Our little thread of BIG changes, the neverending saga of the Resort Changers

[Koh1977]

For those who have done a split stay, was it easier to have Disney transfer your luggage or should we book a taxi and take our bags to our new resort ourselves? What would be easiest with a young toddler?

Great question since I'm curious myself!! We have two young kids (7 and 3) and will be doing a split stay next month!

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[pas130]

I was right!!!! I knew it! I knew it!!

You were right! Enjoy DTD!!!!

DH is still surprised by your affliction, eh?? Treasure Island? Oh my, I lived in Treasure Island on Isle of Capri for 2 years right after I moved to FL back in my "yoot" (a little My Cousin Vinny reference there). Oooh, I loved living there. TI has it over AMI for a pure family-oriented vacation spot since dining and activities at St Pete Beach and John's Pass are so close, although AMI beaches are so pretty and the island is quiet, relaxing and romantic for grown-ups.

AMI looks amazing, but I couldn't pass up the deal. This had a balcony as well for me to kick my tootsies up! We LOVE the Gulf side!!

For those who have done a split stay, was it easier to have Disney transfer your luggage or should we book a taxi and take our bags to our new resort ourselves? What would be easiest with a young toddler?

We usually drive. That said, we had Disney do the luggage transfer (DS5 was an infant at the time) and we had to wait way too long for it. We were way prepared with swimsuits and other necessities, but waiting until after 8pm for luggage dropped off at 10am was way annoying. The poor CL staff tried their best to help but it is Bell services in charge. Overall it depends on if you can go all day without your stuff, and because check-in time is in the afternoon it's probably not a big deal. I will add that bell services picking up the luggage took 2 min. tops Easier, is to have Disney do it, reliable...taxi for sure

 

[pigletgirl]

We usually drive. That said, we had Disney do the luggage transfer (DS5 was an infant at the time) and we had to wait way too long for it. We were way prepared with swimsuits and other necessities, but waiting until after 8pm for luggage dropped off at 10am was way annoying. The poor CL staff tried their best to help but it is Bell services in charge. Overall it depends on if you can go all day without your stuff, and because check-in time is in the afternoon it's probably not a big deal. I will add that bell services picking up the luggage took 2 min. tops Easier, is to have Disney do it, reliable...taxi for sure

10 hours to receive luggage?

Yeah, my gut feeling says grab a taxi. It'll be an early morning as we have a 9:10 am ADR at The Wave. But that is better than having a fussy child and no luggage!

 

[dimndgal1]

mamasuttles - WELCOME!

I would only listen to about half of what is said by most people... I find a lot of people with negative reviews are WAY pickier than I am: i.e., we love Marrakesh and San Angel Inn and they often get panned. I'm pretty much a 'go with it' kind of person so I often like to see for myself.

MM - you slipped in there and I didn't even see it at first! No ch-ch-changes???

Heather - Ah-MAZING pic! So serene! Makes me super jealous!!! Hope you're living it up for all of us stuck at home!

Magic - long time! Hope all is well!

pas -Love OKW... DH and I want to stay there for a solo trip without the kiddos. So relaxing!

pigletgirl - we did our own luggage last trip when we did POR/YC. We had heard horror stories about luggage taking hours to transfer and didn't want to risk it. That said, a friend of ours recently did a POP/CR split and luggage was at new resort by the time they got back from lunch.


Nothing new on the Disney front. Hope all is well!
HUGS to all the RCers!!!

 

[letthewookiewin]

Thank you all for your well wishes for my puppy ! She is getting some much needed rest but her cone is driving her bonkers!! After reading everyone's comments I feel better about my choice! Gf was in the budget but now it just isn't! Things happen that put a wrench in the plan sometimes and I just gotta roll with it! We have been to POR several times and LOVE it! I know it will be more enjoyable just for the stress factor being eliminated! I'm definitely disappointed but it's not something that will ruin the trip at all! And we get an extra day in the parks so how can you beat that?!?! I'm just lucky I am able to go to disney twice this year!!!

