Booking hotel, what's expected?

[takemetodisney]

Thanks everyone for answering my first question....now on to my second, lol


I'll take your advice and call for my hotel room. What type of deposit will they require (1 night or the whole thing?) and what if our dates change or we change the length of the stay, what are the penalities? I know through AAA it's pretty hefty fees to make changes, so I don't normally book my vacations through them, and thankfully most hotels give the discount without having to use them as a travel agent. Just want to be prepared for what I'm getting into...planning vacation 5 months in advance is new to me, but lurked here enough to realize I'm probably late!

 

[cwt580]

5 months out for disney is not alot in advance. adr's should be made at 180 out from date of arrival. so you are already beyond that. better get crackin. disney seems to be filling fast this year. i just checked for around our dates for someone else(june) and theres nothing available!!!!!

room only ressies require 1 nights deposit. packages require full payment by 45 days out.........

 

[rt2dz]

A room only reservation requires one night deposit. A package requires $200 deposit. You can always change your dates or extend. To add/upgrade there are never any charges. To cancel/downgrade, for a full refund you need to do so 6 days out for room only and 45 days out for a package. I’m not sure what the package penalties are—someone more knowledgeable will answer that—but you don’t loose everything; the most you loose is the deposit amount. I do know that buying the insurance is not worth it, so don’t do it.

If you are getting a package, imo only worth it if you are doing the DDP or DxDP, then you have to book through a AAA TA. A room only does not need any further payment until check in. A package must be paid out 45 days prior to booking.

ETA: Here is some good information on packages and comparisons to room only ressies.

 

[disnut8]

As stated, one night deposit for a room only reservation. Cancellation with full refund at six days from arrival. You can have a AAA discount applied without going though that agency (I just returned from a trip where I did just that). Realize that the discounted rooms might not be available at this late date. You might have to pay the non discounted rate.