Confessions of the Resort Changers

[stepdisney]

We'll be there Aug. 31 - Sept 8. I saw a post of an AKL room with bunks and a king bed on the AKL site. Remember the poster who had that beautiful picture of the lobby that looked kind of stretched? They also had other pictures posted of their stay and one picture was a king room with bunk beds. I asked if it was a king sized bed and they said yes. They also said it was a standard view (if I remember correctly). I'm wondering if they have these rooms at WL. I'm going to run over there and check, maybe I'll change to that room. Don't tell the kids. The surprise will be great. I have tears in my eyes thinking about how my children would react.

I'm having second thoughts about booking Alfredos on their last night because they may be running out of items or not really paying attention to the services rendered. I've been thinking about changing again...I keep singing that song..."Don't go Changin...." Am I the only one old enough to remember that song... That should be the the theme song for this thread.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

"Dont go changing...to try and please me...." Billy Joel , The Stranger?!!!!

Hey, can you imagine...we can be on the same ME bus???!!! lol.. We have Narcoosees for the last night, may change to California Grill, have done Narcoosees before. We are doing Epcot first night and Coral Reef. you know Epcot has EMH our first nigh, right? lol..Of course ou know!!!!
There are bunk bed rooms at WL.....where is ktink??

 

[stepdisney]

That is sooo funny. We had coral reef the 31st and changed to Alfredos...today. The children are excited about they ME or "Mickey Bus". They felt cheated the last trip. We thought we would treat them to a limo ride but of course all they wanted was to ride the mickey bus. They actually pouted all the way to the resort. Needless to say it will be the "Mickey Bus" from now on.

 

[nonsmom]

I totally relate to the confusion as to which hotel to choose. Last year I booked the free dining for Sept. My choices were WL for 7 days or POFQ for 9 days. I thought I was making the right choice with staying the extra two days. I constantly thought about changing and didn't. I stuck with POFQ. I have to say, although the kids loved the dragon pool, my heart was at WL the whole time. I could not stop thinking that I should have booked WL.

This year, I went straight to WL and was only able to get CV w/ bunk beds. I was hoping not to spend that much, but booked it anyway. A few days ago, I checked the web to see if we could save some money by downgrading to a woodsview, and there it was. I called and changed it right away. We saved about $400 for the week. (I feel better). As soon as I refreshed the web page, the room was gone. They must have opened up only one room, and I was lucky enough to be there at the right time. Thanks Disney!

Anyway, I would go with the WL. The boat ride to MK is great. I can't wait to say there again this Sept.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

good for you nonsmom!!!!

You really just have to keep checking...cause the availability seems to change every day sometimes!!!! And who knows, you may get an upgrade at check in if you ask really nice and its open Same thing happened to me, what we wanted was not available, one morning it was, a few hrs later..nosiree BOB!
Its my first time there, cant wait!! 8/31-9/4
I am sure your kids will love WL!!! Especially since you can walk over to FT Wilderness and partake in the campfire sing alongs!!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

bump

 

[MickeysHouse07]

aaaahhh my two favorites are here...Stepdisney and Bridedisney03 who helped decided between AKL and WL. I fall into your catorgery of cannot decide and changing resorts. Now that I really want WL I cannot get a darn woodsview. Even with your recommendations. I will not give up and keep trying.
love ya all

 

[stepdisney]

Mickey'shouse,

Welcome. You're among friends now. Have you made your calls today? I called once just to see if I could add another day to the end of my vacation. We really want to stay until the 9th. No such luck .

Try booking the woodsview on line. I read that sometimes the rooms pop up on line quicker than calling and asking. Here's hoping you get what you want!

 

[MickeysHouse07]

Thanks Stepdisney. I was going to book online but freaked out because the CM told me that I cannot have to ressie. I would have to dish out another $200.

Do you know if I can book under DH's name and get my money back from my other ressie at AkL (only paid the initial $200 deposit)?

Thanks

 

[nonsmom]

As far as I know, you can cancel up until 45 days before and get a full refund. I am not sure if this holds true if you are one of the lucky ones and can pay in full right away.

I did hear from a cast member that all of the computer systems can now tell if you book two dining reservations, even if you use your maiden name for one and your married for another. She told me it automatically cancels out all of your dining ressies.

They do ask for all of the information and addresses of the people traveling before they book it on the phone. Not sure how it would work that way.

When I made the change from CV w/bunk beds at WL to Woodsview (I did this last week) I just called on the phone while being on-line at the same time with the room pulled up on the Disney site, and told her that I now saw the WV available, could I please change my room. She put me on hold and came back a few minutes later and told me it was all set. When I hit refresh on the web page, the room disappeared. I think I got the only one that day.

Keep checking the web for cancellations, you may get lucky.

 

[karylrocks]

I think planning a Disney Vacation is like creating a work of art.

I have never heard it put that way but that really describes the way I feel!

My problem is that since I can't make up my mind, I usually stay at 2 or 3 different resorts every trip. Next time I am determined to choose one and stick to it!

 

[ktink]

Well girls, I'm getting the shakes from the withdrawls of not calling CRO

stepdisney, about the bunk rooms. When I called I paid for pool view bunk room and it was only $35 more per night at AKL. I think they charge for the pool view and the bunks. I asked the CM about a king bed in those rooms and she said they did not have any but she would note it as a request. I went to the disney website and looked at AKL and the room choices only list a queen w/ the bunks. I saw the picture you're talking about and it really looks like a king bed. The poster also said it was so I'm hoping that we will be able to get one. I know alot of CMs are misinformed and the website could be outdated, I think it still shows the old rooms at WL so I'm holding out hope.

