Add another week or stay put??????

[dsnycrzy]

Hello everyone,
I need some opinions. (Posted on families section also)After 2 years of skipping WDW and breaking our 15 year tradition, we are ready to get back into it.
Heres my dilemma, the reason for our last delay in WDW trips (2011) is the birth of my lil charmer who is 10 months now. He got RSV from his daycare when he was 3 months old and his asthma can flare up every now and then and it gets bad and he was hospitalized a few times because of it. The last 2 months he has been good although 2 days ago up until today, hes sounding alittle "funky" as I call it and he's needed treatment again. So who knows how the Florida weather will treat him but for the most part he's doing better than before. I have always and really need this time to schedule some rest days because of weather, any of the kids getting sick, feet hurting,etc.
I booked our trip for WDW & heres the itinerary:
8/7 Auto Train 8/8 CBR-relax, pool 8/9 AK & Rainforest Cafe
8/10 HS H&V breakfast, Sci-Fi Late lunch, Fantasmic
8/11 ck-out CBR, ck-in PORFQ(luggage moved by resort) Kona Cafe breakfast & hotel hopping to take pictures. 8/12 Aquatica until 3pm, Rest
8/13 Epcot, ???
8/14 ck-out PORFQ, ck-in POP (bags moved again)breakfast Cinderella MK, parades & fireworks (late night)
8/15 rest, hotel hop (AoA mostly)
8/16 ck-out POP, ck-in Celebration Suites, walmart for food,ect (full kitchen & bbq grills at this hotel)
8/17 Universal, olive garden? 8/18 IOA, T-Rex 8/19 Rest, pool, malls
8/20 TL, buffet? 8/21 Dwtn Dis, DQ, ? (meal) 8/22 BB, ? (meal)
8/23 ck-out celebration, buffet, auto train.

Heres the soulution to the "not enough rest days"
I have EVERYTHING PAID FOR including spending money & I have $500 left over. I checked auto train and even though I would forfeit my "kids half price" code, I'd pay an extra $298 to switch the leaving date to the 1st of August. On Priceline I found Travelodge for my additional dates at a total of $ 187. Total $485!!!! I'd move around the last of my itinerary such as Uni, IOA, BB, use a few rest days to enjoy the scenery at the WDW resort, let the baby relax, etc.

What would you do? Stick to my original plans or move?

 

[stsomewhere]

Just wondering why you are changing hotels so much?
That would drive me crazy.

 

[smitch425]

Hello everyone,
I need some opinions. (Posted on families section also)After 2 years of skipping WDW and breaking our 15 year tradition, we are ready to get back into it.
Heres my dilemma, the reason for our last delay in WDW trips (2011) is the birth of my lil charmer who is 10 months now. He got RSV from his daycare when he was 3 months old and his asthma can flare up every now and then and it gets bad and he was hospitalized a few times because of it. The last 2 months he has been good although 2 days ago up until today, hes sounding alittle "funky" as I call it and he's needed treatment again. So who knows how the Florida weather will treat him but for the most part he's doing better than before. I have always and really need this time to schedule some rest days because of weather, any of the kids getting sick, feet hurting,etc.
I booked our trip for WDW & heres the itinerary:
8/7 Auto Train 8/8 CBR-relax, pool 8/9 AK & Rainforest Cafe
8/10 HS H&V breakfast, Sci-Fi Late lunch, Fantasmic
8/11 ck-out CBR, ck-in PORFQ(luggage moved by resort) Kona Cafe breakfast & hotel hopping to take pictures. 8/12 Aquatica until 3pm, Rest
8/13 Epcot, ???
8/14 ck-out PORFQ, ck-in POP (bags moved again)breakfast Cinderella MK, parades & fireworks (late night)
8/15 rest, hotel hop (AoA mostly)
8/16 ck-out POP, ck-in Celebration Suites, walmart for food,ect (full kitchen & bbq grills at this hotel)
8/17 Universal, olive garden? 8/18 IOA, T-Rex 8/19 Rest, pool, malls
8/20 TL, buffet? 8/21 Dwtn Dis, DQ, ? (meal) 8/22 BB, ? (meal)
8/23 ck-out celebration, buffet, auto train.