I'm glad your fur-baby is doing better. My sister uses this thing on her Beagle that looks like the C-shaped plane pillows. She said it bothers her fur-baby less than the cone did. If you want, I can ask her about it.

I can understand that kind of disappointment. The year we stayed at the Pop Century, I wanted a CR TPV room. We thought we could make it work, but then things came up and I had to change to the PC. I felt so disappointed, but then I felt guilty for feeling that way. I'm sure it will still be a magical trip.

I hope the fur-baby continues to do well.

103 days until our family of 3 is on our 8 day Disney Vacation!!! I am so excited ... yet at the same time, I have never been more cconfused about where to stay. I originally booked at POR, but changed to CBR after the free dining plan came out and it didn't include POR. Then several unexpected bills came up so I switched to POP due to $$. Heard several bad reviews and several good reviews about POP and switched to AS Sports. I have been to Disney several times and usually stay at AS Movie. I am seeing good reviews and bad reviews about every resort now. .

Needless to say, I beleive I belong in this group.

Cannot wait to be in Disney again with my little princess. Easily THE most magical vacation we have ever taken!

When reading reviews, just remember there will always be good and bad reviews about every Disney resort. We have never stayed at any of the All Stars resorts. We did stay at the Pop Century. Even though it isn't my favorite resort, having to stay there wouldn't be a deal breaker. I can only say three bad things about the Pop. I hated the size of the bathroom (way too tiny), we thought the beds in our room were uncomfortable, and I wish the laundry area had seating. The resort has a super fun feel to it, and we all loved the grounds. The staff, every single CM we had contact with, was amazing. The main pool was a ton of fun.

Good Morning All

We made it yesterday around 2ish!!! Beautiful weather! True to form, I was awake with the chickens this morning Jumped on the golf cart around 6 and went touring. I had forgotten how gorgeous the grounds are at FWC....so relaxing and peaceful.






Pas... I knew it!!! Your change makes perfect sense, though. Less money and MORE room



Sorry for not multi-posting...but I'm on vacation Hope everyone has a fabulous day!!!!

Heather

Beautiful!!

This has been a crazy week with it being the last week of school. Tonight, I took JM to the mall to go to Build A Bear. When he has a teacher that is really special to him, he likes to go there and make them a monkey (b/c that's his nickname). We made the birth certificate for this one. When I asked him what he wanted to name it, he very quickly said "Gratitude". He said he wanted that to be the name because he is grateful for everything she has done for him. I just thought the name was so cute and touching.

 

[Koh1977]

I'm glad your fur-baby is doing better. My sister uses this thing on her Beagle that looks like the C-shaped plane pillows. She said it bothers her fur-baby less than the cone did. If you want, I can ask her about it. I can understand that kind of disappointment. The year we stayed at the Pop Century, I wanted a CR TPV room. We thought we could make it work, but then things came up and I had to change to the PC. I felt so disappointed, but then I felt guilty for feeling that way. I'm sure it will still be a magical trip. I hope the fur-baby continues to do well. When reading reviews, just remember there will always be good and bad reviews about every Disney resort. We have never stayed at any of the All Stars resorts. We did stay at the Pop Century. Even though it isn't my favorite resort, having to stay there wouldn't be a deal breaker. I can only say three bad things about the Pop. I hated the size of the bathroom (way too tiny), we thought the beds in our room were uncomfortable, and I wish the laundry area had seating. The resort has a super fun feel to it, and we all loved the grounds. The staff, every single CM we had contact with, was amazing. The main pool was a ton of fun. Beautiful!! This has been a crazy week with it being the last week of school. Tonight, I took JM to the mall to go to Build A Bear. When he has a teacher that is really special to him, he likes to go there and make them a monkey (b/c that's his nickname). We made the birth certificate for this one. When I asked him what he wanted to name it, he very quickly said "Gratitude". He said he wanted that to be the name because he is grateful for everything she has done for him. I just thought the name was so cute and touching.

Such a cute idea!! And so thoughtful!

