Changing a Virgin reservation (surprise upgrade)

[meryll83]

Ok, so at the moment this is me just having a mad, crazy idea, so I'm looking for some advice.

We're booked for Sept 2007, staying at Pop for 2 weeks.
I was thinking I could surprise my boyfriend by having us stay at one of the mods/deluxes for the last night of the trip.

Before I decide if I want to do this and call Virgin I have some questions I thought someone may be able to help me with:

1) We're on the free dining plan, will this be effected? I have a feeling that if we change resorts they won't give me free dining at the second resort.

2) Will Virgin likely charge me to make an amendment, or waive that as I will be spending more money with them anyway?

3) Would I need to do more than 1 night to make this worthwile, I won't have a lot of money to do this but 2 or 3 nights would be feasible I think?

4) Any resort recommendations, AKL looks lovely, but the Beach Club has a fab location?

5) The transfer back to the airport will be changed by Virgin, but I can't remember how this worked last time, did we have to reserve a time to be picked up or did they come regularly, I forget. We checked our luggage early at DTD but I forget what happened next. (Sorry this isn't really related to the other questions, it's just something extra I've forgotten!!)

6) Are there any other complications I'm not forseeing here?

 

[Claire L]

To make it easier I would personally have the night somewhere amongst the holiday and just pay extra to Disney direct for that night. The added bonus is only needing to take an overnight bag and you still get your dining for that day We are doing this with a night at Universal's RPR during our New Year holiday.

Claire

 

[meryll83]

That's a good idea, so just keep my reservation with Virgin as abosolutely normal, and then book a room direct with Disney for one night?
You are a genius!!

I wasted all that waffling for nothing!

Which hotel would you suggest? I'm now wondering whether one of the MK area ones would be cool. Decisions decisions!

 

[Claire L]

That's a good idea, so just keep my reservation with Virgin as abosolutely normal, and then book a room direct with Disney for one night?
You are a genius!!

I wasted all that waffling for nothing!

Yes leave the Virgin booking as it is and just have a night somewhere else plus then you get to enjoy nearly two whole days at your choosen resort. As you say an Epcot resort would be nice we loved the Yacht Club so easy to get to Epcot and MGM, plus the Boardwalk is so close for the evening.

Claire

 

[Boo Boo Too]

3) Would I need to do more than 1 night to make this worthwile, I won't have a lot of money to do this but 2 or 3 nights would be feasible I think?

To be honest, I think yes... I would go for 3 nights (if you can afford it). By the time you have checked-out/checked-in/checked-out again, you really wouldn't get much time at the new at the new resort (especially if you intend to spend quite a bit of those days at the parks etc).

If you only did a night, don't think that you would get your money's worth and would probably be left feeling a bit short changed.

4) Any resort recommendations, AKL looks lovely, but the Beach Club has a fab location?

I would probably go for the Beach Club: it is a nice hotel, has a GORGEOUS pool, is in the most beautiful setting and is very well located for Epcot, MGM, mini-golf etc.

Another one worth looking at (if you can get a good deal) is the Swan/Dolphin (probably the Swan, since it is smaller but shares all the facilities with the Dolphin). They have the same great location and beautiful setting as the Beach Club, but are often much more reasonably priced. Yes, they are not TRUE Disney hotels, but they are still beautifully themed and you can still get most/all of the benefits of staying at a Disney hotel (you would need to verfiy this). Worth thinking about...

Boo

 

[meryll83]

Another one worth looking at (if you can get a good deal) is the Swan/Dolphin (probably the Swan, since it is smaller but shares all the facilities with the Dolphin). They have the same great location and beautiful setting as the Beach Club, but are often much more reasonably priced. Yes, they are not TRUE Disney hotels, but they are still beautifully themed and you can still get most/all of the benefits of staying at a Disney hotel (you would need to verfiy this). Worth thinking about...

Boo

Technically I'll still be booked into Pop so I will be getting all the benefits of a Disney resort hotel just wouldn't have my shopping go to the Swan, but Pop. (You know what I mean)

Ok, so I think this sounds like a fab idea now and I'd do it in the middle of the holiday.

Next question is:

Would it be cheaper to reserve a room with Disney directly (US phone number) than reserve it online from their UK site?
I've heard it's cheaper this way as they charge per room over there and not per person. I can't seem to access the reservations part of the US site on this PC, I'll have a look at home though. (Could this be something to do with Internet Options settings? - anyone know?)
And also is it cheaper on a weekday than a weekend?


And thank you all for the quick relpies, you're being so helpful

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Claire L's idea is excellent.

Reservations on the US site should work fine for you - maybe it is the settings you have at work, try at home.

The other place to try is http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/ - they have an online quote system for Swan and Dolphin and can give offline quotes for the other Disney hotels. I would definitely give them a try.

Also look at expedia.co.uk (sometimes they have very good special offers) and get Virgin to quote for changing your holiday (it may not be the way that you decide to go, but might work out cheaper.... you never know)

I think the only way to go is to get a variety of quote and try a variety of options and see what works out best/cheapest for you

I don't know what would be cheaper - weekends or weekdays. I would guess weekdays, but it may depend on when you are going and if there are any big conventions/events going on at the same time. The best thing to do is play around with the dates and see what pops out...

My only reservation about doing a deluxe in the MIDDLE of your holiday is that it MAY be difficult to go back to Pop afterwards... that is why the end MAY be better (depends how easily spoilt you are ). Play around with things and prices and see what you think.

Boo

 

[meryll83]

Dreams Unlimited is charging me more for the S & D than doing it direct on their site. My best rate so far for any of my options is $219 per room per night (about $240 with tax) at the Swan or Dolphin.
Will try looking at some other sites and Disney US site when I get home.

