Only booked packages in the past, considering room only and tickets. Help!

[TeamEvansGo]

I've only booked package vacations with Disney World before, but am considering buying an annual pass this year for a second trip a few months after. We still plan on staying on property for this first trip.

So I've got a few questions! First, can we still use Magic Express if we have booked our tickets and hotel room separately?

I had read that you can convert your tickets and room only res. into a package later. Would you still get the perks of the package if you do that? Can you do that if one person in the party has an AP but the others dont? Does fastpass+ booking work the same (I'm assuming its based on staying on property)

I guess I'm just looking for advice on how to do this properly and not miss out on any perks that may be worth it. Having only done packages in the past, I'm wary it won't be the same experience we would expect. Not looking for the coupons or those things, just want to make sure everything goes smoothly!

Thanks guys!!

 

[caliope]

We had a room only reservation with tickets purchased separately for our last trip. We were still offered ME, though we didn't use it, because we were staying on property. We also still had the 60 day FP window because our tickets were linked in MDE upon purchase from Disney. And we had he 180+ ADR window by virtue of our room reservation. So I am not sure what other perks you're talking about. I think the only difference is that room only reservations require a one night's deposit while packages require a $200 deposit. Also, I think the cancellation and balance due dates differ (package balance due 30 days ahead; room only reservation balance can be paid at check-in). At least, that was my experience.

 

[TeamEvansGo]

We had a room only reservation with tickets purchased separately for our last trip. We were still offered ME, though we didn't use it, because we were staying on property. We also still had the 60 day FP window because our tickets were linked in MDE upon purchase from Disney. And we had he 180+ ADR window by virtue of our room reservation. So I am not sure what other perks you're talking about. I think the only difference is that room only reservations require a one night's deposit while packages require a $200 deposit. Also, I think the cancellation and balance due dates differ (package balance due 30 days ahead; room only reservation balance can be paid at check-in). At least, that was my experience.

You actually covered all of the things I had questions on! Thank you!!

 

[lovethattink]

Just to add, with AP the room only reservation is one night deposit and the rest paid at check in. 5 day cancelation policy. Savings are generally up to 35% off rack.

You might want to look into Tables in Wonderland for dining. 20% off food and beverage (alcohol included). This is our first year without TiW.

 

[Missyrose]

I had read that you can convert your tickets and room only res. into a package later. Would you still get the perks of the package if you do that? Can you do that if one person in the party has an AP but the others dont? Does fastpass+ booking work the same (I'm assuming its based on staying on property)

No, you cannot turn a room-only reservation and separately-bought tickets into a package later on. I'm not sure what "perks" you're looking for. The only one I can think of is the character luggage tags that package guests receive.

 

[kwdw]

I never book a package - typically have an AP and book room only. If you aren't going to buy a dining package - I think this is always the better way to go. You don't get the luggage tags - that's it. DME, resort Magicbands - all the same. Cancellation policy on the room is MUCH better - just 5 days in advance. As long as the AP holder is on the room reservation - FP is all the same - 60 days out. I'd suggest looking into Tables in Wonderland and run the math to see if it would be a cost benefit for you.

 

[Shanti]

I've only booked package vacations with Disney World before, but am considering buying an annual pass this year for a second trip a few months after. We still plan on staying on property for this first trip.

So I've got a few questions! First, can we still use Magic Express if we have booked our tickets and hotel room separately?

I had read that you can convert your tickets and room only res. into a package later. Would you still get the perks of the package if you do that? Can you do that if one person in the party has an AP but the others dont? Does fastpass+ booking work the same (I'm assuming its based on staying on property)

I guess I'm just looking for advice on how to do this properly and not miss out on any perks that may be worth it. Having only done packages in the past, I'm wary it won't be the same experience we would expect. Not looking for the coupons or those things, just want to make sure everything goes smoothly!

Thanks guys!!

1. Absolutely, you get to use Magical Express. You have every priviliege accorded to every other Disney World guest. You get 60 days FP+, Extra Magic Hours, Magic Bands, everything.

2. You can call to switch to a package, but technically that's changing it to a new reservation. You would still get package perks after switching.

3. In my experience, booking room-only has the major advantages over packages. There are no "perks" of packages that usually make them worth it to me. With a package, you can only change or cancel your reservation several weeks in advance without penalty, while with room-only, you can do so up to a few days before your trip without penalty.

That's a lot more freedom to make last-minute changes or take advantage of a reservation that someone else cancelled (ex: a discounted room type might become available that wasn't before, & you can grab it shortly before the trip without having to pay a change fee- I've done this). Or if a surprise event comes up (illness, job loss, family crisis, etc.), you can cancel your resort stay with no penalty, within days of the trip date. You can also change the dates without penalty.

Packages have no such flexibility. That's why Disney tries to get you to buy a package. Your main benefits of getting a package are a set of luggage tags, vouchers for golf & bowling that most guests don't use, and the ability to buy an overpriced dining plan.

 

[KittyKitty]

Free dining is connected to packages.

 

[Shanti]

Free dining is connected to packages.

But "free dining" is only for one portion of the year, can be hard to book, and requires you to not have a room discount in order to book it. Restaurant availability is also notoriously low during free dining dates.

 

[KittyKitty]

But "free dining" is only for one portion of the year, can be hard to book, and requires you to not have a room discount in order to book it. Restaurant availability is also notoriously low during free dining dates.

I totally agree(My westcoast coming out!)

Room only is the best for me because of flexibility. But some families find "Free Dining" works best for them ( I don't see it as free because you are paying full price for the room). That's only advantage to packages.

 

[DopeyDame]

I've only ever done room + tickets. Other than the dining plan, I can't for the life of me figure out why anyone would book a package. You definitely aren't losing out on anything and you're gaining flexibility (and often a discount, depending on what deals are going on at the time)

 

[alex9179]

I have only ever done room only and buy tickets through a third party. We did the YES program a couple of times and I upgraded a regular ticket to an AP for room discount and TIW (I had a trip w/ mom planned for later). The rest of the family were through YES and DH went to the class.

I've never had issues linking the tickets to MDE and any perks for on-property stays aren't dependent on a package (ME, FP, ADRs). The dining plan doesn't work for us so that hasn't been a consideration.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We don't like packages, either. Room only and 3rd party tickets are how we roll.

 

[bumbershoot]

I had read that you can convert your tickets and room only res. into a package later. Would you still get the perks of the package if you do that?

What package perks are you thinking of? Like missyrose said, I can only think of the luggage tags. Other than that, packages seem like a pain; have to pay them off way earlier, more cancellation issues, etc.

No, you cannot turn a room-only reservation and separately-bought tickets into a package later on.

You can get a ticketless package, which isn't "turning it into" a package, but it can feel like that to those doing it.