Confessions of the Resort Changers

[ktink]

carol/houston, you're cracking me up. I'm so sorry that I've corrupted prejean princess. But I'm all for the Lapu Lapu party!


stepdisney, Ok here's the way to save on the split packages. Book the first portion of your stay at the value but w/ all but 1 days worth of tickets then book the remainder at Poly w/ only a 1 day base ticket.

Here's what we had before: Our package at AKL w/ the pool view bunks was around $2672.

Our first package w/ free dining is ASMu w/ 6 day tickets is $1129.26
The Poly package w/ free dining and 1 day tickets is $1388.74
the total of the 2 comes to $2518!

Now I was told that they will put the tickets on the room keys as the package stands and that we could possibly transfer them to the Poly room keys. Either way it's no big deal. But they said to call Bell Services and Disney will transfer the luggage to the new resort. Plus one big bonus is that we will already be onsite so we can check into Poly early and perhaps snag a great room! Of course the room won't be ready but we'll be at the parks until later anyway.

Keep me posted.

 

[ktink]

well, well, well, Disneybride and Stepdisney you will never believe what I stumbled across. I was over on the Poly FAQ's thread and it seems that on May 1st you all had a little schindig over there. As predicted I showed up on the thread but I'm only a month late.

 

[MPHARJ]

What is the requirement for the free DDP? Is it a 3 or 5 night stay? We are already booked but it would be so neat to do a split stay I have wanted to for so lone and maybe that would cut the costs for me a little bit for upgraded to the deluxe that I did. How hard is it for Disney to change things without messing it up? I know you have to have the 1 day on the package and we would just book the other days on the other package.

 

[ktink]

What is the requirement for the free DDP? Is it a 3 or 5 night stay? We are already booked but it would be so neat to do a split stay I have wanted to for so lone and maybe that would cut the costs for me a little bit for upgraded to the deluxe that I did. How hard is it for Disney to change things without messing it up? I know you have to have the 1 day on the package and we would just book the other days on the other package.

There's only a three night minimum w/ the free dining! The CM I had wanted to cancel our current reservation and then book 2 new ones. I told her that I didn't want to do that. So she took the current package that I had and made it the Polynesian and then I booked a seperate package for ASMu. Which the new package requires the $200 deposit.

I'm very glad that I decided to do this. And I'm hoping it goes well as this may be the ideal way to stay at all the resorts. We'll probably continue to do a value w/ deluxe as it's the cheaper way to do it. Good luck.

 

[MPHARJ]

Thank you I may have to try working on that tomorrow.

 

[ktink]

Thank you I may have to try working on that tomorrow.

You're welcome. Let me know what you end up with.


stepdisney, I posted over on my pre trippie but I must tell you. I was watching Oprah's favorite summer items and she had some flip flops that come from Brazil, they're called Haviannas. Oprah said they felt like you're walking on marshmallows, well girl if Oprah said it then I believe it. They of course have them on ebay. I remembered the post when you told me to buy flip flops because they make everyone feel better so I had to share this information with you!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Busted by ktink...you have to admit...weren't you laughing when you saw those posts?
There is no escaping each other , here
stepdisney is waivering I think

I am glad you had such luck in changing your ressie I STILL ponder, a wee bit, just a little...
But I do have that master plan you know, having DH staying in a DVC resort He wants to take the tour, but said we will go resale cause we dont want to finance a bunch of pts! SO..DVC may be in my future

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

ktink, I promise I am not being swayed, all I was hoping for was connecting bunk beds at AKL, and I got 'em so I am happy and all set. I have been tempted to stay at the Contemp. but all that is available is MKTPV (I refuse to pay that kind of money for a view, especially since we need 2 rooms - YUK). I will also be tempted to move if a 2 bed. villa opens up at VWL (or AKL - but I don't think AKL will open up). The 2 bed. villas are soooo great and roomy. I am not crazy with the DVC housekeeping service (at least what we received at BWV last year) but it is worth giving VWL a try.

Maybe instead of the Lapu Lapu or lava flow, it's time for a straight shot of tequilla and suck the lime!!!

 

[stepdisney]

Ktink, ahhh, ummmm what can I say, you caught us . I'm still trying to get a change going on here. My husband and sons all chimed in on the NO mommy, no. My DS (12) said "mom, today it's Polynesian and next week we'll be somewhere else. : If we can save money, I can surely convince my DH to change. Did you book ASMu for three days and is this necessary to get the free dining or do they just give it to you because you are really staying a week? I must play it cool , make it seem like his idea OR, just change it and wait until we arrive and see it he notices . I'm feeling a change, I'm ignoring the theme music in my head (Don't go Changin ) I'll call tomorrow....

Disneybride, I am waivering. I'm falling off of the wagon, quick throw me a rope.

