site. I may be alone but if you can eat a couple meals in your room with a kitchen I bet you save about $1000 for a family of 4 for the week. That is not something we do but I wish we did.
Cross your fingers for Canadian discount tickets. Unlikely though.

Yes, for sure we would be eating some meals at where we are staying!

 

[kuhltiffany]

Between Air Miles, Aeroplan, credit card travel redemptions and Disney deals, I have always found that piecing it together makes more sense for us. I know the system though and have been many times, if it's your first going for a package might make sense...