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Disney Room Only Reservation Versus a Package What’s the Difference?

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It’s very important to know the difference between Disney’s Room Only and Package Reservations!

Flexibility is often very important to US Military Families, and your selection affects your payment and cancellation schedules.

Disney Room Only Reservation Versus a Package What's the Difference?

What’s a Package?

A Disney package is normally when you combine another option with your Disney Resort Room Reservation.

The other option(s) could be:

When you book a package with Disney, you also receive a Magical Extras Card, which offers various discounts during your vacation dates.

Note, you may not be eligible for miles, points, cash back, or bonuses from your credit card if you purchase a package. For instance, my Delta Skymiles Card gives me 3x miles per dollar on hotel charges versus a single point per dollar for package purchases.

Back in 2021, Disney started offering “Basic Packages” with just the Magical Extras and without any of the other add ons and usually not mentioning to you that they were reserving a package for you instead of a room only.

The active military community often relies on the flexibility of room-only reservations and packages are less flexible!

Disney Room Only Reservation Versus a Package What's the Difference?

Room Only – The Most Familiar

Room Only Reservations are probably the most familiar type of Disney Resort Reservation for those in the Military Community.

This is because of the Disney Armed Forces Salute, which offers highly discounted Military Theme Park Tickets and Room Rates. Besides the Disney Armed Forces Salute, there are a couple of other military discounted ticket options that are available.

Because of all of these ticket options, the military community should never add full-price tickets to their Disney room reservation*.

Under the Disney Armed Forces Salute, military families buy their Salute Tickets on their own through the ticket discount offer, separate from their room reservation.

* There is one exception, and that is if the occasional Free Dining offer is being utilized, which rarely makes sense for the military community.

Disney Room Only Reservation Versus a Package What's the Difference?

Disney Vacation Packages

So it’s usually not tickets that cause military families to get a Disney Vacation Package, it’s the Disney Dining Plan.

The Disney Dining Plan is a pre-paid meal plan that Walt Disney World offers, which allows you to pay ahead for some meals during your vacation.

Many people feel that using the Disney Dining Plan makes their vacation easier or less stressful, having most of their food expenses already covered.

However, Military Disney Tips does not usually recommend the Disney Dining Plan.

Adding a Dining Plan or tickets to an existing Room Only Reservation turns it into a package with all the associated rules.

The Dining Plan can be added up to 7 days prior to check-in.

It's very important to know the know the difference between Disney's Room Only and Package Reservations! Flexibility is often very important to US Military Families and your selection affects your payment and cancellation schedules. What's a Package? A Disney package is when you combine another option with your Disney Resort Reservation. The other option(s) could be" Theme Park Tickets The Walt Disney World Disney Dining Plan Or both of these Note: There is no Disney Dining Plan at the Disneyland Resort, so the only packages there are room and ticket. Room Only - The Most Familiar Room Only Reservations are probably the most familiar type of Disney Resort Reservation for those in the Military Community. This is because of the Disney Armed Forces Salute, which offers highly discounted Military Theme Park Tickets and Room Rates. Besides the Disney Armed Forces Salute there are a couple of other military discounted ticket options that are available. Because of all of these ticket options, the military community should never add full price tickets to their Disney room reservation*. Under the Disney Armed Forces Salute military families but their Salute Tickets on their own through the ticket discount offer, separate from their room reservation. * There is one exception and that is if the occasional Free Dining offer is being utilized, which rarely makes sense for the military community. Disney Vacation Packages So it's not tickets that causes military families to get a Disney Vacation Package, it's the Disney Dining Plan. The Disney Dining Plan is a pre-paid meal plan that Walt Disney Wold offers, which allows you to pay ahead for some meals during your vacation. Many people feel that using the Disney Dining Plan makes their vacation easier or less stressful having most of your food expense already covered. Military Disney Tips does not usually recommend the Disney Dining Plan. Adding a Dining Plan or tickets to an existing Room Only Reservation turns it into a package with all the associated rules. The Dining Plan can be added prior to to 7 days prior to check in. The Differences between Room Only and Packages Room Only Reservations offer much better terms for cancellation and payment dates than the vacation packages do! Packages are much more strict. With a Package you are committing to a payment schedule and much earlier cancellation dates. These can be very important things to a military family who's schedule can be unpredictable! Payments Packages: When making a Disney World Vacation Package: You must pay a $200 deposit within 3 days of reserving your package (due immediately online) Final payment of the entire remaining balance (room, meal plan, tickets, etc) is due 30 days prior to your check-in You have to pay in full if you are booking within 30 days or less prior to check in Occasionally Disney’s phone agents may offer you a Basic Package when you want to book a room only reservation. A Basic Package is just the Room Only Reservation plus a few coupons and a luggage tag per person. This Basic Package is subject to the more strict vacation package rules. Room Only: You must pay a one night's room rate as a deposit within 3 days of reserving your room (due immediately online) Final payment of the entire remaining balance is due at check-in You have to pay in full if you are booking within 30 days or less prior to check in Cancellations Packages: Here are the much more strict cancellation Rules for Packages You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 30 days in advance Cancellations made 29 days to 2 days prior to arrival have a cancellation fee of $200 per package Reservations cancelled 1 day prior to arrival or later forfeit the full package price which is then is non-refundable Disney usually adds travel insurance to your package by default. You don't have to add it! The insurance fee is non-refundable 14 days after purchase If you happen to add airfare to your package it is totally non-refundable! Room Only: Much more reasonable rules for Room Only You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 5 days prior to check-in. (6 days for online bookings.) Reservations cancelled less than 5 days prior to check-in will forfeit the first night’s room rate. Room Only is a Better Choice The MDT family always* books Room Only! By doing so, we keep our options open and aren't tied into pre-payment. Plus we don't think the Disney Dining Plan is a good deal and it required muvh more forethought and daily dining reservations. * Note: Twice on MDT research trips Steve has used the DDP to gain experience and solidify his opinion. Over to you. Did you find this post helpful? Have any questions or opinions they you'd like to share? Do so in the comments section below!

