Vacation Package or Just hotel rooms

[coronationday]

I'm looking to travel the second week of january 2023 and wondering if it is better to book the room now or wait for when vacation packages are available. Is it cheaper to book a vacation package or should I book the room and buy tickets separately?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Room Only is easier to cancel and more flexible. The main advantage of a package is that there are occasionally discounts that you can only get in a package. I'd book a room only reservation now, knowing that you can always cancel if some kind of fantastic package discount comes out.

 

[coronationday]

That sounds like a good idea. Thank you!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

The other advantage of a package is that if you have to cancel and you booked through Disney, Disney will refund the room and the tickets. If you book room only and buy tickets separately, sometimes you can't get the tickets refunded. They don't lose their value, but Disney generally doesn't give refunds on tickets. Some ticket brokers give refunds, sometimes with a restocking fee.

We did get Disney to refund the tickets once because we wanted to book a package instead (recovery offer for a trip canceled due to park closure).

 

[loves to dive]

I've found it's usually less for me to book them separate, especially if Disney is offering some sort of room discount. I buy my tickets from the discount broker with a frog and get the refundable ones. To get those you have to have them send physical tickets but they do also send a digital copy so you can go ahead and enter it into MDE. I think there is a small restocking fee but I'm not sure as I currently have an AP. I've also found, in the before times, if Disney is offering a room discount you can sometimes get that as well as a site discount on some of the discount booking sites.

 

[coronationday]

I understand, my date are too far away that I can't buy tickets yet and well I was considering maybe buying them from a ticket broker to save some money, but I don't know if they can be trusted. I think as I get the plans approved by my family I may book the room first and then watch how thinks played out and buy the tickets later.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The other advantage of a package is that if you have to cancel and you booked through Disney, Disney will refund the room and the tickets. If you book room only and buy tickets separately, sometimes you can't get the tickets refunded. They don't lose their value, but Disney generally doesn't give refunds on tickets. Some ticket brokers give refunds, sometimes with a restocking fee.

We did get Disney to refund the tickets once because we wanted to book a package instead (recovery offer for a trip canceled due to park closure).

Yes, I would never buy third party tickets this far in advance anyways.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I understand, my date are too far away that I can't buy tickets yet and well I was considering maybe buying them from a ticket broker to save some money, but I don't know if they can be trusted. I think as I get the plans approved by my family I may book the room first and then watch how thinks played out and buy the tickets later.

We have used Undercover Tourist several times - I know they are legit. We used to never book packages when tickets didn't expire.

 

[coronationday]

Thank you all for the information, I'm thinking of doing a split stay so it may be better to book room only and buy tickets separate.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I did the combo package cause it gave me a way to pay it out.. $200 down and it locked in ticket price.
I called twice in the year because promos came out and they adjusted the price if my package.

 

[Her Dotness]

We buy tickets from Sam's, somewhat cheaper than through Disney. Other discount clubs sell Disney tickets, so it's worth checking online or asking if yours does. Any of these are reliable, but do be certain to check cancellation policies before buying.

When we used to book packages, Disney generously would switch our package to another when a discount we could use was issued.

If you buy a package and notice there's a good discount released, DO NOT CANCEL before calling Disney. They'll do what's called modifying your reservation--keeping those portions that save you money and changing where the discount is to your advantage.