08 package question

[ericamcl]

I finally made room ressies for our trip last night. This trip is a way overdue honeymoon / birthday trip for me and DH
We're booked from Jan 4 to 7 at the Poly with a "theme park" view. I am paying cash for this trip and told them that I wanted to pay deposit with check through the mail. She said no problem, they have a 14 day hold, and she gave me the ressie number and address to send the deposit to.
We are planning to book a package.I know that packages have not yet been released. I was told by the CM that they expect them to be released in mid-July and since I want to book a package I'll need to call back then. I completely expected them to tell me that, but the thing that I don't understand is why she said that I'd have to call back in July to cancel the room ressies and then basically book the package as a new ressie. She also said they'd have to mail me a refund, and I'll need to make a new deposit on the package.
Why can't I just call and "modify" the current reservation by adding the package? If I DO in fact have to start a totally new reservation why can't they just transfer my deposit to the "new" reservation? She also told me I could call and do my ADRs. If I have to cancel and rebook like she said wouldn't that mean I have to re-book the ADRs with my "new" reservation" number??
Was it even worth it to book the room now? Would I be better off just cancelling this ressie and starting from scratch in July?

Sorry for the long rambling email, I'm just wondering what the rest of you think about this? Has anyone else had this same experience?

 

[Luv2Roam]

A package is with Walt Disney Travel Co. A room only you call in and book is not.
If it were me, I would just wait until the 2008 packages are avail to be booked.

 

[plutolovr]

Packages and room-only ressies are in two different systems. I always suggest that if you want a package for the next year that you call WDW Travel, book a basic package (room, extras, no tickets), requires $200 deposit. When the packages are released for your dates, you can call to modify you existing package. I did this for some clients last year and had no problems.

You can't modify a room-only into a package. It must be canceled, refunded, and rebooked. Not worth the hassle and there's no guarantee you will get the same room/category/resort you originally have because they come from different inventories.

 

[airjoe]

You are just holding availability with your room only reservation.

If you pay by check the funds can be transfered to your new package reservation!

 

[ericamcl]

We got a PIN in the mail today and I called to see what it was for. Turns out it doesn't really apply to me, but I asked the CM on the phone about transferring the "room only" deposit to the package that I will be booking in a few weeks...he says it can't be done. I have to have a refund mailed to me and made a separate deposit for the package

I brought up the point about losing the preferred room, and he said that they would basically book my package and then cancel the room only ressie, thus increasing my chances of keeping my preferred room...but he has seen things happen where the preferred room was lost even when doing it the way he was suggesting.

What I think I'm going to do is just try to bide my time. I have a 14 day courtesy hold on the room only, so instead of going through the hassle of mailing a check and having a refund mailed to me, etc. I'm just going to ride out the room only ressie and book a package as soon as they become available, and cancel the room only ressie at that time.

As far as my ADRs go....can I book them now, and then just call back with my new "package" reservation number with out losing them?

Thanks for all of your help guys! I appreciate it

 

[airjoe]

Once you have the room you can have Guest Services rebook to a package. As far as transfering funds it cannot be done if paid by credit card, but it can be done if paid by check.