Trying to switch from room only to package

[Tinkh]

I have never switched from a room only reservation to a package before. I usually do one or the other. My room is paid in full for my trip in April. We like to pay our trips off completely before we go. I decided to switch to a package and the CM that I spoke to said that they have to refund my room only which "could take a while to refund "
She then stated that since I am in the 45 day window that I have to pay the package in full. So essentially, I have to pay twice and wait for the money to be refunded for the room only.
Was this CM correct? This seems quite annoying and inefficient. Are they really not able to just transfer the balance over into the package?
Thanks in advance!

 

[vicki_c]

Yes, entirely correct. Packages and room only reservations are handled by two different parts of Disney and funds cannot be transferred from one to the other. So you have to cancel, get a refund, and book a new package. If you are less than 45 days out, you would have to pay in full. They normally tell you that refunds can take up to two billing cycles on your credit card, but most people report they come fairly quickly.

 

[Tinkh]

Yes, entirely correct. Packages and room only reservations are handled by two different parts of Disney and funds cannot be transferred from one to the other. So you have to cancel, get a refund, and book a new package. If you are less than 45 days out, you would have to pay in full. They normally tell you that refunds can take up to two billing cycles on your credit card, but most people report they come fairly quickly.

Thanks so much for the response! I guess that I will be keeping the room only. What a shame for Disney. They just missed out on a couple of thousand dollars in the form of an upgrade. How terribly inefficient. I don't know anyone that would want to risk not getting their money refunded in time for their vacation or have to pay out at least double for their vacation up front and wait for their refund.

 

[plutolovr]

It's not really inefficient, it's just that the two bookings are on totally different systems because they're different products. Just the way it is.

 

[ancestry]

I also have found this frustrating in the past. I understand that it is two different systems but you would think that Disney would be able to transfer money between the two systems when necessary to assist people such as the OP.

 

[Tinkh]

I also have found this frustrating in the past. I understand that it is two different systems but you would think that Disney would be able to transfer money between the two systems when necessary to assist people such as the OP.

I couldn't agree more. It makes little to no sense to have two systems and then to lose out on possible upgrade profits due to having to wait for a refund on your first choice. Vacations should be fluid enough that you can efficiently change if there are other avenues that a consumer tries to pursue.

 

[davale4]

Yes, entirely correct. Packages and room only reservations are handled by two different parts of Disney and funds cannot be transferred from one to the other. So you have to cancel, get a refund, and book a new package. If you are less than 45 days out, you would have to pay in full. They normally tell you that refunds can take up to two billing cycles on your credit card, but most people report they come fairly quickly.

I have been fortunate enough to receive my refund within 3 days .