Room only vs package

[JJ&JSMOM]

The last time we went we did the package through AAA w/dining. This time around I think we'll skip the dining plan so I wondering what would be the best way to go when I book our vacation - room only and get my passes through AAA or TTC or book a package. Curious as to what others do. The extras that came w/the pkg we didn't use - parking pass (we used disney buses), Planet Hollywood coupon, $ off mice boats, & storytime. We're not going until 2009 so I have plenty of time to figure it out.

Just thought I'd ask what others do - packages or seperate (sp)? Can the 7 day base ticket w/hopper option be purchased at the TTC? I saw the ticket machines at the TTC on our way back to the Poly but didn't stop to see what types of tickets are sold. Thanks for any info and opinions.

 

[kldmom2000]

With the exception of our last 2 trips, we've always booked everything separately. In the fall of "06, I switched our room only discount to the pkg for the free dining plan. Last year we went through AAA to get the discount and the DDP. We just don't care to eat that many sit down meals and our girls are such picky eaters that it was hard finding a children's menu that they'd find something to eat Next time we go, we are going to book a room only because we don't need the "extras" that come with the pkg-never once used anything other than our tix and DDP (and we're not doing the DDP next time).

As far as purchasing your tix, you can do it through many of the online stores that are advertised here (ie. Undercover Tourist, etc), you can buy 4 and 5 day tix @ AAA, you can buy them at your resort, and at the Disney Stores nationwide

Good luck in your planning!

 

[raven69david]

We always do room-only. We can get everything else cheaper and definetly will NEVER do dining unless it's free and only if it's during the month of December (so that pretty much means never).

The discounts for packages are primarily for the room only. There are no discounts for tickets or dining unless there's a special promo going on in which case it would be during a value season. Plus with room-only you only have to pay 1 night in advance and the balance at check-in; with package it's 45 days prior to arrival. We make ressie's a year in advance so we payoff the trip months prior to our trip date.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for the info. I think thats probably what we'll do. Book room only and pay it off as we go. Then buy our passes through AAA or Undercover Tourist. I doubt we'll do the dining plan again - too much food & our kids are so picky. We used all our credits no problem but to me it wasn't any different from charging the room except we paid for the dining before we left.

I'm having fun planning. Not sure where I'll book our vacation - we went w/AAA last time for the pkg. Maybe with a room only I'll just book it myself w/Disney although I love the idea of having the extra help planning from one of the disney specialist companies.

Thanks again.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

We just returned from WDW. We stayed at POP. It was our 1st trip and we didn't do the DDP. I just booked our next trip for Dec 1-8, 2008. I am booking separately because it saves us over $250. Our CAA discount (AAA in the U.S) gives us a good rate on the room. We are not doing the DDP because it will not save us money. In 2008 our oldest will be 10 and doesn't eat like an adult. The money we save on the room will go towards dining. Now knowing the prices of food I sat down and figured out it wasn't worth it for us to do a package with the DDP. We'll have the freedom of eating how we want without feeling like we have to eat stuff because it is prepaid for.
We ordered our park passes online and will do it again. It saved us about $50.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We just returned from WDW. We stayed at POP. It was our 1st trip and we didn't do the DDP. I just booked our next trip for Dec 1-8, 2008. I am booking separately because it saves us over $250. Our CAA discount (AAA in the U.S) gives us a good rate on the room. We are not doing the DDP because it will not save us money. In 2008 our oldest will be 10 and doesn't eat like an adult. The money we save on the room will go towards dining. Now knowing the prices of food I sat down and figured out it wasn't worth it for us to do a package with the DDP. We'll have the freedom of eating how we want without feeling like we have to eat stuff because it is prepaid for.
We ordered our park passes online and will do it again. It saved us about $50.

Seems like room only is the way to go unless opting for ddp. I can't wait until we can book. We did save $200 on dining w/the ddp but now that they changed the plan I don't think it would save us. Plus I wouldn't want to have to book and go to 8 adrs . Although we had a great time, I think 4 or 5 would be fine next time - we'll be celebrating 2 bdays so I'll have to book something special for those days. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[klmall]

We have always booked room only on our own except once years ago when there was a Magic Kingdom Club that had decent packages. Every time I cost out "free dining" it really doesn't save us money. Previous posters mentioned the benefits of room only booking and like you, we don't feel we would get full benefit from the Dining Plan. All trips but two I managed to find discounts on the room and those trips were in cheaper seasons. I have always found tickets for discount prices and often bought non-expiring parkhoppers to cover two trips or more to save money. Planning on my own is a challenge I enjoy with the help of the DIS and TGM.

 

[Taja]

We do room only unless there's a terrific special for a package. The FTP in 2003 qualified, as did free dining in 2006.

There's no telling what the economy--or Disney--will do between now and your planned holiday, but with room only you can always change if something better comes along!

 

[Chester's Mum]

I've had a good experience booking a package through the website, when they had free park hopping and water parks special. The only thing is that specials usually only come out a few months in advance, so depending on how busy your time period is, they might not have a special, and if they do, they might not have they type of room you want. When I did this, it was for the end of January/beginning of February and the place was practically empty.

I've found that with travel agencies you have less flexibility.

If you book directly through disney you can get all of your money back if you have to cancel up to 45 days in advance. Watch out for the vacation insurance in the online booking though, it's non refundable, and you have to actively decline it if you don't want it.

You can also book your room only with whatever discount you have (AAA or whatever), and then upgrade to a package if a deal comes out later.

Good luck

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'll probably just book myself w/Disney. I know its been posted before but if I book on the website can I make payments? I know I can make payments if I book over the phone so maybe I'll just do that. Thanks again.

 

[CleveRocks]

Here's the weird thing ....

Even if you book a room-only reservation, you can still buy tickets through WDW as part of your resort reservation. It'll be part of your total bill that you must pay in-full by no later than check-in. The tickets will be coded onto your room keys.

Strange but true.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Here's the weird thing ....

Even if you book a room-only reservation, you can still buy tickets through WDW as part of your resort reservation. It'll be part of your total bill that you must pay in-full by no later than check-in. The tickets will be coded onto your room keys.

Strange but true.

Thanks for the tip. That would be great then I wouldn't be carrying around the room key and tickets.

 

[misricsmith]

so let me get this straight
if i book with a significant savings a mod or deluxe savings
thru AAA
then I would lose the savings if I added MYM w/ dining?

 

[kldmom2000]

so let me get this straight
if i book with a significant savings a mod or deluxe savings
thru AAA
then I would lose the savings if I added MYM w/ dining?

If you book through a AAA agent, you will be able to apply the AAA discount to your pkg. It's the only way to get the AAA discount AND the dining plan/pkg. We did it this way for our last trip in August and saved just over $500! You can't apply the AAA discount to a pkg. booked through Disney yourself-they'll have to charge you rack rate unless a special Disney discount comes out that you can use.