Need a bit of help deciding!

[HayGan]

I decided yesterday (after looking at the great rates on SW) to take my youngest DS to WDW for his 7th birthday. We did it for his brother but with 2 weeks coming up in June, I didn't think we were going to be able to do it for him in January. But with $64 rates on SW and some developer points sitting in the bank, DH and I decided that we would go ahead and do it for him (although it will just be him and I this time.) I decided to take him for his actual b-day (Jan 19th) to take advantage of the free pass (we will upgrade it to a DVC annual pass while we are there.)

Here is the dillema, I was able to get the evenings of Jan 17th and 19th at SSR but not the 18th. I did not realize until after I booked it that it is MLK weekend. I did book those night but I am really concerned that I won't be able to get the 18th. Unfortunately since they are developer points, I can't even waitlist

I was thinking of booking a value at a passholder rate for the 18th but the thought of switching resorts twice in two days and I don't even know if I would be able to get it being that it is a holiday. My other thought is to book a value for the 17th and 18th and just stay at SSR the 19th. I will have to book something and just keep trying for the 18th. Any advice on the likelihood that the 18th might open up?

What would you do?

 

[hellerjw]

If it were me I would not want to do a double-switch like that in the middle. I would either pick the cash stay at the beginning or end. I tend to do the cash stays at the beginning of the trip (usually on weekend to save points) and then end at the DVC resort. You get the move out of the way early and its like an upgrade so you don't mind as much. Since you are only staying 3 nights it is a little more difficult since you don't have a lot of wiggle room. Even so my preference would be to end up at DVC.

 

[permavac]

Personally for me, the trip is too short to be switching at all. Passholder rates are dirt cheap for the timeframe you're going so you might be better off just staying the entire time at a value if you can get it. I know it stinks to have to pay cash when you have perfectly good points available but with such a short trip, the moving business is going to eat up your limited time in the parks which is probably where your son would rather be If you really need to use those developer points then I guess you check availability at SSR twice a day every day until you get it. Actually, you could book a value for the entire length of stay just in case - you usually get up to 5 days before check in to cancel. That way if the 18th doesn't come through by next month, you have the option of just canceling SSR and staying at the value (if you want all 3 nights together). Guess it depends on your situation with the points and your priorities. Anyway, Good luck!