Bounceback Information and FAQ Thread - 25-35% off BOUNCEBACKS ARE BACK for 2025! Updated 1/31/2025

[vinotinto]

Do you just need to check in on one of the days shown on the offer? For instance, can the trip start within one of the dates shown but continue into a date that isn't listed? Do you still get the offer for your entire stay or just he days that are within the dates shown?

It’s a room only offer. That means nights included are discounted and nights not included are at rack rate.

 

[Wojodis]

It’s a room only offer. That means nights included are discounted and nights not included are at rack rate.

I always book a room only--but why do they always push a package then? Maybe it's like other package deals and you just need to check in on one of the dates offered? Never really attempted, asked, or even really thought about it before. I always functioned under the premise that is WAS ONLY a room only discount--maybe something changed? They also seem to have different availability for package vs. room only reservations for the exact same time period. Interesting?!?

 

[vinotinto]

I always book a room only--but why do they always push a package then? Maybe it's like other package deals and you just need to check in on one of the dates offered? Never really attempted, asked, or even really thought about it before. I always functioned under the premise that is WAS ONLY a room only discount--maybe something changed? They also seem to have different availability for package vs. room only reservations for the exact same time period. Interesting?!?

You are confusing two different things: the type of promo and the type of booking.

A “room only” discount just means that the discount promo applies only to the room portion (not to tickets or dining plan), and that each night is individually set as discounted or rack rate. It does not mean that you cannot book a package with a room only promo. It’s also really important to understand that the individual nights are either discounted or rack rate when you book a room only discount. It is NOT based on check in date.

You can book just a room with a room only discount promo or you can book a room only discount as a package with tickets and / or dining or even a ticketless package.

Packages and room only bookings have different deposit and cancellation policies, and it’s important to learn the differences to select the one that works best for you. I have the different policies listed in the first post.

Package discounts can only be booked as a package and the promo applies solely based on check-in date. They usually require tickets and may even require a minimum number of ticket days and PHs. Package discounts usually discount portions *other* than the room, such as providing a specific level of dining package for free (“free dining”) or a specific level of adult dining package at a discounted child rate (“stay, play, dine” which we have not seen in years).

We’ve discussed here that it does seem that the WDW Travel Company offers incentives to its phone CMs for upselling. So, not just selling you the room, but also tickets, dining plan, memory maker, etc., which is why they push for packages. This is not unusual, many businesses work with the upsell model.

I also think the package page is the default system, and it takes time to switch to the other system and if they are spending time switching, they are not selling, so it’s more advantageous for them to sell a ticketless package than just the room.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I booked a BB for next August and made it a package with 3 day PH.
I just rmembered about next year you being able to go to a water park on your check in day.
I was not told that info when I called and booked.
So is this something that is not included in he case of a BB or should I be calling to ask about it?

 

[FLCA026]

Sorry to ask this but if we decided to change to different resort would we be able to?

Also, is there a way to check online for availability or do we have to call?

 

[jemtx]

Sorry to ask this but if we decided to change to different resort would we be able to?

Also, is there a way to check online for availability or do we have to call?

Unfortunately you have to call to make the BB reservations or to make any modifications. Yes, you can absolutely change your hotel (subject to availability, of course).

 

[Wood Nymph]

Where can I find the passholder phone number?

It is called V.I. Passholder support and the phone number is listed in the Annual Passholders section of My Disney Experience - on the website
Call (407) WDW-PASS or (407) 939-7277

I always book a room only--but why do they always push a package then?

I can only speculate but package reservations have to be paid in full 30 days out. Room only reservations require a deposit of one day with the balance due at check in. Package reservations can charge a fee if you make changes within 30 days while room only reservations don't charge a fee for changes. But the 2025 cancellation policy for room only will be 8 days out instead of the current 5 days out.

I booked a BB for next August and made it a package with 3 day PH.
I just rmembered about next year you being able to go to a water park on your check in day.
I was not told that info when I called and booked.
So is this something that is not included in he case of a BB or should I be calling to ask about it?

I was told that we were entitled to a water park on our check in day, March 9.

 

[mmouse50]

wanting to book bounceback for next May during my trip in October. What time does the bounceback line open? And if you are wanting to book a 2 bedroom along with a studio which resort would you aim for? Thinking that 2 bedrooms would be harder to book.

 

[Wood Nymph]

wanting to book bounceback for next May during my trip in October. What time does the bounceback line open? And if you are wanting to book a 2 bedroom along with a studio which resort would you aim for? Thinking that 2 bedrooms would be harder to book.

