WWYD? offered free upgrade

[matt&jakesmom]

I've mention before that I was too late in calling for the upgrade and have called this week and still nothing open yet. I still plan on calling every so often, however, I am sorta second guessing this. WE are staying at the Sports at this point where everything is confined. OKW and SSR from what I have read seem to be so spread out. We also plan on spending a day at Seaworld. Can you still have Mears or a taxi come out there? We won't have at all. How is the busing service either leaving the resort or park. Will my 10 & 8 year old like the OKW or SSR better than the Sports?

Any input would be helpful on whether I should still be calling for an upgrade or just leave well enough alone. Thanks.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I think you should keep calling as this opportunity may never come up again and I'm sure any 8 & 10 yr. old would probably really love the pool slide.

 

[ldo]

I think the quality of OKW and SSR for a value price can't be beat, plus they have slides for the kids--it is a once in a blue moon thing.
But, with that said, I think they moved enough people out of Values and I don't think any rooms are going to open up--so the chance of getting the upgrade now is pretty near nil.
Also, the chance that someone now cancels their trip is less--b/c I think those who might have been on the fence about going are now going to go if they got the upgrade.
Also--I we have never stayed at the values, but I think the theming is really cute and my kids would have loved it----but Mom will love the extra space and kitchen and grounds of SSR---so we took it--but I did think about it 1st and even asked the CM---b/c I thought my kids would love POP--the CM said--"are you crazy--of course, take the upgrade." But we have to stay the 1st night at POP for flights--and part of me is glad--I look forward to it.
So, call, if you want, realize there probaby won't be any rooms, and enjoy your resort---I am looking forward to seeing POP, myself.

 

[lyzziesmom]

My kids just adore the values. Of course DD3 has no idea what the difference is, but DD8 does. She is excited about the pool, slide, activities (especially the poolside movie I've heard about) and arcade at SSR, as well as having a room that Mom won't be sleeping in since I'll have my OWN KING BED!!

But she is also saying that next time, she wants to go back to Pop. She loves the theming and the music at Pop, and I think it's just so kid-friendly. She loves the tiedye cheesecake and the slushies in the fountain drink dispensers, and the big Disney icons. She loves the big, fun gift shop. To her, SSR looks like a nice place with big rooms but Pop seems more "Disney" from her child's point of view.

So for those who didn't get the upgrade and have kids, I would not worry about them not enjoying it. Remember, kids have different priorities than we do and are usually happier with simpler things. They don't care about the view, the foliage, the "feel". They just want to have fun, which as long as they are at Disney, they will.

 

[LanaJae]

I've mention before that I was too late in calling for the upgrade and have called this week and still nothing open yet. I still plan on calling every so often, however, I am sorta second guessing this. WE are staying at the Sports at this point where everything is confined. OKW and SSR from what I have read seem to be so spread out. We also plan on spending a day at Seaworld. Can you still have Mears or a taxi come out there? We won't have at all. How is the busing service either leaving the resort or park. Will my 10 & 8 year old like the OKW or SSR better than the Sports?

Any input would be helpful on whether I should still be calling for an upgrade or just leave well enough alone. Thanks.

I stayed at ASMo the first week in May. The first two days, not all the rooms were filled, but they were the day before I left and the food court was kinda crazy, but not horrible. There is continual bus service, and taxis come out all the time to pick up people wanting to go to Sea World. Our room was very nice, but small.

I would suggest (by reading the posts about Sports) that you ask to move to Music instead. It's recently renovated. The recent reports about Sports aren't great, but maybe they are in the process of renovating. Sounds like the big school groups make a mess of things.

I would also continue to call about the upgrade, and like others have said, hit the 45 day prior to your trip date, when people might cancel. No matter what the talk is about SSR being spread out - there can be no comparison to having 6000 people needing to get on a bus. There are so many options at SSR or OKW - you can go to DTD and take busses to other hotels, etc. At the All Stars, it's only out or in.

Edit: I'm also guessing that it'd be cheaper to take a taxi to Sea World from DTD. We spoke to people who took one from ASMo and it was $25 each way plus tip.

 

[MiaSRN62]

lyzziesmom says :So for those who didn't get the upgrade and have kids, I would not worry about them not enjoying it. Remember, kids have different priorities than we do and are usually happier with simpler things.

I agree. While my kids now, as teenagers, much prefer the added space (we rarely stay in less than a 1 or 2 bedroom) and pool slide at OKW. Having the kitchen and washer/dryer and seperate room & balcony to retreat to is heavensent in my mind. I guess I'm spoiled....but I miss these things when I stay at the values----especially the balcony !

When the kids were little, it didn't take much to make them happy. The AS's and POP are very bright and colorful and I know kids and adults alike are attracted to that. I'm sure everyone will have fun. I remember our first stay at the Movies and we were in the Dalmations section....my kids were little and just enthralled with it. Now they're like.....when are we going back to OKW ?

 

[Kitty-chan]

I've mention before that I was too late in calling for the upgrade and have called this week and still nothing open yet. I still plan on calling every so often, however, I am sorta second guessing this. WE are staying at the Sports at this point where everything is confined. OKW and SSR from what I have read seem to be so spread out. We also plan on spending a day at Seaworld. Can you still have Mears or a taxi come out there? We won't have at all. How is the busing service either leaving the resort or park. Will my 10 & 8 year old like the OKW or SSR better than the Sports?

