What would you do?

[abckid]

I have come up with 2 options for our vacation and can't decide which is better. We have settled on Candy Cane Inn for our hotel, we already have our plane tickets, we want 5 day park hoppers, and we want to do Goofy's Kitchen for brunch one day.

Choice #1- Get a package deal through AAA. The thing that makes me mad about this option is that even though we are booking the package THROUGH AAA, they are actually getting the package through Disney and we do not get the AAA discount on the hotel room. That is the lamest thing I've ever heard. However, we will get tickets to MTMM which my younger 2 kids will absolutely adore. We will also get lanyards, pins, and luggage tags, which would be cool even though I heard the lanyards aren't that great. We'll get preferred seating for the shows and a diamond card that I have no idea what discounts are included.

Choice #2- I book the hotel separately using my AAA discount. It will save us almost $300 total, but that is for 8 people/tickets, 2 rooms, and 6 nights. We won't get any of the AAA benefits mentioned above though.

On one hand, I don't think the added benefits are worth an added $300. On the other hand, I just don't know. I will only be paying for 1 room and 5 tickets while my inlaws will pay for the other room and tickets, so it will not be an added $300 total for me. As far as my inlaws are concerned, they do not have AAA so they will not notice a difference in price. The AAA package price is the same as the regular hotel price so they are going to pay the same either way (If we go with the AAA package, I will use my AAA and have my inlaws pay me). I keep trying to justify to myself that I'm not actually paying more $ for the AAA package because I'm just paying regular price. But in the back of my mind, I know I can save $ booking myself. What would you do? Is it worth it?

Thanks!

 

[bumbershoot]

On one hand, I don't think the added benefits are worth an added $300.

That is very very true.

MTTMM is cute, but it's not worth $300.

AAA and Costco both use WDTC for Disney packages. There are sometimes differences in the costs, and they each have their different spin on the extras (lanyards are different from costco, aaa, and wdtc directly). The package is the discount; you can't get double the discount.


Do you belong to Costco? you might check out their cost as well. In addition to the lanyards, MTTMM, and so on, they have:

# Disney Character Breakfast (one per person) -- a value of $32 per adult and $18 per child (age 3-9)
# $20 Disney Gift Card††(one per package)


Buuuuuutttt....doesn't look like they use Candy Cane Inn, so if you're set with that, never mind!


I'm glad we did the package, because I know how we liked and didn't like it. At the time that we traveled, we realized we could have saved by booking separately using the AP rate, as we were planning to upgrade to APs anyway. Could have booked the AP5 (or whatever it was then) rate, changed our tickets to APs asap to make sure we were charged that rate, and had fun on the hundreds we saved. But I wouldn't know our feelings on MTTMM, the lanyards, etc. So in a way it was worth it.

ONly you can know if the knowledge will be worth the money to you!

 

[Simba001]

Is the Candy Cane Inn one that you can get 2 More Nights FREE With a 3-Night Hotel and Ticket Package?

"Extend your family's vacation with two more days and nights FREE* when you purchase a three-night hotel and three-day ticket package: Stay at a Disneyland® Resort Hotel or participating Good Neighbor Hotel, and buy 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Bonus Tickets to qualify! Valid for arrivals from April 1 to September 26 with travel completed by October 1. You must book by August 11."

We had reserved hotel only with a AAA discount and when this package deal became available switched over to this and saved.

 

[specialks]

I know how you feel. We booked things separately last year but this year I went with AAA. I think we are paying about $200 more for the package than if I booked separately. I decided to do it because my husband and I really enjoy the shows and we are looking forward to using the priority seating and also so our 2 girls can experience MTTMM. We also will get free parking at the DLR and since we are staying at the Homewood Suites that will save us some money. I still have "cringe" moments when I think, "I should have just paid for it separately" but then I realize that is it done and my girls will love the experience. If you don't need the free parking, you might consider the Costco package since you get a character meal and gift card. We aren't Costco members (but I still called the 1-800 number and got a quote) and decided against going that route (they priced me $50 more than AAA).

 

[abckid]

I know the packages are supposed to be the "discount." But it doesn't feel that way when I can order all of the components of the package, full price, and pay the same amount. Plus, you would think that if one calls AAA and books a package through them, that one would actually get a AAA discount. I see that's not how it really works, but I just thought it was funny.

I don't think I can book my package through Costco because they it doesn't seem that they offer the Candy Cane Inn. I'd be willing to go to a different hotel, if there were any availabilities in our price range that we can all agree on. I did a lot of research and talking with my mil for us to settle on CCI. It's something we all like, within our price range, that actually has rooms open during our stay. I should call Costco anyway just to make sure though. From Costco.com though, no CCI. It would be cool to get the character breakfast since we're planning to do that anyway.

CCI is not participating in the buy 3 get 2 more free promo Since we're going during the summer, we couldn't find a hotel during our dates that had rooms available. There were a few out of our price range, and a few that we didn't like. The majority were just not available though.

