I feel like a newbie help please!

[Texan]

Sadly, it has been since 2007 when we last visited WDW, my DS's got older and DH wanted to "do something else"; I have really missed my Disney magic and have been lurking on the boards all this time and reading poster's TRs and wishing for the day to go back; Well, I have guilted DH and DS's into a short trip in February; three days for the parks; I cannot believe how much has changed in 6 years; I am trying to play catch up and reading all about the new FP system and Magic Bands, dining plans etc; they didn't even have dining plans back when I went; I am trying to understand everything, but still have a few questions that would help my obsessive planning; First, right now I am planning room only, no package incl dining for such a short trip; is it really cheaper to do a package than a room only discount for such a short stay? I am looking at a moderate. What if you booked room only and a dining plan offer came in later, are you just out of luck? Second, I am planning my ADRs based on the WDW "official" calendar, and which park we will be at that day, do the stated times for the WDW calendar in February change or is this set? And lastly, hopefully, has anyone ever arrived really late and has there ever been a room issue? Our flight does not get in until 12:25 a.m. and I am worried about a reserved room. Any tips and advice for a long lost WDW fan is appreciated.

 

[siskaren]

A room-only discount can have tickets added to it to make it a package. If a discount comes out after you book, you can call to see if you can have it added (there's a limited number of rooms available at each resort for discounts.) If you have a room-only reservation though, they'll have to cancel it and book a new reservation; I don't know how that works with payments that have already been made to the original reservation.

With regards to park hours, they could be extended, but they won't be reduced. If you bookmark this site, it'll provide updates to the hours when they occur.

What kind of issue are you concerned about with regards to arriving after midnight? The hotels don't switch over to the next day's date until 6:00 am, if that's what you're concerned about.

 

[RHMH]

Sadly, it has been since 2007 when we last visited WDW, my DS's got older and DH wanted to "do something else"; I have really missed my Disney magic and have been lurking on the boards all this time and reading poster's TRs and wishing for the day to go back; Well, I have guilted DH and DS's into a short trip in February; three days for the parks; I cannot believe how much has changed in 6 years; I am trying to play catch up and reading all about the new FP system and Magic Bands, dining plans etc; they didn't even have dining plans back when I went; I am trying to understand everything, but still have a few questions that would help my obsessive planning; First, right now I am planning room only, no package incl dining for such a short trip; is it really cheaper to do a package than a room only discount for such a short stay? I am looking at a moderate. What if you booked room only and a dining plan offer came in later, are you just out of luck? Second, I am planning my ADRs based on the WDW "official" calendar, and which park we will be at that day, do the stated times for the WDW calendar in February change or is this set? And lastly, hopefully, has anyone ever arrived really late and has there ever been a room issue? Our flight does not get in until 12:25 a.m. and I am worried about a reserved room. Any tips and advice for a long lost WDW fan is appreciated.

Hello & Welcome back Dis-Friend and Fellow Texan

I am located a little north of you. Just FYI, there are a few Diser's located in your area. I was a part of the 2013 July thread and there were 2 other families from San Antonio on the thread going to WDW.

I have always reserved room only and have paid for my ADR's - OP. Since it's just my DD and I, we can dine the way we want, enjoy the food and save $$ also. We have never used the DP, just does not fit out dining habits.

If you want to view our Disney You Tube Videos, click on the link below DD's You Tube Channel and click on Videos. We have a few from our July trip and some of our past trips also.

I have added a link to the 2014 Feb Thread just in case you have not seen it yet. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3093251 and the Undercover Tourist Site for Disney Tickets - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3093251 (Sub to their email news letter and you can get additional discounts on tickets already discounted a few dollars. Don't know if you are like me, save a few dollars here and there makes a difference in the cost of the whole trip..

 

[Texan]

Thank you both for your quick replies! The links and info were very helpful; I was very glad to hear the park hours would not be reduced; they are showing MK open until 12:00 one night we are there; what a great ending to our fast paced commando weekend; I am still waffling on the dining plan; I have two DS (23 and 18 come November) who can anyone out of house and home; I will dwell; thanks again!!!

 

[Texan]

I need some more help please. I am so confused. I asked for a room quote through Dreams Unlimited, and also had questions (of course). One of my questions concerned the timeframe which I could add the Dining Plan to my reservation, if I decide to do so. She stated that I could add the Dining Plan up to 45 days before check-in without penalty, but I would have to cancel my room only reservation and make it a package with a 2-day minimum park ticket. This would not be beneficial to me as I wanted to by cheaper tickets through someone like UT and also get a room only discount if one should come out. Am I not seeing the bigger picture here? What are my options? I am trying to make this as budget minded as possible. DH is already giving me grief on how expensive the moderate is in February. Please, please give me your thoughts and help. I thought I was going about this the right way but now I feel like there are roadblocks.

 

[BrianL]

Your late arrival should not be a problem for any hotel (I work in Hospitality), but do let them know so they can note the late arrival on your reservation. I doubt it would be an issue at Disney hotels as there would be almost no drive-up traffic looking for rooms, but it is still best to let them know.

 

[Texan]

The DU agent said they would note the late arrival and I should not have any problems. My problem now is with this package they are telling I have to have. I don't want to lose out on a room only discount by getting into a package. Can I purchase the dining plan on my own and ask the DU agent help with ADR's? I did not know it had to be an all or nothing deal.

 

[pamjb]

Unfortunately you cannot purchase the dining plan on its own. You must purchAse at least a two day ticket.
I do know the most current discount is for room only, but you can save even more money by adding tickets...I just did this for a client and it was $150 cheaper to book a room only and add tickets and dining, then book the package from the beginning

 

[Texan]

That is my problem, she is stating that I cannot add tickets and dining later, that I have to book it as a package from the get go; I wanted to book a room now, add the room only discount, and then add the dining plan, and it looks like tickets too, later on; she is stating that if I did that we would have to cancel my hotel at the time that I add stuff on; and make it a package, which in effect cancel my room only discount; so confused; maybe I should go with another travel agency

 

[siskaren]

That is my problem, she is stating that I cannot add tickets and dining later, that I have to book it as a package from the get go; I wanted to book a room now, add the room only discount, and then add the dining plan, and it looks like tickets too, later on; she is stating that if I did that we would have to cancel my hotel at the time that I add stuff on; and make it a package, which in effect cancel my room only discount; so confused; maybe I should go with another travel agency

No, she's right. You can book dining later (I think you can add it up to 3 days before you arrive), but you have to have a package with room and tickets in order to add dining. She's also right about having to cancel a room-only reservation in order to change it to a package.

Do you really need to have the dining plan? As RHMH said, it doesn't fit everyone's dining habits and doesn't necessarily save money.

 

[Texan]

siskaren - With two DS who can eat ALOT, I was thinking the dining plan was the best way to go to feed them, but, in order to get a room only discount, which I really need more, I will probably have to just book the room, and save up money for meals w/o the dining plan

pamjb - you mentioned there being a room only discount right now; the TA said she did not see one offered at this time - do you know where you saw this offered?

Thank you posters!

 

[siskaren]

pamjb - you mentioned there being a room only discount right now; the TA said she did not see one offered at this time - do you know where you saw this offered?

I assume that pamjb is talking about this discount, but it's for the fall and you said you wanted to go in February. I think it's a little too early for winter discounts.

And with regards to the dining plan, with a 3-day stay you would only get 2 table service meals, 2 counter service meals, and 2 snacks per person (it's based on the number of nights) - with 2 DSs who eat a lot, I suspect you would be buying additional food out of pocket anyway.