Any input would be helpful on whether I should still be calling for an upgrade or just leave well enough alone. Thanks.

I don't know about your kids, but I know my DS10 would be much happier at POP than SSR or OKW. We stayed at POP a couple years ago and he loved it. We're not much for pools, but the giant icons completely won him over. He always talks about how badly he wants to go back. And I'm sure if your kids are sports fans, they'd feel the same way about All Star Sports!

I did go ahead and take the upgrade to SSR, but I'll confess, it's not for his sake, it's for mine! I wanted to try a new resort, have a microwave and coffee maker, have a little more room.

I'll bet Mears services all the Disney resorts (their web site should have info), and taxis shouldn't be a problem (though a one-day rental car from one of the agencies at WDW might be cheaper than taxis to SeaWorld).

Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great trip!

 

[lyzziesmom]

A one-day car rental probably would be cheaper than a taxi, but definitely not more convenient. They will send a shuttle out to pick you up at your hotel, but it takes a lot of time to get to the car rental agency (even the ones onsite), get the car, and drive back to your resort, and then do it again in reverse to return the car. We did this last year and it took my dad about 2 hours in the morning from the time he left Pop until he got back with the rental car. I'm not sure the hassle was worth the few dollars we saved. The easiest way to do this, if you're going to go the 1-day rental route, is to pick up your rental as late as possible the night before you plan to go offsite, and return it in the evening when you return from your day at SeaWorld (or wherever) then have the rental car's shuttle take you back to your resort.

I'm 99% sure Mears services WDW, since the Disney buses are contracted through Mears anyway. Again, not sure if it would be the most convenient.

 

[lisaviolet]

I'll have my OWN KING BED!!

Brought a huge smile to my face. So wonderful. Not only King lyzziesmom....not only king. A king with a direct view to your jacuzzi. And a very comfortable king.

As is the pull out in the living room. Comfortable I mean...not king.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Ahhhhh, my back is happy just thinking about going from the jacuzzi to the comfy King-size bed. Can you hear me purring?

 

[M2DD's]

I was excited to stay at a resort that had a hot tub until...my DH says "Do you know how hot it is going to be"than reality set in that I may have to fill up the juccuzzi with ice cold water to cool off
Laura

 

[mousiemom]

It's so funny. We stayed @ POR this past May and we loved it but we couldn't wait to get back to POP cause we've stayed there so much and we're so used to it. Then, we get the free upgrade to SSR and we are so excited!!! I guess I won't be decorating our window there. We will be back @ POP on Sept. 27th. We have stayed @ ASMovies and AS Music but we love POP the best. We are just bringing our big Mickey and Minnie for our room @ SSR. I guess you can't post your lime green mickey heads on the door, huh? I wouldn't think so. Hope to see some of you dissers @ SSR in Sept.
Mousiemom

 

[LanaJae]

I was excited to stay at a resort that had a hot tub until...my DH says "Do you know how hot it is going to be"than reality set in that I may have to fill up the juccuzzi with ice cold water to cool off
Laura

Or to put your feet in front of the jets when you get home from the parks - I can't wait!

 

[Simbee3]

Does anyone know if they supply bath salts? I am so excited about the jacuzzi, I just want to be prepared in everyway.

 

[Sammie]

Does anyone know if they supply bath salts? I am so excited about the jacuzzi, I just want to be prepared in everyway.

No they don't.

 

[blessdmommy]

Ahhhhh, my back is happy just thinking about going from the jacuzzi to the comfy King-size bed. Can you hear me purring?

"MEEEE-OWWWW"

I agree with LanaJae that I will stick my "barking dogs" in front of those whirlpool jets and just melt after a long hot day. Then drag myself a few feet and plop down into our king size! Ahhhhhhhhhh

How about this question for the 1 bedroom villa? How many bed pillows will we be able to find in the room for the 4 of us?

 

[nanadeb]

For those who want to go to Sea World or other destinations: there is a city bus that stops at the TTC. Sea World is one of its destinations. Ask at check in about a schedule. It would probably be best to try the concierge desk in the lobby.
HTH

 

[PoohHappens]

"MEEEE-OWWWW"

I agree with LanaJae that I will stick my "barking dogs" in front of those whirlpool jets and just melt after a long hot day. Then drag myself a few feet and plop down into our king size! Ahhhhhhhhhh

How about this question for the 1 bedroom villa? How many bed pillows will we be able to find in the room for the 4 of us?

Just stayed at Saratoga Springs in April with some DVC friends. LOVED IT. The atmosphere was so relaxed. We had no trouble and little wait with the buses and it was packed at the parks. As to pillows there was a closet in the room with linens and pillows etc. We were not lacking for anything. I am going ove labor day weekend with some friends, but we decided to book POFQ so no extra upgrade for us. I would have loved to go back to saratoga. Especially since we are 3 adults, but I know we will have a lovely time and enjoy POFQ. Congrats to everyone who got an upgrade, just beware you may never want to go back to value again. We loved all the activities going on as well. Movies poolside, games etc......

 

[vero]

Does someone got the upgrade having done the reservation with the bounceback program? Hope you can understand my english, Vero.

 

[LanaJae]

Does someone got the upgrade having done the reservation with the bounceback program? Hope you can understand my english, Vero.

Hi Vero,

I've read all the threads about the recent upgrade and no one has mentioned bounceback.

edit: see this post: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=19131272