 

[AggieTexan]

We're going to WDW in late June for the first time in about 10 years. This will also be the first time we've stayed on property. I started out thinking I would make a reservation at a value. When I started doing research I discovered the moderates, and thought POFQ would be perfect for us (2 adults/no kids). When I was just about committed I discovered WL and AKL could be had for just a little more than POFQ, and then I would have a queen bed and a balcony. Bingo! I made a reservation for courtyard view at WL and happily started planning the rest of the trip.

Oh no! I kept hearing an annoying, nagging voice in my head! It was telling me that YC/BC are the resorts I always thought I wanted to stay at when we stayed on property. I finally gave in to the voice and changed our ressie from courtyard view at the Wilderness Lodge to standard view at the Yacht Club. I really am done now, especially since I called and made final payment this morning!

 

[marivaid]

It's a sickness !!!! I just changed our resort again.
We're going to ASMU now.

 

[stepdisney]

It's a sickness !!!! I just changed our resort again.
We're going to ASMU now.

Marivaid, it really is a sickness . We are all infected so consider this quarrentine (I just realized that I've never spelled that word before, hope I got it right). Don't run from this illness, own it and keep movin Over here on the "Did you change your mind?" thread it's okay, you're among friends. Besides, if nobody changed their reservations, that room I'm waiting for would never open up...right?

Ktink, was your original room a standard? Is the $35 difference the difference between a standard room and a pool view with bunks? If that is true, you may have to move over and make some room because we may be moving to AKL.

AggieTexan, now that's the way to change resorts. You inspire me.

 

[ktink]

stepdisney, yes we were originally booked w/ a standard. And it's my understanding that the pool view rooms are all in a great location as far as proximity to lobby, busses, etc.

I'm just getting so excited because we're keeping this a secret and then the bunks will make their day too.

 

[stepdisney]

stepdisney, yes we were originally booked w/ a standard. And it's my understanding that the pool view rooms are all in a great location as far as proximity to lobby, busses, etc.

I'm just getting so excited because we're keeping this a secret and then the bunks will make their day too.

Wow. That would really work for us but.....I just made up my mind to stay at WL this time. I did want to try it eventually and we gave DS's the pick of resorts. My DS (12) really really wants this bad. Also, I was just reminded of some of the reason's why I liked that resort like the small size and the access to MK via boat, and the boat to CR for the rail making it easier to get back to our resort from dinner. I'm still dreaming of AKL but dreaming of planning another trip while dreaming of WL this trip.

I am very excited for your girls. I get teary thinking about it. If they are like my boys, they get very excited by surprises. We are going to Busch Gardens next week-end for a surprise long week-end trip. (it is the 400th anniversary of Williamsburg) and we didn't tell the boys. We will pick them up from school on Thursday in the middle of the day and drive down. This is just a small trip but they will be so surprised. Just imagine how surprised your DD's will be on a big trip like Disney! Driving up to the AKL.... PRICELESS .

 

[lajones81]

ok...realizing that I am not alone here , perhaps we can all help each other choose a resort and keep it! This is still resort planning, but for the resort commitment impaired
Ok, I am currently WL CL....just got an email from the IPO....but now thinking, hey for a few hundred less, I can be at Poly with the monorail and a larger room w/ a GV! But no kiddie pool and/or hot tub, BUT has zero depth entry, and WL does not have zero depth, but does have the kiddie pool and spa!

Please lets all be positive with our posts No flaming the resort commitment impaired

I'm have commitment phobias regarding my resort selections, too! My problem is that I cannot even decide which resort I want to stay at even before I attempt to book! LOL

 

[ktink]

I'm have commitment phobias regarding my resort selections, too! My problem is that I cannot even decide which resort I want to stay at even before I attempt to book! LOL

You are too funny!

stepdisney, I would certainly stay at WL if I were you. It seems that you feel the same about WL as I do of AKL. I weighed out the options and if AKL had the boat ride to MK that would be heaven on earth! The thing for me about WL was the boat ride to MK that is the best. I'm not thrilled about the busses but that's the price you pay sometimes. The thing for me came down to the pool. I think we would enjoy AKL just a tad more than AKL. We are going to WCC during our trip and I hope to stay at WL one day. You will have the newly renovated rooms and WL is gorgeous.

I'll be honest w/ the construction going on I've thought of changing to WL but decided to go w/ my first choice. Your DS will be thrilled! I hope yall have a great trip to Busch Gardens!

Wish me luck on the construction. I took a nap today and had a dream that we were upgraded to savannah view. That's when you know you've been dis'ing to much.

The three of us need to say "hi" while we're all there. As you said I feel like I know you and DisneyBride. I just can't wait for September to get here!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Well, count me in. Last year I changed from POFQ to WL. Now I'm at CR and I am considering changing due to all the construction going on. I'm concerned about the temporary CS that they are having put up near the Outer Rim Lounge. I'm assuming that they will have limited food and drinks. Not even sure if they will be offering the refillable mugs. So, do I change to Poly or GF or not? That is the question, what do I do or do I stay at CR?