Disney’s Special Offers
Everyone is looking for a deal on Disney World vacations. And, why not? Why pay more than you have to? Two of the most often asked questions on Disney discussion forums are: where can I get discount tickets to Disney World and how can I get a PIN code? (PIN codes are numbers that when used will offer some type of discount on a Disney World vacation package.)
But, did you know that even with one of Disney’s discounted Special Offers, you may not be getting the best possible price? If you have any flexibility as far as when you can go, it’s a good idea to do some comparison shopping. Start by pricing out a vacation package with Disney’s current Special Offer. Next, price the same vacation package: resort accommodations, park passes, and dining plan, during one of Disney’s value seasons. You may find that being able to move your vacation time, even one week, can make a difference. Here’s an example:
Disney’s Summer Room Only offer gives 15% – 30% off Walt Disney World Resort accommodations, depending on which resort you choose. This offer runs until October 2, 2010. Although this is a Room Only offer, it can be customized to include park passes and one of Disney’s dining plans. So, let’s say we choose a standard room at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort: one of Disney’s Value Resorts. For two adults and one child, age 8, and one junior, age 13, staying five nights from August 8 – August 13, and including 4-Day Magic Your Way base tickets, plus Disney’s Quick Service Dining Plan, the total package, not including travel insurance, comes to $2,029.37.
Now, let’s price that same package, but for a few days later: August 15 – August 20. This now put’s our trip into the Value Season and the price of our package drops to $1,921.07. Not a huge difference, $108.30, but what could you do with an extra $108?
Okay, but what about comparing different offers available? For Fall and Winter 2010/2011, Disney has three Special Offers: Room Only, which again can be customized, Free Dining and free Disney Gift Card when you buy a 5-night, non-discounted package. If we use our same family of 4 staying 5 nights at one of Disney’s Value Resorts during an applicable period, and include 4-day base tickets plus the Quick Service Dining Plan, here is how they would fare:
The Room Only Offer totals out at $1,983.23. The Free Dining Offer, which of course includes the Quick Service Dining Plan, totals $1,334.77; that’s a $648.46 savings. The free Gift Card Offer totals $2,158.37. By staying at a Value Resort you would receive a $200 gift card. If you consider this as a $200 cash back and subtract that amount from your total it works out to $1,958.37. Or, you can buy the package without the dining plan, in which case the total package would be $1,628.57, less the $200 bringing the total down to $1,428.57. You could apply the $200 toward food purchases. Still, not as good as the Free Dining Offer.
The point here is: don’t assume that because there is some kind of Special Offer or discount that that is the best price you can get. If you can be flexible as far as when you travel, you may be able to save even more. You also don’t want to make the assumption that one offer is better than another without doing the math. Take the time to price out different offers and different travel dates, you may save yourself some money.
For more information about Disney World vacation planning, check out these articles:
- Fastpass to Disney World
- Disney World and strollers: rent or take your own?
- Disney’s Magical Express
- Want more help deciding which vacation package components are right for your family?
- Visit www.momswdw.com to check out the free preview and download your copy of
The Practical Mom’s Disney Vacation Companion 2010 Edition today.
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