Switch Rooms or Switch Resorts???

[kmccl]

Just looking for some opinions, hope someone out there has some insight. We are going to BLT for the first time in July. Right now I have 5 nights in a standard 1 BR. There are 6 of us, one is an infant. I want to add a night, but there are no standard 1 BR's left. Here are my options - Add one night at BLT in a LV 1 BR, thus switching rooms. Cancel one night at BLT (thus staying 4 nights there) and adding two nights at either AKL or OKW. We have only stayed at SSR and AKL and loved them both. We want to try all of the resorts at some point, but not real sure what to do this summer. Any insight or opinions would be welcome and appreciated! I almost forgot, we would have to borrow points or buy the 1 time points to stay at BLT, would not have to borrow or buy anything to stay at OKW or AKL.

 

[staceymay00]

I can handle switching rooms after one night, but personally I would not care to switch for the last night. I would switch all nights to OKW or AKV before I did a 4/2 split. I'm not fan of split stays for trips shorter than a week, though. I would probably go with the LV for one night assuming it is the first or last night and wait list the SV. Keep in mind that when you move you are "homeless" for half the day unless you get lucky and your new room is ready early.

 

[sweetdana]

I love resort switching..

I go 4 nights studio then 4 nights 1 bedroom on longer trips. I vote skip 1 more night and make it a 2 and 4. I wouldn't have planned it upfront with a 6 nighter but I would totally love it.

PP is correct, we one time checked out at 10 AM as usual, and room wasn't ready until almost 5PM; but more frequently the rooms are ready by 11 to 1. It doesn't bother us, we go straight to the park and play until 2-3 and go back to the resort to change for dinner. Which is what we do nearly every day.. so it doesn't change anything for us.

On a 2 day switch I'd be up for trying a new resort and getting a dinner reservation at a new rest there. (Or picking one where you have one.. IE WL if you have a Mickey's BBQ ressie, AKV for Saana ect., OKW Olivia's)
YEAH another day in DW!

 

[Dean]

Just looking for some opinions, hope someone out there has some insight. We are going to BLT for the first time in July. Right now I have 5 nights in a standard 1 BR. There are 6 of us, one is an infant. I want to add a night, but there are no standard 1 BR's left. Here are my options - Add one night at BLT in a LV 1 BR, thus switching rooms. Cancel one night at BLT (thus staying 4 nights there) and adding two nights at either AKL or OKW. We have only stayed at SSR and AKL and loved them both. We want to try all of the resorts at some point, but not real sure what to do this summer. Any insight or opinions would be welcome and appreciated! I almost forgot, we would have to borrow points or buy the 1 time points to stay at BLT, would not have to borrow or buy anything to stay at OKW or AKL.

I am assuming it's the first night you need, if not, skip option 1.

1. Depending on arrival time and other factors (like ME), stay off property for the first night.
2. LV for the 1 night and WL for the SV
3. Change all to LV, if not available see #1, then also WL the entire trip at LV as well.
4. Change to another resort for the entire time though for that group, your options are limited for a 1 BR.

See if what you need is available for cash through MS even if not available for points. I would borrow if need be, you can always compensate later if you need to by a cash option (possibly with discounts) or by a points rental of some sort. I would ALWAYS avoid renting the $15 a point if I had any other options within my own contract even if it meant borrowing every single point I owned.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/dvc/5_Other/concierge.htm

 

[kmccl]

Thanks for all the opinions/options. Dean - it is actually the last night that we need. We are coming in on a Tues. and right now have through Sunday. I want to add on Sunday night, so it is either LV at BLT or get rid of the Sat. night there and thus having enough points for Sat and Sun (when added to what I have left this year) at OKW or AKV. I really do appreciate all of your opinions!

 

[Dean]

Thanks for all the opinions/options. Dean - it is actually the last night that we need. We are coming in on a Tues. and right now have through Sunday. I want to add on Sunday night, so it is either LV at BLT or get rid of the Sat. night there and thus having enough points for Sat and Sun (when added to what I have left this year) at OKW or AKV. I really do appreciate all of your opinions!

As I noted, I'd add the extra night at the same resort and WL for the same view OR change or WL for a different view and/or resort so I didn't have to move. It sounded as if you had enough points if you borrowed, that's what I'd do if needed over renting them at $15 a point from DVC. I know some have an aversion to borrowing but it's almost always the best option if you don't have the points otherwise and want to stay on property for a given option.

 

[Sandisw]

We have only done split stays for our DVC summer vacations so far and enjoy them. We switch resorts which makes it feel like a different trip.

I would definitely do a 4/2 split and not a 5/1. I might change to 4 nights SV view and then 2 nights LV at BLT but wait list SV or just keep the 4 nights SV and switch to OKW or AKV.

The benefit of staying at the same resort and wait listing is that you may up not having to move.

The benefit of changing is that you get to enjoy a whole new atmosphere for the trip. We really enjoy that part. We are doing BWV/BLT split this August and can't wait.

Good luck!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I would remove the sat night and book 2 nights elsewhere. We are actually doing this exact split in Oct. 4 nights at BWV followed by 2 nights at BLT. Changing rooms is kind of a pain - but if you plan your day well and stay busy until 4pm you won't really notice. Plus I love to try new resorts out.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It's not uncommon for us to do the first night elsewhere since we arrive later in the day flying from the west coast but I could not be convinced to move for only the last night unless my travels had been delayed.

I'd be looking at changing the entire reservation even if it required borrowing or else booking at the same resort and waitlisting for the last night. Switching resorts for two nights is better than one night but still such a disruption.

Solo travel I am more open to moving but much less so with a group.