Package vs. Room Only

Package because (1) we like to get a dining plan; (2) We like to get the free magic bands; and (3) If we need to make changes it's a bit easier to do that if it all on one reservation.
 
Package.
If I decide I want to change dates or have to cancel I won't be stuck with tickets and the associated price.
If I already had tickets for some reason like in the case of my parents who had a 10 day non expiring ticket that they only use a day or two from each time then room only would be the way to go.
 
Package because (1) we like to get a dining plan; (2) We like to get the free magic bands; and (3) If we need to make changes it's a bit easier to do that if it all on one reservation.

Just an fyi you can book a ticketless package by phone that would get you the room and dining plan and magic bands are complimentary for anyone staying at a Disney resort so no need for a package to get free magic bands.
I do agree about being able to easily make changes like dates.
 


Which do you prefer and why?

Trying to decide if I should do a package or do room only and buy my tickets from Undercover Tourist.
Biggest difference is cancelation/deposit/PIF requirements.
Package:
$200 deposit
Paid in full by 30 days prior, and cancelation penalty after that

Room only:
Deposit is 1 night
Cancelation penalty is 5 days before arrival
PIF is due check in day

Can get dining plan without tickets, but that requires a ticketless package, so has package T&C.

Package tickets are in essence refundable and changeable, subject to the package T&C (no fee if before 30 days, after 30 days out, it'll depend)

Tickets purchased separately: must check policy for Undercover tourist (or whoever you buy them from). Very often, they are non-refundable and only changes allowed are upgrades (dates may unable to be changed, as well). This will be up to the seller.

Package tickets can be used for length of stay at the Disney resort. Tickets purchased separately will have a maximum number of days you can use them, which may be less than your resort stay (depending on what you get).
 
Packages in case I need the 0% financing on the Disney Visa card, and when it's all bundled together my sticker shock isn't as bad.

I feel like if I had to fork over the money for tickets, I'd have to buy them in separate purchases and my eyeballs would pop out of my head.
 
It depends on your goals.

If you think you'd make use of a dining plan, a package can be more convenient. Also with a package you can put down a deposit and pay off over time (until 45 days before your trip). So if you don't have big chunks of cash up front, a package will be easier for you.

A lot of the time, booking a room only discount and buying tickets from a 3rd party vendor like UT will be a lot less expensive than any package Disney will offer. Packages with free dining require parkhoppers and rooms are charged at full rack rate. Room discounts may require certain lengths of stay or ticket types. with Packages, there's always a trade off - something is "discounted" but something else will be restricted or at full rate.

You can still get free magic bands with a room only reservation - they are standard with onsite reservations through Disney. And to be honest, I've done reservations both ways (booking package vs buying everything piecemeal and putting the confirmation #s in MDE myself) and from my experience doing it yourself through more than one vendor is no more difficult than working with a TA in terms of being able to make changes down the line.

The only caveat for some with buying from UT is that you must pay the full amount up front, there's no option to pay off the tickets over time.

So if saving money is your goal - you're better off with room only and buying tickets from a 3rd party.
If convenience is the goal, packages are the way to go.
 


Package because (1) we like to get a dining plan; (2) We like to get the free magic bands; and (3) If we need to make changes it's a bit easier to do that if it all on one reservation.

You can still get the dining plan if you book room only. It's just a phone call and one more step, but it can be done.
Magic bands are included with room only reservations
Changes are super easy with room only reservations. We've done it and it's no more challenging than changing a package.
 
Odd, everyone says I can get dining with room only but when I tried to do that last year for our pre-cruise stay disney told me on the phone it was not possible unless I had an AP or DVC. Now I wish I had called back and tried a differenct CM :(
 
Odd, everyone says I can get dining with room only but when I tried to do that last year for our pre-cruise stay disney told me on the phone it was not possible unless I had an AP or DVC. Now I wish I had called back and tried a differenct CM :(

Sadly, my experience has been that some cast members have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. I don't know why Disney would hire them to work customer service when they don't even know basic rules for booking or basic information about resorts. I had one on the phone who didn't even know that some rooms have a 5th Murphy style bed and kept trying to tell me that they didn't exist when I was trying to request one.
 
We always get the package, with room, tickets, park hoppers. The TA gets us the best deals on air fare, which is fantastic.
It's nice to let a specialist on Disney handle all the details. We only show up a week before to get our itinerary and paperwork.
Wouldn't know how to even begin to book it ourselves at this time:)
 
One new twist to the package vs room-only debate is the new length of stay validity for package tickets. Depending on how many park days/non-park days you plan, this can be an important consideration.

Enjoy your vacation!
 
Which do you prefer and why?

Trying to decide if I should do a package or do room only and buy my tickets from Undercover Tourist.

Doesn't particularly matter to me. As a FL resident, the package vs room only and tickets solo was only $3 more. I did the room only as I like being able to purchase my tickets when I'm ready to get them. And since hubby is not sure if he's going yet, that's a better route for me, room only.
 
In the past, I may have recommended booking the room and tickets separately, but with the new date-specific tickets and expiration dates, buying from UT has become a little tricky, IMHO. I would purchase the package to have more flexibility with modifying and canceling.
 
Room only as an AP holder but before we got them we still did room only. I don't want to pay in full till I arrive
 
Room-Only. Why would I want to be stuck with WDW's stricter cancellation and payment policy. I am in no rush to give Disney an interest-free loan. My credit card is my dining plan. Fully loaded and accepted everywhere for whatever I care to eat. If I want something a little more gimmicky, I can link my credit card to my Magic Band.
 
Room-Only. Why would I want to be stuck with WDW's stricter cancellation and payment policy. I am in no rush to give Disney an interest-free loan. My credit card is my dining plan. Fully loaded and accepted everywhere for whatever I care to eat. If I want something a little more gimmicky, I can link my credit card to my Magic Band.
However, for room only, you need to buy your tickets > 60 days in advance for FP, and can't refund it (usually)
For Package, you pay for your tickets 30 days in advance, and can refund them (with a penalty) until... I forget how many days.

So, depending on room cost vs. ticket cost, package may be giving Disney less of an interest free loan than room only.
 
However, for room only, you need to buy your tickets > 60 days in advance for FP, and can't refund it (usually)
For Package, you pay for your tickets 30 days in advance, and can refund them (with a penalty) until... I forget how many days.

So, depending on room cost vs. ticket cost, package may be giving Disney less of an interest free loan than room only.
30 days for a refund. Once paid in full it's paid in full
 
We have done both, but lately, I’ve preferred room only. That way, the deposit is refundable up to 5 days (vs 30 days) and the balance is due at check-in (instead of 30 days before). Also, with the new ticket rules, you can’t access your package tickets ahead of your check-in date. I would hate to want to add a day or two and not be able to access the parks, unless the entire package is modified. It just seems that room only provides more flexibility. And it includes magic bands, so you are not missing anything there.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!






Top