Omg Hunter Hayes sounds absolutely awful on the CMT Music Awards...

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[Sue M]

So my 6 mo old golden retreiver puppy just got really sick and we took her to the vet and found out she had a bowel obstruction and she need emergency surgery ASAP or she was going to die! $5400 later she is much better and is going to make it! But this has taken a big chunk of disney money to fix her! We are booked at the GF for July 6th so we are in our 45 day window and are paid in full. I am wondering WWYD! Stay at the GF with no dining plan and have to come up with about 700 for food or downgrade to POR and add the dining plan for roughly the same amount that is already paid. Will disney charge us if I am paying about $75 more to make this change? My TA is going to kill me! This is stressing me out! Glad my little pup is doing so much better but that was alot of money to shell out!!! Help! Any advice would be great! I have made 3 changes so far! Oh goodness!!

Personally, I'm not a big fan if the DDP, and can eat well, and cheaper off it. I do enjoy TS, but there are a lot of low cost TS options, like Plaza, Sci Fi, 50's, BOG, Kona has some lower cost items. Etc. Allears has menus and prices. Some TS restaurants are cheaper for lunch. Some CS have meals just as good as in a TS. Columbia Harbour house has a great salmon plate.
We make ADRs for a Brown Derby lunch, and have the amazing Cobb Salad for our meal. And Grapefruit Cake dessert!
We are happy with ice water with our meals, not pop drinkers. We don't want most of those cakes in a cup dessert that comes with CS meal. After dinner we may just want to share a dessert, or share something somewhere else.

We eat well, but always come out spending less oop. We put what it would cost having the DDP on a gift card and always have $ left over.

You don't have to do a TS every day. Maybe every other day. You can do the monorail CS tour that's what we are doing in August!!

We also pack stuff in the luggage for breakfast in our room. Packets of instant oatmeal, bagels, bag of granola.

So I'd keep GF and pay oop.

 

[Sue M]

Sorry, wrote this before reading all the posts! Trying to catch up!! And saw you've changed to POR! It's also a great resort, in fact our fav moderate!

 

[Sue M]

Well after quite awhile...I have a ch-ch-change to announce....

The Pas family will be at OKW this summer in a 2 BR villa

Do I love WL CL??? Absotootly! But my lovely HRH was looking at pics of OKW (her and her bro were playing Epic Mickey or something (have no clue what initiated this) and we all checked it out. So now I'll have a huge villa and DH and I have a King bed (yes we were stressing sharing with the kiddos LOL) I am bummed not boat to MK, but we have a boat to DTD and PH (don't ask I felt the need) and a refund of over $1000

gee, what a surprise!! I've never stayed at any DVC but I've always bern curious about OKW. Will you have a car or using wdw buses? And yay for boat to DTD!! I think with all the construction & traffic down there, a boat is the best way to get there!! I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it! And pics!!!

Don't know what to do.. Want to stay at the Poly in Feburary but the pictures of the construction are really bothering us. Our other choices are GF or CR but just loved the theming of the poly so much better than the other two. Why is this so hard lol!?!? Trying to tell ourselves that most of the construction at the Poly should be wrapping up when we go but not sure how much will be completed. Maybe we'll just draw straws to pick the resort.

I had a res at Poly in August, but all the construction got me worried, then the lack of a feature pool in the dead of August did it. We will be there 2 weeks, way too long without a main pool. So we switched to GF.
I'm a bit disappointed not staying at Poly, but now looking forward to our GF stay, and still close enough to enjoy a Lapu Lapu!!

Good Morning All

We made it yesterday around 2ish!!! Beautiful weather! True to form, I was awake with the chickens this morning Jumped on the golf cart around 6 and went touring. I had forgotten how gorgeous the grounds are at FWC....so relaxing and peaceful.






Pas... I knew it!!! Your change makes perfect sense, though. Less money and MORE room



Sorry for not multi-posting...but I'm on vacation Hope everyone has a fabulous day!!!!

Heather

Heather, beautiful pic!! Enjoy your vacay!!

