What would you do?

[flinkerfrosch]

My wheels are turning AGAIN, and need your help/advice since you all are so helpful

I am staying at WDW in Oct for 10 days (Oct 17th-26th) with DH, and 2 boys 3 and 6. It will be my DH, and boys 1st visit to WDW!

We are doing 5 nights at AKL and 4 nights at the Poly.

Originally, we were driving (from Toronto Canada) and leaving on Oct 17th, arriving to WDW on the Sat, 19th (we were taking our time). I found an awesome deal on flights, so we decided to fly, and I convinced my DH to fly out on the Fri (18th) instead of the Sat (19th), so we would have more "Disney time" he agreed.

Then, a week later, I begged the DH to fly into Orlando on the 17th (Thurs) so we would have almost a full day on the 17th (we would arrive at 10am) and even more "Disney time" This meant an extra cost of 2 nights at AKL, but we were fine with that, so now we are 10 days instead of 8 days..exciting!!

On the 26th (Sat-check out day) we are spending another week on the beach in Treasure Island, so we are renting a car now cause we are no longer driving. We would fly home on Sat, Nov 2nd.

So, to get to my question..now, of course, I'm trying to squeeze yet another day out of our vacation, and stay in Disney the Sat night (26th) at the Poly, so that would make it 10 nights total instead of 9 nights, and then check out Sun (27th) and drive to Treasure Island. Then..I would pay for an extra night as well at the condo, and stay till Sun, Nov 3rd, so we get the full week on the beach.

Do you think I'm crazy for wanting to spend the extra $$ to stay 1 extra night in Disney at the Poly or do you think we should just check out the 26th, spend the day at MK and drive to Treasure Island late at night on the Sat?

I'm still planning on extending my stay at the beach condo till Sunday regardless, but the Poly is $500 for the Sat night. Chances of discount are high, so would be around $350..is it worth it? Am I crazy? Should I just leave things as is?? I wish I could just shut down the brain sometimes!! Lol

Thanks in advance!! (Sorry for such a long message)

 

[mrsksomeday]

It depends on many factors. Can you really afford it? Do you feel you need the extra day? Will your husband agree to your add-on-itis?

I don't think its crazy to add a day, we do it every trip. I can't tell you what is right for your family. You know the answer .

 

[flinkerfrosch]

It depends on many factors. Can you really afford it? Do you feel you need the extra day? Will your husband agree to your add-on-itis?

I don't think its crazy to add a day, we do it every trip. I can't tell you what is right for your family. You know the answer .

That's just the thing..I really am stuck!

My DH at this point just does whatever I plan..lol..

The biggest reason I was thinking of staying the Sat night was for a few reasons..a) the thought of driving to Treasure Island (appx 1.5hr drive) at midnight didn't sound too exciting, and b) we get a bit more time at Disney to do whatever we wanted. I was going to leave Sat as the "do whatever the kids want" kid of day, and I'm assuming they would want to hit MK, but who knows? Then we would check out Sun morning, maybe swim a bit, and then drive to Treasure Island in the early afternoon in the day light.

Thanks for you input

 

[mickeynut1]

If the extra cost is doable, I'd add the night and enjoy the Poly for another day . Of course it's an easy decision for me as we LOVE the Poly (it's our favorite resort), so I wouldn't need any convincing to stay longer .

 

[flinkerfrosch]

If the extra cost is doable, I'd add the night and enjoy the Poly for another day . Of course it's an easy decision for me as we LOVE the Poly (it's our favorite resort), so I wouldn't need any convincing to stay longer .

Haha, thanks!!

I guess cause I've never stayed on property before, and this is the 1st Disney trip I've planned for my family, I'm having a very hard time making decisions.

The Poly does look amazing, and so fun!! Any other time I would think I was nuts willing to pay $500 a night at a resort, but being Disney, its like I'm a different person..lol

If we did stay the extra night (which would end up being 3 in total that I stretched..hehe) we would probably leave Disney around 1pm or 2 to get to our next destination.

I would have to move the rental from pick up the Sat to the Sun instead, and I need to move my flight from the Sat to the Sun as well.

The things we are willing to do for 1 more night..haha

 

[AstroDad]

I think you should check out of the Poly on the 26th because I arrive at 6pm and I am pretty sure you will be in my room.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I think you should check out of the Poly on the 26th because I arrive at 6pm and I am pretty sure you will be in my room.

Bahahahaha!!! Oh you made me burst out laughing!!!!

