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

[pas130]

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.

I want an excellent BC CL report young lady, since it looks like RPC might not be in the cards. Enjoy enjoy enjoy

 

[calablovedisney]

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?

For Universal I currently have Royal Pacific for the first 2 nights. That will give us express passes for 3 days. My plan was 2 nights at Universal and then 8 nights at Disney. That is what I have booked right now. I didn't even think of Cabana Bay for 1 night. That's a good idea to save money, but I think I would want 2 days of early entry without the hassle of moving hotels. I did book through cheaptickets with 20% off. However, I was considering maybe staying at RPH for maybe just the 1st night and doing the Hogsmeade side of HP the 1st day in the afternoon/evening(I know then I only use 1 early entry on day 2 in this case), and do Diagon Alley the 2nd. then moving to a value at Disney for our 1st Disney night before going over to POR or AKL.
I am feeling confused now as you can see. It's all about moving dollars around right now. What is better about the pool at AKL compared to POR? My DH wanted only 1 night at universal at first, but I liked the 2 we had done before. Gave us time to enjoy the pool and relax at the beginning of our vacation. I am usually pretty wired the 1st couple of days. comes with being the planner. And the wrench in my new thinking is that DD birthday is our 1st full day there and she wants to be at Universal and not have to move resorts on her birthday. hmmm....you see why I belong on this thread. Can't make a decision without creating more options!

 

[gwynne]

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 dear, I can see why you're upset. Sometimes when it rains it pours. I hope you're able to get a date change with a note.

 

[Monykalyn]

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 no! Hope things can (eventually) work out. Maybe your mom will be feeling much better in 3-6 months and have and excuse for a new trip (even if shorter??)

 

[pixarmom]

Koh, really hope it all works out - please let us know what you decide.

 

[dimndgal1]

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

Giddy!

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......

I would still go AKL, esp if your kiddos are older - Royal Room is geared toward the younger princess and with older kids, the balcony at AKL might be a welcome respite for either them or you. We had worried that AKL was so remote from other places (which is one reason we did WL in Sept) but we went to Boma in Sept and Dec and both times the bus ride wasn't bad at all ((we did Boma from a park in Sept and Boma from CSR in Dec - switched at Blizzard Beach). I think when we come back stateside we are looking at an AKL Savannah/CR TPV split because both seem so magical in their own way.

Whatever you choose, I know you'll make the best of it but for $200, I'd take advantage of the space and amenities of the deluxe.

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…

Thoughts to you and your fam; it's a hard surgery but hopefully will be worth it 10x over in the end. And, If you can postpone the trip to after she's recovered you can all truly enjoy it and not worry about overdoing it. I did Disney 8 weeks post-op and as long as you go slow, it's definitely worth it - if anything, it made me stop and 'smell the flowers'... I noticed so many things I never noticed before, planned more indoor activities, and it was a great excuse to have more sit-down meals!

 

[ktboston]

Hi, this is my first time posting to this site and I think I am in the right place. I made reservations for my family about a month ago and have called Disney a zillion times since then, considering other resorts. I haven't officially changed our original resort but I am all over the map. I am hoping someone with more experience can point me in the right direction!

This is my first time traveling to Disney with kids and my first time staying on the property. It has been 10 years since I last visited Disney. We are eligible for Stars and Stripes discount on resorts. There are four of us traveling: my husband, myself, and our two daughters, who will be 4 and 6. We are currently booked in a 1 BR Villa at WL. For whatever reason, that theming doesn't appeal to my husband and I have been wondering about being even closer to the MK. But then he would also like to have a second bathroom. So we have looked at everything from a 1 BR at Kidani, which has two bathrooms, to the Art of Animation Suites, to connecting rooms in moderate and deluxe resorts. DH likes the look of the Boardwalk Inn. I do, too...but then again, everything looks nice! AKL fits many criteria but seems far away and I don't envision us spending a lot of time there. I wonder if two rooms at CR would better, simply because it is so close and would facilitate midday returns for rest. The resort as a whole isn't the moste appealing to me, though. I dunno, as I said, I am all over the map!! Any and all advice is most appreciated! Thank you!

Oh one other thing -- we don't need a full kitchen but a toaster would be helpful. (Could we always bring one in?)

 

[dimndgal1]

Hi, this is my first time posting to this site and I think I am in the right place. I made reservations for my family about a month ago and have called Disney a zillion times since then, considering other resorts. I haven't officially changed our original resort but I am all over the map. I am hoping someone with more experience can point me in the right direction!