Heres the soulution to the "not enough rest days"
I have EVERYTHING PAID FOR including spending money & I have $500 left over. I checked auto train and even though I would forfeit my "kids half price" code, I'd pay an extra $298 to switch the leaving date to the 1st of August. On Priceline I found Travelodge for my additional dates at a total of $ 187. Total $485!!!! I'd move around the last of my itinerary such as Uni, IOA, BB, use a few rest days to enjoy the scenery at the WDW resort, let the baby relax, etc.

What would you do? Stick to my original plans or move?

Did you consider all of the extra money you will need for food?

 

[SaraJayne]

Just wondering why you are changing hotels so much?
That would drive me crazy.

Four hotels in one week? Your spouse must be a saint, especially with little ones.

 

[momto2inKC]

Like smitch425 mentioned, you'll have to budget for food too if you add another week. As for my opinion on adding a week, I don't think I would. You've already got a good long trip planned. My family wouldn't want to be away from home any longer than that. Plus all that hotel switching would just be way too much for my liking! With that many people, that's a lot of stuff to pack up and move every few days!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I would take the extra $$ and stay longer on one hotel. Agree with the switching hotels, it always takes longer than you think and I really really hate being homeless for the day! May not get into room until 3, 4 or even later.

 

[smitch425]

Four hotels in one week? Your spouse must be a saint, especially with little ones.

They are already booked from the 7th to the 23rd, so it is 4 hotels over 2 1/2 weeks. Still a lot of switching, though.

 

[SaraJayne]

They are already booked from the 7th to the 23rd, so it is 4 hotels over 2 1/2 weeks. Still a lot of switching, though.

Sorry, you're right. I just counted the days and didn't look at the dates.

Still way too much switching for me.

 

[dsnycrzy]

@Stsomewhere- Missed WDW so much I'm trying to do everything I guess I cant explain it.

@Smitch425- I have been buying walmart gift cards for food & extras totalling $650 now. Also resturant gift cards as well in $25 & $50 incriments totalling $300. I have saved $2000 and put it on a TD Visa gift card for anything extra. So Im set for food and stuff. Im going to BJ's before we leave a get bulk boxes of ceral and breakfast bars since I can leave that in the car.

@SaraJayne- My kids think I'm nuts (no spouse this time). They love CBR, I wanted to go to PORFQ and we all love POP & Celebration Suites so thats how it landed. We will be doing the ziplock outfit technique and well take our 3-4 outfits in a resort at a time with our toileties and bag then back up & put them into a collapsable laundry bag thing. Once we get to Celebration suites, I'll wash and repack it all. If we add the week, I'll wash on that last day (the 7th) and rebag it all and we are off. My car is big enough to keep everything in so we arent dragging everything in and out each time.

organization is my middle name

 

[dsnycrzy]

I would take the extra $$ and stay longer on one hotel. Agree with the switching hotels, it always takes longer than you think and I really really hate being homeless for the day! May not get into room until 3, 4 or even later.

Staying after the 23rd will make my kids miss school so I'd extend the beginning of my trip as I did. Extending CBR for 6 days will go wwwwaaaayyy over my $500 budget ($200 once I pay for the train extra). Leaving on the 1st was the cheapest of everyday from July 31st until our original date.

 

[auralia]

we could have done a week at the contemporary once or two weeks at all stars with a 8 month old and 4 year old. We went with the all stars and wished we had gone with the contemporary. I thought more would be better, but you just get burned out and that was with dh as the only adult that extra week would leave me with dizzy spells and exhaustion by the end. Now I don't know that that is true for you though!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Have you considered changing hotels may be (actually more than may be) hard on the little one with asthma. Changing hotels and getting used to the dust etc. would have set my child into a flare that required a doctors visit, and we had a very mild case. I personally think you should pick one hotel and stay there. Make sure house-cleaning is aware and enjoy. I would absolutely dislike moving so much and my children would be miserable losing all the time it takes to move all the stuff even if you do the bag trick.

Good luck! (and no I would not add more time)

 

[clutter]

I'm with the others. Too many changes, and I think it would be too hard on the baby. I've done Disney about 5 times in August, and usually do one resort change. That's too many for me.

