Would you switch resorts from Boardwalk view to WLV in this case?

[WDWorld2003]

Currently we are booked for 3 nights in a Studio Boardwalk view and moving to a 1 bdrm Boardwalk view for the last 4 nights. It will be myself, and two teen girls 16 and 17 at the end of March.

We arrive at MCO at 8:00 p.m. our first night. I am currently on a waitlist for the Wilderness Lodge for the 1st 3 nights in a studio and then changing to our BWV Boardwalk view 1 bdrm.

Would you take the studio at WLV it if it comes through or just keep our BWV studio? MS said there was a strong possibility as 2 nights of the 3 were open.

The reason I am thinking of switching is we plan on spending our first day at MK and also have reservations at O'hanas and Park Faire for subsequent days. We will not have a car. Also, we have never stayed at WLV. However, I am more concerned that we will have a bad location at WLV because of our late arrival and also, the hassle of switching resorts even though we will be switching rooms.

Any thoughts would be appreciated....

 

[Alexander]

I personally don't like switching resorts. We have many times, but try to avoid it now that we have an 8 month old in tow. I feel like we waste our vacation time packing, and unpacking (I am very, very selfish when it comes to my vacation time!) But since you are switching rooms anyways, it won't really take any additional time to switch resorts.

Regarding getting a bad room at VWL, I really don't think any of the rooms are really bad. You may be at the end of the "long" hallway, but hey, if you're moving to the BWV, the one at VWL may seem short!

We try to pick our resort based on what we plan to do. If we have a lot going on near MK, we stay at VWL. If we're in town for the Flower and Garden Festival, we stay at BWV or BCV.

Okay, now to answer your question, I think in your case, I would take VWL. It is so easy to get to MK, the Poly, and GF. It really puts you in the middle of the things you plan to do early in your vacation.

 

[jekjones1558]

I am very biased (check signature photo) but I think teen girls would enjoy all of the activity around the BW and the ability to be at Epcot or MGM in a matter of minutes. JMHO. VWL are lovely, so I guess you can't lose. I hate switching rooms or resorts (I know, I'm in the minority here) and avoid it if at all possible.

 

[n2mm]

I would stay at BW and save WLV for another trip. I will not switch resorts mid stay. I feel it takes away valuable vacation time, even a minute isn't worth it to me. We like to check in, unpack and make ourselves at "home". I agree, the BWV will have much more activities for the girls.

 

[Mahusky]

I would split the stay! Why not, variety is the spice of life!

We switch resorts on each and every visit. It is way too easy! Get up early pack your bags or better yet do it before you go to bed. I would check in at the BW by 6:30 AM (no lines and perhaps get your request). Call bell serivices and they transfer your bags for FREE and off to the parks! Did I mention that it is easy!!

Have a great trip!

 

[dumbo71]

Currently we are booked for 3 nights at a Studio Boardwalk view and 4 nights in a 1 bdrm. Boardwalk view for myself, and two teen girls 16 and 17 at the end of March.

We arrive at MCO at 8:00 p.m. our first night. I am currently on a waitlist for the Wilderness Lodge.... would you take it if it comes through? MS said there was a strong possibility as 2 nights of it were open.

The reason I am thinking of switching is we plan on spending our first day at MK and have reservations at O'hanas and Park Faire the first few days and we will not have a car. Also, we have never stayed there. However, I am more concerned that we will have a bad location at WLV because of our late arrival and also, the hassle of switching resorts even though we will be switching rooms.

Any thoughts would be appreciated....

Depends. Does your nights happen to be May 13th - 18th? If it is I'll set up a three way call to MS so I can get that BW view one bedroom.

If not I'd stay put.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Thanks for the offer Dumbo We're going at the end of March.

I guess I didn't explain myself well in the first post (I changed it). Actually, I'm not giving up the 1 bdrm. at BWV... only the studio for the first 3 nights. The only reason I'm thinking of the change is we would be closer to MK and the restaurants we were going to the first few days.... I'm still contemplating this and I won't have to make the decision unless the wait list comes through. I'm not sure if the teens would like it but they are pretty easy to please.

 

[donmil723]

Personally, I don't like moving either. Once I get there, I want to unpack and stay put for my whole stay. But, in your case, I would try the VWL for the first three nights. You will have to move anyway from the BWV studio to the BWV 1 BR. And, like you said, if you stay at VWL, you will be closer to the MK the first day and to your other dinner reservations.

Donna

 

[YoMickey]

My wife is not a fan of splits stays. They don't bother me much, in fact when I look back on our most recent visit I think of it as seperate vacations because each resort left its impression on me. We had a car and spent a little extra tipping bellmen to load and unload bags. I do not know if they will move bags between resorts for you if you do not have a car...better check on that. We made the moves prior to parks opening in the mornings so we didn't miss out on any time in the parks or at the pools. If you plan it wisely it will not bother you. VWL will allow you to experience the boat transportation and you are correct in thinking it will be more convenient for your dining and park activities at MK. We did AKL, BCV, and VWL over 10 days with 3 kids and Loved it. In the spirit of spousal harmony I have agreed with my wife that we would not do more than 2 resorts in a single stay with at least a 3-4 night minimum at each place.

There's only one way to find out if you'll like it.....

We've also used split visits to split up the dining plan.

Good luck and have fun. We'll be there the same time as you....

