Resort Changers--The Saga Continues.....

[stepdisney]

Whew Leane, my head is a spinnin'! Cha cha cha changes! Sounds like a great trip planned. Hoping you get the 2 BR's. Please let me know about Illuminations cruise. It is something we were thinking of doing.

 

[chimo2u]

Ok....I'm moving on over here because I could definitely use some company that knows how I am feeling and can sympathize with what surely must be an addiction, LOL

Currently booked AKL Club Level with Deluxe Dining ($2,900.00)...want to keep Deluxe dining as there are a few 2 TS restaurants I would like to try this upcoming trip. I originally booked CSR, then switched to BC then over to our family favourite (AKL CL) as it is just my son and I this trip, and I know he adores AKL.

Well, committed the cardinal sin of looking at other resorts and reading threads about them!!! I am very intrigued by BWI CL....this resort looks amazing and seems to pull at my heart strings in a very positive way!!! I LOVE the look/feel of this resort, and it very much looks like it could trump my first love AKL if I where to give it a shot! It looks like this resort has everything I am looking for, great location, beautiful theme, wonderful IPO staff, terrific Club Level, fun pool/slide, and did I mention, location, location, location??? It actually appeals to me more than BC did. It is $1,000.00 more (coming in at $3,900.00 ) without any discounts. I am hoping for Free dining or some room code to come out to help defray the cost a little, but for now, that's the price.

Sooooooo.... I am once again stumped and wondering what to do?? Stick with old faithful/loved AKL or try something that looks breathtakingly new and exciting?? This is most likely my last trip too. so I want it special. If I do change my resort after all my ADR's have been made by the IPO office at AKL will I be able to save my reservations and transfer them to the new reservation?? or will I have to cancel them and start over?? Has anyone ever gotten a free dining club room at BWI??? Last year we got a free dining room at AKL, so I do know that they exist. Getting some discount code would be very nice!
What to do, what to do?????

 

[stepdisney]

Hi Chimo2u! Welcome to the resort changers zone. I really KNOW what you are feeling. Love AKL and really want to stay EPCOT. Last year kept going back and forth about staying EPCOT, booked SSR and changed, AFTER CHECK IN, to Kidani. I kept saying that SSR was not doing it for me at all and didn't follow my heart. I ended up in tears at check in. (very stressful year last year). I would say FOLLOW YOUR HEART wherever it leads. If your heart changes 5 times before you leave, follow it!!! BWI sounds like a winner. I am just starting to read the threads about BWI . That is the beginning stages of changeritis...we think, we read, we change....OFTEN! Read more, see where it leads. Look at ALL of the benefits. If you've stayed AKL before, than try something new. I think a trip for 2 is a great way to cut costs when you want a resort that is a little on the high end, especially with CL. Welcome to the world of resort changers.

 

[nonsmom]

I booked the bounceback for Pop again this summer. Recently, I was looking online at the WL pix. I really would love to go back. Both of my DS's talk about going to POP non-stop. They think it is better than any other of the places we have stayed at in WDW. I really would rather be at WL and DH says that a split stay is out of the question. I wish I could just block out WL, but it is still my favorite resort. We save over $1,000 staying at Pop.

 

[stepdisney]

Nonsmom I know what you mean. My DS's love Pop more than any other resort. The just love it. My DH said that after staying at Kidani last year we would need 2 rooms at Pop. Even with two rooms I think we would save a bit of money. The only thing stopping me is that I hated the really long lines waiting for the buses because the resort is so large. It always seems like the lines are winding around and I've gotten a little spoiled about not getting wet from the bus to the lobby.

 

[Tinkh]

*raises hand and pleads guilty...

We are taking my sister and her family and my mom with us this time. I originally had booked Pop since we were getting 2 rooms. THEN I decided to do ASMo since my son used to love Toy Story so much. Then called and upgraded to preferred rooms. These were all on my bounceback offer. SO, then I got my AP deal for 40 percent off a moderate which was only going to be like 200 more for my room. So, changed both rooms to POR after using the bounceback for their room and the AP for mine. I seriously hope I do not change again lol. Was feeling a bit tempted to go back to CBR. It is like an addiction to call and change things haha.