 

[ktink]

Maybe instead of the Lapu Lapu or lava flow, it's time for a straight shot of tequilla and suck the lime!!!

Sounds like a plan. DH is probably ready for one! He tells me NO more changes and he initiated this one.

Ktink, ahhh, ummmm what can I say, you caught us . I'm still trying to get a change going on here. My husband and sons all chimed in on the NO mommy, no. My DS (12) said "mom, today it's Polynesian and next week we'll be somewhere else. : If we can save money, I can surely convince my DH to change. Did you book ASMu for three days and is this necessary to get the free dining or do they just give it to you because you are really staying a week? I must play it cool , make it seem like his idea OR, just change it and wait until we arrive and see it he notices . I'm feeling a change, I'm ignoring the theme music in my head (Don't go Changin ) I'll call tomorrow....

Disneybride, I am waivering. I'm falling off of the wagon, quick throw me a rope.

Yeah, I caught yall, normally yall are busting me. I cracked up when I saw that.

Ok, I booked the free dining w/ both packages. We had some ADRs that I thought would be hard to get. But you know I'm seriously considering calling and booking 2 nights at ASMu and then 4 at Poly. Somebody stop me!!
Anyway if you want the free dining at both resorts then you have to book a 3 night minimum. Let me know what you decide. But remember the key is having only that 1 day ticket on the last package. Let me know what you decide.

I'm really not going to mess w/ the package. I would love to stay at Poly for 4 nights but we would loose the dining and it would end up costing us more $. I think we've found the happy median.

 

[stepdisney]

I think you did too. Your package is great. The three and three is perfect.

Well....I called. Yes I did call and I attempted to book a split stay. I had to give the guy all my info which really bothered me because I didn't want him to erase my WL stuff. (He wasn't the most informed CM, but nice, very nice). I couldn't even get ANY of the values for the first three nights of my trip . He tried to get me into a moderate but it didn't work...I stood my ground. It's either value/poly or nothing . It was $2499 for Poly with one day base and $1374 for three nights at ASMo with eight day with water parks and more. I only found out the cost for ASMo because I put it in on line without free dining. This package comes in over our WL stay so...no go.

Now....about AKL

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

Now....about AKL

stepdisney, are you thinking of coming over to join us at AKL? We would love to have you!!!! I am doing pretty good about not changing my resort, but I am dying to change up all of my ADRs. I don't know why, just second guessing or something.

Maybe I need to start a new thread on the dining boards: "Confessions of the ADR changers..." My mom (Carol/Houston) is tired of hearing about wanting to change and finally said, just do what you want and tell us where to go and when....oh the pressure.

 

[stepdisney]

PrejeanPrincess, what are you thinking about changing? I keep tossing around the Kona Cafe. I have the Crystal Palace and, though it's okay, would like something a little different. I'm thinking about a monorail resort dinner on this night instead of Crystal Palace. I would love, love, love the AKL. If I could make a split stay work, I would do it in a New York minute. . I'm sure you know by now, my DS(12) was in charge of picking the resort this time and he chose WL. Not a bad choice, but just not MY first choice. I don't want to upset him about his choice so I am limited as to how I can approach changing resorts. A split stay would mean I would talk about sharing with mom or something. The Poly/ASMu was just a fleeting idea that I did undercover (I casually mentioned it but didn't tell him I was actually looking into it.) Lucky for me it didn't work out.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

stepdisney, we are trying Kona Cafe for the first time this year too. I am really excited about this one. Like you I have ressies at MK, but mine are at LTT. For some reason this is just not appealing to me, I like the idea of the characters and my kids would love it, but........ I just can't get over the "but". So, I made a ADR for Wolfgang Puck's at DTD. Have you ever done that one? We do not have park hoppers, so we will be a MK 2 full days, so if we keep Wolfgang Pucks we will have to leave the park around 4:30 to make our 5:30 ADR. I just don't know if this is too early to leave the park, b/c after eating at DTD we won't go back to MK (too late, too full, and too tired). I know I am over-planning this and not going with the flow, but there are 9 of us and I just want everyone to have a great time.

I too would like to do a split stay, but I think for us it would be more hassle than it's worth. Plus, I like the idea of having each of my kids in their own beds (we booked the bunk bed rooms). Also, mine just do not fit in a double bed together, the boys would do alright, but the girls - no way. My princess Demi (6) is a kicker and sleeps in the middle and that does not go over well with my DD8, Abby, she also likes to sleep in the middle and sideways. They both have queen beds at home, so they have plenty of room to travel around the bed!!!!! Maybe one day Carol/Houston and I will travel to Disney by ourselves and try several of the resorts for future stays, wouldn't that be fun!!!

