As the Ticker Turns...the neverending saga of the Resort Changers

[pigletgirl]

It's crazy having a baby again! The girls love him so much though. They can't wait for him to go to Disney!

I'm a little stressed about packing....babies have so much stuff, lol!

Babies do have a ton of stuff. The biggest thing that we did was ship diapers and sippy cups (DD was 15 mo) down prior to our stay. It was great!

I think I brought 3 outfits per day and we used them all.

 

[pigletgirl]

I'm seriously having pretty bad changer-itis right now!

Long story short, my mom has multiple sclerosis. She doesn't always do well in the heat. As we were discussing our trip last night, I'm realizing that staying at Pop Century may not be the best bet. I think we need something closer to the parks. I know that free dining comes out in May as does a room only discount so I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and change our reservation to something else. I think our options are either A) The Beach Club, B)Wildnerness Lodge or C)The Contemporary in the garden wing.

Any thoughts? I want my mom to enjoy her time while we're there and I'm now realizing that proximity is key.

Should I call Disney today and switch and hope for a RO discount?

I really appreciate all your insight!

 

[pas130]

Pas, I did it! Still a little creeped out by the total price, but I cancelled three ADRs to justify it. One was lunch in the trip, one was Easter morning and one was lunch during our CR stay. We'll just grab CS for those lunches. Also totaled up the savings on wine, snacks, breakfast, etc and then considered the time saved Easter morning by not dragging everyone out for a breakfast ADR. Your comment regarding a private Wishes dessert party and the value of the smiles really sealed it. Already enjoying the smiles when I told our youngest.

Congrats!!! I love Disney Math!!! And I love how your little guy was excited to hear about the snack room addition! We are a CS family, and MK/CR/Poly/GF so many great CS options! Happy dancing for you!!

 

[pas130]

I'm seriously having pretty bad changer-itis right now!

Long story short, my mom has multiple sclerosis. She doesn't always do well in the heat. As we were discussing our trip last night, I'm realizing that staying at Pop Century may not be the best bet. I think we need something closer to the parks. I know that free dining comes out in May as does a room only discount so I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and change our reservation to something else. I think our options are either A) The Beach Club, B)Wildnerness Lodge or C)The Contemporary in the garden wing.

Any thoughts? I want my mom to enjoy her time while we're there and I'm now realizing that proximity is key.

Should I call Disney today and switch and hope for a RO discount?

I really appreciate all your insight!

I love WL for proximity, plus if it's heat that's the issue it's all under one roof. Plus CR you are either walking in the heat or walking from the tower to the GW. Honestly, the buses are nice and cool, and the only bus stop that had us out in the heat was AK (direction of the sun I think). Pop isn't a large resort, maybe do I preferred room if you're concerned. If you have budget concerns stay with Pop IMO. However if the budget isn't a concern, WL, BC, or CR tower for deluxes. It all depends where you are focusing your trip, and how she does with walking in the heat. The best bus experiences we have had were at values and OKW

 

[pigletgirl]

I know that she'll want a midday break, and she was talking last night about how much of a pain it'll be to get back to Pop and then back to the parks when she's rested.

As for budget, because the trip is still far out, we could go up in accommodations and making her feel the most comfortable is what is key for me. I will talk to her today and see what she wants to do.

 

[Koh1977]

I vote for Wilderness Lodge, piglet girl!

That being said...I am still completely confused...BWI CL or Poly CL...or a LV Poly Studio...hmmm...

 

[pixarmom]

Pas and other CS families, maybe you can help us out! My husband cannot do CS - at Disney or elsewhere - so that's part of the reason we usually do CL breakfast and then two ADRs per day. But now the kids are older, we have all these FP+ reservations and I'd like to save $ to justify CL! And my husband often ducks out for the Disney part of our vacations. So we're looking at increasing our CS, but I'm concerned! I always see these long lines and CS and it looks like it could be a pain. I'm thinking I'll send the kids to a table and then stand in line on my own. But what I really fear is MK CS during Easter Weekend - especially at dinner time after CL snacks in the lounge. Suggestions? Tips?

 

[dansdad]

I'm thinking I'll send the kids to a table and then stand in line on my own. But what I really fear is MK CS during Easter Weekend - especially at dinner time after CL snacks in the lounge. Suggestions? Tips?

From my experience there are CMs patrolling that won't this happen. Your party will have to stick together and all have your food before you can grab a table. I have noticed this even more during busy times.

