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Discounts on Walt Disney World Vacation PackagesLAST UPDATE: 5/7/08 - MOST RECENT ADDITIONS ARE IN REDDuring the off-season, Disney does sometimes discount its vacation packages. At other times, no vacation package discounts may be available. Any discounted Disney vacation packages listed below are subject to availability and rates are PER PERSON, per night, usually for adult double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Adult single occupancy (or one adult plus kids) usually carries a surcharge. Most rooms are set up for 4 people. A few rooms can accommodate 5, mainly at the Deluxe Disney resorts. There are a few rooms with trundle beds at Port Orleans Riverside that can handle 5, but one will have to be small enough to sleep on the trundle; none of the other Moderate Disney resorts can accommodate 5. Standard rooms at Disney's All Star resorts accommodate 4 people. Click here to learn more about the various resorts and room types.
Jump to: Is a Disney Vacation Package For You?A lot of people like Disney's vacation packages because they are convenient and worry-free. However, it is important to note that the standard full-price Disney vacation packages are designed for convenience rather than savings. In most cases you will NOT automatically get a discount by purchasing a package! It is frequently cheaper to book a "room only" reservation with the AAA discount or another discount and then buy the package components (tickets, meals, etc) separately. However, Disney sometimes offers special promotional package discounts, particularly in the off-season. You have to know the special discount codes, which I list here when available. Most Disney World packages must be purchased through Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC). The WDTC rules about advance payment, cancellations and changes are usually much more restrictive than those associated with "room only" reservations, so be sure to inquire about the restrictions. It can be difficult to sort out what is best for your particular situation. That's why I think it's a good idea to have someone knowledgable on your side, making sure all the details are covered. My advice is this: if you want to book a Walt Disney World vacation package, I strongly recommend using a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. It costs you nothing, and you can sit back, relax, and have all the vacation planning and hassle taken care of by someone else. 2008 Vacation PackagesThe most important change for 2008 that affects vacation packages is Disney's new method of pricing its hotel rooms. There are two major changes in this area.
The other big changes for 2008 are related to the Dining Plan options:
For 2008, you can choose from the following Magic Your Way package options:
Thanks to Small World Vacations for info.
My Value RecommendationsThe first thing you need to bear in mind is that Disney REALLY wants you to stay for at least 6 nights/7 days. For that reason, the Magic Your Way Packages are heavily discounted on longer (5 to 7 day) stays. Staying for 7 days costs only a little more than staying 4 days! So live it up -- take the longer vacation. For most people, the Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining is the best value. To add the dining plan to a basic package in 2008, you pay only $37.99 per night per adult, $9.99 per night per child (ages 3-9). For that amount you'll get a full service meal, a counter service meal and a snack each day! That is a terrific value -- it is easy to get your money's worth. The best part is that the dining plan is flexible, allowing you to swap a sit-down meal for a Character meal, or use two sit-down meals to attend a dinner show or eat at one of the higher-priced restaurants. You also have flexibility in when you use the meals. If you want to eat three of your sit-down meals in one day, you can. The higher level packages are really luxurious, but for the average family they are also serious overkill. First of all, eating the included three full meals a day is just too much for most people. But if you're like me, you'll feel compelled to eat all those darn meals, because you're paying for them! The Premium and Platinum packages also include lots of unlimited extras like recreation (i.e. boating) and behind-the-scenes tours, which sound great -- until you factor in the hot and humid Florida weather and the extensive walking, which slow most people's energy level to a crawl by the end of the day. The reality is, it's highly unlikely that you will play tennis in the afternoon and attend a Cirque du Soleil show in the evening, on top of spending your day in the theme parks. But to get your money's worth out of the Premium and Platinum packages, you really need to be taking advantage of such "extras" every day. Grand Gatherings (Groups of 8 or More)With family and multiple-household travel increasing over the past few years, Walt Disney World has created a new program called Grand Gatherings, which is designed to provide special opportunities for groups traveling with 8 or more people ages 3 and up. (Babies under 3 can still come along, of course, but aren't counted toward the minimum number of people required to participate.) Grand Gatherings offers special benefits and one-of-a-kind experiences that may not be available to smaller groups attending Walt Disney World. As part of a Grand Gatherings group you will have the option of booking special events with your group. These include:
