Why is the 'package' so much more money?

[motor58]

I was looking at disney's actual site for package rates, with that $400 off for 4 nights. For 4 nights at the Paradise Pier with a 4 day park hopper, it's about $2000. If I were to buy the park hopper and hotel separately (on the disney website), it would be about $1500, a whole $500 less. So what exactly is in that package to make it so much more money? I keep looking at it and I can't figure it out. No food options, no transportation. Am I missing something?

 

[JustAKid]

Disney didn't see the DISboards coming!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Ha! Too funny, justakid.


Sometimes it works out that way...sometimes in some seasons the package is about the same...other times it's not.

But do make sure you're looking at the same room type.

 

[Oz-kateer]

I was looking at disney's actual site for package rates, with that $400 off for 4 nights. For 4 nights at the Paradise Pier with a 4 day park hopper, it's about $2000. If I were to buy the park hopper and hotel separately (on the disney website), it would be about $1500, a whole $500 less. So what exactly is in that package to make it so much more money? I keep looking at it and I can't figure it out. No food options, no transportation. Am I missing something?

I was thinking the same thing - I did a "DIY" package for self and 6 year old son and managed it for about two-third of the package cost and think there's obviously something I've forgotten?

 

[Judy from Boise]

it's like buying convience foods......to me the cost of pre-grated cheddar cheese is negligible vs the time and labor savings........someone else might actually like grating cheese.....substitute trip planning for food in this analogy

 

[motor58]

Wow. That is crazy. I figured it would be cheaper to build your own outside of the disney website, but just doing the passes and hotel separately is so out of whack. And yes, it is the exact same hotel room type.

Thanks guys, I really thought I was missing something. Very enlightening!

 

[nunzia]

I was looking at disney's actual site for package rates, with that $400 off for 4 nights. For 4 nights at the Paradise Pier with a 4 day park hopper, it's about $2000. If I were to buy the park hopper and hotel separately (on the disney website), it would be about $1500, a whole $500 less. So what exactly is in that package to make it so much more money? I keep looking at it and I can't figure it out. No food options, no transportation. Am I missing something?

Bingo..that is why we just book our components seperately. I think you do get a free lanyard or something

 

[HydroGuy]

FWIW I have noticed that the package prices include entrances passes at the full gate prices, while the website pre-purchase has them at discounts - which can be $30-40 less per ticket. You can get further discounts on passes below the DLR prices if you buy them from Ares or Getaway.

 

[Disney Dider]

Every time I look at Getaway its the exact same price.

 

[HydroGuy]

Every time I look at Getaway its the exact same price.

Today's adult prices:

2 Day / 3 Day / 5 Day

DLR 151 / 184 / 209
GAT 143 / 174 / 199
ARES 149 / 179 / 204

 

[pixiewings71]

Also remember that when you book a package you get "perks" included. You get preferred seating in DCA, you get lanyards for everyone in your party, one year we got a special coin, the following year we got something else but the kids took it so I don't remember what it was. For many people the ease of buying a package is worth the extra money. Our first 2 trips we bought packages from Disneyland.com, we felt they were worth it then, now we wouldn't do it that way simply because we are so much more informed, but the first 2 times we liked it that way.

 

[HydroGuy]

Also remember that when you book a package you get "perks" included. You get preferred seating in DCA, you get lanyards for everyone in your party, one year we got a special coin, the following year we got something else but the kids took it so I don't remember what it was. For many people the ease of buying a package is worth the extra money. Our first 2 trips we bought packages from Disneyland.com, we felt they were worth it then, now we wouldn't do it that way simply because we are so much more informed, but the first 2 times we liked it that way.

I thought they also gave passes to TT Morning Madness?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

For our trip in March of 2006 we went with GAT ~ since then I've gone on my own. I find it easy and less expensive ~ + say I find a better deal or we just want to stay someplace different last minute ~ much easier to cancel the reservation if it's made directly through the hotel not tied up in a package.

 

[bumbershoot]

FWIW I have noticed that the package prices include entrances passes at the full gate prices, while the website pre-purchase has them at discounts - which can be $30-40 less per ticket. You can get further discounts on passes below the DLR prices if you buy them from Ares or Getaway.

But what's rotten is that when you upgrade the tix to APs (er, IF you upgrade, not everyone does), you only get the pre-purchase price credited. So according to them, you're getting the tickets at a discount inside your package...


Like Pixiewings, we're glad we did our first trip on a package for various reasons, but we haven't done that again. As for the lanyards, we thought we'd be content with them...but by the second day hubby and I had both bought other lanyards...hubby's is pirate themed, mine was pink with Disneyland Resort written on it...the travel company ones are really wide and scratchy, and just not..."cute"... Oh and we had bought new plastic pouches even before the lanyards, b/c the plastic was WAY too stiff and we'd read reports of them breaking quickly...

 

[rszdtrvl]

I tried a bunch of different ways before I confirmed our vacation.

Since we had a bunch of add-ons (Universal Studios& Transportation/Lego Land & Transportation/Airport Shuttle) it was easier and actually less expensive for us to just book a package through Disney travel.

I couldn't find a deal on all that we wanted.

The only thing I booked separately was our night at the hotel prior to leaving for vacation - and that is under $100 - parking included!

We paid a bit for our trip, but we are going to be doing so much that I think the price will be worth it. Plus, we were non-negotiable on just about everything. We knew exactly what we wanted and wouldn't settle for less than that!

 

[HydroGuy]

Today's adult prices:

2 Day / 3 Day / 5 Day

DLR 151 / 184 / 209
GAT 143 / 174 / 199
ARES 149 / 179 / 204

I would add the gate prices which in my experience is what you are charged when you buy the package in advance:

DLR Gate Price 151 / 204 / 249

Thus if you buy 5 day tix from GAT as opposed to the DLR package your tix are $50 less per person.

 

[pixiewings71]

I thought they also gave passes to TT Morning Madness?

Oh they do, and I'm sure there are other perks I forgot too.....it's been a couple years since we booked a package so I really can't remember what all was included.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Oh and we had bought new plastic pouches even before the lanyards, b/c the plastic was WAY too stiff and we'd read reports of them breaking quickly...

Thanks for the report. I hadn't heard that. We haven't used them yet, but are next week. Looks like new plastic pouches for us!

 

[GrandBob]

2 Day / 3 Day / 5 Day

DLR 151 / 184 / 209
GAT 143 / 174 / 199
ARES 149 / 179 / 204

DLR Gate Price 151 / 204 / 249

Let me see if I have this straight, just in case.

Say I buy a 3 day ticket from DLR online for $184. I get to the park, and am having so much fun I want to upgrade to 5 days. So my price is:

249 - 184 = $65

Is that right? IOW, I originally saved money by buying online, but if I upgrade, I end up paying full ticket booth price? Or do I get credit for the ticket booth price for the 3 day pass when I upgrade? Thanks.

-Bob

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Let me see if I have this straight, just in case.

Say I buy a 3 day ticket from DLR online for $184. I get to the park, and am having so much fun I want to upgrade to 5 days. So my price is:

249 - 184 = $65

Is that right? IOW, I originally saved money by buying online, but if I upgrade, I end up paying full ticket booth price? Or do I get credit for the ticket booth price for the 3 day pass when I upgrade? Thanks.

-Bob

From my understanding, using your example, $65 would be your cost to upgrade.