 

[nonsmom]

When we stayed at AKL two years ago, the lobby was crowded every day. It was as bad as the parks. I didn't stay in Kidani, but have heard it is great. I guess given the economy situation, and DS4 is still in preschool, we will probably have to stick with Pop. It really does make sense. We added the WPFM option last year and went at least 4 times out of a 9 day trip. The bus situation wasn't so bad, I felt every time a bus was about to fill up, another took its place. Overall, it is definitely worth the $. I will be bringing a shower curtain and tension bar this year for some privacy from my DS's. My friend did that and said it works out well.

 

[stepdisney]

Really good idea about the curtain rod! My one DS is 15 and is 6'3. He can't share a full sized bed with my DS who is 9. We would have to get another room just because of the bed sizes. My DS 9 would be touching the DS(15) just to make him angry Pop does seem to have the most buses. Everywhere we look there was a pop bus. If we decide to do US/IOA, we may have to switch. I don't think that I would mind so much. (though I love WL)....

 

[nonsmom]

I like the fact that my DS's love it so much. DH just goes with the flow. I am trying to figure out where we will be dining this year and how many days we will be there. We might try HoopdeDoo this year and maybe T-Rex (it doesn't take DDP). The rest will probably be the usual favorites. I think we will be down close to the same time. We will be there until Sept. 4.

 

[stepdisney]

I love that the DS's love it so much too! We will be there the same time. Thinking more and more about switching....(as always!) We have the Waterpark added but would love to hop too! Last year we got to the end and the boys wanted one more day of DHS but we were at Epcot. Now I'm torn between Universal with the new Harry Potter and the new roller coaster and 2 rooms at Pop and WL with no Universal but with hopping. I'm trying to do the right thing here .

 

[nonsmom]

I would let your DS's make the decision. This way you won't feel guilty if they are not happy. Or maybe decide if the extra luxury of WL is worth not doing Universal. DH and I both agreed the last time we stayed at AKL, that we were not in the room except to sleep and shower. The parks are open so late that we never used the balcony exept to hang out swim suites. In the earlier days when DS's were really small and we went in Sept. (parks closed early) we would sit out with a cocktail and relax. Now, that never happens. So for us we cannot justify the exta $.

My heart will always be at WL. I know some day when DS's are off to college and it is DH and I, we will go back. Maybe even try the BC.

 

[funforfive]

Hi...I would like to join the resort changers club, but Disney is having trouble with my application

Really though, can anyone give me a suggestion on how to switch to BC from CR? We found out some friends are going to be there and it would be more convenient to be at the same resort. I called to switch, but the CM stated they didn't have availability. I booked using a pin, but would change to the current % off code...it's only a difference of 5% on the room part. Maybe no rates available on my pin? Any advice to make this work? I check on-line and there are all categories of rooms available under the specials %.

Thanks

 

[stepdisney]

Hi funforfive! Welcome to the party. Maybe try to book on line first, then call and say that you could book on line but you would rather call. Keep telling them how much you would like to switch resorts. Don't give up. Changing resorts is serious business, not for the faint-hearted.

 

[stepdisney]

Oh my GOODNESS!!!!! I need my resort changers and QUICK!!! As most of you know, I am a teacher . You also know that we recently moved from the Jersey shore to Northern Virginia. Because we moved the very end of August....(Literally days before our Disney trip) I did not pursue employment as a teacher not knowing when closings for both houses would be completed in enough time to give a definite start date. While at Disney last year, I booked our FD bounceback for August 29 - September 6 of this year and figured I would change the dates if need be.