The phone lines open at 7am EST. I've found that they tend to open a few minutes later than 7 - more like 7:05am.

The CM will check the options for you. You could try looking to see if there is availability for general bookings and then go from there. The bounceback resorts have a separate inventory. But it the resort isn't available to the general public during your trip dates then it might not be available with the bounceback. Only the CM knows for sure what is available.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I booked a BB for next August and made it a package with 3 day PH.
I just rmembered about next year you being able to go to a water park on your check in day.
I was not told that info when I called and booked.
So is this something that is not included in he case of a BB or should I be calling to ask about it?

All packages include the ability to go to a waterpark on check-in day.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We just returned and I called this week to book a BB offer. I was surprised that almost a year out, some of what I wanted was not available. Initially I was looking for 10 nights, Pop, Standard room and had to change our trip dates to 10 days earlier than we normally go to find that availability. I booked that but then last night called and requested a shorter 8 night stay and thankfully CM was able to accommodate that during our 'normal' vacation dates.

All this to say, as the BB offer is out for a longer period of time, options available are decreased. I would recommend booking sooner than later in your trip if you have definite dates you are looking to book.

 

[redrosesix]

Also note that the ticket prices are locked in, as long as you do not make any changes to that reservation. If you make a change, the current ticket price will apply.

My daughter got the BB so she made our reservation and they convinced her to buy the tickets with the room based on this, even though I told her absolutely not because there is a Canadian resident discount starting in a few days.

She's a first timer, she never had to call in before

Online she had me check her reservations for her trip, but now I'm wondering if I can cancel those tickets so I can get my 25 percent off for the Canada discount. I've never ever actually bought our park tickets through WDW...we were always on a team trip and booked room only.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

We just returned and I called this week to book a BB offer. I was surprised that almost a year out, some of what I wanted was not available. Initially I was looking for 10 nights, Pop, Standard room and had to change our trip dates to 10 days earlier than we normally go to find that availability. I booked that but then last night called and requested a shorter 8 night stay and thankfully CM was able to accommodate that during our 'normal' vacation dates.

All this to say, as the BB offer is out for a longer period of time, options available are decreased. I would recommend booking sooner than later in your trip if you have definite dates you are looking to book.

I found this last year.
Wanted POLY for a full year out and NOTHING. NOT EVER. AND I CALLED EVERY FEW DAYS FOR A YEAR!
Surprisingly this time booking for just shy of a year POLY was available and I think I got a 25% discount.

In fact last year the only thing that was available with the BB was something super expensive at CR, anything I wanted at GF which is where I had stayed for that trip and was not a fan, and Preferred room at Movies.
In the end I switched to the broad discount at CR.

 

[didilovesdisney]

We just returned and I called this week to book a BB offer. I was surprised that almost a year out, some of what I wanted was not available. Initially I was looking for 10 nights, Pop, Standard room and had to change our trip dates to 10 days earlier than we normally go to find that availability. I booked that but then last night called and requested a shorter 8 night stay and thankfully CM was able to accommodate that during our 'normal' vacation dates.

All this to say, as the BB offer is out for a longer period of time, options available are decreased. I would recommend booking sooner than later in your trip if you have definite dates you are looking to book.

We just returned and I called this week to book a BB offer. I was surprised that almost a year out, some of what I wanted was not available. Initially I was looking for 10 nights, Pop, Standard room and had to change our trip dates to 10 days earlier than we normally go to find that availability. I booked that but then last night called and requested a shorter 8 night stay and thankfully CM was able to accommodate that during our 'normal' vacation dates.

All this to say, as the BB offer is out for a longer period of time, options available are decreased. I would recommend booking sooner than later in your trip if you have definite dates you are looking to book.

@scrappinginontario this situation is exactly what I am anticipating when I call to book my BB dates for next year in October. I plan on calling the day I arrive and will be prepared with my 2nd and 3rd choices. If Pop Century isn't available I am prepared to accept my other choices but will be calling Disney often to check for Pop availability. I admit I wasn't thrilled when they made the BB offer available earlier than in the past. I have been booking the BB offer since they started it so I will and be hopeful. But thanks for sharing your experience. Hope your Disney vacation was great.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I found this last year.
Wanted POLY for a full year out and NOTHING. NOT EVER. AND I CALLED EVERY FEW DAYS FOR A YEAR!
Surprisingly this time booking for just shy of a year POLY was available and I think I got a 25% discount.

