Okay, so let me get this straight (RE:Reservations)

[TooBoyz4us]

Is it correct that I could go ahead and call now to book "room only", then later call back and apply a code to my exisiting ressie if one becomes available for our travel times?
AND
That I can also call and "add" the silver plan onto my room only ressie later if we decide that our budget will allow it?
AND that watching airfares and booking that element when I see a good deal should ultimately save me a bunch of money on a total package vacation?????

I have always been one to book packages......but after hearing so many of you talk about booking everything seperately and saving $$$$, I want to do that too

Hmmmmmm, my wheels are turning......

 

[Hayley]

yes and yes.

book now, save later. (that's my motto)

 

[Gillian]

Not exactly, to the silver add on. You can only add the silver pkg to the basic dream maker package (includes tickets), not to a room only reservation.

If a good package code came out for your dates, and you wanted that instead, you'd have to book a new reservation & cancel the old room only one. You may not be able to transfer your deposit, but they will refund it.

Hope that helps! It would be great to be able to add the silver or gold plan to room only, since we have annual passes, but no go.

 

[Hayley]

Yeah, but can't you always "upgrade" technically? I mean, today, when I got my rate reduced, they cancelled and refunded what they were calling a "package" (room only, but through my Disney Club membership) and rebooked the whole thing with my new rate - through a whole different system.

What I always do is book what I want early at rack rate and then look for better deals until I leave. I always end up with the same resort, never have ended up with the same deal I've started with.

 

[Gillian]

You'd have to cancel and book the package. That's the same thing you did, but sometimes a resort isn't available at the new discount. I've had that problem before.

Adding on the silver plan is a little different. Normally you can just add it to an existing dream maker package. It can't be the Disney Club basic package which is basically room only. Well, maybe you could upgrade a basic package to the dream maker + silver, but I bet you'd lose the discount! It would be better to look for discounts on the packages specifically. They do have them now!

 

[Hayley]

Originally posted by Gillian
.

Adding on the silver plan is a little different. Normally you can just add it to an existing dream maker package. It can't be the Disney Club basic package which is basically room only. Well, maybe you could upgrade a basic package to the dream maker + silver, but I bet you'd lose the discount! It would be better to look for discounts on the packages specifically. They do have them now!

This gets complicated doesn't it? - some people probably think working all these angles isn't worth the trouble. Luckily, I like saving the $ <i>and</i> I like thinking of it as a game.

I start with, for example, the exact kind of room I want at the Poly. Then I wait for Disney Club discounts (sadly, this will be my last time to do that.), in the meantime, I keep my ears open for codes. Then, I'm waiting for the annual pass rates - I don't always get one if it isn't going to save me money There are lots of variables, like, how many days do we know we'll be there?. Sometimes only one of us gets the annual pass if the AP rate is cheap enough to save us money.

All the while I'm working every angle I see - some things work and some don't, but, like I've said, I've never ended paying anywhere close to the originally quoted price. I change my reservations many times through the process - I don't normally like being such a pain, but WDW is alot of money and I think it's just stupid not to take advantage of any savings you can.