Keeping multiple resort reservations, changing guests

[Fern]

I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to do this, and I've just ended up with a headache and a sudden lack of confidence in my own mental abilities.

The deal so far: I currently have two RO reservations for the same days. One at YC that I booked as bounceback for myself, DH and Disney adult child. I have another RO at BC that I got through the summer discount that just ended, same people on the reservation. I had originally planned to cancel one the YC one once the FD hulabaloo died down, but now my sister would like to join us. It would be her and her two kids. I would love to be able to "give" her one of the rooms (both resorts are otherwise booked for the trip dates, or far too expensive).

I don't think I can switch the reservation to another name since it's a bounceback, correct? It also sounds like I can't switch the lead guest on the BC room either that I booked with a regular discount? I've also seen that I might be able to switch it, as long as it's to another person on the original reservation. Is this possible?

The best scenario I can come up with would be to change the BC room lead guest to my husband and then keep our daughter on it ans switch my name for my sister's. Then, on the YC ressie, keep myself as the lead and change the other two names to my niece and nephew? Is that even possible? At some point, we would be adding tickets and likely be adding dining.

My experience has shown that cast members on the phone don't always know the ins and outs, so I'm hoping to have an idea of what is actually possible before I call. I got such great rates on the rooms that I hate to have to cancel one. Plus, with FD out now, I don't even know if I COULD re-book.

I can't tell if I'm over thinking, or not thinking enough! Maybe both??

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Ok, let me see if I have this straight:

YC - you, DH, DD
BC - you, DH, DD

Which room do you want to keep for your family? About 3 years ago, I was able to change the lead guest's name with someone who was already listed on a reservation, so it may still be possible.

This is what I would do:

1) Decide which room you want to give to your sister. Call WDW, try to change your husband to the lead guest, drop your name, drop your daughter's name, add your sister. (Obviously, if they won't let you change the lead, there's really nothing more you can do) Hang up the phone.

2) Call WDW again, drop your husband from your reservation. Hang up the phone.

3) Have your husband call regarding the room your sister is on (as he is now the lead guest) and add your sister's kids.

At this point, the only person who would be on the wrong room is your husband so he won't have an MB that will open your resort door, but that, I think, would be the only inconvenience.

 

[Wood Nymph]

My experience has shown that cast members on the phone don't always know the ins and outs, so I'm hoping to have an idea of what is actually possible before I call. I got such great rates on the rooms that I hate to have to cancel one. Plus, with FD out now, I don't even know if I COULD re-book.

Disney CMs seem to be legendary for being inconsistent when it comes to these kinds of situations. I had a situation where I called the bounce back number to get a room only bounce back for my sister. It wasn't the same scenario as yours, but it does seem like the bounce back CM's are willing to help solve the problem. My advice is to call the bounce back number directly, 407-939-1923, and see if they are able to help you out. I prefer to call Monday through Friday during normal business hours. It seems like the more experienced people work those hours. If you are lucky they could either change the name or make a new bounce back reservation under your sister's name for the same resort and price.

 

[Marionnette]

I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out a way to do this, and I've just ended up with a headache and a sudden lack of confidence in my own mental abilities.

The deal so far: I currently have two RO reservations for the same days. One at YC that I booked as bounceback for myself, DH and Disney adult child. I have another RO at BC that I got through the summer discount that just ended, same people on the reservation. I had originally planned to cancel one the YC one once the FD hulabaloo died down, but now my sister would like to join us. It would be her and her two kids. I would love to be able to "give" her one of the rooms (both resorts are otherwise booked for the trip dates, or far too expensive).

I don't think I can switch the reservation to another name since it's a bounceback, correct? It also sounds like I can't switch the lead guest on the BC room either that I booked with a regular discount? I've also seen that I might be able to switch it, as long as it's to another person on the original reservation. Is this possible?

The best scenario I can come up with would be to change the BC room lead guest to my husband and then keep our daughter on it ans switch my name for my sister's. Then, on the YC ressie, keep myself as the lead and change the other two names to my niece and nephew? Is that even possible? At some point, we would be adding tickets and likely be adding dining.

