Package versus Room Only

[brookelizabeth]

I am comparing the following:

Mid-October

4 night PACKAGE
Royal Pacific Club Level
3 Day Park to Park tickets (3A, 2K)
$2081.50

versus

4 night Room Only - same room/hotel
3 Day Park to Park tickets (3A, 2K)
$2092.29

So, it's $10 more to purchase the room and tickets separately; however, allows me the luxury of getting a possibly better rate, correct? History shows there might not be a ticket deal of any sort, but perhaps the APH rate, when it comes out, will be beneficial?

The rate right now is SMSM, at $283.20 per night, with the last night being $299.20 (Friday/weekend).

Do you think any sort of rate will beat the SMSM? I don't want to book a package, then see a lower rate and have to pay the $50 change fee with the package...

 

[damo]

Where did you price the tickets from? If you get them at undercovertourist.com, you'll be saving more money.

An AP rate may get you a better deal. You'd have to purchase 1 AP (about $250). AP rates for October aren't out yet.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ticket price came straight from Universal.

Is there a thread showing what deals were offered for October last year? I did find the 2012 Rate & Date thread, it showed a few APH rates, but nothing comparable.

 

[damo]

There is a date and rate thread for every year. I repriced your tickets. This includes taxes and shipping.

universalorlando.com: $799.89

undercovertourist.com: $746.95

If a non-club room came available, that's what I would switch to.

 

[brookelizabeth]

There is a date and rate thread for every year. I repriced your tickets. This includes taxes and shipping.

universalorlando.com: $799.89

undercovertourist.com: $746.95


Personally, I would skip club. I don't think you'll get your money's worth unless you are planning to use it for dinner.

Thank you!

It's the only room available at the RPH for the dates I'm looking at - which was surprising, but I'm guessing due to HHN? It's about $100 more than the other two hotels, so I figured $100 is worth the perks.

 

[damo]

Here is 2010: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2245251

and 2011: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2541670



Ya, I noticed that only club was available after I posted that. More may come available as you get closer. A main reason not to book a package.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Here is 2010: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2245251

and 2011: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2541670



Ya, I noticed that only club was available after I posted that. More may come available as you get closer. A main reason not to book a package.

VERY good point. People cancel and rebook all the time...

$10 is worth the risk!

I truly appreciate your assistance.

 

[macraven]

what are your october dates?

i booked a 10 night stay which includes weekends with a mid october check out period.

when i booked, the club rooms were cheaper than the king suite.


there are a lot of rooms not in the system now due to the hotel being busy in october.
some dates are filling up the inventory of room availability.
conventions at rph, hhn event which books up many weekend oct. dates, etc.


check the website frequently to see what rooms are back in the system.
rooms are returned to the system when ressies are cancelled out.


i check daily as i need to add another night and rooms are not available for that date.



typically, the packages cost more than doing room only and buying tickets from UT.

i have done packages on a couple of occassions prior to having an AP.
due to a special, those packages turned out to be a lot cheaper than room only but, this was early 2000's.

i don't like the policies of packages.
each change you make to them incur a $50 fee.
cancellation policy is stricter also for the number of days out.

room only cancellations have no penalty 6 days out.
no fee charges to reservation for changes of dates, number of people on the ressie and for modifying the rate.

Loews does have the 'no penalty for reservation changes' due to weather issues.

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally would book the room only and get the ticket from undercovertourist.com.