For those who have done a split stay, was it easier to have Disney transfer your luggage or should we book a taxi and take our bags to our new resort ourselves? What would be easiest with a young toddler?

We do the taxi transfer. I don't have a toddler, but we find it easier to grab a taxi early morning to get us & luggage to new resort, and do early check in.

 

[pas130]

10 hours to receive luggage?

Yeah, my gut feeling says grab a taxi. It'll be an early morning as we have a 9:10 am ADR at The Wave. But that is better than having a fussy child and no luggage!

It will all work out! With an early ADR I'd definitely taxi it!!

pas -Love OKW... DH and I want to stay there for a solo trip without the kiddos. So relaxing!

It looks beautiful, but I am not settled...

gee, what a surprise!! I've never stayed at any DVC but I've always bern curious about OKW. Will you have a car or using wdw buses? And yay for boat to DTD!! I think with all the construction & traffic down there, a boat is the best way to get there!! I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it! And pics!!!

DH said I need to get off the computer for 2 months That won't work. I've yet to hear any negatives regarding OKW, so what is my problem??

 

[Mousemommy1]

It will all work out! With an early ADR I'd definitely taxi it!!


It looks beautiful, but I am not settled...
DH said I need to get off the computer for 2 months That won't work. I've yet to hear any negatives regarding OKW, so what is my problem??

Uh oh!!!!! What are we thinking??? I saw you back over on the WL thread...

I think my reservation is change proof. My family very much rejects the notion, and even when I have had the TA call to check on AKL CL, it is still not available with the military discount, so GF it appears to be!

 

[pas130]

Uh oh!!!!! What are we thinking??? I saw you back over on the WL thread...

I think my reservation is change proof. My family very much rejects the notion, and even when I have had the TA call to check on AKL CL, it is still not available with the military discount, so GF it appears to be!

Various split stays were discussed WL/VWL OKW/VWL YC/VWL...do you see a pattern??? DH is SET on OKW, I HAVE to keep DH happy...have to have to have to...resist the urge

Here's a new thought, TA is going to shoot me...it's not a biggie though...

Treasure Island Condo is booked from 8/16-22..check out late on 8/21 like after a day at the beach shower laundry dinner.....(still paying for the 8/21 so we have the room) and my amazing 45% discount! Add a day to OKW...checking in the night of 8/21 (the kids will nap the ride over I am sure!) this will give me 7 FULL WDW days!!!

 

[Koh1977]

Various split stays were discussed WL/VWL OKW/VWL YC/VWL...do you see a pattern??? DH is SET on OKW, I HAVE to keep DH happy...have to have to have to...resist the urge Here's a new thought, TA is going to shoot me...it's not a biggie though... Treasure Island Condo is booked from 8/16-22..check out late on 8/21 like after a day at the beach shower laundry dinner.....(still paying for the 8/21 so we have the room) and my amazing 45% discount! Add a day to OKW...checking in the night of 8/21 (the kids will nap the ride over I am sure!) this will give me 7 FULL WDW days!!!

That works!! I'm envious of the Treasure Island condo...I SO miss the beach, but it will have to wait I suppose...maybe Spring Break 2015 if DS has a similar time off as I do...?

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[basketlacey]

Well after quite awhile...I have a ch-ch-change to announce....

The Pas family will be at OKW this summer in a 2 BR villa

Do I love WL CL??? Absotootly! But my lovely HRH was looking at pics of OKW (her and her bro were playing Epic Mickey or something (have no clue what initiated this) and we all checked it out. So now I'll have a huge villa and DH and I have a King bed (yes we were stressing sharing with the kiddos LOL) I am bummed not boat to MK, but we have a boat to DTD and PH (don't ask I felt the need) and a refund of over $1000

This is what we have booked in July!!! Although, I was thinking of downsizing - see below...

Drawing straws lol... wll that be lapu lapus straws??

True, most of the worst construction is taking place this year, thru November. Ask yourself if you would be happy being there with some construction on going. Things to consider (which I'm sure you have already).. the rates are bound to sky rocket once the Poly is completed. If you have always wanted to stay there, it might be the time to do it. Would you need the feature pool in february? GCH hopefully will be finshed.

