What happens if you book a package & then decide you want to change to AP?

[vinotinto]

I hope my question does not get lost in the midst of all the FD frenzy. What happens if you book a regular package with hotel and tickets, and then an AP discount comes out that would be much more favorable (even accounting for the upgraded price of the AP).

1) Is it possible to change the package reservation to an AP-room-only reservation?

2) Can it be done within 45 days?

3) Would there be a $50 charge since you are "downgrading" (getting rid of tickets)?

4) Has anyone here on the DIS done this?

Would the procedure be the same as other room to package or package to room reservations, i.e., they will refund your deposit, which may take up to 2 billing cycles, and you would pay the deposit for the new reservation on the call (i.e, they would need to make a 'new' reservation)?

Thanks!

 

[MissAndrea]

I'm wondering this as well!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I'm wondering this too - basically we're planning on going in September and booking a room only with our APs.....but now I'm 2nd thinking things - should I book FD while it's going and then switch to AP room only if / when it comes out? I'm assuming they'd have an AP room only discount for Sept since it's such a slow time but I read somewhere that they don't / didn't for one October and that kind of scares me...

I do know with a package you can change / cancel anything 45 days or more out.

thoughts?

 

[aubriee]

1) Is it possible to change the package reservation to an AP-room-only reservation?

2) Can it be done within 45 days?

3) Would there be a $50 charge since you are "downgrading" (getting rid of tickets)?

4) Has anyone here on the DIS done this?

Would the procedure be the same as other room to package or package to room reservations, i.e., they will refund your deposit, which may take up to 2 billing cycles, and you would pay the deposit for the new reservation on the call (i.e, they would need to make a 'new' reservation)?

Thanks!

1) They can't just change it from a pkg to a room only. They'd have to cancel the pkg, refund your credit card, then they'd charge you at least a one night depost for the AP room only. A room only ressie has 12 digits (all numbers) in the confirmation number, whereas a pkg has like several letters and then some numbers (maybe 7 digits total). Each has it own set of rules: a room only requires just a one night deposit and the total is not due until arrival and you can make changes without any fees up until I think a week before arrival. A pkg must be paid for by 45 days out and may require a fee if changes are made after that time.

2&3) If you cancel a pkg, then rebook a room only within the 45 day time period, there is a good chance you'd be charged the cancellation fee, not just the change fee. You'd not be making a change to your pkg. It would be canceling the pkg entirely (even though you'd be booking another trip). I have an AP and always have, but have booked a GP pkg, before AP discounts come out, then later switched to a AP room only discount. I have always made the switch before the 45 day mark though. Every single time, it is treated like two separate transactions. They cancel the pkg completely and refund my money, then they book me a completely new reservation (with a new confirmation number) under the AP discount.

The only times I've been able to keep the same confirmation numbers is when I go from a GP pkg to a ticketless AP pkg (add the DDP without add park tickets). Since I'm going pkg to pkg I get to keep the same reservation number and they can just move my money around without refunding it and recharging my cc. Same thing if I go from a GP room only to an AP room only, again I get to keep the same reservation number and they can just move the money from one to the other. Packages and room only ressies are handled totally separate though and require canceling one, then booking the other as a completely new reservation. It's just like a split stay. Disney does not recognize a split stay. To them, it's two completely separate transactions, each with their own requirements.

Something to think about though, is you may not be able to get an AP discount at the particular resort you have your pkg at. Only so many rooms are aloted for each discount. I know I wanted to switch to POFQ for my upcoming May trip, but could not get the AP discount there.

 

[princessmom29]

I have a question about AP's and discounts. We are looking to buy tickets with a package and then upgrade to AP's when we go next Feb. I looked back at mousesavers historical discounts and it seems that there has normally been a pretty decent (35-40%) passholder discount during that time. If we were to purchase AP's in advance of our trip, would we be able to get the passholder discount even if we didn't activate them until we arrived?

 

[vinotinto]

1) They can't just change it from a pkg to a room only. They'd have to cancel the pkg, refund your credit card, then they'd charge you at least a one night depost for the AP room only. A room only ressie has 12 digits (all numbers) in the confirmation number, whereas a pkg has like several letters and then some numbers (maybe 7 digits total). Each has it own set of rules: a room only requires just a one night deposit and the total is not due until arrival and you can make changes without any fees up until I think a week before arrival. A pkg must be paid for by 45 days out and may require a fee if changes are made after that time.

2&3) If you cancel a pkg, then rebook a room only within the 45 day time period, there is a good chance you'd be charged the cancellation fee, not just the change fee. You'd not be making a change to your pkg. It would be canceling the pkg entirely (even though you'd be booking another trip). I have an AP and always have, but have booked a GP pkg, before AP discounts come out, then later switched to a AP room only discount. I have always made the switch before the 45 day mark though. Every single time, it is treated like two separate transactions. They cancel the pkg completely and refund my money, then they book me a completely new reservation (with a new confirmation number) under the AP discount.

The only times I've been able to keep the same confirmation numbers is when I go from a GP pkg to a ticketless AP pkg (add the DDP without add park tickets). Since I'm going pkg to pkg I get to keep the same reservation number and they can just move my money around without refunding it and recharging my cc. Same thing if I go from a GP room only to an AP room only, again I get to keep the same reservation number and they can just move the money from one to the other. Packages and room only ressies are handled totally separate though and require canceling one, then booking the other as a completely new reservation. It's just like a split stay. Disney does not recognize a split stay. To them, it's two completely separate transactions, each with their own requirements.

Something to think about though, is you may not be able to get an AP discount at the particular resort you have your pkg at. Only so many rooms are aloted for each discount. I know I wanted to switch to POFQ for my upcoming May trip, but could not get the AP discount there.

Thank you! I appreciate the time to explain all the details. It sounds like I would do best at booking room-only if I have my eyes on AP rates and TiW card.

I've seen many posts regarding availability under the AP rates (or lack of availability, I should say). I'm also pondering whether to go again during a period that was blacked out for room discounts last year (October - Columbus Day week), so I must be a glutton for punishment! It's my mom's birthday and my kids have Monday off, otherwise I would not even consider it. Thanks again for your help.

 

[aubriee]

I have a question about AP's and discounts. We are looking to buy tickets with a package and then upgrade to AP's when we go next Feb. I looked back at mousesavers historical discounts and it seems that there has normally been a pretty decent (35-40%) passholder discount during that time. If we were to purchase AP's in advance of our trip, would we be able to get the passholder discount even if we didn't activate them until we arrived?

Sure not a problem. I usually make a trip, just before my AP expires, then let it expire, and just get another one when I go back down there a few months later. I do this every single year. For example my last AP expired the end of Sept 2011, so I made a trip down there in early Sept, then let the AP expire. I went back down there Nov 26th-Dec 4th and used the AP discount. I wasn't even asked for it when I checked in, but went to guest services at Epcot and got a new one my first day. I may not be able to get onto the AP holders' website during the short time I don't have an active AP, but someone here on the DIS or on mousesavers always posts as soon as AP discounts come out. I then just call and make a reservation using the discount. The day I check in, I check in, then run to a guest services at a park or DTD and get a new AP. Every once in a while the CM checking me in may ask to see the AP, but usually they don't even ask. The few times they have asked, I just told them I was getting one as soon as I got to the park and they'd just tell me to bring it by when I got a chance, to let them see it, and if I didn't they'd have to change the room to rack rate. My current AP expires Nov 26th. I'll let it expire after my Oct/Nov trip, but will still book an AP discounted room for the next trip after that and just pick up another AP when I get down there.