If you check in and don't like it, can you switch resorts then?

[BC]

Just curious, if we book a moderate and after checking in, we decide we want to go back to a deluxe, can we switch resorts (if there is availability) at that time? How would that work as far as payment. Would you just pay the difference on a credit card at the time you check in the new resort or just what would need to be done? Please don't flame me about not being sure before we go. It's not just me going, there is another couple also.

 

[BC]

Surely some of you know this answer.

 

[loperella]

It seems like you'd be able to if rooms were available and obviously paid the difference. I don't know if there would be some penalty/paperwok charge for doing it though. Hmmm, now I'm curious too.

 

[serene56]

thats a tough question-

suppose you get there and dont like it and there is no availabity.
Disappointments like that can ruin a vacation.

 

[Mickey country]

Unless you find fault with the resort, like bedbugs, just plain nasty etc... I am sure they are not just going to credit you and let you pay the diffference to go to a deluxe resort. Have you checked out all the pictures and info about the resort you are going to stay? I have stayed in value-deluxe, and never had a problem with any room. Where are you staying?

 

[TheRatPack]

They would probably charge you a cancellation fee for the first reservation and then you could rebook at the deluxe and pay the new resort reservation and they'd credit you back for your first one in 2 weeks?

I know that we had a situation similar to this, but not Disney. We'd book a pool house, with a jacuzzi tub and when we arrived they sent us to this little 20 year old house with no pool (unless you consider the septic leak in the back yard from the next door trailer park), and no jacuzzi. The house was unclean, and not what we'd paid for. So I called, and they said to come back to the main office and they'd fix it. We drove all the way back to the main office and they said they had no more availability but would credit us the difference for lack of pool and lack of jacuzzi. I said no, that those were not the only problems and so they said they'd issue a credit, but it could be up to 2 weeks for the charges to show back up on our card.

We were put out finding a hotel in Orlando at the last second, but we did and it all worked out.

I'd just call the main reservations number and ask.....maybe they do it differently at Disney. I mean they give people free upgrades all the time when they overbook the hotels, so maybe it's treated the same and the new ressie is just moved over and you can pay the difference as long as their is availability. They may charge you that change fee though?

 

[KathyTX]

Sure- WDW will be happy to transfer you to another resort if you're not happy with the moderate, as long as there is availability.

You'll be charged rack rate for the Deluxe, and they'll be happy to apply what you've already paid for the moderate toward that amount.

Many DIS posters have written about situations where they've done this.

 

[Sandisw]

We have done this several times. It was not an issue at all. The only drawback is that you will be paying rack rate for the new room. If you are staying on a promotion (like room discount), you won't be eligible for the discount at the new resort. They will simply credit what you paid for the moderate toward the cost of your new room.

We were at CSR a few years ago and had a $99.00 per night deal. We wanted to go to CR or Poly. They only had Poly for $329.00 per night so we took that for the 2 nights we had left.

While it did cost more, it was worth it and once we got to Poly, we were very happy with our choice. Now we are DVC members so will be staying at BLT during our trips from now on.

 

[happymommy]

Sometimes they will have a "walk in" rate, which is much less than a rack rate. It is common during slower times. We did this, when during our honeymoon at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (Sept '93) I was so unhappy after two night there (they were just "all business", and it was just not great) we went over to the GF. They told us they had a walk in rate, so the next morning very early we moved. It was $175 a night, which was low for the GF, but still much more than we had budgeted for our honeymoon. So you may get lucky if you walk into a resort. If they have a room, they would rather it be filled making some money than empty making none.

I would caution you to explore all options before making a decision. I'd hate to give up a room, only to find out you can't find anything you like more or for a rate in your budget. Also, you will only get a walk in rate in person - over the phone they cannot mention it. That will be rack rate.

 

[zoey9797]

As far as late reservation changes- I was told by CMs that if you change in "the window of penalty charges" that if your cost increases, they will wave the fee. If the change results in a decrease in charges such as cancelling a guest or downgrading a room is when they charge a fee.
I think that is a pretty fair policy

 

[Donna3271]

Yes, you can do this. My cousin was at the POP in June. Their neighbors were loud, and they were not happy. They moved to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. My cousin made such a stink about not being happy, they gave him a fantastic rate for AK. I personally, would have been embarrassed, and not carried on as such.