Booking a package with no tickets or dining

[kayleesmom2]

I had read on here that the new 2011 rates were out when you call so I called Disney and the CM quoted me $1327 for 2 nights at the Poly (pre-cruise) in a theme park view room. She called it a "basic package " and said that it did not include any tickets or dining, as those rates for 2011 were not out yet. I told her I only wanted a room-only reservation, but she said I could do this "basic package" and only have to pay a $200 deposit and still get the vouchers included in a package and this way if we decided later to add tickets and dining we could without canceling a room -only reservation and re-booking a package. My questions is, can I book this basic package and never add tickets or dining and the room be the only component of this package? Also, later if discounts come out (last year we had the 40% off) can they still be added to this package even if we don't have tickets on it???
Thanks for you help.

 

[vicki_c]

I have never heard of a "basic" package. By definition, package includes room and tickets.

Provided that CM knows what she's talking about, that seems a good approach though - you would pay less in deposit and not have to cancel if later you want to turn it into a "real" package.

As for a 40% room discount - that would normally be a room only offer, so you wouldn't have to buy tickets with it anyway, so I don't think that impacts your situation. If it was another kind of offer (e.g., free dining), then you could only get that if you meet the requirements of that offer - whatever it is - usually meaning purchase of tickets and a room.

Just curious - when are you going? Over $650 for a theme park view room per night? That doesn't seem right unless you are going over a holiday. For 2010, the TP view rooms generally run in the high $500s except for holidays. (I haven't seen the 2011 rates yet.)

 

[kayleesmom2]

It is for May 3-4, 2011. That price also includes tax. It is $590 per night plus tax.

 

[kayleesmom2]

This past year we had a package, but they were still able to apply the 40% off to the room part of the package and we got a really good rate. I just wonder if I keep this basic package with no tickets or dining, would they make me change it later to a room only?

 

[princessmom29]

We have boked a basic package for March 2011 and as I understand it, you never have to add tickets if you choose not to. We plan to add tickets and dinig when the rates come out, but were told it was not necessary to keep the package.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The basic package is truly a basic package -- it is without the frills of dining or tickets.
We are just use to reading about packages requiring tickets for things such as free dining. These really are MYW dining packages. The basic package is not a MYW package.
Anyone who books a basic package can later add dining or tickets without having to go through the cancelling and refunding of a room only booking, and then paying the $200 deposit towards the new package.
The basic package is WDTC, same as the other packages we are more familiar with.

 

[tinka-belle]

"Basic packages" have been available through WDTC for several years. You do get the package extras (mini-golf voucher, etc.), the package is only room & tax and goes by package rules for deposits, full payment, and cancellations.

Not much need to book this way instead of "room only", but it's been possible to book this way for a long time and it IS a good idea when you need to add tix and dining later. Since you'll already be in the package system there is no need to cancel & rebook a room only res.

 

[GrammyJudy]

But if it is a package the balance is due in full 45 days before arrival. With room only you can pay balance when you get there. I get a large Xmas bonus and since we go in Jan. I prefer the room only unless it is a great deal.

 

[Mamu]

I would book a "room only" reservation that can be changed if and when discounts come out. All you need to do is put down one night's deposit to hold the room.

 

[CAL]

For our travel in January, I currently have a room only ressie on hold until 7/27. We will want tickets and basic or deluxe dining, but of course rates are not out yet.

I do remember one CM I talked to who kept talking about a package, so now assume it must have been a basic package, although I don't think that it what I have.

Not sure I fully understand the pros and cons of room only vs pkg. Anyone want to weigh in?

 

[MagicJourneys]

Basic Package:

PROS: Can easily upgrade to include tickets/dining; including package discounts such as Free Dining (keep same res # the whole time, no need to cancel/rebook; don't have to pay 2 deposits and wait for one refund which would be done when changing from room-only to pkg); get extras like discounts on Spa treatments or boat rentals (only on pkg deals - not on room only); only pay $200 down, no matter what the room rate is (GTD 2011 room only rate 1st night dep could run over $400 as you pay the 1st night room+tax as a deposit); easier to book flight deal in combination w/resort stay; everything is on one card - room key, tickets, and dining (if booked)

CONS: Payment must be in full 45 days prior to arrival; subject to up to $200 cancellation fee if canceling less than 45 days prior to arrival;

Room-Only:

PROS: Good when you absolutely know you will not need tickets or dining or any other package (like tours/recreation) component; only 1 nt deposit is required (great when the resort per night is less than $200 (like a value)); remaining balance is due upon arrival; cancellations can be much closer to arrival date; freedom to buy only tickets and dining that you want (even though tickets on the packages are pretty flexible)

CONS: You will need to take care of all other plans - you will need to figure out and stand in line to buy tickets, where and how to pay for dining, etc.; no extra discounts; you'll have to have separate tickets from your room key to keep track of; you cannot upgrade to a package - you will have to cancel and rebook. The room-only deposit will be processed as a refund and you will have to pay a new deposit for the package; The ENTIRE resort stay will be due upon check-in (versus having it all paid for before you arrive).

It's always best (in my opinion) to go with a package if you do not come to WDW very often (less than once a year). If you are an AP, Florida resident, or visit 3 or 4 times a year, then the room-only is a good risk because you have a good sense of "what's going on" and can plan accordingly.

Otherwise, do a package deal - it's a lot less stress!

 

[vicki_c]

MagicJourneys -

that was a great explanation. Even with all my trips, I did not really understand that there were packages w/o tickets.

Only one question or clarification - for the room-only, you say "no extra discounts" - but you can apply a code to a room only reservation if one is available, right? You just can't apply an additional code if you already have a discount? I wasn't sure what that comment meant.

I have had room-only before and called back and added an AP rate discount to it.

 

[MagicJourneys]

No extra discounts for other things (as I mentioned in the package PROS, you get discounts on spa treatments, some recreation activites, etc.).

Discounts on room rates are offered at various times for either room-only or package deals.

 

[always]

Room-Only:

CONS: you'll have to have separate tickets from your room key to keep track of; The ENTIRE resort stay will be due upon check-in (versus having it all paid for before you arrive).

2 small things that aren't completely true! We were able to pay off our room only reservation before arrival. I just called, gave my res #, spoke with a CM and made payments for however much I wanted. I did this up until a few days before check in. I didn't have to wait for the day we checked in.

Also, were were able to put our tickets purchased from Undercover Tourist on our KTTW cards. Very quick process at the concierge desk.

 

[KELLY]

2 small things that aren't completely true! We were able to pay off our room only reservation before arrival. I just called, gave my res #, spoke with a CM and made payments for however much I wanted. I did this up until a few days before check in. I didn't have to wait for the day we checked in.

Also, were were able to put our tickets purchased from Undercover Tourist on our KTTW cards. Very quick process at the concierge desk.

This is good to know. Dh and I are going to talk tommorow to see if we should just do a room only at AKL. Drop our package at pop and just pay OP for food. since my kids want to do T-rex and rainforest which isn't on the plan. We already have two tickets purchased since we didn't use them last year. I was going to purchase one more and hoping they could add them to my KTTW card. Less things to carry. We are only on the QSDP since we didn't want to bet tied down to adr's.