Worried that I have made a terrible resort decision!

[Babsy]

Hello all!

So I booked AKL for a week and then added on three days at the CR garden wing, water view. BUT DH is never happy unless he has a balcony to relax on with his early morning coffee. But the wing rooms do not have balconies and odds are against getting the ground floor 2:1. I decided to change to the CR tower but no rooms are available for our dates. WE can stay at the AKL for the entire 10 days, but I really wanted to. stay in the MK area, for a while at least. All other MK resorts sold out too. And now I have read some really poor reviews of the garden wing. I have stayed in the garden wing, but it was in the northern wing before the DVC tower was put there instead. And I was on the ground floor at the time. I am so uncertain. I can request ground floor, but that is not guaranteed.

What would you do?

 

[fla4fun]

Hello all!

So I booked AKL for a week and then added on three days at the CR garden wing, water view. BUT DH is never happy unless he has a balcony to relax on with his early morning coffee. But the wing rooms do not have balconies and odds are against getting the ground floor 2:1. I decided to change to the CR tower but no rooms are available for our dates. WE can stay at the AKL for the entire 10 days, but I really wanted to. stay in the MK area, for a while at least. All other MK resorts sold out too. And now I have read some really poor reviews of the garden wing. I have stayed in the garden wing, but it was in the northern wing before the DVC tower was put there instead. And I was on the ground floor at the time. I am so uncertain. I can request ground floor, but that is not guaranteed.

What would you do?

Is this a surprise for DH or have you discussed it with him? He may be willing to go without a balcony for the convenience of the location, and he may not. You can also keep checking availability to see if a room in the tower or another MK resort opens up

I never minded not having a balcony in the garden wing. I would just open the door and move a chair or stool (I think it’s some kind of stool or ottoman now) and the table over by the open door and enjoy the view.

Did you also check WL? I love sitting on a balcony there and looking out at the lake. I ask because sometimes it gets forgotten when people consider resorts in the MK area.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

When is this trip, approx?

I often book last minute or hastily planned trips (and I’m also a perpetual tinkerer) and I find availability usually (major key word) opens up if I check often enough, especially close to the trip. No guarantees of course, but things often work out.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I would just ride it out at AKL and continue checking other MK area resorts until the last moment. But my opinion is influenced heavily by staying in a CR garden wing room two weeks ago and loathing it

 

[Genie+]

How far away are we talking? Another thing is WDW site can be weird with its inventory. It tries not to leave days dangling. Try looking at availability that overlaps with the last day(s) at AK and possibly more options pop up.

 

[Marthasor]

I don't mind the Garden Wing, in fact, it tends to be quieter than the tower - that being said, I would only pick CR if the price is right and I really want it for MK location purposes. Otherwise, CR is not an overall nice resort, IMHO. As others have said, I would keep checking - inventory shifts all the time. Have you considered WL, CCV or BRV? Or are you only interested in monorail resorts?

 

[Happyjen27]

Anyone else thinking the terrible decision is bringing someone who makes you feel bad because a certain resort doesn’t have a balcony?
Time for a girls trip where people will be a lot more easy going.
Time for the Mr to open that wallet so he can stay in the manner he’s accustomed, or shut that mouth into the shape of a smile and enjoy this trip you’re working so hard to plan.

Obvious I’m kidding, my serious answer is this:
Don’t book a resort that will cause you anxiety, explain the situation and see what he wants to do. If he says it’s okay, it’s going to be okay. If he says he’d rather a balcony then I’m 100% certain you will find one at a different price point.

 

[Babsy]

Is this a surprise for DH or have you discussed it with him? He may be willing to go without a balcony for the convenience of the location, and he may not. You can also keep checking availability to see if a room in the tower or another MK resort opens up

I never minded not having a balcony in the garden wing. I would just open the door and move a chair or stool (I think it’s some kind of stool or ottoman now) and the table over by the open door and enjoy the view.

Did you also check WL? I love sitting on a balcony there and looking out at the lake. I ask because sometimes it gets forgotten when people consider resorts in the MK area.

We have discussed it. He was adamant at first about a balcony, but is willing to move to the MK for a few nights at the end of the trip for ease of walking to the MK. I wish that you could book the ground floor room, but that's not an option. I did check WL - it was my second choice to the CR - but its completely booked as well.

Thanks for your response. I am happy that it sounds like you enjoyed the garden wing OK, at least.

 

[Babsy]

When is this trip, approx?

I often book last minute or hastily planned trips (and I’m also a perpetual tinkerer) and I find availability usually (major key word) opens up if I check often enough, especially close to the trip. No guarantees of course, but things often work out.

We're going in late November. I am checking daily, but so far no luck. It is good to know that things may open up a little later on. I will keep checking. Thanks!

ETA: Sorry, I just realized my problem dates are actually (and surprisingly) in early Dec. we are going in late Nov, but the trip extends into Dec and that is when we move to the CR.

 

[Babsy]

I would just ride it out at AKL and continue checking other MK area resorts until the last moment. But my opinion is influenced heavily by staying in a CR garden wing room two weeks ago and loathing it

Oh dear! This is partly what I am afraid will happen to us. What did you dislike so much about the CR garden wing, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Babsy]

How far away are we talking? Another thing is WDW site can be weird with its inventory. It tries not to leave days dangling. Try looking at availability that overlaps with the last day(s) at AK and possibly more options pop up.

It's late November, this year. That is a good idea, though. I'll try checking with slightly longer dates. However, we don't want more than a few days there. We are most excited about staying at the AKL.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

Oh dear! This is partly what I am afraid will happen to us. What did you dislike so much about the CR garden wing, if you don't mind me asking?

