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

[Koh1977]

We fly out tomorrow morning!!! Back at my favorite resort, the Poly. Despite construction, it is still my happy place. my mom is getting around quite well and looking so forward to meeting us at HS on Sunday for SWW. Can't wait!!

 

[Aerinha]

So I was 9 days at YC, but learned of magical deals and switched to the Poly which was then cheaper than YC. Was really excited to try the Poly, going in Dec so construction should be less than now I hope. Also thrilled to be back on monorail. Plan was to use it from resort to MK and walk to TTC to get it to Epcot. Buses were only for AK and HS. Thrilled. Then I read that, refurbishment aside, the monorail really didn't cater to emh anymore, which was not the case during my GF stay years ago and while it briefly seemed like the resort monorail would still get me to MK before 8, but am now reading that it might not run early enough to do this either. I rope drop, this is a pain. Calmed down, decided bus for Epcot not bad, could boat to MK, but now blogs say boat doesn't start until 8:30! Magical deal or not, I am now paying a lot to have to play "how can I get to the parks", since schedules seem to vary by the day and likely end up on the buses I was trying to avoid.

Excited as I am about the Poly as a resort, I keep thinking how, if I am stuck with a bus for 4 parks, it might be better to switch back to an Epcot resort so that I can at least walk to Epcot and HS, and would be paying less, making a bus to MK less objectionable. The switch depends on still getting a magical deal. If I had to pay full price, the Poly would be cheaper. But I am not thrilled to be in a hotel rut either. I love YC, but have done it twice and BW and BC really aren't that different. Sigh.

So confused right now.

 

[pas130]

We fly out tomorrow morning!!! Back at my favorite resort, the Poly. Despite construction, it is still my happy place. my mom is getting around quite well and looking so forward to meeting us at HS on Sunday for SWW. Can't wait!!

Safe travels, and take lots of pics!

 

[dimndgal1]

We have never stayed at AoA, but would love to! Problem is we are too big for the suites (7 total). I prefer the theming and pools at AoA to POR, that said POR is beautiful although I have never stayed there. The boat to DtD is a huge help in having a variety of food and just places to walk around outside the parks. Free dining PLUS! The rooms and beds are bigger at POR, another plus. The only negative to POR is the internal bus so it may take longer getting to the parks. I think the Royal rooms are in a preferred section though, closer to food and pools I think. Either way your trip will be amazing I think
nice to see you! And I look forward to your overseas TR from Tokyo I am very excited fro BC, but you know it's in my nature to look!! Once DS14's performance band schedule comes out I'd love to book our December trip (that DH doesn't know about)...all I know is DS14 gets to go to Disney so we should go too!!

The Royal Rooms are in the mansions and if you get one of the middle ones, you're close to the footbridge that leads to the dining/pool area so that helps.

I agree that if your kids get to go, you should too! My mom threatened to go on our honeymoon because she deserved a vacation as well. We ended up not taking a real honeymoon but anytime we make plans she's always 'threatening' to find us.

We fly out tomorrow morning!!! Back at my favorite resort, the Poly. Despite construction, it is still my happy place. my mom is getting around quite well and looking so forward to meeting us at HS on Sunday for SWW. Can't wait!!

W00t! I am so glad your mom is doing better! Can't wait to see pics and hear about SWW!!! Who are the special guests when you go?

So I was 9 days at YC, but learned of magical deals and switched to the Poly which was then cheaper than YC. Was really excited to try the Poly, going in Dec so construction should be less than now I hope. Also thrilled to be back on monorail. Plan was to use it from resort to MK and walk to TTC to get it to Epcot. Buses were only for AK and HS. Thrilled. Then I read that, refurbishment aside, the monorail really didn't cater to emh anymore, which was not the case during my GF stay years ago and while it briefly seemed like the resort monorail would still get me to MK before 8, but am now reading that it might not run early enough to do this either. I rope drop, this is a pain. Calmed down, decided bus for Epcot not bad, could boat to MK, but now blogs say boat doesn't start until 8:30! Magical deal or not, I am now paying a lot to have to play "how can I get to the parks", since schedules seem to vary by the day and likely end up on the buses I was trying to avoid.