In fact last year the only thing that was available with the BB was something super expensive at CR, anything I wanted at GF which is where I had stayed for that trip and was not a fan, and Preferred room at Movies.
In the end I switched to the broad discount at CR.

@scrappinginontario this situation is exactly what I am anticipating when I call to book my BB dates for next year in October. I plan on calling the day I arrive and will be prepared with my 2nd and 3rd choices. If Pop Century isn't available I am prepared to accept my other choices but will be calling Disney often to check for Pop availability. I admit I wasn't thrilled when they made the BB offer available earlier than in the past. I have been booking the BB offer since they started it so I will and be hopeful. But thanks for sharing your experience. Hope your Disney vacation was great.

Sorry, I wasn’t as clear as I needed to be. Pop was available but only preferred pool view rooms which didn’t interest me as it would eat into a lot of my BB savings.

My daughter got the BB so she made our reservation and they convinced her to buy the tickets with the room based on this, even though I told her absolutely not because there is a Canadian resident discount starting in a few days.

She's a first timer, she never had to call in before

Online she had me check her reservations for her trip, but now I'm wondering if I can cancel those tickets so I can get my 25 percent off for the Canada discount. I've never ever actually bought our park tickets through WDW...we were always on a team trip and booked room only.

I was on the fence about booking a pkg vs room-only and tickets separately as we are Cdn and know a Cdn ticket deal is starting soon.

What pushed me towards booking a pkg is, we are not 100% sure we will take this trip next year (tossing around DL instead) so booking a pkg meant everything is refundable. Tickets are not refundable so if I purchased separately I would lock the funds into those tickets.

Just something to consider.

 

[vinotinto]

My daughter got the BB so she made our reservation and they convinced her to buy the tickets with the room based on this, even though I told her absolutely not because there is a Canadian resident discount starting in a few days.

She's a first timer, she never had to call in before

Online she had me check her reservations for her trip, but now I'm wondering if I can cancel those tickets so I can get my 25 percent off for the Canada discount. I've never ever actually bought our park tickets through WDW...we were always on a team trip and booked room only.

You can call and drop the tickets from your package and make it a ticketless package. I did that with my BB this year. I booked it last year with tickets, and after I booked it with tickets, they released the 4-day magic ticket for the summer so I called and dropped the package tickets. Saved quite a bit for 4 people. Just remember to make any changes before the 30-day mark.

 

[mmouse50]

I know if I book a bounce back room only that I need to pay 1 night room deposit.and if I book a package with room and tickets the deposit will be 200.00. Do I pay 200.00 for a room only package? And how is a room only package differ from room only? If you book room + tickets and later drop the tickets, nothing happens to your room and resort choice does it? I mean you aren’t at risk of losing your preferred choice?

 

[Wood Nymph]

I know if I book a bounce back room only that I need to pay 1 night room deposit.and if I book a package with room and tickets the deposit will be 200.00. Do I pay 200.00 for a room only package? And how is a room only package differ from room only? If you book room + tickets and later drop the tickets, nothing happens to your room and resort choice does it? I mean you aren’t at risk of losing your preferred choice?

A room only package will still be considered a package, even if you don't buy tickets with it. The deposit will be $200 with the cancellation and payment policies of a package. You won't lose your resort reservation if you drop tickets from the reservation. Just make sure of what you are getting when talking to the CM.

 

[Willows909]

I will be booking a BB offer when my daughter and I get back from our October trip. I will be doing the room only, but I know that instead of doing a "package" like Disney would like, lol, there is a way to just add QS dining and 2 days tickets so I can hold onto that % room only discount. How do I word that request when I call? I know I read it on here somewhere, lol, but can't seem to locate it! Thanks!

 

[focusondisney]

I will be booking a BB offer when my daughter and I get back from our October trip. I will be doing the room only, but I know that instead of doing a "package" like Disney would like, lol, there is a way to just add QS dining and 2 days tickets so I can hold onto that % room only discount. How do I word that request when I call? I know I read it on here somewhere, lol, but can't seem to locate it! Thanks!

No, you, can only add a dining plan to a package booking. You can book a ticketless package with room & dining. Or a room & ticket package without dining. Or a room only & buy tickets separately. You can not have a room only reservation with a dining plan.

Edit… in fact, I made my bounceback reservations today. I booked room only. The CM was great, quickly switched reservation systems to the room only screen. He did say he wanted to make sure I knew that as room only, I would NOT be able to add a dining plan or tickets later.