Please Help Me!

[wdwfamilyinIL]

To start I just can't think anymore, I was laid off from my job on MOnday and with our trip a month away we want to still go but I was looking at cutting some corners. My husband wants to keep our WDW stay after the cruise, he states that is the only reason he is going on the trip. Right now we have a bay lake view at the CR, with there being 5 of us our resort options are limited. My ta mentioned that we could move to riverside, to be honest we have always avoided this due to the size of the resort and the fact even my 8 year old is as big as my 12 year old. She thinks we could save around 2000, which is major money when you look at my new unemployment, but I don't want to be in misery for 6 nights either. Should I just let be, or should we change? Please all opinions welcomed.

 

[Mom2HandR]

If your 8 year old is as big as a 12 year old I don't think they would be comfortable in the trundle at Riverside. It really depends on your child.

And you could get a preferred room at POR closer to the main building/pool and still be cheaper than what you are paying at the Contemporary.
Tough call.

 

[Missytara]

I just realized you are a family of 5.

POR is a wonderful resort and I think you would enjoy it; much less financial stress.

It has wonderful entertainment and the water taxi to DTD is wonderful.

I think after a cruise, you will enjoy this very unique resort and spend a lot of time there.

 

[thepoohguy]

My DW and I just got back from CS. They have adjoining rooms. Wouldn't it be cheaper to do two rooms there than CR?

 

[JimmyV]

So sorry to hear of your situation. Sending you pixie dust!

It's really hard to give advice without being in your exact circumstance. Obviously, I can't know just how much of a difference $2K will make to your family situation without knowing the whole story. But I can't help thinking that the discomfort of being a bit cramped for the 8 hours each night that I was in the hotel room would pale in comparison to the pit in my stomach when the credit card bill arives knowing that I had spent $2k more than I had to without a job to back up the spending. Again, this is purely personal opinion, but to me, "misery" would be financial stress, not bunking with my family in close quarters.

 

[jerseymom473]

We are a family of 5 trying POR for the first time. Three years ago I did not even consider it because of the room size and the trundle. Like you, money is much tighter this year, so I decided to try it, (with a few days at AKV the end with 40% off.) I was worried that the small room might be too small for the whole trip.

I feel good about saving the money by not doing deluxe the whole time and feel less stressd about money! POR looks beautiful. $2k is alot and you don't know what the future holds - I would consider it (or at least do a split 3/3). good luck deciding!

 

[hambirg]

So sorry to hear of your situation. Sending you pixie dust!

It's really hard to give advice without being in your exact circumstance. Obviously, I can't know just how much of a difference $2K will make to your family situation without knowing the whole story. But I can't help thinking that the discomfort of being a bit cramped for the 8 hours each night that I was in the hotel room would pale in comparison to the pit in my stomach when the credit card bill arives knowing that I had spent $2k more than I had to without a job to back up the spending. Again, this is purely personal opinion, but to me, "misery" would be financial stress, not bunking with my family in close quarters.

This is how I feel too.

POR is a nice resort. My daughter enjoyed the pool when we stayed at POFQ.

Honestly, the way I look at it is how much time are you going to be spending in the room anyway? Cramped quarters aren't all that fun, but you'll be at WDW. You're going to have a great time regardless!

Personally I would feel a lot better saving that $2000.

 

[sassyredhead]

Why not bring an air mattress to POR and skip the trundle for your 8 year old? They are pretty comfy! I would choose to save $2,000 if finances suddenly became tight . . . Good luck with your decision!

 

[Missytara]

Why not bring an air mattress to POR and skip the trundle for your 8 year old? They are pretty comfy! I would choose to save $2,000 if finances suddenly became tight . . . Good luck with your decision!

Another excellent idea; you can lean it up against the wall when you leave the room.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Why not look into two rooms at a value or the family suites? I'd have a really hard time being there (personally) thinking of the money and what it could be paying for at home. (All be it I'm a worrier and would be having a hard time with going at all! That is not to say you shouldn't go... just that I'm a nervous nelly!)

Pixie dust to a new and better job right around the corner!

 

[auralia]

have you looked into a family suite at all stars or a fort wilderness cabin? both would give you room to cook meals in there by saving $$$$ you could do a big cooked breakfast there by skipping lunch (on a family of 5 thats at least 50$ savings per day and then eat dinners in the room too a couple of nights when you are taking a break... i know cooking isn't want you want to do on vacation but I don't know if i would even go if i'd just lost my job unless i knew something was around the corner or i had at least 8 months emergency fund.