Package Magical Extras Benefits

When you book a package, Disney World also gives you what they call Magical Extras. This consists of luggage tags and a few discounts to use while on your vacation.

2024 Magical Extras

Discover all the Magical Extras that await you in 2024!

EXPERIENCES

Miniature Golf – Receive 4 vouchers per package for one 18-hole round of miniature golf. Voucher and Magical Extras Savings Card are required at time of redemption. Voucher is nontransferable and expires at midnight on the day of checkout. Lost or stolen vouchers will not be replaced. Not valid with any other offer, discount or promotions and may not be redeemed for cash in whole or in part. Only one miniature golf course may be open from time to time and courses are subject to weather closures. Due to capacity limitations, it may not always be possible to accommodate Guests at the exact time they choose to visit. No photocopy or reproductions of voucher will be accepted. Voucher is void if sold.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Receive 4 vouchers per package for general admission for one general admission on one day for one Guest. Valid only on event days. Some events require an additional admission charge. There are no events on certain days. Days and hours of operation of concessions, venues and attractions varies. Visit espnwwos.com for more information. Voucher and Magical Extras Savings Card are required at time of redemption. Voucher is nontransferable and expires at midnight on the day of checkout. Lost or stolen vouchers will not be replaced. Not valid with any other offer, discount or promotions and may not be redeemed for cash in whole or in part. No photocopy or reproductions of voucher will be accepted. Voucher is void if sold.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ – Receive 10% off the non-discounted price of bowling (walk-in bowling only), receive 10% off the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages (dine-in only) and receive 10% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ located in Disney Springs® West Side.

Surrey Bikes Rentals – Receive 10% off Surrey Bikes located at the following locations Disney’s BoardWalk, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground & Resort, Disney’s Old Key West, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney – Save on certain tickets for select performances in 2025. Visit Drawn to Life for the Magical Extras offer. Subject to availability and restrictions. Block out dates apply.

DINING

The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers – Receive 10% off your lunch or one bakery item between noon and 4:00 PM. Alcoholic beverages, retail items and private events are excluded.

City Works Eatery & Pour House – Receive 10% off food & non-alcoholic beverages at City Works Eatery & Pour House located at Disney Springs® West Side. Not valid with any other offer or discount.

