Please help Disney is making me crazy with their discounts!

[Fairy Godmother]

So the short version of a long story is we are going to WDW in February for Mardi Gras. My oldest step son is a senior in high school so we told him he could bring a friend along. I booked a one bedroom villa at BLT back in March hoping I would be able to get a discount when they came out. As you can guess I wasn't able to get a discount on it with either the Disney Visa offer or the GP offer. Also my step son's friend got in trouble and as of right now his parents are not letting him go.
My dilemma now is do I switch my to a regular room at either the Grand Floridian, the Poly or the Beach Club or do I hope I can get a discount at BLT when the AP discounts come out?
If we did a split with 5 nights at the GF or Poly and 3 at BC it would be about half of what rack rate is at BLT. We are leaning towards a split stay because we love being on the monorail but it is about $500 cheaper if we spend the last 3 nights at the BC. We have never stayed at an Epcot resort so I also think it might be a fun change.
We also can't decide between the GF and the Poly. We stayed at the GF last year for our wedding and had a fabulous time. We have stayed at the Poly twice before and loved it and that was were we got married last year.
I truly cannot decide right now and I fear if I wait to long all the discounts will be gone. Also I am afraid if I switch resorts that in February my step son's friend's parents will change their mind and let him go and then I will have to switch resorts again.
Thanks for reading my whiny post and letting me vent.

 

[MMS1125]

I would have a talk with your stepson's friend's parents and let them know you need to know for sure if they are going to allow him to go b/c you have to reserve the room. If their decision right now is no and they tell you no then I'd take the offer off the table at that point. It's not fair for you to base something on their decision and them change their mind.

How many total are going? I'd do the split stay if it's four or less. The Poly and BC are our 2 favorite resorts. If you'd like the space at BLT and the 2 bathrooms it might be worth the extra $$ to stay there if there's 5 or more. The extra bathroom sure is nice

 

[Singinglizzie]

If it were me, I'd go ahead a book the room that I feel that I can comfortably afford. I've also done split stays, and don't mind going that way to save a few $$$. We typically skip a park day in the middle of our trip so we don't get too tired, and that would be a great day to switch resorts. You might also look into a split stay at the Swan or Dolphin, since they are in the Epcot area too, and that might also help you save a few $$$. I like the advice that the previous poster gave you and that is talk to your son's friends parents and clarify whether he is going to join you or not. Then once that is settle, select your room accordingly. All of your choices will result in a great trip, so can't go wrong. You can always do BLT another trip! Best of luck and have fun with your planning!!!

 

[Fairy Godmother]

Thanks for the advice. Now I just have to get DH to call the parents which will be easier said than done. I have never spoken to them before but DH knows them which is why he needs to call.
It will be 4 of us if only our family goes. I am really hoping my step son's friend can't go because this could posibly are last trip to WDW as a family since DSS graduates and turns 18 in May.
Having 2 bathrooms at BLT wouldbe very nice but I don't think it is worth $2800 which is the price difference between it and a split stay at GF/BC or Poly/BC.

 

[twodogs]

Did you check if a AAA discount is available at BLT for your dates? I used mine to get 20% off rack rate for a 2 bedroom villa at BLT for late April 2013. It cost me $53 for the membership and I saved $1550. Might be worth it if you can save enough to make the decision a little easier and leave your options open (and have more space, even if the friend doesn't go!). 1 bedrooms were also available with AAA for my dates. I booked about 3 weeks ago. They didn't have TPV but had lake view in both villas. If you don't have a AAA, you can call to make sure the room is available with AAA discount prior to buying your membership (this is what I did). I booked room only directly with WDW. If you want a package, you have to book through AAA.

 

[traceyw]

You could always book a room with the discount at GF or Poly just so that you have it secured, then figure it all out and cancel what you decide you don't want. I don't know what the BLT cancellation is, but I know Disney packages are 45 days and room only ressies require less advance notice to cancel, so you could take a little more time to find out what's happening with the friend and see if a BLT discount comes out.

 

[Fairy Godmother]

Thanks for all the replies. Tonight I bribed DSS with an alternate graduation trip to San Francisco this summer and he went for that so his friend is no longer coming to WDW with us.
My new problem is DH wants to stay at GF and I want to stay at the Poly. DH is worried that we will end up with a 2nd floor non balcony room at the Poly. I guess we will fight it out tomorrow.

 

[Fairy Godmother]

***UPDATE***
I switched our reservation from BLT to a split stay at GF club level and BC club level and reduced the cost by over $2300. I am am now very excited about our upcoming trip

 

[chloelovesdisney]

***UPDATE***
I switched our reservation from BLT to a split stay at GF club level and BC club level and reduced the cost by over $2300. I am am now very excited about our upcoming trip

Yay, sounds great!

 

[Simba's Girl]

***UPDATE***
I switched our reservation from BLT to a split stay at GF club level and BC club level and reduced the cost by over $2300. I am am now very excited about our upcoming trip

WOW!!! have fun