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

[dimndgal1]

Wash U is actually where my DMIL went for chemo and most of her care. Much more knowledgeable I think than here in Springfield. Maybe it's a good a thing that this happened...

*considers* that's intersting to think about and a really positive/silver lining to the situation. It may end up being a blessing in disguise.

 

[Koh1977]

*considers* that's intersting to think about and a really positive/silver lining to the situation. It may end up being a blessing in disguise.

I'm trying...

 

[calablovedisney]

Not sure I qualify as a resort changer, but I sure can't make up my mind. Spent the last few days obsessing over it. WE have reservation now for standard room at POR, but cannot get a summer discount to apply for standard room there(none available). Spent a while considering and researching Coronado before deciding to stick with POR, but then realized I could do AKL for about $100 more than my current reservation. However I can save $106 from my current res. by upgrading to a royal room at POR, or save $236 by rebooking the standard room. All options are rebooking with a travel site. Which brings me to the choice I am struggling with...stick with POR and save (more with standard or book royal room?). I like the idea of the Royal Room since I will be guaranteed to be on the mansion side, which I very much prefer, and the rooms look pretty cool. I know I can request masions, but I requested it in the past and did not get it so you never know. But I like the idea of saving a bit more. And then, of course, there is still the idea of AKL out there, standard view not Savannah.
So now you see, I may not be a changer (yet), but I sure am nutty enough about researching and deciding to admit it here! thanks

 

[pas130]

DOUBLE APs! THat's awesome!!! I am so jealous about YC CL! And F&G is such a gorgeous time at the parks (great weather, great scenery, great fun!)



So excited for your trip!



You will love BC and the proximity to WS and HS for breaks. One reason YC is still our fave - great pool, love the Boardwalk for a stroll, and love stepping to the room to cool off.



Happy puppy!



RPC would be fun! But maybe wait until a couples trip if the kiddos aren't on board? You'd hate their vibe to ruin your RPC.


I hope everyone is well and love reading about all the trip planning! Disney is super huge here but most people only do two or three days at TDR so it's not the same as getting to plan an extended vacation.

I am officially licensed to drive on the 'wrong' side of the road -- totally freaky experience and I worry about how I will handle going back and forth when we visit family! DD7 is doing well in school and just joined the swim team and she's having a ball exploring everything.

We have to go up near Tokyo next month for DH's work so we're looking at trying to squeeze two days at TDR... hoping it works out because the school year for the Japanese will have just started so it's supposed to be a much better time to go in terms of crowds. *fingers crossed*

Happy planning to all!!!

Things sound great! I hope you get to TDR VERY cool!

 

[pas130]

Not sure I qualify as a resort changer, but I sure can't make up my mind. Spent the last few days obsessing over it. WE have reservation now for standard room at POR, but cannot get a summer discount to apply for standard room there(none available). Spent a while considering and researching Coronado before deciding to stick with POR, but then realized I could do AKL for about $100 more than my current reservation. However I can save $106 from my current res. by upgrading to a royal room at POR, or save $236 by rebooking the standard room. All options are rebooking with a travel site. Which brings me to the choice I am struggling with...stick with POR and save (more with standard or book royal room?). I like the idea of the Royal Room since I will be guaranteed to be on the mansion side, which I very much prefer, and the rooms look pretty cool. I know I can request masions, but I requested it in the past and did not get it so you never know. But I like the idea of saving a bit more. And then, of course, there is still the idea of AKL out there, standard view not Savannah.
So now you see, I may not be a changer (yet), but I sure am nutty enough about researching and deciding to admit it here! thanks

Honestly for $100 more I'd do AKL. One of our changers babyberger just did a trip there Standard room and she had an amazing view of the feeding area, the resort is magical. Mind you I've never done POR, but I love having everything in one building and there is SO much to see at AKL

 

[pixarmom]

Pas, can't wait to hear what happens next! Our kids would be with yours regarding GF. Funny thing is that our oldest was talking about it yesterday and said he enjoyed it, but not enough to make it worth the additional cost over other deluxe resorts. So proud he's finally paying attention to that concept!