A Grand Gatherings group can book one of these special events, or all of them. Experiences will be shared by multiple Grand Gathering parties. Valid theme park admission is required for all Grand Gathering experiences except the Magical Fireworks Voyage. The same experience must be purchased by at least 8 guests (based on ages 3 and up) in the party. Experiences and dates are subject to change and weather conditions. Availability is limited. Reservations can be made from 90 to 6 days in advance (beginning 1/1/06, you can reserve 190 to 3 days in advance), and full payment for each experience is required 45 days prior to arrival. May be cancelled up to 6 days prior to first Grand Gathering Experience without penalty. Pricing includes gratuities/service charge(s). You can use dining plan credits from the Magic Your Way Package Plus Dining for the three Grand Gatherings experiences that include a meal (International Dinner and IllumiNations Dessert Party, Safari Celebration Dinner and Good Morning Gathering): each experience requires 2 table service options per person. If you are on the Magic Your Way Premium or Magic Your Way Platinum package, the Grand Gatherings experiences will "cost" only one table service option per person. There are also custom events that can be arranged for your group's special needs, including dinner parties, behind-the-scenes tours, group photographs, spa experiences and golf. Interested in organizing a Grand Gathering? Here are four steps to follow when planning your group:
Trip InsuranceIt is especially important to buy trip insurance for a vacation package, because you have to pay the entire cost in advance and you won't get a refund if you have to cancel right before your scheduled departure. With hundreds or even thousands of dollars at stake, it's worth it to protect the investment. It's super-important to buy insurance if you will be visiting Walt Disney World on a package vacation during peak hurricane season (roughly the months of August and September). Don't underestimate the potential of hurricanes to create major problems even in an inland location like Orlando. Walt Disney World was directly affected by two hurricanes in 2004 (Frances and Jeanne) and one in 2005 (Wilma). Two hotels located on Disney property (but not operated by Disney) were literally decimated by the 2004 storms, to the extent that one of them has still not reopened as of 2007. While Disney's own resorts weathered the hurricanes very well, guests were stuck in their rooms for up to 36 hours and many had major travel problems because airports were closed. Disney did waive "no-show" fees for a few dates, but those whose trips began before the specified dates (but whose travel plans overlapped with the hurricane) or just afterward were out of luck. Many people had similar problems with their airfares. The airlines allowed highly restrictive changes for certain dates without extra fees, but many of those who had to reschedule could not work within the airlines' narrow rules and just had to suck up the extra cost. Perhaps the most important coverage included in a trip insurance policy is trip cancellation and interruption insurance, which can protect your investment if you have to cancel your vacation at the last minute (or come home early) due to illness or injury. Depending on the policy, you may be covered if you cancel for other reasons, such as jury duty, terrorism at your destination, or even unemployment. Emergency medical coverage and medical evacuation insurance are very important if you become ill or injured during the trip. Otherwise you're on your own as far as booking very expensive last-minute airfare to get home. And if you're too ill to travel by commercial jet, you may have to pay for treatment in Florida (which your personal insurance may or may not cover) or for evacuation on a medically-equipped jet, which is incredibly expensive. Delayed baggage insurance will help you pay for replacement clothing if the airline sends your suitcase to Timbuktu and you need something to wear in the meantime. Supplemental baggage insurance will pay a predetermined amount if an airline loses your luggage completely. (Some higher-end credit cards provide extra baggage insurance, so check with your card issuer before paying extra for this coverage.) Disney sells trip insurance, but it's expensive and it has major exclusions. For instance, it does not cover pre-existing medical conditions, most airline delays, terrorism or unemployment -- but there are many policies available from other companies that will cover these things. You can almost always get better insurance than Disney provides, and at better rates, by buying it elsewhere. Be aware that in most cases, trip insurance will provide slightly less coverage (usually by adding exclusions on pre-existing conditions) unless you buy it within about 14 days of paying your DEPOSIT on the vacation package. So be sure to purchase it right away, once you've committed to the trip.