My experience has shown that cast members on the phone don't always know the ins and outs, so I'm hoping to have an idea of what is actually possible before I call. I got such great rates on the rooms that I hate to have to cancel one. Plus, with FD out now, I don't even know if I COULD re-book.

I can't tell if I'm over thinking, or not thinking enough! Maybe both??

My experience has been that you can change any name on a reservation EXCEPT the lead name. If your name is the lead name on both of those reservations, you will have to cancel one. You cannot "give" it to someone else and you cannot remove just your name and make someone else the lead. The exception has been DVC reservations. I can change all of the names on a reservation that I make using my DVC points without losing the reservation.

 

[Fern]

Hm, it sounds like I’ll have to wait until the phones die down in a few weeks and just give it a shot. I’m hoping I can switch the lead name on one room to my husband since he’s already on it. It’s not quite like adding a random person. Worst they can say is no, right? I’d just end up with 2 rooms, and need to buy standalone park tix since it’s only a room meservation right now

 

[disneyvoice]

Yes, you can change the lead name but the only way I could do it was to call. I reserved a second room for our oldest son and his girlfriend on our last trip. It was in my name with my son as the second adult in the room. Couldn't just add his girlfriend as we would have been charged for a 3rd adult but wanted to make sure her MB could access the room. I called and they were able to make his girlfriend the lead guest on their room but the reservation still stayed on my MDE account as well and still used our credit card information so the room would still be charged to our card and so they could use our card for their charges.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Hm, it sounds like I’ll have to wait until the phones die down in a few weeks and just give it a shot. I’m hoping I can switch the lead name on one room to my husband since he’s already on it. It’s not quite like adding a random person. Worst they can say is no, right? I’d just end up with 2 rooms, and need to buy standalone park tix since it’s only a room meservation right now

You could try calling this upcoming week. I called the day after FD was released and had less than a 15 minute hold time.

 

[Fern]

Thanks! I'll give the phone lines a shot later this week- I'll feel better to get this part over with and at least know what the hurdles will be. I do feel a but like like i should send all the phone CMs some candy- they've had a loooong week!

 

[Fern]

Yes, you can change the lead name but the only way I could do it was to call. I reserved a second room for our oldest son and his girlfriend on our last trip. It was in my name with my son as the second adult in the room. Couldn't just add his girlfriend as we would have been charged for a 3rd adult but wanted to make sure her MB could access the room. I called and they were able to make his girlfriend the lead guest on their room but the reservation still stayed on my MDE account as well and still used our credit card information so the room would still be charged to our card and so they could use our card for their charges.

This would work for us as well if I can get them do it. I'd actually prefer both to be on my MDE anyway since I'm handling all the plans and reservations (she's completely overwhelmed by it all!). I'm relieved that you were able to do this- it means it's at least possible!

 

[disneyvoice]

This would work for us as well if I can get them do it. I'd actually prefer both to be on my MDE anyway since I'm handling all the plans and reservations (she's completely overwhelmed by it all!). I'm relieved that you were able to do this- it means it's at least possible!

Yep, I had them both listed on my MDE so I could make FPs and ADRs for the whole group. Have a great time!

 

[Fern]

Just a quick update- I called and they were able to change the lead name on the regular room only reservation and keep the summer room discount on it. The 2nd room was more complicated as it was a bounce back room, but thy said they could change the lead name on the reservation as long as it was to another adult that was on the original reservation. I started to just tell the the CM to just cancel the room and re-book it with the summer discount under SIL's name, but she called guest services and confirmed that if we cancelled, the room would go back into the bounceback pool of rooms, not regular inventory. In the end, the bounceback room stayed in my name and niece and nephew were added. I did find it interesting that they said they could change it to my husband's name (even though he wasn't on the reservation that earned me the bounceback promotion). I also added dining, so they had to cancel and re-book anyway, but they "held" the cancelled reservation so I could re-book as a ticketless package and no one else could grab the room in the meantime. The second room they changed to husband's name as the lead, and added SIL and kept my daughter. Whew. We'll just swap MB for room entry.