Why do Disney resorts require early payment?

[pearland1]

Does anyone know the reasoning behind Disney requiring full payment 45 days prior to check-in?
I've just never paid a hotel until check-out day.
Just wondering...
Thanks!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I think they collect money up front because they are smarter than most hotels. Nobody skips out on the bill at Disney, and I bet they have a lot fewer chargebacks than other hotels, too. They don't play any games about getting paid. A sob story and nice smile won't get you into a room there.

I don't pay 45 days out, I pay a deposit and the rest at check-in.

Paying 45 days out sounds like a package thing and is standard.

 

[pearland1]

So, if I already paid a deposit why am I told I have to pay everything in full 45 days prior to check-in?

 

[tmt martins]

I know for room only ( AP rates ) you only put down a deposit and then pay when you get there.

I think it's just the packages that require you pay in full as they are allocating the Tickets and so forth.

 

[kristenhh]

If it is just a room reservation, then you only need a deposit.

 

[pearland1]

Are there really any benefits of getting a package?
I mean...what is included in a "package" .... (basic)
Not that I really care about paying up front, but wonder if I am getting any more than I would if I had booked everything separately.

 

[shyjade]

Anytime I travel on a package deal (e.g. Funjet to Mexico) I've had to pay the vacation (air/hotel) in full prior to 45 days, so I don't think there's anything unusal that Disney requires the same on packages.

 

[goofie4goofy]

I don't know why. I don't know of any other hotel that requires up front payment. I don't think it's a matter of smarts, but more a matter of greed. They get their money faster. Being a travel agent, WDW does not pay out commission until 2 weeks AFTER the guest has checked out. So go figure!

When we travel and stay at a 4Seasons or Ritz or any other upscale hotel, a deopsit is required, full payment at check out. Since you cannot check into any resort or hotel without a credit card, there is no "skipping out on the bill".

I don;t know what cool beans is talking about, since no matter where you travel a credit card is needed for check in. Even at WDW, since you are paid in full upon check in, you still need a credit card or cash just to stay in the room. No body skips out on a bill anywhere since at check in the card is swiped and validated. Sob story and nice smile.... If you don't have the means in which to apy for a room you are not checking in anywhere.

 

[OKW Lover]

Does anyone know the reasoning behind Disney requiring full payment 45 days prior to check-in?

Basically, because they can.

From a business perspective, it makes sense to get your money up front. It also gives you a very good indication of what your vacancy factors are going to be so you can adjust your discount offers.
Jeff

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't know why. I don't know of any other hotel that requires up front payment. I don't think it's a matter of smarts, but more a matter of greed. They get their money faster. Being a travel agent, WDW does not pay out commission until 2 weeks AFTER the guest has checked out. So go figure!

When we travel and stay at a 4Seasons or Ritz or any other upscale hotel, a deopsit is required, full payment at check out. Since you cannot check into any resort or hotel without a credit card, there is no "skipping out on the bill".

I don;t know what cool beans is talking about, since no matter where you travel a credit card is needed for check in. Even at WDW, since you are paid in full upon check in, you still need a credit card or cash just to stay in the room. No body skips out on a bill anywhere since at check in the card is swiped and validated. Sob story and nice smile.... If you don't have the means in which to apy for a room you are not checking in anywhere.

Oh, my gosh. Go work for any hotel chain...Ritz, Marriott, Wydham, Holiday Inn, or Super8...doesn't matter. Get to know the accounting people who have been there for a while and ask them if anyone has ever stayed there and not paid (famous, business, or pleasure traveler...meetings or weddings) and whether or not the front desk or sales people had anything to do with it.

By the time they're done talking about it and explaining the hows and whys, you'll be laughing your butt off.

 

[BuzzNutt]

My joking answer is that they hope you forget how much you have already spent when you arrive . Because the trip is already paid for, they hope you spend more on stuff in the parks.

 

[Tiffany]

Does anyone know the reasoning behind Disney requiring full payment 45 days prior to check-in?
I've just never paid a hotel until check-out day.
Just wondering...
Thanks!

I believe the 45 day rule only applies to packages that are booked and not room only reservations. When we booked room only it is only a one night deposit with a five day cancellation policy.

 

[SaraMc]

I myself prefer to pay it all off before I arrive. I dont need to worry about it I know that its all taken care of. Last year we had a balance of 75 cents that we had to pay when we arrived, and yes we paid it at check in.

 

[Tissa]

Are there really any benefits of getting a package?
I mean...what is included in a "package" .... (basic)
Not that I really care about paying up front, but wonder if I am getting any more than I would if I had booked everything separately.

Basic package is room plus park ticket. you can also get the package with the dining plan.

The only possible benefit with booking a basic package is that there have been package codes that have come out but no room only codes lately except for AP holders. (annual Pass)

Room only reservation requires 1 night deposit and you can pay the balance at check-in and have up to 5 days prior to cancel.

Package reservation requires a $200 deposit and full payment 45 days out. That is standard for packages.

 

[ga9497]

With a package you are purchasing a vacation package. Any other company that sells vacation packages require payments up front. Places like Delta vacations, Continental vacations and other package sellers

 

[TandCmum]

actually you don't need a credit card to stay in a disney resort. We didn't give our details last year and all it meant was that we couldn't charge to our room or use the phone

 

[plutolovr]

Basic package is room plus park ticket. you can also get the package with the dining plan

Actually, Disney's "Basic Package" is just your room, mini-golf vouchers, Magical Express. If you decide to add tickets, dining, etc., it becomes a Magic Your Way Package.

 

[pearland1]

I did find these items below on Disney's website package descriptions; they are supposed to be included with a magic your way basic package.
Will I get these certificates, etc. in the mail or at the hotel once we get there?

-Disney's PhotoPass
Purchase any Magic Your Way vacation package online through disneyworld.com and upon check in at your select Walt Disney World® Resort hotel, receive one certificate valid for one 5 x 7 print from Disney's PhotoPass. Your photo will be taken by one of our Disney's PhotoPass photographers in any of the four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks. (One certificate per room. Must be redeemed at the Walt Disney World® Resort.)
-Sea Raycers by Sea Rays
Get a certificate valid for 90 minutes of watercraft fun when you buy 60 minutes (one certificate per person, not valid all dates, restrictions apply).
-Miniature Golf
Get a certificate valid for one round at either Disney's Fantasia Gardens or Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf courses (valid for one round of golf per reservation).
-Planet Hollywood®
$15 certificate valid for food and non-alcoholic beverages at Planet Hollywood® Downtown Disney® West Side. VIP Preferred Seating is available from 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One certificate per reservation.
-Commemorative luggage tag (one per person)

 

[Brise Nannie]

Anyone know the answer as to when you receive these items? Do we get them once we've paid off the balance or do they give them to us at check-in?

 

[Lauralee131]

We've usually gotten them after we've paid for our package in full, but there's been a couple of occasions when we've gotten some of the package items upon check in. I'd bet you get them when you pay it off.