Changing dates requires losing POR

[ValarDisneyus]

I was realizing that an April trip would be so much better for our family than a February one, and we'd get to stay twice as long, so I started calling to change our date. Well, POR doesn't have openings for when we're going in April, so they gave us options for the Coronado or the All Star Movies. Downgrading from a mod to a Value meant staying twice as long would only be about $300 more than it was originally going to be. I looked at the Coronado and couldn't see much appeal for our family beyond queen size beds rather than full. I booked the All Star Movies, hoping that I can get a room with maybe the Toy Story or Fantasia wings, pending the statue of the jack in the box isn't visible from our window. (Our daughter is scared of it. I'll make sure to say so when I fax in our requests.)

I feel like some of the wind has been taken from my sails over the down grade. A stay in a Value will still feel magical, right?

 

[maxiesmom]

I think that depends on if the pool area is important to your family or not. The pool areas at the moderate resorts are much nicer.

If that isn't a big deal then I think you will all have a great time at the Movies. But you need to know to call in your requests. Most resorts do not look at faxes any more. They toss them out.

 

[lllGurulll]

I think that depends on if the pool area is important to your family or not. The pool areas at the moderate resorts are much nicer.

If that isn't a big deal then I think you will all have a great time at the Movies. But you need to know to call in your requests. Most resorts do not look at faxes any more. They toss them out.

Speaking of requests, I'm not seeing an option to put in requests on the initial purchase of the trip. Am I missing something or are all requests done by phone now?

 

[nkereina]

What dates were you looking at over next April? Did it coincide with Easter? If your dates don't touch Easter, I find it hard to believe they have zero availability already for next April. Perhaps it was one night of your trip that was sold out, or just the room category you were looking at?

As for requests, you can't add them when booking. They must be done by phone. You'll also have the option of checking off generic requests if you do online check-in (60 days out) but anything specific needs to be phoned in.

We had a good experience at CSR. The theme didn't do much for me but it's a beautiful resort, the pool was great, buses and housekeeping were good. Didn't care much for the food options. I do think CSR is worth it over the All Stars.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

What dates were you looking at over next April? Did it coincide with Easter? If your dates don't touch Easter, I find it hard to believe they have zero availability already for next April. Perhaps it was one night of your trip that was sold out, or just the room category you were looking at?

No, we're going at the very end, from the 25th- May 2nd. The lady I was on the phone with said it wasn't available for "all" my trip, and when I asked, the conflict was at the END of my trip. There's no way I'm going to have my daughter stay in a princess room at the BEGINNING before we down grade, I think she'd be sad. I think starting out at the all-stars will be okay. We're not HUGE on pools, we're going for the theme parks. Right now, Squeaker will probably enjoy the pool with Mickey more than the POR Old Man Island one at her age.

 

[NC Disney Fan]

I was realizing that an April trip would be so much better for our family than a February one, and we'd get to stay twice as long, so I started calling to change our date. Well, POR doesn't have openings for when we're going in April, so they gave us options for the Coronado or the All Star Movies. Downgrading from a mod to a Value meant staying twice as long would only be about $300 more than it was originally going to be. I looked at the Coronado and couldn't see much appeal for our family beyond queen size beds rather than full. I booked the All Star Movies, hoping that I can get a room with maybe the Toy Story or Fantasia wings, pending the statue of the jack in the box isn't visible from our window. (Our daughter is scared of it. I'll make sure to say so when I fax in our requests.)

I feel like some of the wind has been taken from my sails over the down grade. A stay in a Value will still feel magical, right?

Here are my thoughts. You will have a great time because it is Disney!! I was told Coronado Springs is a conference resort therefore, can be a bit less kid friendly. Also, having researched it when you look at Trip Advisor, CS comes in at 179 of 327 whereas All Star Movies comes in at 141 of 327. In full disclosure, we have not stayed at Coronado but have stated at Port Orleans only as a moderate (once free dining switched to Moderates). Prior to that, we spent 5 years staying at the values with our then, young daughters. The first was All Star Movies and then we switched to Pop, returning to Movies once more. This is what I can say. Regardless of being value, they feel so Disney that you immediately feel wonderfully entrenched in "Disney". The Movies resort especially has a wonderful appeal for kids. When checking in, you will find the movies in the lobby. The main building is full of color and character and will have your daughter excited about being there. I bet it is more childlike than Coronado which will be pretty but less what she thinks of Disney. Someone mentioned the pool. Honestly, my girls loved the pools. At Movies, there is a bit Mikey Wizard with waterspraying out. Sure there is no slide but my girls have never complained. They spent hours in the pool. I would not stay at a resort just for the slide.

