Why oh why must I torture myself so..

[ErinsMommy]

We booked Pop Century for our 8/31-9/7 stay and I thought I had correctly calculated the price difference to switch resorts so we can stay at the Beach Club and I got all excited. But then the cast member told me where I went wrong -- $1700 worth of wrong. At least she broke the news as gently as she could.

Question though: Has anyone heard of being able to upgrade when you get to your booked resort prior to checking-in? I'm NOT looking for a free upgrade at all, but if they had rooms still available do they sometimes offer an upgrade at a discount?? Or do I just give up and convince myself Pop is as good as it's going to get for this stay.

 

[scm200]

We have stayed at Pop a number of times and its a great place for feeling the Disney Spirit. One suggestion, go to Art of Animation of a meal or two, the food court there is much nicer than Pop - and it was quieter too, and they had Gelato and great pasta too.

 

[prgal0715]

Last August, I checked in at POR...and was given pretty much the worst room ever. (Dirty, leaky tub, etc.) I politely stated my case to the resort concierge who didn't offer any sort of solution for me.

Since they weren't feeling particularly magical at POR, I visited a couple of other resorts and was eventually able to upgrade to WL. The WL staff was able to get me a very good rate making the upgrade cost fairly nominal. I guess anything is possible!

Have you considered doing a split stay to feel some of the BC magic? It's worth it for the pool alone!

 

[toodycat]

It doesn't hurt to ask, but they may say no. The resort could be sold out.

 

[Lisann]

Why not switch to a moderate if they deluxe is too expensive?

 

[SharonZ]

You can switch, subject to availability. Also, you would probably not carry your discount with you and would probably pay rack rate at your new choice. Why not make a decision before you leave, have you considered pricing out a moderate?

 

[ErinsMommy]

Thank you all.

Lisann: We were initially looking at the moderates but none that were in the free dining promotion interested us for different reasons. We've spent so much time at Disney over the past couple of years, this is the trip where we want to relax and spend more time at the hotel than the parks and and the Beach Resort looks incredible and is the cheapest out of all the deluxes.

So fingers crossed they don't sell out and hopefully we can either get some kind of discount or between now and then I can go on a saving spree. If it doesn't work out, suppose it just wasn't meant to be.

 

[partypa]

If you want to relax, Pop wouldn't be my first choice ( no Value Resort would be my first choice, nothing wrong with any of them but there really isn't much to do besides lounging by the busy pools )
Coronado Springs is wonderful for a relaxing holiday, the rooms, the grounds and the amenities are quite "deluxe" for a Moderate. Maybe have another look

 

[ErinsMommy]

Husband is against Coronado - not sure why, but it isn't worth pushing for when he has his mind set the way he does. Caribbean Beach is just too big and spread out.

Beach would've been perfect for all of us - except for the add'l $1700 price tag it comes with...lol. As for the relaxing part, my daughter and husband will have fun in any pool - and I'm sure I can get comfortable with a book too. So while the Beach would be an awesome stay and its worth a shot at time of check-in, not overly worried about it either way.

 

[AThrillingChase]

Thank you all.

Lisann: We were initially looking at the moderates but none that were in the free dining promotion interested us for different reasons. We've spent so much time at Disney over the past couple of years, this is the trip where we want to relax and spend more time at the hotel than the parks and and the Beach Resort looks incredible and is the cheapest out of all the deluxes.

So fingers crossed they don't sell out and hopefully we can either get some kind of discount or between now and then I can go on a saving spree. If it doesn't work out, suppose it just wasn't meant to be.

Just wanted to say be prepared. The BC is one of those resorts that tends to sell out before others (I am actually really surprised free dining is still available for it now!). They are also doing some renovations starting right around August/September. While that will not affect your stay since they do entire floors at a time (in the past I have never even noticed the work happening) it will take rooms out of commission, thus lessening the chance of last minute openings. It really is a beautiful resort (I love the sister YC and I am trying BC in a few months). I don't want to start tempting you though, so I digress

Edit to add - were AKL and WL full? Both are lovely (YC and AKL are tied for my favorite resort) and they are usually the cheapest deluxe options.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Just wanted to say be prepared. The BC is one of those resorts that tends to sell out before others (I am actually really surprised free dining is still available for it now!). They are also doing some renovations starting right around August/September. While that will not affect your stay since they do entire floors at a time (in the past I have never even noticed the work happening) it will take rooms out of commission, thus lessening the chance of last minute openings. It really is a beautiful resort (I love the sister YC and I am trying BC in a few months). I don't want to start tempting you though, so I digress

Edit to add - were AKL and WL full? Both are lovely (YC and AKL are tied for my favorite resort) and they are usually the cheapest deluxe options.

Thank you - when I priced out the deluxes BC was the cheapest by far. Could be the standard room categories in the other deluxes were already booked I may have to look into that further though. DH officially quashed BC though so I guess its all a moot point now - he did put CBR on the table and may reconsider my favorite resort ever POFQ but being that's not in the free dining plan offer, I'll have my work cut out for me to convince him there. Ugh why must this be so difficult.

 

[lanejudy]

We choose a moderate when we want a "hang at the resort and relax" type of vacation. We do value if we intend to be out at the parks all day every day. We like both CBR (ask for Martinique - you can get as close as some preferred rooms) and POR. There's more recreational offerings - and a general more relaxed atmosphere - at moderates vs values. Deluxe would be wonderful as well, but simply not in our budget; maybe someday - I'd love to stay at WL or AKL.

However, if you are interested in Free Dining, though, you don't want to wait until arrival to inquire about an upgrade. The likelihood of a free dining promo available at check-in is slim-to-none. You'll want to look into that sooner rather than later, as I believe most of the free dining slots are booked already.

Another note about "upgrades at check-in" -- while the front desk at your reserved resort will be able to help, it's not likely to be a quick and easy process. Their check-in system is set for that resort; it's my understanding they need to check the reservation system (same as anyone else) to see availability elsewhere. And likely to not have any authority to offer a non-published "deal" at a different resort.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[JennyDrake]

Another note about "upgrades at check-in" -- while the front desk at your reserved resort will be able to help, it's not likely to be a quick and easy process. Their check-in system is set for that resort; it's my understanding they need to check the reservation system (same as anyone else) to see availability elsewhere. And likely to not have any authority to offer a non-published "deal" at a different resort.

Enjoy your vacation!

Ditto!

In 30+ trips I have never been offered transfer/upgrade to a different resort, much less a different category.

 

[ErinsMommy]

Thank you as always all...great info. We're working on figuring this whole thing out and may wind up at the CBR. Even DH is on the same page with me now that neither of us want to keep our ressie at the Pop. Its just a matter of where we go instead.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We're now booked at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Disneymomma0783]

We're now booked at Wilderness Lodge.

I was going to reply and say how much we enjoy CBR but then I saw this and have to say "yay!" Instead!
We haven't stayed at WL yet, but it's in our short list. I'm actually torn between it and YC for our next trip but we are doing a split stay with AKL so I'm leaning towards YC (hello storm along bay lol!)
I'm sure it will be amazing and you will have a wonderful time at WL!!!

 

[Smurfgirl]

When are you going? I'm not sure if you heard, but WL is undergoing a pool renovation. So the pool will be closed for a couple of months.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We'll be there 8/31 to 9/7 - pool closes 9/3 so we'll get a few good days in before then.