How easy is it to change a reservation?
 

The resort we want isn't available for the days we are going. If we book our second choice, but the 1st comes available later, is it pretty easy to change? I think we better get our second choice before it becomes unavailable too.

Too easy. :lmao:

I've changed my reservations more times than I can count.

As long as your changing the same type of reservation ( I.E. Room only to Room only or Package to package) it's really easy....any money you have put down will just be applied to the changed reservation and your reservation number remains the same.

As long as it's available, it's easy to make the change. You have to call to do it as changes can't be made online, but it's easy to do :).

I just changed our reservation from a split stay to all at one resort and it was super easy.

I would book it now and then keep checking for availability. I regret not booking a LM room and now am continually looking for it for one night!

Hi - do they not charge you for making a change? I thought you might lose a deposit or something? Or perhaps the free DP if you had that on your original hotel?

If you book with a discount, the room that you want to change to has to be available under the discount for you to get it.

If you have a package, you can change/cancel up to 45 days out. Once you're inside of the 45 day mark, if you change there is a "change fee", not sure of the exact amount...I've seen $15 and $50 (I've never changed that close to a trip so not 100% sure). If you completely cancel, you are out the $200 deposit.

In a room only, you can cancel/change without penalty up to 5 days before trip. :thumbsup2

If you have free dining (or any other discount) and change your dates that put you outside the dates offered for that particular promo, then you will love the FD (or other discount). But as long as you are still within the date range for that promo and the resort/room type you want to change to is available, you will not lose the discount.

If you go w/ the SW vacation deal you posted about yesterday, I'm not so sure it will be as simple to change as booking directly w/ Disney - see this thread for experiences w/ SW packages (not relating to a Disney vacation, tho'.)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread....ations+package
Ask when you book about changing if you go the SW route.

Thanks sndral!! After looking at that thread, I don't think I'll book through SW Vacations. It may not be worth it. Lots to think about!! Thanks!

Booking through someone other than Disney (even a Disney authorized TA) means that agency owns your reservation until you check in, so Disney will not discuss anything with you. Any changes, questions, etc. would need to go through that booking agent. Plus that booking agent may have different change fees, cancellation fees, etc than what Disney has. If you book direct with Disney, any changes are easy, provided there is availability ;).

I have found that the ONLY time it is worth booking thru anyone is when you KNOW you will not make any change/s because Disney can do nothing for you, you have to deal with whomever you booked with...which is just a myriad of issues IMHO. ;)
And changing anything when doing packages that include free dine or discounts get crazy because you have to be sure everything is then available, exactly the same...