Throwaway room (read post #2041 or #2710 before posting)

[Gr8t Fan]

I recently canceled a reservation that I made for my daughter who is traveling to WDW in May for the DCP. I was able to cancel the reservation online on MDE and noticed it said "all FP+ experiences made in connection with this reservation will be canceled". I've never seen that before. Perhaps they've decided to try to put a stop to people making reservations for the benefit of 60 days FP+ and then canceling the reservation entirely.

 

[itchin2go]

I recently canceled a reservation that I made for my daughter who is traveling to WDW in May for the DCP. I was able to cancel the reservation online on MDE and noticed it said "all FP+ experiences made in connection with this reservation will be canceled". I've never seen that before. Perhaps they've decided to try to put a stop to people making reservations for the benefit of 60 days FP+ and then canceling the reservation entirely.

Was it a package - with tickets that were being purchased through Disney - or a room only reservation?

Reason I ask - I would totally expect this with a package. FPs are related to tickets. In my own simple mind, I think of them as being "stuck to" the tickets. If you cancel the tickets, the FPs would go with that because there's nothing for them to "stick to". I would be surprised if your daughter had separately linked tickets, and the FPs went away with the cancellation of a separate room reservation. In that case, the old tickets would still be there, with FPs attached to them. Just the room reservation would go away.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Was it a package - with tickets that were being purchased through Disney - or a room only reservation?

Reason I ask - I would totally expect this with a package. FPs are related to tickets. In my own simple mind, I think of them as being "stuck to" the tickets. If you cancel the tickets, the FPs would go with that because there's nothing for them to "stick to". I would be surprised if your daughter had separately linked tickets, and the FPs went away with the cancellation of a separate room reservation. In that case, the old tickets would still be there, with FPs attached to them. Just the room reservation would go away.

It was a room only reservation. And we didn't make any FP+ selections for her because she isn't going to be visiting the parks until she gets her DCP Maingate pass, but I've never seen that before (although, now that I think about it, the option to cancel hotel reservations online is new AFAIK).

 

[nalajms]

Trying to understand this about a "phantom person" in the room. My son, who has an AP, doesn't know for sure if he's coming on a trip with us. If I list him on the reservation and book his FP +, but he doesn't come, one of us can use his MB FPs, even though he didn't enter the park that day? And they wouldn't look at me funny for using a MB with a guys name on it lol?

We all have APs. Jan - DH decided not to join us. Feb - my mom decided not to come. I always book FP for everyone. We were able to use FP+ for people who did not enter the park. I don't believe I was ever stopped for using DH's band, but I usually have at least 1 child with me.

Last Friday, I booked FP on my mom's tickets for my brother's family to use. She didn't want to go into the park so just gave them her MB.

 

[itchin2go]

It was a room only reservation. And we didn't make any FP+ selections for her because she isn't going to be visiting the parks until she gets her DCP Maingate pass, but I've never seen that before (although, now that I think about it, the option to cancel hotel reservations online is new AFAIK).

Then, I think it was just a generic message to let you know that IF there are FPs associated with the reservation, they would be cancelled. I really think you would only lose the FPs if you were cancelling tickets though - but the message would pop up for any cancellation, probably because people have been hacked when it has happened.

Then again, FPs have disappeared for no reason at all. Regardless, as I've said before, I don't think booking a room reservation/package to get 60 day FP booking privileges, and then cancelling said reservation, hoping to keep the FPs, is sound or recommended practice. It would be a risky proposition. (Not that you suggested it Gr8t Fan). Just my 2 cents for those following along.

 

[disprincess2213]

I have a question if someone doesn’t mind answering. I always book split stays and recently found out that you cant book ADRs 180+10 days out if you are doing a split. It can only be 180+ the length of the first stay. Someone wrote to me when I questioned this on the boards and told me that if I had a split stay in the future, to just book a throwaway room at the same time to get the 180+10 and then cancel, leaving the ADRs and the first initial hotel split stay. Can I really do this? Has anyone done this even with an existing reservation? We have a slpit stay booked in December…but if I wanted my 180+10, could I book a throwaway for the exact same dates, make the ressies, then cancel the second stay? Would this affect the trip that we are taking?

