With All The Changes: Anyone Else Thinking of Cancelling?

[DeterminedOne]

I haven't booked our November trip yet, but with all the changes to tickets and packages I'm seriously reconsidering a trip this year. Would really like to be a part of the 50th b-day celebration but just not sure it's going to be worth it. First of all, the week we're thinking of going is no longer value season for the resort, so that means an extra $40 a night in room charges. Second, I'm thoroughly confused about the new packages and wading through all the information has not been as fun as planning previous trips. Interested in the Premium Package but can't seem to find much info other than the basics. One of the things I need clarification on is the park tickets. From what I have read the Premium Package features a ticket similar to the old UPH. But in the fine print it says that visits to the water parks and Pleasure Island is limited to 2 to 5 visits. We are a couple w/o children and go to PI almost every night of the trip. I don't like the idea of having a limit placed on me. That's not Magic My Way. We paid $4500 for this last trip. DH says for that kind of money we can go to Las Vegas, stay somewhere fancy like the Venetian, see several top shows and still have plenty of money for shopping and gambling. So depending on what Disney firms up in the next several weeks we may not make it this year. I know that November is a long ways away but we have to decide soon in order to secure the time off at work. Anyone else reconsidering their 2005 trip?

 

[kilee]

I wouldn't give up hope yet. There are always discounts to be had, and sometimes booking things separate is much more economical than booking a package.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

No, not reconsidering at all - I am encouraged by all of the new changes.

We are in planning mode for an early December trip.

Do you go to the water parks or just to Pleasure Island? You can get a Pleasure Island Annual Pass for $58.52 per person (single entry cost is $18.05), so you would get your money's worth after 3 nights.

 

[hercamore]

Abosolutely not.

I never do package deals anyway. I have never spent over $2k for a week at Disney fo my family of 3 adults. (DH doesn't like Disney).

I agree, buy the PI annual pass.

Also, if buy the new DDE card, one the perks is guest of cardholder gets into PI for half price.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Change can be difficult but it happens. I wouldn't not go to WDW because they changed things.

You could always get PAP's and go to PI and the waterparks an unlimited number of times. My bf and I got PAP's last May, we visited WDW twice and with the discounts we got on the hotels, the PAP's paid for themselves- so it was like getting tickets for free.

 

[old lost boy]

I've looked at the new prices and for someone who usually bought a 5-Day Park Hopper there isn't much of a price change.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

not me.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

We paid $4500 for this last trip. DH says for that kind of money we can go to Las Vegas, stay somewhere fancy like the Venetian, see several top shows and still have plenty of money for shopping and gambling. So depending on what Disney firms up in the next several weeks we may not make it this year. I know that November is a long ways away but we have to decide soon in order to secure the time off at work. Anyone else reconsidering their 2005 trip?

Seems like you are reconsidering due to the high price of your previous package stay at the GF - maybe you should try pricing things out separately to see how much money you can save that way.

 

[kpk89]

No way! This is our very first trip with our kids, and as DVC members, so the points are booked, and because of DVC we're going to get the biggest park ticket we can afford with no expiration so that we will have some days pre-paid for our next trip.

I don't adapt well to change, but it's DISNEY for gosh sakes! I'll deal.

I do understand your feeling about wading through the papers and posts and trying to figure out how to get the best deals for your trip. Frustrating for sure!

I hope that you still go and have a perfectly magical time.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I'd never cancel a Disney trip! Heck, 3 hurricanes couldn't keep me away!

 

[DeterminedOne]

I'm a package snob, so I would never go to Disney without one. I'd rather not go than to go without a package. So the idea of buying a seperate pass for PI never even crossed my mind. I just won't do it. And my reason for canceling doesn't have anything to do with cost. Okay, I guess it does. I don't mind spending $4500 on a package, but I won't pay that amount to have limits placed on how often I visit PI or the Waterparks. Any other package snobs out there reconsidering their trip based on current package options? (Package options that is, not package price.)

 

[DisFam95]

If you don't feel Disney is worth it why not donate the $4500 to the Tsunami relief efforts.

Sorry but I have very little patience for the endless 'whining' I hear on the boards about a stupid green wall RUINING a vacation or people ticked off at the new tickets. Poor us..which vacation spot to choose.

