room only vs. package

[Disneymaddness]

I would like to book a room only room for our vacation in July now. What is the latest that I could add tickets and the dining plan? Also, could someone explain the cancellation policies for a room only vs a package? Also, I would like to use the AAA diacount. Tia

 

[chocovrdmicears]

If you definately plan on adding tickets and dining, it doesn't make sense to book a room only now. When you call to *add* the tickets and dining, they will cancel your room only reservation and refund any $$ to you. You will then need to make a new reservation which will require a new $200 deposit (or payment in full if you are within 45 days). They cannot transfer any $$ you have on the room only to your new package.
You can book a package now with 1 day tickets and no Dining Plan (which would require a $200 depost) - then you can call and add the Dining Plan 3 days before you arrive. You can upgrade your 1 day tickets when you check into your resort.


ETa - not sure of the exact cancellation policies for room only vs. package.
Just wanted to add if you are going to book through AAA you will have to cancel your room only, then AAA will have to make your new package reservation. At that point any changes to your package will have to go through your AAA agent...you will not be able to do anything regarding it because AAA will own your reservation at that point - you can make your ADR's though.

 

[Disneymaddness]

Thank you so much. I've always used a TA so doing this on my own is all new to me!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you for that answer and pardon me for butting in, but I have a question about this too...
So, if I book a Room Only with a Code for 35% off, does this mean I won't be able to add the tx and DDP? I'm referring to the discount that's being offered now for 35% off Deluxe resorts in late summer.
Thanks for any insight.

 

[Turk February]

Cancellation for a room-only reservation must be made 5 days before check-in to get your deposit back. Full payment is due at check-in. Deposit is the equivalent of 1 night's cost.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Thank you for that answer and pardon me for butting in, but I have a question about this too...
So, if I book a Room Only with a Code for 35% off, does this mean I won't be able to add the tx and DDP? I'm referring to the discount that's being offered now for 35% off Deluxe resorts in late summer.
Thanks for any insight.

Yes. You can add tx and DDP to a room with a % off. You just need to book it as a package.

 

[Luv2Roam]

However, if you plan to book a room only res now, and cancel that for a WDTC AAA package -- start with AAA in the first place.
Otherwise you will be cancelling your room only res with Disney and have to go to AAA anyway.
WDTC AAA packages can only be booked through AAA. And they will then be your travel agent. You will need to go through them for everything, except if you choose to book your own ADRs.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you, chocovrdmicears. You've cleared that up. I'll be able to book it, but I'll have to do it as a pkg - with the accompanying restrictions.
I love it when I can finally understand what it is I'm doing when it comes to WDW!

 

[StrwLady]

I was once told you can add the dining plan (making it a package with tickets. to your room only up to 3 days before you arrive. But as another said you will have to cancel the room only and rebook a package. Causing you to have a new deposit and your other deposit refunded to you.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I think I'd be too nervous to take a chance of cancelling a reservation before getting the new one. With my luck, someone else would grab up the room before the details were complete!

 

[snykymom]

I think I'd be too nervous to take a chance of cancelling a reservation before getting the new one. With my luck, someone else would grab up the room before the details were complete!

The CMs do it as virtually one transaction; they won't cancel one and then go through re-booking. Or if they do, they book you first and then cancel.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thanks, snykymom - I didn't realize that.

 

[TiggerInLBV]

I would like to book a room only room for our vacation in July now. What is the latest that I could add tickets and the dining plan? Also, could someone explain the cancellation policies for a room only vs a package? Also, I would like to use the AAA diacount. Tia

Cancellation Policies:
Room Only: Up to 6 days in advance no penalty, within 6 days 1 night penalty
Packages: 45 Days prior to arrival no penalty
44 Days or less $200 penalty

If you pay for a room only with a check then change to a package you WILL be able to transfer the payment from a room only to the package. If you pay with a credit card for the room only deposit you must wait for the refund.

As stated by a previous poster you are able to upgrade and add the dining plan and tickets up to 3 days in advance of your arrival date.

 

[snykymom]

I would like to book a room only room for our vacation in July now. What is the latest that I could add tickets and the dining plan? Also, could someone explain the cancellation policies for a room only vs a package? Also, I would like to use the AAA diacount. Tia

Cancellation Policies:
Room Only: Up to 6 days in advance no penalty, within 6 days 1 night penalty
Packages: 45 Days prior to arrival no penalty
44 Days or less $200 penalty

If you pay for a room only with a check then change to a package you WILL be able to transfer the payment from a room only to the package. If you pay with a credit card for the room only deposit you must wait for the refund.

As stated by a previous poster you are able to upgrade and add the dining plan and tickets up to 3 days in advance of your arrival date.

Just wanted to clarify that if you book a room only through Disney, you can apply the AAA discount. But if you then want to add the tickets & dining plan, you MUST BOOK THROUGH AAA. If you call Disney to add the tickets and DDP, you will lose your AAA discount.

In this situation, if you think you'll make it into a package, I'd suggest booking initially through AAA. Then if you want the package, your AAA agent can handle it for you. And you'll get all the AAA perks as well.