Switching Disney Resorts Upon Arrival

[hawaiilife]

I am a Disney "newbie"....this will be my third vacation ever to WDW. I made the horrid mistake of booking a Room Only reservation through a third party. It is an All Star property. My son really wanted this resort, but upon realizing the room is less than 300 square feet I am not convinced it will work for our family of 4 (one being an infant). I contacted the third party and apparently my room was non-changable and non-refundable. I am so disappointed. I really want to switch resorts to AoA family suite - we are there 8 nights and could really use the space. I contacted Disney and they also couldn't do anything. They said the only way would be to request a change upon checkin. I got the spring resort offer so does this mean that the original price I paid will be applied to whatever the cost of the room is upon check in (providing there is availability?). Do you think they would honor the spring resort offer? Has anyone else been in this situation before?

Does anyone else have any tips to make this a smooth change? I hate starting my vacation like this and I know it was my fault...I just hope availability is there and I don't end up paying an arm and a leg for the change!

Thanks y'all!

 

[nherbert]

Though not exactly the same, I can explain what happened to me. We stayed at CBR loved it, went on a cruise and came back and stayed at CSR for one night, did not like it much. I went to reception and asked if they could please move us to CBR. They did that day as space available. We were on a special offer rate and that was applied to CBR. It did not cost us more money. The only thing that might be different to your case is that the special was an annual passholder special and was still available for booking at the time of our reservation.

My advice, just ask when you check in - you may have to stay a night. When I asked to move I didn't list any of the things we didn't like, I simply said we liked CBR more and wanted to move if we could.

 

[hawaiilife]

Thanks so much for the information. It gives me hope that they will be willing to work with me. The only thing I am worried about is how they will calculate the increase in cost. CBR and CSR are much closer to the same price point than All Stars vs AoA family suite. We'll see I guess.

Anyone else have any switching resorts stories?

 

[klmrph]

What site did you book with, maybe they will let you change it, ask for a supervisor.

 

[hawaiilife]

I booked with Credit card points and from there they use a third party to do the reservation. I didnt have enough points so I put the rest of my credit card. Believe me, I've been up the chain of command. Not getting anywhere

 

[Jennasis]

Which All Star are you staying at? ALL Star MUSIC has family suites.

 

[hawaiilife]

We are at movies.

 

[tiggergal15]

Give it a try...we love ASMo...my DD8 wont stay anywhere else. Yes they are smaller than mods and deluxes. See what room you get and check out the resort first. We don't mind the space since the resort is totally Disney and its so kid friendly. Then after you see ..go physically to the front desk and politely ask to change and your reasons ...most CMs will work with you if they can change things and there is availability.

 

[NicoleLarson]

When we stayed there we got connecting rooms which worked out great and was cheaper than the suites at ASMu or AoA!!!! You would get 2 bedrooms and bathrooms, 2 mini fridges, 4 beds so more than enough space. Noted connecting rooms are not guaranteed but you could just book another in the same category and note connecting on your reservation as your only request. With 2 kids there a really great chance you'll get it, although it's not 100%

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just reminding readers connecting rooms are never guaranteed.

 

[hawaiilife]

Thanks everyone for the info!!