Resort booking for visiting family

[SusanDK]

We have family planning a visit from abroad in January or February (mother-in-law and sister-in-law) who are possibly interested in staying in the Boardwalk area. We are local, so are novices in terms of booking resorts - ack!

A couple of questions:

We (DH and I) are annual pass holders and Florida residents. Does that help at all, or allow us to book any kind of discount for visiting family? They will not buy annual passes as this is a one-off trip (one week only) and they would likely just get a couple of day passes.

Where do I start trying to find the best deals for them? To make things more complicated, they would ideally like to sleep in separate rooms (due to MIL's snoring), so a bedroom + sofa would be wonderful but I recognize that this would be pricey on Disney property. I want to give them options, so would probably tell them that a regular room with two beds on Disney property would be an option vs. getting a suite hotel with 1-2 bedrooms off site.

Is Magical Express gone from January 2022 or will it still be available for a while at the beginning of the year? Thanks to any and all input as we're trying to help them plan but are a bit at a loss ourselves since we don't usually stay on site.

 

[Marthasor]

Magical Express will be gone in 2022. If you aren't staying at the resort with them, you cannot utilize the FL or AP discounts. If you and/or your DH plan to stay with them, you could utilize any discounts that come out. Typically, the most affordable option in the Boardwalk area is the Swan/Dolphin - they also occasionally have WDW AP discounts if you are staying with them. If you are interested in those resorts, I would book directly through the Marriott site. If they sign up for Marriott Bonvoy (free loyalty program), they will get better rates. I've typically been able to book two rooms at Swan/Dolphin for the price of one room at any of the WDW EP resorts. You can also call in to book suites at Swan/Dolphin, but if they only need two rooms (without a living room area), that may not be necessary. If they aren't interested in Swan/Dolphin, a 1-bedroom at BWV (if available), may price out less than two standard rooms on the resort side. Perhaps also consider a one-bedroom at Riviera, though that will probably price out more than BWV and isn't as convenient, though the pull-out beds in the RIV one-bedroom are far more comfortable than the sofa beds at BWV and BCV. If they need to save more money, they could consider Caribbean Beach to at least be near the EP resort area and have great access to the Skyliner.

 

[SusanDK]

Thank you! If we wanted to spend a night or two with them and the selected room allows for 4+ guests in a room, I assume we could make the reservation with all four names on it? But as we are four adults, would that increase the price?

I'm quite certain that some type of kitchen facility - even if only a small fridge and/or microwave - would be desired.

I'll look at Swan / Dolphin as I'm a Marriott Gold.

 

[SusanDK]

Is it really this difficult to book on Disney's website? I have entered hundreds of dates just to try to get pricing info for my in-laws and there is no availability, but no way to see what dates might be available?

Is there anywhere to look where you see a calendar overview of availability? They have not yet booked airline tickets, so their dates for now are flexible but I'm trying to give them options for when they can get a villa / room.

They are pretty pumped about the Epcot Resort Area in general and, ideally, a BCV or BWV but could also consider something else.

 

[starry_solo]

There isn’t a lot of availability for either of those months.
january - holidays and the marathon
february - there are posts on another thread regarding limited availability

 

[SusanDK]

Thank you. The last few hours of research have kind of confirmed that. I am now scrolling the non-Disney hotel forum to get some ideas. And I've just been told that another desire is that they have a balcony!

 

[Marthasor]

Check out the Deluxe Resort View, Two Queen, Balcony rooms at the Swan. We just stayed in one in October and had a direct view of Spaceship Earth and the EP fireworks - all for about $300 a night (YMMV depending on dates). If you look online, put in code QWH in the Corporate/Promo/SET# section for any WDW AP passholder discount that might be offered at Swan/Dolphin. Yes, you can put all 4 names on the reservation - it doesn't look like Swan/Dolphin charges extra above two adults, but I only just checked the Swan (plus, I would go with the Swan to get queen beds instead of doubles at the Dolphin). Or, if you go with two rooms and you and DH will stay, I would list DH on one room and you on the other for the pass holder discount if available. If you are able to find a 1-bedroom at BCV or BWV, you would not be charged extra for 4 adults. If you book a standard WDW resort room at BC, BWI or YC, you would be charged extra for adults #3 and #4 if staying in one room.

 

[starry_solo]

You *might* want to try to see if you can find a confirmed reservation on the DVC rental (broker) sites. But that would mean it would be non-refundable...