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Discounts on Walt Disney World Vacation PackagesLAST UPDATE: 1/5/09 - 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. 2009 Vacation PackagesThe only major change for 2009 (besides the increased prices) is a new Quick Service Dining Plan. With this new plan, each guest receives 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per night. You also receive a refillable mug per person, to be used at your resort. For 2009, 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 2009, you pay only $39.99 per night per adult, $10.99 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. To read more about the pros and cons of the Dining Plan, click here to see my review. If your family really isn't into table-service dining, consider the new Magic Your Way Package Plus Quick Service Dining for $29.99 per night per adult, $8.99 per night per child. The Quick Service Dining Plan is not as good a value as the regular Dining Plan (depending on your food choices, you may barely break even vs. just paying cash for your meals and snacks), nor is it particularly flexible, but it might suit your needs better. 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 virtually destroyed by the 2004 storms, to the extent that one of them has still not reopened as of 2009. 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, Disney's insurance won't cover lost vacation days caused by most airline delays. 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.
25% Off January-June Platinum PackageGet 25% off a Platinum Package when you stay January 4 through June 30, 2009. I have never before seen a discount offered on this ultimate package! The all-inclusive Platinum Package includes accommodations at a Disney Deluxe resort or a select Deluxe Villa (DVC) resort (Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas or Villas at Wilderness Lodge), plus three meals and two snacks per day, unlimited recreation and theme park tours, a spa treatment, an evening at Cirque du Soleil, a fireworks cruise and lots more! With this offer, you really do get 25% off the entire package! For that reason, it might make sense to load up the package with 10-day tickets and get the Park Hopper, Water Parks Fun & More and No Expiration options, since you're getting 25% off those too -- an unprecedented discount on tickets. If you stay less than 10 days, you can alway use the remaining features on your No Expiration ticket during a future visit. Availability is limited: some dates and resorts will be not be available. Reportedly April 5-18 are blacked out completely. You must book by 2/15/09. Because of the complexity of this package, I strongly recommend booking it through a Disney Specialist travel agency such as Small World Vacations. They can help you take full advantage of all the many package inclusions.
Discounted January-March Magic Your Way Package OfferGet special discounted room rates with a vacation package offer running January 4 through April 2, 2009. Availability is limited: some dates and resorts will be not be available. Room rates will correspond with the room-only offer covering the same dates. If you booked the 7-for-4 package and you are staying exactly 7 nights at a Moderate or Deluxe resort, no need to rebook -- you already have the best deal. If you are staying more or less than 7 nights and/or you are staying at a Value resort, this new package may be a better deal for you. You must book by 2/4/09. Thanks to Small World Vacations for info.
7-for-4 Free Nights Package Offer for January-June 2009Disney is offering a fantastic "free nights" (buy 4, get 7) vacation package offer. This is probably the best offer I've seen since 2003. It is valid for stays January 4 through June 27, 2009. (Disney's web site says January 10-18 and April 5-18 are blacked out for this offer, but in reality a few hotels are available during those dates.) Here are the details:
So how much will this save you? Here are three examples (amounts approximate):
As you can see, the primary savings are on the hotel room portion, so the higher category hotels offer the most total savings. The hotel discount works out to 43% off the room rate when you book 4 nights and get 7 for the same price. To calculate your approximate savings on a 7-night package:
