Modifying (shortening) room reservations - impact on rate?

[iujen94]

We are heading to Disney April 16-21. Contemporary is our preferred resort, so I've been stalking AP discount rooms there for our dates. I noticed that I can get an AP discount if I book for Tuesday, April 16 through Monday, April 22. But if I search for Tuesday, April 16 through Sunday, April 21 (our actual trip dates), the AP discount rate doesn't show up (well, it shows up, but only for more expensive room types). Can I book a room for April 16-22 and then cancel the last night and keep the same rate? Or will the rate change when I modify the reservation to take off the last night? Thanks to anyone whose had experience with this!

 

[AngiTN]

Maybe. Maybe not. They do this so they aren't left with an orphan room
GS may alter the stay for you but they can say no too. It's not like the old days where you could just drop days easily

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Can you call Disney and ask if they can see availability on their end for just April 16-21st. There are times where they see availability that is not on the website. It's at least worth a shot.

 

[twodogs]

This happened to us at Beach Club last year, as we had to come back one day earlier than planned. I had already booked the reservation and I stalked the website for a month trying to get my room type and promo rate that I had, for the dates I actually needed at that point. No go. I finally got frustrated and called. They said they would have to talk to GS and get some pixie dust going, and they could drop the extra night and keep my reservation (it was a promo rate as I recall) with the promo intact for the shorter stay. They were very nice about it, but I could tell that it was an exception, not the rule, that they were doing it. So, I agree with OP that it is up to luck and what CM you get as to if they will get GS involved and allow it to be shortened. It is not standard that they will let you drop a night anymore.

You might have luck booking the longer trip, then calling. I could not modify it online to drop one night, so I had to call and hope for the best. If the CM seems unwilling, just leave the longer reservation, call back and play CM roulette and hopefully you get a more willing CM! If you are booking Room Only, there is no harm in booking it now and then trying your luck with CMs, since your deposit is still fully refundable with those dates on a room only.

 

[focusondisney]

I have an AP discount for YC Club Level April 20-27. It’s a great discount booked right when they came out in October. Except the first night, Saturday the 20th was not discounted. It was one reservation for all the dates tho, just that the rate for that night was full price. I also kept stalking the website trying to find a better rate for that night. Last week I happened to check one evening & found a one night reservation for Saturday at the 35% AP discount. I didn’t have time to call CRO righ then, so I quick booked the one night reservation. So I actually had
Saturday booked twice. I called the next day & the CM was able to modify the first reservation & dropped Saturday. The only problem was that at first, she didn’t understand how I could have an AP discount for 7 nights but one of the nights was not actually discounted. She did put me on hold twice. She didn’t say so, but I’m sure she was getting help from guest services.

Now in my situation, I actually had booked the same length of stay. I still think they will try to assist on a case by case basis. Only way to know is to call. Although, I have read some reports that posters have had a room only reservation booked for the extra night to get the discount. Then when they check in, they say they have to leave a day earlier than planned & have had no issues with dropping g the last night that way. No personal experience with that tho.

 

[mickeynut1]

Maybe. Maybe not. They do this so they aren't left with an orphan room
GS may alter the stay for you but they can say no too. It's not like the old days where you could just drop days easily

This ^^^. In the past, you could easily drop any night(s) you didn't need, but Disney changed that a few years ago. The shorter stay must now be available as a new reservation in order to modify your reservation. As stated above, GS might make the change, but then they might not. I'd call and see what they can/will do. Good luck!