Yes! That's what I do. The first payment is for 1 night, and you can pay it any way you like after that.Ok, I'm not even supposed to be planning my next trip yet, but...
If I book the Grand Californian for next year, can I pay in installments? Or do I just need to pay when I arrive?
Thanks!
Yes you can call and do a credit card payment. You can do credit card payment online. You can also ask for a mailing address to mail a check in. The Walt Disney Travel Company allows for mail in payments.Ok, I'm not even supposed to be planning my next trip yet, but...
If I book the Grand Californian for next year, can I pay in installments? Or do I just need to pay when I arrive?
Thanks!
That's great! I usually pay all at once, but paying off a little at a time would be way better. I'm assuming if the trip is cancelled you get your money back..?Yes! That's what I do. The first payment is for 1 night, and you can pay it any way you like after that.
Thanks, good to know. I always mean to save up for the trip, but it never ends up happening. Somehow paying it off as I go along feels more doable. Now I just have to wait until November 2025 is bookableYou can also call and make payments with gift cards too (not an option online). For canceled stays (within terms - 5 days I believe for hotel only, not package), full refund to form of payment. (I pay with gift cards, so they are great about reminding you to keep that gc as any refund goes back to it).
I tend to buy the gift cards with 5% off with Target card or when there are deals at other stores once I know the next trip (which is usually before I leave the current trip! ). It does help me to not have that one large payment due - at least mentally doesn’t seem so bad.Thanks, good to know. I always mean to save up for the trip, but it never ends up happening. Somehow paying it off as I go along feels more doable. Now I just have to wait until November 2025 is bookable
Ok, I'm not even supposed to be planning my next trip yet, but..
Yes indeed, unless you're within 5 days of the stay and in that case you forfeit the first night's deposit. Even then you can skirt the issue by changing the dates to a later time and then cancelling. I've never done that, I've just read about it on DIS. I would be more inclined to call them if I had something that prevented me from being able to go last minute.That's great! I usually pay all at once, but paying off a little at a time would be way better. I'm assuming if the trip is cancelled you get your money back..?
I've been meaning to get a Target card for like 10 years so maybe I should finally do that. I've heard people mention getting Disney cards with the 5% off, which seems like a good deal.I tend to buy the gift cards with 5% off with Target card or when there are deals at other stores once I know the next trip (which is usually before I leave the current trip! ). It does help me to not have that one large payment due - at least mentally doesn’t seem so bad.
I did that when I cancelled a trip just before Disneyland closed for the pandemic. I had something come up and couldn't go, and DL hadn't yet instituted pandemic cancellation refunds (they did a couple days later), so the CM suggested that I move the reservation to later in the year. I had to pay some more because my original dates had taken advantage of a discount period, but I got everything back when I later cancelled the second reservation.Yes indeed, unless you're within 5 days of the stay and in that case you forfeit the first night's deposit. Even then you can skirt the issue by changing the dates to a later time and then cancelling. I've never done that, I've just read about it on DIS.
I'm a Costco member so I'll look into that. Thanks!I do this too! It makes the total cost a little less painful if you spread it out a bit. I like seeing the hotel res in my app too -- reminds me of the fun I have in store for the future.
Oh and if you're a Costco member, you can also book a hotel and ticket package direct through them. It's the same price (and discounts can be applied when available), but you get a gift card with your stay. The gift card is about $200 or more depending on how long you stay. The only downside is that you can only cancel within 30 days instead of the 5 days with hotel only reservations. Although, there was one time we had to postpone after that cutoff and I was able to change our trip dates like DizMe described (with no penalty or fee).
I'm pretty sure it's the case that you can only cancel before the 30-day mark if you want your money back, not within 30 days. Or did you mean you have to cancel within 30 days of making a Costco package reservation?Oh and if you're a Costco member, you can also book a hotel and ticket package direct through them. It's the same price (and discounts can be applied when available), but you get a gift card with your stay. The gift card is about $200 or more depending on how long you stay. The only downside is that you can only cancel within 30 days instead of the 5 days with hotel only reservations.
I worded that poorly! I meant that you had to cancel by the 30 day mark (of the first travel date) for a full refund. Although when we had to postpone our trip last year, we were able to modify the dates less than 30 days out with no penalty. I did call and explain, so not sure if they made an exception. But I have heard that others were able to do this with bookings, like DizMe mentioned... but you never know when that may change. Here is the official policy for Costco packages:I'm pretty sure it's the case that you can only cancel before the 30-day mark if you want your money back, not within 30 days. Or did you mean you have to cancel within 30 days of making a Costco package reservation?
Thanks for the clarification. That's great that you were able to change the dates. When you book through Costco, do they have their own agents or were you able to deal directly with Disney to modify your reservation?I worded that poorly! I meant that you had to cancel by the 30 day mark (of the first travel date) for a full refund. Although when we had to postpone our trip last year, we were able to modify the dates less than 30 days out with no penalty. I did call and explain, so not sure if they made an exception. But I have heard that others were able to do this with bookings, like DizMe mentioned... but you never know when that may change.
Yes, to my knowledge Costco has it's own agents and it's not direct through Disney (a least I am fairly certain they referenced Costco when answering). They direct you to call (877) 849-2730.Thanks for the clarification. That's great that you were able to change the dates. When you book through Costco, do they have their own agents or were you able to deal directly with Disney to modify your reservation?
I love doing this. I buy one each month when I'm shopping at Target and then consolidate them online to cards that hold what I need for my DLR hotel, for meals, etc. It works like savings for me. If I need more before I leave, I get an e-card or two from Target for the remainder. Costco had a 10% offer earlier in the year and I purchased a few e gift cards there for my upcoming fall trip.I've been meaning to get a Target card for like 10 years so maybe I should finally do that. I've heard people mention getting Disney cards with the 5% off, which seems like a good deal.