Adding a MYW package to room-only res?

[dreamscometrue101]

This may seem like a foolish question, but Disney hasn't answered it so I figured this is the best place to come for the answer.

I am planning my next WDW trip for the first week of February 2009. I know that right now I can only get a room reservation because the package prices are not available. Does anyone know if I can add the MYW package to my room once the rates become available? I want to make the reservation now so I know exactly when I'm going and I can start paying it off now, but I also want to ensure I get the whole package.

When we went in September I had booked the entire package the previous September and it went perfectly. I want the same type of package this time and I'm hoping I can add it to the hotel res later instead of having to wait.

I guess my biggest fear is that if I do wait for the 2009 prices to come out there will not be any availabilty of rooms. Should this be a concern? I know a lot of conventions and team groups go in February so I wouldn't want to wait and then be told nothing was available.

Any thoughts?

 

[BroadwayGirl]

If it is that important to you to book your room for February 2009 then go ahead and book the room only reservation with the required 1st night deposit. You will be able to convert your reservation to a package next summer when the packages are released; however, what will actually happen is that your room only reservation will be cancelled and a new package reservation will be booked.

I do not recommend making additional payments on the room only reservation unless you plan to send paper checks to Disney every so often. Credit card payments CANNOT be transferred from a room only reservation to a package so anything paid with a credit card would be refunded to your card and you'd be starting back at the beginning with the package reservation.

Personally, unless there is a very specific room, such as the Grand Suite at the GF, that you need to have I don't think you'll have any problems getting what you want for February when the 2009 packages are released.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I had the same situation when I was wanting to book our 2008 vacation. I called Disney reservations in June, 2007 and they suggested I go ahead and book a room only reservation pending the posting of the 2008 vacation package rates. We had our heart set on the Wilderness Lodge and I didn't want to wait until the 2008 rates came out. What if they had "no room at the inn"?

So, I went ahead and booked a room only reservation. I was required to pay a one night's deposit. When the 2008 package rates came out mid to late August, 2007, I called Disney reservations. They cancelled the room only reservation and then turned around and booked a package for me. My credit card was credited for the $300.00 or so that I had to pay for the first night deposit. I had 14 days to call back and make the $200.00 package deposit but I went ahead and paid it while changing the reservation. I was told that the one night's deposit refund would take between a week and ten days. I had it back in my account in just 5 days.

One thing I think you need to be aware of is that you can't make payments on a room only deposit. You can only make payments on a package. But, you can begin "tucking away" money so that when the package rates come out, you can pay one heck of a payment.

 

[dreamscometrue101]

Thank you so much. This is the answer I was looking for. WDW here I come!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I agree that it can't hurt to book a room now, but I also think you'd be fine if you waited. You can also apply any deals that come out when they come out to your room rate.

 

[BroadwayGirl]

One thing I think you need to be aware of is that you can't make payments on a room only deposit. You can only make payments on a package. But, you can begin "tucking away" money so that when the package rates come out, you can pay one heck of a payment.

Close but no cigar...

You CAN make payments on a room only reservation IF it was booked over the telephone. You may not pay anything except the required deposit on a room only reservation that was booked online.

However, in a situation such as the OP described it would be foolish to pay anything extra on the room only reservation by credit card as that money would just end up being refunded and new payments needed for the package when the reservation is rebooked.

 

[brentalex]

Close but no cigar...

You CAN make payments on a room only reservation IF it was booked over the telephone. You may not pay anything except the required deposit on a room only reservation that was booked online.

However, in a situation such as the OP described it would be foolish to pay anything extra on the room only reservation by credit card as that money would just end up being refunded and new payments needed for the package when the reservation is rebooked.

Although I understand what you are saying about the credit card payments, I am not sure I agree that it is a problem. If I make a room only reservation now and pay 1000 by next year via credit card, that money has been accounted for from my stash of money. If I then change the reservation to a package and pay the deposit plus enough extra to add up to 1000, I will then get a 1000 credit and a 1000 charge which will cancel each other out. If I want to be cautious I can wait till I am sure the credit has been applied before making the extra payments,but it is not like I have lost anything. I plan on doing just that for my trip in 2009, although I am not sure I am will change to a package, but I will make payments towards the room and if I do get a package, then I will make a payment equal to what my credit will be and all will be even.

 

[stitchlover]

We always book room-only early in the year for the following year. Then we make payments through out the year...yes, they do turn around and give it back to me once I switch to a package but that's fine. I just turn around and give it right back once it hits my debit card. This way I am paying on it and not spending that money on something else through the year! I love that you are able to do this and highly recommend it.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Close but no cigar...

You CAN make payments on a room only reservation IF it was booked over the telephone. You may not pay anything except the required deposit on a room only reservation that was booked online.

However, in a situation such as the OP described it would be foolish to pay anything extra on the room only reservation by credit card as that money would just end up being refunded and new payments needed for the package when the reservation is rebooked.

When I booked our room only (via telephone), I was told that I could not make payments on a room only reservation. I even tried a couple of weeks later to make a payment and I was told the same thing again.

Just passing along what I was told.