I'm still holding onto a Poly reservaton for August but have serious doubts since so much of the resort is affected at that time.

I'm with you..the Poly has always held the appeal to me over the CR or GF (not to say I don't like them, I do). The Poly has always been special.

Good luck! And no change is ever final around here

I can't wait to stay at the Poly but I don't want to do it amid the crazy construction. I thought GF was a mess last year. We had to walk WAYYY around things to get where we were trying to go. I do NOT want to do that in summer heat!

Save me a seat on the balcony and please have my cold drink ready!!!

I have been trying to stay up on the thread but I admit I haven't read everything. There are lots of new faces around here so

So my plans are completely all over the place. Let me try and catch you up:

DDs have a dance competition at the Gaylord the first full week in July. We were booked at the Gaylord 7/5-7/13. Then decided we would stay at WDW after so I booked at OKW (1 bedroom) from 7/12-7/15. Then DMIL decided to join us. So I upgraded to a 2 bedroom and added a day at both ends (7/11-7/13). We really want a treehouse villa so I have been stalking those but I don't think they are available with the discount. We were tentatively planning to drive down on the 4th and rent a room for two nights before hand.

THEN, we started talking to some friends about how much the Gaylord is going to cost (add on resort fees, etc). We decided it would be much cheaper to get a house for the week and stay offsite. So yesterday, I completely cancelled my room at the Gaylord and we have a 7 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath house booked just up the street. I think it will be fun and it will be nice to easily do a few meals in the house instead of eating out 3 times a day.

PLUS, with the southwest sale, I booked DH and I flights for F&W in late September. One last trip before the AP expires....

 

[Koh1977]

This is what we have booked in July!!! Although, I was thinking of downsizing - see below... I can't wait to stay at the Poly but I don't want to do it amid the crazy construction. I thought GF was a mess last year. We had to walk WAYYY around things to get where we were trying to go. I do NOT want to do that in summer heat! I have been trying to stay up on the thread but I admit I haven't read everything. There are lots of new faces around here so So my plans are completely all over the place. Let me try and catch you up: DDs have a dance competition at the Gaylord the first full week in July. We were booked at the Gaylord 7/5-7/13. Then decided we would stay at WDW after so I booked at OKW (1 bedroom) from 7/12-7/15. Then DMIL decided to join us. So I upgraded to a 2 bedroom and added a day at both ends (7/11-7/13). We really want a treehouse villa so I have been stalking those but I don't think they are available with the discount. We were tentatively planning to drive down on the 4th and rent a room for two nights before hand. THEN, we started talking to some friends about how much the Gaylord is going to cost (add on resort fees, etc). We decided it would be much cheaper to get a house for the week and stay offsite. So yesterday, I completely cancelled my room at the Gaylord and we have a 7 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath house booked just up the street. I think it will be fun and it will be nice to easily do a few meals in the house instead of eating out 3 times a day. PLUS, with the southwest sale, I booked DH and I flights for F&W in late September. One last trip before the AP expires....

So when are you done with the dance competition and headed to the parks? I think we may just miss you...

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[pas130]

This is what we have booked in July!!! Although, I was thinking of downsizing - see below...

I can't wait to stay at the Poly but I don't want to do it amid the crazy construction. I thought GF was a mess last year. We had to walk WAYYY around things to get where we were trying to go. I do NOT want to do that in summer heat!




I have been trying to stay up on the thread but I admit I haven't read everything. There are lots of new faces around here so

So my plans are completely all over the place. Let me try and catch you up:

DDs have a dance competition at the Gaylord the first full week in July. We were booked at the Gaylord 7/5-7/13. Then decided we would stay at WDW after so I booked at OKW (1 bedroom) from 7/12-7/15. Then DMIL decided to join us. So I upgraded to a 2 bedroom and added a day at both ends (7/11-7/13). We really want a treehouse villa so I have been stalking those but I don't think they are available with the discount. We were tentatively planning to drive down on the 4th and rent a room for two nights before hand.

