Adding extra night but at a cost...? Help!

[DLPDreams]

In a bit of a dilemma about our Nov trip. When I originally booked our flights we decided we wanted the girls to miss as little school as possible. As this weekend ties in with a Friday training day, we decided taking them out on the Thursday wasn't too much of an issue (it is Christmas craft day). But, we wanted to get back at a reasonable time on the Sunday as they have school on the Monday and I wasn't sure how they'd manage the tiredness etc.

Having been in June and seen how well they managed and adapted I've been thinking about slightly extending our Nov trip by another night. This partly down to the fact the offer that has come out (since booking flights) is 4 for price of 2 nights. So in essence, staying 3 nights isn't great value.

We will need to change our flights and are looking at moving them 24 hours - so same mid afternoon flight on the Monday, rather than Sunday (means a 1 pm pick up for the airport). But, when I rang today it is going to be an extra £300 to change the booking . The flight isn't any more expensive but it's the admin fee of £50 pp for changing!

I'm really wondering if it is worth it for one extra night....

Pros:
- If we change then extra day/night on the Sunday when the park will be late closing. Otherwise 1 pm pick up on the Sunday.
- The extra night (on current offer) is actually free for the hotel
- We would be able to do the Inventions Sunday brunch which we really fancy (Mum & I that is).
- I think this may be our last DLRP visit for a good while so would be happy to make it a bit longer than 3 nights (min we've done is 4 nights and even then we've struggled to get everything done!).

Cons:
- Means the girls missing 2 days off school
- £300 to change the flights and associated extra meal costs etc
- DH needs another day off work
- DH isn't that keen and would prefer to come home on the Sunday but will do 'whatever' others want
- If it's really cold then we might be pleased to not stay an extra night??

I'm sure there are other things but that is the main part of it!

What do you think we should do - if I am going to change it I need to do it asap before the flights go up or the hotel offer disappears!

Thanks for reading this so far .

 

[DLPdaft]

I wouldn't change - because although the extra night/day is free, you're having to pay an extra £300 to change your flights. So in effect that extra free night and day is costing you £300.

 

[DLPDreams]

I totally understand what you are saying Elaine. But Mum is saying it's because the hotel is free (and so we don't have to pay on top to change that too) that we are considering the change... But yes, £300 is a lot for one night (although still cheaper than one night in the DLH for two rooms - which is what we will have if we book that hotel - but as I'm still waiting for a reply to my 'letter' I'm thinking of trying SL instead ).

My heart is saying do it, my head is saying it's silly .

 

[RoseBug]

Cost wise - if you can afford it, I wouldn't let that stop me and would book.

However, taking the girls out of school ... not sure. But then I am a teacher, and I have real issues with this, more so secondary than primary, but this would be my sticking point. If the school doesn't mind you taking them out, and they won't be missing any lessons, maybe!

 

[Ware Bears]

I wouldn't change plans either if I were you. £300 is an awful lot of money and when you factor in the cost of the brunch ..... I know you say this will probably be your last trip to DLP for a while but I'd rather keep the money and put it towards another holiday, Disney or otherwise.

And if it is horribly cold/wet on that Sunday and you're huddled in shops trying to keep warm/dry you may regret changing your plans .....

 

[tennisfan]

I wouldn't do it if the cost is £300 + meals. I may consider if the cost was about £50 extra buts its not worth it for £300 IMO

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks for the replies. I am still undecided but edging towards leaving it. Had I known about the hotel offer before we booked then obviously it would have been different. The thing is when you have to book flights, you have to book them so far in advance to get a reasonable price.

The £300 is actually for 6 of us, so it is only £50 pp so Nikki it is kind of what you are saying. But clearly we have 4 to pay for and then Mum & Dad as well.

Yes Elaine, that was my point about the weather - if it is awful I'm sure I would be thinking I'd paid extra to stay out in the cold . But, if it is reasonable I know I'll be thinking - oh, I wish we had stayed the extra night.

Rosebug - I do agree about the school thing. I've never taken DD1 out of school before and she has been there 4 years including school nursery. We are going away next Easter to Egypt and have paid through the nose as I didn't want them out of school. So yes, another day off school is a big issue, although I do know it is Christmas crafts so they aren't missing any formal lessons (I help at the school every year so I know nothing from the curriculum is taught). Give DDs the choice of Christmas crafts or DLRP, I can guess which they would choose! Some parents seem to have their children out for 2 holidays a year - not sure how they get away with it .

I think we'll leave it this trip and put the money towards something else/spending money while we are there.

Honestly, we have yet to hit lucky with a hotel offer at DLRP - we have had some but they've not been that great unlike some people getting 30-50% off! Having said that our AP offer with the HNY on our last trip was good, until I changed it to the DLH and lost the AP offer

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply though - it is appreciated .

 

[scampbunny]

i wudnt change either.....

but then, ive never forgiven myself for our xmas trip - thinking id chosen good on dates (bout 8th december) and they had the school xmas play whilst we were away and ds1 had to miss it - but still sit through all the practising......

just think of all the things u cud spend that £300 on whilst ur there....

 

[DLPDreams]

Thanks Nikki - have discussed again today and definitely not changing the flight. The deal breaker is DH is uncomfortable with another day off school (as am I really, although I know they won't be missing anything much, they'll still miss out on the Christmas crafts which are quite fun and part of the Christmas build up at school I suppose). They won't miss any of their play rehearsals as they stop for crafts week and resume afterwards.

So, we'll come back as arranged Just need to decide whether to go for the current offer or wait and see if anything better comes along (but then it could be worse so I just don't know!) .

 

[zinderella]

In my opinion, waiting can be expensive!!!! I remember that for the last holiday, another DIS Boarder and myself booked the same holiday dates, her in a 15% off winter prices deal back before Xmas, and me on a 30% off deal 8 weeks before my holiday. Hers was £200 pounds cheaper!!!!

Honestly, if you are content to pay the amount, book now. It's one less worry, and all yr energies can go into planning, not worrying about what decision to make.

 

[kizzabel]

I agree with Zinderella. We booked the cheyenne with 15% off with a later, better offer in mind which would allow us to upgrade to SL.. The later offer wasnt better and it cost us €130 extra to upgrade. We are booking our hotel for Jan tonight and it will be SF or SL but the only upgrade we will be hoping for is a 50% flash sale later on to upgrade to SL or HNY which I think is kinda unlikely.
As was said if you are comfortable book at the current price.