Changing from Yacht Club to OKW? Advice needed!

[Holstar]

Heya guys!

Sorry for the prolonged hiatus but as always, I could really do with your advice.

As some of you may remember, we originally were supposed to be going to WDW for three weeks (two at the Yacht Club and one in a private villa) this August just gone, but due to university and job changes and then my niece having surgery we had to delay our holiday until August 2014.

At the moment, the holiday we have planned is...

* Four 'adults', one child (Myself and my partner, 25 and 27 respectively, and our nieces - 16, 13 and 10).
* Virgin Atlantic flights, departing Manchester - Orlando Int. 22nd August 2014, returning 9th September. Economy tickets.
* 11 Nights in a 5 person room at the Yacht Club, Water/Pool view.
* 14 for the price of 21 tickets.

= £9,847.29

This DOESN'T include food, car hire or the villa for the third week. And, annoyingly, is almost £1,000.00 more than we would have been paying for the holiday including these things if we'd been able to go as planned this August just gone!

But, because of the time constraints we had with cancelling the holiday and rebooking it so that we didn't loose the deposit - we booked at a time where free dining wasn't being offered. It was such a pressured decision, I really regret rebooking so soon and I do think that it would have maybe been better to just straight cancel and then rebook when a deal came along… but oh well, whats done is done

So, I would imagine that on top of the £9,847.29 we could easily add £1,500.00 for the dining plan, another £400 for car hire and another £500 for the villa, coming to £12,247.29. Which is... terrifying!

I was messing around with the Travel City Direct website today and I can get the following for the same dates for the five of us...

* Virgin Atlantic flights, departing Manchester - Orlando Int. 22nd August 2014, returning 9th September. Economy tickets.
* 11 Nights at Old Key West in a Two Bedroom Villa.
* 14 days for the price of 21 tickets.
* Disney Dining Plan
* Basic Car hire (Full Size Chevrolet Impala or similar 4 door)

All for... £8,803.32. If we include the villa (we've already paid off £100 of the £450), it comes to £9,153.32. A saving of over £3,000.00.

I really really really want to stay at the Yacht club, I've wanted to since I was a little girl! But, I don't think I can justify an extra £3,000.00 for 11 nights in a slightly nicer resort. It's crazy isn't it? And, I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that the five of us may drive ourselves mad if we all share one room for that much time.

So, I need some advice! Is there anything we'd be missing by staying at OKW instead of the Yacht Club? What's it really like? When we booked the travel agent really put us off OKW and said we wouldn't like it... Am I going to regret it if we downgrade?

And, on a more practical note - do you think we'll have any problems changing our booking? We're just under a year out, I know I can cancel and just loose my deposit, but has anyone ever changed resorts? Would we be eligible for the free dining if we're just changing resorts? Or would it be best to cancel and then rebook?

Sorry for the MASSIVE post!

xxx

 

[scottish mum]

Can't really help but to save even more money you actually fit in a 1 bed at OKW.

If I could change I would as £3000 is your spending money

 

[kate2961]

I've stayed at both resorts.

There is nothing wrong/bad/etc. about Old Key West. It is a beautiful resort and the rooms are spacious. Considering you will have a car, I think you will be quite happy at OKW.

Also, you will have a full size washer and dryer at OKW (if you stay in a one-bedroom or larger). That alone would be a huge plus for your extended vacation.

You will also have a full kitchen (with one-bedroom or larger) which may save you $$$. Consider having breakfast and some dinners in your room.

Can't say I understand how you can get a 2-bedroom at OKW for less than Yacht Club, but I would take it.

Good luck on your vacation planning.

Cheers.
Kate

 

[BudgieMama]

Can't say I understand how you can get a 2-bedroom at OKW for less than Yacht Club, but I would take it.

There's currently 35% off at OKW and SSR. That's why it was cheaper for us to book SSR than POFQ and upgrade our dining plan... Crazy, but good!

OP- hope you figure out the best option for your trip

 

[Holstar]

There's currently 35% off at OKW and SSR. That's why it was cheaper for us to book SSR than POFQ and upgrade our dining plan... Crazy, but good!

OP- hope you figure out the best option for your trip

I didn't know that's why it was so cheap!

I'm going to give the travel agents a call in the morning. To be honest, even if we cancel we only lose £150 - and thats a drop in the ocean compared to saving over £3,000!

I just hope the children will be happy with it... They've been looking forward to staying at the Yacht Club. But, I'm sure having space to have their own room will swing it!

xxx

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

As a previous poster has said £3,000 is your spending money.
We stayed at The Swan last November which as you know is just round the corner from the YC & loved the area & having the Boardwalk & Epcot right there blew our minds.
We decided to treat the in laws next November & take them & had decided on the YC we were going to book two rooms but when we were in the process of getting quotes we asked about a 2 bedroom villa in OKW & couldn't believe how much we could save.
The decision was easy in the end, OKW looks great & were saving enough money to fly the in laws business class & use air miles for our business class flights.