I wrote about it in the CR thread. Basically, the garden wing feels ridiculously over priced for a room that is an arduous walk form the main building, is very small, has low ceilings, has very unclean public areas, and no balcony. Just nowhere worth the price

 

[fla4fun]

We have discussed it. He was adamant at first about a balcony, but is willing to move to the MK for a few nights at the end of the trip for ease of walking to the MK. I wish that you could book the ground floor room, but that's not an option. I did check WL - it was my second choice to the CR - but its completely booked as well.

Thanks for your response. I am happy that it sounds like you enjoyed the garden wing OK, at least.

The rooms in the garden wing are identical to the rooms in the tower. The only thing missing is the balcony. So you aren’t getting a lesser room by staying in the wing. The wing is no farther away than some of the GF or Poly rooms, which also require you to go outdoors to access. I have actually stayed in the farthest garden wing room from the tower, by request. We have had noise issues in the tower that we have never had in the garden wing.

I have stayed in both and I really dislike the tower elevator situation. We have had to wait multiple times for a second or even third elevator because they were full. We have gone from the fourth floor to the first floor by escalator specifically for the purpose of being able to get into an elevator to go up to our room. In the wing, there are only three floors, so it is easy to take the stairs if an elevator is busy.

 

[Babsy]

I don't mind the Garden Wing, in fact, it tends to be quieter than the tower - that being said, I would only pick CR if the price is right and I really want it for MK location purposes. Otherwise, CR is not an overall nice resort, IMHO. As others have said, I would keep checking - inventory shifts all the time. Have you considered WL, CCV or BRV? Or are you only interested in monorail resorts?

I have stayed at the CR before ( Club level, tower) and at BLT (studio and 1 bedroom). I actually have really enjoyed staying here and love the convenience to the MK. My concern is very much related to the garden wing itself. Lots of reviews say that it is in poor condition and inconvenient. Also, the elevators are small and I will need a scooter which may make accessing the upper floors difficult. Then, the main problem is that DH loves his balcony more than any other part of the trip. We both spend quite a lot of time relaxing there reading a book with a coffee in the morning or sipping a glass of wine while relaxing in the evening. We use our balcony more than most, I believe.
I would love anywhere at the WL area, but everything seems booked for the dates that I want. I am also interested in any of the monorail resorts....if something comes available, that is.

 

[Babsy]

Anyone else thinking the terrible decision is bringing someone who makes you feel bad because a certain resort doesn’t have a balcony?
Time for a girls trip where people will be a lot more easy going.
Time for the Mr to open that wallet so he can stay in the manner he’s accustomed, or shut that mouth into the shape of a smile and enjoy this trip you’re working so hard to plan.

Obvious I’m kidding, my serious answer is this:
Don’t book a resort that will cause you anxiety, explain the situation and see what he wants to do. If he says it’s okay, it’s going to be okay. If he says he’d rather a balcony then I’m 100% certain you will find one at a different price point.

LOL!!! Yes, a girls trip would be fun! Maybe the next one!

 

[Genie+]

It's late November, this year. That is a good idea, though. I'll try checking with slightly longer dates. However, we don't want more than a few days there. We are most excited about staying at the AKL.

If you find anything you like book it, then call and adjust the days

 

[fla4fun]

Also, the elevators are small and I will need a scooter which may make accessing the upper floors difficult. .

I would call and request a ground floor room due to the ECV and nothing else. They might try harder to assign you one than if you just request a ground floor with no explanation. The elevator will hold an ECV but you would have to pull in and back out. The tower elevators aren’t much better, as they are deeper, but not wider.

You can still keep looking for something else in the meantime.

 

[focusondisney]

Lots of reviews say that it is in poor condition and inconvenient. Also, the elevators are small and I will need a scooter which may make accessing the upper floors difficult.

The garden wing was renovated after the main tower. It is by no means in poor condition. Some may not like the design, but that doesn’t make it poor condition. You can request a 1st floor room due to the mobility scooter & might have a better chance because of that.

We like the quiet of the garden wing & the easy access to the main area without needing an elevator. We can take the escalator to the monorail or dining & shops & not need an elevator. I think you’ll find the elevator situation with a scooter in the main building difficult at times. The elevators are not big there either & often crowded.

As for room availability, are you looking at discounts or rack rate? Sometimes the website defaults to a discount that shows no availability. But changing to rack rate will give different options.

 

[Marthasor]

I have stayed at the CR before ( Club level, tower) and at BLT (studio and 1 bedroom). I actually have really enjoyed staying here and love the convenience to the MK. My concern is very much related to the garden wing itself. Lots of reviews say that it is in poor condition and inconvenient. Also, the elevators are small and I will need a scooter which may make accessing the upper floors difficult. Then, the main problem is that DH loves his balcony more than any other part of the trip. We both spend quite a lot of time relaxing there reading a book with a coffee in the morning or sipping a glass of wine while relaxing in the evening. We use our balcony more than most, I believe.
I would love anywhere at the WL area, but everything seems booked for the dates that I want. I am also interested in any of the monorail resorts....if something comes available, that is.

I would definitely note on your reservation that you would like to request ground floor due to your ECV.

I actually prefer the garden wing over the tower - I find the tower to be a bit loud and the elevator banks can get very congested. I didn't think the garden wing was in poor condition at all. I find accessing the CR lobby, buses and walkway to MK much more convenient from the garden wing.

 

[Mle8308]

We have discussed it. He was adamant at first about a balcony, but is willing to move to the MK for a few nights at the end of the trip for ease of walking to the MK. I wish that you could book the ground floor room, but that's not an option. I did check WL - it was my second choice to the CR - but its completely booked as well.

Thanks for your response. I am happy that it sounds like you enjoyed the garden wing OK, at least.

How about looking at DVC rental site for possible confirmed reservations at Bay Lake Tower? Not sure if anything will match your dates, but it's worth a look!