Am I terrible Mom for choosing GF over WL?

[Cmbar]

OH, I can't think straight anymore. On our last trip to Disney with my family, my Dkids kept saying while we were at Park Fare for dinner, "we want to stay at the GF". So when we got home we started a little bucket for change that said "Grand Floridian". Well like a miracle we got the 40% off code for a date in November we were planning on going so my DH and I grabbed it. I mean GF for 255.00 a night I figured was pretty good. Well then we had to start watching all those Disney Resorts on the Travel Channel and now my kids really want to stay at the WL. I went to WL last year on a trip with my sister and her family. (I went along as a guide) and we stayed in the WL so my kids have never stayed there, but I have.

I tried to get a split stay for VWL because my friend is a DVC owner and offered to rent us points, But we waited too long and now I can't get that. So now I can either stick with what we have and go to the GF or try and call and change my 40% off for WL. I really wanted to try the GF and be on a monorail resort at least once! But I feel terrible putting my wants in front of the kids. DH says he doesn't care, he just wants me to stop obsessing over it!

Am I making a mistake? I mean a kid would be lucky to stay at the GF, right I could just bring them to WL and go exploring right?
Help!

 

[LindyN]

WL isn't going anywhere. Keep the GF. You might never see it at that rate ever again.

There's always the next trip.

 

[mika911]

Yep. It's hard to make it to the more expensive resorts like GF, so I'd keep that rate and take the opportunity to see it. The WL is always a bit more affordable, so you could do that in a future trip.

Can't you tell the kids the GF is a much more expensive place and one of the 100 best hotels in the world???

 

[chasgoose]

Yep. It's hard to make it to the more expensive resorts like GF, so I'd keep that rate and take the opportunity to see it. The WL is always a bit more affordable, so you could do that in a future trip.

Can't you tell the kids the GF is a much more expensive place and one of the 100 best hotels in the world???

I know this is off-topic, but while the GF is nice, it is not one of the 100 best hotels in the world. It isn't even the best hotel in the Orlando area (Ritz Carlton and Portofino Bay at Universal have it beat).

To the OP, I really don't think you are being selfish choosing the GF, it is a great deal and you booked at the time you had the 40% off code thinking it was where your kids wanted to stay. You are saving money and I am sure that you would have switched had the 40% off code been available but since they changed their minds too late its not a selfish move to stay at the GF. Trips to Disney are cheap, and your kids should appreciate that they are able to go at all. It would be one thing if you promised your kids the WL and then switched down to the All Stars, but they will still have a great time at the GF.

 

[johnsonet]

I understand what you mean, but definitely stick with the GF! That 40% off is miracle enough - don't let it go to waste

Your kids wanted to try GF and now's there chance. They will love it!! The monorail will thrill them and the slide is more fun than at WL

Have a great time

 

[Kim1964]

I'd stay with GF, too. Maybe you can get an ADR at Whispering Canyons so they get a little bit of WL on this trip, and you can save WL for the next trip.

Here's how I look at a trip to WDW, and maybe it is selfish but it's how I see it. The vast majority of how we spend our time on the trip is built around our kids......the rides we choose, the character meals, downtime to keep them from getting too tired. The *one* thing I choose based on my wants is the hotel. I have no guilt whatsoever about it, and we all get something we want on the trip.

 

[ElizabethB]

We're staying at GF with the 40% off deal as well. I can't see us doing so without that discount, other than for an occasional night here and there. I agree with the other posters -- stay at GF while you have the discount. Pick WL next time.

Also, thanks chasgoose for clarifying the 100 best hotels in the world point. I read the comment about GF being one of the best 100 hotels in the world and thought, "no way". Then I saw your post below it. While nice, GF is definitely not world class.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Stay with the GF. Having kids you will be on the Monorail which will be a plus. Maybe a dinner at the Whispering Canyon will give them a little taste of the WL in case you decide to go there at a later date.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

keep the GF and do WL next time
once they get there and see the GF they will be fine

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Just remember the golden rule...she who has the gold makes the rules!

Besides, you should not make changes based on the whims of children. First they wanted to stay GF, then based on something they see on a DVD they want to stay WL. Who knows where they will pick next?! Then would you switch again?

I say stick with GF.

 

[jel0511]

We've stayed at both resorts and my kids actually prefer the GF over WL. I personally feel the pool is nicer at GF. My kids LOVE Narcoossee's and love being to grab the monorail in the hotel. I'd stay with the GF.

 

[alldiz]

GF.....is not my cup of tea....

But at that price it might be

Give GF a try....WL will be there next time.....

In fact....wait till holiday time at the lodge....it is the best
time of year to go there....IMO....
Have a great trip.
Kerri

 

[StrwLady]

I'll make you feel better. I have been trying to change to the WL with the 40% code for awhile now and its been a no go. Nothing available! Gonna keep trying of course but I'm starting to think they make very few discounted rooms available at the WL.

GL if you do try to get it. Otherwise have a great time at the GF

Take Care

 

[cinmell]

Stick with GF!

 

[jakenjess]

Definitely stay with the GF! I love the WL, but for that rate I'd take the GF over WL any day. You really can't beat being on the monorail. The rooms are bigger, and it has really nice pools. Your kids will love it.

We are DVC owners and have gone to Disney quite a lot. We let the kids have input as to the trip, but when it comes down to it, the financial decisions are mine and DH's (more me, because I'm the planner!) I usually let each child come up with something "new" they'd like to do on each trip and try to accommodate that, but I get the final veto because I'm paying the bills! And they ALWAYS have a wonderful time! Enjoy!

 

[marksmith]

Our first 5 stays (DD-4-9) were at the GF; she loves it, we love it-certainly kid friendly in our opinion. Plus after the parks all day us adults love the Gf after the hustle of the day. As an aside last stay in April we tried the Poly and loved it, but gouing back to GF in October.

 

[RumpleMom]

It's ok to be the parent and make the final decisions. Practice now, and you will be thankful you did during the teenage years.

 

[princessesrule4]

Definitely GF - it is our family's favorite! Our kids love the pool and squirt fountains, monorail,Gasparilla's, M.Mouse and the whole GF in general! The 40% off code is the icing on the cake!
Have a great trip!

 

[MEK]

GF, no second thoughts.

 

[heatherlynn444]

GF definately. kids can be fickle sometimes, if they saw a special on the Poly, they would probably want to change and stay there, too. once they see how great and fun the GF is, pools, etc. they will be like "wilderness lodge what?" especially at that price! go and have a good time! you are the parent, working hard for the money, your kids will have a blast either way. I mean, its DISNEY!