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

[trishadono]

Hello, all! WELCOME to the newcomers!

I am sitting in a (mostly) empty house, counting down the minutes until we roll out for Disney! I was right -- the move definitely kept me from obsessing over the trip but now I have plenty of time to tweak... as much as anyone can during Christmas week! So, in the meantime, I am packing and repacking. I am also excited that I was able to build some Disney Bounding outfits for this trip on a budget... hoping that adds some fun to the insanity!

I did have an amazing moment yesterday: DH and I decided to cancel DD7's BBB rezzie - they have one at Tokyo Disney and we can go when her hair is longer (they also have cuter hairstyles!). I went on the boards and happened upon a "Dec BBB cancel" thread and was able to touch base with someone who had been looking for a BBB rezzie for over a month. We were able to contact Disney and the CM snagged it for her as I cancelled mine. I'm glad that even though we couldn't use it, someone who really wanted it got it! ((I'm such a sap!!!))

I hope everyone has a happy Monday!

and sweet

 

[JnKinVA]

Well I did it, changed from a Standard view at CBR to a Water/Pool view

I swear I am done! No more changes!

 

[Koh1977]

Now comparing December 2015 (and flying) to Spring Break (April) and driving... DH is really not happy about this possible trip...trying to cut costs...

 

[Sue M]

Hello, all! WELCOME to the newcomers! I love seeing all the trips in the works but can't offer much insight to the resorts listed - we haven't hit the values, CBR, or monorail resorts... yet. I will say, however, that we truly found a split-stay can be a great way to satisfy the pull between two resorts and make things more budget friendly. YC was my dream resort but the cost of a week in summer was too high, so we split with a POR RR which my daughter was in love with... best of both worlds and everyone was happy! Our next stay we are shooting for AKL-SV/CR-TPV when we get back from Japan... I already can't wait!

I am sitting in a (mostly) empty house, counting down the minutes until we roll out for Disney! I was right -- the move definitely kept me from obsessing over the trip but now I have plenty of time to tweak... as much as anyone can during Christmas week! So, in the meantime, I am packing and repacking. I am also excited that I was able to build some Disney Bounding outfits for this trip on a budget... hoping that adds some fun to the insanity!

I did have an amazing moment yesterday: DH and I decided to cancel DD7's BBB rezzie - they have one at Tokyo Disney and we can go when her hair is longer (they also have cuter hairstyles!). I went on the boards and happened upon a "Dec BBB cancel" thread and was able to touch base with someone who had been looking for a BBB rezzie for over a month. We were able to contact Disney and the CM snagged it for her as I cancelled mine. I'm glad that even though we couldn't use it, someone who really wanted it got it! ((I'm such a sap!!!))

I hope everyone has a happy Monday!

Won't be long now! And how nice you were able to give someone a bit of pixie dust

Now comparing December 2015 (and flying) to Spring Break (April) and driving... DH is really not happy about this possible trip...trying to cut costs...

good luck! How long is the drive?

 

[Koh1977]

Won't be long now! And how nice you were able to give someone a bit of pixie dust good luck! How long is the drive?

18 hours I think? Longer with stops with the kids. We've done it before...

 

[disprincess2213]

Hey everyone!! I am not sure if this has been asked before...but if anyone does a split stay, how many splits is too much?!!! We are resort changers and will change our mind up until the last minute! We also love to get a feel of different resorts....its so much fun to experience them all!! We usually dotn go for more than a week at a time...but if anyone here does split stays, how many moves is too many moves?!! Great thread BTW!!

 

[shoes99]

Hey everyone!! I am not sure if this has been asked before...but if anyone does a split stay, how many splits is too much?!!! We are resort changers and will change our mind up until the last minute! We also love to get a feel of different resorts....its so much fun to experience them all!! We usually dotn go for more than a week at a time...but if anyone here does split stays, how many moves is too many moves?!! Great thread BTW!!

I have an aggressive trip planned starting in late January. 3 nights OKW, 7 nights Disney Dream (B2B) in cat 11c accessible, 1 night in a studio at VGF and 2 nights in an accessible room at AoA. I'm getting a rental scooter for the entire 13 days for DH, and renting a mini-van for part of our trip. The resort portion will be enjoying the resorts, and I have old tickets to use so we can go to Epcot to eat and MK so I can ride mine train. I think this might be too many moves, but we have stayed in every resort except AoA LM, and VGF so I told DH this was a quest and I will take it easy on him.

 

[pigletgirl]

Hey everyone!! I am not sure if this has been asked before...but if anyone does a split stay, how many splits is too much?!!! We are resort changers and will change our mind up until the last minute! We also love to get a feel of different resorts....its so much fun to experience them all!! We usually dotn go for more than a week at a time...but if anyone here does split stays, how many moves is too many moves?!! Great thread BTW!!

That's a very subjective question. We did one change and it felt like too much for us. Granted, we had a 15 month old in tow so we had a lot of junk with us as well. It might of been more reasonable if it had just been DH and I.

I'm sure you will get a myriad of answers.

Also, you can visit the ones you don't stay at. I plan on doing some of that on our next vacation.