The rooms are themed with the movies so again, it is very appealing to the children. The rooms maybe a bit smaller and the beds doubles, but if you asked my girls, they would tell you that they loved both Movies and Pop Century. If it helps you stay longer and if you spend most of your time at the parks, truly, I would embrace All Star Movies!

In terms of request. Call Disney and have them verbally add it to your reservation. I have done so every year with great success.

I hope this helps.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

In terms of request. Call Disney and have them verbally add it to your reservation. I have done so every year with great success.

Thank you so much; I will definitely call in advance!

 

[nkereina]

No, we're going at the very end, from the 25th- May 2nd. The lady I was on the phone with said it wasn't available for "all" my trip, and when I asked, the conflict was at the END of my trip. There's no way I'm going to have my daughter stay in a princess room at the BEGINNING before we down grade, I think she'd be sad. I think starting out at the all-stars will be okay. We're not HUGE on pools, we're going for the theme parks. Right now, Squeaker will probably enjoy the pool with Mickey more than the POR Old Man Island one at her age.

I just searched your dates on the WDW web site and all categories for the Royal Rooms are showing available. I would call back or try booking online if it's a Royal Room that you really want.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

It's possible but I book through military discount, so only so many are reservable under the discount. After they've booked so many of us Active Duty/Retirees (I'm a disabled vet) they call it booked so they can still make money. They don't want to fill any of the moderates with Military, the operating cost would have to be lower.

 

[bumbershoot]

Downgrading from a mod to a Value meant staying twice as long would only be about $300 more

Twice as long makes it better for me, IMO!


Only POFQ and POR look at faxes anymore, so forget about doing that with the other resort. Make requests on the phone and then during online checkin (try to make sure the requests don't conflict with each other) and you can still make sure with the CM that things are good when you're actually there.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

Twice as long makes it better for me, IMO!


Only POFQ and POR look at faxes anymore, so forget about doing that with the other resort. Make requests on the phone and then during online checkin (try to make sure the requests don't conflict with each other) and you can still make sure with the CM that things are good when you're actually there.

Oh yes, you're definitely right about the twice-as-long part. I'm just a very creature-comforted person, I like plush blankets and happy places when in private. I think I'll be able to make the AS-Movies into a comfortable second home the more I think about it. It'll be good. And we're not exactly booking the WDW resort for the beds, you know what I mean?

 

[michsig]

I'm not sure if you think CSR is a Value, but it's a mod. and the pool is awesome there!

 

[ValarDisneyus]

I'm not sure if you think CSR is a Value, but it's a mod. and the pool is awesome there!

Oh-I looked into both and know it's a mod. the difference was about another 400 over ASMovies, but the room held little appeal for our daughter -the only thing about it in it's favor for DH and I is the larger beds- and ultimately what her dad and I will enjoy most from the trip is going to be the time together watching her experience Disney Magic. I wanted to make sure wherever we stayed held fun for her, and I think the savings, the trip being longer are both enough alone, the ASMovies has a lot of fun statues and cartoons in the food court area- she'll love that.

 

[nkereina]

It's possible but I book through military discount, so only so many are reservable under the discount. After they've booked so many of us Active Duty/Retirees (I'm a disabled vet) they call it booked so they can still make money. They don't want to fill any of the moderates with Military, the operating cost would have to be lower.

Gotcha. I didn't consider the military discounts. Sorry!

 

[ValarDisneyus]

No worries!

 

[timestwo]

I think the value will be just fine. We usually stay at Swan/ Dolphin bc I have platinum status with Starwood, but I've stayed at values a couple if times. They're totally fine. Your daughter won't think of it as a "downgrade". We as adults do because we know the price, but a kid wouldn't care about the extra amenities, wouldn't even know to miss them if she hasn't been in a moderate Disney hotel before, and will certainly be thrilled just to be in Disney World. The pools are still fun for kids, even without the slides, and being immersed in Disney will be all she thinks about.

