Package vs. room only and tickets

[cappygirl]

Is it really more expensive to book a package? What's the benefit of booking the package?
Thanks for any input!

 

[clanmcculloch]

If all you want is a room and tickets then there is no benefit to booking as a package rather than a room only reservation. In fact, you can save a little bit of money by booking room only and buying tickets from Undercover Tourist.

If you want a dining plan and don't have an AP and aren't staying at a DVC property on points then you need to book a package in order to buy the dining plan.

That being said, you also need to consider the discounts available for the time period you're travelling. You need to do the math to determine which if the discounts (package or room only) gives you the best price for your group. Sometimes a package deal will be best (such as free dining or 4/3 when these are available) and sometimes a room discount will be best. Even with a room discount you can still book a package which really just means adding tickets but you then do have the option of buying a dining plan if you want it.

 

[snykymom]

We don't do the dining plan, so I always book room only and buy tickets at a discount. And I usually end up with some sort of room discount, even if it's only AAA.

 

[twoplustwins]

We plan on doing a room only (hopefully with a discount) and then buying our tickets through UT. I priced our vacation going with the package vs room only/tickets and it was going to be almost $200 cheaper for our family.

 

[cappygirl]

So we've booked the Room Only already, and I'm thinking we'll wait to order tickets until it gets closer - that way if any promotions come out that we want to take advantage of, I can just add the package later, right? And if no promos come out, we can save some money and use undercover tourist. (Just making sure I understand it correctly)
Thanks for the help!

 

[snykymom]

So we've booked the Room Only already, and I'm thinking we'll wait to order tickets until it gets closer - that way if any promotions come out that we want to take advantage of, I can just add the package later, right? And if no promos come out, we can save some money and use undercover tourist. (Just making sure I understand it correctly)
Thanks for the help!

If a package deal comes out later and you want to take advantage of it, assuming there is still availability, Disney will book a new package reservation for you, you will need to pay the deposit, Disney will cancel your room-only reservation and refund your room-only deposit. You cannot simply "revise" a room only reservation into a package one. You have to book a new reservation.

Please note, though, that availability is always an issue. Even if you booked a package initially, you may not be able to apply the deal to your package without making changes.

If a room-only deal comes out, assuming availability, you can revise your room-only reservation for the deal.

If you keep the reservation you have, you can buy tickets from UT.

Clear as mud?

 

[donnaj8887]

If all you want is a room and tickets then there is no benefit to booking as a package rather than a room only reservation. In fact, you can save a little bit of money by booking room only and buying tickets from Undercover Tourist.

If you want a dining plan and don't have an AP and aren't staying at a DVC property on points then you need to book a package in order to buy the dining plan.

That being said, you also need to consider the discounts available for the time period you're travelling. You need to do the math to determine which if the discounts (package or room only) gives you the best price for your group. Sometimes a package deal will be best (such as free dining or 4/3 when these are available) and sometimes a room discount will be best. Even with a room discount you can still book a package which really just means adding tickets but you then do have the option of buying a dining plan if you want it.

Thank you so much for your picture.It is lovely!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cappygirl]

Clear as mud?

Yes! Thank you so much!