 

[itchin2go]

I have a question if someone doesn’t mind answering. I always book split stays and recently found out that you cant book ADRs 180+10 days out if you are doing a split. It can only be 180+ the length of the first stay. Someone wrote to me when I questioned this on the boards and told me that if I had a split stay in the future, to just book a throwaway room at the same time to get the 180+10 and then cancel, leaving the ADRs and the first initial hotel split stay. Can I really do this? Has anyone done this even with an existing reservation? We have a slpit stay booked in December…but if I wanted my 180+10, could I book a throwaway for the exact same dates, make the ressies, then cancel the second stay? Would this affect the trip that we are taking?

If you make a reservation for x days, you will be able to make ADRs for at 180 + x days. They will/should not be affected by a cancellation of the room reservation or package. If you cancel prior to the penalty date, you won't incur any monetary penalty. The date is different for room reservations vs. packages.

You can not make a one night reservation and get +10 privileges anymore. It's 180 + the number of days you're staying.

There are plenty who think that booking a "dummy" stay is unethical, but with your situation, that's hard to argue. Disney should figure out how to NOT penalize people who are doing split stays.

I will say that I have not had trouble booking what I wanted at 180 days out, so I don't know that the +10 is that critical. If you're really dead set on a hard-to-get reservation, though, I can see your frustration.

 

[kcpinwdw]

We have a slpit stay booked in December…but if I wanted my 180+10, could I book a throwaway for the exact same dates, make the ressies, then cancel the second stay? Would this affect the trip that we are taking?

Disney should figure out how to NOT penalize people who are doing split stays.

I will say that I have not had trouble booking what I wanted at 180 days out, so I don't know that the +10 is that critical. If you're really dead set on a hard-to-get reservation, though, I can see your frustration.

I really think Disney needs to fix this, I was so worried about not getting any (good) ADRs in those 4 days between when I booked the first half of my split stay versus the second half. But I needn't have worried, because I got all the ADRs for my second half no problem on the 180 mark for that stay (including several BOG and a pre-park CP). Probably because I am going a slower time. So if your stay is beginning of December you may not have to worry, but if you are going Christmas week I would seriously consider booking a second reservation to get your ADRs, because you cant even do it over the phone for a split stay anymore. I hope Disney fixes that issue.

 

[disprincess2213]

I know right! I never even thought about doing this until someone reached out to me and told me to try it. This trip will be a huge deal for my family so I really want the ADRs. I would never care so much if it wasnt a really big trip for my family. Me and DH go several times a year so its never THAT important to us. I just wanted to know if I were to do this, making the throwaway reservation the same amount of nights of my real stay under my MDE, then cancelling, it wont affect my real stay at all, or the reservations!

 

[Candleshoe]

If the reservations for the last couple of days of your trip aren't as important, you could start your to-be-canceled res a couple of days early to get a jump on the beginning of your trip.

And yes, it wouldn't be necessary if split stays were treated like a single reservation.

 

[momof2n2]

Okay - after spending a few (gulp) hours studying this thread the over the last week, I *think* I understand how to pull this off.
I'd appreciate anyone offering me clarity if I have it messed up some.

My family of 8, plus mom and sister are heading to Kissimmee 5/7-5/15 NEXT year.
We are renting a vacation home for the 10 of us.
We plan on doing five days of parks from 5/8-5/14.
I want to get a campsite for the night of 5/8.
I want to purchase tix from UCT and link in MDE.

I believe this means the following:
*we can get MB for the 10 of us
*we get free parking for 5/8 & 5/9
*I never have to set foot in the campground
*I can book FP+ for 5/8/16 and 5/9/16 on 3/9/16
*I can book FP+ for, say, 5/11 on 3/12; 5/12 on 3/13; and 5/14 on 3/15
*I can book ADRs for 5/8 & 5/9 on 11/10
*I can book ADRs for other days each 180 days before

Have I missed or misunderstood anything?

 

[itchin2go]

Okay - after spending a few (gulp) hours studying this thread the over the last week, I *think* I understand how to pull this off.
I'd appreciate anyone offering me clarity if I have it messed up some.

My family of 8, plus mom and sister are heading to Kissimmee 5/7-5/15 NEXT year.
We are renting a vacation home for the 10 of us.
We plan on doing five days of parks from 5/8-5/14.
I want to get a campsite for the night of 5/8.
I want to purchase tix from UCT and link in MDE.