 

[disneyholic family]

no brainer - stay in the two bedroom at OKW...
you'll have a wonderful holiday!!!

5 people in a room at the yacht club would be hell on earth no matter how nice YC is...

we've stayed at both resorts numerous times - you're going to love the two bedroom at OKW.....

 

[flortlebap]

no brainer - stay in the two bedroom at OKW...
you'll have a wonderful holiday!!!

5 people in a room at the yacht club would be hell on earth no matter how nice YC is...

we've stayed at both resorts numerous times - you're going to love the two bedroom at OKW.....

That's a very, very good point. The rooms are lovely, but you would start to feel on too of each other at YC.

My advice would be switch and put the money towards a couple only trip at YC in the future

We got 8 nights inc flights next sept at YC for around 3.5k including tickets and dining so your 3k saving would go a long way!

 

[Elise79]

no brainer - stay in the two bedroom at OKW... you'll have a wonderful holiday!!! 5 people in a room at the yacht club would be hell on earth no matter how nice YC is... we've stayed at both resorts numerous times - you're going to love the two bedroom at OKW.....

I agree with this

We have a one bedroom for just the 3 of us! Spending more than one night in the same room as my DD is a no go for us.

Take the saving OKW is a great resort!

 

[Holstar]

Hello!

Thank you everyone for your support!

I've just gotten off the phone to Virgin and they've cancelled our previous booking and rebooked us in at Old Key West.

So...

* Virgin Atlantic flights, departing Manchester - Orlando Int. 22nd August 2014, returning 9th September. Economy tickets.
* 11 Nights at Old Key West in a Two Bedroom Villa.
* 14 days for the price of 7 tickets.
* Disney Dining Plan.
* Fully inclusive Car hire, 7 seater.

And it came to £8,555.03 a huge saving from what we were paying for a 5 person room at the Yacht club without the dining plan or car hire!

I'm feeling so happy about the decision now. The girls will have enough room to spread out and we can have breakfast in our room every day, which will save us a few hundred pounds over the course of 12 days!

Thank you all so much!

xxx

 

[bex7583]

thats great you got the dining plan and saved some money aswell towards the villa and other bits you want to add on

 

[BudgieMama]

Hooray! So glad you're booked and that you're happy! (You'll be overlapping the end of our time there too )

 

[ABZDisneyFan]

Hello! Thank you everyone for your support! I've just gotten off the phone to Virgin and they've cancelled our previous booking and rebooked us in at Old Key West. So... * Virgin Atlantic flights, departing Manchester - Orlando Int. 22nd August 2014, returning 9th September. Economy tickets. * 11 Nights at Old Key West in a Two Bedroom Villa. * 14 days for the price of 7 tickets. * Disney Dining Plan. * Fully inclusive Car hire, 7 seater. And it came to £8,555.03 a huge saving from what we were paying for a 5 person room at the Yacht club without the dining plan or car hire! I'm feeling so happy about the decision now. The girls will have enough room to spread out and we can have breakfast in our room every day, which will save us a few hundred pounds over the course of 12 days! Thank you all so much! xxx

Great news, really happy for you.

 

[thestevied]

For what it's worth, I've just got back from the yacht club, and had the best time ever. We loved it. Every member of staff was so polite and courteous to us. For that alone we'd go back. The pool was ok and the restaurant good but the customer service was on another level. One day we walked back from Epcot and got caught in a storm. As we approached the hotel, some staff opened the doors for us and were waiting with towels for us to dry off and ice cold cups of lemon water to cool down. I'll never forget that. A small thing, but really made me appreciate where we were. £3000 is a big saving, but broken down its £750 per adult. If each adult is willing to pay that much extra for a luxury resort then I say go for it. If not, choose somewhere different. If I was on a budget I'd gladly go somewhere else. Just to be there again would be a dream!

 

[thestevied]

Hello! Thank you everyone for your support! I've just gotten off the phone to Virgin and they've cancelled our previous booking and rebooked us in at Old Key West. So... * Virgin Atlantic flights, departing Manchester - Orlando Int. 22nd August 2014, returning 9th September. Economy tickets. * 11 Nights at Old Key West in a Two Bedroom Villa. * 14 days for the price of 7 tickets. * Disney Dining Plan. * Fully inclusive Car hire, 7 seater. And it came to £8,555.03 a huge saving from what we were paying for a 5 person room at the Yacht club without the dining plan or car hire! I'm feeling so happy about the decision now. The girls will have enough room to spread out and we can have breakfast in our room every day, which will save us a few hundred pounds over the course of 12 days! Thank you all so much! xxx

Just saw this.... Happy for you! Yacht club can still be somewhere for you to aim to go. When you get there, you'll love it. Right now, I'm incredibly jealous of you for having a holiday to look forward to!