I know you were asking for others opinions. Hope you don't mind me jumping in.

 

[pixarmom]

From my experience there are CMs patrolling that won't this happen. Your party will have to stick together and all have your food before you can grab a table. I have noticed this even more during busy times.

I know you were asking for others opinions. Hope you don't mind me jumping in.

Definitely glad you jumped in! That's really helpful! Our youngest has disability-related issues that would make this difficult, so it's really good to know in advance. I think we may need to go back to ADRs.

 

[dansdad]

Definitely glad you jumped in! That's really helpful! Our youngest has disability-related issues that would make this difficult, so it's really good to know in advance. I think we may need to go back to ADRs.

I wish I had some advice or tips for you. I was lucky they started this once our son got older.

 

[pas130]

As a party of seven we have only really had issues finding a spot at Pecos, and that's a must-do for us. But ultimately we find a spot and it's all good. Columbia Harbour House has LOTS of seats and yummy food. I think you'll be okay. Especially if you reach out to a CM for help need be, my DH did that when DS6 has a meltdown at Electric Umbrella in Epcot. They were very understanding after he explained he is autistic.

 

[pas130]

And thanks Dansdad! Always value your input

 

[dansdad]

And thanks Dansdad! Always value your input

 

[pixarmom]

As a party of seven we have only really had issues finding a spot at Pecos, and that's a must-do for us. But ultimately we find a spot and it's all good. Columbia Harbour House has LOTS of seats and yummy food. I think you'll be okay. Especially if you reach out to a CM for help need be, my DH did that when DS6 has a meltdown at Electric Umbrella in Epcot. They were very understanding after he explained he is autistic.

Thank you, and that's a good idea - I should reach out to a CM for help and explain his disability if necessary. We tried Tortuga Tavern last year . . . we arrived early, line was super short, but not good. I was going to give up on lunch, but after trying most of our go-to strategies, our oldest tried one that stuck and we made it through! Might also collect orders, send the kids outside and then call them in when we're ready to eat. Columbia Harbor House would be fun to try!

 

[pigletgirl]

Well folks, we bit the bullet and switched to the Wilderness Lodge! We plan on spending quite a bit of time in the MK so this works great for my mom. September needs to get here quick!

 

[pixarmom]

Tikiman says Poly pool will be finished by April 1. Rethinking our CR plan, but no CL available at Poly right now and I'm unwilling to give up the "snack room" that I just promised. If Poly CL pops up available, however . . .

Well folks, we bit the bullet and switched to the Wilderness Lodge! We plan on spending quite a bit of time in the MK so this works great for my mom. September needs to get here quick!

Yay!! I think you'll be really happy!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Tikiman says Poly pool will be finished by April 1. Rethinking our CR plan, but no CL available at Poly right now and I'm unwilling to give up the "snack room" that I just promised. If Poly CL pops up available, however . . .


Yay!! I think you'll be really happy!

Saw that too and for the first time got the itch to change...to Poly....but no, I'm not going to.

We are saving the Poly for next year.

The walk to/from MK with the stroller will be priceless.

 

[pixarmom]

Saw that too and for the first time got the itch to change...to Poly....but no, I'm not going to.

We are saving the Poly for next year.

The walk to/from MK with the stroller will be priceless.

So glad you posted! I'll try to stay strong! Right now, we're planning a Poly/WL split for February 2016, which I think is for the best. I'm still experiencing sticker shock on CR CL, but I do love that lounge.

 

[Mousemommy1]

So glad you posted! I'll try to stay strong! Right now, we're planning a Poly/WL split for February 2016, which I think is for the best. I'm still experiencing sticker shock on CR CL, but I do love that lounge.

I really thought about adding CL, but I am happy with the price we are paying so not wanting to add another $1000 to the price tag.

Poly/WL sounds nice!!

 

[Koh1977]

Poly/WL split? My two favorite resorts!!

As for CS help...I have no experience with 7 or even 5, BUT I did take DD by myself to MK when DH and DS were somewhere else. I had DD in a stroller and was trying, not very successfully to find a spot to sit at Columbia Harbour House. A CM said to try upstairs, but I was struggling to carry the tray of food, and fold up the stroller, and get us all up the stairs. Another CM finally took pity on me and helped carry the stroller up while I took the food and my daughter. It was packed (4th of July week) but we found 2 chairs eventually and sat and ate.