What is Walt Disney World’s cancelation policy?
Plans change – this is true now more than ever before. Sometimes your plans for a Walt Disney World vacation have to be canceled or adjusted, but there can be consequences. It’s a good idea to get to know Walt Disney World’s cancellation policy before you book, and there are a few other items to consider as well.
Walt Disney World ticket refund policy explained
In short, all Walt Disney World tickets are non-refundable. There may be rare exceptions to the rule, but Disney’s official policy is that theme park tickets cannot be refunded. If you need to cancel your trip, you will not receive a refund, but unused tickets typically retain their value and can be applied toward a future visit. In most cases, you can modify the dates of unused tickets, though you may need to pay any price difference.
If you haven’t yet purchased your tickets, you’ll want to consider whether your trip is on shaky ground.
- If you are confident you will reschedule if needed, buying early can help you lock in current pricing.
- If your trip is uncertain and you may not rebook, it may be better to wait, since tickets are nonrefundable.
Ticket prices are known to increase once or twice a year. It would be a shame to hold out on purchasing your tickets only for the price to go up.
However, if your trip is uncertain, and you aren’t sure you would reschedule if needed, then consider holding off on the tickets. It would be an even bigger shame to shell out the money for tickets, then cancel the trip, not reschedule, and not be able to get a refund since the tickets are non-refundable.
What you can do if your plans change
Once a date-based ticket is used for the first time, it must be used within a limited window, typically within several days of that first use, depending on the ticket type. These windows are shorter than in the past, and the “no expiration” add-on is no longer available. Some special tickets, such as complimentary tickets, can have expiration dates even if they were never used for the first time, so be sure to double-check your specific ticket.
Walt Disney World’s Cancellation Policy for Hotels
Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservations have their own cancellation policies, which vary by booking type. In most cases, guests can cancel without penalty up to several days before arrival, but deposits may become nonrefundable if canceled too close to the check-in date. Always review the terms of your specific reservation.
It’s important to note that Disney Vacation Club’s policy for member points is different. If a reservation is canceled 31 days or more in advance, the Vacation Points are returned in their Use Year. If the cancellation occurs 30 days or less in advance, then they are placed in a holding pattern. Review the Disney Vacation Club Cancellation Policy, and remember: if you are renting points, then you’ll need to check the cancellation policy of the individual company or person from whom your points are rented.
Walt Disney World’s Dining Cancellation Policy
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all policy for canceling dining reservations at Walt Disney World. Most Disney-owned and operated restaurants have a 2-hour policy. A small deposit is paid when booking the reservation, and if the reservation is not canceled at least 2 hours in advance, that deposit is forfeited.
Other restaurants at Disney World have different policies, so be sure to thoroughly review them before finalizing your reservation. If the restaurant is not owned and operated by Disney, like many of the restaurants at Disney Springs, a deposit is usually not required. Disney offers the phone number (407) 824-1391 for assistance with their restaurant cancellation policy.
(Olga Thompson, Photographer)
Other Considerations
An important exception applies during severe weather. If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area or your place of residence within 7 days of your scheduled arrival, Walt Disney World may allow you to cancel or reschedule your tickets or vacation package without the usual penalties.
This is one of the few scenarios where flexibility is offered on otherwise nonrefundable tickets.
This policy is also applied to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, should a hurricane warning be issued for those areas or your area of residence. You’ll want to review Disney’s Hurricane Policy, but the key is to contact Disney well in advance to ask about receiving a refund.
Perhaps what is most important is to keep in mind that booking through a third party means you are subject to that company’s individual policies in addition to Disney’s. Some third-party websites like Hotwire are non-refundable no matter when you cancel. Others, like Expedia and similar sites, have cancellation policies from 24-72 hours prior to check-in.
Photo by Blake Taylor
Always review both Disney’s policies and the third-party provider’s terms before booking, as they may differ significantly.
In addition, there can be different policies for hotel reservations versus airline reservations. Even if you book everything into one package with the same company, different policies can apply to different components of your package. It’s a smart move to thoroughly review each company’s policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cancel Disney World tickets for a refund?
No. Tickets at Walt Disney World Resort are nonrefundable. However, unused tickets typically retain their value and can be applied to a future visit.
Do Disney World tickets expire if unused?
Unused tickets do not expire in the traditional sense, but they are tied to specific dates. If not used, their value can usually be applied toward a new ticket.
What happens if I need to change my Disney tickets?
In most cases, you can change the dates of unused tickets. If the new dates cost more, you will need to pay the difference.
Can you cancel Disney tickets due to a hurricane?
Yes, in certain cases. If an official hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of your trip, Disney may allow cancellations or changes without penalties.
Even though refunds aren’t an option, most Walt Disney World tickets still offer flexibility if your plans change. Understanding the policies ahead of time can help you make smarter booking decisions and avoid unexpected costs later.
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I would like to know non peak months. For 7 til 10 days.
What if you purchase special event tickets, like boo bash and your trip gets canceled? How does that refund/reschedule work?
My wife and I had to leave the park and go to the ER after 2 hours at the park, are we just out of luck or could we get a partial refund?
Disney … you were once my most beloved places to visit, no longer. Health problems have kept us away for over a decade, and now that we are about to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and can plan to go somewhere … your policies like the ones mentioned don’t help. Cancer has a way of changing everything in a married couples lives. Plus+ … the very cost of going there is no longer going to be within our reach. Our favorite Resort Coronado Springs with 4 day passports w/eating out cost us about $1,700 in 2010, today we’d be out maybe $3,200 or more for the same room an tickets, etc. And to make things worse, Disney had to build that stupid hi-rise, this totally destroyed the very things that made Coronado special … you actually destroyed the Cabanas Building we loved to build that stupid hi-rise. In closing, we can’t afford to go anymore, hope you’re happy … this is written on the behalf of those like us who used to go every year, sometimes twice. There’s a old saying in Baseball, there is more action in the minors, than the majors. Disney Parks Management you’re going to find that those who can’t afford you will find other things to do that don’t require going into debt for a 4 to 5 day vacation that takes a year or more to pay for.