Lots of MYW booking questions

[1000th happy haunt]

My stepdaughter and her best friend/roommate are planning a trip to WDW next year for the Food and Wine Festival. It will be her first trip as an adult paying her own way.

They have lots of booking questions that I can't answer, since DH and I are DVC members, have APs, and DDE. I thought that maybe the seasoned travelers at DisBoards could help.

Should they book a complete package (including park tickets and Disney Dining Plan) through the Disney website, and if they do, can they take advantage of any hotel discount codes that may come up in the future? Are packages booked through Disney completely refundable? If they book and a better package comes up in the future, will Disney give them the better rates, or would they have to cancel and rebook? What are the chances that the cost of park tickets will go up, and when? Would it be better for them to use a travel agent instead of booking with Disney?

Any other tips and tidbits you can suggest that would help them save money are appreciated

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I'm going to *bump* this since no one has responded.

 

[SnackyStacky]

My stepdaughter and her best friend/roommate are planning a trip to WDW next year for the Food and Wine Festival. It will be her first trip as an adult paying her own way.

They have lots of booking questions that I can't answer, since DH and I are DVC members, have APs, and DDE. I thought that maybe the seasoned travelers at DisBoards could help.

Should they book a complete package (including park tickets and Disney Dining Plan) through the Disney website and if they do, can they take advantage of any hotel discount codes that may come up in the future?

With PACKAGES booked online, you can make payments and apply discounts (discounts that are specifically for packages) that become available. With room only reservations, you can't make any payments, nor can you apply any discounts to reservations made online. Be careful though! Any changes to a package 21 days or fewer prior to arrival that result in a rate change will incur a $50 change fee. That happens whether you book online, by calling 407-WDISNEY, or with your travel agent though.

Are packages booked through Disney completely refundable?

If you purchase travel insurance, yes.

If you don't purchase travel insurance and you're cancelling before your entire balance is due, you will receive a full refund. The day your entire balance is due is 45 days prior to arrival.

If you don't purchase travel insurance and you're cancelling 6-45 days prior to your arrival date, you will only get $100 of your $200 deposit back.

If you don't purchase travel insurance and you're cancelling 5 or fewer days prior to arrival, you won't get any of your $200 deposit back.

If they book and a better package comes up in the future, will Disney give them the better rates, or would they have to cancel and rebook?

You can apply any discount codes - however, you need to see the caveat above about the change fee. AND, Disney doesn't apply the discount automatically. You have to call in for that.

What are the chances that the cost of park tickets will go up, and when?

Chances are very good they will go up. When? Who knows. But yes, booking a package locks in your park ticket rate.

Would it be better for them to use a travel agent instead of booking with Disney?

That depends on what you're looking for. The Disney Specialist travel agencies are wonderful to work with. They'll make your dining arrangements for you, set up an itinerary, and watch for discounts.

Some like to book with AAA (if you're a member) because AAA packages come with a few perks. The downside here is that YOU may know more about Disney World than your travel agent. Some AAA branches also charge their OWN types of fees for changes and cancellations in addition to what Disney charges.

And as far as a regular travel agent? You get no advantage to booking with them. The rate YOU get will be the rate your TA will get on a Disney hotel package. The airfare you may get a better deal, but for the Disney package itself, I see no advantage to booking with someplace like Liberty Travel.

Any other tips and tidbits you can suggest that would help them save money are appreciated

Just watch the boards for discounts, or use a Disney Specialist who will watch for the discounts for you.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Thanks, Dan!

It's been a long time since I booked a "package".

 

[LorieR]

"Any changes to a package 21 days or fewer prior to arrival that result in a rate change will incur a $50 change fee. "

Actually, for a package -- "For a change made 44 days or less prior to arrival or that results in a rate change, there is a change fee of $50 per package."

I actually found that out earlier this month when the new discount for packages came out -- all I did was call to apply the code. They charged me $50 to do that but I still saved over $390 just the same!!!!

Lorie