5 Reasons Disney Packages are Worth the Money
Planning a Disney vacation can take a lot of work, simply because there is a lot to do. After all, you need to figure out transportation, accommodations, tickets to the park, food, FastPasses+, character meetings, and a thousand other extras. Here’s the good news, a Disney Package can make some of that work easier. It allows you to tackle a few of those things all at the same time.
Imagine booking your accommodations and tickets all at the same time, and possibly even more. It’s like a dream come true, and you haven’t even arrived at Disney yet! I don’t know about you but, I like easy and Disney packages make my vacation planning easy.
Disney packages generally include a hotel room and park tickets. You can add a pre-paid dining plan to any package. Also, a new change to the dining plans this year is that alcohol is now included. Select beer, cider, wines by the glass, and cocktails are available. If you’re not much of a drinker, you have new options now too. Enjoy gourmet hot chocolate, milkshakes and smoothies.
Read on for 5 reasons why I think Disney packages are worth the money.
1. You Save Money
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that tickets to Disney can cost a lot of money. Once you add a hotel and food to all that, the cost of your vacation can really add up. However, a Disney vacation package can have a family of four spending 7 days and 6 nights at a Disney hotel, visiting all four parks, and using the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan for as little as $134 per person per day. Depending on the time of the year you visit, you may save even more money.
One of the best times to book is when Disney offers a free dining plan when you book a Disney package. That puts even more money in your pocket. The caveat is that they only offer it once or twice a year. You need to keep an eye out for it.
Of course, if you are savvy, you can book everything separately. I’ve done both ways and I find it much more convenient to stay on-site and use a dining-plan over a la carte.
2. Changes and Cancellations are Penalty-Free
Most times, if you plan a Disney trip any other way, you are going to be out of luck if you need to make any changes to your trip. However, if you book a Disney package, you will be able to make a change or cancel it within at least thirty days without paying a penalty fee.
3. Pay Deposit Only
Choosing a Disney package is a great way to book a Disney vacation if you do not have all the money for your vacation yet. The reason is you will only need to pay a deposit for it. The rest of the money will not be due until thirty days before your vacation begins and that will give you plenty of time to save the money.
4. Customize Your Package
You can choose what you want in your Disney package because Disney sees their guests as individuals. Therefore, you can choose the length of your stay, the parks that you visit, the hotel you stay at, the dining plan that meets your needs, and numerous other extras. Below, is a quick outline of the dining plan options.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package
This is the basic Walt Disney World vacation package. It includes accommodations at a Disney-owned-and-operated resort hotel, and Magic Your Way tickets base tickets, but you can upgrade to Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus. The Park Hopper Plus allows you to “hop” to Disney’s water parks as well.
Perks of staying on-site: 60 days early access to FastPass+ planning, extra magic hours, complimentary transportation (water taxis, motor coaches, monorail), free airport transportation on the Disney Magical Express, complimentary MagicBands, and Dining Plan access.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus with Disney Quick Service Dining Plan
This package includes everything from the Disney’s Magic Your Way Package but, also include a dining plan. This plan gives everyone in your party two quick service meals and two snacks per package night. You also get a resort refillable mug per person.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Disney Dining Plan
This package includes the exact same things as the Disney’s Magic Your Way Package. This dining plan includes two meals (one table service, one quick service) and two snacks per person and per day. This is the one that we always choose because we make the most of it. Just like the other plans, you can choose from over than 100 restaurants across the Walt Disney World Resort. This plan also includes a resort refillable mug per person.
Since we are light breakfast eaters but enjoy fine dining, we get the most out of this plan. Our day consists of using one dessert for a light breakfast and a quick service at any walk-up of our choice. We then have a snack before dinner and use 2 table services to eat at signature restaurants like Citricos, Narcoosees or Wolfgang Puck, just to name a few.
Our Typical Dinner Meal Price Per Person: Citricos
Starter: Cheese Course Trio – $14.00
Entree: Oak-Grilled Filet Of Beef – $41.00
Dessert: Warm Chocolate-Banana Torte – $11.00
Drink: Soft Drink – $4.00
Total before Gratuity: $70
Our bill for our dinners can run in the hundreds, and we just cover the gratuity and we are good. This option works for us the best and I feel that we get our money’s worth in our dinners alone.
Disney’s Magic Your Way Package Plus Disney Deluxe Dining Plan
This one includes everything from the Disney’s Magic Your Way Package. The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals and two snacks per person/night. The world is your oyster as usual, and you can choose from more than 100 restaurants. Here’s the difference, this dining plan includes an appetizer with lunch and dinner, while the regular dining plan does not. It also includes a resort refillable much for everyone in your party.
5. Magical Extras
Everyone who books a Disney package automatically receives magical extras. These items are subject to change, but currently, they include 4 miniature golf passes and 4 ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex passes. You get discounts to certain restaurants and discounts to certain shops.
Click here to see the full list of Magical Extras. Of course, this is in addition to your MagicBands, extra time in the theme parks, resort transportation, and hotel benefits.
There are numerous ways to book everything for a magical stay at Disney, but Disney packages seem to have multiple benefits that will save you time, money, and much more. If you want convenience and can work the dining plan to work for you, you can definitely get your money’s worth. You’ll see that Disney packages are worth the money!
Make sure you check out my post if you need more information on how to plan your Disney trip like a pro.
Have you booked a Disney Package before and how did it go?
Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!
Thanks for sharing! Visiting Disney world was always my dream when I was I kid. Love your photos!
Thanks Cat.
A package sounds like a much more economical way to visit! I’d love to go, so thanks for sharing!
Awesome, I hope you make it out soon!
Wow you captured some really good shots of the castle. We are going there soon. will keep this in ind.
Thanks so much! Yay, hope it helps.
I really like all your hacks and great tips for an awesome time in the happiest place on earth. My son is too young right now to go to Disneybut we’ll definitely go here soon.
He will love it! Thanks, hope they help.
What a great way to see Disney. Disney can be expensive and you have offered some great ways to save and still enjoy the park.
Thanks!
It definitely was a lot easier planning wise to use one of the packages. We chose the option that gave us freedom to choose the aspects we wanted and not use the ones we didn’t care for.
That is awesome, I love how flexible they are.
We love all things Disney so we definitely consider the packages worth the money. I have looked up pricing on them and they do have some incredible deals. I really need to get out there soon with my daughter.
Yes, they definitely are! I hope you two can make it soon.
I have been wanting to visit Disney. Hopefully soon, I will be able to and I am definitely looking forward to that trip.
Awesome, hope you make it soon.
we are hoping to go to disney later this year. will be saving this info
Awesome, hope it helps.
Totally agree with this post! I just went to Disney World for spring break. For the 2nd time we did a resort/ticket package and I cannot say enough good things about the experience.
Yay, that is so good to hear!
I love Disney packages. We used one when we took our kids to Disney about 10 years ago. It made things so easy. Unfortunately back then they didn’t have the bracelets or the fast passes. I hope to go back soon so we can experience these things.
Yes, hope you can make it back soon.
I feel like travel packages are generally cheaper than booking each part of travelling separately.
I definitely think so!
Disney is always a great option. My friend got the year pass and she loves it!
It is awesome!