Excited as I am about the Poly as a resort, I keep thinking how, if I am stuck with a bus for 4 parks, it might be better to switch back to an Epcot resort so that I can at least walk to Epcot and HS, and would be paying less, making a bus to MK less objectionable. The switch depends on still getting a magical deal. If I had to pay full price, the Poly would be cheaper. But I am not thrilled to be in a hotel rut either. I love YC, but have done it twice and BW and BC really aren't that different. Sigh.

So confused right now.

I hadn't heard that about the monorail not catering to EMH - I know when we stayed at WL in September we saw the resort monorail running as we boated over for EMH. Does the resort keep different hours than the main line, maybe? I hope it works out for you especially since you got a great deal!!!

 

[Sue M]

So I was 9 days at YC, but learned of magical deals and switched to the Poly which was then cheaper than YC. Was really excited to try the Poly, going in Dec so construction should be less than now I hope. Also thrilled to be back on monorail. Plan was to use it from resort to MK and walk to TTC to get it to Epcot. Buses were only for AK and HS. Thrilled. Then I read that, refurbishment aside, the monorail really didn't cater to emh anymore, which was not the case during my GF stay years ago and while it briefly seemed like the resort monorail would still get me to MK before 8, but am now reading that it might not run early enough to do this either. I rope drop, this is a pain. Calmed down, decided bus for Epcot not bad, could boat to MK, but now blogs say boat doesn't start until 8:30! Magical deal or not, I am now paying a lot to have to play "how can I get to the parks", since schedules seem to vary by the day and likely end up on the buses I was trying to avoid.

Excited as I am about the Poly as a resort, I keep thinking how, if I am stuck with a bus for 4 parks, it might be better to switch back to an Epcot resort so that I can at least walk to Epcot and HS, and would be paying less, making a bus to MK less objectionable. The switch depends on still getting a magical deal. If I had to pay full price, the Poly would be cheaper. But I am not thrilled to be in a hotel rut either. I love YC, but have done it twice and BW and BC really aren't that different. Sigh.

So confused right now.

They are undergoing refurbs with monorail. Sched seems to change depending on what they're working on. Last August we had to bus to Epcot (from GF) for RD, but getting back was fine. It was still nice, and being in the MK area was still very enjoyable.

 

[Aerinha]

I hadn't heard that about the monorail not catering to EMH - I know when we stayed at WL in September we saw the resort monorail running as we boated over for EMH. Does the resort keep different hours than the main line, maybe? I hope it works out for you especially since you got a great deal!!!

I guess my big concern is that is having to figure out daily how I am getting to MK and Epcot first thing. I don't want to wait for a monorail or boat that isn't coming so that by the time I find out and get a bus I miss rope drop, or wait for a bus that isn't coming because the monorails are running. What hours the monorails work seem to vary based on which site I read. When I booked the trip, I was aware refurb would impact midday use, which wasn't an issue for me, but did not know the cropped out the EMH or that refurb would further impact morning rope drop. Allowing for bus time means I have to change some of my breakfast plans.

 

[Aerinha]

They are undergoing refurbs with monorail. Sched seems to change depending on what they're working on. Last August we had to bus to Epcot (from GF) for RD, but getting back was fine. It was still nice, and being in the MK area was still very enjoyable.

That makes me feel a little better. Do you remember if the resorts posted hours so you knew what mode to take? Or did you rely on web infor?

 

[Sue M]

That makes me feel a little better. Do you remember if the resorts posted hours so you knew what mode to take? Or did you rely on web infor?

They had the info at resort.

 

[Aerinha]

They had the info at resort.

Ok, I can relax more. Thanks.

 

[torsie24]

Hi all

Think I've found my spiritual home!

My name is Victoria and I'm a resort changing addict!

I've never had a DIsney trip where I've not chaged resort pre-travel.

Preivous trips I've:

Booked CSR, switched to POFQ then switched again to AKL.

All 4 DLRP trips I've upgraded resort before departure (current trip we have booked there's no more hotels for me to upgrade to, but I'm sure if a deal comes out I'll try and upgrade room catergory or add dining etc)

Last WDW trip we ended up staying at 4 different resorts (AKL, GF, BW & BLT) I also added and then removed a cruise on the Dream, (big regret that we cancelled, but we enjoyed our stay at BLT which took it's place.)

