A very unexpected problem!!!

[pad406]

Well DW and I have decided to head back 'home' for Christmas/New Year next, with a slight diversion to Universal (our first time there). We have decided not to tell the kids yet, DD 12, DS 10. But quite often we talk about Disney generally and this weekend we brought up resorts. Last time we stayed at BC and DW, DD and I loved it. Loved the location and ease of access to Epcot and HS. DS did seem a bit off with it and said he preferred the Poly and AKL where we had stayed on our first visit. Part of the reason he loved them so much, I think, was that we went Club and he does love his food (Last visit we did Dining with an Imagineer and when asked what his favorite part of Disney was he replied 'Restaurants', gosh how I wish I was that age again where I could eat as much as I wanted and still be slim, not like now where even looking at food puts on 10lbs!!). But at the weekend he said that if we ever went to the BC again he'd rather stay at home Obviously that's not going to really happen, and I'm sure he'll be fine with the BC eventually, but I do want him to enjoy as much as possible. Anybody else ever experience this? How did you get around it? It's not that we have to 100% go to the BC but we'd like to. And I don't think the YC or Boardwalk would be any different, he says they're too fancy (oh dear what a problem for a 10yo to have ) and the really strange think is he really loved the father/son walks we used to take at night around the lake, I'd have a beer, he'd have a soda or something and we'd just chill and people watch. When I was his age if my parents even told me we were going to the local beach, let alone somewhere like the BC, they'd find me in the car waiting for them

 

[minnie mum]

If he objects to staying at the BC (when you tell him about the upcoming trip), then tell him that he can stay home. Then tell him about all of the restaurants that you will be eating at, and that you promise to write down all the really good menu items and take photos of all the great food that he won't be eating. That should readjust his attitude.

When my children were small, they didn't have veto power over the rest of the family. Any objections to the vacation plans were considered, but final decision rested with the parents. Continued objections were addressed by asking if they would rather stay with Grandma and Grandpa. And 99.999% of the time, once they were on the trip they had a great time.

 

[wdwfan757]

Perhaps try some place new? If he liked AKL, he'd probably like Wilderness Lodge. When I was a kid, I thought that was the coolest resort (with Poly a runner up).

Or you could always be really clever and stay at Yacht Club this year?

I never got any input on where we stayed growing up and I only remember not liking Grand Floridian (there's something very off-putting about that place to 10 year old boys).

 

[bumbershoot]

Since you're in the pre-planning stages, can I recommend you look heavily at staying at one of the deluxe hotels at Universal for the Universal portion of your stay? The benefits are really great, especially at the time you're going.

There won't be any true discounts out yet (I think they are only up to August for AAA discounts), but I like looking here: http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

If you do a room-only reservation through Loews you can modify it to a new discount if one comes up.

And the 3 Deluxe hotels are really very nice and do have Club level. Early Entrance (to Wizarding World at IOA at this time), Unlimited Express Pass, they deliver souvenirs right to your room (not to Bell services or the giftshop like at WDW)...



I can't really help with the WDW choice. Right now I have a kid who has NO interest whatsoever in going back to WDW, LOL. But I do know that hypothetical hotel conversations are always a bit different than "for real" planning conversations, so I would try to not worry about it too much.

 

[LiveYourLife]

Well DW and I have decided to head back 'home' for Christmas/New Year next, with a slight diversion to Universal (our first time there). We have decided not to tell the kids yet, DD 12, DS 10. But quite often we talk about Disney generally and this weekend we brought up resorts. Last time we stayed at BC and DW, DD and I loved it. Loved the location and ease of access to Epcot and HS. DS did seem a bit off with it and said he preferred the Poly and AKL where we had stayed on our first visit. Part of the reason he loved them so much, I think, was that we went Club and he does love his food (Last visit we did Dining with an Imagineer and when asked what his favorite part of Disney was he replied 'Restaurants', gosh how I wish I was that age again where I could eat as much as I wanted and still be slim, not like now where even looking at food puts on 10lbs!!). But at the weekend he said that if we ever went to the BC again he'd rather stay at home Obviously that's not going to really happen, and I'm sure he'll be fine with the BC eventually, but I do want him to enjoy as much as possible.

