Welcome back to planDisney, Megan! I'm so glad to be able to answer your question today. It's smart to think through the
cancellation policy before you book, and I'm happy to clarify it for you so you can make the most informed decision about booking a trip.
When you reserve a Walt Disney World vacation package, meaning you bundle together your
tickets and a stay at a
Walt Disney World Resort Hotel in one purchase, you'll pay a small deposit up front to secure your reservation. If you change your mind and cancel 30 days or more before check-in, that deposit is fully refundable, and you won't owe anything further. If you cancel 2-29 days before arrival, you can still cancel the package, but you'll forfeit the deposit. If you cancel 1 day or less before arrival, the full price of the package is non-refundable.
Now, about tickets specifically, tickets purchased on their own and not part of a package are non-refundable and non-transferable. Tickets bundled inside a package follow the package policy above. That means if you cancel 30+ days out, you'll get your deposit back, and you won't lose money on the tickets. If you cancel 2-29 days out, you'll lose only the deposit; you won't be charged the full ticket cost. Within 1 day of your intended check-in, the entire package, including tickets, becomes non-refundable.
If you think your plans might shift, packages are the friendliest route because your tickets are protected by the package policy, which is much more forgiving than standalone tickets. And, if you're on the fence about travel dates or think something might come up that would result in you cancelling your vacation at the last minute, consider adding travel protection or booking only once you're confident.
I hope this answers your question, Megan, and please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you plan your magical vacation!
Jessica