Visa Package

[briarbud]

I'm new here and trying to plan my family's first WDW trip next year. We're normally very frugal people so it's hard for me to decide how much to splurge since I'm so used to getting a lot for my money.

Anyway, I got a quote from an online travel agency on the Visa Dream Maker package and it does not seem like a great deal.

For 6 nites at ASMo the rate was $1358.70, a supposed savings of $555.70.

But the room only rate for 6 nites given was only $665.28.

So, park tickets for DH and I are 1358 - 665 = $693.42!

That seems like a lot for only 5 days at the parks. UPH tickets would only be about $525 for 5 days for 2 of us. The 2 kids (ages 3 and 6) are supposed to be free. The pins and lanyards and mini golf options are all supposed to be free, too.

Well, I'm not impressed. Especially since we don't even want the UPH tickets that come with the package. We just want regular 5-day Park Hopper tickets since we've never been before and just plan on doing the 4 parks the whole time.

We're not big on restaurant eating so I plan on getting PS at Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's but that's it. We'll eat semi-healthy counter service the rest of the time (Tusker House as opposed to burgers).

I just can't decide whether to stay on-site or not. Pricewise, we like the value resorts but the bed size, small room, and no breakfast are the problems. We're used to a king (not overweight just don't like to touch while sleeping), we'd rather get a 1 bedroom suite, and we are early-rising breakfast people. It just seems like you get so much more room for less money off-site and that's what DH wants. We just plan on sleeping there anyway (including a daily nap for all of us since my boys wake up so early).

I can't even decide whether to fly or drive. Flying costs more and you can't pack as much. Driving takes longer but we wouldn't have to rent a car and could take whatever we want in the back of the minivan.

We'll be going either the first week of March or the first week of May and pulling older DS out of kingergarten for 5 unexcused absences.

Money really isn't an issue since we know we're getting a huge tax refund and that's how we're funding it; it's just so hard for me psychologically to spend money (DH and I grew up somewhat poor and are now misers!).

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I know there's no right or wrong way; I'm just too indecisive.

Thanks!

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

If you are staying for 6 nights you would be receiving 7 day UPH's for everyone in your party. 6 nights at the All Stars in March (peak season) $740.76 (incl. tx) and 2 adult 7 day UPH $713.56 2 child UPH $570.84. So $2025.16 vs. $1358.70 is a good savings.

You could get 6 nights at an All Stars $740.76 and then 5 day Park Hoppers $231.11/adult & $183.18/child for $828.58. Total $1569.34.

The package is actually a better deal, but you get UPH rather than PH. Unfortunately Disney is expensive! It is hard to spend so much money, but well worth it!!!

The onsite vs offsite is something that only you can decide. You can get much more space for less money if you go offsite but you lose some Disney perks. You just need to decide what is more important to you & your family.

I prefer to fly, but others prefer to drive. Typically driving is less expensive but it takes longer to get there. Again another personal decision.

Good luck on your trip planning. It is fun ;-) My disclaimer ~ I am horrible at math so if I added anything wrong I apologize!

 

[sln88]

to consider is whether or not you would use all the days on teh UPH. We are going down for 9 days, but will only be spending 4 days of our park hopper- doing other things the other days. I am still buying a 7 day hopper, but I will be able to use the other 3 days for the next trip.

I prefer off site for the space and saving $. There are 5 of us, and it is nice to have the privacy, extra bathrooms, tvs and the kitchen for snacks.

I got a 2 beroom condo off of Skyauction for $260 for a week.

I would like to stay on site, but I can't imagine trying to cram all of us in one room(if Disney would even let us), and I can't pay the higher prices that they want for their bigger rooms.

Check out Hotelkingdom for some great hotel rates too.

Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide!