[mickey]

DavisFamily, welcome to DisneyCentral! For 2003, as you know, the package names have changed, as have some of the items included in the packages. I am assuming that you are speaking of the Gold Plan (Dreammaker Package). That includes three meals per day per person, unlimited recreation and some merchandise. My advice to people with smaller kids is that you should probably book something lower down, like the Silver Plan. With personal experience and feedback from members here, with little kids, it just doesn't ever add up.

The problem is that to make the plan worth it, you have to eat at very nice restaurants for every meal, make use of all the recreation activities, and you have to go full speed for 24 hours per day. I would find out the difference in cost for your trip, and put the money into a bank account. Trust me, when you get to WDW, eat where you want, do what you want, and when you get home, add it all up, and you will be considerably ahead.

If you have older kids, teenagers, then it may be worth it. They don't need naps in the afternoon, they just can do much more.

Oh, and one more thing. Make sure you find a travel agent who will re-book the package for you when the prices drop. Right now, everything is full price. For next August, you should be able to get a substantial discount, but not until the discounts are announced sometime next summer. I would suggest booking it now, paying the deposit, and then having your agent re-book it when the discounts are announced. Also, make sure you find an agent who is very familiar with WDW. They will be very familiar with the discounts that are released, and be able to re-book it for you then.

Good luck, sounds like a fabulous trip!