What would we lose if re-book package?

[Rach78]

Hi all,
Can anyone advise me on this situation.
We are booked to go to OKW next October direct with Disney staying in a 2 bed villa with another couple, package with tickets and free dining.
The other couple are probably not going to go now, as they have just found out they are preg, which is amazing as they have had a horrendous time trying for a family and I know they wont want to travel that far with the baby and will be worried etc.
Now if we were to change our booking to just us, maybe at OKW or maybe at a different resort, (we had booked OKW mainly so we could all stay together) what fees would we have to pay. We paid a £300 deposit (£50 each). Would we lose all the deposit? I have read the booking t & c but not 100% sure what I would get penalised.
If any one can advise me that would be great!
Thanks
Rach x

 

[joolz1910]

Can't you ammend your booking, rather than cancel it? I think I read that the ammendment fee was £25 per person. Someone with more knowledge will be along to help soon.

 

[paulh]

insurance not cover?
Paul

 

[Rach78]

Thanks for replies,
I haven't got insurance yet as I usually take it out closer to trip. Any thoughts based on no insurance?

I am not sure if they would class it as an amendment as we would be taking two people off booking and perhaps changing resort. Not sure then if we would technically have to cancel.

 

[2Tiggies]

If you booked with Disney UK the amendment charge is £50 per person if the cost of your holiday reduces (which it would in your case). If you booked flight inclusive, you have to cancel, losing your deposit and rebook the package. It may be worth running a few quotes on packages that would suit you, find out your options and the penalties by contacting your travel company/agent and weighing up which poses the lowest risk in terms of loss.

 

[Rach78]

Thanks 2tiggies.
This may sound daft but would that be £50 per person for all 6 of us or just for the two that are not coming now?
Is there ever circumstances where Disney would waiver the fee? Not saying I want them to I was just wondering! lol!

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks 2tiggies.
This may sound daft but would that be £50 per person for all 6 of us or just for the two that are not coming now?
Is there ever circumstances where Disney would waiver the fee? Not saying I want them to I was just wondering! lol!

They generally waive the fee if you increase the price of the holiday. However in your case, unless you are upgrading to Club Level at the GF I am assuming you are going to reduce the cost, in which case I don't see you getting out of an amendment fee. I would think it would be loss of deposit for those who cancel and an amendment fee for the rest of you who are changing your resort etc. But that is a logical guess only and not based on any concrete facts. You really need to call them and find out what your options are.

 

[2Tiggies]

Here are the Disney UK terms and conditions (you want to have a good read through clauses 9-11)

http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com/Terms-Conditions.asp

It may be that it is cheaper for you to cancel and rebook or it may make no difference. However if this is the case, check very carefully before doing so that a change or cancellation does not nullify qualification for a discount offer or free dining. In that case moving to a 'cheaper' resort could well leave you worse off with additional out of pocket expenses for food/additional room charges/park tickets which may have been on promotion at the time you previously booked, but no longer are ..... You really need to go through it all very carefully before you commit to a decision.

 

[Rach78]

Thanks 2 tiggies for the information.
It is a bit of a stressful situation really as this is our one off dream trip for the family. Our friends wanted to come too and we were more than happy. They were only coming for a week so we booked a week together at OKW and we were going to book a villa for the second week. I have not discussed it with them yet as they only just found out they are preg, and due to the circumstances ( they have had years of ivf and lost a baby at 38 weeks last year) I feel a bit insensitive asking about the holiday so soon. But from our point of view it is our dream trip with our daughters and I booked it months ago as I was anxious to get it sorted. We paid the £300 deposit on booking and to be honest I can;t really afford to lose it but hate to bring it up with them at the moment. I am just anxious to get in sorted and if necessary re-book to secure free dining etc. As I said I haven't brought it up with them yet but suspect that they will not want to go now, which I completely understand, but I just want to get something booked for us. Tricky situation really.
Thank again
rach x

 

[dixonsontour]

If you change to 2 weeks onsite would that be dearer and avoid fees?

 

[2Tiggies]

If you change to 2 weeks onsite would that be dearer and avoid fees?

Now that is a brilliant idea. Well worth looking into

 

[paulh]

would think the best thing to do is ring disney and tell them what your planning and they will give you the best options, and before you go through with amending it discuss with other party .
That way less stressful and you will have the correct info
Paul

 

[Rach78]

Thanks guys for the replies. Yes I do need to phone Disney and yes I do need to speak to the other couple. I am seeing them on Tuesday next week so I will bring it up with them then. I think I am just worried as well that I will have to ask them for their deposit back and if we lose ours too I am not sure if I should tell them that and expect them to give me some money towards it or just accept that I will lose £200, which to be honest, we cannot afford. I would feel bad for them too though having to pay money when they are not going.
Can anyone tell me what they would do in that situation. Would you expect the other party to cover the lost deposit or just accept it was gone? I hate getting involved in money/friendship issues!
Thanks to all
x

 

[2Tiggies]

Rach, I think you're over thinking this. I can't imagine for a moment that these friends, who are close enough to you that you are willing to share your dream holiday with your family, would expect you to foot the bill for their cancellation. Sit down with them, have a chat, explain what you have found out (ideally you want to have spoken to Disney by this stage, although not made any amendments before discussing it with your friends).

Did they pay their deposit when you booked or were they going to pay you later on?

You will probably find that with the news of the baby their lives and minds have been thrown into such upheaval right now that it hasn't crossed their mind. I doubt you will have to ask them.

I would open the discussion by explaining something along the lines of: "We would love you to come with us, but completely understand if you feel this is not the time to make a trip like this. I really need to know what you would like to do as if you don't join us, I will need to cancel/rebook (whatever your options are after discussing with Disney UK) and it will cost us all our deposit."

I wouldn't be suprised if they offer immediately to reimburse you for their share of the penalty.

Would I suck it up and just take the loss for the money? If I could afford it comfortably, perhaps I would. If it is going to put a bit of strain on the budget, no. You are only worried about it because you are mulling it over in your mind. Get your options from Disney as soon as possible. Guessing and stressing isn't making you feel any better.

And at the end of the day, whatever the outcome, good friends are worth so much more than £200 - even if you don't have it. I bet they feel the same way about you too

 

[wayneg]

I would do as Paul suggests and ring Disney now. You don't have to make any changes just find out your exact figures instead of trying to guess what they will do. You then know the facts when you discuss it, they must know they will lose their deposit.

Another thing I would suggest is buying insurance ASAP, there is no benefit it waiting unless you are waiting to buy an annual policy, if its a single trip policy you should buy as soon as you start paying for things to be covered.

 

[Rach78]

Thanks again 2tiggies and Wayne
2Tiggies you are right, I am just stressing and over thinking everything. I totally expect that this is the furthest thing from their minds but number one in mine! lol! So I am making a big deal of it as i know I can tend to do! Yes they are great friends and I am sure we will come to some arrangement, and to be honest at the moment I am just thrilled for them with their amazing news having seen them come through a horrible time and totally understand this holiday is not a priority.
Wayne I will ring Disney tom. I got the number out tonight but it had already closed for the night. It is def best to find out the situation first.
Thanks
x