Is this about average or should I try to find a better deal? I don't really know what to expect to be honest!! Are any special rates likely to come out?

AKL was about £140 per night, Beach Club £200 on the UK Disney site. (value season seems to finish on 3rd Oct 07, so I've been using that as my date)

Once again, thanks for everyone's help, I'm getting all excited about the idea now!

 

[Claire L]

AKL was about £140 per night, Beach Club £200 on the UK Disney site. (value season seems to finish on 3rd Oct 07, so I've been using that as my date)

Once again, thanks for everyone's help, I'm getting all excited about the idea now!

Beach Club value rack rate for Oct 3rd 2007 is $315 plus 12 1/2% tax which is $354.37 at current exchange rate that would be £189. So I would go with the US Disney as there are better T&C's if you want to change or cancel.

Claire

 

[meryll83]

Beach Club value rack rate for Oct 3rd 2007 is $315 plus 12 1/2% tax which is $354.37 at current exchange rate that would be £189. So I would go with the US Disney as there are better T&C's if you want to change or cancel.

Claire

Thanks Claire, I'll check these out when I get home! I might not have chance until the weekend now though, as I'm going straight from work to rehearsals for the next few days as I'm in a show this weekend)

 

[meryll83]

What do you all think to staying at Port Orleans Riverside, upgraded to a water view room for $180 a night?
Is there a good restaurant here so I could reserve us a meal as well?

 

[Lizzybear]

Don't forget that some discount codes may be released by Disney nearer the time which can be applied to bookings through the US website, so another good reason to book with them rather than the UK site
We're staying at POFQ but Riverside looks lovely aswell (I just preferred the FQ theming and size) There is a sitdown restaurant (Boatwright's) but i'm not sure what it's like.

 

[meryll83]

Don't forget that some discount codes may be released by Disney nearer the time which can be applied to bookings through the US website, so another good reason to book with them rather than the UK site

So do I just keep an eye on the rates and if it comes up cheaper ring them for a refund? Or do you mean wait until nearer the time to book and see what comes up?

 

[Lizzybear]

So do I just keep an eye on the rates and if it comes up cheaper ring them for a refund? Or do you mean wait until nearer the time to book and see what comes up?

I'm pretty sure you can book now then should any codes come out you can ring Disney and they will apply them to your booking. When i've heard of this being done it's before people have paid off their balance so they've just taken it off that, not sure what the situation would be if you'd already paid it.

 

[Claire L]

Yes if there is a code out for the general public you can use it but that is only as long as the room you want is available with that code not all rooms at all resorts will have discount codes. It was a bit of a struggle to get our Annual Pass holders code for the resort and room we wanted in 2005 but we had a very good travel agent who got it for us as whilst they were on the phone to us someone must have cancelled their reservation and we were able to get the YC as the other choice was the BC but I wanted the YC as more adult in feel.

Claire

 

[UKDEB]

I don't have the energy to check out all the rates, but I just wanted to say that Claire's idea of taking a couple of nights out mid-trip gets my vote. It seems that you've already decided that's the way to go . We've done the same thing several times (albeit from the base of a villa; and not always Disney - we often choose USF).

We stayed at AKL soon after it opened and, whilst it is a fabulous resort, it's not convenient for any park (not even AK in reality, although it is very close). For me, staying onsite is all about convenience, so my question to you is, 'What's your favourite park?". Ours is, without question, Epcot. Of the three Disney Epcot area resorts, I would choose the BoardWalk or the Yacht Club above the Beach Club. The BC, IMHO, is more family-oriented both in terms of decor and excitable kids! Having said that, if you wanted to take a 'chill-out' break from Pop, you couldn't go far wrong with AKL. Dh and I just enjoy being at the resorts, so maybe that's an option for you.

Of the MK resorts, we've stayed at the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian, but we've also visited the Poly and Wilderness Lodge on many occasions. The GF would be very special for you as a surprise for your boyfriend. Loads of people on these boards reckon it's too posh. though. I don't get that at all, but if you think you could identify with that, you might want to give it a miss. The other three MK resorts have all been through recent refurbishments, so you couldn't really go wrong with any of them. I defintitely felt a bit 'special' being able to walk from the Contemporary to the MK. I also love the chilled out atmosphere at the WL (and that's only amplified by the water-taxi transportation to MK).

 

[meryll83]

Ah so many choices!
I was thinking of POR coz it looks pretty and would have kept the cost down, but I'm now leaning more towards the Swan or Dolphin, I love that you can walk to Epcot and get the boat to MGM! I think the Yacht and Beach and MK resorts are a teeny bit more than what I wanted to pay really.

If you paid a rate at the Swan or Dolphin though, I'm guessing they wouldn't refund you if it went any lower? Anyone have any ideas about when / how I can get a discount for either of these resorts for Oct 07?

 

[jo28501]

We're doing this for our January trip. We have 14 nights booked with Virgin at POP but have also booked one night in the middle of the holiday at AKL. We booked with Disney Direct (US) as it was about £20 cheaper than booking on the UK Disney website.

 

[meryll83]

We're doing this for our January trip. We have 14 nights booked with Virgin at POP but have also booked one night in the middle of the holiday at AKL. We booked with Disney Direct (US) as it was about £20 cheaper than booking on the UK Disney website.

Cool, thanks for the info, I shall be calling on you if I have any questions!

 

[jo28501]

Ask away!

We booked the main holiday last April but only booked the 1 night at AKL last week. It was a "last minute" decision thanks to a small refund from Virgin. It's our dream resort but we'd never be able to stay there for 2 weeks!