Anybody else ever experience this? How did you get around it? It's not that we have to 100% go to the BC but we'd like to. And I don't think the YC or Boardwalk would be any different, he says they're too fancy (oh dear what a problem for a 10yo to have ) and the really strange think is he really loved the father/son walks we used to take at night around the lake, I'd have a beer, he'd have a soda or something and we'd just chill and people watch. When I was his age if my parents even told me we were going to the local beach, let alone somewhere like the BC, they'd find me in the car waiting for them

You're the Parents, and your name is on the bank account that pays for the vacations. You stay where you want to stay. When your DS10 grows up and has his own Family, he can call the shots for vacations! If he doesn't want to go, I will go in his place!

 

[pad406]

Perhaps try some place new? If he liked AKL, he'd probably like Wilderness Lodge. When I was a kid, I thought that was the coolest resort (with Poly a runner up).

Or you could always be really clever and stay at Yacht Club this year?

I never got any input on where we stayed growing up and I only remember not liking Grand Floridian (there's something very off-putting about that place to 10 year old boys).

Although the WL does look lovely, it' more the convenience of the Epcot area that we love.

Since you're in the pre-planning stages, can I recommend you look heavily at staying at one of the deluxe hotels at Universal for the Universal portion of your stay? The benefits are really great, especially at the time you're going.

There won't be any true discounts out yet (I think they are only up to August for AAA discounts), but I like looking here: http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

If you do a room-only reservation through Loews you can modify it to a new discount if one comes up.

And the 3 Deluxe hotels are really very nice and do have Club level. Early Entrance (to Wizarding World at IOA at this time), Unlimited Express Pass, they deliver souvenirs right to your room (not to Bell services or the giftshop like at WDW)...

The plan for Universal is to stay at HRH and I fully intend to make full use of the unlimited Express Pass

You're the Parents, and your name is on the bank account that pays for the vacations. You stay where you want to stay. When your DS10 grows up and has his own Family, he can call the shots for vacations! If he doesn't want to go, I will go in his place!

Don't I know But he is a really good kid, not spoiled at all and not in the least bit pretentious. He just likes to call it as he sees it. But as it happens he announced at dinner tonight that he would be coming no matter where we stay DD thinks he had a grump on about something yesterday

 

[pinoke]

I'm having a similar situation. My son just said that he wasn't excited to go next year. We've been to WDW 4 times in 6 years. Too much I guess. He is not at all spoiled, just being honest. So after a lot of planning and maybes, we are possibly taking the year off
WDW is a place we all enjoy and have fun together, and I know we would if we went, but I want him to be excited. Its tough because last week he was saying how he loves to see Tigger, and he won't be little much longer! ( he's almost 12)

 

[hammie59]

Both of my kids would rather stay at a value resort (ASMo in particular) and honestly, so would Dh. This trip I just had to say "SORRY, Mommy wants an upgrade"!

 

[Wood Nymph]

It is only March and a lot of things can happen by December. Our kids never complained about going to the BC. Maybe your son will be fine by the time the family is ready to travel, especially if everyone else in the family is excited about the trip.

One thing we always did was to let each person plan a "must do" activity. We always made sure to do the thing they wanted to do, and that really helped a lot to have a harmonious trip.

 

[rmoore7]

...it's more the convenience of the Epcot area that we love.

Agreed, one of the reasons I like the park hopper option so much is the ability to walk to Epcot for dinner and all the wonderful choices.

The plan for Universal is to stay at HRH and I fully intend to make full use of the unlimited Express Pass

The HRH at Universal is an excellent choice for many reasons. If you like to eat there are so many fun and delicious places to try on the Universal grounds. You have a couple of Emeril Lagasse's epicurean delights in Emeril's and Tchoup Chop. For the Parrotheads in the group there's Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville , and then if you have a car I heartily recommend Roy's, perhaps a little more than a 10 minute drive (well worth the effort IMHO) from the Hard Rock. Also, depending on your schedule and inclination keep an eye on the Hard Rock Live site to see if anyone good is playing during the time you'll be visiting. It's a terrific venue! Actually, the same can be said for the House of Blues at DTD as well. I'm certain that your son and everyone concerned will have great fun!

