[smee57]

In the planning stage . . . not sure when the actual travel will be. Either Spring Break, June, or next Thanksgiving. (Gotta travel around the school year.) Is it cheaper to book a package deal with flight, hotel, etc. or is it just as frugal to book own flight, hotel, park passes, etc.? We're coming from midwest if that makes a difference. Someone said the planning part is so fun. I find it mind-boggling. Am I doing something wrong?

[disneyguy]

To me I have fun planning my trip, but some people would rather let someone else deal with it. I have found it to usually be cheaper to do everything seperate. NEVER go with a package that you find online unless it is an Official Disney Package, unless it is through an Online Travel Agent such as Mouseketrips. I would highly suggest contacting Keith over at Mouseketrips, he is actually the guy that runs Disney Central. Their website is www.mouseketrips.com on there I believe there is a phone number, or you can get up with them online. They will not pressure you at all, and their services are free to you!! They can help you find the cheapest way for you personally to book it, based on what you want to do on your vacation. There are too many variables for me to get into on one post.

As far as the airfare portion, you have to book that yourself. I can help you with that portion, if you send me the basic info. Unfortunatly, I am not very familiar with airlines in the Midwest, I am sure all the Major carriers service you. My one airfare tip is to book it directly through the airlines website. Sites like Expedia tack on a booking fare per ticket, and this can be as high as $10 dollars per ticket.

[bali]

I always book my trips in separate pieces -- I've done lots of "research," adding up my trip pieces and comparing them to Disney's packages, and I always come out ahead. Like DG said, if you'd rather not deal with the hassle, have a disney-loving travel agent book your trip for you. They'll always get you the best deals, because they get their kicks from finding good disney prices (as do I!!).

[karliebug]

Doing it yourself is generally cheaper any way you slice it. The only exception to that would be if they come out with another great package that is pay for 4,get 3 days free or pay for 5,get 2 days free. These deals are sometimes better than the separate components. Also consider an Annual Pass for at least one person in your party, as the discounts are well worth it.

[woohoo]

I have 3 kids with 2 in school. We wanted to go during a vacation but when we broke it down, we could do the cruise and include the silver plan with the money that we were saving by not going on school break. I booked the two trips seperate rather than land and sea and was able to get 2 rooms at the parks and on the boat and bring my sister as a sitter for the same amount as it would have cost to stay at the higer end resort and be stuck in a family suite on the boat (required for party of 5). I kept the part of our trip that we needed park passes as a package through AAA. I added one night on each end and again got the aaa discount. I am using my wishes for the most expensive things that we can while there to make a magical vacation. We are taking Quick silver transport for transfers ( we now have 14 going on the trip so it spreads the joy and the cost) it is so much cheaper than mears and a lot easier! I am watching ebay for vouchers and a used pal mickey for the kids. We also used southwest for our air so it was much cheaper than all of the other flights avail to us and its non stop. There are several other airlines like this. Song was another good one. Jet blue too. I also will bring water (from the 30 min stop quicksilver offers) and snacks for the kids. I am also using my disney visa for holiday shopping and my aaa card for the trip (I get 2% off if I use the aaa card on the trip) If there is a way to save Ill find it. I hope this helps you.

[mickey]

Smee57

It is almost never a better deal to book a package that includes flights, room and tickets. For some reason, the flights can usually be found for less money separately, if you are patient. Since you have plenty of time, once your dates are picked out, just check every couple of days for airfare, and book it when you find something that is acceptible.

Packages, such as Dream Maker packages, can be often a better deal. Possibly not financially, but the convenience they offer does come at a bit of a price. You can also add on fun things such as the Prince and Princess add on, or the Silver and Gold Plan, that are not available unless you have a Dream Maker package.

The last two Falls, there have been some sort of package discount as mentioned above. Haven't seen anything like that in June or over Spring Break, but you never know. If you are going to go over Spring Break, make sure you make you reservation soon. The discounts for Spring Break are currently available, but they expire on December 1.

[yellowfish78]

Here's where I differ with everyone else: I think doing a package is better than doing everything seperate. I like knowing that everything I want is included in ONE price...air, hotel, transfers, park tickets, etc. If anything, I think the Silver Plan is worth all the money. Knowing that my meals are paid for in advance helps me realize I can eat Filet Minon every night if I wanted to, or knowing that I have money in my pocket for goodies to take home, and not having to eat $5 hot dogs or $8 burgers every night. By doing a one night hotel only before and after your package maximizes your LOS park hoppers, allows you to be more flexible on your airfare (sometimes that evening flight is $50 cheaper than traveling in the morning!) and sometimes makes the package worth the few extra dollars. Trust your local travel agent, ask lots of questions and compare the features of both!

