When to make my room only a package and what about insurance?

[Bibbidi]

I just changed my reservation today to take advantage of the early fall room only discounts and saved nearly $2000! We know that we will be turning our vacation into a package, but I'm not sure what the benefit is of doing that now, versus waiting until it's closer to our travel time.

I'm guessing that since we can add tickets and dining up to 6 days before our arrival that we might be able to avoid paying travel insurance that way (since a long range forecast might give us a good idea about hurricanes), whereas if we book the package now, then we'd probably definitely buy travel insurance (from someone besides Disney). Also, if we add the tickets and dining right before our trip, then when do we have to pay it in full? I know that with a regularly booked package you pay in full like 45 days ahead of your trip. If you're booking within that 45 window I'm assuming we'd just pay in full then?? Is there anything else I'm missing?

Thanks!

 

[laurafergie]

I just changed my reservation today to take advantage of the early fall room only discounts and saved nearly $2000! We know that we will be turning our vacation into a package, but I'm not sure what the benefit is of doing that now, versus waiting until it's closer to our travel time.

I'm guessing that since we can add tickets and dining up to 6 days before our arrival that we might be able to avoid paying travel insurance that way (since a long range forecast might give us a good idea about hurricanes), whereas if we book the package now, then we'd probably definitely buy travel insurance (from someone besides Disney). Also, if we add the tickets and dining right before our trip, then when do we have to pay it in full? I know that with a regularly booked package you pay in full like 45 days ahead of your trip. If you're booking within that 45 window I'm assuming we'd just pay in full then?? Is there anything else I'm missing?

Thanks!

Yes - if you book a package (or any changes) after the 45 day window it is due in full.

I would wait at least until all the fall discounts are published. That way you could run the numbers to see which is the best way to go. i.e. like if Free Dining is announced, (I'm sure it will be) Will you save more money keeping your room only discount you have now - OR does the free dining save you more money.

If you keep the room only discount, you can buy tickets from undercovertourist and save a few more bucks.

I know you didn't mention dining reservations, but you can make those without even a reservation number.

 

[Malibustyle23]

I may just be reading your post wrong and misinterpreting it and forgive me if I am but do you realize that you will loose your room only discount if you later turn this into a package?

I just don't understand the point of locking up a room only discounted price (since they are limited in quantities available to the public) if you know you will change it to a package later?

 

[bjscheel]

On the Disney website, I have priced the room only special offers, and there is a place to add tickets and dining. Is that not turning it into a package? When I do it still says I am getting the May-Oct Magic Your Way or whatever the deal is called.

Never mind, I see that you can just buy tickets, not dining.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I may just be reading your post wrong and misinterpreting it and forgive me if I am but do you realize that you will loose your room only discount if you later turn this into a package?

I just don't understand the point of locking up a room only discounted price (since they are limited in quantities available to the public) if you know you will change it to a package later?

because changing a room only ressie to a package is NEVER a guarantee until you make that change. I don't blame the OP at all for booking a room only discount. They are available to everyone and it is first come, first served.

 

[Bibbidi]

I may just be reading your post wrong and misinterpreting it and forgive me if I am but do you realize that you will loose your room only discount if you later turn this into a package?

I just don't understand the point of locking up a room only discounted price (since they are limited in quantities available to the public) if you know you will change it to a package later?

All room only rates can be turned into packages now -- in years past you could not add the dining or tickets to a room-only discounted rate, but now you can. My room-only rate stays locked in, even if I turn it into a package, so it's not the same as taking a room "off the market" that might be lost if I turn it into a package. Also, I can't imagine there will be a better discount for me in the future with a package offer because the amount I saved off the room rate is almost exactly the same amount that the dining plan will cost me, so I can look at it as "free dining" or as a "room only" discount in this instance.