Cookes of Dublin – Receive 10% off during lunch (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, subject to change) Monday through Friday at the location in Disney Springs The Landing.

eet by Maneet Chauhan – Receive 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Frontera Cocina – Receive 10% off food and nonalcoholic beverages during lunch and dinner (11:00 AM to 3:55 PM and 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, subject to change). This offer is only available at the Disney Springs Town Center location and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Häagen-Dazs Kiosk at Disney Springs West Side – Receive 10% off the regular price of food and nonalcoholic beverages (excludes applicable tax and gratuity). Special events and dining packages are included.

Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company® –  Receive 20% off your entire purchase, excluding alcohol at Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company at the following Walt Disney World locations: Magic Kingdom park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney Skyliner and Disney Springs The Landing. This includes the Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company store, or online purchase at JOFFREYS.com can be made using coupon code: travel25. Restrictions apply. Not combinable with any other offers, promotional sales or coupons. Expires December 31, 2025.

Paradiso 37 – Receive 10% off Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages at Paradiso 37 located at Disney Springs® The Landing. Not valid with any other offer or discount.

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant – Receive 10% off during lunch (11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, subject to change) Monday through Friday at the location in Disney Springs The Landing.

Rainforest Cafe – Receive 10% off adult entrees at Rainforest Cafe® located in the Disney Springs® Marketplace and outside the entrance of Disney’s Animal Kingdom®Theme Park. Offer valid for up to four (4) guests. Not valid with any other offer or promotions.

Salt & Straw – Get a complimentary scoop for a friend or family member with the purchase of a scoop at the location in Disney Springs West Side.

The BOATHOUSE® Orlando –  Receive 10% off food from the location in Disney Springs Town Center.

The Spice & Tea Exchange – Receive $1 off any 16oz Iced or Hot Tea To Go. Offer only available at The Spice & Tea Exchange® located in the Disney Springs® Marketplace. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ – Receive 10% off the non-discounted price of bowling (walk-in bowling only), receive 10% off the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages (dine-in only) and receive 10% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ located in Disney Springs® West Side.

T-REX – Receive 10% off adult entrees at T-REX® located in the Disney Springs®Marketplace. Offer valid for up to four (4) guests. Not valid with any other offer, or promotions.

Vivoli il Gelato – Receive 10% off the regular price of food and nonalcoholic beverages (excluding applicable tax and gratuity) at the location in Disney Springs The Landing. Special events and dining packages excluded.

Wetzel’s Pretzels – Buy two pretzels and get one free! Offer only available at Wetzel’s Pretzels located at Disney Springs® West Side and Marketplace. Cannot be combined with any other offer, or discount.

SHOPPING

Balocoloc Venetian Masks – Receive 10% off your entire purchase. This offer is only available at the Italy World Showcase Pavilion location in EPCOT® and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.

Basin – Receive 10% off entire purchase, excluding sale items, at Basin located at Disney Springs® Marketplace or Basin White located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Best Friends Pet Hotel – Receive a free sweet treat for your pet during a daycare/overnight boarding at the location in Walt Disney World Resort.

Business Centers – Stop by a Ricoh-managed Business Center at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort & Spa and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You can get the job done faster with the access to the following products and services: internet access, printing, copying, fax, scanning, overnight and standard shipping, notary services and a full line of office supplies including shipping boxes. Receive 10% off your outbound shipping services and shipping boxes.

Chapel Hats – Receive 15% off entire purchase at Chapel Hats located at Disney Springs®the Landings.

Coca-Cola Store – Receive 15% off purchases of $30 or more at the Coca-Cola Store located at Disney Springs® Town Center. Not applicable for rooftop beverage bar purchases or professional photography services. Discount may not be combined with any other offer.

Crown & Crest – Receive 10% off entire purchase, excluding sale items, at Crown & Crest in World Showcase – EPCOT®

Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers – Receive 10% off purchases at the Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers stores at Disney Springs® Marketplace, Magic Kingdom® park and EPCOT®. Exclusions apply. Not applicable for shipping charges. Some other restrictions apply. Discount may not be combined with any other offer.

Edward Beiner – Receive 20% off your purchase (exclusions may apply) at Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear located in the Disney Springs® Town Center.

Just Fun Socks – Receive 15% off entire purchase at Just Fun Socks located at Disney Springs® the Landings.

Kendra Scott –  Receive 15% off your entire purchase! Offer valid in Disney Springs® Town Center location only. Cannot be combined with other offers or be applied to previous purchases, markdown items, giveback items, warehouse items, gift card purchases, gift sets, sales tax, or shipping charges.

