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

[woody5]

is the studio at SSR available during your stay with the Disney+ discount? If available it should be $249 per night. A little more than POR but cheaper than a 1 bedroom.

 

[SwanVT2]

is the studio at SSR available during your stay with the Disney+ discount? If available it should be $249 per night. A little more than POR but cheaper than a 1 bedroom.

It is but if we go down we would like the 5th sleeper room and lower price at POR. Sometimes I move a lot in my sleep
So we would want three beds

 

[kylenne]

I figured this was a non judgmental place to post dilemma. Currently booked a one bedroom villa at SSR for 2400 for five nights. Pros close to SSR and lots of space to spread out for me, DH and DD (13) as it will be July and I imagine we will come back to the room to cool down before going out to dinner at DS. Only have two park days with two non park days for DS shopping and eating. Could get POR with Disney plus deal for 950 woods view room with 5th sleeper. Pros great savings cons, loud AC, less space to spread out and having to take crowded boat or longer bus ride to DS. WWYD?

Will you have extended hours during your stay? That could be another deciding factor.

 

[SwanVT2]

Will you have extended hours during your stay? That could be another deciding factor.

We only have two park days and wouldn’t plan on using extended hours because we are not night people

 

[kylenne]

We only have two park days and wouldn’t plan on using extended hours because we are not night people

I would still stick with SSR in this case. Sounds like you will be spending a lot of time at the resort and DS, and SSR is better suited for both than POR imo. Better pools and amenities at SSR. On shorter trips, transportation can be a real time suck and proximity matters even more when you're limited on it. POR does have the boat to DS but it can be dicey in summer storm season. Nothing beats being able to walk to where you want to go.

 

[SwanVT2]

I would still stick with SSR in this case. Sounds like you will be spending a lot of time at the resort and DS, and SSR is better suited for both than POR imo. Better pools and amenities at SSR. On shorter trips, transportation can be a real time suck and proximity matters even more when you're limited on it. POR does have the boat to DS but it can be dicey in summer storm season. Nothing beats being able to walk to where you want to go.

That is what my gut says so thank you for affirming!

 

[swummyh20]

Welp. Found my people I didn’t know I needed! Bringing my boyfriend for his first ever trip at the end of September. When I booked it was just me, so I went with a WV king at WL. Then he decided to come and was going to try and work so asked for a desk/workspace in the room. I knew the AKL rooms had a sufficient table but also YC is a dream resort—he encouraged me to the YC swap.

But NOW I’m like, should we save the $250ish to be at Swan, which I’ve enjoyed when I’ve stayed there. But it’s his first time, so am I over valuing the true bubble experience? He’s since decided to not worry about work (yippee!) and treat it like a true vacation, so desk isn’t really a concern.

We will park hop; he’s interested in highlights and finding time to be relaxed; Epcot is my favorite park and we plan to hit it every day; should we be worried about not getting a true king room at YC? Any thoughts??

I stayed at AKL last year, first deluxe since I was a young child so like 35 years, and loved it but it was during Milton. So while part of me is sad to not stay at FQ and save some money, hurricane season and a deluxe mesh well, and I want to treat my bf a bit since this is his first time—he’s only ever been to DLP and that was like 20 years ago!

 

[trishadono]

Welp. Found my people I didn’t know I needed! Bringing my boyfriend for his first ever trip at the end of September. When I booked it was just me, so I went with a WV king at WL. Then he decided to come and was going to try and work so asked for a desk/workspace in the room. I knew the AKL rooms had a sufficient table but also YC is a dream resort—he encouraged me to the YC swap.

But NOW I’m like, should we save the $250ish to be at Swan, which I’ve enjoyed when I’ve stayed there. But it’s his first time, so am I over valuing the true bubble experience? He’s since decided to not worry about work (yippee!) and treat it like a true vacation, so desk isn’t really a concern.

We will park hop; he’s interested in highlights and finding time to be relaxed; Epcot is my favorite park and we plan to hit it every day; should we be worried about not getting a true king room at YC? Any thoughts??

I stayed at AKL last year, first deluxe since I was a young child so like 35 years, and loved it but it was during Milton. So while part of me is sad to not stay at FQ and save some money, hurricane season and a deluxe mesh well, and I want to treat my bf a bit since this is his first time—he’s only ever been to DLP and that was like 20 years ago!

I prefer YC over S&D.

The restaurants are more appealing to me.

Will you use SAB on your trip?

Don’t forget the fees added by S&D! They add up and the savings not as good as you think.

When I stay at a Disney resort I always have a great time, At swolphin I always feel the rooms and hallways are too generic.

However if you think you’d use the savings for fun stuff than that works too!

 

[ktink]

Welp. Found my people I didn’t know I needed! Bringing my boyfriend for his first ever trip at the end of September. When I booked it was just me, so I went with a WV king at WL. Then he decided to come and was going to try and work so asked for a desk/workspace in the room. I knew the AKL rooms had a sufficient table but also YC is a dream resort—he encouraged me to the YC swap.

