Are there any disadvantages to booking a package (as opposed to piecing it out)?

[pjynx]

I think we've decided on which resort we'd like to stay at. I've run the numbers for seperate resort, avg daily dining and park tickets (using a ticket broker instead of WDW), and then compared them to what the full WDW package is offered at. I've also run it with the resort and only a 1-day ticket so that we'd qualify for dining and added the remainder of the days tickets with a broker. In every scenario, the WDW full package comes out cheaper by at least a couple hundred dollars. I know that tax is an issue to consider, but according to the WDW website when I look at my offers, it says that tax is included in the quotes.

We're not AP holders so we have to buy tickets. We'll be going in June, which I'm guessing is NOT one of the times that they'll run the free dining special. We plan on paying for everything with my Disney Visa, so it'll be paid in full before we arrive.

Last time we went (our first time), we purchased everything seperately because we didn't do the dining plan (not even sure if it was available back then). But now, knowing how often our food bills came to $100 just for dinner and tips for the 3 of us, not incl breakfast, lunch and snacks...the dining plan seems like a must for us.

So are there disadvantages to booking the whole package? I know a lot of people like to piece it together, and I don't mind doing that when the price comes out cheaper. But I didn't know if price was the only consideration, or maybe people piece it together because it's more difficult to make changes when there's a package involved? ie, if a code comes out and our resort is eligible, will I be penalized for switching our reservation to use the code? Once I make a ressie with the full package, is it written in stone or can it be changed without too many problems? Thanks!

 

[eliza61]

Hey Pam,
The first time I went to wdw we did a package through AAA. Price was an issue but so was convienence. We wanted some one to do most of the work since we were rookies and didn't know about Disney except what we read in a guide book. We've never made major changes so don't know if that's an issue or not.

Good luck

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I've also run it with the resort and only a 1-day ticket so that we'd qualify for dining and added the remainder of the days tickets with a broker.

A broker can not add days to a ticket, you would have to purchase another ticket which in no way could be cheaper than purchasing the ticket from Disney. So if you are booking a package and don't have AP's go ahead and buy the full tickets from Disney.

Keep in mind the dining plan no longer includes an appetizer or tip for the table service meal.

If you have done the reseach and feel confident that the package is less money for your family then go for it. The only reason to book room only is if it is less money or you want to wait for a code.

 

[pjynx]

The only reason to book room only is if it is less money or you want to wait for a code.

A couple questions regarding using a code for room only.....

Are most codes that come out for "room only"?

If I reserve right now for room only (so I can possibly apply a code later), can I upgrade to a package (with dining and tickets) later if a code doesn't come out?

Thanks for all the replies so far!

 

[Sandi]

I just wanted to add that packages need to be paid in full 45 days before your arrival day and you put a $200 deposit on the package when you make the reservation. I do not know what the cancellation penalty is for packages.

A room only reservation requires a one night deposit amount and then you don't pay the rest until you are there. I believe you can cancel and get a complete refund up to 5 or 6 days out. (Someone will have the precise time.)

I think there are more package codes than room only codes, but that's just my observation. You can always turn a room only into a package -- but it has to be done before you arrive (and to add dining, I think it has to be done several days before you arrive).

 

[rt2dz]

I just wanted to add that packages need to be paid in full 45 days before your arrival day and you put a $200 deposit on the package when you make the reservation. I do not know what the cancellation penalty is for packages.

A room only reservation requires a one night deposit amount and then you don't pay the rest until you are there. I believe you can cancel and get a complete refund up to 5 or 6 days out. (Someone will have the precise time.)

I think there are more package codes than room only codes, but that's just my observation. You can always turn a room only into a package -- but it has to be done before you arrive (and to add dining, I think it has to be done several days before you arrive).

This sums up a lot of what I was going to say. I want to had/clarify that a room only reservation can be changed without penatilty 7 days prior to check-in. Never a penality to upgrade/add.

With a package you can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 45 days in advance (when payment in full is required). From 6 to 44 days in advance, there is a cancellation/change (if downgraded) fee of $100. If you cancel or downgrade 5 days or less in advance, you pay a $200 penalty. Any changes that result in a rate change, such as applying a discount code, reducing number of days and/or changing to a differently-priced resort, made 45 days or less prior to arrival, are subject to a $50 fee.

Also with packages, trip insurance is automatically added. If you do not want it, you MUST TELL THEM BEFORE YOU HANG UP or too bad. Airfare added to your reservation is also nonrefundable.

As someone else stated, package discounts are (lately) better and have more available.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We go in June of each year and we have always bought a package. I just like the convenience of having everything all said and done in one piece rather than having several components to deal with.

I have priced out the Dining Plan and, even without the appetizers and the tips, it still pays for our family to purchase the plan.

Like I said, I just like the convenience and knowing that everything is paid for before I even arrive. I like being able to make payments on my vacation at a little at a time until the 45 days before arrival deadline.

I have never purchased the insurance as the cost of the insurance isn't much less than the penalty I would receive if I canceled the vacation.

Also included in the packages are several vouchers:

$15 Planet Hollywood
Free round of mini putt (just one person-not everybody in your group)
Upgrade from 60 minutes to 90 minutes on watercraft rental

While some may not think these vouchers are very valuable to them, they are to our family. We always eat at Planet Hollywood, always play a round of mini putt and we always rent watermice or some other type of watercraft.

Last year, our vacation included several days of the last week of May and continued through the first week of June. A special offer came out after I had booked the package. The offer included a slight room discount and free park hopper and water parks and more option. I immediately called Disney Travel and told them what I found. They applied the discount and upgraded my tickets. I save about $350.00!

 

[pjynx]

Also with packages, trip insurance is automatically added. If you do not want it, you MUST TELL THEM BEFORE YOU HANG UP or too bad. Airfare added to your reservation is also nonrefundable.

Thank you for mentioning that about the insurance. I would never have thought to tell them NO insurance.

From what everyone's telling me, and considering the penalties for downgrading but not for upgrading, I think I'll book a room only ressie (in case the code is room-only) and then upgrade later if needed.

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[ronacele@earthlink.n]

What are codes are where are they found and what does one do with them?

Rona (aka: Tink)