 

[LauraJean]

Are you flying out of Canada? Asking because I am flying to Toronto oct.17th then changing airlines from AC to get a better deal I hope! Trying to knock down my right now $4500 flights.curious if your flying out of Canada who the good deal is with thanks

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Are you flying out of Canada? Asking because I am flying to Toronto oct.17th then changing airlines from AC to get a better deal I hope! Trying to knock down my right now $4500 flights.curious if your flying out of Canada who the good deal is with thanks

WOW!!! That's a hefty price for flights. We paid $3300 last year flying out of Toronto to Vancouver.

I do live in Canada- Toronto area, but we are flying out of Buffalo with Southwest Airlines. Flying out of Buffalo is almost always cheaper. I got 4 flights for $899.20 return, amazing price

Hope this helps!!

 

[Sue M]

I think you're asking the wrong bunch of people to walk you off the ledge

 

[mickeynut1]

The Poly does look amazing, and so fun!! Any other time I would think I was nuts willing to pay $500 a night at a resort, but being Disney, its like I'm a different person..lol

If we did stay the extra night (which would end up being 3 in total that I stretched..hehe) we would probably leave Disney around 1pm or 2 to get to our next destination.

I would have to move the rental from pick up the Sat to the Sun instead, and I need to move my flight from the Sat to the Sun as well.

The things we are willing to do for 1 more night..haha

The Poly is definitely an amazing resort and we love it . There's always a reason to add another night or book a certain resort when it comes to Disney .

I think you should check out of the Poly on the 26th because I arrive at 6pm and I am pretty sure you will be in my room.

 

[mara61]

Well, I'm in agreement stay longer if you can swing it! Did you by chance make sure that the portion of your stay that you are getting the dining plan is actually a good value for you? Because if you didn't look at the menus, run the costs and truly see. Perhaps you could save some $ there and that would offset the room cost Gotta love Disney math

We did the Dining plan in 2011 and while free (we stayed at POFQ) I did bump my then 8 year old up to adult (he has a mature palette and large appetite, lol). Last year we paid out of pocket because it actually was a bit cheaper (I did have a Tables in Wonderland card but it really just covered the tip) It's going to be close this year even though I was going to cut back on TS (HA HA HA, not sure who I was kidding, we have one each day still). Either way it should be c. $150 cheaper for us NOT to do the dining plan. Plus I've been buying up Disney gift cards for our food and beverage budget.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm going to be in the minority and say that I would not add an extra $500 to my trip to stay another day. We get tired of being in hotels, tired of eating at restaurants and tired of Disney after a week. I would go off to the condo and enjoy the beach.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My wheels are turning AGAIN, and need your help/advice since you all are so helpful

I am staying at WDW in Oct for 10 days (Oct 17th-26th) with DH, and 2 boys 3 and 6. It will be my DH, and boys 1st visit to WDW!

We are doing 5 nights at AKL and 4 nights at the Poly.

Originally, we were driving (from Toronto Canada) and leaving on Oct 17th, arriving to WDW on the Sat, 19th (we were taking our time). I found an awesome deal on flights, so we decided to fly, and I convinced my DH to fly out on the Fri (18th) instead of the Sat (19th), so we would have more "Disney time" he agreed.

Then, a week later, I begged the DH to fly into Orlando on the 17th (Thurs) so we would have almost a full day on the 17th (we would arrive at 10am) and even more "Disney time" This meant an extra cost of 2 nights at AKL, but we were fine with that, so now we are 10 days instead of 8 days..exciting!!

On the 26th (Sat-check out day) we are spending another week on the beach in Treasure Island, so we are renting a car now cause we are no longer driving. We would fly home on Sat, Nov 2nd.

So, to get to my question..now, of course, I'm trying to squeeze yet another day out of our vacation, and stay in Disney the Sat night (26th) at the Poly, so that would make it 10 nights total instead of 9 nights, and then check out Sun (27th) and drive to Treasure Island. Then..I would pay for an extra night as well at the condo, and stay till Sun, Nov 3rd, so we get the full week on the beach.

Do you think I'm crazy for wanting to spend the extra $$ to stay 1 extra night in Disney at the Poly or do you think we should just check out the 26th, spend the day at MK and drive to Treasure Island late at night on the Sat?