I'm a big CBR fan, and I just didn't like POFQ, so I may be biased, but I'd just go from CBR to POP and skip POFQ. And I'd use the extra funds to upgrade rooms at both to preferred rooms so you're closer to the food and pools. (CBR pool beats POFQ by a ton!)

Ok, but that's not what you asked. No, I wouldn't add on the days. You've got 16 days there. That's plenty. Longest we've done in August is 12, and we were done!

 

[secretpantssam]

I think it's long enough.


though I have to agree with the other posters that the switching of hotels sounds like the most exhausting part.

 

[HayGan]

I think if you re-examine your schedule you will see that you have lots of opportunities for rest. You are moving quite a bit and you have to keep in mind that those moves will take time and energy and are often somewhat stressful. I would suggest that you really try to keep your other activities on those days to a minimum (where possible) and schedule activities/special meals for days where your time isn't already consumed with moving resorts, etc. At the end of the trip, I would take full advantage of your full kitchen by having as many of your meals there as possible. Not only will you save money but you will also get in some much needed rest. I think most people often lose track of how much time going to a restaurant actually takes up!

I know it is hard to plan because you want to do as much as you can. Keep in mind that you want to enjoy what you are doing. If your group is tired, that is likely going to turn to crankiness and then there goes your enjoyment right out the window! I've added some comments to your schedule just as suggestions on areas whee you might be able to get some more rest. Some of your days would be very long and likely difficult especially for your little one.

If it was me I would likley ad the extra days but re-adjust my schedule to accomodate rest throughout the trip not just on those last few days. Spread the fun out a little bit and I promise you that you will enjoy the whole trip so much more!

Hope you have a great trip!

8/7 Auto Train
8/8 CBR-relax, pool
8/9 AK & Rainforest Cafe
8/10 HS H&V breakfast, Sci-Fi Late lunch, Fantasmic This is a very long day for anyone especially a very young child - I would drop one of the meals. If you drop the lunch you could get a rest in back at CBR in the afternoon.
8/11 ck-out CBR, ck-in PORFQ(luggage moved by resort) Kona Cafe breakfast & hotel hopping to take pictures. I would just rest most of this day.
8/12 Aquatica until 3pm, Rest
8/13 Epcot, ???
8/14 ck-out PORFQ, ck-in POP (bags moved again)breakfast Cinderella MK, parades & fireworks (late night) Once again this is a VERY long day for anyone but especially a young child. Asking them to go non-stop from early morning to night will be rough! Since you are moving resorts on this day you can not be assured that your room will be ready in the middle of the day for an afternoon rest if you were planning on it. Having to pack up and get your bags to bell services before you head off to a breakfast in the MK will likely be a hassle.
8/15 rest, hotel hop (AoA mostly) I would just rest and enjoy POP & head over to AoA in the evening if you are all feeling up to it.
8/16 ck-out POP, ck-in Celebration Suites, walmart for food,ect (full kitchen & bbq grills at this hotel)
8/17 Universal, olive garden? I would eat in your condo since you are already going to Walmart for food the previous day and you have a full kitchen. Unless Olive Garden is a must-do I would take advantage of the facilities & savings that you have at your disposal already. The added rest as well will likely be good for your crew!
8/18 IOA, T-Rex Why not do T-Rex on your Downtown Disney day instead?
8/19 Rest, pool, malls
8/20 TL, buffet?
8/21 Dwtn Dis, DQ, ? (meal)
8/22 BB, ? (meal)
8/23 ck-out celebration, buffet, auto train.

Heres the soulution to the "not enough rest days"
I have EVERYTHING PAID FOR including spending money & I have $500 left over. I checked auto train and even though I would forfeit my "kids half price" code, I'd pay an extra $298 to switch the leaving date to the 1st of August. On Priceline I found Travelodge for my additional dates at a total of $ 187. Total $485!!!! I'd move around the last of my itinerary such as Uni, IOA, BB, use a few rest days to enjoy the scenery at the WDW resort, let the baby relax, etc.

What would you do? Stick to my original plans or move?

 

[Marionnette]

@Stsomewhere- Missed WDW so much I'm trying to do everything I guess I cant explain it.

