Staying offsite and want to change to on-site - suggestions?

[Jeslynb]

We are booked at Windsor Hills, but I recently received a PIN and wanted to try to stay at the Wilderness Cabins and get the dining plan. We're going quite soon - 3 weeks. Has anyone tried to do something like this? Are we insane?

We will lose about $100 on our Windsor deposit, I assume. Not sure what the cabins cost.

As the trip approached and we learned more about WDW, we just regretted not booking on site.

Suggestions?

 

[es45]

There aren't a lot of rooms reserved for the pin codes but you should still give it a try. Points to consider:

Are you interested in the cabins because you need the extra sleeping room or is it the theming, or the kitchen? Whatever the reason, look at some alternative WDW resort accommodations and choose one that has the same amenity as a back-up in case the cabins are not available.

Review the WH contract or place a call to determine if $100 is all you will lose. That seems minor so close to the arrival date. There may be a cancellation fee that you didn't notice before.

Good luck!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Do not cancel your WH reservation until you have the WDW one booked. And I agree to make sure that $100 is all you would lose. Also, make sure that you look carefully at the PIN email and be sure that it hasn't expired and that it is good for the dates you want.

Have you bought your tickets yet? To get the Dining Plan you will need to purchase a package with a minimum amount of tickets per person (I think one day) so make sure you factor that into your costs.

How many are in your family/travel group and what kind of budget do you have?

If you can't get the cabins (there are not very many of them) you might look at the All Star Music Family Suites. If you are on a budget and don't mind not having kitchen facilities, which with the Dining Plan won't be important, then just look to get 2 rooms if you need more space.

You might also look at the DVC resorts and even if you can rent points from someone. We have a board here to help you with that.

 

[Jeslynb]

Thanks for the suggestions. It looks like this won't be possible this trip. We do need the extra space - we can't do a week in one room with our two little boys without going round the twist, and I've really waited too long to cancel WH. But thanks everyone. I am sure it will be a great trip regardless.

 

[GingerJay]

I wrestled around with the same decision on our last trip, but I must say I don't at all regret staying offsite. Since we drove our car, it was super easy getting around and we LOVED staying in our WH condo. The only thing that's bad about it is paying for the parking, but as long as you've budgeted for it, its not too much of an issue. We loved being able to go "home" after a busy day in the parks and swimming in our splash pool