How Hard Is It To Switch Dates or Discounts

1hero2princesses

DIS Veteran
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Jan 20, 2008
Messages
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Well I am thinking about caving in and going in September instead of the start of August. I really didn't want to pull the kids out of school (will be 2nd grade, 1st grade, preschool) but the cost difference might make the difference of having a vacation at all. I think, with the current discount I am looking at saving 1000 to go in Sept. Also, probably flights will be cheaper, but since Southwest has released Sept. yet I don't know. Usually with southwest when the window opens up they are cheaper so I am guessing I could save about 200 -400 on flights also. Currently for Aug. it will cost us 1600 to fly!

So my questions are if I book Sept. now with the 30% off code, and then a discount comes out for July, how hard is it to change? Do you lose any money? Also, if free dining comes back out I probably would switch from the 30% off to that in Sept. Would that be something Disney would let me do?

I really think my family needs a vacation this year. Just so frustrated we have to pull the kids out of school!
 
We are pulling our 3 kids from school on Sept.27 - Oct.4, 2011 instead of the end of Aug when they are still on vacation. Because reading some of the posts here & talking to two different people that have gone in Aug it is very hot & with younger children they will be more tired & cranky, so will us parents. Oldest son is going into grade 5, other two children are going into grade 2. I was told that it is still hot in Sept. but much better than July & Aug. I'm only going buy what I've read & been told first hand.
From what I've read on the dis board you can change dates on the same discount easy enough, not sure if you can change date & discount deal.
Try doing a search for the info. you need or call a CM at Disney to confirm.
 
It's actually very easy (in my experience) to change dates/promos, provided your dates, resort, and room category are available under the promo you want to switch to. I had free dining booked and changed to the 30% off deal as well as dates, and it took the CM no more than 5 minutes to make the change. If you already have a package and are just changing dates/promos and there's availability for what you want, the CM will just have to modify your reservation, keeping the same confirmation number. You can switch as many times as you want if the availability is there. Also, any money you have paid, including deposits, will just transfer to the new ressie. However, if you originally booked a room only and want to change to a package, the room only will have to be cancelled/refunded and the package booked, requiring a new deposit, as deposits/money paid cannot be transferred between packages and room only ressies. You will also get a new confirmation number. As far as losing or not losing money, if you are outside the 45 days prior to arrival for a package, no money will be lost. If you are 44 days or less before arrival and the new package you book is more expensive than the one you're changing, Disney will usually waive the change fee; but if it decreases in cost, a change fee is usually charged (although I'm not sure just how much).
 
Very easy to change. The only thing you might lose is your travel insurance.

I did once, even though I was just switching my trip and not canceling. I know that others said they did not though.

So, if you are thinking you might switch, I would just not add travel insurance (if you usually do) until closer to travel date. I was told you could add it up to 45 days prior to your trip. At that point, you would certainly know about the trip.

Good luck!
 

Because reading some of the posts here & talking to two different people that have gone in Aug it is very hot & with younger children they will be more tired & cranky, so will us parents. Oldest son is going into grade 5, other two children are going into grade 2.
It's still hot and humid in September/early October on most days. The difference in average temp between September and August is less than 1 degree. I just flew to Orlando this weekend and the temperature during the day was in the 70's and we're in January. If you want to avoid hot and humid, you would do best going in the winter or immediately before/after. The difference in heat between end of August and end of Sept will be negligible.
 
It's still hot and humid in September/early October on most days. The difference in average temp between September and August is less than 1 degree. I just flew to Orlando this weekend and the temperature during the day was in the 70's and we're in January. If you want to avoid hot and humid, you would do best going in the winter or immediately before/after. The difference in heat between end of August and end of Sept will be negligible.

Two years ago End of August, wonderful weather, last year End of Sept "unbearable". You just never know. Also crowd were worse in September. Who would have thought that??

I am going to try end of August again!
 














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