The LEGO Store – Receive 10% off merchandise (exclusions apply) at the location in Disney Springs.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ – Receive 10% off the non-discounted price of bowling (walk-in bowling only), receive 10% off the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages (dine-in only) and receive 10% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Splitsville Luxury Lanes™ located in Disney Springs® West Side.

Sugarboo & Co. – Receive 10% off total purchase at Sugarboo & Co. located at Disney Springs® Town Center (exclusions apply).

Superdry – Receive 15% off a purchase of regular-priced items!

Volcom® – Receive 15% off the non-discounted price of merchandise at Volcom® located at Disney Springs® Town Center.

These minor benefits, Disney says, are why they often automatically book the military for packages…

The Differences between Room Only and Packages

Room Only Reservations offer much better terms for cancellation and payment dates than the vacation packages do!

Packages are much more strict.

With a Package, you are committing to a payment schedule and much earlier cancellation dates. These can be very important things to a military family whose schedule can be unpredictable!

Payments

Packages: When making a Disney World Vacation Package:

  • You must pay a $200 deposit within 3 days of reserving your package (due immediately if making online)
  • Final payment of the entire remaining balance (room, meal plan, tickets, etc) is due 30 days prior to your check-in
  • You have to pay in full if you are booking within 30 days or less prior to check-in

Occasionally, Disney’s phone agents may offer you a Basic Package when you want to book a room-only reservation. A Basic Package is just the Room Only Reservation plus the Magical Extras and a luggage tag per person. This Basic Package is subject to the more strict vacation package rules.

The big giveaway that they have booked you for a package vs a room only is the $200 deposit vs 1 one-night deposit!

Room Only:

  • You must pay a one-night room rate as a deposit within 3 days of reserving your room (due immediately if making online)
  • Final payment of the entire remaining balance is due at check-in
  • You have to pay in full if you are booking within 30 days or less prior to check-in.

Cancellations

Packages: Here are the much more strict cancellation Rules for Packages

  • You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 30 days in advance
  • Cancellations made 29 days to 2 days prior to arrival have a cancellation fee of $200 per package
  • Reservations cancelled 1 day prior to arrival or later forfeit the full package price, which is then non-refundable
  • Disney usually adds travel insurance to your package by default. You don’t have to add it! The insurance fee is non-refundable 14 days after purchase
  • If you happen to add airfare to your package, it is totally non-refundable!

Room Only: Much more reasonable rules for Room Only

  • You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 5 days prior to check-in. (6 days for online bookings.)
  • Reservations cancelled less than 5 days prior to check-in ( for check-ins through 31 December 2024) or 8 days prior to check-in (in 2025) will forfeit the first night’s room rate

