Room only vs. Package

[007mickey]

Here is the question:

I know you can currently make a room only for 2010 at an "estimated" rate. And you would pay a deposit equal to one nights stay.

If you add tickets before your trip, does this not constitute a "package" in Disney's eyes and change the whole reservation in regards to the deposit required?

 

[Monty]

You can book room-only and pay a one-night deposit and purchase tickets when you arrive. Then you don't pay anything else until you arrive and can cancel with no penalty until five days prior.

If you "add" tickets to your booking it becomes a package and they refund your deposit and take $200 as a new deposit. Then you have to pay the balance 45 days prior.

 

[lilclerk]

You could always keep your room-only and buy tickets separately.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I know you can currently make a room only for 2010 at an "estimated" rate. And you would pay a deposit equal to one nights stay.

If you add tickets before your trip, does this not constitute a "package" in Disney's eyes and change the whole reservation in regards to the deposit required?

The problem is, until August of 2009, packages for 2010 don't exist - thus - you can't ADD tickets - you can only purchase them separately at full price.

 

[L Fisher]

Just curious but are the packages different every year or about the same? We're going in July next year..

 

[Master Yoda]

Just curious but are the packages different every year or about the same? We're going in July next year..

In price yes (it almost always goes up from year to year). In content, cancellation policies, etc not typically. Promotions can vary quite a bit both in when they are offered and what they include.

 

[L Fisher]

In price yes (it almost always goes up from year to year). In content, cancellation policies, etc not typically. Promotions can vary quite a bit both in when they are offered and what they include.

Thanks!

 

[bgraham34]

And it is also posisble the ticket prices may go up over the summer. So check the boards to see if they do and then you will want to purchase the tickets before the rates go up to be locked in at the lower price.

 

[sbkline]

The only benefit to booking as a package seems to be in the dining plan. If you want the dining plan, then you have to book a package. If you don't want the dining plan, then it seems that you are better off just to book a room only and then either buy the tickets in advance at this year's price (before the price increase in August, if there is a price increase), or buy the tickets when you get there. Because, as others have said, if you book a package, then you have to cancel 45 days out or else pay a penalty. If you book a room only, you can cancel 5 days prior with no penalty. The ability to cancel 5 days prior vs 45 days prior can be very helpful if you're worried about something coming up in the last month or two that may force you to call off the trip.

 

[disney4life2008]

I know I am not getting the Dining Plan anymore and I hold an AP. So from here on out, I am only doing ROOM ONLY with ME. I have found that the packages (the arcade card, boat, discounts, etc.) I NEVER USE. I can save a couple of dollars doing Room Only and have the advantage of canceling 5 days out.

 

[Tinkyroo]

We only book our room then wait until our first morning there to get park tickets. We do not like the idea of paying for our trip a month and a half prior. I also worry about something coming up last minute then loosing a bigger deposit.

 

[CleveRocks]

If you "add" tickets to your booking it becomes a package and they refund your deposit and take $200 as a new deposit. Then you have to pay the balance 45 days prior.

I respectfully disagree.

I know from personal experience doing so that you can "order" or "reserve" tickets as part of a room-only reservation. In reality, however, all this does is save you a minute or 2 at resort check-in. You don't pay anything additional until you actually check-in at the resort. You have not purchased the tickets in advance (as you would with a package) and therefore you are not insulated from any ticket price increases that may occur between the day of the reservation and the day of check-in (if you booked a package and ticket prices increase before your trip, you DO NOT pay the increased price).

Adding tickets does not have to change it into a package. ANd therefore, there would be no need for cancelling the room-only reservation, waiting to receive a refund of the room-only deposit, and having to make a separate $200 deposit on a package.

So perhaps it's a matter of semantics, but you definitely CAN order park tickets as part of a room-only reservation; it is noted on the reservation. But like I said, you don't pay for them in advance and therefore you aren't protected from price increases, so all it really accomplishes is that it informs the front desk CM to code your room keys with tickets and to charge you accordingly.

 

[Monty]

I respectfully disagree.

I know from personal experience doing so that you can "order" or "reserve" tickets as part of a room-only reservation. In reality, however, all this does is save you a minute or 2 at resort check-in. You don't pay anything additional until you actually check-in at the resort. You have not purchased the tickets in advance (as you would with a package) and therefore you are not insulated from any ticket price increases that may occur between the day of the reservation and the day of check-in (if you booked a package and ticket prices increase before your trip, you DO NOT pay the increased price).

Adding tickets does not have to change it into a package. ANd therefore, there would be no need for cancelling the room-only reservation, waiting to receive a refund of the room-only deposit, and having to make a separate $200 deposit on a package.

So perhaps it's a matter of semantics, but you definitely CAN order park tickets as part of a room-only reservation; it is noted on the reservation. But like I said, you don't pay for them in advance and therefore you aren't protected from price increases, so all it really accomplishes is that it informs the front desk CM to code your room keys with tickets and to charge you accordingly.

Technically, because you're not locking in the price, you're making a notation on your booking of the tickets you wish to purchase at check-in... :shrug: If you were adding tickets to the booking, they would be priced as of that day and change the booking to a package. My quotes around the word "add" were intended to distinguish the difference.

You can also note on your booking that you're going to be celebrating a birthday or anniversary or what location of room within the class you've booked...

Semantics indeed... :lol:

 

[DisneyJoe]

We only book our room then wait until our first morning there to get park tickets. We do not like the idea of paying for our trip a month and a half prior. I also worry about something coming up last minute then loosing a bigger deposit.

You pay a deposit of $200 for a package.

You make full payment 45 days before travel.

If you cancel between 45 days and 6 days, you get all of your money back except for $100.

If you cancel 5 days or less before travel, you get all of your money back except for $200.

So the most you would ever lose would be $200.