Pre-paying a Room Only Rez and Effect on Future Discounts

[rmgreenesq]

Greetings All:

I've book a room-only reservation for the Beach Club for the WDW Marathon in January of 2014. I've paid for one night as a deposit, and the balance of the reservation is due upon check-in.

I'm self-employed and my income is rather cyclical. The summer time is when I'm busy and making lots of money. The winter is slow and a good time to go to Walt Disney World for two weeks with the added bonus of running the marathon. Because I'm making lots of money now, I'd like to pay Disney for this room reservation now. I don't want to worry about finding large amounts of money in the winter to make a vacation happen.

Since I'm staying in Central Florida for two weeks and I'm a Disneyland Annual Pass holder, it makes sense to upgrade my Disneyland pass to the Premier WDW & Disneyland Pass.

I also know that WDW offers room only discounts to WDW Annual Pass holders (and the general public), and that if they are offered, these discounts will be announced in the fall.

So here's the question: If I pre-pay my room-only reservation, do I lock my room rate? Can I apply a discount code after final payment? Will Disney refund me money from their promotion? I'd appreciate anybody's experience with this.

Rick

 

[Wood Nymph]

Since Disney hasn't announced the room rates for 2014, your rate is not locked in yet. Once the rates are announced and they inform you of the new rates, then that rate will be locked in. If a discount comes along later that you can apply to your room, then you will receive the discount. You will receive a refund if you have prepaid more than the discounted price.

When it comes to locking in a room rate, it really makes no difference if you prepay ahead of time or wait to pay when the balance is due. Once the 2014 rates are announced, the room rates (rack rate) will stay the same for the whole year.

 

[vicki_c]

Since Disney hasn't announced the room rates for 2014, your rate is not locked in yet. Once the rates are announced and they inform you of the new rates, then that rate will be locked in. If a discount comes along later that you can apply to your room, then you will receive the discount. You will receive a refund if you have prepaid more than the discounted price.

When it comes to locking in a room rate, it really makes no difference if you prepay ahead of time or wait to pay when the balance is due. Once the 2014 rates are announced, the room rates (rack rate) will stay the same for the whole year.

But you would only get the discount (assuming it's a special offer) by calling and having it applied to your reservation, not automatically. On the other hand, if it's simply the difference between the higher rate paid because rates weren't released yet and the true 2014 rate, then that refund should be automatically applied (that is not a discount).

 

[mickeynut1]

But you would only get the discount (assuming it's a special offer) by calling and having it applied to your reservation, not automatically.

This is correct, but I also wanted to add that there has to be availability for the resort/room type you have booked in order to take advantage of a discount. Having a reservation in place does not guarantee a discount can be applied.

 

[DisneyWisher]

You will have to call to get the rate discount to an AP rate. They will refund the difference back to your CC/debit card. Make sure to use a card you will definitely still have in January. (I was a CSR for Lane Bryant and people would try to have us refund to a different card, its illegal and can't be done, just a FYI)
Given when the marathon is there should be a discount. I booked rack for Sept, general code came out I had that applied, still waiting for FL or AP code, I know they will offer and as soon as they do I will apply that too.

 

[rmgreenesq]

Thank you all for your replies. I know that there is no guarantee of a discount, and for the information that I need to call to have the discount code applied. I did not want to lock myself out of a discount by paying eight months in advance.

I've never had a WDW annual pass. I live 10 miles south of Disneyland, so although I have an annual pass, I've never had cause to rent a hotel room in Anaheim.

Thanks again.

Rick