Not sure I qualify as a resort changer, but I sure can't make up my mind. Spent the last few days obsessing over it. WE have reservation now for standard room at POR, but cannot get a summer discount to apply for standard room there(none available). Spent a while considering and researching Coronado before deciding to stick with POR, but then realized I could do AKL for about $100 more than my current reservation. However I can save $106 from my current res. by upgrading to a royal room at POR, or save $236 by rebooking the standard room. All options are rebooking with a travel site. Which brings me to the choice I am struggling with...stick with POR and save (more with standard or book royal room?). I like the idea of the Royal Room since I will be guaranteed to be on the mansion side, which I very much prefer, and the rooms look pretty cool. I know I can request masions, but I requested it in the past and did not get it so you never know. But I like the idea of saving a bit more. And then, of course, there is still the idea of AKL out there, standard view not Savannah.
So now you see, I may not be a changer (yet), but I sure am nutty enough about researching and deciding to admit it here! thanks

We've stayed at all three resorts you mention - POR (x1), CSR (x3) and AKL (x2) - and I'd definitely go with AKL! From the atmosphere to the balconies to the pools to the dining options to the transportation - all better at AKL in our opinion. Pools are great (at this point, second only to SAB for us) and relatively uncrowded. And you would have access to both the Kidani pool with splash pad and the AKL pool. The AKL bus transportation has been great in our experience - AKL, Kidani and then the park. At POR, it winds around the resort making at least 5 stops before going to the park. Another option at AKL is a pool view room. We've stayed in one and it was perfect (I actually prefer it over savannah.) At the time, it was $7 more per night to upgrade from standard to pool view and entirely worth it.

 

[dimndgal1]

Honestly for $100 more I'd do AKL. One of our changers babyberger just did a trip there Standard room and she had an amazing view of the feeding area, the resort is magical. Mind you I've never done POR, but I love having everything in one building and there is SO much to see at AKL

Agree with Pas; $100 more I think you will find AKL has better amenities, bigger rooms, better food options, and being able to stroll around and see animals would make for a great break.
We did POR and while the grounds were beautiful, we weren't blown away. We had a Royal Room and DD was thrilled the first day, kind of into it the second, over it the third. We also got stuck during a tropical storm which made the walks to and from the mansions to the dining hall/busses feel that much longer. We stayed at YC for the second half of that split and DH was sold on deluxe hotels (which is saying something as we are as likely to stay Motel 6 as Hilton while traveling). We toured AKL this Sep and Dec on our trips and really found the grounds beautiful, animal viewing from several public areas, and the restaurants some of the best (seriously Boma is a new fave!)

We did CSR at Christmas and it is far and away my fave moderate (it's like a deluxe-lite) and I would not hesitate to stay there again, but for $100 I'd take Deluxe any day!

 

[pixarmom]

Just received a text with our room number!!! Flying in tonight, but great to see where we'll be!

 

[pas130]

Just received a text with our room number!!! Flying in tonight, but great to see where we'll be!

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO

 

[pixarmom]

Thanks for cheering with me!!!

 

[calablovedisney]

Thank you for your responses. I have to update here since this morning on Orbitz the numbers had changed in my favor. Not sure why and not by much, but I will take any savings! So, before they went back up I did book POR Royal room. Yesterday I could have got a garden view for $300 less than the royal room, hesitated and it was gone within 30 minutes!! But, of course AKL is still there in the back of my mind. We have stayed at POR several times and like it very much. Food options are many and court there is big. We did a short winter stay at AKL a few years back (4 nights I think), Savannah view and definitely my favorite! I do remember the food court being much smaller though. We did not get use of the pool because it was very cold during out trip. in the 30s, brrr.
We did not walk around outside or even go to Kidani side because of lack of time and the cold.
So, now I am going to forget about the rack rate reservation I had at POR standard and compare what I rebooked this morning. AKL will cost $205.60 more than the POR Royal room, and $332.48 more if I switch back to POR standard(but I really prefer mansions so went with royal). DH and I debated for quite some time last night. Our DDs are now 14 & 16, and we rent a car, so don't need to consider things for young kids anymore(I miss that), and no worries over transportation. We prefer to drive, actually. Except to DTD which the boat would be nice at POR. What we both enjoy about AKL is being able to relax in the evening around a fire or at the bar. I like the atmosphere there. And I LOVE the lobby area. I remember my family did not much like walking to the room(we were a ways from the lobby)But I didn't mind and our girls are older now. and even though they are older I do like that if DH and I want to go have a quick drink or sit in the lobby area, the girls can hang in the room and we are still the same building. However, we also enjoy walking outside at POR.
So looking at my new numbers and hearing more of my spinning thoughts, do you all still feel the same and vote for AKL? We are doing 2 nights at universal first, but I am toying with the idea of 1 night now and doing 1 night at a value to save $$ on the universal resort. hmmmm......

