2007 Basic Package Bookings Available NOW!

[mickeysaver]

From a usually reliable source on another board.....

The 2007 Vacation Packages are currently expected to be available for sale about mid-late August by phone (1-407-W-DISNEY) or Internet ( www.disneyworld.com ). This delay is due in part to new system upgrades and enhancements at the Disney Reservation Center and on our main servers. No word as of yet if there will be any major or even minor changes to the packages themselves. I'll be happy to report on the 2007 Vacation Packages once they have been officially released.

As a result the 2007 Basic Package will be now available for booking by phone today, July 1, 2006. Booking the Basic Package enables you to hold rooms in a Walt Disney Travel Company package, and eliminates the need to use a room only booking, then needing to pay a new deposit once you convert to package and being refunded the room-only deposit. This makes the modification process much faster and easier for you once 2007 Vacation Packages are available for sale.

Stay tuned for more!

 

[plutolovr]

Hmmm...I'm a TA and I booked a Basic Package for someone yesterday!!

 

[mickeysaver]

The guy that posted on the other board is a CM and I believe that he works on the phones at WDTC/CRO. He usually knows his stuff. I am just glad to hear that there is something in place for those desiring to book a package 2007. Maggie

 

[MickeyEars]

My wonderful AAA agent cancelled our "room only" ressie at Pop Century today and per my request booked the temporary basic package at Port Orleans Riverside. This will be our first stay at a Moderate so we're very excited!!
Yes, mickeysaver I too am glad this basic package is in place especially for those of us who've been waiting for what seems like forever for the '07 packages!!! The waiting has been driving me crazy.

Carla

 

[Goofy22]

Can someone tell me maybe I'm blonde what the difference is between the room only and the basic package? Thanks!

 

[plutolovr]

When you book a room only, you get exactly that, a room. You have to pay one night's deposit and the rest at checkin. Now if you're booking the room only to convert to a package when they come out, Disney has to cancel the room only ressie and rebook you a package. If you're going at a very busy time and are staying somewhere very popular you may not be able to get the same room back when you book that package.

The basic package is a room, no tickets and some other little amenities like WWS admission and/or mini-golf. If you have one of these, when the "regular" packages come out you can call and just modify this ressie and keep the room you are holding. You will be required to put $200 down and pay the balance 45 days prior to checkin.

Hope this explains it.

 

[Goofy22]

When you book a room only, you get exactly that, a room. You have to pay one night's deposit and the rest at checkin. Now if you're booking the room only to convert to a package when they come out, Disney has to cancel the room only ressie and rebook you a package. If you're going at a very busy time and are staying somewhere very popular you may not be able to get the same room back when you book that package.

The basic package is a room, no tickets and some other little amenities like WWS admission and/or mini-golf. If you have one of these, when the "regular" packages come out you can call and just modify this ressie and keep the room you are holding. You will be required to put $200 down and pay the balance 45 days prior to checkin.

Hope this explains it.

Sounds good! Thanks for the explanation!

 

[MickeyEars]

Yes, my AAA agent had to cancel our "room only" reservation yesterday and credit that deposit back to my debit card and then charge my card the $200 deposit for the "basic" package. At least now that we're booked under a package things will be simple to add and no more refunding of deposits, etc.
I know my agent will be thrilled when the complete packages can be booked so I can stop with all the questions!!!

Carla

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Slightly OT - But isn't it often times better to book a room only, and get your tickets seperately? Last year we used AP discounts, so we had to do it this way, but the savings was better than anything else out there. I don't really care about the free luggage tags. Also, the room only bookings (using CRO) usually have better cancellation policies, don't they? I'd just as well pay upon arrival, rather than before I go.

 

[mickeysaver]

We have up to this point always booked our room as a room only. The tickets either came from an outside vendor or from Disney. Our meals always are OOP. Now, this being said, we have used AAA and codes most of the time to get a deal on our room. For us, package deals have been unnecessary up to this point.

