Deposit for room - refundable when you arrive? (AP rate related)

[heathriel]

I honestly can't remember this -

Ok, so when you book your room through Disney, you have to pay the one night deposit in advance. Then you have up until a week before the trip to cancel to get your deposit back.

However, that charge becomes permanent within the week - so, once you show up, you've effectively been charged already for that one night. Can you get it refunded when you get there so you can pay it in cash? I know you can pay the *rest* of the visit in cash, I just can't remember if you can pay for that deposit in cash.

I want to book an AP rate room, but only for one night - and I want to pay in cash. So I didn't use Best Rate, and now I have a dilemma.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I don't think that they will "refund" and then rebill you. As long as you aren't paying online & you are calling for your ressie you can send them a check. Normally when you call for your ressie, they give you 14 days to pay. You can get the address while on the phone & mail in the check. If you wait until the confirmation arrives, you may not have enough time to mail it & then have them receive the check & post it. ... that is about the only way I can think of you paying in "cash".....

 

[Nuts4Disney]

I honestly can't remember this -

Ok, so when you book your room through Disney, you have to pay the one night deposit in advance. Then you have up until a week before the trip to cancel to get your deposit back.

However, that charge becomes permanent within the week - so, once you show up, you've effectively been charged already for that one night. Can you get it refunded when you get there so you can pay it in cash? I know you can pay the *rest* of the visit in cash, I just can't remember if you can pay for that deposit in cash.

I want to book an AP rate room, but only for one night - and I want to pay in cash. So I didn't use Best Rate, and now I have a dilemma.

When you pay the deposit, the deposit is deducted from the balance you owe Disney, so you would owe Disney the new balance [the balance less the deposit].

I think it is very doubtful that Disney would refund your deposit at check in, but IF they did, the refund is normally returned based on the original method of payment.

Since you said "the charge becomes permanent in a week", I'm thinking you mean credit card payment. Therefore, IF they gave you back your deposit, it would be a credit to your credit card.

But again, I do not think they would refund that deposit to you. I am also not sure what benefit you would gain. But I do hope this info helps you.

[Also, I just wanted to mention as an aside, that cash on vacation may not be safest method for you, since there is no replacement if it's lost or stolen.]

Have a great vacation.

 

[heathriel]

Well, by "cash" I meant Disney Dollars, actually

I can't reserve a room with Disney Dollars, and as far as I'm aware, they won't take them as payment through the mail for a reservation. Family members have been sending me way more DDs than I'll ever be able to spend, so I was hoping to put them toward the first "extra" night of the suite (or whatever becomes available under the AP rate, but suites have tended to come down in price some as well in the past and I see there are some available scattered around the different hotels) we're getting as well as the rest (which have been paid for by a different arrangement through a TA.)

 

[Nuts4Disney]

Well, by "cash" I meant Disney Dollars, actually

I can't reserve a room with Disney Dollars, and as far as I'm aware, they won't take them as payment through the mail for a reservation. Family members have been sending me way more DDs than I'll ever be able to spend, so I was hoping to put them toward the first "extra" night of the suite (or whatever becomes available under the AP rate, but suites have tended to come down in price some as well in the past and I see there are some available scattered around the different hotels) we're getting as well as the rest (which have been paid for by a different arrangement through a TA.)

It's been years since I've used Disney Dollars, but back when I had them I was able to exchange them for regular currency, dollar for dollar, I think right at check in, guest services, or almost store on WDW property. I don't know if this policy has changed, so hopefully someone else can tell you.

You could try posting a *new* thread asking if Disney Dollars can still be exchanged for regular cash...someone is bound to know...or contacting the resort or guest services. Also, if you have a Disney Store near you, you may be able to exchange them there, although they may have a different policy or you may have to buy something, which would defeat the purpose.

IMO, if the problem is an excess amount of Disney Dollars, a very nice problem to have, I think you would be better off exchanging them, if they let you, then trying to change deposits at check in, especially since you now mention a TA is involved. It just might help avoid confusion & save a lot of time that could be better used having fun.

Also, not to beat the "safety" issue again, but I guess you know Disney Dollars are no safer than regular currency...there is no tracking system or replacement.

Hope this helps & have a great vacation.

 

[heathriel]

Oh, yes, you can still exchange Disney Dollars for cash at check in.

A TA isn't involved for the extra night I want to book with the AP rate though, which is where this whole thread started, which is silly in the first place

My husband and I are going down for our yearly F&W fest trip, but we booked in February in anticipation of his school schedule (took Friday night through Tuesday, assuming that he'd only miss one of each class.) Now he has Fridays off, and it's our 5 year wedding anniversary, so I want to add on the Thursday night but can't change the original reservation because of the way we did it originally. We'll take whatever is available, but I'd like to get another suite for the first night, just to try to match up.

And we'd never be getting a suite if it wasn't a "milestone." And if we were paying for it ourselves.

 

[Nuts4Disney]

Oh, yes, you can still exchange Disney Dollars for cash at check in.

A TA isn't involved for the extra night I want to book with the AP rate though, which is where this whole thread started, which is silly in the first place

My husband and I are going down for our yearly F&W fest trip, but we booked in February in anticipation of his school schedule (took Friday night through Tuesday, assuming that he'd only miss one of each class.) Now he has Fridays off, and it's our 5 year wedding anniversary, so I want to add on the Thursday night but can't change the original reservation because of the way we did it originally. We'll take whatever is available, but I'd like to get another suite for the first night, just to try to match up.

And we'd never be getting a suite if it wasn't a "milestone." And if we were paying for it ourselves.

Awwww...that's wonderful!

Hope you have a *Wonderful 5 Year Anniversary* & you are able to get that suite.