Booking Question

[Mom2Dash&JackJack]

So I need some expert opinions. I have the option to book room only at the Wilderness Lodge right now (with the rack rates for 2009, and will be adjusted when the rates are released) and purchase tickets at today's rate OR to wait until packages are released in a month or so (we expect).

what would you do? The purchase of tickets now would guard against any ticket increases, but we would not have the final price understood for next year.

Thanks!

 

[brentalex]

I would book the room only and buy the tickets separately. Unless there is some special deal with a package, like free dining or ticket upgrades, I have found that a package does not save me any money. I can do better by purchasing everything separately. Unless you plan on getting the dining plan, which would require a package, I would just do it separately.

 

[Jenn9]

I am in the same boat and I am waiting for packages to be released. It seems Disney offers more discounts on packages anymore than they do on room only.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Not sure if you have AAA? if so, you can usually get some pretty good AAA room only rates directly through Disney. (I would get a price with & without the AAA discount because sometimes the discount is bigger than the membership costs and worth to purchase)

FYI, last Jan- early Feb the promo package disney offered was a reduced rate hotel, plus when you buy base park tickets they gave free water parks & park hopper tickets. It was a pretty substancial savings!

Personally, I think Disney will release its 2009 rates in early Aug, but don't think they will release any package promos until Oct or so. Because we like the dining plan we would wait the promos are out since we can't add the dining plan to a room only since we don't have annual passes.

 

[Mom2Dash&JackJack]

Thanks for all the responses. We are not dining plan fans, so booking separate makes sense.

We do have AAA, and this will help. We might just book them now....

How much do rates increase historically for ticket prices? Is it very dramatic?

 

[chimo2u]

Not sure if you have AAA? if so, you can usually get some pretty good AAA room only rates directly through Disney. (I would get a price with & without the AAA discount because sometimes the discount is bigger than the membership costs and worth to purchase)

FYI, last Jan- early Feb the promo package disney offered was a reduced rate hotel, plus when you buy base park tickets they gave free water parks & park hopper tickets. It was a pretty substancial savings!

Personally, I think Disney will release its 2009 rates in early Aug, but don't think they will release any package promos until Oct or so. Because we like the dining plan we would wait the promos are out since we can't add the dining plan to a room only since we don't have annual passes.

I am confused, are you saying that with an AP guests can add dining onto a room only ressie? I have a room only booked right now for next Sept, and the agent told me it would easily be transferred to a package if I wanted when pricing is released (Aug sometime).... Anyway, we are hoping Free dining comes out again so we can add it. Now, though, i've read some say that CRO (who does room only) and Disney travel (who does packages) are 2 different entities , and I will have to cancel 1 to do the other?? I was hoping it would be as easy as calling in and saying please add on "A,B, and C" to my ressie and make it a package. I don't want to risk losing my Club level room at AKL to cancel and re-book in a new category (room only versus pkg). I hope someone in the know can help clarify this for me!! If I get an AP does that entitle me to add a package onto my ressie without having to cancel and re-book through the other agency? Alnd if so, does everyone in the room have to have an AP? So many questions...
Thanks,
Marie

 

[brentalex]

I am confused, are you saying that with an AP guests can add dining onto a room only ressie? I have a room only booked right now for next Sept, and the agent told me it would easily be transferred to a package if I wanted when pricing is released (Aug sometime).... Anyway, we are hoping Free dining comes out again so we can add it. Now, though, i've read some say that CRO (who does room only) and Disney travel (who does packages) are 2 different entities , and I will have to cancel 1 to do the other?? I was hoping it would be as easy as calling in and saying please add on "A,B, and C" to my ressie and make it a package. I don't want to risk losing my Club level room at AKL to cancel and re-book in a new category (room only versus pkg). I hope someone in the know can help clarify this for me!! If I get an AP does that entitle me to add a package onto my ressie without having to cancel and re-book through the other agency? Alnd if so, does everyone in the room have to have an AP? So many questions...
Thanks,
Marie

I don't think it is so much that the room only and package reservations are 2 different entities. I think they used to be separate, but now anyone you talk to there can handle either. It is their computer system that can't change a room only reservation to a package. So the answer to your question is, yes, if you want to change the room only reservation to a package the current reservation gets cancelled, deposit refunded and a new reservation made needing a new deposit.
have never had the AP, so not sure how that works.

 

[chimo2u]

so during this process, I shouldn't loose my club room at AKL? while they make the new ressie?