2009 Reservation Question

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hello Disers! I have lurked around here for quite a while. I finally have a valid reason to post a question. I am planning a trip fir my family for January 2009. I know that I can book a room only reservation now. My question is this - When the 2009 rates come out in August and I want to switch to a package, will my reservation be cancelled or just "switched". I know that this question has probably been answered many times so thanks for patience with a newbie!

Moderators, please move this if I posted it in the wrong place. Thanks

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

I suppose I should explain myself a little better. We will hopefully be travelling January 19 - 29, 2009. We would love to stay at POFQ. I am concerned about the availability of rooms at that time because I have read that Orlando may be used as an overflow site for the Superbowl (to be held in Tampa Feb 1, 2009) Should I book a room only now or wait until the packages are released in August. If I book a room only now, will my reservation be cancelled to turn it into a package? Or is it just "switched" without cancellation? Is there a chance of not having a room? If I wait for the packages to be released, will we have less of a chance of getting a room where we want? I sure would appreciate some help!

 

[SamanthaH]

I booked a "room only" reservation last weekmfor Jan. 13-18. If you have your heart set on a particular resort, go ahead and secure a room. My first 2 choices were unavailable already, and the CM told me she thought the rooms were actually booked as opposed to be not released in the reservation system. I had initially wanted to stay at the CR or the Poly, but booked my 3rd choice at the AKL, which is fine. I had to put down a one night deposit for the peak season rates in 2008. Once the packages and rates for 2009 come out, the room rates will be adjusted, and you may call and change to a package. I believe she said I would be refunded the room only deposit and charged whatever they would for a package deposit. This way my room is secured though. I hope this helped a little. I think they actually cancel your reservation and change it to the package, all while securing the room.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Thanks so much for the response! That actually helps a lot! I think I will go ahead and call to make a reservation. Thanks again!

 

[SamanthaH]

Glad I could help, and I hope you get your resort preference. I accidentally put 2007 and 2008 in my original post. Sorry if that was confusing. I edited the original post.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

No worries, no confusion! I figured out what you meant! Thanks again for your help! I hope to make the ressie later today!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We had our heart set on staying at the Wilderness Lodge in 2008. In June, 2007, I called Disney travel and, of course, the 2008 rates weren't out yet. So, I booked a room only reservation at the 2007 rates. I paid a deposit equal to one night's stay. If I had kept the room only reservation, the rates would have been adjusted once the 2008 rates came out.

On August 15, 2007, the package rates came out and I called to change the room only reservation to a package. They don't actually "adjust" or "change" the room only reservation. They actually cancel the reservation and refund your one night deposit back to you. This took about 5 minutes for the castmember to do.

The refund is not automatic and it is not applied to the room only reservation. I was told that my refund would be received in a week to two weeks time. I received mine in 6 days.

They then turn around and book a package vacation for you. They booked the package in about 5 minutes since they already had all of my information. You will be required to make a deposit of $200.00. This can be done at the same time you are booking the package or you can make the deposit anytime in the next fourteen days. (I immediately made mine 'cause you never know what might happen in the fourteen day time period)

With a package, you can make as many payments as you want so long as the payment is a minimum of $20.00. I have made over 40 payments on our upcoming trip! Payments can be made online or over the telephone. It's like having a Disney vacation on layaway!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Thanks MickeysToonTown! The think I am still a little confused about is this....When the reservation is changed from a room only to a pkg is the original reservation cancelled completely or just changed. Will my "place" be lost, so to speak or will my room still be guaranteed during the change over? Thanks for all the Help!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks MickeysToonTown! The think I am still a little confused about is this....When the reservation is changed from a room only to a pkg is the original reservation cancelled completely or just changed. Will my "place" be lost, so to speak or will my room still be guaranteed during the change over? Thanks for all the Help!

I asked the same question. The room only reservation is cancelled completely. She said that it was very rare that my room would be booked out during the short time it took her to rebook the package. Have done it twice and have never had a problem.