Just for fun, I was looking at packages in April yesterday and it was working just fine. I think they had a notice about April and March being released early.
That's ironic because I was doing the same thing yesterday trying to do get approximate prices for May. I have a res at Hilton but would like to stay at one of the Disney hotels. For the dates I checked, the room only was about $1500 for 3 nts and the package was about $2500 for 2 nts. So definitely a significant difference.
I was trying to figure out exactly what you are paying for - I guess you get breakfast and the "preferred content" where you get to pick specific rides. I'm guessing those are like lighting lane passes where you get to get on 3 rides each day without waiting. Maybe?
You also get a free popcorn bucket and drink! lol I think you are correct about the preferred passes (or whatever they're called). From what I have read, it is like ILL and you can buy them after you get in the park until they run out. With the package, you got 3 of those per day, 2 nts hotel, 3 days tix (1 DL and 2 DS), the 2 breakfasts, a tote bag, the popcorn bucket and drink (per person). So it appears the main benefit of the package is the ability to book the passes in advance.
When I was looking, the package was actually 2 days at DS and only 1 day at DL. It used to be that the third day was a hopper day, and then that you could pick for the third day, but now it seems locked at 2 DS, 1 DL. Oh, well.
You are correct, my post was a typo. I went back and corrected it.
But this is the problem - I could book other hotels along with flights 11 months out and then 3 months out not be able to get the park entries I'd need. Hotels might be cancellable at that stage but (expensive) flights would be pretty much trashed. It was bad enough back in the days of booking advance fast passes and dining for WDW 90 or 180 days out, but at least you had your resort and park entries ... this is a whole new level of pain.
This is a problem for me too as being solo I can't get a package.
It is my understanding that all hotel guests are guaranteed tix and can buy them upon arrival. That is what one of the reputable vloggers said.
Maybe what I saw was from before Covid.
You can’t get the passes unless you purchase a package or buy premium access passes day of through the app once you have entered the park. Packages have been out for early May since last week.
Just back. Unless something has changed, you should be guaranteed tickets as a hotel resort guest. See here from FAQ Congrats on getting your reservation!!!
The official website still says this:
There are also some other resources, like TDR Explorer, that are great. I can probably point you to some others, but I cannot list them here.