THEN, we started talking to some friends about how much the Gaylord is going to cost (add on resort fees, etc). We decided it would be much cheaper to get a house for the week and stay offsite. So yesterday, I completely cancelled my room at the Gaylord and we have a 7 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath house booked just up the street. I think it will be fun and it will be nice to easily do a few meals in the house instead of eating out 3 times a day.

PLUS, with the southwest sale, I booked DH and I flights for F&W in late September. One last trip before the AP expires....

YAY for a F&W trip!!! WOW a 7 bedroom house

So is the house for the whole stay? Love it!!!My issue with OKW was location, but DH reminded me (over and over) that the kids like boats and buses. We have a DTD boat, and buses. WL had a close to MK, but that's it..there's 3 other parks. I'll give it to him. And with DS5 and HRH we need quiet and space. HRH also prefers bright colors, there you have it

That works!! I'm envious of the Treasure Island condo...I SO miss the beach, but it will have to wait I suppose...maybe Spring Break 2015 if DS has a similar time off as I do...?

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It's another reason we won't fly. We gotta have our beach! And although we could do it beach trip, it would kill us to not go to a theme park being so close The Florida beaches are so much better than Jersey

 

[Koh1977]

Grades are done, office is packed (just need to move it all to my car), and I still have an hour left today plus tomorrow until 1:30 when we can officially start checking out!

SO, I think I have our days planned out now. I am planning them on the assumption we will NOT use PH. If we decide to get hoppers, we can add them on once we get there. Speaking of which, how late is guest services open at the parks? DH would be more likely to go for PH when we're there and he wants to go hop to another park with DS or something. ;-) now I need to go fix ADRs and FPs to fit the new plan!

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[pigletgirl]

Grades are done, office is packed (just need to move it all to my car), and I still have an hour left today plus tomorrow until 1:30 when we can officially start checking out!

SO, I think I have our days planned out now. I am planning them on the assumption we will NOT use PH. If we decide to get hoppers, we can add them on once we get there. Speaking of which, how late is guest services open at the parks? DH would be more likely to go for PH when we're there and he wants to go hop to another park with DS or something. ;-) now I need to go fix ADRs and FPs to fit the new plan!

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Exciting!!

I'm sure the trip is feeling even more real now!

 

[Koh1977]

Exciting!! I'm sure the trip is feeling even more real now!

Yes, and I'm dying to tell the kids!!! But we're not going to until we get to MCO!! Supposedly we are just going to visit friends in FL...? Idk...I think DS will see right through DH's story, but oh well... I will try and come up with something, but the point is not to tell them until the very last possible second.

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[dimndgal1]

Happy Thursday to all!

Yes, and I'm dying to tell the kids!!! But we're not going to until we get to MCO!! Supposedly we are just going to visit friends in FL...? Idk...I think DS will see right through DH's story, but oh well... I will try and come up with something, but the point is not to tell them until the very last possible second.

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Maybe as it gets closer, you could ask DH in front of kiddos "Do you think there is any way we can try to spend a day at WDW?" Talk it out and use work or schedules or 'it's too busy a time of year' and decide that you'd rather wait for another trip. Then, you can surprise them with the actual trip at MCO. Just a thought!

Also, GS is open regular park hours; and I have been told until the last guest leaves the park. I know they were open at 2am one EMH night at MK (my hard ticket wouldn't read in the last two FP machines we tried so I swung in). Be warned that they can often be slammed at the end of the night - lots of random issues and lost items being claimed!



So excited for this weekend! DD6 and I signed up for the Give Kids the World Coasting for Kids Sunday and I am looking very forward to it!we raised about $170 and the park we are riding at raised over $21k!!! fun!!!

Still toying with a split in Sept... I don't know why I can't just settle and let it go (... can't hold it back anymore...) Hmmmmm.....

Hope everyone has a HAPPY FRIDAY and for the end/almost the end of school to the students and teachers!