Advice On Best Way To Change Room-Only Reservation To Fairytale Package

[StartedByAMouse]

Firstly, I want to thank everyone on these boards for your wisdom in helping me plan a Walt Disney World vacation. I haven't posted before but I've been lurking, trying to take in all of the threads on rooms, reservations and planning.

My wife and I are returning to WDW in July to celebrate our 4-year anniversary (we honeymooned there in 1999 and stayed at Old Key West Resort - a wedding present from family friends). With the recommendations of this board, we decided on the Wilderness Lodge this trip.

I went ahead and reserved 8 nights (room only) through the CRO. But with the announcement of the Fairytale package, I would like to switch my reservations to take advantage of it. But what's the best way to go about it?

When available to the general public, do I ...

*Call back the CRO and ask to change my room-only reservations to the Fairytale package?

*Call the WDTC and book the same nights at the Wilderness Lodge with this package, then cancel my original reservations?

*Something else entirely?

Also, do I need to have the correct code to do this or do I just ask for the Fairytale package and they'll guide me through?

If I've figured this correctly, we'll be paying about the same amount for the 8 nights with this package as we are for the room-only reservation with AAA discount, but we'll be gaining admission media, which we haven't purchased yet. The UPH wasn't going to be of total use to us so we were going to buy 5-day passes but if the UPHs are basically "free," we'll be happy to go this route and save ourselves $400 to $500 on ticket media.

Any help on determining the best course of action would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[B3LM]

You can just call CRO and tell them that you'd like to take advantage of the Fairytale package for your travel dates. Hopefully, they can modify your current reservation.

 

[chi-mom]

I just switched my room only reservation to the FT package this am. I just told the CM that I had an existing res. and she changed it to the FT package for me. It will only cost me and additional $400.00 and that will include UPH for 5 of us. For us, this is a GREAT deal!

 

[Emy'sMom]

Matt -

I had the same exact question as you. Here's what I did - - I'm sure I did it the hard or round-about way. I'm sure my inexperience is showing!

I am always so confused on who (CRO vs WDTC) can do what (room only vs packages). I had a 7-night "room only" ressie @ the Poly for October (hadn't gotten any type of passes yet and was holding out for codes). I was concerned that I'd have problems (i.e. delays) if I called first thing tomorrow to switch a "CRO room-only" ressie to a "WDTC package". I think CRO can do packages too but I wasn't taking any chances.

I called 407-WDISNEY today to see what would be the best thing to do. After talking with the CM I decided it was better to book a 7-night DreamMaker Package today - which I did - and cancel my room only reservation - did that too. That way tomorrow morning I can do a quick switcheroo.

I had made several payments towards my room only reservation -some check, some credit card - the total amount paid by checks was transferred, the credit cards were credited.

Tomorrow morning I will call again and just change my package from DreamMaker to Fairytale Magic.

I'm kinda glad I did it today because this procedure took about 15 minutes. Knowing how I am I'd be freaking out in the morning if I'd have to wait that long to get my package booked - stressing that my resort & dates were selling out.

I have the less desired "payment due in full 45 days before arrival" and the "45 day cancellation policy" but I really don't mind that - I plan on having the package paid in full by the end of June anyway.

I didn't get trip insurance - I think I remember a post that stated it was best to wait until just before the 45 day mark to ask for trip insurance.

Well, I think that's it.

This whole thing just cracks me up - I used to be the "Call Disney and book a full service package at rack rate" kind of person. Now that I get "the inside scoop" I try to get things at the lowest cost - constantly calling Disney and switching things around. Save money but lose your mind!

Debbie

 

[chi-mom]

Hey Emy'sMom--it looks like we'll be there about the same time. I'll be wearing my lime green!

 

[Emy'sMom]

chimom - - We'll be there Oct 18-24. I can't wait!!

I gotta get a lime green ribbon!

Debbie

 

[chi-mom]

We'll be there 15 thru 23. Can't wait !! MNSSHP on the 16th!!

 

[StartedByAMouse]

Thanks, everyone, for your help!

I just got off the phone with Disney and had my reservations changed from Room-Only to the Fairytale Package. I'm not sure who handled the change - WDTC or CRO. I dialed the 407-WDISNEY number and pressed the option to modify an existing reservation.

I am paying $9.79 more than my room-only reservations but I now have two ultimate park hoppers included. It is a savings of $452.43 from having to pay for two 5-day passes, plus I now have the extra days and water parks, DisneyQuest, etc. included.

My wife and I are thoroughly excited about our vacation. Very rarely do deals like this work for us so we feel very fortunate to have heard about it here and to have had your advice to make it all work out.

Thanks again,
Matt