 

[pas130]

Thank you for your responses. I have to update here since this morning on Orbitz the numbers had changed in my favor. Not sure why and not by much, but I will take any savings! So, before they went back up I did book POR Royal room. Yesterday I could have got a garden view for $300 less than the royal room, hesitated and it was gone within 30 minutes!! But, of course AKL is still there in the back of my mind. We have stayed at POR several times and like it very much. Food options are many and court there is big. We did a short winter stay at AKL a few years back (4 nights I think), Savannah view and definitely my favorite! I do remember the food court being much smaller though. We did not get use of the pool because it was very cold during out trip. in the 30s, brrr.
We did not walk around outside or even go to Kidani side because of lack of time and the cold.
So, now I am going to forget about the rack rate reservation I had at POR standard and compare what I rebooked this morning. AKL will cost $205.60 more than the POR Royal room, and $332.48 more if I switch back to POR standard(but I really prefer mansions so went with royal). DH and I debated for quite some time last night. Our DDs are now 14 & 16, and we rent a car, so don't need to consider things for young kids anymore(I miss that), and no worries over transportation. We prefer to drive, actually. Except to DTD which the boat would be nice at POR. What we both enjoy about AKL is being able to relax in the evening around a fire or at the bar. I like the atmosphere there. And I LOVE the lobby area. I remember my family did not much like walking to the room(we were a ways from the lobby)But I didn't mind and our girls are older now. and even though they are older I do like that if DH and I want to go have a quick drink or sit in the lobby area, the girls can hang in the room and we are still the same building. However, we also enjoy walking outside at POR.
So looking at my new numbers and hearing more of my spinning thoughts, do you all still feel the same and vote for AKL? We are doing 2 nights at universal first, but I am toying with the idea of 1 night now and doing 1 night at a value to save $$ on the universal resort. hmmmm......

Yep for 200 more I would do AKL, I do like the proximity POR has to DTD, how many nights are you staying? The pool at AKL is DIVINE and there is so much more to see there walking around the viewing areas and talking with the guides. You have me wanting AKL now lol For Universal the good thing is one night does get you two days of Express Passes and you can do one night at Cabana Bay and then move over to another Universal resort. Was that the plan?

 

[pixarmom]

Still vote for AKL! We have three boys and our two older boys are 14 and 15 - they love AKL! For $200 I'd absolutely upgrade.

 

[Monykalyn]

Wash U is actually where my DMIL went for chemo and most of her care. Much more knowledgeable I think than here in Springfield. Maybe it's a good a thing that this happened...

Are you from Springfield MO? That is where I am!

 

[pixarmom]

RCers, just read an update from tikiman on facebook regarding Poly. He reports lava pool will be closed until mid-April, so really glad we jumped ship and booked BC CL for Easter weekend instead.

 

[Koh1977]

Are you from Springfield MO? That is where I am!

Actually Illinois

 

[Koh1977]

So my mom's hip replacement surgery is scheduled for April 7. Recovery time = 3 months. No weight bearing. That means they need to cancel Disney…

We rented DVC points, so I think all we can do is change dates perhaps…? :-/

I am so upset…for a number of reasons…

 

[Koh1977]

Yep for 200 more I would do AKL, I do like the proximity POR has to DTD, how many nights are you staying? The pool at AKL is DIVINE and there is so much more to see there walking around the viewing areas and talking with the guides. You have me wanting AKL now lol For Universal the good thing is one night does get you two days of Express Passes and you can do one night at Cabana Bay and then move over to another Universal resort. Was that the plan?

Can you get the Express passes for free at Cabana Bay? I thought it had to be one of their "deluxe" resorts to get that perk.

 

[pas130]

Can you get the Express passes for free at Cabana Bay? I thought it had to be one of their "deluxe" resorts to get that perk.

No you can't only early entry. That's why I suggested Cabana Bay (cheap) then move to a Universal deluxe like RPR which is a walk away

 

[pas130]

So my mom's hip replacement surgery is scheduled for April 7. Recovery time = 3 months. No weight bearing. That means they need to cancel Disney…

We rented DVC points, so I think all we can do is change dates perhaps…? :-/

I am so upset…for a number of reasons…

Oh boy, good luck hopefully they can work with you with a doctor's note. I have heard people lose their whole amount Prayers for her surgery