Cancellation dilema

[Claudia1]

Here's the scenario:

We had to change our Spring Break plans just 2 weeks ago and I was able to snag 2 rooms at AKL when we changed our trip to WDW. We are a family of 5 and need two rooms. I've requested adjoining. We only need two rooms for 5 of the 8 nights but those nights are in the middle of the ressie. (DH and DS are going down for 8 nights but DD, DGD, and myself can only go for 5. Both rooms for 8 nights is about the same price as our original Hawaii vacation.)

I have until 3/28 to make any cancellations without a penalty. Should I:
a) Keep both rooms for the entire time to have a better chance of getting them adjoined when we need them?

OR

b) Cancel my unwanted days and pray for a pixie dusted CM that will make some magic to get the second room adjoining?

It would save us $$ to cancel it but our vacation would be a disaster if the rooms would not be adjoined. Our vacation is chopped up already and I want to maximize our short time together. Also, this is for Easter week when the resorts are packed. At the very least, I can cancel the last day to save one room charge. It is the first 2 days that are the problem.

Any thoughts?!?!?!

 

[floridafam]

First, what type of room(s) do you have reserved? (if you don't mind me asking)

They are staying 2 nights at the beginning without you and 1 night at the end? Is that correct?

I have a feeling that you may have better luck getting adjoining rooms if you keep everything like it is.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Instead of just throwing money away on a 2nd room that will only be used part of the time....why don't you just stay at a deluxe that will hold 5.... all but WL & AKL do. Call CRO and see if they have any. You would save money that way.....and have more to spend on fun

Also just a note to let you know.... I had booked connecting/adjoining rooms for my family & my son's friend with his mom at the All Star Sports (we had a baseball tournament & the entire team was staying there). We have 5 in our family & they had 2. We wanted my son to stay in the room with them so the rooms would have 4 & 3. We didn't get the rooms together. They told me that they do their best but if there are more than 2 adults in the party, they cannot guarantee it. I don't know the ages in your party ...but that is something you must consider. You may be spending all this money for the 2nd room for the entire trip and they may not even be together!

 

[floridafam]

AKL has some rooms that hold 5 people.

WL has deluxe rooms (also called junior suites) that hold 6 people.

 

[DebbieB]

Do you want adjoining or connecting? Connecting means with the lockoff door in between the rooms. Adjoining just means next to each other.

 

[zurgswife]

I also read adjoining thought you ment to say connecting....

 

[jel0511]

Personally, knowing how crowded WDW will be during that week, I'd stick with both rooms booked for the 8 nights. Also, you need to make a note on your reservations that you need connecting rooms (not adjoining), since you will be traveling with small children. Disney will usually guarantee connecting rooms in this situation.

 

[Claudia1]

Good comments, all! Floridafam, they are savannah rooms.

Yes, I meant connecting. We only have 2 adults in our party, so we should be OK.

I've been calling CRO every day for over a week to see about a larger room for 5, 2 rooms at a less expensive resort,or even a villa (we are DVCer's and like the extra space) but nothing is open. An OKW villa would be less expensive but I feel very, very lucky to have the 2 rooms at AKL!

As for the two rooms, my family is divided into two vacation camps. My camp likes to rise early and hit the parks. The other camp thinks that a vacation should involve sleeping as long a possible and then preparing for the day. I usually get up & around with the kid(s) that are also up and let the others sleep in a little bit. We can also give our 19 month old DGD an isolated area for her crib with the extra space. Every family is different and ours does not do well to be cramped in one room for more than 2 days.

Your comments have convinced me to keep the rooms as is for the beginning of the vacation but cancel the last day for the second room.

 

[floridafam]

Would it be cheaper to do a 1br suite at AKL? Is it more than 2 savannah rooms?

The 1 br suite would have 2 queens in the br and a pull out sofa in the parlor.