 

[nonsmom]

stepdisney, we are trying Kona Cafe for the first time this year too. I am really excited about this one. Like you I have ressies at MK, but mine are at LTT. For some reason this is just not appealing to me, I like the idea of the characters and my kids would love it, but........ I just can't get over the "but". So, I made a ADR for Wolfgang Puck's at DTD. Have you ever done that one? We do not have park hoppers, so we will be a MK 2 full days, so if we keep Wolfgang Pucks we will have to leave the park around 4:30 to make our 5:30 ADR. I just don't know if this is too early to leave the park, b/c after eating at DTD we won't go back to MK (too late, too full, and too tired). I know I am over-planning this and not going with the flow, but there are 9 of us and I just want everyone to have a great time.

Hi, we ate at LTT last year, and the only reason I booked it was location and the characters. We ended up really liking the food and the service was awsome. The menu didn't really appeal to me at all, but I really loved it and we booked it again for this upcoming trip.

I hope this helps.

 

[stepdisney]

I thought about LTT but, like nonsmom said, the menu doesn't really grab me. I keep hearing meatloaf and turkey. I cook at home every night and it sounds a lot light basic home cooked meals. I'm glad to hear that the food is good.

Prejean, why don't you book closer to MK just in case you are not really ready to go home after your meal. I think WCC or Cali grill or even Ohana or Kona would be a nice choice since they are just a monorail or boat ride away. I probably wouldn't do DTD on a MK night, just because it equals a lot of extra walking. (Maybe it's just me but it is very difficult to go to DTD and not shop, even just a little) We have Wolfgang Puck on our agenda this year. We decided to do the WG Cafe Express Westside which is the west side CS. We are doing this our first night since we are not sure what time it will be once we check in and get situated. It's best that we don't have ADR's. We ate at WG Puck Express (Marketplace) on our last trip. The food was "EXCELLENT" The Pizza reminds me of Cali Grill a little. I can say it was probably the best CS hands down. I'm going to call and try to get Kona on the night we go to MK.

Ktink, have you changed your ADR's????

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

Thanks nonsmom for the info. on LTT, like stepdisney, I too cook every night and sounds like home cooked food, but we may try it.

I have tried to get ADR's for Concourse and Chef Mickey's at CR but they are booked. We have done WCC several times, and I already have Kona for our other MK night. I don't want to use 2TS for Cali Grill, and we have done O'Hana for the past 2 trips (been there done that). So, having said all that, my choices are kind of limited to Chef Mickey's (booked), Concourse (booked), and the TS at MK or DTD. We have never done DTD, so I thought it may be fun to try - is there more than just shopping? (Don't get me wrong I love to shop, but......I might go crazy and that would not be a good thing )

 

[stepdisney]

Love, Love Love Disney Quest. I know you don't hear too much about it but my DS (12) and DS (6) Love Disney Quest. We didn't get hoppers this trip because we got the Water parks and more and 9 day base plus 7 days of water park and more makes hopping almost impossible. DTD for us is wonderful because we love to do the lego area (free I might add), look in the Huge Disney toy store, and go to Disney Quest. There are all kinds of fun shops with demonstrations and things. The candy stores are fun. This is the only time my DS & DH like to shop. It is always on the list for the first night for us. We go a little early, walk around, eat dinner and then off to Disney Quest. There are a lot of family interactive things to do at Disney Quest. We love the pirate ship where you have to work together as a family to defeat the other team. Sometimes there are two families in the room and you are up against an actual family (really fun). Then there is this water rafting trip where everyone on the raft has to paddle in order to guide the raft (water effects are great).

Keep trying with chef Mickey. The get cancels all of the time. (I know, I've canceled a few times myself ) We are currently booked at Chef Mickey for the last day (Our flight leaves at night) but I couldn't decide if we should book so I cancelled a few times before booking Lunch. Chef Mickey now has lunch. Maybe you can get a late lunch?

 

[MPHARJ]

You're welcome. Let me know what you end up with.

I called today and we are all set, changed the first 3 nights to CSR and the last 6 nights remain at the BC, where I have always wanted to stay, but this cuts my costs a bit and I get to see both resorts and cross 2 moe off of my list!!!!

 

[ktink]

I called today and we are all set, changed the first 3 nights to CSR and the last 6 nights remain at the BC, where I have always wanted to stay, but this cuts my costs a bit and I get to see both resorts and cross 2 moe off of my list!!!!

That's great! I'm glad it worked out for ya. That was one of the things I'm excited about is marking 2 more off of my list.


stepdisney, I'm sorry it didn't work out but like you said that's a good thing. The only ADR I had to cancel was the Boma for breakfast and I changed it to O'hana for breakfast. We'll now have 2 ADRs at O'hana 1 for breakfast and 1 for dinner. It's for the morning that we'll be checking into Poly so I figured that would work. Although now as I say that I may need to switch that so that we don't have to allow for travel time.