You must buy a package that includes at least 4 nights' accommodations at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel plus minimum 4-day Magic Your Way Base Tickets to qualify for the FREE nights and the extra days on your tickets. You can stay longer than 7 nights (up to 10 nights) with this package, but there is a maximum of 3 free nights and 3 extra days per ticket, per stay. You can stay less than 7 nights, but you still must purchase 4 nights, so you'll end up with less than 3 free nights/extra days: stay 5 nights, get 1 free; stay 6 nights, get 2 free. Obviously a 7-night stay is the best deal! You can add the Quick Service Dining Plan, the regular Dining Plan, or the Deluxe Dining Plan, but you will pay full price for your dining plan (no free days of dining). This offer cannot be applied to the Premium or Platinum packages or to "split stays" (for example, 4 nights at one hotel, 3 nights at another). The package includes standard Magic Your Way Base Tickets. You can upgrade them with the Park Hopper and/or Water Parks & More option(s), but you'll pay the regular price for those upgrades. However, MouseSavers.com reader Lorraine has discovered that when booking this package, if you add the No Expiration option to a 7 day ticket, you are only charged the No Expiration cost for a 4 day ticket. What this means is that you can add the No Expiration option to your 7-day ticket at less than half the normal price ($53.25 per ticket instead of $117.15). If you wish, you can also add the Water Parks option at regular price ($53.25 per ticket) and then you'll have 7 water park admissions that don't expire! I double-checked this and it's true. Don't forget, if you happen to celebrate your birthday during your 2009 Walt Disney World vacation, you can receive a special birthday treat, such as a "fun card" in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day/1-Park Base Ticket ($75 for an adult, $63 for a child) you can use toward merchandise or recreation. You can also choose from other options. (The birthday treat is available ONLY on your actual birthday. This is a 2009 Disney Parks promotion available to anyone. It does not require purchase of a vacation package.) You must book this special package by 1/24/09. Note: if you don't need tickets (because you are an Annual Passholder or already have tickets) and you want to stay for 7 nights, there is a way to make this package work for you. Click here to see how. Thanks to Small World Vacations for info.
Winter Annual Passholder Winter Packages with Dining PlanDiscounted Annual Passholder Packages with Dining are now being offered for stays 1/1/09-2/12/09. 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. Note that the "Free Nights" Package Offer might be a better deal for you than the Annual Passholder rates if you plan to stay 7 nights. The "free nights" package can be booked with 1-Day Base Tickets. You will not get extra days on the tickets if you do this, but you'll get the free nights. Here's an example of how an Annual Passholder might do better with the "free nights" package:
So in this example, with the "free nights" package you are paying $91.56 more, but you are getting a $200 Disney Gift Card and a 1-Day Base Ticket per person that you can use later (valued at $79.88 per adult). I also tried this with a Moderate resort, Standard room, same dates, 7-night stay and it worked out similarly. Dining can be added to either package and will cost the same either way, so it doesn't affect these results. Don't forget, if you happen to celebrate your birthday during your 2009 Walt Disney World vacation, you can receive a special birthday treat, such as a "fun card" in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day/1-Park Base Ticket ($75 for an adult, $63 for a child) you can use toward merchandise or recreation. You can also choose from other options. (The birthday treat is available ONLY on your actual birthday. This is a 2009 Disney Parks promotion available to anyone. It does not require purchase of a vacation package.) Thanks to Small World Vacations for info!
Military Package with DiningSpecial deal for eligible members of the US Military*: A discounted Military Package with Dining is available for stays most nights 1/4/09-12/23/09, except not available at all 2/13-2/15, 4/4-4/18, 5/22-5/24, 7/3-7/4, 11/25-11/26/09. The Military Package with Dining does not include tickets because there is a special ticket offer for military. The package includes a room discount of up to 40% off, but the Dining Plans are priced at the regular rate. The Military Package with Dining is subject to regular Walt Disney Travel Company package rules. *Offer available to active duty military, activated reservists and retired military. Proof of Military eligibility is required. 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 Airline PackagesWhen Disney offers discounted packages, certain airlines' associated tour operators, such as United Vacations, may offer those packages. Sometimes the airline-affiliated tour operators offer extras, such as gift cards or discounts. However, airline packages always include airfare, and often the airfare offered with their packages is inflated. If you do your homework, you will often find it's cheaper to book discounted airfare directly with the airline and get your vacation package (room and tickets) elsewhere, such as through a Disney Specialist travel agent. Discounted Packages Through ExpediaWhen discounted packages are offered by Disney, 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, Costco or Sams Club, 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. 2001-2009. 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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