But NOW I’m like, should we save the $250ish to be at Swan, which I’ve enjoyed when I’ve stayed there. But it’s his first time, so am I over valuing the true bubble experience? He’s since decided to not worry about work (yippee!) and treat it like a true vacation, so desk isn’t really a concern.

We will park hop; he’s interested in highlights and finding time to be relaxed; Epcot is my favorite park and we plan to hit it every day; should we be worried about not getting a true king room at YC? Any thoughts??

I stayed at AKL last year, first deluxe since I was a young child so like 35 years, and loved it but it was during Milton. So while part of me is sad to not stay at FQ and save some money, hurricane season and a deluxe mesh well, and I want to treat my bf a bit since this is his first time—he’s only ever been to DLP and that was like 20 years ago!

You have found your people!

I would opt for YC also. I just think there's something about the Disney bubble, especially for a first visit!

 

[ktink]

I wish I had a penny for every time I say this but.. I'm pretty sure we are done changing this go around

I've changed resorts so many times but there's just too many choices. Wednesday I called to see if anything had opened under the current discount that we have. Villas Grand Floridian opened up but I got confused and didn't realize that what I wanted was a resort studio not a deluxe studio. So once I realized that I was prepared to call this morning & see if the CR discount was still available. It was but they also had a GF Deluxe King Room CL available. I know the lobby is under construction but this has long been a dream of mine to stay in the main building! So I did it!

 

[trishadono]

I wish I had a penny for every time I say this but.. I'm pretty sure we are done changing this go around

I've changed resorts so many times but there's just too many choices. Wednesday I called to see if anything had opened under the current discount that we have. Villas Grand Floridian opened up but I got confused and didn't realize that what I wanted was a resort studio not a deluxe studio. So once I realized that I was prepared to call this morning & see if the CR discount was still available. It was but they also had a GF Deluxe King Room CL available. I know the lobby is under construction but this has long been a dream of mine to stay in the main building! So I did it!

Let me know if any q’s, I have done that category a few times.

I did see the BB rate was good for that, Nice!

 

[Robber Baron]

Welp. Found my people I didn’t know I needed! Bringing my boyfriend for his first ever trip at the end of September. When I booked it was just me, so I went with a WV king at WL. Then he decided to come and was going to try and work so asked for a desk/workspace in the room. I knew the AKL rooms had a sufficient table but also YC is a dream resort—he encouraged me to the YC swap.

I stayed at AKL last year, first deluxe since I was a young child so like 35 years, and loved it but it was during Milton. So while part of me is sad to not stay at FQ and save some money, hurricane season and a deluxe mesh well, and I want to treat my bf a bit since this is his first time—he’s only ever been to DLP and that was like 20 years ago!

We are bubble people too.

We love YC, love the pool, love walking to Epcot, love having a balcony.

We have probably 30 weeks onsite, we've looked at Swolfin, but just never pulled the trigger. Looking at it as a money saving choice, we've never seen savings enough, for us, to choose that.

 

[ktink]

Let me know if any q’s, I have done that category a few times.

I did see the BB rate was good for that, Nice!

Thank you! I do have some questions! It looks like there are 2 different layouts for this room? The corner room & then the 2nd floor what would be TPV. Have you stayed in both? I'm wondering if I should do a room request through Touring Plans or just leave it alone. I don't know which would be better seeing the castle or those fabulous corner rooms.

 

[trishadono]

Thank you! I do have some questions! It looks like there are 2 different layouts for this room? The corner room & then the 2nd floor what would be TPV. Have you stayed in both? I'm wondering if I should do a room request through Touring Plans or just leave it alone. I don't know which would be better seeing the castle or those fabulous corner rooms.

You can request both but I found they tend to save the octagon rooms for special stuff. The2nd floor has the TPV which is nice. You have to elevator 2nd floor to 4th for lounge. That’s not the end of the world . Views worth it. Also a take that elevator or stairs to GGG QSor short cut to marina area and bus .

Also the octagon rooms don’t have a balcony,

Corner rooms are octagon shaped . The ones on the back side have view of beach pool and monorail, front ones I havent had but views mostly of courtyard pool. Go to GF thread for more info and q’s.

 

[ktink]

You can request both but I found they tend to save the octagon rooms for special stuff. The2nd floor has the TPV which is nice. You have to elevator 2nd floor to 4th for lounge. That’s not the end of the world . Views worth it. Also a take that elevator or stairs to GGG QSor short cut to marina area and bus .

Also the octagon rooms don’t have a balcony,

Corner rooms are octagon shaped . The ones on the back side have view of beach pool and monorail, front ones I havent had but views mostly of courtyard pool. Go to GF thread for more info and q’s.

Thank you!

