Advantages of a package over room only

[lyssabrittany]

Hi there,

Brand new poster here

I've been crunching some numbers to convince Dad that we do need to visit WDW again. As I've been searching, it has come to my attention that it is about $150 cheaper for us to book Art of Animation for 8 nights as a room only reservation and book our tickets separately, as opposed to as if we did it all in a package.

Can someone tell me please, what are the advantages of booking as a package rather than separately?

Thanks

 

[Belle83]

The packages usually don't save $, imo. We only booked a package because it was required to take advantage of the free dining promotion. You can book tickets cheaper at undercovertourist.com.

 

[GATORinaZ28]

I believe that the advantage would be Free Dining for those that vacation during the time offered.

We have looked into it, but lately, the trips are only myself and my daughter and there is no way we could eat that much. We just stick to Florida Resident discounts for room only.

 

[HM]

Getting a package is the only way to add the Dining plan, if that's something you want. Otherwise, it usually does work out better to get a room-only reservation and buy tickets through a broker like UndercoverTourist.

 

[Marionnette]

Hi there,

Brand new poster here

I've been crunching some numbers to convince Dad that we do need to visit WDW again. As I've been searching, it has come to my attention that it is about $150 cheaper for us to book Art of Animation for 8 nights as a room only reservation and book our tickets separately, as opposed to as if we did it all in a package.

Can someone tell me please, what are the advantages of booking as a package rather than separately?

Thanks

Sometimes, Disney offers packages that are cheaper than booking the room + tickets separately. It makes it more complicated to crunch the numbers and not every family will benefit the same way from all packages. For instance, a "Kids, Stay, Play & Dine Free" offer will be awesome for a family with 2 little ones but would be of no benefit to a family with teenagers. Or a "Pay for 4, Get 7" offer does little to benefit someone who wants fewer or more than 7 nights.

In most cases, you cannot book a room-only reservation and get any of the dining plans. If having the dining plan is important to you, you must book a package. There are exceptions (AP holders, DVC members staying on points, military families stay on military salute discounts) but if you are not one of those exceptions, you're out of luck.

There are some perks that come with a package that you do not get with a room-only reservation. Those perks include some cute luggage tags, vouchers for the arcade and miniature golf, a voucher for Planet Hollywood for $15 towards food and a special souvenir plus discount coupons for watercraft rentals, Sammy Duvall experiences and fishing expeditions.

Every once in a while, it can be cheaper to book your flights through Disney. But you can only book airfare if you have a package. You cannot book flights thru Disney if you have a room-only reservation. In some cases, the cheaper airfare outweighs the savings by going "a la carte".