This is my first time traveling to Disney with kids and my first time staying on the property. It has been 10 years since I last visited Disney. We are eligible for Stars and Stripes discount on resorts. There are four of us traveling: my husband, myself, and our two daughters, who will be 4 and 6. We are currently booked in a 1 BR Villa at WL. For whatever reason, that theming doesn't appeal to my husband and I have been wondering about being even closer to the MK. But then he would also like to have a second bathroom. So we have looked at everything from a 1 BR at Kidani, which has two bathrooms, to the Art of Animation Suites, to connecting rooms in moderate and deluxe resorts. DH likes the look of the Boardwalk Inn. I do, too...but then again, everything looks nice! AKL fits many criteria but seems far away and I don't envision us spending a lot of time there. I wonder if two rooms at CR would better, simply because it is so close and would facilitate midday returns for rest. The resort as a whole isn't the moste appealing to me, though. I dunno, as I said, I am all over the map!! Any and all advice is most appreciated! Thank you!

Oh one other thing -- we don't need a full kitchen but a toaster would be helpful. (Could we always bring one in?)

HELLO! Welcome to the boards!
I will say that when it comes to the military discount, deluxe is often the way to go (we stayed at WL for under $200 a night last year with that discount and were glad to have it!)

How long are you going? With kiddos that age, I would plan extra time at MK on your trip (esp with two princesses). Have you considered a split stay? We did that a few years ago and my DH is sold on them for our future trips. We did POR and YC (and became deluxe snobs!), and are looking at a AKL/CR split our next trip. If you can consider it, you could split CR/BWI and then plan your days so that you do MK on the CR part and EPCOT/HS on the BWI part... makes for easy breaks and gives you the chance to see both resorts!

If you're looking at moderates, we did CSR at Christmas and really enjoyed it - sort of a deluxe-lite and amazing busses! If you can swing CR, I think it's worth it for location and amenities - being able to literally walk to MK is amazing! Also, you can take the boat and monorail to so many other places super easy that you have some great options if you need breaks or for meals. WL is nice but if you aren't into woodsy theme, it may not be your place. AKL is beautiful but if you plan on spending more time at MK, it might not be worth it for the longer bus rides. All that said, YC is our favorite resort and we loved being able to walk to and from EPCOT. We had a 'down day' at the resort and loved SAB and walking the Boardwalk at night... great way to relax and rest for more park time. The boat to HS was a great perk, too!

If I were you, I would make a list of what you want in a resort and see which meets the criteria best. We have two kiddos (2 and 7) and decided while they are young, we can manage in 1 deluxe room v. getting a villa (that will change when they are older and we need space!). Last trip in Sept, we sat on the balcony while kiddos settled down for the night and had a nice conversation and a sweet treat while enjoying the atmosphere.

 

[ktboston]

Thank you! We are only staying four nights so I am not sure if a split stay is worth it. We are leaning towards the CR for its proximity to MK. I better call Disney before we change our minds again lol!

 

[dimndgal1]

Thank you! We are only staying four nights so I am not sure if a split stay is worth it. We are leaning towards the CR for its proximity to MK. I better call Disney before we change our minds again lol!

I think CR is the best for your trip! When the kiddos get older, they will appreciate EPCOT and HS more so you can always look that way then, but at this age, nothing beats the magic of the castle!!! Have fun!

 

[Kodachrome_Dreams]

Round Three! I initially booked Polynesian for our May trip; switched to Grand Floridian two weeks ago due to concern about construction; yesterday switched again when a Tower Theme Park View at Contemporary popped back on the system at Spring Offer rates (this room type was never available during my previous searches).

Okay, I think I am finally content! lol

 

[ktboston]

Ok, we booked two connecting rooms at the CR. Garden Wing, Garden View. Fingers crossed!

 

[dansdad]

Ok, we booked two connecting rooms at the CR. Garden Wing, Garden View. Fingers crossed!

I'm only saying this so you aren't completely surprised when you get there. Connecting rooms are not something you can book at a WDW resort. You book 2 rooms and request that they be connecting. Now Disney will do everything in their power to grant your request of connecting room, but it's not a guarantee. So there is the possibility that you will be in 2 rooms that don't connect and may not even be next to one another. I have personal experience with this.

Again, not trying to be negative I just want to make sure you realize the possibility.

 

[ktboston]

Thank you. I appreciate your candor. Disney told me that they could guarantee connecting rooms because we only have two adults in our party. Does your experience contradict that? If.I change resorts again, DH will lose his mind lol!

 

[dansdad]

Thank you. I appreciate your candor. Disney told me that they could guarantee connecting rooms because we only have two adults in our party. Does your experience contradict that? If.I change resorts again, DH will lose his mind lol!

Yes, my experiences directly contradicts that. Twice we were traveling with a party of 7, my wife and I and 5 kids all under 11. We were told by the phone CM that because there were more kids than adults we would be guaranteed connecting rooms. Our email confirmation and the paperwork mailed to us said guaranteed connecting rooms.

The first time our 2 rooms were not even in the same building. After spending hours with the resort manager and room assigner, they could get us rooms on the same floor in the same building but with 5 rooms in between on the 4th day of our week long stay.

The second time, again were told our connecting rooms would be guaranteed on the phone. I mentioned our previous experience and the phone CM was aghast and was adamant they made a huge mistake before, etc. He stated the first CM must not have booked it correctly and he would take care of us. Again all our paperwork stated guaranteed connecting and once again when we arrived they were not. This time at least we were in the same building, but different floors. They moved us 3 rooms apart on day 3.