It's very important to know the know the difference between Disney's Room Only and Package Reservations! Flexibility is often very important to US Military Families and your selection affects your payment and cancellation schedules. What's a Package? A Disney package is when you combine another option with your Disney Resort Reservation. The other option(s) could be" Theme Park Tickets The Walt Disney World Disney Dining Plan Or both of these Note: There is no Disney Dining Plan at the Disneyland Resort, so the only packages there are room and ticket. Room Only - The Most Familiar Room Only Reservations are probably the most familiar type of Disney Resort Reservation for those in the Military Community. This is because of the Disney Armed Forces Salute, which offers highly discounted Military Theme Park Tickets and Room Rates. Besides the Disney Armed Forces Salute there are a couple of other military discounted ticket options that are available. Because of all of these ticket options, the military community should never add full price tickets to their Disney room reservation*. Under the Disney Armed Forces Salute military families but their Salute Tickets on their own through the ticket discount offer, separate from their room reservation. * There is one exception and that is if the occasional Free Dining offer is being utilized, which rarely makes sense for the military community. Disney Vacation Packages So it's not tickets that causes military families to get a Disney Vacation Package, it's the Disney Dining Plan. The Disney Dining Plan is a pre-paid meal plan that Walt Disney Wold offers, which allows you to pay ahead for some meals during your vacation. Many people feel that using the Disney Dining Plan makes their vacation easier or less stressful having most of your food expense already covered. Military Disney Tips does not usually recommend the Disney Dining Plan. Adding a Dining Plan or tickets to an existing Room Only Reservation turns it into a package with all the associated rules. The Dining Plan can be added prior to to 7 days prior to check in. The Differences between Room Only and Packages Room Only Reservations offer much better terms for cancellation and payment dates than the vacation packages do! Packages are much more strict. With a Package you are committing to a payment schedule and much earlier cancellation dates. These can be very important things to a military family who's schedule can be unpredictable! Payments Packages: When making a Disney World Vacation Package: You must pay a $200 deposit within 3 days of reserving your package (due immediately online) Final payment of the entire remaining balance (room, meal plan, tickets, etc) is due 30 days prior to your check-in You have to pay in full if you are booking within 30 days or less prior to check in Occasionally Disney’s phone agents may offer you a Basic Package when you want to book a room only reservation. A Basic Package is just the Room Only Reservation plus a few coupons and a luggage tag per person. This Basic Package is subject to the more strict vacation package rules. Room Only: You must pay a one night's room rate as a deposit within 3 days of reserving your room (due immediately online) Final payment of the entire remaining balance is due at check-in You have to pay in full if you are booking within 30 days or less prior to check in Cancellations Packages: Here are the much more strict cancellation Rules for Packages You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 30 days in advance Cancellations made 29 days to 2 days prior to arrival have a cancellation fee of $200 per package Reservations cancelled 1 day prior to arrival or later forfeit the full package price which is then is non-refundable Disney usually adds travel insurance to your package by default. You don't have to add it! The insurance fee is non-refundable 14 days after purchase If you happen to add airfare to your package it is totally non-refundable! Room Only: Much more reasonable rules for Room Only You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 5 days prior to check-in. (6 days for online bookings.) Reservations cancelled less than 5 days prior to check-in will forfeit the first night’s room rate. Room Only is a Better Choice The MDT family always* books Room Only! By doing so, we keep our options open and aren't tied into pre-payment. Plus we don't think the Disney Dining Plan is a good deal and it required muvh more forethought and daily dining reservations. * Note: Twice on MDT research trips Steve has used the DDP to gain experience and solidify his opinion. Over to you. Did you find this post helpful? Have any questions or opinions they you'd like to share? Do so in the comments section below!

Room Only is a Better Choice

The MDT family always* books Room Only! By doing so, we keep our options open and aren’t tied into pre-payment. Plus, we don’t think the Disney Dining Plan is a good deal, and it requires much more forethought and daily dining reservations.

* Note: Twice on MDT research trips, Steve has used the DDP to gain experience and solidify his opinion.

Over To You

Did you find this post helpful? Have any questions or opinions you’d like to share? Do so in the comments section below!

This MDT Post By: Steve Bell

Steve is the Military Disney Tips Founder. He is a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! He has been writing about Disney for the US Military Community here for 18 years. Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way possible.
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Comments

  1. GERRY CREAGER says

    Strongly agree. We did DDP one time. Getting the reservations we wanted was difficult, although we did get to try some of the restaurants we’d wanted to go to, and didn’t have to worry while there about the prices (since it was all magical while on the package!). As you note, we prefer Room Only option, although we’ve occasionally done Magical Extras, but that’s often been when we couldn’t book online successfully and had to actually call for help; it got slipped in. Personally, I still prefer the environment at Shades of Green but getting out to some of the hallmark resorts is also fun.
    Our big gripe remains park reservations and limitations. We really like staying at one of the sites near EPCOT, grabbing breakfast in there, then going on to our preferred daytime park; no longer an option, AND, we can’t even pass through EPCOT to get to the Monorail.

    Reply

    • Steve says

      Thanks Gerry,

      My frustration with park reservations continue…

      We will have to see how the “park reservations may be required for non-dated tickets” goes in 2024.

      Reply

  2. Lori Kelley says

    I’ve noticed the last several times I have called Disney to book a resort reservation, that even though I asked for a “room only” reservation, they were booking me for a package. I realized it at the very end when they said I would need to cancel one month out to not be charged one night. I had to remind them that had asked for a “room only” reservation! Be careful.
    I like the ability to cancel 5 days prior. This is really a benefit if you are booking during tropical storm season.

    Reply

    • Steve Bell says

      Thanks for the intel Lori!

      I’ve experienced them automatically making it a package if I don’t specifically say Room Only, but not what your related yet.

      Reply

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