Question about modifying dates with a discount?

[disneyandme]

I currently have a 1BR villa for 7nights at BC with no summer discount. I discovered I can move to BW 1Br villa with a discount, but only if I book it for 2 more nights (on the back end of the trip). Over all it's still slightly cheaper for the long stay. However, I don't know if we can stay for the extra days. So, my question, if I change the booking to the longer BW stay with the summer discount, can I modify it again and remove the extra nights without messing up the discount?

 

[dansdad]

I currently have a 1BR villa for 7nights at BC with no summer discount. I discovered I can move to BW 1Br villa with a discount, but only if I book it for 2 more nights (on the back end of the trip). Over all it's still slightly cheaper for the long stay. However, I don't know if we can stay for the extra days. So, my question, if I change the booking to the longer BW stay with the summer discount, can I modify it again and remove the extra nights without messing up the discount?

Maybe, maybe not. If it's not available now for the nights you want then Guest Services will have to get involved to override the system for a shorter stay. You used to be able to drop nights in the past no problem. Not anymore.

 

[closetmickey]

Twice I have had to book extra nights to be able to apply the discount and then later remove them by calling. It was never a problem. YMMV. Good luck!

 

[sndral]

Twice I have had to book extra nights to be able to apply the discount and then later remove them by calling. It was never a problem. YMMV. Good luck!

I’m curious has then been recently? I ask because there have been several threads here on DIS of people reporting that they could not just drop days and had to cancel and rebook to get a shorter stay at whatever the prevailing price at the rebooking time was.

 

[Dave006]

So, my question, if I change the booking to the longer BW stay with the summer discount, can I modify it again and remove the extra nights without messing up the discount?

I have to agree with @dansdad for now the answer is maybe or maybe not until you answer the following question. First we need to know if you have a package or a room only reservation?

Note: by default all reservations created by CRO (call center) are created as a basic package. You must ask specifically for a room only reservation to get the more flexible terms & conditions as defined below.

Why does matter you might ask. You are actually talking to 2 different legal entries and each has it's own rules, terms and conditions. This is why you can't just make a room only reservation today for 2019 and then just for example tickets to make it a package. Yes the same physical agent can process both types of reservations but they are using 2 distinct systems. I highlight the key areas to review for each type of reservation below.

The rules for packages are defined below for 2018 (yes, it can and does change from year to year):

Change Fees and Changes to Reservations Made Prior to Guest Arrival

• Changes to Reservation - Changes to reservation, including but not limited to change in travel dates, length of stay or hotel accommodations, are subject to availability at the time the change is requested and guest is responsible for paying any increase in price resulting from the change. In addition, changes made 30 days or less prior to guest arrival are also subject to a change fee of $50 per package plus any change fees assessed by third party hotels or other suppliers. If air transportation has been ticketed, guest will be responsible for any increase in airfare as well as the change fee assessed by the airline.
• If changes are made to the package including, but not limited to, changes to travel dates, package is subject to the Terms and Conditions applicable to packages at the time the change to the reservation is made and, in the case of changes to travel dates, pricing applicable to the new travel dates.
• Land portions of the reservation cannot be canceled without also canceling the air portion of the reservation booked through Disney. Airlines/hotels/suppliers do not permit changes in certain situations.
• Disney reserves the right to restrict changes to any reservation.

Room only reservations are much more flexible and the rules are quite flexible compared to the above restrictions.

• You must pay the first night’s room rate as a deposit within 3 days of reserving your room. (Except when booking online at www.disneyworld.com, in which case the deposit is required at time of booking.)
• Final payment of the remainder is due at check-in. (Except when booking online at www.disneyworld.com, in which case full payment is required if reserving within 30 days of arrival.)
• You can change or cancel your reservation without penalty up until 5 days prior to check-in. (6 days for online bookings.)
• The cancellation penalty for cancelling less than 5 days from check-in is the first night’s room rate. A no-show is considered a cancellation and has the same penalty.

Dave

 

[Dave006]

I’m curious has then been recently? I ask because there have been several threads here on DIS of people reporting that they could not just drop days and had to cancel and rebook to get a shorter stay at whatever the prevailing price at the rebooking time was.

Please see my post above concerning packages vs room only reservations. Short summary, room only reservations are easy to change and packages have rules that will almost always result in a price increase and a $50 change fee if you are making the change within the last 30 days before your arrival!

Dave

 

[closetmickey]

I’m curious has then been recently? I ask because there have been several threads here on DIS of people reporting that they could not just drop days and had to cancel and rebook to get a shorter stay at whatever the prevailing price at the rebooking time was.

Once was in Jan/Feb when the computer’s booking system would only let me book 4 nights, and I needed just 3; and the second was just last month when the summer room only discounts were released. You are correct that you cannot just drop dates. When calling, however, the cast member can put you on hold to speak with a higher up, and they can then adjust the dates. I kept the same rate, room category and reservation number both times.