I believe this means the following:
*we can get MB for the 10 of us
*we get free parking for 5/8 & 5/9
*I never have to set foot in the campground
*I can book FP+ for 5/8/16 and 5/9/16 on 3/9/16
*I can book FP+ for, say, 5/11 on 3/12; 5/12 on 3/13; and 5/14 on 3/15
*I can book ADRs for 5/8 & 5/9 on 11/10
*I can book ADRs for other days each 180 days before

Have I missed or misunderstood anything?

I believe this is correct. The only part I have no experience with is how many people you can book at a campsite (we had 3). Otherwise, as far as magicbands for your party, parking, FP booking and ADR booking, you are correct.

We had a throwaway, did online check-in and never went to the campground/did any physical check in.

 

[texasrachel]

I booked 10 at a campsite so you should be good.

 

[momof2n2]

So - I need to ask this question...

Let's say I booked a campsite for a week. Then 60 days before the first night I went online and booked FP+ for the whole week (60+7). Then about four weeks before our trip something came up and I could only stay at the campsite of those days. Can I call and alter my room only reservation? And if so, do I lose any of my FP+s? All of them?

 

[ckelly14]

So - I need to ask this question...

Let's say I booked a campsite for a week. Then 60 days before the first night I went online and booked FP+ for the whole week (60+7). Then about four weeks before our trip something came up and I could only stay at the campsite of those days. Can I call and alter my room only reservation? And if so, do I lose any of my FP+s? All of them?

As of now, yes, FP+ will remain but you won't be able to alter them until 30 days prior to your visit. I would be careful that a "helpful" CM doesn't cancel your reservations!

 

[momof2n2]

As of now, yes, FP+ will remain but you won't be able to alter them until 30 days prior to your visit. I would be careful that a "helpful" CM doesn't cancel your reservations!

ah - gotcha - ugh - don't need help like that!!!

 

[kattyjemmeg]

So, apologies but although I've read lots if the pages on this thread, I'm still confused....

If I book a throwaway room for 1 night, link 10 day tickets to MDE, not cancel the reservation but instead check in as normal - will I be able to book FP+ 60 days out for 2 days (covering hotel reservation period) or 10 data (covering ticket length)?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Candleshoe]

So, apologies but although I've read lots if the pages on this thread, I'm still confused....

If I book a throwaway room for 1 night, link 10 day tickets to MDE, not cancel the reservation but instead check in as normal - will I be able to book FP+ 60 days out for 2 days (covering hotel reservation period) or 10 data (covering ticket length)?

Thanks for any help!

For all 10 days.
60 Days before check-in date you can book FPs for your first two.
All other days you book 60 days out.
If it's easier to think of it like this, you just book 60 days out for each day of your ticket. (It's just that for the 2nd day of your reservation/ticket you're actually booking it 61 days out.)

If your reservation is not the first day you plan to use your ticket it's a little different.

 

[chocolatemint]

If your reservation is not the first day you plan to use your ticket it's a little different.

Could you please explain? Thanks!!

 

[Candleshoe]

Could you please explain? Thanks!!

As I understand it, at 60 days in advance of your room reservation, it 'unlocks' the ability to make FP+ 60 days in advance for your tickets. That works for all future days of your ticket AND for all past days.

The way I did it was to have my first park day and my room day be the same so I can't verify this from personal experience. For me it worked like the first example below.

If your room reservation is for June 5, and your park days are June 5-June 12 BECAUSE you have 8 day tickets (changed from 10 day tickets because I got tired of typing!)
(April 6 is 60 day before June 6)
April 6 for June 5 (60 days) << here's your room reservation
April 6 for June 6 (61 days)**
April 8 for June 7 (60 days)
April 9 for June 8 (60 days)
April 10 for June 9 (60 days)
April 11 for June 10 (60 days)
April 12 for June 11 (60 days)
April 13 for June 12 (60 days)

**Note that you could have made this on April 7 if you wanted to, and then it's just simply "60 days prior to each day". That makes it less confusing but you lose a day advantage on that one day.

BUT, if your room reservation is for June 8 (for example), and your park days are June 5-June 12
April 9 for June 5 (57 days)
April 9 for June 6 (58 days)
April 9 for June 7 (59 days)
April 9 for June 8 (60 days) << here's your room reservation
April 9 for June 9 (61 days)
April 11 for June 10 (60 days)
April 12 for June 11 (60 days)
April 13 for June 12 (60 days)

@ScrapYap may need to verify! This is my understanding of how it works when your room reservation is NOT the "first day" of your stay.