 

[kylenne]

Welp. Found my people I didn’t know I needed! Bringing my boyfriend for his first ever trip at the end of September. When I booked it was just me, so I went with a WV king at WL. Then he decided to come and was going to try and work so asked for a desk/workspace in the room. I knew the AKL rooms had a sufficient table but also YC is a dream resort—he encouraged me to the YC swap.

But NOW I’m like, should we save the $250ish to be at Swan, which I’ve enjoyed when I’ve stayed there. But it’s his first time, so am I over valuing the true bubble experience? He’s since decided to not worry about work (yippee!) and treat it like a true vacation, so desk isn’t really a concern.

We will park hop; he’s interested in highlights and finding time to be relaxed; Epcot is my favorite park and we plan to hit it every day; should we be worried about not getting a true king room at YC? Any thoughts??

I stayed at AKL last year, first deluxe since I was a young child so like 35 years, and loved it but it was during Milton. So while part of me is sad to not stay at FQ and save some money, hurricane season and a deluxe mesh well, and I want to treat my bf a bit since this is his first time—he’s only ever been to DLP and that was like 20 years ago!

We actually had this debate when deciding where around Crescent Lake to stay for the first part of our split stay in a couple of weeks, given that we are bringing a friend who's a first timer, and we ultimately settled on BWI. If it were just me and my partner like usual we probably would have stayed S&D. But we really did want our friend to get the "full" experience from start to finish, and while I believe S&D feel bubble-ish (aside from the Reserve, the whimsical Graves architecture makes them stand apart from generic offsite hotels), I don't think it quite hits that threshold for a first timer. Esp. with the MK transit situation.

I am someone who loves S&D a lot and I even prefer the pool complex at the Dolphin to SAB, which is a fairly unpopular opinion lol. I'm actually staying at the Swan on a killer deal in August. If it were just me and my partner we probably would have chosen it. But I am always going to recommend, if someone has a "dream resort" and it's financially feasible, to stay at the dream resort. There are few things that feel worse at Disney than having FOMO because you went with your head over your heart. Believe me, I made that mistake on my first solo trip as a brand new AP many moons ago, picking POFQ because I thought a deluxe would be too extravagant for a solo trip. When I got there I was wishing I was staying literally anywhere else from like day 1 of that trip. If YC is a bucket list resort for you, do it. The king bed situation is whatever. I would put in a request for one but ultimately, 2 queens is not the end of the world as a couple. When we get them one of them tends to accumulate clutter lol. The bed situation only matters when you're sleeping, I would not let that deter me when weighed against everything else.

 

[VicarJT]

I’m now looking at our 2026 trip. At this point, I have POP for a week followed by POFQ for a week. I’m thinking about dropping POP down to 6 days and adding one day at the Contemporary. If I do that, I might be able to spring for either a Cabana or Club Level. I’ve never done either of them.

The Cabana would give us a place to go after checkout, and a place to relax and for my spouse to nap. Club Level would give us a place to be on the arrival/departure days until the rooms are ready. But the CL lounge at Contemporary does not look too comfortable.

Anyone have experiences with either of these? And what would you do?

 

[swummyh20]

We actually had this debate when deciding where around Crescent Lake to stay for the first part of our split stay in a couple of weeks, given that we are bringing a friend who's a first timer, and we ultimately settled on BWI….

thank you!! This perspective was really helpful given you’re soon to be on a trip with a newbie! I know I can’t make it all perfect but i want to at least try and work some of my own pixie dust for him to have a magical trip. You’re right on the beds, it’s more of wanting to feel a bit luxurious on the vacation. I’ll request one and hope we get a little lucky! And i always end up using a second queen as a surface for things when im in a room with two beds too

I guess im just too excited for alllllll of the things surrounding the trip and the room is sorta the one place i can have a modicum of control, outside scoring the right adrs and LLs. (He doesn’t know it yet but the plan is to ride GoTG at least three if not four times that week ). I just love him so much, he’s my first serious serious relationship, and the fact that he agreed to do wdw for his vacation makes me keen to try and make this the best i can. Thanks for listening!

 

[ktink]

I’m now looking at our 2026 trip. At this point, I have POP for a week followed by POFQ for a week. I’m thinking about dropping POP down to 6 days and adding one day at the Contemporary. If I do that, I might be able to spring for either a Cabana or Club Level. I’ve never done either of them.

The Cabana would give us a place to go after checkout, and a place to relax and for my spouse to nap. Club Level would give us a place to be on the arrival/departure days until the rooms are ready. But the CL lounge at Contemporary does not look too comfortable.

Anyone have experiences with either of these? And what would you do?

I've never stay CL at CR. We do use the CL lounges on our checkout days. I would prefer that over the cabana but that's just me. I would go with CR over POP

 

[jemtx]

I've never stay CL at CR. We do use the CL lounges on our checkout days. I would prefer that over the cabana but that's just me. I would go with CR over POP

I’d definitely choose CL or over cabana at CR.