WL connecting room dilemma

[ellimeno]

Hi all, this is my 1st post and I have been reading for hours and hours! Thanks to all the knowledgeable people, I've learned so much. I have fallen in love with WL and it's our very first choice.

This is our dilemma. We have a group of 12 going the last week of November. Me/DH/DD1/DD2; Sister/BIL/Niece/Nephew; Brother/SIL; Grandma & Grandpa. Our initial plan was to stay in standard rooms in WL since they're so cost effective and get two pairs of connecting rooms. Each set of connecting rooms has a family with kids one one side, and an adult couple on the other.

As I have learned there are few-to-no connecting rooms in the standard category, but we could pay an additional $1265 to upgrade all 4 rooms to Courtyard since there is a possibility--but not guarantee--of connecting rooms there. (Woods view sold out). We have no disabilities nor a superabundance of children that would require WL to guarantee the connecting rooms.

DH thinks we should proceed with our existing reservation and ask for an upgrade to courtyard or woods connecting when we arrive.

It does seem foolish to pay $1265 for the upgrade when we're still not guaranteed the connecting rooms. We are not really "view people" so under normal circumstances we would not pay extra for a view.

Or maybe we don't do the WL. Moderate or Deluxe for this trip, not Value....but where? Wouldn't we still have the issue of connecting rooms?

What would you all recommend? thanks.

 

[TammiMcMan]

My suggestion is to give Magical Gatherings a call, since you have enough people to qualify for a grand gathering. You may have better luck if they put in the request for close, connecting rooms. You will have an issue which ever resort you choose, simply because it's only a request.

 

[stagemomx3]

Definetly get yourselves a Grand Gathering number. It will help insure that your rooms are close together though I don't know about connecting?

 

[ellimeno]

Yes, we are already reserved as a grand gathering. Thank you!!

 

[SB in KY]

I think your DH has the right idea...keep what you have and ask about connecting rooms at check in. I do not know what your dates are but assuming it is not a terribly busy week they maybe able to accomodate you. To pay that much for an upgrade and then not be able to have the room arrangement you want would be very distressing.

Will it totally make or break the trip if the rooms do not connect? I assume the main reason for wanting connecting rooms was so adults could visit when little ones were down. If that is the case maybe you could take the baby monitor with you and assuming the rooms were adjacent but did not connect you could use the monitor and still be as in touch as if the rooms connected and you had the door mostly closed.

If it absolutely necessary to have more access maybe you would consider a 2 BR and a seperate studio at one of the DVC's...it might not be much more expensive than 4 rooms at the WL and you would have a nice LR, 2 BR and baths, a queen size sleeper in the LR, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, etc Whoever stays in the studio would not be connected to the 2BR, but they could be located close by so everyone could convene in the 2 BR.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Yes, we are already reserved as a grand gathering. Thank you!!

If you are already set up with grand gatherings, I would not worry too much about the room situation. Each resort has a grand gatherings CM that pre-assigns the rooms. Most room requests are not pre-assigned anymore because they want to be able to offer clean rooms upon arrival. But when you are traveling with more than one room (and definetly on Grand Gatherings) you fall into the exception. It is still not a guarantee, but because there is someone that is going to physically get your reservation and sit down to make sure that your pre-assigned your chances are higher than if you were just 2 rooms looking to connect.

PS I sent you a private message but being new I was not sure that you would check them

WELCOME to the DIS!!!