Room Only vs. Vacation Package

[CouponGirl]

Would there be any reason to do a room only reservation over a vacation package?

I was originally going to do a room only reservation and add on any extras later down the road, but it seems it may actually make more sense (and be less money up front) to do a vacation package. We will only do 2 or 3 day tickets, so I really haven't seen any significant savings in buying the passes through someone else. I'm also hoping that if free dining is offered again next year we will be able to take advantage of that, which would mean I would need to buy a package through Disney (if I'm understanding correctly).

Am I missing something? Is there a reason it would make more sense to do room only vs. vacation package?

 

[Shanti]

Would there be any reason to do a room only reservation over a vacation package?

I was originally going to do a room only reservation and add on any extras later down the road, but it seems it may actually make more sense (and be less money up front) to do a vacation package. We will only do 2 or 3 day tickets, so I really haven't seen any significant savings in buying the passes through someone else. I'm also hoping that if free dining is offered again next year we will be able to take advantage of that, which would mean I would need to buy a package through Disney (if I'm understanding correctly).

Am I missing something? Is there a reason it would make more sense to do room only vs. vacation package?

Yes. Room-only reservations can be changed or cancelled up to 5 days before arrival without penalty. Whereas vacation packages incur penalties over a month in advance. That's a big advantage to room-only. In fact, I almost always book room-only now. I like flexibility with my resort stay.

One advantage of packages is that you have more flexibility with adding days to tickets before arrival at WDW. And if you choose to cancel the package, the tickets get cancelled, too. Whereas if you book room-only, the tickets are technically non-refundable (although they can be used at another time).

 

[morrik5]

We are doing room only as we are staying at Fort Wilderness and there is no free dining plan for the period we are going. If the DP does get offered, we will definitely change it over.

 

[CouponGirl]

Yes. Room-only reservations can be changed or cancelled up to 5 days before arrival without penalty. Whereas vacation packages incur penalties over a month in advance. That's a big advantage to room-only. In fact, I almost always book room-only now. I like flexibility with my resort stay.

One advantage of packages is that you have more flexibility with adding days to tickets before arrival at WDW. And if you choose to cancel the package, the tickets get cancelled, too. Whereas if you book room-only, the tickets are technically non-refundable (although they can be used at another time).

Thank you! I didn't realize the difference in days for making changes/cancellations without penalty.