Are Disney travel package deals worth the money?

Answer

Disney Packages can be overpriced during the busy season, but during the off-peak periods, your travel agent can get great discounts on packages at WDW hotels. They include hotel, all meals, and theme park tickets – for about the same price as an offsite hotel room without all the extras. Packages also include free perks like Character Breakfasts, and a choice of nice restaurants.

The Disney standard of guest service is admired throughout the hotel industry, and it's offered at the moderately priced hotels, as well as the Grand Floridian. A monorail or other Disney transportation will take you directly to the parks, avoiding traffic and parking. Besides the luxury of being wrapped in a Disney cocoon where your every need is anticipated for the entire stay, you also get early admission to the parks.

With a package, you don't have to worry about cash or a credit card (except for souvenirs). You wear your pass, and you're golden.

We spent 9 days at the Carribean Beach Resort a year or two ago --it's one of Disney's "Moderate" priced hotels. It was fantastic -- so hard to return to the real world. Given a choice, I would pick a "Moderate" Disney hotel over a "Luxury" offsite hotel every time.

Recent Changes to Packages

WDW vacation packages have changed a bit over the past year or two. Formerly, packages were not a very good deal (IMHO). Now, the cost of the package is basically the rack rate of the Disney hotel room plus the cost of the theme park tickets. Occassionally, Disney will add a perk if you buy a package that makes it a fairly good deal. For example, this spring they are offering an upgrade to include free "Water Park Fun and More" add-ons to your theme park tickets (AKA Magic Your Way tickets). If you were already planning to visit a water park and DisneyQuest, this would be a great deal. Last fall, you could add the Dining Plan for free, which was a huge benefit.

The primary disadvantage in my opinion is that you have to pay for the package in advance. If you just book your room and buy your tickets separately, you get to hold onto your money longer. On the other hand, getting everything paid for and taken care of means that you can focus on other things to get ready for your vacation.

Check with your travel agent or the Disney World web site for special package offerings periodically to see what they are offering.

First answer by AnneEZFunDisney. Last edit by AnneEZFunDisney. Contributor trust: 95 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 55 [recommend question]