When to book?

[jsantini]

We have chosen our dates for a Dec trip and want to buy our airfare. I am hoping to get free dining or a pin code so I haven't made our WDW reservation yet. If I book now, can I change the reservation later if I get a pin codeor if free dining is announced? Also, I know we will do the dining plan either way, so if I do book now, should I just book a package to begin with? I would appreciate any advice on this topic. Would like to stay at POR FQ.

My other question is that if I book now and make my dining reservations, will I have to redo them all if I later change my room reservation for free dining or a pin code?

Thanks!

 

[kate2961]

Yes, you may change your reservation later to take advantage of another offer if available for your dates and room. Yes, if you know you want dining, you could add it now. Your dining ressies are still valid and not automatically canceled when you modify a reservation. You may want to add the dining plan now so that you may book the dining ressies with the plan.

 

[DJFan88]

You do not need to add the dining plan now to make ADR's. Here is what we always do: 1)Book a room reservation only with the best deal we have now (currently 20 percent PIN, sometimes all we have is a AAA discount). When FD comes up (if) call and change then. Make ADR's now (if not subject to credit card advance - or just be on top of that if you want those kind if you don't want later if you don't get FD). You can cancel ADR's if you don't get FD, however, you stated you would pay for it anyway.
If nothing comes up you can add tickets and dining to your room only reservation up to 3 days in advance to make it a package if you want, though I'm sure you will know well ahead of that.
What is the difference you ask? Well, cancellation policies vary with packages and room only reservations. You seem to have more flexibility with the room only. Also, the amount of the deposit you put down on a room only is the charge of one night (for our mod. it was 156.61) instead of I believe 200.00, but I could be wrong on that figure, for a package.
I currently have ADR's made though we have no dining plan or FD- we may be paying out of pocket, as I may decide not to add the dining plan.

 

[DJFan88]

Sorry, forgot one more thing. When full payment is due. I think I remember the year we got FD (whereby having a package) having to pay the full balance like 45 days ahead of time. I'm not sure when I have to pay the balance on my room only res., I have to call back to add my room preferences so will ask then, or maybe someone here knows. But if I decide to make it a package with dining and tickets, since I can wait, that would be payable much closer to our trip (which is a sizeable amount).

 

[DJFan88]

Boy am I a pain- too bad I can't get all my thoughts together at once. One more thing to note is that when a discount (like FD) comes out-- there are a certain number at that rate per resort. So, call right away so that they can apply it where you're staying and there are rates available there still for that discount. It could happen where you would need to change resort to get that if you waited.
We always book when we know when we're going to make our plans. I can see how some may want to wait if their days are flexible as to when they can go. They may make sure they go during the window of a discount. However, if your dates are not flexible there is no reason not to book now (at least give them your AAA card number and see if they have any at that rate). I would say flying would be a reason to be inflexible. Especially if you can get good airline rates now, versus waiting.

 

[minnie mum]

If you know that you will be going to WDW one way or another (pin, FD, or not) then go ahead and book the resort now. There will be a big difference, however, in making changes, depending on whether you book a room only reservation now, or a package.

If you book a package now, you will book your room and tickets (and the DDP if you so choose). Book the package that you would want to have if you don't get a deal later on. You will pay $200 at the time of booking and the remainder 45 days before your vacation begins. If FD comes out, or you get a pin you can call and have your reservation altered to take advantage of it.

If you book a room only right now you will pay one nights deposit at the time of booking. The remainder is due at check in to the resort. If FD comes out, you cannot have your current reservation modified, since it is room only and FD requires you to purchase a vacation package. You would have to cancel your current reservation and book the package as a new reservation. Your previous deposit cannot be applied to a package. It will be refunded to you (can take a full billing cycle at least). You will then have to make the $200 deposit on the package.

What I am trying to say is that if you want to end up with some type of package then book a package to start with. Much easier on the wallet if changes are necessary.

 

[we3travellers]

Thank you jsantini for asking the questions and DJFan88 for answering them! It is EXACTLY what I needed to know! I was hoping to book FD for last week Aug., (myself, DH and DS5) but I had comp air that expired 23 Aug. So I thought no problem, we will depart 23 Aug, 2 nights room only, then 5 nights with FD at CSR. So I called the airline and guess what?! Noooooo!!! I must COMPLETE travel by 23 Aug.! Can you believe it? I was SO disappointed. After calming down, I decided to book Aug. 14-21 for free air (let's face it, it has more value than FD) and I will hope for a special offer of some sort. If one does not present itself, I will decide whether or not to pay for DP. Haven't run all the numbers yet to decide that. BUT, what I didn't think about was DJFan88's suggestion of booking room only now and adding park tickets and maybe dining a couple of weeks prior. It gives me a lower deposit now as well as more time to organize final payment rather than the usual 45 days prior. You are one smart cookie DJFan88! Thank you both!

 

[DJFan88]

Well I'm glad you like it, but the post above from minnie mum kind of makes me wonder if that train of thought has merit. This is how I've always done it, and I called immediately when the FD was available and I've never had any kind of hassle. And yes, at that point it did become a package and then I was subject to the 45 day rule, but that was worth it, it was FD! Actually last year when we had FD we did end up with the same reservation number and the CM was very nice and helpful. I'm afraid I don't remember if they credited the one night room fee and then charged the 200.00 fee or if they just took the difference and charged that.
When you call to make a reservation, you could always ask the CM how that would go down if something came up.
When calling this year for my Aug. reservation (room only at this point), was when I asked about if I could later convert to a package and was when I learned I could do it up to 3 days. I can't see how they would want to make it difficult esp. if they want you to buy their dining plan or whatever.