 

[dimndgal1]

and sweet

Won't be long now! And how nice you were able to give someone a bit of pixie dust

TY! I hope her princess has a blast!

Hey everyone!! I am not sure if this has been asked before...but if anyone does a split stay, how many splits is too much?!!! We are resort changers and will change our mind up until the last minute! We also love to get a feel of different resorts....its so much fun to experience them all!! We usually dotn go for more than a week at a time...but if anyone here does split stays, how many moves is too many moves?!! Great thread BTW!!

We did one split stay and then did a full 7 days at one resort last trip and DH and I both agree we need to split once on our future trips. Our split was between POR and YC and it was perfect - enjoyed both resorts and had a built-in 'down' day on our move. We also planned more EPCOT/HS days once we moved to YC which helped with transportation. Last trip, we were all 7 days at WL and while we enjoyed it, we both would've liked to have switched halfway again just to see something new.

That said, I would only do a split-stay if we can have that down day to move... it made things so much easier and we weren't time crunched. I think if I had to worry about moving and packing and getting stuff moved, it would ruin my park day, honestly, but I'm also one who gets overwhelmed with too many things going on!


So, I'm not thrilled with the forecast for the next week at WDW and am hoping it works to our advantage by thinning the crowds (not likely since it is Christmas, but one can dream). Still, I blame DH as he has the WORST weather luck and am just grateful it will be in the 70s and rainy v. 50s and rainy!

 

[pigletgirl]

dimd -your trip is here!!!! So exciting!! I hope its everything and more that you hope for it to be! Enjoy that 70 degree temp! It's only 33 and cloudy here today. Yuck!

 

[pixarmom]

Hey everyone!! I am not sure if this has been asked before...but if anyone does a split stay, how many splits is too much?!!! We are resort changers and will change our mind up until the last minute! We also love to get a feel of different resorts....its so much fun to experience them all!! We usually dotn go for more than a week at a time...but if anyone here does split stays, how many moves is too many moves?!! Great thread BTW!!

We love split stays (as you can tell from my signature!) In a week, I think two resorts is ideal - we usually do one on the monorail and one Epcot area resort. We spend zero time on the transfer, other than calling Bell Services to move our luggage, or hopping in an early morning cab to Resort #2. Our boys are ages 7, 14 and 15 so we can pack light and we keep most things in suitcases and bags during our stay so the transfer is easy.

Even though two resorts is ideal for us, it depends on the circumstances. For our 9-night stay in January, we're splitting among four resorts. The kids wanted to try CL at AKL, our youngest requested GF CL for his birthday, and we wanted Poly for marathon weekend because it's convenient for race transportation. So it started as a 3-resort split. Then we added an extra night - would have just extended our AKL stay but didn't want to pay non-discounted holiday rates, so we added AOA.

So if you have new resorts you'd like to try or different favorites, and don't mind the transfer, go ahead!

So, I'm not thrilled with the forecast for the next week at WDW and am hoping it works to our advantage by thinning the crowds (not likely since it is Christmas, but one can dream). Still, I blame DH as he has the WORST weather luck and am just grateful it will be in the 70s and rainy v. 50s and rainy!

I agree the forecast could be better, but could definitely be worse! I remember one trip where it was 40s, rainy and really windy. It was so comically awful that we stopped to take a photo in the rain outside the monorail station at MK in our soaked ponchos. Another family stopped in the pouring rain and offered to take the photo so that we could all be in it, and then we did the same for them. Passersby thought we were all crazy. As my kids would say, if it hadn't rained that day, it would have been ordinary and we wouldn't have that memory. So excited for you - have a great trip!!!

 

[disprincess2213]

Thank you all!! Well the only way I will know how the transferring goes is to try!! We have 3 resorts booked (we had 2 but then added an extra night due to flight changes). So 3 in one week it is. We are going down prepared to move...and we will see how it goes!! THanks to all who shared experiences!!

 

[mrsmomo]

So I started a thread to help me make some decisions for next Nov/Dec and I think I only made it worse!

I'm trying to do a split stay for the first time but can't decide what two resorts I want to stay at. It's an important detail so I know how much I need to save throughout the year!

Deciding between CR or Poly and between AKL or AOA! Leaving towards a CR/AOA trip but I would love to stay at AKL also and my daughter wants the Poly

 

[Sue M]

So I started a thread to help me make some decisions for next Nov/Dec and I think I only made it worse!

I'm trying to do a split stay for the first time but can't decide what two resorts I want to stay at. It's an important detail so I know how much I need to save throughout the year!

Deciding between CR or Poly and between AKL or AOA! Leaving towards a CR/AOA trip but I would love to stay at AKL also and my daughter wants the Poly

I'd pick Poly & AKL . Both are unique beautiful themed resorts. I know some people love CR, but to me it lacks theme and pretty grounds, and could be a hotel in an airport. For me it doesn't have that wow factor.

 

[Koh1977]

So I was trying to compromise for DH since this December 2015 trip with my parents was not making him happy. Priced out Spring Break instead, but he nixed that as well...so...

How are the beds at ASMo vs Pop vs AOA (LM) vs AOA (table bed in the family suites)?