I guess I should make another post about Toontown Morning Madness (and/or do another search on here) to see what the general feelings are about it. That is the big thing that is drawing me towards the package because my 2 and 3 year old will just love it. We're not going back to Disney for at least 2 years, and even so we might try WDW at that time so this might be our only chance. Even if WDW offers it (I have no idea what WDW has because I've never been there), the boys will be older and possibly out of their cute character phase. They are currently IN LOVE with Mickey and friends

Thanks for your opinions and advice If anyone has something to add, feel free Thanks!

 

[mechurchlady]

You get one more night stay which means one more morning to attack the parks early.

For $300 you could do dinner for 8 at Ariels' Grotto or some other meal. Minnies would probably be around $200 or even less and you could have lots of characters, get into the park early and still have $100 to buy the kids princess stuff and buy the family dole whips.

Bottom line is whether or not you really need and want the preferred seating for one show like aladdin and the free parking which you do not need as you are a block from the park.

By the way 2 and 3 year old kids would be happy at Minnie's breakfast for example. There are a lot of toddler thrilling things to do for free in parks. Yes they would like the little show but the only other thing you get with the Toontown Madness is early entry. I do not think the show is worth the money. Save the money and use it for family meals, character meals, and for balloons, toys, and plushies.

 

[kailuagirl]

Such a hard decision isn't it? I know exactly what you mean. Maybe do some more research and figure out what exactly you want to do, etc. and maybe that will help you.

I have the same problems going on here. We can get my dad to buy us the military tickets, but we don't get any early entrance. And that is what I really want, at least one day. The Fantasyland rides are my favorite. And DD is 2 so I know she will love them to. So I'm trying to figure out whether to buy the tickets from disneyland.com to eat an early entry, or getawaytoday.com and do a package. Both of which cost more. I'm scared if I choose the cheap route, I will totally regret it come DLR time and be bummed that we didn't just do it and spend the money to get in early. I'd love to be able to get Mickey's Toontown tickets too, ahhhh.

Good luck on your decisions. ANd whatever you choose, it will be the right one, just go in with no regrets, that's the main thing.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

For $300 you could do dinner for 8 at Ariels' Grotto or some other meal. Minnies would probably be around $200 or even less and you could have lots of characters, get into the park early and still have $100 to buy the kids princess stuff and buy the family dole whips.

Bottom line is whether or not you really need and want the preferred seating for one show like aladdin and the free parking which you do not need as you are a block from the park.

By the way 2 and 3 year old kids would be happy at Minnie's breakfast for example. There are a lot of toddler thrilling things to do for free in parks. Yes they would like the little show but the only other thing you get with the Toontown Madness is early entry. I do not think the show is worth the money. Save the money and use it for family meals, character meals, and for balloons, toys, and plushies.

I agree. I've been there, done that, and the bottom line is you must ask yourself if it's worth the $300 extra for parking, all the extras and preferred seating. It's been several years since I bought a package, but from what I recall at the time, the Aladdin preferred seating wasn't worth it. We had better seats (imo) when we didn't have preferred seating. We went in the late afternoon and it was great. Do a search, if you haven't done so yet, regarding Aladdin seating. Someone on either this website, Laughingplace or mouseplanet posted about how to get good seats. We followed their advice and it worked perfectly. I know when we went in we were not at the very front of the line, we held back and waited a little and then once inside we simply asked if we could sit in a certain area, and they let us. (Sorry I don't even remember the area.It's been a while.) But I do remember thinking how worthless the priority seating was. At the time that I used WDT and AAA they were offering the unlimited Fastpass feature -- and that was worth it! They don't offer it anymore, so it's not worth it to me. If you buy the tickets from the DL website you'll still get one MM. I don't think it's worth it to go the Mickey's Toon Town MM, but I don't have a 2 year old either. So that's my perspective on that. OTOH, a 2 year old probably won't even remember they went to MTTMM, unless they were the 'chosen one.'
Regarding parking, it's just as far a walk from the parking lot to the parks as it is from the CCI. Of course, they should be running the tram, but there have been times when they don't run. Like a few weeks ago, when the wheelchair access thing was damaged, they didn't run it. The parking structures are a nightmare because of all the construction going on and some of the other parking being shut down. So if that's a big reason why you are planning on booking a package you may want to reevaluate that and just take the CCI shuttle.
Honestly, I still have one luggage tag attached to my luggage (out of 6 that we got from 2 packages). DH and DS lost theirs a long time ago. The luggage tag is made out of cheap plastic. It's another been there done that deal.
We still have our lanyards and they are loaded full of pins (and packed away, we don't use them, too heavy to lug all those pins around the park). But you can buy lanyards & pins in the park and then only people who want them can spend the money to get them. I'm sure someone else will be along to say how much they loved their luggage tags and lanyards and how they still use them; again it's a personal choice only you can make. Is it worth $300? Not if I am the one paying...

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccYkW0iRc6g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbP_4PCQy1k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI4SrzwkgsY&feature=related

Let me see if I got this right the big deal is free parking versus walking one block.
A bunch of cheap gifts that nobody needs
Early admission to Toontown one day.
Priority seating for Aladdin or another show if you do not mind sitting right up front. Go early and you will get a great seat any how, big theater.
A 10 minute event with characters.

