Switching discounted room-only to a package

[pgsahm2]

I currently have a room only booked for next month at POR. I had a 30% pin code. When we booked the trip we didn't want to book a package for various reasons. Now that we are less than a month from our trip we want to go ahead and add hopper tickets to our current reservation. I want to call today but I'd like to know what to expect when I call. So I am turning to the experts!

Will they have to cancel my current reservation and start a new one? I've heard of people having problems "re"booking a room if the resort is full, even if they have "just" canceled a reservation. Will this be an issue or is that just a myth? I definitely do not want to lose my current reservation.

Any tips or advice before I call would be great. I don't want to screw up anything unintentionally! Thanks!

 

[brentalex]

If you change from a room only reservation to a package, they will cancel your room only reservation, refund your deposit and create a whole new reservation needing a new deposit. If you have a good price on the room and only want to buy tickets, I would go to one of the online ticket discounters and buy my tickets there. No need to make a change then.

 

[bouldertcr]

Brentalex,

If you just need to purchase tickets, I would do what pgsahm2 suggested and just buy the tickets from a discounter. I recommend undercover tourist (very reputable). If you receive the mousesavers newsletter, just click on their link. If you don't receive the newsletter, just go to www.mousesavers.com or google undercover tourist.
I found by purchasing my tickets through them, I was able to save money then by purchasing them through Disney. Also, they offer free standard shipping. It will read that it takes 14 days to receive the tickets, but folks usually receive them within 5-7 days. I wasn't sure your exact date when you are going to wdw. We leave for wdw august 10 and I just ordered my tickets yesterday. Also, when you check into your resort, you can easily add your tickets onto your KTTW card.

Hope that helps. I am sure though that if you decide to change your room only to a package, it can be done without problems. Just remember though that with a room only you can still cancel 6 days before arrival for a full refund. With a package, it is another story. Buying through a discounter like undercover tourist will save you more money in addition to the money you already saved on the room.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

IMO, the only reason to turn your room-only reservation into a package is if you want to add the DDP. Otherwise, buy your tickets from a reseller or wait until you get there. There's no financial advantage to having a "package."

 

[mbanks21]

You can always add keys to the world tickets to your room only res if you want to get everything from disney

 

[pgsahm2]

Here's my dilemma... the savings buying through a discounter (THE best deal I've found) is $17.95. Sure if I was taking my family of 5 the math is simple, but since I'm only buying tickets for myself and my sister is paying her way, the savings is not as significant. If I switch to a package deal through Disney everything will be nice and neat! lol

The one thing that keeps weighing on my mind is that we're travelling during hurricane season. Is there any advantage to having a Disney booked package if something was to happen and we had to evacuate? I just feel the extra $17.95 per person is a bit of vacation insurance in a way. But maybe I'm thinking all wrong... I don't know.

What does it take to have discount tickets added to your KTTW card? Is it a very simple process?

Thanks for the insight so far. It is making me reconsider.

 

[brentalex]

Here's my dilemma... the savings buying through a discounter (THE best deal I've found) is $17.95. Sure if I was taking my family of 5 the math is simple, but since I'm only buying tickets for myself and my sister is paying her way, the savings is not as significant. If I switch to a package deal through Disney everything will be nice and neat! lol

The one thing that keeps weighing on my mind is that we're travelling during hurricane season. Is there any advantage to having a Disney booked package if something was to happen and we had to evacuate? I just feel the extra $17.95 per person is a bit of vacation insurance in a way. But maybe I'm thinking all wrong... I don't know.

What does it take to have discount tickets added to your KTTW card? Is it a very simple process?

Thanks for the insight so far. It is making me reconsider.

I don't think there is any difference between having a package and any other kind of reservation if you need to evacuate. I think that everyone is cared for the same way. Now having trip insurance could be a different issue, not sure if you can buy it on a room only reservation.
As to getting the tickets onto your room key, that is a simple process that takes a minute or two when you check in. You tell them what they want to do and they take your ticket and enter it into the system and it is on your room key. Saving 17.95 is still saving, not much but maybe you can get a good cup of coffee with the savings

 

[KarenP]

Just call DRC and tell them you want to switch from a room only reservation to a package with the PIN offer. If they can't do it for you ask to speak to guest services. Good luck!

 

[Luv2Roam]

If you are concerned about traveling during hurricane season, your best bet is to buy trip insurance. Disney offers it. Although you can purchase it elsewhere yourself also.
In the past Disney has always been very accommodating with hurricanes and canceled vacations. Sometimes the weather do not directly impact central FL, but incoming and outbound flights.
However, a lot of that accommodation is done as a good will gesture on Disney's part.
It depends how much of a gamble you want to take. Just like any other insurance -- if you have it and something happens, you are very grateful.

Also, you may not be able to get the same rate if you decide to change over to a package.