Deadline to move dates Room-Only

[BlueDog]

Unfortunately my 101 year-old mother-in-law, who previously seemed immortal, is now likely in her final days. I suspect she will pass within a few days but hospice tells me it could be several weeks or even longer (though unlikely). So I may need to move my 10/30-11/3 room-only reservation at BWI. Google seems to say I can make date changes up to 24 hours prior to my arrival date but I know policies change frequently so I was hoping to confirm that deadline. Here’s the fun part—I opened a chat window online and the person who responded just kept asking me questions that I had already answered instead of giving me the deadline info, so I finally asked if I should just Google it. Their response was “That is correct”. Maybe I misunderstood and they were responding to a prior question but gosh, that’s a bit concerning. Actually, as a Disney stock holder I find it very concerning!

Anyway, can anyone tell me if I have until 24 hours prior to check-in day to change my plans? Or has the policy changed?

 

[nw6675]

I don't know about 24 hours, but I definitely made changes within the 5 days earlier this year.

 

[BlueDog]

I don't know about 24 hours, but I definitely made changes within the 5 days earlier this year.

Thank you. Sounds like I should be good if I make my decision no later than Monday, which would be a week out from my planned arrival date.

 

[Haliwood]

Unfortunately my 101 year-old mother-in-law, who previously seemed immortal, is now likely in her final days. I suspect she will pass within a few days but hospice tells me it could be several weeks or even longer (though unlikely). So I may need to move my 10/30-11/3 room-only reservation at BWI. Google seems to say I can make date changes up to 24 hours prior to my arrival date but I know policies change frequently so I was hoping to confirm that deadline. Here’s the fun part—I opened a chat window online and the person who responded just kept asking me questions that I had already answered instead of giving me the deadline info, so I finally asked if I should just Google it. Their response was “That is correct”. Maybe I misunderstood and they were responding to a prior question but gosh, that’s a bit concerning. Actually, as a Disney stock holder I find it very concerning!

Anyway, can anyone tell me if I have until 24 hours prior to check-in day to change my plans? Or has the policy changed?

So sorry you're mother in law isn't doing well! Sending you positive thoughts.
With regard to the cancellation policy, I hope this helps. From the "planDisney" site April 9, 2003:
Cancellation policies will vary depending on what kind of booking you have made. If you have booked a room at a Disney Resorts Collection Hotel and didn't bundle it with Theme Park tickets, your cancellation needs to be confirmed at least 5 days before your arrival to receive a refund of your deposit.

 

[nw6675]

Here is my thread from my changes - not much else in it, but thought I'd share

https://www.disboards.com/threads/remind-me-inside-5-day-window-on-room-only.3925430/

 

[gottalovepluto]

Chat Disney has resulted in wrong information since like their inception, they're basically as bad as the PlanDisney panel and Disney is obliged by nothing they say. Never trust either.

If you room confirmation doesn't list the deadline to cancel/make changes call Disney. They will be able to look up exactly what your cancellation/change policy is on your specific reservation (room only is different than a package). Generally they're pretty good about moving people even within their window but you'll have to pay the difference in price. If they give pushback you could always explain your situation and ask for an exception, Disney does make case by case policy exceptions in extenuating circumstances.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Sorry to hear about your MIL.

I assume you booked directly through WDW. If not, you may be subject to different terms. Contact who/where you booked (like Expedia, etc.), or your TA.

If you have true room only reservation, then 5 days is normal policy to cancel for full refund.
If you have a "room only package" then the norm is less than 45 days out tends to incur at $100 fee, then it goes to $200. Disney Travel often tries to book the package.

What was your initial deposit? If your initial deposit was 4200 = package. If you initial deposit =1 night at hotel, then = room only.


If you explain situation though, they may be willing to move to new date, or better.

As pp said, what you really need to do is to call WDW. Even then, if you get a non-helpful person, it is often smart just say thanks, end the call and call back. More experienced CM's tend to know more about how to handle situations like this.

As with many companies, chat feature is often not very helpful.

 

[CarolynFH]

Here’s the fun part—I opened a chat window online and the person who responded just kept asking me questions that I had already answered instead of giving me the deadline info, so I finally asked if I should just Google it. Their response was “That is correct”. Maybe I misunderstood and they were responding to a prior question but gosh, that’s a bit concerning. Actually, as a Disney stock holder I find it very concerning!

Sounds to me like you got an AI chatbot that wasn't programmed to handle unusual questions like yours, not a real person.

