Room Only + Tickets, or Vacation Package?

[albertamom]

I'm not sure where to post this, but thought I'd try here.

I already have a room-only reservation for next February. Now that online booking has opened up for 2016, should I just keep that reservation and add park tickets to it, or is there a benefit to cancelling it and booking a vacation package?

First-time WDW visitor, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[mexi]

You would need to cancel your room only and make a new package reservation. That would mean putting a $200 deposit down and having your room only deposit refunded. Also packages need to be paid 45 days before check in and room only gives you until the day you check in to pay the balance.

You could buy your tickets from a trusted online dealer with a discount and just add them to your room only. Then you don't have to cancel anything and you will have up until check in to pay the balance.

I hope this helps a little.

 

[purple figment]

Most would say the main reason to book a package is if you want the dining plan because a dining plan cannot be added to a room only reservation. The deposit for a package is $200, final payment for a 2016 package is now 30 days before arrival date ( a change from the previous 45 day deadline), any changes made after the final payment date are subject to a $50 change fee, if you cancel the package after the deadline date you forfeit the $200 deposit and within a day (or possibly 2 days) of arrival the forfeiture will be the full amount of the package.

With a room only reservation the deposit is one night's room rate, but the remainder is not due until your check in date, and you can cancel up to 5 days before arrival and still get your deposit back. You can purchase tickets from an authorized re-seller such as AAA, Undercover Tourist or Maple Leaf and attach them to your room reservation without making it a package.

Whether you have a package or room only reservation, there is no difference with regard to making dining reservations (180 + 10 days), booking fast passes (60 days before arrival) or using Disney's Magical Express if arriving at MCO.

Overall, we have found that unless we want the dining plan or there is a special offer that requires a package (e.g. Free Dining or Stay, Play and Dine) we prefer a room only reservation.

 

[Silvermist999]

We always do room only reservations. We had to cancel our trip earlier this month at the very last minute , but we were able to get our deposit back for each resort we booked (split stay).

 

[RustManFan]

We also do room only and I bought our tickets a few years ago from Undercover Tourist so that part of our 2016 has been paid for.... long ago!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm not sure where to post this, but thought I'd try here.

I already have a room-only reservation for next February. Now that online booking has opened up for 2016, should I just keep that reservation and add park tickets to it, or is there a benefit to cancelling it and booking a vacation package?

First-time WDW visitor, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

I would just leave your room only reservation as it is. The cancellation policy is much better and you don't have to pay the full amount until you check in. A package reservation has to be in full ahead of time.

Your current rate is only guaranteed if you don't make any changes to your reservation. If you make any changes to your current room only reservation then Disney can change your rate to the new 2016 rate. You can buy tickets later. There isn't really any reason to buy them before your 60 day fastpass window opens.

 

[smitch425]

You would need to cancel your room only and make a new package reservation. That would mean putting a $200 deposit down and having your room only deposit refunded. Also packages need to be paid 45 days before check in and room only gives you until the day you check in to pay the balance.

You could buy your tickets from a trusted online dealer with a discount and just add them to your room only. Then you don't have to cancel anything and you will have up until check in to pay the balance.

I hope this helps a little.

Packages for 2016 need to be paid 30 days out, not 45.

 

[albertamom]

Thank you all SO much for the help and advice. Unfortunately, because of school commitments, we can only go during the week of Presidents' Day, which I know will be extremely busy. Since I don't expect free dining at this time, it seems to make the most sense to keep the room only reservation. I was just afraid of missing out on any "bonus features" of booking a package.

I am so excited about this trip! I'm studying dining venues like crazy, in preparation for our ADR window in August. My family thinks I'm crazy!

 

[wdwjeffc37]

Booking a package will get you some coupons and discounts and the opportunity to get free dining. Check out the Disney website and see if what they are offering with the package is something your family would use and compare prices between a room only with Undercover Tourist tickets and a Magic Your Way package. Room only reservations have a more liberal cancellation policy. Cheers!!!!

 

[Bree]

I just want to add that you can pay off RO reservations before you check in. For now, you need to call to make payments, but every now and then a link shows up in MDE to make payments online. Also, if they offer RO discounts you can have it applied if your resort and room type is included in the offer. From reading your post it sounds like you are booked under RO with a 2015 rate. If you apply a discount it will be based off the 2016 rates, but you will still save some money!