 

[Holstar]

For what it's worth, I've just got back from the yacht club, and had the best time ever. We loved it. Every member of staff was so polite and courteous to us. For that alone we'd go back. The pool was ok and the restaurant good but the customer service was on another level. One day we walked back from Epcot and got caught in a storm. As we approached the hotel, some staff opened the doors for us and were waiting with towels for us to dry off and ice cold cups of lemon water to cool down. I'll never forget that. A small thing, but really made me appreciate where we were. £3000 is a big saving, but broken down its £750 per adult. If each adult is willing to pay that much extra for a luxury resort then I say go for it. If not, choose somewhere different. If I was on a budget I'd gladly go somewhere else. Just to be there again would be a dream!

I couldn't agree more... And, part of me wishes we were still staying at the yacht club!

But truthfully, the money (though saving £3,000 is amazing!) is a side point. We've slowly been coming to the conclusion that one room for all five of us would be far too small... A two bed villa at the Beach Club was far far too expensive, and so was adding a second room at the Yacht Club (it would have taken the total to somewhere in the £16k ballpark, with dining plan, the second villa and car hire) - OKW seems to be the best option for space.

I love my nieces dearly, but I think I was being far too naive in thinking that myself, my parter and a 16 year old, 13 year old and a 10 year told could share one room for just shy of two weeks!

Though I think we made the right decision (thanks guys!), it does make me sad that we're not staying at the Yacht Club, as that's always been my dream.

An excuse to go again, I guess?

Xx

EDIT: Apologies for all of the mistakes! This teaches me for typing out long responses on an iPhone late at night!

 

[thestevied]

I couldn't agree more... And, part of me wishes we were still staying at the yacht club! But truthfully, the money (though saving £3,000 is amazing!) is a side point. We've slowing been coming to the conclusion that one room for all five of us would be far too small... A two bed villa at the Beach Club was far far too expensive, and so was adding a second room at the Yacht Club (it would have taken the total to somewhere in the £16k ballpark, with dining plan, the second villa and car hire) - OKW seems to be the best option for space. I love my nieces dearly, but I think I was being far too naive in thinking that myself, my parter and a 16 year old, 13 year old and a 10 year told could share one room for just shy of two weeks! Though I think we made the right deciding (thanks guys!), it does make me sad that we're not staying at the Yacht Club, as that's always been my dream. An excuse to go again, I guess? Xx

Exactly. Not that any of us need excuses...

 

[thestevied]

Not sure if this'll work but this was our room. Smallish beds but otherwise great! <a href="http://s822.photobucket.com/user/thestevied/media/image.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz145/thestevied/image.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image.jpg"/></a>

 

[Elise79]

I couldn't agree more... And, part of me wishes we were still staying at the yacht club!

But truthfully, the money (though saving £3,000 is amazing!) is a side point. We've slowing been coming to the conclusion that one room for all five of us would be far too small... A two bed villa at the Beach Club was far far too expensive, and so was adding a second room at the Yacht Club (it would have taken the total to somewhere in the £16k ballpark, with dining plan, the second villa and car hire) - OKW seems to be the best option for space.

I love my nieces dearly, but I think I was being far too naive in thinking that myself, my parter and a 16 year old, 13 year old and a 10 year told could share one room for just shy of two weeks!

Though I think we made the right deciding (thanks guys!), it does make me sad that we're not staying at the Yacht Club, as that's always been my dream.

An excuse to go again, I guess?

Xx

I think you have made the right choice - with only one room and a bathroom you could have had some uncomfortable moments

Plus 2 showers will make it easier to get everyone out quicker

Deluxe resorts are great if there are 2 of you so you and your OH will have to go back on your own

 

[disneyholic family]

I couldn't agree more... And, part of me wishes we were still staying at the yacht club!

But truthfully, the money (though saving £3,000 is amazing!) is a side point. We've slowly been coming to the conclusion that one room for all five of us would be far too small... A two bed villa at the Beach Club was far far too expensive, and so was adding a second room at the Yacht Club (it would have taken the total to somewhere in the £16k ballpark, with dining plan, the second villa and car hire) - OKW seems to be the best option for space.

I love my nieces dearly, but I think I was being far too naive in thinking that myself, my parter and a 16 year old, 13 year old and a 10 year told could share one room for just shy of two weeks!

Though I think we made the right decision (thanks guys!), it does make me sad that we're not staying at the Yacht Club, as that's always been my dream.

An excuse to go again, I guess?

Xx

EDIT: Apologies for all of the mistakes! This teaches me for typing out long responses on an iPhone late at night!

you're going to faint when you see how big the two bedroom is at OKW.
You will not regret making this decision, i ASSURE you.

the master bedroom has a king bed and an amazing bathroom - truly amazing, including a large shower and a gigantic Jacuzzi
the second bedroom has two queen beds plus a nice size bathroom
the living room/dining room/kitchen is open and airy.....
oh and let's not forget the wonderful laundry room (i spent the entire time trying to think of ways i could take that laundry room home with me on the plane)...

you're biggest problem is getting lost in all the space...

after staying in that suite, going back to a regular room is not easy....no sirree....

1,300 square feet big is really really big....really...

and OKW is a lovely resort!!....