Annual Passholder Summer Packages with Dining PlanDiscounted Annual Passholder Packages with Dining are now being offered for stays 5/26/08-8/2/08. There is a room discount, but the Dining Plans are priced at the regular rate. These bookings are subject to regular Walt Disney Travel Company package rules. Thanks to Small World Vacations for info!
"FREE Dining" Vacation PackageThe most popular Disney vacation package promotion is back! You can get FREE dining when you book a full price Walt Disney World vacation package for check-ins most nights 8/24/08-9/20/08. As long as you check in by September 20, you get FREE dining for the entire stay! Purchase at least 3 consecutive hotel nights at an official Walt Disney World resort, plus at least a one-day theme park ticket, and you will get the regular Dining Plan for FREE, for the length of your stay. (Or you can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan by paying the price difference -- see below.) Essentially you get the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a regular Magic Your Way package. To qualify, you must purchase a regularly priced Magic Your Way package consisting of at least a 3-night stay at an official Walt Disney World resort hotel, PLUS at least a 1-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket. This deal saves a family of four (2 adults, two kids ages 3-9) $95.96 per day -- the cost of adding the regular Dining Plan to a basic vacation package. There's a new twist for 2008: you can choose the regular Dining Plan (one counter service meal, one table service meal and one snack, per person, per day) at no extra charge, or upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan for just $32 per adult per night and $10 per child age 3-9 per night. (This represents the usual price difference between the two plans.) The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals a day at your choice of table service or counter service locations. You get an appetizer with your table service meals on this plan. The Deluxe Dining Plan also includes two snacks per day and one refillable mug per person. You can eat like royalty! You can also add the "Wine & Dine" Plan to either package, at full price. If you have enjoyed this offer in the past, be aware of a few changes: in 2008, Disney no longer includes an appetizer with table service meals on the regular Dining Plan. Gratuities are no longer included at table service meals, but they are included at the dinner shows (Hoop Dee Doo, Spirit of Aloha Luau and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ) as well as with Room Service and Grand Gathering Experiences. Some important advice if you book a "FREE Dining" package:
You must book this offer by 6/22/08. The number of packages available is limited. Suites are excluded from this offer. No group rates or other discounts apply. Thanks to Small World Vacations for info!
Disney Rewards® Visa® "FREE Dining" Vacation PackageThis package is exactly the same as the Free Dining Package above. The only difference is that Disney Rewards® Visa® cardholders were able to purchase it three days earlier than the general public. Thanks to Small World Vacations for info!
Package Promotions with Small World VacationsSmall World Vacations frequently offers nice Disney World vacation package promotions exclusively for MouseSavers Newsletter readers. Be sure to sign up for the FREE monthly e-mail newsletter so you'll hear about the latest offers! Discounted Packages Through ExpediaWhen discounted packages are offered, the same vacation package
discounts that are offered through other travel agencies (and
directly by Disney) are usually also available online through
Expedia Be aware that Expedia Generally speaking you're better off to book the corresponding
discounted package through a Disney Specialist travel
agent, because Expedia Membership DiscountsIf you belong to AAA or Costco, it may be worthwhile to check their prices on vacation packages. However, don't expect much service, and be aware that you may not get the best price in the long run. In my experience, the big membership organizations employ "generalist" travel agents who often know little or nothing about Disney vacations and are frequently clueless about promotional packages and discount codes. You will usually have to do your own monitoring to make sure any better package offers that come out are applied to your booking. They almost never do this for you, unlike a Disney specialist agency. Be aware that AAA offers a room discount that applies ONLY to full price packages. If a better promotional package comes out (and it frequently will), you can switch to the new promotion, but you lose the AAA discount. You can only pick one or the other. Back to top MouseSavers.com® is not an official site of The Walt Disney Company or of Universal Studios. Content of MouseSavers.com is © MouseSavers, Inc. 2001-2008. Website content may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior written permission of MouseSavers, Inc. Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions of Use |
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