 

[MickeyNicki]

First off, I am sorry about your job

Secondly, if you need to reduce the price you are paying then you need to go to a less expensive resort. You will still be onsite, still at WDW and having a great time but you are saving alot of money.

We have stayed at the POR three times and always enjoyed it

 

[moniqueelaine]

We have only stayed at CBR the 2 times that we have been so that is all I know about sizes. To me the money would be the deciding factor. I would much rather squish up then to worry myself sick about the money...But again this is a personal call as far as I can tell.....

 

[Wendy5055]

Here is my take, I have stayed in all 3 levels of WDW resorts.

POP Century was fine for me, my mother, father and 7 year old daughter (who is big for her age). However, if you were to stay there I would recommend getting a "Preferred" room if you can. It is definately a great hotel for the price. This resort also has its own bus service designated for POP.

Moderates (stayed at POFQ)...I would definately recommend a moderate for those who don't really want to spend money on the Deluxe accomodations but feel they want a bit more luxe than the values provide. I think the WDW Moderates are a great deal for the price...definately a great middle-ground.

I am not sure how "big" your 12 year old is...but my almost 10 year old daughter is tall for her age group and I don't think she would mind sleeping on a trundle...lengthwise I don't think they are smaller by much and she is dog tired by the time we go to bed she does not do much tossing and turning.

 

[dskib]

Why not look into two rooms at a value or the family suites? I'd have a really hard time being there (personally) thinking of the money and what it could be paying for at home. (All be it I'm a worrier and would be having a hard time with going at all! That is not to say you shouldn't go... just that I'm a nervous nelly!)

Pixie dust to a new and better job right around the corner!

That. 2 rooms at any value resort will give you a big savings over a deluxe resort. It's even cheaper that the value suites, which is also a good idea. Your trip is probably paid for at this point, and I don't know what the refund policy is.

Did you get the dining plan? If you got the regular plan, you could always downgrade to the quick service plan. They have some great CS places to eat, and it even saves time.

I don't know your situation, but if I got laid off, I sure wouldn't be spending an extra $2000 if I didn't absolutely need to.

Good luck!
Deb

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

You mention that you are worried about switching resorts and not enjoying your vacation but I think it will be a much worse feeling to be out that much money when you could really use it. The moderate resorts are great! I would definitely switch if I could to save the money and look at cheaper dining options as well. You'll still have a great time!

 

[allison443]

To start I just can't think anymore, I was laid off from my job on MOnday and with our trip a month away we want to still go but I was looking at cutting some corners. My husband wants to keep our WDW stay after the cruise, he states that is the only reason he is going on the trip. Right now we have a bay lake view at the CR, with there being 5 of us our resort options are limited. My ta mentioned that we could move to riverside, to be honest we have always avoided this due to the size of the resort and the fact even my 8 year old is as big as my 12 year old. She thinks we could save around 2000, which is major money when you look at my new unemployment, but I don't want to be in misery for 6 nights either. Should I just let be, or should we change? Please all opinions welcomed.

Why would you be in misery? Your kids are old enough to understand what's going on with your job....are they really going to complain about sleeping on a trundle bed on their disney vacation following a disney cruise? Also given their ages, are you going to be spending that much time in the room?
I would switch to Riverside in a heartbeat to save $2000 in your situation.

Good luck! Enjoy your trip whatever you decide, and I hope things work out for you!

 

[Linda T.]

I am so sorry about your job! This family has been in the same situation and it is tough. I definitley would switch to POR and use the trundle bed. POR is a beautiful resort with a nice pool and a great food court. Also, you would be saving $2,000.

 

[Shmily1]

I would definitely pick POR. We've stayed there several times and absolutely love it! There is so much to do, it is such a relaxing place, and the ride to DTD is wonderful!! It is DH's favorite resort. With you having all boys, I think they would love the pool and they might want to go fishing while there. If you do stay there, you would have more money for other things

 

[bouncycat]

And with you having all boys, I'd second the cabin. You have bunkbeds and a double bed in the bedroom, and a double pull down murphy bed in the living room, so that gives you a tad bit of privacy. Still one bathroom, but also a full kitchen, and if you're driving, you can park your car right outside the cabin!! The boys will like being in the woods, and I just LOVE it there. That's our resort of choice, except for next month when there's 8 of us going, so we're staying in the Treehouses!