Walt Disney World has modified its room-only resort hotel cancellation policy for stays in 2025.
For room-only reservations, beginning January 1, 2025, guests must cancel at least eight days before the arrival date to receive a full refund with no penalty, an increase from the current five-day notice.
Although Disney has not yet given any reasons for the change, it may be related to upcoming changes coming to Disney Genie+.
In a post in May 2023, Disney said, "We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024. Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family. While we are not yet able to share specific details, we look forward to sharing more information at a later date."
It is thought that Disney will allow Genie+ reservations to be made seven days in advance, and this new eight-day cancellation policy may help avoid issues relating to Genie+ reservations for stays that are then canceled. Disney is still to announce the details for the new advance Genie+ reservations.
This is the current cancellation policy in effect through 2024.
In order to receive a refund of your deposit, notification of cancellation must be received at least 5 days prior to your arrival date. To cancel or modify a reservation, call (407) 934-7639† or you can cancel or make changes to many reservations online by visiting DisneyWorld.com/MyTrip and signing in to your Disney account. If your reservation can be cancelled or changed online, it will have a Cancel or Modify Reservation link next to it. Just select the link to start the cancellation or change process. If you don't see the Cancel or Modify Reservation link, please contact us at (407) W-DISNEY (407-934-7639). Additionally, if you are holding any other types of reservations, such as dining, those reservations will not be cancelled unless you cancel them or advise us to cancel
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