Fast forward...... I've been substitute teaching waiting for the school I want to teach in had the position I was interested in......and they do....now.....I have made all of my ADR's and my entire spread sheet for this year because school doesn't start until after labor day BUT teachers have to report on the 30th!! So I try to switch to a week before...NONE of the dining I wanted is available... THEN I find out that all teachers new to the district have to report on the 25!!! I literally stopped in my tracks. I haven't gotten the job yet by the way but am hoping for it.... WHAT should I do? Should I change now to....say....the 16 - 24th?? How can I redo my entire spreadsheet?? I have to CHANGE EVERYTHING.....I need your help..... My DH says don't panic. I am trying not to....

 

[su_A_ve]

...THEN I find out that all teachers new to the district have to report on the 25!!! I literally stopped in my tracks. I haven't gotten the job yet by the way but am hoping for it.... WHAT should I do? Should I change now to....say....the 16 - 24th?? How can I redo my entire spreadsheet?? I have to CHANGE EVERYTHING.....I need your help..... My DH says don't panic. I am trying not to....

Relive your first trip, when you didn't have any planing done, nor ADRs. Try new things. Go for a breakfast or lunch instead of dinner...

Just remember that if you ever go down during Jersey week, don't raise your hand when asked "who's here is from Jersey?"

 

[DisneyBoundYrly]

Love the term!

 

[stepdisney]

Should I change now, should I wait? Thinking of shortening my Disney trip so I don't have to worry about ADR's and going to Universal for a few days....If I shorten the trip, we may try BLT.....oh my....this is getting out of control

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

Oh my GOODNESS!!!!! I need my resort changers and QUICK!!! As most of you know, I am a teacher . You also know that we recently moved from the Jersey shore to Northern Virginia. Because we moved the very end of August....(Literally days before our Disney trip) I did not pursue employment as a teacher not knowing when closings for both houses would be completed in enough time to give a definite start date. While at Disney last year, I booked our FD bounceback for August 29 - September 6 of this year and figured I would change the dates if need be.

Fast forward...... I've been substitute teaching waiting for the school I want to teach in had the position I was interested in......and they do....now.....I have made all of my ADR's and my entire spread sheet for this year because school doesn't start until after labor day BUT teachers have to report on the 30th!! So I try to switch to a week before...NONE of the dining I wanted is available... THEN I find out that all teachers new to the district have to report on the 25!!! I literally stopped in my tracks. I haven't gotten the job yet by the way but am hoping for it.... WHAT should I do? Should I change now to....say....the 16 - 24th?? How can I redo my entire spreadsheet?? I have to CHANGE EVERYTHING.....I need your help..... My DH says don't panic. I am trying not to....

I can't believe you are even considering this job if it interferes with your Disney spreadsheet itinerary. I say, ditch the job and start looking for something more flexible, that doesn't mess with your Disney planning

Ok, really...I'd probably enjoy changing everything. I wouldn't enjoy not getting my choices, but I'd love getting to make a new spreadsheet and plan it all out again! Plus, since you are scheduled during the supposed "free dining" time, a lot of ADRs might come open if Disney does not offer free dining then. So, schedule some meals that you are ok with, and keep trying for your preferences.

 

[stepdisney]

I can't believe you are even considering this job if it interferes with your Disney spreadsheet itinerary. I say, ditch the job and start looking for something more flexible, that doesn't mess with your Disney planning

Thought about it for a few seconds.....


Ok, really...I'd probably enjoy changing everything. I wouldn't enjoy not getting my choices, but I'd love getting to make a new spreadsheet and plan it all out again! Plus, since you are scheduled during the supposed "free dining" time, a lot of ADRs might come open if Disney does not offer free dining then. So, schedule some meals that you are ok with, and keep trying for your preferences.

I did manage to get some of my choices yesterday. I haven't officially changed my resort reservation but figured I'd better start with some of the dining now. I thought about the free dining issue especially since we booked the bounce back and will be receiving the free dining this year Thank you for calming me down....I did flip out for a second. Now that you mention it.....I COULD do some major CHANGING...... Thanks for your help

 

[stepdisney]

Relive your first trip, when you didn't have any planing done, nor ADRs. Try new things. Go for a breakfast or lunch instead of dinner...

Just remember that if you ever go down during Jersey week, don't raise your hand when asked "who's here is from Jersey?"