Difference between Disney booking and 3rd party question

[Black Pearl]

If I book through a 3rd party website (orbitz, travelocity, etc) and only want a hotel deal, will I have any difference in experience when it comes to how my vacation is handled? More specifically, we aren't concerned with tickets as we have APs and the dining is a better deal without the dining plan for us, so if we book our room and then have any issues with the room, or want to talk upgrades, etc once there, will it be an issue since we didn't book direct?

 

[JillC LI]

I don't think you will have any problem discussing a room issue with the front desk (or requesting an upgrade, unlikely though it is), but there could be additional cancellation fees associated with a 3rd party web site.

 

[Tuvalu]

Did a room only reservation through Expedia a few years ago. Booked standard view Boardwalk Inn and upon our arrival we were upgraded to a Boardwalk view. So our experience was very positive!

 

[Master Yoda]

I don't think you will have any problem discussing a room issue with the front desk (or requesting an upgrade, unlikely though it is), but there could be additional cancellation fees associated with a 3rd party web site.

This is pretty much it. When you book with a third party, you are subject to their cancellation policies. You will also have to make any changes through that 3rd party.

Did a room only reservation through Expedia a few years ago. Booked standard view Boardwalk Inn and upon our arrival we were upgraded to a Boardwalk view. So our experience was very positive!

Free upgrades are done based on operational needs of the resort. It does not matter who you book with, if you are upgraded, it is because it will be easier on the resort for one reason or another or your room was unavailable.

 

[Black Pearl]

I've been upgraded before but I've always booked through Disney directly. Thanks all!

 

[Black Pearl]

One other thing I wonder is if we will still get the "welcome package" sent to us like when we book directly through Disney. We opted to get the room only through the booking (we have APs) and it is a better deal to do dining without the plan for us. Hoping to check out the magic bands and wondering if they'll send those.

 

[momof1princess]

When we booked through a TA our info was sent to them and we could pick it up or they could mail it to us. Not sure about expedia, or others like that.

 

[Black Pearl]

Booked through hotels.com and can't seem to link it to my Disney experience account. Called them and Disney, with Disney telling me the reservation wouldn't show up in their system till a week before the trip (?). I guess the reservation is fine but I wish I had some acknowledgment from Disney that it existed and not just my confirmations from Hotels.com

 

[SMS55]

No. As Florida residents we only book hotel rooms because we are passholders. However on some issues you will have to deal with the third party. I recently went away with the wife for a weekend without the kids (not to Disney). I paid for a room (through Expedia) with one king bed but those rooms were sold out. The hotel upgraded us. We got two queen beds but we got a room with an ocean view. As per the registration desk, the room you request through a third party is a suggestion and not guaranteed. If it's not available they can move you to a room of equal or greater value. If I wanted lets say a suite, it was available I just had to pay the difference. As long as the upgrade is available you can pay for it.