Room Only vs Package

[Castillo Mom]

After having planned for two years for our first trip to WDW, I learned a lot and saved a lot of money doing everything on my own. Now I come back to find that the pricing structure has changed completely. Add to that the fact that you can now add dining as well. I'm very pleased with these changes, however, I'm having to look at things from a totally different perspective. I was on the boards over the weekend, but still couldn't determine whether a package would be better than a room only reservation. We'll be returing to WDW in July of '07. It will be myself and my 3 boys who will be 14, 16, and 18 at time of travel. We plan on 10-11 days and splitting our stay between AKL and BC and will want to do all the parks including TL and BB which a couple of visits to DQ. I'd like to hear opinions on whether room only and buying tickets separately would be a better deal or would a package be better. Also, if I decide to do room only, can only the dining portion be added if I've already purchased my tickets ahead of time to take advantage of the early purchase discount? Sorry for so many questions but I need help!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

In order to get the dining plan- you have to have a pkg booked... not room only. You can get around this (as we have) if you have already purchased or had leftover tickets (as we did) by just purchasing ONE day ticket for everyone staying in the room. Then room, plus those tickets = pkg.. and you can add the dining plan then. But you can't add the dining plan on a room only reservation.
Also to have the dining plan- it must be a minimum 3 night stay. It can still be done when splitting your stay but you'd have to stay a minimum of 3 nights at each resort.

 

[grimley1968]

Check the list of places the dining package includes. If you don't normally eat at those places, the dining plan may not make sense for you. The dining plan is a definite savings over eating at the participating restaurants a la carte, but only if you already eat at those places.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Check the list of places the dining package includes. If you don't normally eat at those places, the dining plan may not make sense for you. The dining plan is a definite savings over eating at the participating restaurants a la carte, but only if you already eat at those places.

I looked at the list, and yes, we would be dining at several. Last trip we did one sit down meal per day and at least 1 counter service, so the dining plan would be a definite savings for us. As you can imagine, my boys can consume quite a bit, so our food bill was very high.

 

[cindym]

I have a room only booked at AAA discount for Dec. If I add tickets to this can I add the dining later? Will I still lose my AAA discount? I will be paying for the dining it will not be free.

 

[minnieandmickey]

CindyM
I called AAA today and they had Disney on the line (trying to split my stay and get the value rate, did not work out. ) The Disney rep stated that you cannot add the dining on later, it must be booked with a package.