Hi Matthew,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel and thank you for asking us a question!
Taking advantage of a
Special Offer for your upcoming visit to Walt Disney World Resort is a great idea. However, because the availability of special promotions such as “free dining” is by no means guaranteed, I also understand wanting to have a full-price reservation on hand, especially if your dates aren’t that flexible.
Based on my experience, it’s not always easy to “convert” a room-only reservation into one involving a Special Offer. Because the number and types of Walt Disney World Resort hotel rooms that are typically available with a promotional offer are limited, it may be difficult to get the exact Resort and dates you want, if and when “free dining” may be released for your vacation dates. In the past, however, I’ve been able to cancel my initial reservation and use that deposit towards my new
Disney Resort Hotel Package, which was really convenient. I wasn’t however, able to do this online; I had to
contact Walt Disney World Resort in order to “untangle” my reservation.
Of course, if you cancel your “room only” reservation within its cancellation guidelines (please refer to the email confirmation you will receive), you should be able to get your deposit back.
Please don’t hesitate to come back and see us if you have any other questions.
Have a Magical Day,
Lynne