Pkg vs room only

[Pooh2]

Is there any advantage over buying the package vs room only? There does not seem to be any savings money wise.
Can I purchase tickets on arrival night when we check in, or do they have to be purchased at the gate?
If the tickets are as part of a package, does that save anytime on the first day in the parks?

 

[kangamama]

Usually there is no (or very little) financial advantage to purchasing a package as opposed to breaking room and tickets apart.

 

[whoever]

Packages will sometimes give you character dining included or free photopass redemption. You typically get bags, pins, and lanyards too. Beyond that, as the previous poster stated, there's really no monetary advantage if you don't want that added swag. Packages have tax baked in vs. extra tax beyond what is quoted with just lodging (they stick it to you when you check out.

 

[hootey]

Yes, packages may include extras. Call the travel company making the package offer and ask specifically what is included for the price and if the price includes taxes and all fees. We book all our trips to DL thru the Walt Disney Travel Company and we stay at the DLH. Every trip, the wife asks specifically if there is anything new and/or what is included while making the reservations.
Package deals are sometimes the way to go and sometimes not. You have to do your homework as with anything else. One of the big things we like about WDTC and staying on property is quite simple, everything is paid for in advance! No big bill at check out or a couple days later on our credit card. We really enjoy that. We also enjoy receiving all our travel information and park tickets about two weeks before the arrival date. It gives us another chance to review everything to make sure everything is correct. Upon arrival all we have to do is check in and then have our pictures taken at the park turnstyles and we are set.
Yes, you may save a little money purchasing everything separate but, how much time will it take you? How much time will you spend on arrival day purchasing everything? Will you receive any unpleasant surprises when you get your credit card bill? You will have to decide what is best for you
Happy traveling

 

[Pooh2]

Yes, packages may include extras. Call the travel company making the package offer and ask specifically what is included for the price and if the price includes taxes and all fees. We book all our trips to DL thru the Walt Disney Travel Company and we stay at the DLH. Every trip, the wife asks specifically if there is anything new and/or what is included while making the reservations.
Package deals are sometimes the way to go and sometimes not. You have to do your homework as with anything else. One of the big things we like about WDTC and staying on property is quite simple, everything is paid for in advance! No big bill at check out or a couple days later on our credit card. We really enjoy that. We also enjoy receiving all our travel information and park tickets about two weeks before the arrival date. It gives us another chance to review everything to make sure everything is correct. Upon arrival all we have to do is check in and then have our pictures taken at the park turnstyles and we are set.
Yes, you may save a little money purchasing everything separate but, how much time will it take you? How much time will you spend on arrival day purchasing everything? Will you receive any unpleasant surprises when you get your credit card bill? You will have to decide what is best for you
Happy traveling

Thankyou!

 

[Pooh2]

I just googled WDW Travel company as stated above. Is that the same as calling the Central Reservations or the number on Disneyland.com?

 

[HydroGuy]

When you add in taxes, I have never yet seen a package be less expensive than booking room and tickets separately. Further, if you book a room only it is more flexible to cancel or change plans. I think packages requires 5 days notice to change or cancel while room only it is only 1 day.

 

[ParkHopper1]

while room only it is only 1 day.

DLR hotel require 5 days notice even on room only reservations as well.

 

[HydroGuy]

DLR hotel require 5 days notice even on room only reservations as well.

Really. That is a change as last time I checked it was 1 day. So maybe this is no longer a difference.

 

[krispin41]

I like to book packages as I find it's a bit easier for me, I usually book through AAA so get a little discount that way. I also like that they allow payments over time.

 

[PacoDF]

For room only, you can cancel up to 5 days before the check in date.

for packages, this is the policy:
Cancellation of Reservation - If the reservation is cancelled, amounts paid, minus cancellation fees, vacation insurance premium, and other amounts owed, will be refunded. For a cancellation made 29 days or less prior to arrival, there is a cancellation fee of $200 per package, plus any cancellation fees assessed by other suppliers. Guest will be responsible for any cancellation fees assessed by an airline. In the case of a non-refundable airline ticket, the cancellation fee is equal to the entire ticket price.