Changing resort mid vacation

[Jellietree]

Me again

So many tough choices and nice looking resorts. We are going to stay at a moderate resort from Dec 4-16 2008. It will be our first visit with 6 year old twins. We were told we could stay at CBR for 6 nights and a diferent moderate resort for 6 nights.

Has anyone else switched resorts mid trip?

Is it worth it?

I am so worried abouting picking the right resort for us.

 

[karibritt01]

I personally don't like to switch resorts. I like to get settled and stay that way! Changing resorts makes more work to pack and unpack, even though the hotel will move your bags for you. JMO!

How much time do you plan to spend at your resort? Will you be using the pools? If most of your time will be in the parks, I would stay put. If you are going to be relaxing a lot at the pool, then it may be worth a change mid-way through. (Check rehab schedules closer to time to be sure your pool isn't closed!) Go to www.allearsnet.com to see pics of all the resorts. They are all beautiful, so you can't really go wrong. I would go with which theme appeals most. Or you could let your girls pick it for you! My kids chose CSR, and now I can't imagine staying anywhere else.

 

[El Nebuloso]

We routinely change resorts mid-trip. It really is not a problem. If we have a rental car then we just bring our bags out to the car and schlep them to the new resort later in the afternoon. If not, bell services will move them between resorts no problem. You will probably be better off relying on bell services, as that way you won't have to agonize over check-in times and such. A split stay is kind of nice in our opinion, as it gives you the opportunity to check out more than one resort. CBR is a sentimental favorite of ours, though all the mod's are nice imho.

 

[Disney Dreamer1]

My family went in Oct. 27 - Nov. 4, 2007 and stayed 4 days at ASM and 4 days at POR. I liked it because it was like having 2 Disney vacations at one time. The switch was simple. I definitely was glad I chose a moderate for the second half of our vacation. I felt there was a definite difference between the resorts. Have fun planning and chosing. I think the planning is a GREAT part of the vacation.

 

[polyfan60]

I don't like switching resorts during a vacation. I personally think that when you are comfortable in a resort which you will be most likely, it's hard to leave it and switch. It makes it more complicated and it's just easier to stay in one resort.

 

[tinawv]

Are you unable to get all of your nights in one resort? I have never done a split stay. For me, I wouldn't want to waste the time I could be spending in the parks (i.e., checking out of one hotel and into another). Since you are staying 12 nights, the down time checking out of one hotel into another wouldn't be as bad as it would be for somone only staying 6 nights. Have a wonderful time.

 

[thelionqueen]

It really depends on the type traveller you and your family are. We LOVE to switch resorts; it's like having 2 vacations in one. On the other hand, packing up and unpacking can be a pain. We don't mind because our kids are older and help; I wouldn't recommend it with younger kids, just my .02.

Was wondering why you selected Caribbean Beach as well. We stayed there (just hubby and me) and found it to be so large and spread out that it wore us out..this was without kids mind you. I was just wondering since you're worried about picking the "right" resort for you, if you had heard this comment before.

Which ever you choose, you're at WDW, you'll have a BLAST!

 

[Jellietree]

I have not booked yet. CBR looked like it had a nice beach and pool. It's theme seemed appealing but I real have no idea how big it is or what to compare it to.

Our family has never stayed at a hotel or resort. The best we have stayed at is a $60/night motel.

I really don't know what I should be looking for. Basically I want to be able to easily go from the resort to the park in the morning, back to the resort in the afternoon, and back to parks at night all without much hassle and wasted hours.

 

[thelionqueen]

Just FYI, ALL the "beaches" at the Disney Resorts are no swimming-didnt know if you knew that. So, basically, the beach time with my young ones wore off it's novelty within a couple of hours, so the rest of the time was spent at the pool.

If you're planning on going back to your resort in the afternoons for naps or for meals or whatever, unless you're staying at a Monorail resort (CR, Poly or GF) or Beach Club/Boardwalk, and you're relying on Disney transportation, this will take at least an hours travelling time.

I've travelled with my boys since birth (sorry I am clearly addicted) and have stayed at almost every Disney resort, so I am offering my advice from a well seasoned WDW traveler and mother of 2-perspective.

If I were going to pick a moderate resort that is convenient and has a nice pool for the kids, I would probably pick POFQ (Port Orleans French Quarter). But honestly, I would go to a value with kids of your age. The biggest difference between the values and mod's are the grounds and size of room (which is only slightly bigger in a mod vs a value) and slide.

If I were you, I'd pick a value and spend the extra (50% cost btw) and rent a car. That way you could travel quicker, go to the resort for rests and explore more of WDW spending less with still great accommodations.

The kids will LOVE the theming at the values as well. We only travel value or Deluxe, have completely cut out the mod's; just not worth the extra expense for us.

NOW if you want a great pool and activities for the kids (caution...lots of money involved) the best pool by far in WDW is at Beach Club. We stay there and spend at least 3 full days at the pool alone. However, this will cost you twice as much as a moderate and 3X as much as a value...

The first trip to WDW can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful. Remember, at the end of the day, you're at WDW..ENJOY wherever you are!

Just my opinions. If I can help in any other way with WDW info. or as a mother of 2...just let me know.

 

[Tiffany]

Me again

So many tough choices and nice looking resorts. We are going to stay at a moderate resort from Dec 4-16 2008. It will be our first visit with 6 year old twins. We were told we could stay at CBR for 6 nights and a diferent moderate resort for 6 nights.

Has anyone else switched resorts mid trip?

Is it worth it?

I am so worried abouting picking the right resort for us.

Wouldn't you perfer to just settle in to a "new home" then switch mid stay? The only differance between the moderates is their theming. POFQ is the smallest but you still share buses with POR and you have to go over to that side for a sit down meal as well. For us packing, unpacking and then packing is a routine we only like to do once per vacation destination.

 

[gatorfreud]

I LOVE switching resorts!! We were 5 nights at POR, then switched to CSR in November. It was a little bit of a hassle, and I was a little stressed on the drive over to CSR thinking "What am I doing? Did I make a mistake? I loved POR, what if I hate CSR?".... but as soon as we got there it was AWESOME! It was like arriving for the 1st day of your vacation again! We were so excited to check out the new resort, the new pool, the new food court, the new aracde, the new room.... If I could do at least 4 nights in each place I will switch every trip from now on. I want to check out every resort!

I would do CBR then CSR or other way around.... we moved our own luggage since we had a car, but Disney will move it for you.

Enjoy your trip!!