For the same $300 you get the following:
Breakfast for 8 for about $180 with unlimited food including fruit, omelets, waffles, bagels, and drinks PLUS lots of character interaction.
Hot dogs, chips and soda pop for 8 at Coke corner is about $60.
Balloons and a plushie for the kids is about $40.
Popcorn is 6 containers for around $20.
That is one whole day in the park with souvenirs, character meet and greets, an all-you-can-eat-breakfast, dinner, and midday munchies.

I am tired and guessing as I just toss the money and do not ask but you get the picture. Look at the videos I provided to see if that is really worth $300 as that is the only thing that is unique.

 

[NStramler]

I would do what my heart tells me to do. I have done it both ways and to be honest at the time each was the right decision. When we go to Disneyland now it is for the kids so we make the choices of what is best for them. So you might want to forget the $300.00 (which I know is a lot of money) for a few minutes and just consider what is going to make this trip the most magicial for your family...... Sometimes like I said you have to forget the money and go with what your heart says.

 

[bumbershoot]

Some really good points have been brought up here.


The only thing different about MTTMM and getting to TT at its opening on a normal day are that the crowds are lighter and you get the little show. Other than that, no difference. Mickey and friends are everywhere, even in DCA. They roam around! I have seen Mickey and Minnie more times in the very front of town square than I've seen them in TT...in fact the one day we went in December to meet Mickey? He was not there. Stuck somewhere on Main Street, the CMs said.

We *were* the "family of the day" at MTTMM, and although that day was weird and curtailed b/c we had a torrential downpour (as soon as I told the "crowd" that we were from Tacoma ) it just wasn't THAT big a deal.

The parking thing is something I hadn't though of, but people have it right. You will likely walk more if you park at the lot, than if you were to just walk from the hotel to the esplanade...it's possible you'd get a primo parking spot and have less walking to the elevators (if you have strollers and you likely will, you'll have to wait with the masses for the ONE elevator in the parking structure). But the times we've parked there, we are in the farthest away spot and that structure is HUGE. Then you walk to the tram then from the tram drop off in DTD to the security tables. It could easily be just as long, if not longer, than just walking up Harbor to the parks. And if you just take the free shuttle from CCI to DLR, that's the best of all worlds.

Especially since you're staying at CCI, who has one of the only two *maybe 3* FREE shuttles, free parking at Mickey and Friends is NOT really anything that's a big deal. You've chosen what I've heard is a REALLY good hotel, and you might as well take advantage of that shuttle!

Since your'e going in the summer, the preferred seating for Aladdin *might* be worth it. We used our voucher for it in December, and it was *not*. We had to get in line for it long before the standby people were in line, the standby people got into the building well before we did, and then we were, as Laurie mentioned, in the front section (the orchestra area, I believe it's called). Everything was over our heads or behind us. At one point a large creature comes in, and we had to turn around in our seats b/c it was right behind us, and then all we saw was legs, not the whole spectacular. I had to leave to take DS to the bathroom (FYI, bathrooms are OUTside of the building, so make SURE all potty needs are taken care of, if they are using the potty, so you don't have to leave) and I missed the flying carpet part, but hubby said he coudln't even see A&J, b/c the carpet was overhead. So with Aladdin, unless the day is absolutely swarming with people, it might be best to pass up the preferred seating for that, to get better actual *seats*.

Muppets, if that's one of the other preferred seatings you get, does NOT need it. I think usually there are two more...can't remember which ones AAA gives...

The DTD coupon book wasn't even used by us (it came with our Costco Travel thing also)...I've noticed that the anaheim tourism board has DTD coupons as well.

If you WANT to do the package, go for it, no one will think you're silly. Most of us, especially from out of town, have done a package, at least once! But it's good to really know the pros and cons of the components, so you're not possibly annoyed with yourself afterwards.

 

[carj]

My vote is to buy the pieces separately. I would use the $300 saved to enjoy a character meal. Or, just tak the $300 and say "yes" to the kids when you might otherwise have said "no". How much fun would that be?!

If you WANT to do the package, then go for it, but I honestly don't think that you are going to be missing much.

I think that what you have to remember is the Disney is an amazing place for kids and they will be thrilled and enthralled with the already included magic. The shows and parades are amazing! The characters can be easily found in Toontown. The rides are perfectly themed for kids.

Your kids will never know that they "missed" something. They will have so many special opportunities to experience the characters.

We went to WDW last summer and I have only 2 regrets.
1. We didn't see Fantasmic. We couldn't see it when we planned to, and then it didn't work out for our other days.
2. Sending my son on the pirate cruise at the Grand Floridian. He was really looking forward to this and it was so not worth it in terms of time. It pretty much took the whole morning and he did not enjoy it. He LOVED everything else about WDW and this one event that we planned especially for him was a bust! He is the kind of kid who loves everything, so I don't know why he didn't like this.

So...all I am saying is that the trip is going to still be an amazing experience with or without the TTMM. Don't feel bad if you decide to skip the package.