Should we - can we - switch and save $700?

[CrabbyPatty]

Howdy - I need some help with ....... [gasp] ...... a possible resort change!

We are staying at WL for six nights, and at the time I made the reservation, I had hoped there would be four of us in the room - DD and myself, my sister, and our cousin who Sis & I haven't vacationed with in 25 YEARS! We hoped to have a mini-family reunion and really celebrate.

However, Cousin can't make it (we've been waiting all these months to see if she was able to go, and now it turns out she can't make it). But never fear, we may have a larger family reunion next year at DL!

So, now that we are less than a month away, we are pondering if we should try to change resorts to a moderate, which would save us almost $700. I guess it's only possible if there is still space available at any moderate under the summer FD plan, though. As you can see from my sig, we've already stayed at CBR and CSR and liked them a lot. I'm not as familiar with POR or POFQ and don't want to stay at the cabins at FW (about the same price as WL).

This late in the game, is there even a chance we should switch to a moderate and get the FD? Your thoughts?
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[stepdisney]

Let me start by saying that the WL is one of my favorite resorts. LOVE the theme and size of the resort as well as the location. Love the boat ride to MK and easy access to MK resorts for dinner.

Still willing to switch?

You shouldn't have a problem. You will have to pay a $50 fee for switch to a resort that costs less than your original choice but I can, and have switched within my 45 day mark. (I am a Resort Changer.....)

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I love the WL. I wouldn't switch to a mod unless you really need to for financial reasons. I think the benefits of a deluxe resort make the whole trip more enjoyable. But that's just me.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I'd make the switch to be honest. POR & POFQ are gorgeous resorts, and I love the boat ride to DTD. Plus $700 is a big chunk of change we're talkin about!

 

[MichiganDVC]

I would definitely not change resorts. There is a reason you decided to stay at WL in the first place. You also could have saved $700 had you all decided to switch to a mod when you thought your cousin was going.
I'm sure the moderate resorts are very nice...however, they are not deluxe and there is a difference. MUCH better transportation, better theming, better restaurants, and better pools (especially at WL). Stick with your first choice. You won't be thinking about $700 when you look back on your trip and realize what a great time you had. Instead, you'll be thinking about how to plan your next Disney trip at a deluxe resort.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I just looked at your signature to see if you had stayed at WL before...you haven't according to that. However, I DID notice that you are staying at WL the exact same week that I am!! Free dining! Seriously, don't switch.

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with everyone else not to change. The WL is one of our favorites as it's an awesome resort with a great pool, great CS, and it's nice having the boat for alternate transportation. I know $700 is a good chunk of money, but I agree with the pp that unless it would be a financial strain to stay there without the extra person, I wouldn't switch.

 

[gillenkl]

Unless you need to switch for financial reasons I would keep the ressie at WL - love that resort!

 

[cmurray234]

Except for a stint at Beach Club Villas, WL is our very favorite EVER resort at WDW. It is absolutely beautiful. If you can afford the splurge, stay where you're at.

 

[pas130]

Let me start by saying that the WL is one of my favorite resorts. LOVE the theme and size of the resort as well as the location. Love the boat ride to MK and easy access to MK resorts for dinner.

Still willing to switch?

You shouldn't have a problem. You will have to pay a $50 fee for switch to a resort that costs less than your original choice but I can, and have switched within my 45 day mark. (I am a Resort Changer.....)

Hi step!!!

crabbypattyAnother resort changer...although I haven't stayed at WL yet...unless you need to really budget, I wouldn't switch to a moderate. It's summer, it's HOT. Boat to MK, or really quick bus trip! All indoor corridors, plenty of respite from the parks if you need one.

JMHO, but I'd stick with WL

 

[Sue M]

First I'd phone to even see if there is available space at a moderate on the free dining promo. It's been out awhile and so there may not be availability.
My choices in order would be POR, POFQ, CSR, CBR (because CBR is the only mod that doesn't have queen beds).

If it's going to be financially difficult to stay at WL, I'd switch. I do love WL, but I always stay where I can comfortably afford.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I would NOT change unless you have to for financial reasons. WL is amazing!!!!
Keep it if you can.