 

[BroganMc]

We arrive at MCO at 8:00 p.m. our first night. I am currently on a waitlist for the Wilderness Lodge for the 1st 3 nights in a studio and then changing to our BWV Boardwalk view 1 bdrm.

I don't like changing rooms let alone resorts, but then I am a terrible pack rat who travels with her own car. Packing and unpacking is usually a 2-3 hour affair, unless I'm living out of my suitcase. Then it doesn't really feel like I'm home.

Wilderness Lodge is nice and a bit closer to MK via the ferry. I just wonder if it is as close as it seems in comparison. Do the WL ferries go to the other resorts or just to the TTC and MK? If they don't go to the resorts, I really question whether I'm gaining extra time by staying there or just riding a bus from BW.

You're changing rooms mid-trip so you can't avoid the packing/unpacking thing. And you're arriving late your first night so it's really only 2 days at WL. If you're not planning on doing things at the resort, it could feel like a bit of wasted effort.

On the other hand, if you are staying at BW and switching rooms, it'll be a lot simpler. Someone walks down to check-in/check-out while the others are packing up. Then when you return you just carry your things to the new room. Or have bell services do it if the room's not ready. It could all be done on a return to the Boardwalk for lunch.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Hmmm, I never thought about getting those teens up and out - not an easy task. Maybe we will just stay at BWV - that way I can just check in and out while they're still getting ready or just send them down to the pool....

 

[canwegosoon]

First of all I love to switch resorts...but in your case are you aware that WL while close to MK is not exactly easy to get other places(if you are frequent visitors this might not be an issue). Where are you going to be spending your time? I would think teens would like Epcot/broadwalk, MGM, and DTD. I would try to get BVW stuido and then switch to a 1 bedroom...in the same hotel or even think about SSR/OWK if you are planning a lot of time at DTD. We love BWV and that would be my 1st choice.

 

[castleri]

I found during our last stay that you can't always tell where teens will think is the place to be. In my case my DGD who just turned 20 the week before was with me for 11 days. Her choice for Christmas and NY and a couple of other days- the MK- She likes them all but EPCOT is probably 3rd on the list and AK is fast catching up. We did all four parks our last full day there - only rode one ride in each park but since we had rain and did not get an early start it was a big deal for us. We also took a break at DTD for lunch and went to rent a car during the afternoon at the Grosvenor Hotel. Our first ride that trip on Christmas Day was EE and it was our last ride on 1/3. I would try both resorts based on your plans for meals etc. Having waited for buses to the MK from BW on a number of occasions I would stay at VWL just for that alone. Take the boat to MK and the resort monorail to your dinner reservations. You could do MK and AK from VWL and EPCOT and MGM from BW. No matter what you decide it sounds like a great trip.

 

[jakenjess]

I would switch to VWL for the first part of the trip. That way you'll have easier access to MK and the monorail resorts, then you can enjoy the Epcot area when you move to BWV. We almost always stay at more than one resort and don't find it a hassle at all to move. I love trying out the different resorts. You never know when you'll find a new favorite!

 

[Alexander]

.....Wilderness Lodge is nice and a bit closer to MK via the ferry. I just wonder if it is as close as it seems in comparison. Do the WL ferries go to the other resorts or just to the TTC and MK? If they don't go to the resorts, I really question whether I'm gaining extra time by staying there or just riding a bus from BW.....

There is one larger boat from the WL that goes to MK (and FW). The other smaller boat goes to the Contemporary (check the flag colors). There are no busses on WDW property that travel directly from one hotel to another. You have to transfer at a theme park or downtown.

 

[Granny]

Hmmm, I never thought about getting those teens up and out - not an easy task. Maybe we will just stay at BWV - that way I can just check in and out while they're still getting ready or just send them down to the pool....

I think this is the plan for you!


It's not like I don't like VWL (check my signature ) but I am with those who don't think switching resorts during a vacation is a great idea. I know that Disney makes it about as easy as possible, but given the teenagers in the situation, I'd go with your plan to send them to the pool!

 

[byoung]

Stay at BWV.

 

[Lexxiefern]

That's a tough one. I like the idea of trying out VWL at the beginning and doing MK then. But I have always found it hard to give up the BW view!! Let us know what you decide. I would probably stay put.

 

[Dean]

Depends. Does your nights happen to be May 13th - 18th? If it is I'll set up a three way call to MS so I can get that BW view one bedroom.

If not I'd stay put.

The only way to have done this would be to have them change the dates to your name and you do the same for the replacement reservation. MS would not have just changed it over to your points.

I don't mind switching resorts but I would stay at BWV for the entire time in this situation. Actually I'd try to get the 1 BR for the entire time or as many of the nights as I could if there was any way possible even if it meant I had to pay for 1-2 nights with cash AND change rooms or resorts to do so. Unfortunately you couldn't get the BW view units on cash, that would have been the perfect answer. Also consider doing the weekends on cash and the weekends on cash wherever that falls in your stay.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Thanks everyone for the help.

We did have a waitlist come through for the Beach Club for those same nights but I turned it down and cancelled the WL waitlist, also. The more I thought about getting the teens up and out I decided it wasn't worth it. I have to get them up the last day at 6:00 a.m. and that's enough for me. If it was just my DH and myself I would. This way we'll have access to our luggage all day and they can be half sleeping when I can send them down to the pool at checkout time. I also have the Boardwalk view the entire time and I discovered I can use the quiet pool at the Boardwalk Inn!