From my multiple discussions with 2 resort manager and guest relations, they only thing your are guaranteed when booking is A room on WDW property. I was shown that fine print twice. They just do not have the ability to "lock off" connecting rooms when you book.

I know that my experience is in the minority, but from reading other experiences on the DIS it definitely happens.

 

[Jojo200]

Hi, this is my first time posting to this site and I think I am in the right place. I made reservations for my family about a month ago and have called Disney a zillion times since then, considering other resorts. I haven't officially changed our original resort but I am all over the map. I am hoping someone with more experience can point me in the right direction!

This is my first time traveling to Disney with kids and my first time staying on the property. It has been 10 years since I last visited Disney. We are eligible for Stars and Stripes discount on resorts. There are four of us traveling: my husband, myself, and our two daughters, who will be 4 and 6. We are currently booked in a 1 BR Villa at WL. For whatever reason, that theming doesn't appeal to my husband and I have been wondering about being even closer to the MK. But then he would also like to have a second bathroom. So we have looked at everything from a 1 BR at Kidani, which has two bathrooms, to the Art of Animation Suites, to connecting rooms in moderate and deluxe resorts. DH likes the look of the Boardwalk Inn. I do, too...but then again, everything looks nice! AKL fits many criteria but seems far away and I don't envision us spending a lot of time there. I wonder if two rooms at CR would better, simply because it is so close and would facilitate midday returns for rest. The resort as a whole isn't the moste appealing to me, though. I dunno, as I said, I am all over the map!! Any and all advice is most appreciated! Thank you!

Oh one other thing -- we don't need a full kitchen but a toaster would be helpful. (Could we always bring one in?)

We love the Contemporary Resort, especially because of the room size being one of the largest. We fit 2 adults and 3 children (and mine are 14-22) easily. When we then stayed at the Boardwalk and Beach Club, we were surprised how the square footage makes such a huge difference (those two being smaller compared to Contemporary). I know you said you may want two bathrooms but for us, even with older children, we would definitely consider the Contemporary as a resort I don't mind having just one room. I am a constant resort changer, but we love everything about the Contemporary. Just a consideration if decide to cut cost somewhere.

 

[Jojo200]

Yes, my experiences directly contradicts that. Twice we were traveling with a party of 7, my wife and I and 5 kids all under 11. We were told by the phone CM that because there were more kids than adults we would be guaranteed connecting rooms. Our email confirmation and the paperwork mailed to us said guaranteed connecting rooms.

The first time our 2 rooms were not even in the same building. After spending hours with the resort manager and room assigner, they could get us rooms on the same floor in the same building but with 5 rooms in between on the 4th day of our week long stay.

The second time, again were told our connecting rooms would be guaranteed on the phone. I mentioned our previous experience and the phone CM was aghast and was adamant they made a huge mistake before, etc. He stated the first CM must not have booked it correctly and he would take care of us. Again all our paperwork stated guaranteed connecting and once again when we arrived they were not. This time at least we were in the same building, but different floors. They moved us 3 rooms apart on day 3.

From my multiple discussions with 2 resort manager and guest relations, they only thing your are guaranteed when booking is A room on WDW property. I was shown that fine print twice. They just do not have the ability to "lock off" connecting rooms when you book.

I know that my experience is in the minority, but from reading other experiences on the DIS it definitely happens.

I had the same experience but my children are older (DD's 14, 16, 20, and 22) so I figured parents with younger children got first dibs. At WL we were a floor apart but moved us to same floor many rooms apart at check in. At AKL we had adjoining rooms, not connecting. I didn't think it would be too bad, until we got to the rooms and realized our magic bands only open our individually assigned room. They looked bewildered when I went back to the desk to ask how I was supposed to enter my children's room. Then they offered duplicate key cards for the rooms so now I had a magic band for mine and a card for theirs. It worked, but got confusing, and grew old quickly. Now at the Contemporary and the Boardwalk we were given connecting, so it was much more convenient, but I learned to be prepared either way.

 

[ktboston]

Thanks for the feedback. DH is adamant that we not all sleep in the same room and is pretty keen on a second bathroom. Kidani Village fits the bill but AK is.not of huge interest to us. Any other suggestions? Art of An Suites could work but then we lose the walkability of the CR.

 

[ktboston]

On the phone with Disney right now...this lady did admit, after some prodding, that they can't guarantee connecting rooms, only that they will "do their best." This lady is not my favorite...I was actually looking forward to the survey but I got disconnected lol!

Ok back to the drawing board. Serenity now!!!

 

[pas130]

Thanks for the feedback. DH is adamant that we not all sleep in the same room and is pretty keen on a second bathroom. Kidani Village fits the bill but AK is.not of huge interest to us. Any other suggestions? Art of An Suites could work but then we lose the walkability of the CR.

BLT? maybe