Can I book a vacation now and pay off in installments?

[Cayaco]

Sort of how a cruise works, book a year in advance, put a down payment, and then pay it off over a 10 month period prior to the vacation.

Does Disney do anything like this? I dont mean that savings plan thing, I mean actually booking the trip and having dates set for a year from now and then paying it off.

 

[siskaren]

Sure, I always do it that way.

 

[Tia1977]

You sure can! It's a $200 deposit to book (unless you want to put down more), and the full balance is due 30 days prior to arrival. This of course only applies to a package. If you're staying off property and buying park tickets only, the full balance is due the day you buy the tickets.

 

[TJDisneymama]

yes, you only need to put $200 down to book, then you have to pay it off by 30 days before your trip.

 

[twocat]

You need a $200 deposit only if you are booking a package. If you're doing room-only, the deposit is one night's room rate, which may be more or less than the $200 depending on the resort.

And you don't need to pay it off before your trip.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Yes.
That is how I always do it.
I book a vacation package and pay the $200 deposit and then in either several smaller payments or one large payment I pay it off by the due date which has changed from 45 days prior to 30 days prior.

I'll admit that I have never booked room only though so I am unaware of how payments work in that situation.

 

[megster1123]

You need a $200 deposit only if you are booking a package. If you're doing room-only, the deposit is one night's room rate, which may be more or less than the $200 depending on the resort.

And you don't need to pay it off before your trip.

Not always the case, I have a split stay in October. First part is package with room and tickets, second is room only. Package is due 30 before arrival date and the room only balance is due 30 days before that part of the trip begin.

 

[mickeynut1]

Not always the case, I have a split stay in October. First part is package with room and tickets, second is room only. Package is due 30 before arrival date and the room only balance is due 30 days before that part of the trip begin.

Package balances need to be paid in full 30 days prior to arrival, but RO balances aren't due until check in. A RO balance can be paid ahead of time, but doesn't need to be paid in full until check in. With that said, there is a travel agency that sometimes offers TA exclusive discounts and the RO deposit/payment requirements ($200 deposit with balance paid prior to arrival) are the same as packages; however, when booking direct through Disney, RO doesn't have to be paid in full until check in.

 

[Tinkbum]

Sort of how a cruise works, book a year in advance, put a down payment, and then pay it off over a 10 month period prior to the vacation.

Does Disney do anything like this? I dont mean that savings plan thing, I mean actually booking the trip and having dates set for a year from now and then paying it off.

Yes, we do it that way every single time!!!! IIRC, the deposit is $250 and final payment is due either 30 or 45 days prior to your travel date.

 

[megster1123]

Package balances need to be paid in full 30 days prior to arrival, but RO balances aren't due until check in. A RO balance can be paid ahead of time, but doesn't need to be paid in full until check in. With that said, there is a travel agency that sometimes offers TA exclusive discounts and the RO deposit/payment requirements ($200 deposit with balance paid prior to arrival) are the same as packages; however, when booking direct through Disney, RO doesn't have to be paid in full until check in.

Nope my room only is due 09/06 with a check in date of 10/06.

 

[mickeynut1]

Nope my room only is due 09/06 with a check in date of 10/06.

That's strange then if you booked direct through Disney and it's just the room because room balances are due at check in.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Nope my room only is due 09/06 with a check in date of 10/06.

Well then the question is... Did you book directly through Disney?

 

[megster1123]

That's strange then if you booked direct through Disney and it's just the room because room balances are due at check in.

sorry if that's strange, but not sure what to tell you. I booked direct through Disney.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Nope my room only is due 09/06 with a check in date of 10/06.

Just as a friendly FYI this is what it says on the Walt Disney World website.
"No. We will not automatically charge your credit card to pay the balance due.

If you have a vacation package, you can pay off the balance online or call (407) 939-7675. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. For your convenience, you are able to use the payment method stored in your online account.

If you have a room-only reservation, you will pay off your balance when you arrive at your Disney Resort hotel."

 

[mickeynut1]

sorry if that's strange, but not sure what to tell you. I booked direct through Disney.

Not arguing with you or saying you are making it up, just said it's strange because that's not the usual policy for RO.

 

[tobikaye]

sorry if that's strange, but not sure what to tell you. I booked direct through Disney.

Did you book online or call to book? Do you live in the US?

I have a room only, booked online, and my balance due date is my check in date. If you called, I would call back and double check that they have you listed as a room only.

 

[megster1123]

I didn't realize this would turn the thread into crisis mode my apologies. I was just adding my $.02, but thank you all for the concern.

Yes I live in the US.
Yes I booked direct through the website and then modified over the phone.
Yes the reservation is correct, it is listed as room only.
It's really no big deal that it's due 30 days out, I'm not worried about it.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I didn't realize this would turn the thread into crisis mode my apologies. I was just adding my $.02, but thank you all for the concern.

Yes I live in the US.
Yes I booked direct through the website and then modified over the phone.
Yes the reservation is correct, it is listed as room only.
It's really no big deal that it's due 30 days out, I'm not worried about it.

Who's in "crisis mode"?
We found it odd since its not typical and not Disney's written policy.

 

[megster1123]

Who's in "crisis mode"?
We found it odd since its not typical and not Disney's written policy.

Ok then maybe just "find it odd" and leave it be?

My one little post made it seem like someone hit the DIS panic button, alarms started going off and the questions starting firing.

 

[Dad_of_4_girls]

Book it through Disney. Put down the deposit as others have said. Then google Disney Vacation Account. Use it like a savings account, it will even budget funds as often as you designate. If your account is open for 120 days, they will send you a gift card for $20 for each $1000 you spend. Save up your funds then about 60 days out request your gift card, then 30 days out you transfer the Vacation Account to your vacation. Pretty easy and painless.