Help us pick a Resort Game Plan

[mmackeymouse]

My family and I are planning a mega vacation this fall. It all starts with flying out to a family member's wedding, then flying straight from there to Disney for a few days, then a 3 day cruise. It's going to be absolute mayhem.

My sister, her husband, and most importantly, my baby nephew, are already booked at the Swan and Dolphin. Unfortunately, the Beach Club and Boardwalk, our first choices for obvious reasons, are unavailable during the time frame we are going.

So, now, we are left trying to come up with the best resorts with the most conveniences, and easiest way to get over to the Swan and Dolphin, and for them to get to us. We will be in the World Sunday through Friday for reference. Now, the Boardwalk IS available Monday through Wednesday. But, that leaves us with the option of an awkward Split Stay.

So here are our options.

1) My mom desperately wants to stay at the Boardwalk, so she can be close to her baby. We prefer the BW/BC area anyway, so it is a twofer to stay there. So the thought is Animal Kingdom then BW, then back to AKL before we head of to the cruise. The back and forth seems like a bit of a nuisance to me. I know that Disney will be great about it, but still. But, my mom has zero problem with it, if it means being at the Boardwalk with her grandchild a stone's throw away.

2) We've always quite liked OKW. It is available for the entire time. However, it is just kind of not the easiest place to get to and from. But, due to the space in the room, it remains in the running.

3) My dad really enjoys Saratoga, which is also available the whole time. My mom and I like it too, but not as much as him. I am not crazy about it because honestly...it feels like a moderate to me. The room itself was outdated and smelled funny. I prefer indoor entrances. It is hard for me to fathom spending deluxe prices on what feels like a Mod. But, you could not beat the location with a stick. The ideal thing would be to walk over to the DTD bus stop and catch a bus to any resort you choose is a piece of cake. So, it would probably be the easiest to get to where we are needing to go. Also, if my sister and her family do DTD, it would be nice to have a place nearby for a break for the little one.

I would love to do Wilderness Lodge or Bay Lake Tower or AKL Concierge. But...I've been overruled, and these are our 3 options that we have narrowed it down to. Obviously, momma is the "majority owner" in this case, so her preference for BW carries a lot of weight.

What would you do? What would your family do?

 

[Babsy]

I would stay at the Swan/Dolphin for the entire time, if available. If not, then book the BW for the dates available and try to get the extra day between now and when you go. You could book that last night at the AKL as a backup plan.

Why are you considering starting at the Akl and then moving to BWI and back to AKL? Seems like the first move is unnecessary? If you want longer at the AKL, then book the first three nights at BWI and last two at AKL.

Another convenient option is the CR. From there it is only a short walk to the MK buses to go to whichever resort you want to visit. Your sister and family could likewise take the MK bus and walk to the CR to visit you. So, you could do a split BWI and CR stay. (my preference)

Good luck!

 

[mmackeymouse]

I would stay at the Swan/Dolphin for the entire time, if available. If not, then book the BW for the dates available and try to get the extra day between now and when you go. You could book that last night at the AKL as a backup plan.

Why are you considering starting at the Akl and then moving to BWI and back to AKL? Seems like the first move is unnecessary? If you want longer at the AKL, then book the first three nights at BWI and last two at AKL.

Another convenient option is the CR. From there it is only a short walk to the MK buses to go to whichever resort you want to visit. Your sister and family could likewise take the MK bus and walk to the CR to visit you. So, you could do a split BWI and CR stay. (my preference)

Good luck!

I also suggested the Swan and Dolphin but that was overruled as well.

Our first night in Disney, Sunday, BW isn't available. So we have to stay somewhere for a night, then BW and then back somewhere else for a night. Trust me, it isn't my preference. If BW would be available at the beginning or tail end of our stay it would make things a lot simpler.

By the way, what did you mean try to get the extra day between now and when we go? Do the resorts open up a lot? I always thought when they're gone, they're gone?

 

[HM2012Butler]

I think your best bet is OKW. you can never go wrong there

 

[ChasingLeslie]

Is YC also booked up...?

 

[Babsy]

No, resort availability changes all the time. You may get all your days if you keep checking. Or not. But it is worth the effort, IMO. I would also keep checking for YC/BC. You never know. Have you tried calling as well as online?

YOu could also check Orbitz. They might have availability even if WDW does not. Sometimes they also have additional discounts that you can add to the WDW discount, so keep checking.

If I did have to move twice after only one night, I think that I would look at staying elsewhere....I see your dilemma.

SS or OKW might be the best option after all....but if it were me I would keep trying for the Epcot hotels even if I had OKW or SS booked as backup.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Is YC also booked up...?

Not sure...we're looking only at DVC.

We'd be open to POFQ, but by the time discount codes come out, IF they come out...it may be too late to get some dvc rooms.