How do package deposits, cancellations, and refunds work

[shosh1530]

I think I'm finally ready to book a reservation for an end of May/early June trip staying at Beach Club. But if Disneyland was to actually open this by June then we'd likely cancel (we are driving distance from there) in favor of rebooking WDW for a better weather time of year and when more things will be open.

So if we book a room/ticket package now, I see that I only have to put down a $200 deposit with the balance due 4/30.

• Is the deposit refundable?
• If we paid and canceled after 4/30 is that refundable?
• Is it better to get tickets separately?
• If we get tickets now, can we adjust the number of days (add or subtract) without having to change the room reservation?

This would be our first time at WDW although I had 5 different Disneyland resort reservations canceled on me in 2020 (including a trip planned the day after they closed).

 

[Gehrig1B]

1. Deposit is refundable
2. Cancellations made 29 days to 2 days prior to arrival have a cancellation fee of $200 per package, but if reservations are cancelled 1 day prior to arrival or later, the full package price is non-refundable. You’ll also lose any nonrefundable elements, such as travel insurance and airfare.
3. It can be but depends... Third party tickets are refundable per the 3rd party not Disney. You can save some money using a 3rd party sometimes, especially if you have a longer stay with a large family. With a room only reservation you pay the remainder upon arrival. You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 5 days prior to check-in. (6 days for online bookings.)
4. Yes, you can add days without affecting your resort reservation... No, you cannot subtract ticket days after purchase.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Currently, Disney is waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through April 30, 2021 for guests in the United States and Canada who booked directly with Disney. That isn't going to apply to this situation . . . unless that date is extended. The date has been extended once or twice already, so you can always hope it happens again. Assuming it isn't extended, the old pre-Covid rules apply. Here is a webpage discussing booking a package vs. booking room only: https://www.mousesavers.com/walt-di...-room-only-reservations-vs-vacation-packages/

Please note that the deposit amount, and hence the cancellation penalty, for a room only reservation is the first night's room rate. That might be less but could be a lot more than $200, depending on where you're staying. The Beach Club would obviously be more.

I believe that linking a ticket purchased from a third party to your MDE account makes it non-refundable. And you'll need to link tickets to your MDE account to make park reservations. If the ticket is purchased separately, changes to the ticket and changes to the room reservation are completely separate. Tickets are date-based. So changes to your tickets aren't limited to adding and subtracting days. They could involve a change to the dates without adding or subtracting the number of days. If the change results in a ticket that would be less expensive (fewer days or less expensive days), you don't get a refund. If the change results in a ticket that would be more expensive (more days, more expensive days, or added features [like park hopping]), you have to pay the difference.

 

[shosh1530]

Thanks for the detailed responses.

So if I book a room plus tickets direct via Disney and pay the $200 deposit, can I then make park reservations immediately? Or do I have to wait until I've paid in full?

 

[Naomeri]

Thanks for the detailed responses.

So if I book a room plus tickets direct via Disney and pay the $200 deposit, can I then make park reservations immediately? Or do I have to wait until I've paid in full?

You can make them immediately

 

[_19disnA]

Since much of the situation relating to covid continues to evolve, I would check the official Disney website for the latest information. What may have been true last month might no longer be current. Threads on this site tend to go on for months/years and always a good idea to look at the date of the information so you aren't mislead.

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