Your input on a few questions, please...

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-27-2005
Your input on a few questions, please...
6
Fri, 03-02-2007 - 9:09pm
Hello everyone,
I have been lurking on this board and others and have not found a thread to really answer this main question. We are planning a trip in May 2008 at Poly concierge (this is normally out of our budget, but we don't mind saving to do this-as we have never been on a honeymoon or vacation (just camping) and we have 2 kids that will be 4 and 7 at the time of trip, so convience is alot of why we are going there and deciding on concierge). We also have decided that if we are going to spend that much we might as well go all out and book lagoon view ($1000 more for week) over Garden view. Here's my question, we are thinking of flying in on Friday night (rather than Saturday afternoon) and staying at a value resort Friday night, so that we can check in early Saturday morning to give the front desk our room preferences, as we have heard the earlier you check yourself in (I know the rooms aren't ready until 3-4pm) the better your chances are to get the room you want. Has anyone tried this, does it make sense- we are willing to pay another $100/or so to up are chances of a spectacular room (we have visions of sitting out on the balcony everynight watching the light show/fireworks sipping a drink and if the kids are too tired they can be asleep in their beds :) rather than them being cranky and tired sitting on our shoulders or doing all I can do to hold them, exhausted myself from the fun of Disney. It doesn't seem like a bad idea to me, anyone give any reason it wouldn't be worth it?
My other question is when do you buy your airline tickets?
I have looked at alot of sites, but I can't see any better deals than what Disney is giving w/ the packages- excluding airfare that is? I cant see any point to keep checking other places for deals other than watching for codes to come out?
Does anyone know how long you get Tour Guide Mike for once you pay- I have heard a ton of outstanding reviews for him, but can't get on his site (I am guessing because it is Peak Season for Disney and his site is really busy)?
Any help or 2cents on any of this would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks Jody :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 03-02-2007 - 9:24pm

I can only answer the TourGuide Mike question, it's good from the day you join until 60 days after your trip ends. I got it for our May trip about a year ago, and I really like it. The site is confusing, but it's worth it, at least I think so. Especially if you have a lot of time to dig around.

Steph

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2003
Sat, 03-03-2007 - 11:11am

I can somewhat answer your question about early check-in. We live about 90 minutes away and always arrive to check in mid-morning. Everytime we have checked in, except once (mid-December), we were able to get our room that morning and our preferences.

If your are arriving Memorial Day weekend, that may be the only time it is extremely busy during check in. I am sure though that since you are going concierge, every room at that level should be a great location.

Happy planning - Ashli

Avatar for cl_ktbugsmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 03-03-2007 - 11:45am

Early check in - providing the room that you want is vacated and being cleaned or is already empty, then yes, checking in earlier will up your chances of getting it. If no room matching what you want is coming available that day then it won't matter what time you check in, but this is not information Disney can give you. (meaning you can't call and ask if any lagoon view concierge are going to be available on May XX).

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 03-03-2007 - 2:14pm
Tour Guide Mike is back up and running, thank goodness. I was having withdrawals!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-2005
Sat, 03-03-2007 - 9:00pm

Jody,
I just wanted to add my 2 cents that we stayed Poly concierge last Feb. and absolutely loved it!! We didn't have the lagoon view, and we did watch wishes once from the concierge lounge (I actually left 2 sleeping kids in the room while I went up to watch with my two other DDs - don't turn me in!) Concierge is definitely pricey, but I know that you will have a great time there. ENJOY!!!

Mara

Avatar for morgan_67
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-05-2007 - 7:52am

love tourguidemike!

Morgan, mom to Daniel, Andrew, and Katie

 

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