About switching hotels

[chrismb22]

I think I might be in the minority here but I never wanted to switch hotels while away -- packing and unpacking twice, etc. Is there anyone else like me out there? No offense to those who do but I'd rather set up "grounds" at one place and then take it all in from there.

 

[msmayor]

The only time I ever switch hotels on a vacation is because:

1) The original hotel is absolutely unacceptable upon checkin

2) We are going to multiple cities on the same trip (did that last summer when we toured baseball stadiums.


I know that there are folks out there that love to experience multiple resorts while at WDW. IMHO, the time spent changing resorts (repacking, checking out, being 'homeless' until your new room is ready, checking in, unpacking) is time better spent relaxing by the pool or enjoying the parks. I simply don't want to spend one minute more on these chores than absolutely necessary when I'm there.

Just my personal preference.

 

[iluvdizknee]

I agree Chris...the thought of that ....yikes!......

 

[4greatboys]

We are room switchers but I can certainly see why some dont like to do it. Its been pretty easy to change but certainly much easier to just stay put

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it would be fine to swap during a longer vist, say 6 nights or more. We did it last year during a 4 night trip and it was too soon. Our first resort was ASMu, and we didn't get to see anything of the hotel. My b-i-l wants to do it next year, and it just doesn't sound appealing to me. Oh well, live and learn!

 

[ciera321]

We're going on our 11th trip in August and I felt the same way, why would I want to switch?? Then for our upcoming trip, I really wanted to stay at BC, but couldn't justify that much money for a room for 10 nights. After reading about so many who switch, I thought that might be a good way to try BC and still not spend soooo much for the room. We will be at CSR for 5 nights and then BC for 5. I may change my mind after this trip, but I'm willing to try it. We will be making the most of our time at BC, by leaving CSR early, checking in (room probably won't be ready) and then using Stormalong Bay for the day while waiting for our room. We plan on spending a couple of days at the resort (BC) just enjoying it...

 

[ppony]

I can understand how some would see it as a hassle, and for those people, it isn't worth it. But we lOVE to change resorts. We are not the kind that unpack other than stuff for the bathroom and limited stuff in the room. Clothes just remain in the suitcases nicely folded. Checking out is a non-issue as we always do it without having to go to the front desk with the express checkout. Just leave them with a CC# at check in and you can go on your way in the morning.

If those things don't work for you then it's probably not your thing, but not everyone travels the same way, not everyone can get to WDW more than every 4 + years, so getting to stay at more resorts faster is appealing and if your stay is long enough it's part of the fun. Having another new place to look forward to usually with a deluxe as your last place. So that is why it works much easier for some like us. We never considered it a hassle and the extra time was completely minimal. We didn't notice any lack of time to do other things.
No offense to those that do NOT wish to switch, just hoping to provide some insight as to why it is appealing to some. Hooray for different strokes!

 

[Ilovestitch]

I prefer to stay in the same resort the whole time but I will switch resorts under certain circumstances.

On our last trip in May we couldn't get the ap rate for the Polynesian for all 9 nights, so we saved about $600 by staying 4 nights at AKL and then the remainder at the Polynesian.

Disney does a great job of making the switch easy and painless. The process is very organized.

But, I didn't like having to spend an hour or so packing my stuff up halfway through the trip and unpacking again.

And we tried not to buy any souvineers til we got to the second hotel so we wouldn't have to lug them around. But I saw a lot of things I wanted to buy in the beginning of the trip and then I forgot to go back and get them before we left.

Unless it saves me a lot of $$, I'd rather stay in the same resort.

 

[ncbyrne]

I think the difference is that I don't unpack per se. My suitcase is packed in the order I'll use things. And my toiletry case just sits on the bathroom vanity. It's very easy to move to another resort. However, I agree with other posters that we only do this on a trip of 10 days or more.

 

[dixiedizfan]

We usually stay for seven nights, and there is so much to see and do at the parks that I find it hard to make time to get some laundry done while we're there. I sure don't want to take the time to have to re-pack, check in again and unpack. Plus we drive down, and after we park the car it stays there until we leave to go home.

 

[maxaroni]

We have no desire to switch resorts, mid-stay. We went in August, with the free dining, and we entertained the idea of switching resorts momentarily. DH and I both said..no. If I was having a very negative experience in a hotel and the problems couldn't be rectified, I'd move. Other than that, we unpack and that's it.

 

[heathriel]

I don't like switching resorts either, but I never unpack my suitcase when I travel.

That said, this trip I'm spending my first night at one resort and the rest at another. This is just because I planned out the trip months in advance, then added on an extra night later and couldn't get the same rate at the first hotel, so got a different in the same category. Since it is one night, it won't put us out any.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We're switching for the first time this trip. 6 nights at POP, then 5 nights at AKL. We stayed for 10 nights in one resort several years ago and got bored with the same room, retaurants after a while. We do unpack when we travel it makes us relax more. My kids think we are leaving after the first 6 nights and do not know that we will be spending 5 more in a different resort, so they can help pack up!! We usually have to do laundry anyway. I'm excited about the 2 resorts because it almost seems like planning for 2 trips! I wouldn't do it if I was only ther for 5 days or less though...too much work.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

In all of my trips to Orlando - I have only switched once - last August we started off over at the Royal Pacific and did Universal and Sea World - then moved to the Swan for the rest of the vacation.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

We LOVE switching resorts! Makes us feel like we are having 2 or 3 vacations in one! We don't unpack much, and don't see the moving as a negative... it feels adventurous and fun to look forward to our next place. Because we are at the parks or other attractions while our new room is getting ready (well, sometimes it is ready upon check-in, but not always) it doesn't feel like "waiting." We like to be closest to different parks at different points during our stay, it feels like we are experiencing the whole "world" during our visit.

Our favorite combination is AKL/ BWI / GF. GF is my favorite so I like to end up there! We usually like to switch after about 3 days.

 

[byoung]

Switch resorts a couple of times, had no problems.

 

[chrismb22]

Thanks guys -- after reading about everyone else's experience I was beginning to think I was crazy for not wanting to switch. At least I know I'm not the only one While it's great for some people I don't think I am into it -- unless money was a factor of course.

See you at the Wilderness Lodge (and only the Wilderness Lodge ) one week from today! (I can't believe I can finally say that!!