Package vs Purchasing things al a carte

[Melora]

Package vs Purchasing things a la carte

After having such a wonderful time at WDW in Feb, we are going back in Dec and taking the in-laws. This is going to be a pricey proposition so I want to find as many cost cutting measures as possible, while still keeping a certain level of luxury (staying on site instead of off site for example).

When I purchase a package deal for 9 nights at Old Key West through my favorite travel agent (or through Disney), I am forced to buy a 10 day park hopper even though I can't use 10 days..... I am arriving too late the first day to go to any park. Has anyone bought the package and been able to knock one park hopper day off? Last time we went I ended up with one unused day per person that expired that trip. That was a waste. Do you have to take the number of days they give you?

Also, if I purchase the rooms and the tickets seperately, it looks like I might save more than $750.00. Is there any disadvantage to buying the rooms through my travel agent (at AAA so I get the room discount) and then getting the tickets through the disney store? Do you end up with a seperate room key and park entrance key?

Also (sorry for so many also's....) do they sell 8 day park hopper tickets? The most I've seen is 7 day.

Thanks in advance for the info!!

 

[WDW1971]

I think they offer length-of-stay passes based on how long you are staying in a resort...but I think that's only for package deals.

 

[Vernonpush]

When we stay at an onsite resort, we purchase our ulitmate hopper passes at check-in. They let us not purchase either first or last day (or both), but this can only be done when purchasing the passes at the resort at check-in.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Right--they do sell length of stay--but they call them Ultimate Park Hoppers now.

You can buy your hotel and park tickets separately. The only "disadvantage", as you guessed, is that you will have 2 separate cards to carry. You can get them on one card if they are purchased together.

At this website is an annual pass breakeven analysis . You might find that annual passes are actually the better deal.

If you get APs (or even just one) you are eligible for AP discounts on the room(s). Sometimes they are better than offers to the general public; sometimes not.

 

[PhotoDave219]

There's a lot of very helpful information over at MouseSavers.com on purchasing packages vs purchasing it all ala carte. Its possible to save a bunch of money if you do each individually.

Also Pam @ kingdomkonsultants.com has her own travel agency and would probably be willing to help you out. (She's a Forum moderator of this section)

I believe that with the UPH deal with the package, you get park admission from when you first check in, until the end of your final day. (Which explains why i didnt leave WDW until like 11 PM when i knew i still had a 15 hour drive ahead of me)

I'd check out that site - however..... With the new FTV package they have running, people have gotten some better deals through the package (myself included). I guess it all depends on your own personal situation and what your willing to do. Packages appear to be more for convience than anything else.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Thanks Dave!

If you are not going to use the Ultimate park hopper on your last day, you need to let either your travel agent or disney know this so that they can take that day off your package. I'm a sponsor on these forums and break down the packages to see which is the better deal for clients all of the time. I do a lot of bookings for the forum members here. I suggest that if you are using an agency like AAA that you have them do the break down for you to see which would be more cost effective. $750 savings sounds like the ala carte way would benefit you more. There are also many other discounts that do come out and if you can apply one to a room only reservation, then you would have an additional savings.

Good luck,

Pam