Wasn't terribly impressed with the beds at POR this past July, but have loved the deluxes - WL, BC, and Poly. Is there that much of a difference?

 

[trishadono]

So I was trying to compromise for DH since this December 2015 trip with my parents was not making him happy. Priced out Spring Break instead, but he nixed that as well...so...

How are the beds at ASMo vs Pop vs AOA (LM) vs AOA (table bed in the family suites)?

Wasn't terribly impressed with the beds at POR this past July, but have loved the deluxes - WL, BC, and Poly. Is there that much of a difference?

Value beds are the hardest. Mods in the middle and the deluxe, well they are the best.

Surprisingly I don't mind the sleeper sofa in the Villas of BLT and GF.

 

[pigletgirl]

Value beds are the hardest. Mods in the middle and the deluxe, well they are the best.

Surprisingly I don't mind the sleeper sofa in the Villas of BLT and GF.

The beds ate Pop were more comfortable than the ones at POFQ. I think they're all pretty standard.

 

[pixarmom]

I'd pick Poly & AKL . Both are unique beautiful themed resorts. I know some people love CR, but to me it lacks theme and pretty grounds, and could be a hotel in an airport. For me it doesn't have that wow factor.

We've stayed at Poly, AKL, CR and in 16 days, we will be staying at AOA! I agree with Sue's recommendation. And I do like CR, just for a quick overnight when we're spending lots of time at MK. Stayed there for MNSSHP night and will again for Easter weekend, but again, only for quick stays and part of a split.

So I was trying to compromise for DH since this December 2015 trip with my parents was not making him happy. Priced out Spring Break instead, but he nixed that as well...so...

How are the beds at ASMo vs Pop vs AOA (LM) vs AOA (table bed in the family suites)?

Wasn't terribly impressed with the beds at POR this past July, but have loved the deluxes - WL, BC, and Poly. Is there that much of a difference?

Value beds are the hardest. Mods in the middle and the deluxe, well they are the best.

Agreed! Beds at mods/value aren't terrible in my opinion, just not anything like deluxe. Especially BC, for some reason.

Trishadono, need help! The Disney part of our trip starts in 16 days and I'm getting Poly cold feet. Lobby should be open, and Hawaii looks like it's in good shape, but I'm seeing lots of those "right into the construction pit" photos and getting nervous. It's a marathon weekend stay - lots of running and running around. And I've moved my parents over to Poly CL for their last night and they are really looking forward to it (I've warned them about the construction.) Can't switch now anyway, even if wanted to, so can you share some words of encouragement again?

 

[dimndgal1]

I agree the forecast could be better, but could definitely be worse! I remember one trip where it was 40s, rainy and really windy. It was so comically awful that we stopped to take a photo in the rain outside the monorail station at MK in our soaked ponchos. Another family stopped in the pouring rain and offered to take the photo so that we could all be in it, and then we did the same for them. Passersby thought we were all crazy. As my kids would say, if it hadn't rained that day, it would have been ordinary and we wouldn't have that memory. So excited for you - have a great trip!!!

Thanks! I totally agree - I'd rather it be warm and rainy than cold! When we lived in Jax, DH and I did Who Wants to be a Millionaire 'Walk in and Win' thing at HS... I think it was the Sunday of MLK weekend. I'm not kidding but there was frost on our windshield that morning when we headed from our hotel to HS. DH was in studio all day (didn't make it to the hot seat but did get some time on camera in the audience) and I was roaming HS freezing my bootay off -- it was the first time I rode ToT at night and it literally took my breath away because when the doors opened the cold was so icy! *shakes head* I felt sorry for the people who came prepared for Florida and got New York!

dimd -your trip is here!!!! So exciting!! I hope its everything and more that you hope for it to be! Enjoy that 70 degree temp! It's only 33 and cloudy here today. Yuck!

Thank you!!! I am looking forward to Sat: we have some quality pool time before heading to FW to scope the decorations and the forecast looks good for that, at least. I also know that it's Florida so there's just as much a chance of storms on the days they predict it as the days they don't.


The kids are getting stir crazy and I'm entering FREAK OUT mode! I've got everything sorted and together but feel like I'm just not ready!!! AHHHH!

 

[pixarmom]

T I felt sorry for the people who came prepared for Florida and got New York!



Thank you!!! I am looking forward to Sat: we have some quality pool time before heading to FW to scope the decorations and the forecast looks good for that, at least. I also know that it's Florida so there's just as much a chance of storms on the days they predict it as the days they don't.


The kids are getting stir crazy and I'm entering FREAK OUT mode! I've got everything sorted and together but feel like I'm just not ready!!! AHHHH!

You're almost there! And this reminds me of my parents, when they went with my brother's family. They had to wear every piece of clothing they had in their suitcases and they were still cold - just reminded my mom of that the other day so that she will be warm when they meet us there in January!

Also, saw your WONDERFUL idea on the cake chatter thread! Really hope that works out - so thoughtful. If you go ahead with it, please be sure to post photos! We just ordered a custom Goofy cake for our son's bday dinner at Chef Mickey's, and while the price makes me a little hesitant, I'm hopeful it will be worth it!