Hope all goes well for you.

 

[Marthasor]

If you are only looking to modify dates on a room-only reservation, you can do that up until you physically check-in for the reservation. You could, literally, call the morning of and modify the dates, without penalty, as long as you have not arrived at the resort and checked in. There is only a penalty if you CANCEL a room-only within 5 days prior to check-in - there is no penalty to modify. I would highly suggest NOT doing online check-in for this reservation. I once had to modify on the morning of check-in (I was still at home, not at the resort) and, because I had done online check-in, the resort had "soft" checked me in. Guest Services was able to unwind it and then modify my dates, but it took a VERY long time to do the modification at that point.

 

[BlueDog]

Sorry to hear about your MIL.

I assume you booked directly through WDW. If not, you may be subject to different terms. Contact who/where you booked (like Expedia, etc.), or your TA.

If you have true room only reservation, then 5 days is normal policy to cancel for full refund.
If you have a "room only package" then the norm is less than 45 days out tends to incur at $100 fee, then it goes to $200. Disney Travel often tries to book the package.

What was your initial deposit? If your initial deposit was 4200 = package. If you initial deposit =1 night at hotel, then = room only.


If you explain situation though, they may be willing to move to new date, or better.

As pp said, what you really need to do is to call WDW. Even then, if you get a non-helpful person, it is often smart just say thanks, end the call and call back. More experienced CM's tend to know more about how to handle situations like this.

As with many companies, chat feature is often not very helpful.

My reservation is definitely room only. I have separate tickets. And I only want to change dates and not cancel so I’m pretty sure now that doing it 5 days or more before my arrival day should keep me safely within the rules.

Thank you!

 

[BlueDog]

If you are only looking to modify dates on a room-only reservation, you can do that up until you physically check-in for the reservation. You could, literally, call the morning of and modify the dates, without penalty, as long as you have not arrived at the resort and checked in. There is only a penalty if you CANCEL a room-only within 5 days prior to check-in - there is no penalty to modify. I would highly suggest NOT doing online check-in for this reservation. I once had to modify on the morning of check-in (I was still at home, not at the resort) and, because I had done online check-in, the resort had "soft" checked me in. Guest Services was able to unwind it and then modify my dates, but it took a VERY long time to do the modification at that point.

Thank you! I either will or won’t be in Florida several days before my resort arrival so no need to push it to the day of—but nice to know that could be an option.

 

[BlueDog]

Sounds to me like you got an AI chatbot that wasn't programmed to handle unusual questions like yours, not a real person.

Hope all goes well for you.

Oh, it never occurred to me that they would be using AI chatbots. I am aware that the standard courtesy replies that begin the conversation are likely chatbot and are just to make us feel like someone is responding while they finish up another chat. At least that’s what I thought they were doing.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My reservation is definitely room only. I have separate tickets. And I only want to change dates and not cancel so I’m pretty sure now that doing it 5 days or more before my arrival day should keep me safely within the rules.

Thank you!

Great!

 

[BlueDog]

Sorry to hear about your MIL.

I assume you booked directly through WDW. If not, you may be subject to different terms. Contact who/where you booked (like Expedia, etc.), or your TA.

If you have true room only reservation, then 5 days is normal policy to cancel for full refund.
If you have a "room only package" then the norm is less than 45 days out tends to incur at $100 fee, then it goes to $200. Disney Travel often tries to book the package.

What was your initial deposit? If your initial deposit was 4200 = package. If you initial deposit =1 night at hotel, then = room only.


If you explain situation though, they may be willing to move to new date, or better.

As pp said, what you really need to do is to call WDW. Even then, if you get a non-helpful person, it is often smart just say thanks, end the call and call back. More experienced CM's tend to know more about how to handle situations like this.

As with many companies, chat feature is often not very helpful.

Thank you for the condolences on my MIL. My reservation is definitely room-only as I have separate tickets and have only paid for about half of my reservation to date. Sounds like I’m safe to wait until next Monday to possibly move my dates.

 

[BlueDog]

Here is my thread from my changes - not much else in it, but thought I'd share

https://www.disboards.com/threads/remind-me-inside-5-day-window-on-room-only.3925430/

Thank you for that thread!

 

[HopperFan]

From my Room Only Reservation Confirmation Email ~

Room Only Terms & Conditions WALT DISNEY WORLD ROOM ONLY CANCELLATION POLICY: In order to receive a refund of your deposit, notification of cancellation must be received at least 5 days prior to your arrival date.