I'm still planning on extending my stay at the beach condo till Sunday regardless, but the Poly is $500 for the Sat night. Chances of discount are high, so would be around $350..is it worth it? Am I crazy? Should I just leave things as is?? I wish I could just shut down the brain sometimes!! Lol

Thanks in advance!! (Sorry for such a long message)

You sound like me! I'm always trying to figure out how to add a day or stretch the vacation as far as we can. I'd love to add to our next one but my oldest DS is starting summer school so we have to get back home. Have a great trip! We did a WDW/Treasure Island beach split once, it was super fun!

 

[Happyjen27]

I think you're asking the wrong bunch of people to walk you off the ledge

When in doubt, ADD!!

Here is how I look at it: I would hate to be looking around somewhere else on Saturday and say to myself "I could be riding XXXXX right now" and know that you opted out.

Rather be at Disney than be with regret.

At the same time, user be warned: Longer trips aren't always better. We did a 9 night/10 day trip on our first go-round, and we were so beat up at the end of it, my kids were looking forward to going home. We didn't go commando, we went slow and easy, and we were still exhausted. Some people say they feel beat up no matter how long or short their trip is though, so maybe it's not a function of time as much as it is the Disney way.

This year I kept our trip down to 7 nights, as tempting as it was to keep adding, I forced myself to do a tad shorter and see how that feels.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I think you're asking the wrong bunch of people to walk you off the ledge

Haha..

 

[flinkerfrosch]

The Poly is definitely an amazing resort and we love it . There's always a reason to add another night or book a certain resort when it comes to Disney .

Thanks again!!

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Well, I'm in agreement stay longer if you can swing it! Did you by chance make sure that the portion of your stay that you are getting the dining plan is actually a good value for you? Because if you didn't look at the menus, run the costs and truly see. Perhaps you could save some $ there and that would offset the room cost Gotta love Disney math

We did the Dining plan in 2011 and while free (we stayed at POFQ) I did bump my then 8 year old up to adult (he has a mature palette and large appetite, lol). Last year we paid out of pocket because it actually was a bit cheaper (I did have a Tables in Wonderland card but it really just covered the tip) It's going to be close this year even though I was going to cut back on TS (HA HA HA, not sure who I was kidding, we have one each day still). Either way it should be c. $150 cheaper for us NOT to do the dining plan. Plus I've been buying up Disney gift cards for our food and beverage budget.

I appreciate your feedback!

I have ran the #'s I would say 30+ times, and the Dining plan does work best for us in the first 5 nights due to the many TS (Character Meals) I have planned. I have 1 every day, and some days 2, but a few we are paing OOP like T-Rex and Sci-Fi, and then our 4 nights at the Poly I have 2 that we are paying OOP for as well.

We were originally doing 4 nights AKL and 5 nights Poly, but I trimmed it down a bit, and switched to 5 nights AKL/4 nights Poly. My kids love animals, so win win. I also had the dining plan the 4 nights at the Poly, but then that meant I had to buy a 1 day ticket which ran even more $$ and after running numbers, I saved hundreds of dollars by paying OOP for the Poly duration, and eliminating the 1 day ticket, and adding an extra day on our ticket package in the first portion of the stay.

When I statred planning this trip (many months ago) I never thought it would be so hard, but at the same time, so fun!!!!

Thanks for your help

 

[flinkerfrosch]

I'm going to be in the minority and say that I would not add an extra $500 to my trip to stay another day. We get tired of being in hotels, tired of eating at restaurants and tired of Disney after a week. I would go off to the condo and enjoy the beach.

I do have to agree with you in regards to the food part. It does get very old always eating the same kind of food, and then you crave a home cooked meal!
Our family does love staying In hotels though. The kids never want to leave

The nice thing about the condo on the beach is that its a 2 bedroom with a full kitchen, washer/dryer etc, so we have the comforts of home, and being able to cook which we will do!

You made some very good points, and I appreciate it! I know my DH would be with you on this one..its hard for me to really know how we will feel when this is our 1st trip to Disney as a family.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

You sound like me! I'm always trying to figure out how to add a day or stretch the vacation as far as we can. I'd love to add to our next one but my oldest DS is starting summer school so we have to get back home. Have a great trip! We did a WDW/Treasure Island beach split once, it was super fun!

Haha..good to know I'm not the only one!!

That's awesome you did Treasure Island as well! Where did you stay? Did you have fun? Honestly, I'm so looking forward to the relaxing atmosphere of a week at the beach, but I'm worried after 10 days at Disney in the beginning, my boys will won't know what to do with themselves..its 2 totally different vacations in 1!