Can I change my room only ressie to a package later??

[NJDisneymom]

I am having a lot of trouble deciding what to book but I need to book something soon before its too late.

I would like to have the package with the dining plan. I really feel the dining plan would be worth it for us, we eat at all the places on the list and my kids love character meals so if I was entitled to one a day I could probably use them all. Our last trip we spent at least that much on food and my son was a baby at the time.

BUT.... The dining plan definately would not be worth the money IF we lost out on a good discount because we booked the package instead of room only. I've read people got mods for $89-99/night where right now we'll be paying $149/night.

So, is it possible to book my room only right now and if a discount comes up I'll get it applied and be done with it (forgoing the dining option). BUT if a good discount on packages happens to become available can I cancel my room only ressie and book a package deal?????? I am not worried about making the extra deposit if I'm getting the other one back a short time later (since they are going on my disney visa).

Is this possible?? What are the cancellation fees for room only rates??

I was planning on booking thru Magical Journeys and I mean no offense to them, but honestly if I'm doing all this discount searching on my own I feel like why not just book it myself. I've been in contact with someone there and while I'm sure they'd try their best to get me the code in the long run, they just don't seem to be working for me in this early planning stage.

Any advice/suggestions???? Please!!!!!

 

[GApeach]

NJDisneymom,

I am not sure what you mean when you say "I'm doing all this discount searching on my own".....there are no discounts available for dates of travel past 4/16 other than AAA....and MJ would know this. They help you with the exact decisions that you are wanting to make. Personally, I would book room only because it has a better change/cancellation policy. If you were to book a package now....pay your final (due 45days prior) and discounts are released after you pay your final.....you may miss out on a better deal. There is not much you can do at this point other than wait with the rest of us! So.....good luck....I hope you give MJ a try....you won't be disappointed.

 

[Conkozan]

How can you be searching for discounts? There are none yet. That is one of the agencies that will know about them before you do.

Book a room only if your not sure and change later if you want.

edited to add: If your not sure of dates like your signature says-you need to decide that before the other stuff

 

[NJDisneymom]

By searching for discounts I just mean checking for their release at this point since there are none out yet. My dates are set, the "not sure yet" in my sig just meant the resort, which we have since decided on.

I did not mean to put MJ down at all, they have been very nice, I just didn't feel they were giving me any opinion as to what to do based on what I am looking for. That is why I came here asking if I should book the room only or the package. I think MJ runs a FANTASTIC service, but for the control freaks like myself I'm going to be watching for the deals/discounts every day anyway. I truly meant no disrespect to the agency, they really know their business.

 

[BCV23]

A few years ago, I booked our room at the AP rate and very shortly before our trip, we added the golf package. We were able to keep the AP discount on our room.

 

[kyirish25]

Room only - you pay 1 night stay deposit then the remaining balance is paid at check-in

Packages - you pay $200 deposit (I'm fairly certain) and then the remaining balance is paid 45 days before check-in

You have much more flexibility with a room only reservation and booking that now and then cancelling it out later should you not get a discount rate when they come out won't be a problem at all. Disney will even take the already applied deposit and switch it over to your new reservation.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

For our trip last year, at first I had booked room-only, planning on buying my tickets separately. Then, I learned that Disney would be doing the "7 for 5" package for my travel dates. I could not just convert my room-only ressies to a package, because room ressies go through CRO and package ressies through Walt Disney Travel Company. My TA handled all of the cancellation/booking issues. It wasn't a big deal at all. As far as taking a discounted room to a package deal, it's doubtful. Some here say it can't be done, but some say they've done it. Can't help you there. However, I highly recommend my TA to you. Her name is Courtney and she used to be with Magical Journeys. She has started her own agency and she's great! Check out www.grandgetawaystravel.com. She'll book PSs and things for you too, which Magical Journeys doesn't do.