[JungleJim]

I'm trying to decide whether I we should purchase the 3 night/4 day Dream Maker Package, or purchase the 3 nights at the disney resort and purchase 4 day hopper tickets seperately.

Our son is 2.5 yrs old, so we won't be going to water parks. I think we'll just need to get to the main parks.

The way I have it figured, it would save us about $60 to purchase the room and hopper tickets separately.

Is spending the $60 more worth it for a the package? (We can get a Dream Maker Package at a Value Resort for $715.32 since our son is still free)

Advice is appreciated!!

[SeattleRedBear]

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[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by JungleJim

Is spending the $60 more worth it for a the package? (We can get a Dream Maker Package at a Value Resort for $715.32 since our son is still free)

Only a $60 savings? Then it's a tough call. Are you interested in DisneyQuest? That alone will pay for the difference, but then I'm not sure you'll have the time.

OTOH, if you only use 3 days of the tickets, then you'll have one day left and that's actually more than a $60 savings, or at least it's a $60 immediate savings with a future investment.

The biggest issue I have with the packages is that the UPH makes you want to do EVERYTHING all the time in order to get the biggest bang for the buck. With the regular PH, if you skip the parks one day, it never expires, so it's "money in the bank."

Next trip, we're buying APs because we're going again in Oct of 2005. So, we're going to take a very merry Disney holiday leisurely approach in December.

[Dana]

$60? That's it? I would just get the package. With Disney Quest, PI, and the other options that the Unlimited Park Hopper has, it's worth WAY more than $60. You never know if you will get storms and have to kill a few hours at Disney Quest or something. You can get lanyards and pins I think still with hte package and that's a lot of fun. Uh don't forget Airfare too. My package last yeard came with airfare. WDW took care of that hassel. I just picked the flight times. Might I recommend clicking on Mouseketrips (front page and one of our sponsors) and letting them handle the details? I know first hand that they will get you the LOWEST possible price for a trip.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by Dana

Uh don't forget Airfare too. My package last yeard came with airfare. WDW took care of that hassel. I just picked the flight times.

Letting WDW take care of your flight is not without cost. They will almost never find you the best price. If you're willing to deal with the "hassle" yourself, then definately do that yourself. IMO, booking airfare yourself online is actually easier than going through WDW (ability to select your own seats, times, looking at various flight times/costs, etc.)

[Dana]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

Letting WDW take care of your flight is not without cost. They will almost never find you the best price. If you're willing to deal with the "hassle" yourself, then definately do that yourself. IMO, booking airfare yourself online is actually easier than going through WDW (ability to select your own seats, times, looking at various flight times/costs, etc.)

True...very true. But if the package including airfare is only $60 more, why go through the "hassle" of bargain shopping? Sometimes saving myself some aggrevation is worth $60.

[tinkerbell]

something I didnt see you post is when you are going. this can be important if you buy
seperate passes, because there might be room only discounts available for anyone. Like on the front page of DC there is a notice of room only discounts for anyone availble for this August.

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=10849

[JungleJim]

Thank you for the replies everyone!

I already have plane tickets (Spirit Airlines from Detriot at $57 each way....$402.60 total for 3 round trip (including tax, fees, etc.)

Our first day will August 1. Yes, all of those discounts apply.

But I'm still unsure which way to go (package vs. separate). I wish they sold 3 day hopper tickets, because I don't know how early we'll get there on Aug 1. We'll be driving up from my parents' home in Venice. We might just get there for check-in at 4:00 pm and just do pool time. So maybe the ultimate park hopper with the package would be a waste? I don't know.

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by JungleJim

So maybe the ultimate park hopper with the package would be a waste?

I think it might be. As I suggested before, the UPH puts a lot of pressure on you to go to the parks whenever physically possible, and I believe that there are AP rates available for when you're going. You should call CRO to check.

But... do you already have reservations? If you change them now, I'm pretty sure they'll charge you a service fee. In which case, just stick with you booking and have a good time.

[royorb1]

I have decided to buy AP's because, for the near future we make one trip to WDW if we go around a 2 weeks earlier than we do on our next trip, we will get our park hoppers for free (when compared to the cost of an 8 day park hopper ticket). And of course the renewal price for the AP is reduced. So for a few years we could get our park hoppers for free and only pay for the resort. Than we can splurge on a deluxe resort.

[JungleJim]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

You should call CRO to check.

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is "CRO"?

[JungleJim]

Originally Posted by royorb1

And of course the renewal price for the AP is reduced.

What do you mean by "renewal price"?

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by JungleJim

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is "CRO"?

Sorry...

CRO = Central Reservation Office

Did you know that there's an 800 number?

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=7197

[tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by JungleJim

What do you mean by "renewal price"?

royorb1 is talking about the renewal price for Annual Passes.