If the Covid-19 pandemic has proven one thing, it’s that travel plans change. Now more than ever, people are worried about last-minute changes to their Disney vacation. So, where does Disney stand on cancellations and refunds? Can you cancel a Disney trip?
Unfortunately, Disney theme park tickets and vacation packages are non-refundable and non-transferable. You cannot get a refund for a ticket or package. However, you may be able to use valid theme park tickets on a vacation in the future, in some instances.
Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of Disney’s cancellation policies. Find out exceptions and also learn what happens if the parks close again. Please remember that the Covid pandemic is a constantly evolving situation. Be sure to check the latest information on Disney websites for park closures and event cancellations, etc., before booking your Disney trip.
What happens if I need to cancel my Disney trip?
As noted above, Disney World theme park tickets and vacation packages are non-refundable. Meaning, if you can’t go and need to cancel your trip, you won’t get your money back. You also can’t gift or sell your tickets to someone. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, Disney’s cancellation policy states if a hurricane warning is issued in Orlando or your hometown within 7 days of your arrival date, you might be able to cancel or reschedule your tickets or vacation package.
Can you cancel a Disney trip and get your money back?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot cancel a theme park ticket or Disney vacation package and get a refund. In some instances, however, Disney may allow you to use valid theme park tickets (unexpired tickets) on a vacation in the future.
Disney no longer offers tickets with the “No Expiration Option.” All Disney theme park tickets now have an expiration date. Tickets expire 14 days after first use. However, if you purchased No Expiration Tickets prior to 2004, Disney will honor them.
How close to my Disney trip can I cancel?
If you purchased a Disney vacation package, the amount of money you get back if you cancel will depend on how close to your trip you are. For cancellations made 30 days or more before the arrival date, you will get back amounts paid minus any cancellation fee and non-refundable air, hotel, or travel protection plan costs assessed by third-party providers.
If you cancel 2 to 29 days before arrival day, in addition to the above, there will be a $200 per package cancellation fee.
If you cancel 1 day or less before arrival or you are a no-show, the full price of the package will be non-refundable.
However, Disney may allow refunds at its sole discretion. You may need to pay a processing fee ($25) to have your case assessed. The request for a refund must be made in writing within 90 days of the departure date on the Disney package.
How do I reschedule my Disney World tickets?
You can change the date on your theme park tickets prior to arrival by going to the My Tickets tab in the mobile app. Select “Change Tickets” and follow the on-screen directions. You will be shown options to change the ticket type, dates, and number of days. If there is a price difference between your previous selection and new one, you’ll be prompted to pay the difference at check out.
Does Disney do refunds?
In general, Disney has a no refunds policy. However, you can make a refund request by calling Walt Disney World on 407-566-4985 or writing to them and explaining your circumstances (be super polite!).
How long does it take to get a refund from Disney World?
If you are due a refund from Disney, you can expect it back in the original method of payment in 7-10 business days.
Can I sell my Disney tickets?
Disney theme park tickets are NOT transferable. You cannot gift, sell, barter, or exchange your Disney tickets for any goods, services, or benefits. Each ticket admits one guest and must be used by the same person on all days. Disney may require valid photo identification at the entrance of a theme park and to cross over to other parks with the park hopper option.
Are Disney tickets refundable in 2021?
With the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting travel plans, Disney had adopted a flexible cancellation policy called “Book with Confidence” that allowed guests to make last-minute changes to their reservations without incurring any cancellation or change fees. However, this pandemic-era policy has ended on May 1, 2021.
What happens if Walt Disney World closes after I purchase tickets?
If you purchase Disney World theme park tickets or a Disney vacation package, you can be sure that Disney will be accommodating in case of park closures due to the pandemic or any other reason. This is how Disney handled the Covid crisis in 2020.
Theme park tickets
Disney World announced a special offer for guests impacted by the park closure due to the pandemic. Unused or unexpired multi-day tickets and date-specific tickets valid during the park closure were extended for use through December 15, 2020. Disney also said if you could not visit before 12/15/20, you could apply the value of your tickets towards purchase of tickets in the future. (Florida residents had to use their Discover Disney tickets by July 31).
Special events
Disney automatically refunded the special hours tickets for the duration of the parks closure. All prepaid dining experiences and other special events impacted by the closure were automatically refunded without cancellation fees or no-show fees.
Annual passes
For annual pass holders who had prepaid the total value of the pass, Disney offered to extend the validity of the pass by the duration of the closure. Guests who did not want an extension were eligible for a partial refund. Annual pass holders on monthly payments had their payments waived for the duration of the closure. Alternatively, guests on the monthly payment program had the option to postpone their monthly payments to after the parks reopened.
Hotel reservations
For resort hotel reservations, guests who had not checked in prior to the closure were permitted to modify or cancel their reservation for a full refund up to the check-in date. Even if guests took no action, Disney automatically refunded the reservation within 7-10 days of the original check-in date.
As you can see Disney was very accommodating in the Covid crisis. Nonetheless, now that things are back to normal, if you cancel your Disney trip, you are unlikely to get your money back.