Planning for Feb. 2026

[SwanVT2]

Sadly, I had to cancel our trip this past February due to unexpected panic attacks the day/night before departure (not to do with flying; life stuff that crept up on me). I have been in counseling and am now with a counselor who uses EMDR, which has been helpful for me in the past. Thankfully, we had credit on our airlines and can reschedule Disney tickets & Discovery Cove. Unfortunately, we lost our money at DVC rental store due to their cancellation policy. We have booked with them annually for many years and never had something in life like this, so here we are (ring in the guilt).

Anyway, we want to stay at SSR next February but obviously want the ability to cancel. Is it best to book through Disney website? Any other suggestions? Our DD loves DS, which is why SSR is one of our favorites. Thank you for the help and support!

 

[Brian Noble]

Every once in a while, a trip gets cancelled on short notice and I lose some pre-paid something-or-other. In the long run, it's been less expensive to just eat the cost vs. buy trip insurance each time. And it sounds like that's been true for you, too.

That said, if I were in your position right now, I would probably book something that I could cancel on short notice---maybe having to pay one night's penalty, but not the whole trip. That makes a DVC rental tricky. There are some rental brokers that have a more forgiving cancellation policy, but even so: I think I'd probably rent from Disney until I felt like I had a better handle on my autonomic reactions.

To ease the sting, I'd wait until WDW announced whatever winter discounts they plan to offer. SSR is not so popular that it is likely to be sold out, and even if it is, there are other easy-to-get-to-DS options among the rest of the Bonnet Creek group: OKW, POR, and POFQ.

 

[Disdreaming479]

I think Port Orleans FQ is getting a nice refurb right now.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I agree that Port Orleans might be a better option - booked directly through Disney. Though I can't recall the exact cancellation policy but I feel it has to be better than a rental store for DVC.

Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter have a boat you can take to Disney Springs.

 

[SwanVT2]

I agree that Port Orleans might be a better option - booked directly through Disney. Though I can't recall the exact cancellation policy but I feel it has to be better than a rental store for DVC.

Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter have a boat you can take to Disney Springs.

I stayed at POR when it was formally Dixie Landings. I don't love the external AC but the bayou rooms look peaceful; we like nature!

 

[Disdreaming479]

I

I stayed at POR when it was formally Dixie Landings. I don't love the external AC but the bayou rooms look peaceful; we like nature!

If you book through Disney as a cash guest, you risk only $200 if you need to cancel 2-29 days from check in. This includes SSR if that’s your desired resort. Very low risk.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/cart/

 

[SwanVT2]

I

If you book through Disney as a cash guest, you risk only $200 if you need to cancel 2-29 days from check in. This includes SSR if that’s your desired resort. Very low risk.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/cart/

Thank you for looking this up!

 

[TinkAgainU]

I would 100% book your next one as a refundable trip, just to get past the stress the first time. I've booked and we cancelled, rebooked when "deals" came up - with two people this was easy to do by not adding the second adult to the reservation until the end (so they could book another room if Disney would not simply let us change our booking to the lower rate - which they have both done and refused to do in the past). We also like Drury at Disney Springs, it is not heavily Disney themed, but with free meals and drinks, and very nice rooms with cool views, plus a nice shuttle and I'm pretty sure all the Early Entry etc benefits, it's a good refundable option if staying offsite works for a trip.

 

[Sandisw]

I agree with others. I think having a refundable option is best. Book through WDW instead of a rental.

They have not yet released the 2026 rates or ability to book. It should be in the next few months.