Package or purchase room and tickets seperatly?

[krichards]

I need help from my friends here! I have a group of 16 going to Disney November 28-December 4th! I have priced packages and then seperatly and it seems like when I price seperatly I save several hundred dollars. I have a PIN for a room only and I think it's 30%. Has anyone else ever looked into booking without a package. What's the difference if anything?

 

[Zife]

I've only ever booked a package, so hopefully someone more knowledgable will be able to help you out, but I don't think there's a huge difference. You still get ME and Transportation, you still get EMH, and any other perks a Resort guest would get.

The main difference is that you won't get any of the 'package perks.' These being 2 For 2 Minigolf (Might be 1 free round now, not sure), luggage tags, discounts at Planet Hollywood, etc.

Also, booking room-only and tickets serperately, you can't get a Dining Plan, but I'm assuming if you're looking at doing it this way, you don't want a Dining Plan anyway.

 

[krichards]

We won't be doing the dining plan. Also, my family doesn't ever do the mini golf or any of the activities we get when we book a package. I was just wondering because it doesn't seem like a huge savings per person, but when your looking at 16 people it makes a big difference.

 

[TinkWink]

Are you pricing it out online? Are you doing a reservation for room(s) only, then adding the tix online to make it a package, and then comparing your room only reservation price with adding the tickets separately? Make sure you add in the hotel tax onto the nightly room rate (when you price it out online for room only, the grand total DOES include the tax, but the nightly room rate obviously doesn't). If you're planning to buy tix via a reseller, i.e. Undercover Tourist, then I'm sure the savings per person add up quickly with 16 people!

 

[krichards]

I am pricing it out online. Are tickets cheaper at undercover tourist than on Disney's website? Has anyone ever purchased from them before? This will be my first time to not book a package deal so I'm a little hesitant.

 

[snykymom]

I am pricing it out online. Are tickets cheaper at undercover tourist than on Disney's website? Has anyone ever purchased from them before? This will be my first time to not book a package deal so I'm a little hesitant.

Yes, tickets are cheaper from Undercover Tourist, especially if you subscribe to the Mousesavers newsletter and use the link in that newsletter (www.mousesavers.com). When you look at UT's prices, they may not seem cheaper, but UT includes both tax and shipping, and Disney's prices don't until you check out.

I've bought from UT multiple times and have never had an issue with them.

The biggest difference between a room-only reservation, buying tickets separately, and a package are the cancellation and payment policies.

For a package, you must put down a $200 deposit and pay for the package in full no later than 45 days from checkin. If you cancel or reduce the price of your package during that 45 day period, you might have to pay up to a $200 penalty (although there have been reports of times when a CM doesn't charge the penalty).

Alternatively, for a room-only reservation, you pay a deposit of 1 night's room charge, and you do not pay the remainder until check-in. You can cancel without penalty up to 5 days before arrival.

With such a large group, I would suggest booking the room-only, just for the ability to cancel without penalty, and buy your tickets separately. You can buy them directly from Disney, not as part of the package, if you're concerned about UT.

 

[Beka'sMom]

I always book room only with a significant discount, and find tickets with a discount too. Dining plan does not make sense since my daughter is considered an adult (she is 11) but eats off the children's menu at most places still. When you add it all up seperately, saves hundreds of dollars.

 

[Hootch]

trip I look at the costs for packages and booking tickets and rooms separately. It's been room and tickets for the last few trips. The dining plan is less enticing because of the change in structure and the age of our kids.

We also use Undercover Tourist for tickets. It's not going to be a huge discount, but it's pretty easy to do. With 16 people it will add up quickly and the Mosesavers newsletter does lower the price.

If you do opt for the no package route, buy your tickets before August if possible. Disney usually raises prices prices in the early part of the month. Last purchase this saved us almost 5% of the price. That may not be the norm. We had the non expiring option and that went up almost 10% in that pricing change.

 

[GreatGranny]

The biggest difference between a room-only reservation, buying tickets separately, and a package are the cancellation and payment policies.

For a package, you must put down a $200 deposit and pay for the package in full no later than 45 days from checkin. If you cancel or reduce the price of your package during that 45 day period, you might have to pay up to a $200 penalty (although there have been reports of times when a CM doesn't charge the penalty).

Hi, would you know if there is a penalty for cancelling a package BEFORE the 45 day period?

We're considering booking now for October because we want to stay in POP which seems to be very popular, but wondering if we can later change the booking or cancel/rebook if they bring out a free dining promo. Would there be a change fee or other penalty if this happens (before the 45 day period)?

Thanks

 

[snykymom]

Hi, would you know if there is a penalty for cancelling a package BEFORE the 45 day period?

We're considering booking now for October because we want to stay in POP which seems to be very popular, but wondering if we can later change the booking or cancel/rebook if they bring out a free dining promo. Would there be a change fee or other penalty if this happens (before the 45 day period)?

Thanks

Nope, no penalty. Before 45 days, you get your full deposit back and you can walk away.

 

[Hootch]

no penalties for cancelling before the 45 day mark.

See this link for an explanation.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/room_package_terms.htm

 

[GreatGranny]

Good, thanks for the info

 

[bjscheel]

When you buy a room only and tickets on the Disney site but not as a package, are your tickets still on your room key or are they separate?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

When you buy a room only and tickets on the Disney site but not as a package, are your tickets still on your room key or are they separate?

You can have them put on your KTTW at the resort.

 

[GetGlowing]

Undercover Tourist tickets are legit, no worries there. We've used them more than once.