Reservation question for the experts

[simzac]

DW & I are planning a very unusual stay at WDW for January, 2009. This will be our first Disney trip without the boys(their band is going to Hawaii over Thanksgiving break in 2008, thus the deal was made, we will pay for their trip to Hawaii if wife and I get to go to WDW alone, both sides happy). Now for the question. We are going to go for 12 nights arriving on a Sunday and leaving 12 days later on a Friday. We want to experience all of the DVC resorts at WDW during our trip, thus we hope to stay 2 nights at each of the 6 resorts during our stay. I will make a reservation at the 11 month mark for 12 nights at OKW to ensure we have a studio for our trip. Then at 7 months I will begin the process of switching the resorts, 2 days at a time. My question is how do I make the original reservation, 1 ressie with 12 nights, or 6 ressies with 2 nights each. Having never split a reservation between resorts before, I'm not sure how changing it at 7 months affects the overall reservation. I hope I've made myself clear, if not, I'll try to explain furthur if need be. Anyone ever done this? TIA for any help.

 

[Dean]

I would make 6 reservations of two days each or 3 of 4 days each. It's much more difficult and risky to try to drop days in the middle of the stay. Just tell them what you want and why. It will not be an issue. But you'll need to monitor that they don't just add to what you have already. Personally I would not do it this way. Two resorts likely, 3 at the most, would be my plan. You'll spend too much time and aggravation trying to check out, back in and heaven forbid you wait on Disney for luggage transfer. Plus many of the resorts are similar (OKW-SSR, BCV-BWV). You can always visit the resort, pool hop if the weather cooperates, walk around, have dinner, etc.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with Dean. We have done 2 resorts in a trip, and did 3 once, and it was WAY more trouble than it was worth. On top of it all, at the end of the trip, I was wishing we would have stayed in our OKW 1 bedroom the whole time.

 

[nboicepardee]

I also agree with Dean. If this is your first major vacation without your kids, make the most of it! Rent a car and do dinner at a different resort each night, but changing every two days seems like a lot of trouble! Especially if you want to do hotel days (rather than all park days). You will need to check out and may not be able to check in until much later.

Of course, I am probably just jealous! Have a wonderful trip whatever you decide to do!

 

[dmurphy42]

I am not an expert; however, my wife and I are staying 15 nights, without children, in January 2008. We made our reservations for all of the resorts at the 7 month window and did not encounter any difficulty even with the impact of the Marathon and MLK day. We will be staying in four resorts; 4 nights at BWV, 5 nights at OKW, and 3 nights each at AKV and WLV. Our home resort is SSR where we have stayed three times, each with grandchildren. I respect what the others have said about the hassle of checking in and out and we may also find that we made a mistake. However, the ambiance of each resort is certainly different and we thought worth the effort to experience. We are seniors and will be celebrating both of our 66th year birthdays and our 43rd Anniversary but we still have a sense of imagination and adventure and we are looking at the change in resorts as somewhat of an adventure to a different ‘land’. Also, I realize the difference of 15 nights and 4 resorts and 12 nights and 6 resorts. I will let you know after our trip if we found it worthwhile or a mistake.

 

[Machta]

I am not an expert; however, my wife and I are staying 15 nights, without children, in January 2008. We made our reservations for all of the resorts at the 7 month window and did not encounter any difficulty even with the impact of the Marathon and MLK day. We will be staying in four resorts; 4 nights at BWV, 5 nights at OKW, and 3 nights each at AKV and WLV. Our home resort is SSR where we have stayed three times, each with grandchildren. I respect what the others have said about the hassle of checking in and out and we may also find that we made a mistake. However, the ambiance of each resort is certainly different and we thought worth the effort to experience. We are seniors and will be celebrating both of our 66th year birthdays and our 43rd Anniversary but we still have a sense of imagination and adventure and we are looking at the change in resorts as somewhat of an adventure to a different ‘land’. Also, I realize the difference of 15 nights and 4 resorts and 12 nights and 6 resorts. I will let you know after our trip if we found it worthwhile or a mistake.

How wonderful that you're celebrating birthdays & anniversary with such a neat trip! Congratulations!