Upgrading from value to deluxe

[thefaultline]

Here's the big dilemma I am currently facing. As of now DS and I are booked to stay at POP for our trip in august, however, my father has offered to help fund my trip which gives us the chance to upgrade our resort!

I booked my pop stay with a 40% off code, and I have no idea if I can change my resort and still keep the discount..I called the reservation# but their system was down and I was on hold for ten minutes before hanging up. Regardless of the discount or not, it seems like I may be switching resorts! DS would be fine at pop, but I worry about buses given the size of the resort, and the lack of "hotel" feeling for myself. I'm used to staying Hilton or Sofitel type hotels for work.

So, would you choose AKL or WL?

I know that DS would love both resorts. For AKL I love the idea of the animals on site, but the distance from the rest of the world seems to be a downside for me. WL has the boat transportation to MK and as MK is where we will be spending 3 days out of our 7, it seems that staying at WL would be the best choice of the two.

Is the savanna at AKL worth the distance? If I switch to WL will i regret not choosing AKL?

I never thought planning a vacation could be so difficult!!

 

[mbanks21]

Go to WL and call back and see if you can switch your resort. As long as theres room available for that code you will be able to switch.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Both resorts are beautiful, but it sounds as if you already are leaning towards WL, so I would go with that. We own DCV at AKV, but honestly we love AK and WL equally and wouldn't be disappointed staying at either resort.

 

[thefaultline]

Thanks for all of the replies so far!

I just got off the phone with a rather unhelpful cast member! I called in to change the flights that are listed on my reservation, and inquired about changing resorts, the rest of my party will be at FQ, so I asked if there we any openings with my discount pin, and the CM said that the rooms had sold very quickly and she doubted it and went on for five minutes telling me how nice pop is and how it's only 5 minutes away from FQ!! grr.. I cut her off and asked again about availability in both mods and deluxe and she continued to tell me what I good deal I've got on pop and how its so nice i should stay.

Oh well, looks like I will be calling again to ask the same question! I wish Disney let you do this sort of thing online. It would be much more convenient than waiting on hold, answering the same 40000 questions, only to be talked out of an upgrade!

So I'm hoping to get WL, but will go with FQ or stay with pop if they are not available.

 

[auntie]

I've stayed WL many times..and it's our favorite resort. Have visited AKL, and while it's nice..to me it's kind of dark..and frankly the Arfrican safari type theme, just isn't my thing. While I LOVE Animal Kingdom ...I just don't have any desire to have it be the theme of my entire vacation. After a while the music piped through the resort..well I found it irritating. This is just my opinion and I sure others love it. I wasn't crazy about the food offerings either. We had lunch, had our look around, and frankly I haven't been back. It is a bit too removed to make it worth the rate for my liking.
I guess I'm just WL fan. I LOVE everything about it. In particular the ease of reaching the MK by the water launch. Also your son would certainly enjoy seeing the Electric Water Pagent that is featured on Bay Lake each evening. It makes its rounds to all the MK resorts. You can also spend some time riding bikes and taking them over to FW which is a great way to unwind and see another resort. The WL also rents mousesprites and pontoon boats in additon to the bike rentals. The resort itself is spectacular and you won't be dissapointed.

 

[thefaultline]

aww. I'm so bummed. I called today and after 30minutes waiting on hold, I was told that there is nothing currently available in the deluxe category, for mod's they only had Caribbean beach open and that resort is not what I am looking for at all

Any idea's on how often I should call to check? I only have until june to change without a fee. I had gotten so excited about WL and it seemed to be so much more convenient to my trip plans than pop. I thought more people would have switched over to free dining and left a room or two open.

Guess I'll be crossing my fingers every time I call!

 

[auntie]

Call EVERY morning at 7:00 am. Reservations that needed deposits that were not received for that date will cancel out during the night. You might be able to snag an opening that way. I know I have. It also doesn't hurt to check back during the day either way..you never know when someone cancels or if they open up more rooms.

 

[momtobrynncess]

aww. I'm so bummed. I called today and after 30minutes waiting on hold, I was told that there is nothing currently available in the deluxe category, for mod's they only had Caribbean beach open and that resort is not what I am looking for at all

Any idea's on how often I should call to check? I only have until june to change without a fee. I had gotten so excited about WL and it seemed to be so much more convenient to my trip plans than pop. I thought more people would have switched over to free dining and left a room or two open.

Guess I'll be crossing my fingers every time I call!

I have heard so many ideas about when is the best time to call. I would definitely call every day. WL is bound to open up!! Try first thing in the morning, as well as maybe after dinner or before they close. People have been known to call to cancel when they get home from work, or after dinner, etc. I have been in the same boat, calling to try to get the resort I want on the dates I want, and if you are persistent enough, it will become available....

 

[momatater]

Definately keep calling everyday. Try asking to talk to guest services next time. I saw on another thread not too long ago that someone went thru guest services because they are the only CMs that can do an over ride. (they had been calling everyday getting the same old answer "sorry, no availability at this time") It worked for them, so it's worth a try!!

Also, you mentioned you only have til Jun to make changes. Is that your 45 day mark? I know they will let you upgrade without penalties after 45 days, but not down grade. In other words, if you decide to spend more money, disney will gladly take it!

We love the AKL, so that would be my choice...just something about the whole resort that my whole family loves!

Good luck! I hope it all works out for you!

Stephanie