Besides, I think in another thread you said this is your first visit. You'll try the value and then next time you'll have a frame of reference. You might think, "this was awesome, in the future I'll save money and stay in a value again" or you might say, "eh, that wasn't for me, next time I'll splurge on a more expensive room". Better to start at a value and decide if it's for you or not than stay in a moderate and then next time feel like you're downgrading just to try out a cheaper room.

Whatever you choose, I'm sure your family will have an amazing trip!

 

[dimndgal1]

FWIW - you'll find that rooms under the military discount cycle back in and out often. Our trip 2 years ago, we booked 2 rooms at POR and no RR were available... then we got 1 RR (which is all we needed)... then we finally got the split with 2 rooms at YC we wanted all along.

I just called back every now and then and had them check things out. If you're happy with your choice, then by all means go for it... but if you yearn for something else, don't stress if it's not available right now!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, the best way to increase your likelihood of getting a room in either Fantasia or Toy Story is to reserve a Preferred room, then call and request those sections. Making that your only request improves your chances.

It looks like you're severely limiting yourself to locations by needing to avoid viewing certain icons, like the entire long sides of Fantasia (so, a third of the rooms in each of those buildings). Even if your room isn't within that view, you'll still be walking by it.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

I think the value will be just fine. We usually stay at Swan/ Dolphin bc I have platinum status with Starwood, but I've stayed at values a couple if times. They're totally fine. Your daughter won't think of it as a "downgrade". We as adults do because we know the price, but a kid wouldn't care about the extra amenities, wouldn't even know to miss them if she hasn't been in a moderate Disney hotel before, and will certainly be thrilled just to be in Disney World. The pools are still fun for kids, even without the slides, and being immersed in Disney will be all she thinks about. Besides, I think in another thread you said this is your first visit. You'll try the value and then next time you'll have a frame of reference. You might think, "this was awesome, in the future I'll save money and stay in a value again" or you might say, "eh, that wasn't for me, next time I'll splurge on a more expensive room". Better to start at a value and decide if it's for you or not than stay in a moderate and then next time feel like you're downgrading just to try out a cheaper room. Whatever you choose, I'm sure your family will have an amazing trip!

You have wonderful points. I think maybe I was thrown by all the bits I was learning online about ASMo: "smallest rooms" and "almost no storage space and the "outdated theming" and the not so subtle "but if it works for your family, the savings (etc etc)" as if that was really the only draw.

But my kiddo loves Mickey (surprise surprise), can't swim on her own yet (no water slide for us), loves Toy Story, sees the Dalmatiins on Disney Junior... I think this will work out just fine. I think part of my minor sad was waiting another 2 months and I blamed it on the hotel, maybe? But I think all magic will be completely preserved, no problem.

 

[ValarDisneyus]

Okay, the best way to increase your likelihood of getting a room in either Fantasia or Toy Story is to reserve a Preferred room, then call and request those sections. Making that your only request improves your chances. I've never been to the All Stars, but a jack-in-the-box sounds unusual for a movie-themed location. I found this description from wdwinfo.com http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-resorts/all-star-movies-resort/: "The All Star Movies Resort features five film-inspired themed areas. Fantasia, Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, Mighty Ducks and The Love Bug. At the 101 Dalmatians buildings, you'll find a 40 foot tall Pongo and a 35 foot tall Perdita while their spotted pups decorate the railings. There is a fire hydrant covering the outside stairwell, with paw prints and dog bones embedded in the cement walkways.Toy Story lovers will be enchanted by the 35 foot tall Buzz Lightyear and the 25 foot tall Woody. The Green Army Men stand guard at the tops of the building. "Herbie," the loveable VW Beetle, is 5 times its normal size. Sorcerer's paraphernalia such as a giant hat, spell book, broom and bucket, ballerinas and nutcracker soldiers are found adorning the Fantasia buildings. Sports fans will be ready for action with the giant hockey sticks, pucks, nets and duck-billed masks found at the Mighty Ducks buildings. Thirty one foot tall goalie masks cover the outside stairwells."