When planning a Walt Disney World vacation, staying on budget is often priority number one. This brings us to one of your biggest decisions: Should you book a Disney package or search the Internet for the best deals? Well, let’s explore both options.
Booking A Disney Package
First, let’s answer the question: What is a Disney Package? All this means is that your Disney Resort and Theme Park Tickets are bundled together. Additional things like Memory Maker, Dining Plans, or travel insurance can be added. But, they are not required.
Convenience
Convenience is the biggest benefit of booking a Disney Package. You only have one price and one confirmation number to keep track of.
It’s simple, which is what busy families and first-time Disney travelers are looking for. Planning a Disney vacation can often feel overwhelming and confusing. So, this takes some of that stress off your shoulders.
Budgeting
We’ve all been there—planning the perfect vacation, only to be hit with a price increase before we’ve had time to save up. It’s frustrating.
I understand how stressful it can be to budget for a vacation. But, booking a Disney Package can help you avoid all of this frustration. You only need to make a $200 deposit to lock in your rates – and it’s fully refundable if you need to cancel. There’s no complicated payment schedule. So, all you need to do is keep saving and be paid in full 30 days before check-in.
If you’ve ever wondered how people can stay at their favorite Resorts without going over budget, this is how. By locking in your rates, you secure a room at your favorite Resort before they sell out. And you get to enjoy doing the fun parts of planning—instead of worrying that your trip is getting more expensive day by day.
Promotions
We all want to get the best price on our vacation, so we love that Disney frequently releases discounts. Even if you’ve already paid your deposit, you still qualify for promotions that can lower your overall cost.
To qualify for Disney promotions, you must book directly with Disney. Room-only discounts can sometimes be booked separately. But, big savings, like free dining plans, are only available in Packages.
Promotions add extra value to your trip without a lot of effort, especially if you’re working with a Travel Agent. By tracking new promotions, you can enjoy that dream vacation without breaking the bank.
| Pros of Booking a Disney Package | Cons of Booking a Disney Package |
| Simple planning – one price, one due date | May not be the lowest price |
| 100% refundable, including tickets | |
| Can book before having all the money upfront | |
| Lock in rates before prices increase | |
| Discounts can be applied after booking | |
| Dining Plans are only offered in a Disney Package |
Booking A La Carte
Now, let’s explore what it means to book a la carte. This means booking everything separately: Resort, tickets, etc. Many Guests choose this method to save money on their family vacation – especially after seeing prices on Disney’s website.
Savings
You may find discounted rates on hotels and Theme Park tickets by researching deals, comparing prices, and staying flexible with your plans. And who doesn’t want to save money on their vacation?
The most popular place to start is Undercover Tourist. Even if you’ve never used them before, you likely recognize the name.
As I mentioned in a previous post, it’s important to do your homework and understand who you’re doing business with. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of bad advice and scams online. But, Undercover Tourist is one of the few 3rd party vendors I support. I’ve used them on more than one occasion. And I’ve never had any problems.
As you can see, there is a bit more work involved. But, you can save a little bit of money going this route.
Time and Organization
While savings are great, booking everything separately requires more time, patience, and effort. You also have to be very organized and have a bit more flexibility.
You’ll need to know each company’s cancellation policy, payment schedule, final payment dates, and confirmation numbers. If you forget a payment, that can jeopardize your entire vacation.
Knowledge
Unfortunately, booking everything separately complicates the planning process. You also have to have a better understanding of Disney’s technology than the typical first-time Guest.
Do you understand My Disney Experience? You may have an email confirmation that you bought your tickets. But, do you know how to attach those tickets to your Disney account so you can get into the Theme Parks?
What about MagicBands? Are you going to be using them instead of holding onto multiple tickets? If so, do you know where to find discounted MagicBands? If you’re not getting them (or don’t qualify), do you know how to link new MagicBands?
If you don’t know the answer to these questions, booking a la carte is likely not your best option. You may want to consider reaching out to a Travel Agent or booking a Disney Package directly through Disney.
As a mentor once taught me, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Planning a Disney vacation requires a bit of strategy and knowledge. And if you don’t know what you’re missing, you’re not going to have the magical Disney vacation you’ve been dreaming of.
| Pros of Booking everything separately | Cons of Booking everything separately |
| You may get a lower price | You will have many different due dates, cancellation policies |
| Disney Theme Park tickets are non-refundable | |
| You need the full balance at the time of booking | |
| Prices change often | |
| Discounts can’t be applied later if the price drops | |
| You don’t qualify for Disney promotions | |
| You can’t get a Disney Dining Plan |
What Is Your Family’s Priority?
Ultimately, the decision to book a Disney Package or book a la carte depends on how much work you’re willing to put into planning your vacation. If simple is what you’re looking for, a package is the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re willing to spend more time planning, buying a la carte might save you a little bit of money.
Whichever option you choose, the most important thing is to plan ahead, do your research, and make sure your itinerary matches your needs, wants, and expectations.
Before you make a decision, we suggest checking out our Free Budget Planner. It gives you the info you need to create a realistic budget. Knowing what you’re willing to spend is key to successfully planning any vacation.
Got questions? Feeling a bit anxious? Not sure where to begin? We help families, just like yours.
Planning an entire vacation can be overwhelming. But, here’s the good news: we have the answers to the questions that have been stopping you from pulling the plug on your next vacation.
We understand the journey, the ups, and the downs. We’ve been through the training, made our fair share of mistakes, and learned valuable lessons from them. This is what makes us the perfect people to assist you.
From thoughtfully crafted itineraries to having direct access to your dedicated Travel Professional, our mission is to remove the stress from your vacation planning. With our simple 3-step process, we’re here to help you every step of the way, ensuring that your dream destination becomes an unforgettable reality.
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