 

[StevePWales]

I would agree with those encouraging you to stick with your WL reservations. It's a beautiful resort, and the proximity to MK is worth the extra cost alone.

 

[tinkmom76]

I would not change. It's worth the extra money. You can't compare WL to a moderate in my opinion. It is my favorite resort.

 

[maryj11]

I have stayed at both WL and POR and I have to say I like them both.

I liked the food court more at POR
I liked the pool more at WL
I liked the boat to MK from WL but also liked the boat to DTD from POR
I liked the beautiful grounds at POR

I guess if I were to pick which one I liked most it would be WL

Both are really nice but if you want to save 700.00 POR would be the best choice.

 

[aubriee]

I'd stick with WL. It's a beautiful resort. I am currently booked under the Annual Pass discount at AKL. I originally was at POFQ that week though under a room discounted bounce back deal though. I switched when the AP discounts came out to AKL, but really wanted WL. For me the difference between the bounce back deal at POFQ and the AP discount for a pool view room at AKL was $510.00. To me it was worth the price difference.

I also currently have POFQ booked under the room only bounce back another trip for late Oct/early Dec. My husband and I have already decided that if a decent AP discount comes out for that time period we'll be switching to WL or AKL.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Thanks so much for the comments - I appreciate 'em! I'm going to discuss this with Sis and get her input. For me personally, I would LOVE to stay at WL, but having just been to the dentist the other day and gotten all the details about my DD's upcoming orthodontic "adventure", I'm sort of in a savings mode!

Hey, couldn't that be a Disney ride - Orthodontic Land? Kids ride around in a clamshell, ala Nemo, with pretend plastic headgear grill over the front, dodging Plaque Monsters while their parents run along beside yelling "Did you make sure to BRUSH really well?" or "Where's your retainer? You didn't LEAVE it somewhere, did you?"

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Well, I checked and there is no option for switching to a moderate resort. All the rooms allotted for the summer free dining offer are full. So, at least we know that there are no other options, and I guess we will be "forced" to enjoy the WL!

Actually, I've wanted to stay at WL since the first moment I saw it. We did a WCC lunch the last day of our 2009 trip and the minute the boat from MK rounded that final bend and we could see the area, I knew that I had to stay at WL someday.

So, we are at 26 days and counting, and looking forward to a wonderful Disney vacation. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions - I appreciate them!

 

[KELLY]

Thanks so much for the comments - I appreciate 'em! I'm going to discuss this with Sis and get her input. For me personally, I would LOVE to stay at WL, but having just been to the dentist the other day and gotten all the details about my DD's upcoming orthodontic "adventure", I'm sort of in a savings mode!

Hey, couldn't that be a Disney ride - Orthodontic Land? Kids ride around in a clamshell, ala Nemo, with pretend plastic headgear grill over the front, dodging Plaque Monsters while their parents run along beside yelling "Did you make sure to BRUSH really well?" or "Where's your retainer? You didn't LEAVE it somewhere, did you?"

I completly understand that one. We were under our 45 day mark and downgraded my younger dd needs to go see the pedotrist and from the sounds of it from her dr it could be invloved. I'm not looking forward to that. So we went from taking no stroller for my 4 year old to talking one.

We downgraded to pop we added the WP&F option to our tickets add the 50.00 changed fee and we still saved 550.00.

I say do what you need to do. We still could have stayed at CSR the trip was paid in full. But I made the switch. I have a feeling if anything she will need to be fitted for inserts.

 

[KELLY]

Well, I checked and there is no option for switching to a moderate resort. All the rooms allotted for the summer free dining offer are full. So, at least we know that there are no other options, and I guess we will be "forced" to enjoy the WL!

Actually, I've wanted to stay at WL since the first moment I saw it. We did a WCC lunch the last day of our 2009 trip and the minute the boat from MK rounded that final bend and we could see the area, I knew that I had to stay at WL someday.

So, we are at 26 days and counting, and looking forward to a wonderful Disney vacation. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions - I appreciate them!

Did you talk to guest services? A regular cm would need to call guest service to check availibility.