@Smitch425- I have been buying walmart gift cards for food & extras totalling $650 now. Also resturant gift cards as well in $25 & $50 incriments totalling $300. I have saved $2000 and put it on a TD Visa gift card for anything extra. So Im set for food and stuff. Im going to BJ's before we leave a get bulk boxes of ceral and breakfast bars since I can leave that in the car.

@SaraJayne- My kids think I'm nuts (no spouse this time). They love CBR, I wanted to go to PORFQ and we all love POP & Celebration Suites so thats how it landed. We will be doing the ziplock outfit technique and well take our 3-4 outfits in a resort at a time with our toileties and bag then back up & put them into a collapsable laundry bag thing. Once we get to Celebration suites, I'll wash and repack it all. If we add the week, I'll wash on that last day (the 7th) and rebag it all and we are off. My car is big enough to keep everything in so we arent dragging everything in and out each time.

organization is my middle name

Your organizing skills will help to keep you from going crazy with all of the moves that you will be making. But my own preference would be to eliminate one of those move (maybe even two of them) and just extend the stays at the other resorts to cover those days. I would be too concerned about losing things from one move to the next. The last thing that I would want to add to everyone's stress level at the end of my stay would be to move to a 5th resort in the 3 weeks of our vacation.

How about using that extra $500 as seed money towards your next vacation?

 

[dsnycrzy]

Hello all,
I decided to keep my original plans and pre-ordered my photopass plus CD ($170) and use the rest to make our shirts (thanks to the creative ppl on the dis) and get our decorations to do our resort windows. I redid our Itinerary:

8/8 CBR, relax,walmart for snacks & cases of water, pool, lunch & dinner at resort.
8/9 AK Rainforest Cafe (dinner, no ressies), Pool or cruise resort.
8/10 HS Hollywood & Vine 9:25am, back to resort by 3 or 3:30, nap. Back at HS by 7 to get to Sci-Fi by 7:15 for 7:40 ressies (get in earlier I hope) Fantasmic by 815ish.
8/11 CBR>PORFQ (luggage moved), Kona Cafe 9:35am, Pics at Poly, then go to AK for pics, to PORFQ to ck in. Lunch and relax at resort dining area if not ready. When ready, nap, relax. Resort pics, pool. Resort dining.
8/12 BB until 3pm, resort lunch, nap. Off-site Buffet.
8/13 Epcot 9-5, back to resort, relax, dining ?
8/14 PORFQ>POP (luggage moved) off-site breakfast (Ponderosa $3.99 breakfast buffets), strip mall (by Nick Hotel, cant remember the name). Ck-in, relax, Pool, resort dinner.
8/15 MK Crystal Palace 9:25 (just lil ones bc its their BDay celebration & the big kids can sleep, DD turns 10 8/14 & DS turns 1 on 8/5) DD19 &DS16 will meet me at MK by 1030. back to resort by 4pm, rest, back to MK by 7, Hot dog place on Main Street at 8ish and get parade spots, fireworks.
8/16 POP>CEL-ck out, load car, resort breakfast or Ponderosa $3.99 buffet again. Ck-in CEL luggage, etc in. set up room, get laundry together. Walmart for groceries, cook dinner in room, (do laundry while at the), pool.
8/17 US breakfast in room, back around 6pm (per shuttle times), dinner in room.
8/18 IOA breakfast in room, back around 6pm (per shuttle times), Checkers or McDonalds for dinner.
8/19 Sleep in, afternoon at Mall, pool & BBQ in evening.
8/20 TL until 3pm, IHOP for late lunch/early dinner, Old Town walk.
8/21 Sleep in, Dwtwn Disney, DQ, T-rex (no ressies so about 6ish).
8/22 Extra day on tix so (MK or HS) or AQ if I decide to buy those tix, back to hotel by 5 or 6pm, pack up major things. relax, last dip in the pool.
8/23 packing continued (train bag with games, blankets,pillows & stuff), last of items in room for breakfast, ck-out at 11am, Golden Corral lunch, to Auto Train by 2pm.

I did find alot of down time. I had to take into consideration that my DD19 will be missing another whole week of work and shes saving for her college acct as well as her spending $ for this trip so I think we will be happy with this. Thanks so much for your responses, they did help me alot.

 

[HayGan]

I think your schedule looks much better. Sounds like you will have an awesome time. I hope you all enjoy your vacation