Package vs Room Only?

[rmjkharrisfam]

We're planning for May 2012 - this far out should I book room only to convert to package later? Or book the package and hope to be able to apply a discount if they are released?

We know that we want the dining plan so I know that eventually I will need a package but I'm never booked this far out and am not sure which way to go.

 

[Raksha]

I would just book the package. You have to put the same deposit either way...so i don't think it really makes that much of a difference??

 

[havoc315]

I would just book the package. You have to put the same deposit either way...so i don't think it really makes that much of a difference??

Actually, package rules are more restrictive than room-only rules (in terms of changes, refunds, cancellations, etc).

You can always convert to a package later on. But as long as you book your room-only now... then you can make sure your desired room category doesn't book up. Making it a package at this point, wouldn't give you any extra advantages, and would actually give you some slight disadvantages.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Room only reservations and package reservations are booked using two completely different systems. You can't simply convert a room only reservation to a package reservation. The room only reservation will have to be canceled and a request will be made for your room only deposit to be refunded to you. Then, you'll have to book your package reservation and pay a $200 deposit.

 

[havoc315]

Room only reservations and package reservations are booked using two completely different systems. You can't simply convert a room only reservation to a package reservation. The room only reservation will have to be canceled and a request will be made for your room only deposit to be refunded to you. Then, you'll have to book your package reservation and pay a $200 deposit.

Stop me if I'm wrong -- But isn't that basically the same thing that happens if you seek to apply a discount to an existing package. That you need to "re-book" with the package.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Stop me if I'm wrong -- But isn't that basically the same thing that happens if you seek to apply a discount to an existing package. That you need to "re-book" with the package.

I'm not sure if they actually rebook when they apply a discount to an existing reservation. But, I do know that you can't simply change a room only to a package. At least they couldn't last year or the year before last. I've tried to do it before and it couldn't be done. They had to cancel the room only, request that my deposit be refunded and then I had to book a package. I was told that the room only and package reservations use two different systems.

 

[snykymom]

Stop me if I'm wrong -- But isn't that basically the same thing that happens if you seek to apply a discount to an existing package. That you need to "re-book" with the package.

No. That's considered modifying a current reservation; you keep the same reservation number, and you don't have to pay a different deposit. A package actually needs to be booked with a paid depositand the room only cancelled with the deposit refunded.

 

[no capes darling]

Room only reservations and package reservations are booked using two completely different systems. You can't simply convert a room only reservation to a package reservation. The room only reservation will have to be canceled and a request will be made for your room only deposit to be refunded to you. Then, you'll have to book your package reservation and pay a $200 deposit.

Does room only booking guarantee for you the resort & level of your choice when to converting to a package?

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

So - it sounds like since I know that I want a package in the end (we always do the dining plan, it's perfect for us) I should just book the package and then try to apply any discounts later. This avoids the hassle of cancelling & refunding the room only?

 

[mickeystoontown]

No. That's considered modifying a current reservation; you keep the same reservation number, and you don't have to pay a different deposit. A package actually needs to be booked with a paid depositand the room only cancelled with the deposit refunded.

Modifying a reservation is the word I was looking for. That's exactly what a Disney Travel castmember told me I was doing when I applied a special offer to an existing package reservation. I've done this several times.

Does room only booking guarantee for you the resort & level of your choice when to converting to a package?

You can't convert a room only to a package. You have to cancel the room only reservation, request a refund and then book a package, paying another deposit. They can't roll a room only deposit over to a package.

I've been told that, as soon as you cancel the room only reservation, that room goes right back into circulation for others to book. So, I don't think it really does you any good to book a room only if your ultimate goal is to book a package.

So - it sounds like since I know that I want a package in the end (we always do the dining plan, it's perfect for us) I should just book the package and then try to apply any discounts later. This avoids the hassle of cancelling & refunding the room only?

I'd say that'd be your best bet. We always book the dining plan too so I have to buy a package (not that I wouldn't have anyway). I've had success in applying a special offer to my packages three, maybe four, times.

 

[no capes darling]

Modifying
You can't convert a room only to a package. You have to cancel the room only reservation, request a refund and then book a package, paying another deposit. They can't roll a room only deposit over to a package.

I've been told that, as soon as you cancel the room only reservation, that room goes right back into circulation for others to book. So, I don't think it really does you any good to book a room only if your ultimate goal is to book a package.

Crud- I misunderstood from previous trips then.... we aren't certain on dates yet so room only was booked for 9 nights and will shave off a couple when we know for sure about flights. I was worried about being penalized for changing the dates with a package. I wish Jetblue would release beyond the beginning of January....

 

[snykymom]

Does room only booking guarantee for you the resort & level of your choice when to converting to a package?

No. In fact, even booking a package doesn't guarantee you the resort & level of your choice if changing to a different promotion. Each promotion has only a certain number of rooms at each resort at each level available, and if your package is in an area that's sold out, or wasn't part of the promotion because bookings were high enough to leave it out, you'd have to change something to take advantage of the promotion.

If you're looking for a discount, you've got to remain flexible.

Crud- I misunderstood from previous trips then.... we aren't certain on dates yet so room only was booked for 9 nights and will shave off a couple when we know for sure about flights. I was worried about being penalized for changing the dates with a package. I wish Jetblue would release beyond the beginning of January....

Don't worry about a penalty on the package until 45 days before arrival. Until then (and Jetblue will be out way before 45 days), you can modify or cancel your reservation without penalty.

 

[no capes darling]

No. In fact, even booking a package doesn't guarantee you the resort & level of your choice if changing to a different promotion. Each promotion has only a certain number of rooms at each resort at each level available, and if your package is in an area that's sold out, or wasn't part of the promotion because bookings were high enough to leave it out, you'd have to change something to take advantage of the promotion.

If you're looking for a discount, you've got to remain flexible.


Don't worry about a penalty on the package until 45 days before arrival. Until then (and Jetblue will be out way before 45 days), you can modify or cancel your reservation without penalty.

Thanks- just got off the phone with them and changed it to a package. I guess because the resort we want is not negotiable to the set of parents we're traveling with, any discounts that come out may or may not be applied depending on availability and they will have to deal with that. I'm simply happy to be there and would have no problem with changing if need be, but this trip is not all about me. I'm ok with that.