[Pooh Fan]

We have booked our trips both ways, and I think it depends on the deal that you get. On our trip in 2002, since we were going from the end of May through the middle of June, there were no deals and it was much cheaper for us to book everything seperately. On our trip Feb. 2004, we got the deal where the kids stay and play for free. That saved us quite a bit of money, so the package deal was cheaper for us. I think you should look at your options and do the math. Figure out which is better for you. Good luck with a tough decision, but if you are like me you enjoy the planning and it won't be so bad.

[smee57]

Took me a few days to get back to this. And I have to say, THANKS . I didn't realize how stressed I was just trying to figure out where to start. Looks like booking separate is the way to go. All of a sudden I'm looking forward to "having fun" planning! My DS (8 yrs. old) is soooo excited. It can't happen soon enough for him. Or my DH and I, too, for that matter. By the way, the age cut-off for cheaper everything is 9, right? You are all the greatest source of info and advice.

[MerlinMatt]

I do everything seperate, and by doing that, I'm taking a full week in December for less that $3K, which includes rooms, airfare, purchasing APs for the whole family and MVMCP tickets. There is NO WAY I'd be able to do that with a Disney package. On top of that, I won't have to purchase park admission for my trip next year.

Also, bear in mind that we'll be staying 5 nights in two rooms at the PC and 2 nights in one room at the Contemporary. So, this is a GREAT deal.

Granted, I'm an obsessive planner, but to me, it's worth it.

[MickeyRon]

Originally Posted by MerlinMatt

I do everything seperate, and by doing that, I'm taking a full week in December for less that $3K, which includes rooms, airfare, purchasing APs for the whole family and MVMCP tickets. There is NO WAY I'd be able to do that with a Disney package. On top of that, I won't have to purchase park admission for my trip next year.

Also, bear in mind that we'll be staying 5 nights in two rooms at the PC and 2 nights in one room at the Contemporary. So, this is a GREAT deal.

Granted, I'm an obsessive planner, but to me, it's worth it.

Okay Matt... I've got to see your plan... How many are in your family... I am going in 13 days! and I have hopper passes that were purchased at discount and I am staying value... I need your plan... I have a family of 4 but only 3 cost... I have a 2 year old... I need your help!

[MerlinMatt]

Ron:

I posted my spreadsheet a while ago. I'll try to find it.

[MerlinMatt]

Ron:

Here's where I posted a copy of my plan: http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...6&postcount=52

Let me know if you need anything else.

[Soundgod]

This is all so subjective. Depending upon your own situation and desires, there is no right answer. For the past 4 years we have done 2 Grand Plan vacations and 2 Dream Maker Gold Plan vacations. We have also had a few single day visits and can qualify for Florida resident rates on hotels when offered that were ala carte vacations. We live in Miami, and literally right off the Turnpike, so you can see how we deal with transportation, and a Disney cruise is low on our priority list (I hear Cirque is going to stage a show on Celebrity soon). While a Universal Annual pass makes sense for us, a premium AP doesn't pay off until you do 10 days in the parks, and we really don't do more than 5 in a year. If I knew you'd get 10-20% off meals in all sit down restaurants and 20% on merchandise like Universal, that would be different. The Dream Maker Gold allows you to do almost anything you want and not worry about the cost. I add the room cost, meal costs including tax and tip, Ultimate Park Hoppers, tours, and recreation, and usually it will total WAY more than the cost of the package. Yes, we're eating like pigs at meals, but we aren't eating much else, and it's the best food. Add this to the simple strees reduction factor of not having to worry about costs (after you payed for the whole thing up front) and you have a very magic experience. Now, the day trips. We have 5 day park hopper plus passes with 2 days and two pluses left. We book at any resort we want, and keep dinning and recreation to a minimum. Character breakfast, something quick at mid day, and dinner at one of the better restaurants, but not the most expensive dish. Let's face it, on a day trip, how much recreation can you cram in if you want to be in a park? Also, it seems I can only buy packages from Dream Maker packages from Disney, that's who I buy from. I also book the hotels directly through Disney.
One other factor, maybe the most important, we're a childless middle aged couple. Your milage will vary.