Package question

[disneymoon0606 2.0]

Our family is looking at doing a split stay, four nights at a moderate (POR or POFQ?) followed by four nights off site (probably Bonnet Creek) next fall, October or November. Are there advantages to paying for hotel and tickets as a package? Would we be able to buy seven day tickets, even though we'd only stay on property for four nights? We haven't been to WDW in years and everything has changed so much! I'd love some hotel/ticket advice!

Thanks!

 

[Wubar]

Better to not bundle your tickets and room reservation. Can usually get better ticket deals NOT through Disney, and your reservation cancellation or adjustment options are better if it is not a package deal.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Our family is looking at doing a split stay, four nights at a moderate (POR or POFQ?) followed by four nights off site (probably Bonnet Creek) next fall, October or November. Are there advantages to paying for hotel and tickets as a package? Would we be able to buy seven day tickets, even though we'd only stay on property for four nights? We haven't been to WDW in years and everything has changed so much! I'd love some hotel/ticket advice!

Thanks!

Yes, you can package 7-day tickets with a 4-night onsite stay. Just know, with the new ticket policy, you would need to use those tickets within 10 days of the day you choose to activate those tickets. With a total of 8 nights on your Orlando vacation, that doesn't sound like that would be a problem. The nice thing about a package is you don't have to pay for those tickets outright. You put a $200 deposit down to book your package with balance due 30 days prior to check-in. If you buy tickets separately, you would need to purchase them outright. While you may save some money by purchasing through a third-party reseller (like UT), it just really comes down to how you want to purchase your vacation components.

 

[disneymoon0606 2.0]

Thank you so much! Just because I'm new at this, maybe you can help with another question. If I book this now (either room only or as a package) and a discount is announced (room discount, dining, etc.) will I be able to have this applied to our reservation? Or what if I find later that the same room is being offered for a lower nightly rate? Or if we decide to stay at a different resort. Can the deposit be transferred?

Once in the past we did all of this through a travel agent. Is it better to go that route, or do it myself?

Sorry about all the questions. Thanks!

 

[mrslisadawn]

I normally do through a travel agent (which is also a relative of mine) However I just call her when I have questions or need a change made. Otherwise you have to call Disney and some times you may be on the phone for awhile. It doesn't take me long to pick up the phone and tell her what I want! I call her and have her apply the discounts that come available. The deposit should be transferable unless it is a split stay then you would have to have the 200 for both reservations. Otherwise if it is a room only rate it is a certain percentage of the room total.

Absolutely love POR, it is one of our favorite hotels. Is there a reason you are switching to an off site hotels?

I do the package so I can pay the 200 deposit and then don't have to worry about it till 30 days out.

 

[Clockwork]

Thank you so much! Just because I'm new at this, maybe you can help with another question. If I book this now (either room only or as a package) and a discount is announced (room discount, dining, etc.) will I be able to have this applied to our reservation? Or what if I find later that the same room is being offered for a lower nightly rate? Or if we decide to stay at a different resort. Can the deposit be transferred?

Once in the past we did all of this through a travel agent. Is it better to go that route, or do it myself?

Sorry about all the questions. Thanks!

Yes if there is a discount announced you can call Disney and if the availability is there they will transfer it. As long as it’s longer than 30 days out on a package it can be adjusted. Change hotels, tickets, dining plans, dates, etc.

 

[Hopefully]

Thank you so much! Just because I'm new at this, maybe you can help with another question. If I book this now (either room only or as a package) and a discount is announced (room discount, dining, etc.) will I be able to have this applied to our reservation? Or what if I find later that the same room is being offered for a lower nightly rate? Or if we decide to stay at a different resort. Can the deposit be transferred?

Once in the past we did all of this through a travel agent. Is it better to go that route, or do it myself?

Sorry about all the questions. Thanks!

It is a little more complex than it seems.
Whether you have a room only or a package if a discount is released, there has to be new availability for your room type, and dates under the discount. Then in essence a new reservation is created and the old cancelled, I believe that is pretty blind to the guest, as I believe you keep the same reservation number and deposit. But if there is not availability for your full dates at the new rate, the discount can not be "applied" to your reservation.
And @mrslisadawn is really just calling q relative, who happens to be a TA, for help. That is certainly different than most of us would encounter.
I have always done all planning myself, as I enjoy it. I do not think you need a TA
Good Luck

 

[disneymoon0606 2.0]

This is hugely helpful. Thank you!

The reason we're doing a split stay with part of the trip off site is because my parents, who will be going with us, have enough Wyndham points for us to stay several nights at Bonnet Creek. I think it will be nice to have a larger area with bedrooms and a kitchen for part of our vacation.

 

[mrslisadawn]

It is a little more complex than it seems.
Whether you have a room only or a package if a discount is released, there has to be new availability for your room type, and dates under the discount. Then in essence a new reservation is created and the old cancelled, I believe that is pretty blind to the guest, as I believe you keep the same reservation number and deposit. But if there is not availability for your full dates at the new rate, the discount can not be "applied" to your reservation.
And @mrslisadawn is really just calling q relative, who happens to be a TA, for help. That is certainly different than most of us would encounter.
I have always done all planning myself, as I enjoy it. I do not think you need a TA
Good Luck

Yes I do use her because she is family but I have also been on hold with Disney for an hour or better needless to say she handles the reservation and any changes and I do all my planning on my trip. I enjoy the planning too much and drive her crazy sometimes with changes like today I changed a 4 day reservation to a 5 day and switched hotels.