So Many Conflicting Answers...

[StarfishAndStingrays]

Okay, so we have figured out what we want to do. We want to book a package and stay at Port Orleans Riverside for 5 nights.

So I was told by many awesome users here that I could call and book the hotel, and add on the package stuff later when they finally release it for 2016.
I went ahead and called today to book our room and then was told that I could book now and pay the deposit, but if I wanted to add on flight, tickets, etc. I would have to cancel the reservation and make a new one once the packages were released.
Frustrated, I hung up and tried again to get a new Disney cast member on the phone. This time, they said I could go ahead and make the reservation and they would just add on flight and tickets later, no need to cancel.

I've also been told varying dates for the release of packages, some say they will come out in August, some July, some June, and last month "No later than the first week of May!". The 'May guessing rep' was definitely wrong.

So since the Disney cast members don't even seem to know what's going on and if booking now it pointless or not, I figured I'd hope I could find some people on here who have had experience booking JUST the hotel in advance and then later adding tickets and flights through Disney once the packages were released WITHOUT having to cancel the previous reservation that was made in advance.

 

[sxeensweet]

They do not have to cancel the room only! All they do is add the other items to make it a package and you keep the same reservation number. The prices may change on the room plus what you add but they can keep that same reservation number.

 

[DisneyJoe]

They do not have to cancel the room only! All they do is add the other items to make it a package and you keep the same reservation number. The prices may change on the room plus what you add but they can keep that same reservation number.

Sorry, that is incorrect. A room only reservation number is 12 digits, a package reservation is 8 alpha numeric.

Room only has a deposit of 1 nights cost plus tax, a package deposit is $200 plus air and insurance and other package components.

If you make a room only and then switch it to a package, the room only deposit is credited back to your credit card, and then you must make the package deposit. In effect, it is a cancel and rebook.

Historically pricing for the next year is released between June and August.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If you make a room only and then switch it to a package, the room only deposit is credited back to your credit card, and then you must make the package deposit.Historically pricing for the next year is released between June and August.

If you get a good cast member, they can transfer your payment from one reservation to the other without doing the refund. And then you just pay whatever else you owe to satisfy the deposit requirements.

 

[sxeensweet]

Sorry, that is incorrect. A room only reservation number is 12 digits, a package reservation is 8 alpha numeric.

Room only has a deposit of 1 nights cost plus tax, a package deposit is $200 plus air and insurance and other package components.

If you make a room only and then switch it to a package, the room only deposit is credited back to your credit card, and then you must make the package deposit. In effect, it is a cancel and rebook.

Historically pricing for the next year is released between June and August.

I know they cost different amounts for the deposits, but I have turned a room only into a package a few years ago and my reservation number did not change. So I was going by my experience.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The one time I changed a room only to a package, my reservation number changed. I was hoping they'd move the $ on the room only over to my package, but there were several reservationists and a manager involved and I was informed that's not how it works. i.e. they had to credit my card for my $ on the room only and do a new charge for the $ due on the newly booked pkg. In fact, I forgot about it until I went to check in upon arrival. I gave them the old confirmation # and had a mega panic moment when they told me that booking had been canceled. All was good after she searched the system for a few minutes and found my package reservation under the new confirm #.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Joe is correct, In previous years they have offered a "Package" type of room reservation pending the release of the following year's actual packages. In that case, the reservation number would be 8 Letters/numbers that can have components added to it with no problem. If your reservation is 12 digits only, no letters, that is a room only reservation and cannot be converted to a package but must be cancelled, the room deposit of the one night's stay refunded and a new package booked with the $200 deposit for packages applied ( assuming that amount doesn't change for 2016!) I have clients that are booked for dates into 2016 and every single one is a room reservation that will be cancelled to move to a package. I'd prefer if they offered a "package" type booking for the next year's reservations. It would be a lot cleaner all the way around. Unless you are looking for a particularly hard room type to get or have to make plans now due to flights or other considerations, there should be no issue with waiting until the packages do come out. Keep an eye on these boards as I know the Kingdom Konsultant team will post that information once it is available. Hope this was helpful!! Marie

 

[thomas998]

Okay, so we have figured out what we want to do. We want to book a package and stay at Port Orleans Riverside for 5 nights.

So I was told by many awesome users here that I could call and book the hotel, and add on the package stuff later when they finally release it for 2016.
I went ahead and called today to book our room and then was told that I could book now and pay the deposit, but if I wanted to add on flight, tickets, etc. I would have to cancel the reservation and make a new one once the packages were released.
Frustrated, I hung up and tried again to get a new Disney cast member on the phone. This time, they said I could go ahead and make the reservation and they would just add on flight and tickets later, no need to cancel.

I've also been told varying dates for the release of packages, some say they will come out in August, some July, some June, and last month "No later than the first week of May!". The 'May guessing rep' was definitely wrong.

So since the Disney cast members don't even seem to know what's going on and if booking now it pointless or not, I figured I'd hope I could find some people on here who have had experience booking JUST the hotel in advance and then later adding tickets and flights through Disney once the packages were released WITHOUT having to cancel the previous reservation that was made in advance.

Okay... I have a silly question... Why are you booking the airfare through Disney?

To be honest you are better off doing the airfare on your own... that way you have more time to find the best prices for the tickets... depending on where you are coming the best price on tickets may be closer to the travel date than now or might even be best by using different airports... I would never trust Disney to book my flight.