Package vs Room only

[lunapnp]

I'm not sure where to post this...but here goes! (I know the moderators will move if I'm violating! ) Which, in your opinion, is better to do: book package or do room only and purchase tickets separately? Also, how does the "payment system" work if you do room only? Do you pay for the entire ressie up front or at check in (I know I would have to do a deposit at booking)? Also, if you do room only, can you add the dining plan? I know I should know the questions to this, but I wanted to ask "the experts." I do not have an annual pass...yet...but I plan on purchasing one for this upcoming trip.

TIA for any replies!

 

[wilde_oscar]

for DDP you have to book a package.

There are cost advantages to breaking things up, and seeking the best price for room, tickets, transfers, etc.

The package puts everything together, one number to call if something goes wrong... which can be handy.

with a package you have to be paid in full at 45 days... and there are penalties from that point forward to cancel. Room only, you can cancel up to 6 days prior with no penalty. Room only can in some cases be hard to come by, as WDW stacks the deck and limits the number of rooms available as room only vs package.

 

[tinkbutt]

for DDP you have to book a package.

There are cost advantages to breaking things up, and seeking the best price for room, tickets, transfers, etc.

The package puts everything together, one number to call if something goes wrong... which can be handy.

with a package you have to be paid in full at 45 days... and there are penalties from that point forward to cancel. Room only, you can cancel up to 6 days prior with no penalty. Room only can in some cases be hard to come by, as WDW stacks the deck and limits the number of rooms available as room only vs package.

you have got some knowledge my friend!!!! I like your new Avatar!!!

 

[zippy doo dah]

I usually like to do room only b/c, like a pp said, you don't have to pay in full until check-in at the resort. I also like to have the tix separate b/c it makes a cool souvenir for our scrapbooks and for my kids part of the fun is choosing their own ticket design. I have never had a problem booking a room only either online or by calling a CM. I have a package booked this time though b/c DH and I are doing the free dining to try it out and see if we like it, so we had to book a package in order to get the dining. On a side note...as far as I know, if you do the room only, you can purchase a Dinner Dining Experience Card, which will save you about 20% at many restaurants - this is also for the people who have APs.

 

[DLBDS]

I usually like to do room only b/c, like a pp said, you don't have to pay in full until check-in at the resort. I also like to have the tix separate b/c it makes a cool souvenir for our scrapbooks and for my kids part of the fun is choosing their own ticket design. I have never had a problem booking a room only either online or by calling a CM. I have a package booked this time though b/c DH and I are doing the free dining to try it out and see if we like it, so we had to book a package in order to get the dining. On a side note...as far as I know, if you do the room only, you can purchase a Dinner Dining Experience Card, which will save you about 20% at many restaurants - this is also for the people who have APs.

Correction....Disney's Dining Experience card (DDE) is for Florida residents and AP holders only.

http://allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm

 

[DLBDS]

for DDP you have to book a package.

There are cost advantages to breaking things up, and seeking the best price for room, tickets, transfers, etc.

The package puts everything together, one number to call if something goes wrong... which can be handy.

with a package you have to be paid in full at 45 days... and there are penalties from that point forward to cancel. Room only, you can cancel up to 6 days prior with no penalty. Room only can in some cases be hard to come by, as WDW stacks the deck and limits the number of rooms available as room only vs package.

Yes. BUT if you're a DVC member staying on points you can also purchase the DDP....without having to pay for park admission like folks getting the MYW package have to do (at least one day's park admission).

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/packages08a.htm

 

[BillyFeat]

I prefer to book room only and add tickets seperately.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've just done our 40th trip this past January and have never booked a package. I've done the math and we come out ahead by booking just the room and buying our tickets once there. You get alot of extra things in a package and we'ld never get to use them or care to on some, so why pay for things you won't use. We found that trying to squeeze in a water park to be too hard, we like other things to do on a down day but if we find the time we would just pay out of pocket. No interest in DQ, boat rental etc. We find we get a better discount off rack by booking room only and the saving we can do some other things of interest. We do not have plans when we go, been there enough to basically know what and where and how much so a package deal to us is a waste, others crave it but we go more now for a relaxing vacation, no ADR's to be tied to a schedule or tickets to other than parks that we'll never use. It's to each their own, enjoy Disney your way, we do it our way.

 

[CelticBelle]

i heard that they were going to change it so that you can purchase room only and also get the dining plan if you want with out having to purchase the whole package. I think this was for APs so that they can still enjoy the benefits of the dining plan without having to buy an entire package. im not positive of this though, just what ive heard recently.