Need advice about possible split reservation

[Terapin]

We were originally at Pop, but decided we wanted to stay at CSR and booked a package with CAA. We have plane tickets booked for a 9 night stay in February so our dates are firm. We managed to book CSR for every night except the first night. The first night is sold out. So, we have booked Pop for the first night, and CSR for the remainder of the trip. I am *hoping* that the first night becomes available in the near future. Oh, and we are two rooms because my mom is traveling with us and wants her own room.

However, we are wanting a MYW booking with deluxe dining (that's what we have now). But, because we are at Pop for only one night, we don't have the package booked for that night, and therefore, no meal plan. We have lots of table service bookings booked and kinda want to use credits rather than pay out of pocket.

Here are my questions, and I am hoping we can benefit from your advice:

1). What are the chances, in your opinion/experience of that first night becoming available for 2 rooms?

2). Are we better off booking a two night package, either at Pop or another moderate, so we get the Dining plan, and suck up the extra ticket cost?

3). Or should we be keeping it as is, hoping to get all 9 nights at CSR but being ok with a night at Pop and the remainder at CSR, and paying out of pocket for meals for those three credits? We have enough park days on our passes booked with the 8 night ressie for our plans.

4) Should we just forget the whole CSR deal and book at POR? Dp likes the theming at CSR and worries that POR won't feel as Disney-ish and be as fun for the kids. I am thinking that maybe I am staking too much on a CSR reservation when POR would be just as good?

5) Will POR sell out for February too if we wait too long?

6) I am hesitant to change our ressie to POR if we don't really want to stay there because it seems that CSR will sell out other dates of our trip first and it would be hard to get those ressies back at CSR if we changed our minds. Is this assumption correct?

Thank you so much!

 

[Mr. Pig]

A couple of thoughts - my opinion only of course.

I wouldn't even want to guess what your chances are of getting that extra day at CSR. Every year changes as far as crowds/occupancy of resorts. So you do like you did - plan another option and hope for an opening.

I wouldn't book a two day package just for the extra dining credits. The deluxe dining gives you three credits per day. My question would be, when do you arrive on the first day? If it is later in the day then you may only be looking at only one meal that first day so not having the dining plan would not be that bad. The dining credits would be available the next day as soon as you check in at CSR.

As for staying at POR the whole trip that is an option. I don't think POR is any less "Disney" than CSR. One is Southwest themed and the other deep South mansion/bayou themed. I like both - maybe POR a little more but it's not stopping me from staying at CSR during our Oct. trip. If someone likes the look of the theming at CSR I would stick with it.

Personally I would stick with what you've got now and try for that extra day. I agree that if you start changing things that other dates may fill up - even at POR and Pop. The deluxe dining plan is a lot to eat and one day without it won't be too bad to live with. The worst part will be having to stay one night then switch resorts (if you don't get the first night at CSR) and do all that moving.

All the resorts mentioned are good in their own way and you will have advocates for each one as best here. Actually I think any way you play it you will have a good time.

So that's my 2 cents plus.

 

[Terapin]

Thank you for your reply!

I think many of your points are valid. We are now considering upgrading again to Wilderness Lodge if it doesn't work out to stay at CSR all 9 nights. I still haven't ruled out POR, but for some reason seem less keen on it.

Anyone else have feedback? Thank you!

 

[disnut8]

My opinion is that you go with your option #3. Disney World is so much more than the parks and the food. Pop Century is great for things to do right at your resort. Walking around half of the lake and looking at the sgins from each of the years, seeing all the icons (like the Twister game you can play), looking at the shadowboxes in the lobby. Take a cab over to Fantasia Miniature Golf (which is very close so not that much money) and enjoy a round of golf (or two) there. For food, the Pop Century food court isn't the worst food in the world and you can even get a pizza to go to take to your room. The food court and the indoor bar are right next to each other so you can even easily enjoy adult beverages with your dinner. Or, if you go with the miniature golf option, there are lots of places around the Epcot resort area for lunch and dinner. You can even take the bus over to Magic Kingdom and use the monorail to enjoy any of the monorail resort restaurants, take the boat over to Wilderness Lodge for Whispering Canyon Cafe, or over to Fort Wilderness and walk around there and eat at Trail's End. Downtown Disney has plenty of eating places and lots of distractions for a day or an evening.

My second choice would be #4 and just changing your reservation over to Port Orleans Riverside.

Just my opinions.

 

[Mr. Pig]

WL is another great place to stay if you make that choice. I know that is not helping you with advice but like I say you will have a good time either way so you go with your heart. The difference at WL is much smaller and less variety of a food court. If you are still going with the deluxe dinning plan this may not be an issue. WL is a smaller resort in area, the rooms are bigger than CSR, of course, being a deluxe resort.

 

[Terapin]

We talked it over and WL won us over. We are taking the trip of a lifetime, so went with the big bang. Plus, I like the one bus stop and minimal walking part of WL (as compared to CSR or POR) and the boat transport. We are doing several things at FW and two meals at WL so that is a big convenience for us. For some reason, POR just wasn't catching us, and I cannot stand the insecurity of our arrangement with the split stay. I am wondering if it is 'meant to be' that we aren't staying at CSR. We might never know.

On a high note, I am really excited about staying at WL. I have to book it tomorrow with our agent (and please let it be available through CAA!!!) I know the dates we want are available, but... Disney has done a good job at marketing us from a Pop ressie up to a deluxe!

Thanks everyone for your input. It is very helpful.