 

[pinoke]

x

 

[mickeynut1]

It sounds like you really enjoy being in the Epcot area, so I'd maybe try the YC or BWI for something different. The YC is pretty much the same as the BC with a different theme and the BWI is similar, but either one would keep you in the Epcot area but give you a little bit of change. If your DS doesn't want the BC, ask him to give you 2 or 3 suggestions of where he would like to stay and maybe explore those options with everyone else in the family. Our boys are young adults now, but even when they were younger, we took everyone's opinions/feelings into account when choosing a resort. My feeling has always been that it's a family vacation and no matter the ages of my kids, their opinions matter just as much as mine and DH's, even if we were the ones paying. Good luck with your decision.

 

[AshleeH]

My kids get no say. If they made their opinions known and they differed from ours, I would simply explain why we choose the hotels we do. They could care less what hotel they end up staying in - they're just happy to be going back to Disney.

 

[Disneychick75]

Sit down together as a family and discuss it. Your son is trying to grow up and state his feelings. Even if you end up going to the Beach Club, he won't feel as though you and your wife wouldn't listen to him.

 

[bumbershoot]

The plan for Universal is to stay at HRH and I fully intend to make full use of the unlimited Express Pass

Oh good. My eyes must have been tired earlier, and I missed the "one week on the dark side" in the sig, and how it must have meant a separate reservation.

 

[jperrot1]

Since you're in the pre-planning stages, can I recommend you look heavily at staying at one of the deluxe hotels at Universal for the Universal portion of your stay? The benefits are really great, especially at the time you're going.

There won't be any true discounts out yet (I think they are only up to August for AAA discounts), but I like looking here: http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

If you do a room-only reservation through Loews you can modify it to a new discount if one comes up.

And the 3 Deluxe hotels are really very nice and do have Club level. Early Entrance (to Wizarding World at IOA at this time), Unlimited Express Pass, they deliver souvenirs right to your room (not to Bell services or the giftshop like at WDW)...



I can't really help with the WDW choice. Right now I have a kid who has NO interest whatsoever in going back to WDW, LOL. But I do know that hypothetical hotel conversations are always a bit different than "for real" planning conversations, so I would try to not worry about it too much.

I second the Universal deluxe resort booking when you will be touring Universal Parks. I also 2nd their club level. Our CL Royal Pacifica stay was fantastic!

How about booking Club Level at the Beach Club for your son. You'll all enjoy it. We found a big difference between Poly Garden Room, and Poly Club Level. Perhaps it's not that the BC is not a great resort to him, it might be the Club Level that makes it so magical for your son.

 

[pad406]

I second the Universal deluxe resort booking when you will be touring Universal Parks. I also 2nd their club level. Our CL Royal Pacifica stay was fantastic!

How about booking Club Level at the Beach Club for your son. You'll all enjoy it. We found a big difference between Poly Garden Room, and Poly Club Level. Perhaps it's not that the BC is not a great resort to him, it might be the Club Level that makes it so magical for your son.

Oh he certainly does like the club level, but it just doesn't make any financial sense for us. Adding CL to the booking is an extra €2,500 ($3300) for 2 weeks and we hardly spend any time in the lounge. That would pay for all our food for the entire 3 week trip.

 

[SharonZ]

Why not do a split stay between BC and AKL?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

He's 10 years old and he says if he has to stay at the Beach Club he would rather stay home?

Aw poor kid, doesn't like "fancy." I guess you can either book a different resort to satisfy him (which resort does he want, and does the rest of the family want to stay there?), or you can tell him you booked the Beach Club and that's where you're going. I'm assuming that staying home isn't an option...

 

[pad406]

Why not do a split stay between BC and AKL?

Although we (all of us) like the AKL, but it's just too far away from everything else.

He's 10 years old and he says if he has to stay at the Beach Club he would rather stay home?

Aw poor kid, doesn't like "fancy." I guess you can either book a different resort to satisfy him (which resort does he want, and does the rest of the family want to stay there?), or you can tell him you booked the Beach Club and that's where you're going. I'm assuming that staying home isn't an option...

Yeah, he has a tough life doesn't he Anyways, I did an update recently that he has changed his mind and is coming no matter what Think his sister may have explained all he'll be missing.