Advice for Extending Stay

[okduke]

Our family is planning our first trip to WDW. We're traveling between Sept 7 and Sept 12. We're set on our ADRs and I feel as prepared as we can as of now regarding when we'll go to which park. But, honestly, I want to stay longer. I asked our travel advisor to look into the cost of increasing our stay by 3 additional days (to come back on the 15th). As I look at this, the cost of increasing from a 5 day to an 8 day hopper is inexpensive. Because this includes the free dining plan, the food for the 3 extra days is nothing. This leaves the cost for rooms and changing the flight as the significant costs associated with increasing our stay. I am under the impression that it will cost $75 per ticket to change our flight (we're flying Delta). There are five of us, so that's $375.

I asked the TA to look into one of the moderate resorts (CBR or CS). She came back with a $2500 cost for increasing the stay--too much for us, but that seems way high. I wonder if the TA just tried to book us for 3 days instead of extending our other arrangements. Does anyone have any advice for dealing with something like this? Any experiences? Any ideas?

I'm not sure if/when we'll be able to get back, so I want to get as much time out of this trip as possible. But we can't afford $2500. Any responses appreciated. Thanks.

Drew

 

[Quinn222]

where are you staying and how many rooms? That cost seems high.

 

[okduke]

We are booked at the BWV for the nights of Sept 7 to 11. We're there with several other families, splurging on this part . . . but there's no way we can afford three more nights there. I had asked them to look into one of the moderates like Carribean Beach Resort of Coronado Springs, but, honestly, I'd consider anywhere on the property where we could all five stay in one room.

I thought the cost was high, too. That's what makes me think that the estimate includes 5 new 3 day hoppers instead of extending our previous hoppers.

drew

 

[isyt]

Hi there, I think you are at Boardwalk Villas, I am assuming a 2 bedroom. You have a couple of options, the only moderate to fit 5 in a room is Port Orleans Riverside. The price for Sep 7-15 on the free dining and hoppers is $2454.53 but with kids so big it might be tight. You could also stay at the Boardwalk Inn so you are still in the same hotel as the rest of your party just in a standard room, that is $3935.17 (I think that is only $200 more than your paying now).Let me know if that helps (your TA was right the BWV is $6343.65)

Thanks

 

[Quinn222]

You could split stay, get a single room at POR for the last three nigths and move over there or even two rooms for three nights is less than $1000.

 

[rlovew]

If you change hotels than you must get new tickets to keep the free dining. That is probably part of the extra price for what you expected.

 

[fostrmom2mny]

I'd sure double check the availability to change the Delta tickets!!! FAST!! A group of us are going to a conference @ Orlando. Those flying Delta had their tickets bought a week or so ago and have now decided to extend their stay. Delta is not allowing for an extention. They are going to buy an additional one way ticket, in order to extend their stay. It's only because of the Delta situation.
Gerri

 

[okduke]

Thanks for the responses . . . new resort = new dining plan explains alot. Guess we'll put the extra we were willing to spend aside for our next trip. Again, thanks for the expertise.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you try to stretch your existing package with dining, it is possible that some of the extra days are "sold out" for that particular package resulting in the need to switch to a slightly different package at a higher rate.

To book a second package to pick up where the first unmodified package left off and thus extend your stay you must order some kind of tickets (as little as one day basic) with the second package. You can (should) make the tickets that go with the first package span the entire vacation and save the second set of tickets unused for a future vacation.

You could book a second room only reservation for the extra days, leave the first package unmodified, except order longer tickets to cover the entire vacation. You would then not need to buy extra tickets but then you will be on your own for dining after the first package ends.