Booking room and tickets separately

[PirateMommy]

Not sure if this is the right board or not, so mods, please move, if not.

Trying to make my long story short...when I've called to try and book rooms with the PIN I received, the three agents I've spoken to on three different dates have all told me that I can't add tickets after I book my room. Is this correct?? That seems crazy for Disney to operate this way, if its true. I can go online to the Disney site, and seem to be able to buy tickets so, I'm really perplexed.

I suspect they just didn't want me to book the room alone. I've read here and other places that the cancellation policies are better when you book the room separately, and I also am not certain I'm getting the full benefit of the PIN when they add in the tickets. My PIN says I can stay in WL for $182 during my dates, and the normal special offer at the Disney site for WL for the same dates is $221. And yet, the total they quote to me over the phone is the same as it is online. At five nights, it should be $195 cheaper, right??

 

[summerlady]

Once you decide to add park tickets to your room only ressie, it becomes a package. The dep. on room only is one night's stay whereas the dep. on a package is $200. Did you add in tax when you were figuring out the price of your room reservation? Did they add vacation insurance when you called (they tend to do that automatically unless you specify that you don't want it)?

 

[PirateMommy]

Once you decide to add park tickets to your room only ressie, it becomes a package. The dep. on room only is one night's stay whereas the dep. on a package is $200. Did you add in tax when you were figuring out the price of your room reservation? Did they add vacation insurance when you called (they tend to do that automatically unless you specify that you don't want it)?

No, I've had them take the travel insurance out, so I'm comparing apples and apples. And when I look at the final numbers, including tax, its still off.

 

[summerlady]

No, I've had them take the travel insurance out, so I'm comparing apples and apples. And when I look at the final numbers, including tax, its still off.

What are your dates, and what percentage is your discount? I'll take a look for you and see if I come up with anything different. You don't happen to have more than 2 adults in the room?

 

[Luv2Roam]

From what I have read here occasionally, I think there are some room only pins that cannot be converted into a WDTC package. Maybe you happen to have one.
WDTC sells packages.
Room only bookings are not WDTC.
You can buy tickets separate, in addition to your room only booking. But that is what you would have -- a room only booking, and tickets. Not a WDTC package.
Tickets cannot be added onto a room only booking. They are only sold separate with a room only.
To switch to a WDTC package, you would need to book the package, paying a $200 deposit, then cancel your room only booking. And unless you paid your room only deposit by check, you will be refunded your deposit on the room only. The deposit for a room only cannot be transferred to a WDTC package, unless you paid your room only deposit by check.

 

[Christine9125]

I booked my room only reservation and then called back to add tickets. When you call in hit the button or say buy tickets. It does not turn your reservation into a package, but adds your tickets to your room key when you arrive. When I look at my reservation online, it shows a credit in the amount of my tickets.

 

[snykymom]

Are you looking to add the dining plan? If not, there's no advantage to buying tickets as part of a package.

A room-only reservation has several advantages:
1) It allows you to buy tickets from a discounter like Undercover Tourist, from Disney later on, or when you arrive at your resort, lessening the amount you have to pay up front.
2) You pay in full at check-in, not at 45 days out.
3) You can cancel up to 5 days before check-in with no penalty, rather than having to make any changes/cancellations at 45 days out.
4) Your deposit is 1 night's stay rather than $200 (which could be higher or lower depending on which resort has your booking).

If you're not looking to buy the dining plan, which requires a package including tickets, keep a room-only reservation!

 

[rt2dz]

Are you looking to add the dining plan? If not, there's no advantage to buying tickets as part of a package.

A room-only reservation has several advantages:
1) It allows you to buy tickets from a discounter like Undercover Tourist, from Disney later on, or when you arrive at your resort, lessening the amount you have to pay up front.
2) You pay in full at check-in, not at 45 days out.
3) You can cancel up to 5 days before check-in with no penalty, rather than having to make any changes/cancellations at 45 days out.
4) Your deposit is 1 night's stay rather than $200 (which could be higher or lower depending on which resort has your booking).

If you're not looking to buy the dining plan, which requires a package including tickets, keep a room-only reservation!

Couldn't have said it better!