 

[LukenDC]

If you are confused and frustrated, why not enlist the services of a travel agent? There are a number of travel agents who specialize in Disney and who do not charge their customers a fee for their services. Several of them also offer "concierge services," such as making PS arrangements and arranging for airport transfers. I myself use Magical Vacations and I have been quite pleased.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

I don't mind spending $4500 on a package, but I won't pay that amount to have limits placed on how often I visit PI or the Waterparks.

May I suggest contacting a Disney specialist travel agent who could devise a nice package for you and get you exactly what you want? I have been working with Dream Come True Vacations, and I know that many others use Dreams Unlimited, who sponsor these boards.

I think Disney finally realized that many people like to pick and choose their options, in order to save money - as many of us have known on these boards for ages.

 

[DeterminedOne]

If you don't feel Disney is worth it why not donate the $4500 to the Tsunami relief efforts.

Sorry but I have very little patience for the endless 'whining' I hear on the boards about a stupid green wall RUINING a vacation or people ticked off at the new tickets. Poor us..which vacation spot to choose.

If your patience is so short, perhaps you should stay off these boards. I was simply stating an opinion and soliciting others if they felt that way. Nowhere in my post did I mention the words "ruining" or "ticked off". Nor would I describe my post as whining. So why are you so angry?

 

[WDSearcher]

If you don't feel Disney is worth it why not donate the $4500 to the Tsunami relief efforts.

Sorry but I have very little patience for the endless 'whining' I hear on the boards about a stupid green wall RUINING a vacation or people ticked off at the new tickets. Poor us..which vacation spot to choose.

I understand your frustration, but I didn't get any indication that the OP thought Disney wasn't worth it, just that the package plans that were now available didn't have the same savings. I don't think they deserved your scolding.

This is a Disney vacations board, so Disney vacations -- the good, the bad, and the frustrating -- are going to be the topics. Just because people are excited, frustrated, upset or thrilled about their upcoming vacations doesn't mean they aren't also aware of other things in the world.

 

[eeyore45]

I will say that I'm glad I can sit back and see how things work out. I think there are kinks in the system, and I think that codes will come out, if a lot of people stay away, Disney will think of something to get people back in their resorts, rest. and parks... but right now, if they dont have to give it away, why should they? Their stockholders are upset, so they have to do something to increase revenue, their movies are not generating the money... the parks can, but if people are maxed out, then they will offer more perks...

I think...

Anyway dh thought we could go to Ireland for what we paid for our WDW trip, but now the exchange rate is poor (or not in our favor) so he did ask about staying in a moderate or off site, and going back... so I priced things at a rack rate, but I do prefer packages... that 5+2 package when I subtracted the value of the parkhoppers (app $300 each) I figure our Poly room was only $100 a night!

 

[LauraLea]

I too am disappointed in the new pkgs. Luckily I had a Platinum pkg booked prior to the change. At the time I booked it I was not sure if I would keep it or go ala carte. Now I am definitely going to keep it. I will miss the all-inclusive pkgs (that is no restrictions on the DD restaurants, room service, Illuminations Cruise and V&A and a personal planner).

Although those days are gone, I am quite please with the AP w/ the DDE option that is now going to be available. After the Platinum trip in September, I think we will rent points and stay in a 2 bedroom villa with APs and the DDE. Looking forward to that new experience.

Laura

 

[gingermommy94]

I understand your frustration, but I didn't get any indication that the OP thought Disney wasn't worth it, just that the package plans that were now available didn't have the same savings. I don't think they deserved your scolding.

This is a Disney vacations board, so Disney vacations -- the good, the bad, and the frustrating -- are going to be the topics. Just because people are excited, frustrated, upset or thrilled about their upcoming vacations doesn't mean they aren't also aware of other things in the world.

I totally agree!

Having said that...yes, we did consider putting our trip on hold. Especially when we couldn't even use the online site and sat on endless hold with Disney trying to just get a price..uggghhh! But things have a way of working themselves out and it didn't take long for us to realize that there isn't any other place we want to spend our vacation.

 

[DisFam95]

I have to apologize . Human tragedy REALLY effects me emotionally. I've cried almost every day over news stories about it. I came to the board today to see happy Disney thoughts and I kept seeing complaints about 'in the grand scheme of life - trivial things' and it just got to me.

I don't expect people not to think about fun things..heck I'm headed to Disney in a few weeks.

Determined: sorry you were the target of my sadness. I hope you find a place that your family can enjoy.