----

So, now the time has come for us to plan our first visit to WDW with our daughter - it won't be until April 2017, to coincide with her 4th birthday. But I like to plan ahead as we're coming from the UK.

We'll be staying about 14 nights.

My first plan was AoA with a car. Then chaged my mind to CBR with the DDP (offer on UK WDW site) with 2 nigths at the end at either Poly or Floridian villas as both look great.

I'm now changing my opinion maybe we're best to go back to our beloved AKL and get meals OOP as we really don't need 14 TS meals in two weeks, that's a lot of ADRs to tie us down!

I'm sure my mind will change a billion times more over the next 10 months until I can book!

 

[dimndgal1]

Hi all

So, now the time has come for us to plan our first visit to WDW with our daughter - it won't be until April 2017, to coincide with her 4th birthday. But I like to plan ahead as we're coming from the UK.

We'll be staying about 14 nights.

My first plan was AoA with a car. Then chaged my mind to CBR with the DDP (offer on UK WDW site) with 2 nigths at the end at either Poly or Floridian villas as both look great.

I'm now changing my opinion maybe we're best to go back to our beloved AKL and get meals OOP as we really don't need 14 TS meals in two weeks, that's a lot of ADRs to tie us down!

I'm sure my mind will change a billion times more over the next 10 months until I can book!

WELCOME To the RC board!
This group is an amazing resource and a great place to not feel judged by resort hopping!

First, let me say how jealous I am of your DLRP trips! We are currently clearing the Asian Disney properties but DLRP is that elusive creature that so far sits in our lofty dreams... one day!

Since you are staying for such an extended period, I honestly think you would do well with the change to a moderate... just having the extra space and larger beds will make it easier for you to camp out a bit. Since you're familiar with a good number of deluxes, I wonder if you might do well considering a split stay for your trip? If you can get a good DDP deal with the moderate, maybe do a mod with DP for the first part of your trip and book the majority of character meals, then the last half move to a deluxe and pay OOP. I have heard from several friends who do extended trips that they like to relax a little more toward the end of their stay and have more resort time so this would let you maximize the DP (character meals are how to make it work best), and then you could move to a deluxe and spend some time enjoying the resort and amenities and take a more leisurely approach to the parks the latter half of your stay. That said, if you decide moderate all the way, we did CSR this past Christmas and DD loved it (she was 7 at the time). The pool activites at the resorts are great so it makes for fun quiet days even if you don't go to a park! I'd also look into an evening at Fort Wilderness to do the Chip n Dale Campfire and then maybe catch Wishes from the beach there... free/cheap character fun and a great view of the fireworks! Our daughter loved it and it is a new MUST DO on future trips.

I will warn you one thing about AoA: my friend went with her crew of 3 - 6, 4, 1 - and she was dismayed by the sheer size of the resort... esp to the LM rooms. Great theming, wonderful rooms, but a hard walk when toting back a sleepy toddler! Just something to consider! Happy planning!

*~*
I hope everyone is finding a great start to June! Our weather has turned warm and soggy (between the humidity and the rain, I'm feeling a bit like perpetual Splash Mountain mode). DD7 has one more week of school and then we start our summer of fun! Two weeks from today we head to Tokyo and I am so excited!!! One day at Yokohama (a must do for anyone visiting the area!) and then 3 days at TDR!!! I am super excited because we will see the change of season from Disney Easter to a local Japanese holiday and I have been told it literally happens overnight. I promise to have lots of pics!

It also looks like things are a go for my trip with my ILs to Osaka and Kyoto next month! We got a great deal at a hotel in Universal City (another secret - most locals don't like the western style hotels there so it was cheaper than staying in downtown Osaka), and will do a day in Kyoto and a day at US-J... can't wait to see Harry Potter there!

I am so looking forward to everyone's trips and TRs! I know we have so many on the board headed down now and in the near future so I wish everyoen the best!!!!

 

[nhtinkerbell]

Ok here it goes. Can i switch resorts being 34 days out. The package is paid for and we recieved mickey mail yesterday. We r currently booked at the pop standard view but my heart is at POR. Ive been going back and forth with every reaort sunce we desided to go and now that its almost here i wanna switch again. Was hoping someone could answer this so i didnt have to sit on hold waiting for a CM.
Thanx in advance.