We are considering many options in respect to our trip next year. We still have a AAA membership, but we are considering buying AP's. If by some strange twist of fate that free dining or other heavily discounted package deal come about it, we would also consider a package deal. I am interested in seeing what the deals are for the same time period this year, so that I can have an idea of what to possibly expect next year. If we buy AP's, then we would most likely by DDE also.

Basically, there are lots of variables that apply to any given family's situation that can make a room only vs a package deal the better/cheaper option. There is just no cookie cutter answer. Maggie

 

[MeggerasMa]

We know we want the dining plan, so it's package for us. We've done both ways before and for us, the meals prepaid and included, is our personal preference. I'll never forget the time we spent over $120 on breakfast many years ago. Poor DH almost lost his breakfast right then and there in front of Mary Poppins! LOL! Mickeyears, our TA did the same for us yesterday. She cancelled our room only ressie (which will have the deposit refunded) and made our basic package reservation. I also agree that she will be happy when Disney releases the final package info so I won't "bother" her so much. Those are my words not hers. She doesn't seem to mind at all. Best of luck everyone getting what you want for your own "perfect" vaca.

 

[MickeyEars]

If you want both the AAA discount and the dining plan you must book a package and you must book that package thru AAA. We want both of those things so that's the reason we're going the package route.
We've never done the dining plan before so we're really looking forward to that. I really like the idea of having everything prepaid also!!!
I have two teenage boys that are bottomless pits and we do a sit down meal each day so that's why I'm going to add the dining when Disney releases the complete packages.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Anyone know if suites can be included with packages? We just booked a CSR Suite on 6/30.

 

[newchic99]

I just tried to book a basic package for January. I called twice and spoke to different CM's. Both said package prices will not be out till mid August.
The second CM I spoke to really thought they would be out by now . Last year she said it was July 1st that the bookings started. I think that she was even more frustrated aboiut the whole package thing than I was.

 

[MickeyEars]

newchic99~
The CM's probably don't know that these "basic" packages have been made available. I know that several other people here on the boards have booked them but I don't know if they booked them themselves or had a travel agent book it like I did. I think I would call back until I got someone who knew about them or that could ask a supervisor about it for you.
If anyone has booked the "basic" package themselves over the phone please raise your hand. Thank you, you can put your hand down now!!!

Carla

 

[disneyjunkie]

I tried to book online but it won't allow any bookings past December 31.

 

[Goofy22]

We have 2 of the all star family suites book for april and when I called the guy reccommended that we do the dining plan do you think that means they are making this available with the new vacation packages for 2007 or do you think he just made a mistake? Also they now let DVC members book dining so why not people who book suites? Maybe this will be a new option I hope so because if not we are going to switch to regular rooms especially if they offer free dining! But since I want them to I'm sure they won't! LOL!

 

[mrjaws]

I tried 2 times to book through WDW reservations, but was told they have no AAA rates for 2007. I mentioned the "basic" package and everything.

Is it possible that, if it's available, only AAA agents know about it about this point?

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Called WDWT about an hour ago. According to who I talked to the packages will not be out until August and a room only ressies is the basic package. So I'm not sure whats going on but seems like theres nothing else we can book until August because we already have room only ressie.

Tomorrow I think I'll call AAA and just inquire about 2007 packages and see what they have to say. Maybe I'll try Disney back too.

 

[MeggerasMa]

O.K. My AAA travel agent contacted me to say that a "basic" package was available for booking. She did not have the exact AAA discounted rate at this point, but if I chose to switch my room-only ressie to the AAA basic package, I would be guaranteed the AAA rate as soon as they were available. There are only so many rooms allotted in the inventory for the AAA rate; therefore, if I wanted a package that included the AAA discount, I could put the $200 deposit down now. That way, I would be assurred of getting the AAA room discount as a part of my AAA package. I can decide on what type of ticket, the inclusion/exclusion of the dining plan, etc., when more details are available. And best of all, I am certain to get a AAA rate room at the resort I want. This may not be important to everyone. However, it was something that I'm comfortable with. Hope this isn't too confusing or rambling.