 

[johnsonet]

^yes, you can definitely switch. You'll just owe them some $$

 

[nhtinkerbell]

^yes, you can definitely switch. You'll just owe them some $$

Awesome. Thank you for the reply. The wait time is crazy right now so im going to wait a little bit then do the change again.

 

[Sparkly]

Mum signed up for a waitlist for GFV, but I know we're never going to get anything this late. It was sketchy when we first booked at 6 months out for availability. OKW 1 bed was the only thing available for the whole week!

 

[johnsonet]

Awesome. Thank you for the reply. The wait time is crazy right now so im going to wait a little bit then do the change again.

You're welcome. Good luck!
It does look like you would be charged a fee if you were modifying to a less expensive package, fyi.
You can modify some reservations online now

Mum signed up for a waitlist for GFV, but I know we're never going to get anything this late. It was sketchy when we first booked at 6 months out for availability. OKW 1 bed was the only thing available for the whole week!

Good luck. You never know what might pop up.

 

[nhtinkerbell]

No fee to upgrade to the moderate resort. Had a great time talking with the CM. Cant wait to get back to POR.

 

[pigletgirl]

No fee to upgrade to the moderate resort. Had a great time talking with the CM. Cant wait to get back to POR.

Very good to hear!

I've been booked at CBR for 3 weeks already. Feeling really content with our choice. I'm ready for vacation!!

 

[johnsonet]

No fee to upgrade to the moderate resort. Had a great time talking with the CM. Cant wait to get back to POR.

Yay!

I'm thinking of adding a night at Cabana Bay Resort to our July trip. Has anyone here stayed there? Really want to check out this resort

 

[torsie24]

WELCOME To the RC board!
This group is an amazing resource and a great place to not feel judged by resort hopping!

First, let me say how jealous I am of your DLRP trips! We are currently clearing the Asian Disney properties but DLRP is that elusive creature that so far sits in our lofty dreams... one day!

Since you are staying for such an extended period, I honestly think you would do well with the change to a moderate... just having the extra space and larger beds will make it easier for you to camp out a bit. Since you're familiar with a good number of deluxes, I wonder if you might do well considering a split stay for your trip? If you can get a good DDP deal with the moderate, maybe do a mod with DP for the first part of your trip and book the majority of character meals, then the last half move to a deluxe and pay OOP. I have heard from several friends who do extended trips that they like to relax a little more toward the end of their stay and have more resort time so this would let you maximize the DP (character meals are how to make it work best), and then you could move to a deluxe and spend some time enjoying the resort and amenities and take a more leisurely approach to the parks the latter half of your stay. That said, if you decide moderate all the way, we did CSR this past Christmas and DD loved it (she was 7 at the time). The pool activites at the resorts are great so it makes for fun quiet days even if you don't go to a park! I'd also look into an evening at Fort Wilderness to do the Chip n Dale Campfire and then maybe catch Wishes from the beach there... free/cheap character fun and a great view of the fireworks! Our daughter loved it and it is a new MUST DO on future trips.

I will warn you one thing about AoA: my friend went with her crew of 3 - 6, 4, 1 - and she was dismayed by the sheer size of the resort... esp to the LM rooms. Great theming, wonderful rooms, but a hard walk when toting back a sleepy toddler! Just something to consider! Happy planning!

Thanks so much for such a warm welcome

I think CBR is going to win. It's £1800 ($2700) for two weeks for us, then £800 ($1200) for our tickets. As UK guests we get 14 day tickets, and then the DDP is included once we buy those as a package with the hotel. It's only QSDP that's included with a Moderate resort, but the difference is under £400 ($600) to upgrade to DDP so I think that's a great deal.

So I'm inclined to spend the majority, if not all of the trip at CBR as the DDP only lasts as long as the resort stay. So If we do say, Thur - Tues (12 nights) at CBR. Then Tue-Thu (2 nights) at the GF we'd still have DDP left on the Tuesday to spend while at GF. Then we'd just have Wednesday and Thursday to pay OOP but after 12 days of DDP we probably won't be too hungry.

If you ever need any help planning DLRP I'm your gal. Currently doing our TR from March - link is in my signature. I used to much prefer WDW to DLRP, but I have to say our recent trip was so so magical at DLRP, they've really improved since our last visit in 2012, and the new Ratatouille ride is incredible - they need to put it in EPCOT!