Arguing to add a day - how did you do it?

[Pesky]

We are planning our trip for next Christmas season. I have already managed to convince DH to go from 3 days to 4 days. I am now leaning towards 5 days. I have mentioned this to DH and he thinks the extra day is unnecessary and didn't want to talk about a trip so far out (but we will have to book points early next year). My ILs will be going as well and I know that if I get MIL to agree, the two of us can likely convince DH. Fortunately, MIL and I think a lot alike (yes, DH married his mother in some respects!) and are very logical so it can be hard to argue against us. The reason I am thinking we will need a day is our 5YO still naps hard on the weekends and I think our 3YO (then 4YO) may need a melt-down avoidance break at the hotel. Add on the desired activities like BBB, character meals, holiday tour, Jedi training, etc. and large chunks of our available day get eaten up. So I think it would be impossible in 3 days, rushed in 4 and doable/get to notice small things in 5.

My ILs are coming into town soon and I figured this might be the time to get MIL on board. If you have managed to convince a spouse or other travel partner as to the need of adding a day, how did you do so? Thanks!

 

[BeckWhy]

Well I was already staying 6 nights, but I usually plans 2 days at the parks, a day off, then 2 more days at the parks. So I bumped it up from 4 days to 5 days because it only cost like $15 to add that other day. I figured even if I ride one ride, it pretty much paid for itself.

 

[Girimama33]

I am in the same boat as you Pesky...I want to add a day to our trip, but DH keeps poo-pooing the idea because this is supposed to be our budget trip. The thing is, it will barely cost us anything to add the day. We are planning on arriving 10/22 - Monday (staying at Hojo at old retro rate for 3 nights). We are activating our AP's on this trip, so ticket prices are a non-issue. Our plan is DCA on Tuesday AM at rope drop, take a break around 11ish (if the park opens at 8am) and go to the Halloween Party at 3pm. On Wednesday, most of my family (about 10-12 of them) are meeting us in the parks. They all have a different agenda, but I know most would like to see Carsland. I am not even planning anything on this day. Thursday will be a day for ourselves to do the stuff we want to do, but haven't been able to do.
One of my brother's lives in Long Beach and it is about a 20 minute drive to the parks. Last trip, we stayed with him the night before our first park day, which worked out great. DH really wants to be able to drive right to the hotel when we drive into the area, rather than go to LB first. I have suggested to just drive in on Sunday and stay with my brother and go to the parks on Monday...It isn't going to cost us any more $..except food maybe...So far, he is having none of it.
Looking forward to the tips in this thread.

 

[hootey]

We go for a minimum of five days and love it. With the younger children, I would absolutely take a mid-day break for naps. It makes the day much more enjoyable. Our children are almost teenagers and we still take a mid-day break every day but, now it is for playing on the waterslides and the pool. Yes, we stay at the DLH, it is our favorite. Staying with disney, it is inexpensive to add another day to a four day visit. To enjoy everything available, it takes us at least five days. We have stayed as long as eleven. Going during Christmas is extra special, stay as long as you can to properly enjoy it....

 

[kayleigh83]

If the extra cost to add another day is so minimal, focus on that. I think it that point it's more like, why NOT stay a 5th day? Start there... and then if he acquiesces that point but moves on to ask WHY you guys need the extra day regardless of how cheap it will be, then go into the points about the number of desired activities vs. nap-time required for your little ones. I think if you sound like you have a solid and logical plan in place (which it sounds like you do, and you sound like me in that regard! lol!) then once he actually listens it will make sense.

Sometimes that can be the hardest part though I know I can have a hard time discussing certain things with my BF if he decides he doesn't want to discuss it "yet". Men!

 

[KCmike]

I would argue that it 1)Frees up your days so you don't feel rushed or where you have to do something because you only have so much time, 2)the cost is minimal, 3)With so many Candlelight processionals this time around the crowds could be crazy, and 4) Because it something you want.

Disneyland needs to be savored.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would argue that it 1)Frees up your days so you don't feel rushed or where you have to do something because you only have so much time, 2)the cost is minimal, 3)With so many Candlelight processionals this time around the crowds could be crazy, and 4) Because it something you want.

Disneyland needs to be savored.

I'd also add that it will allow you to do other things and go back to the parks for some more fun (dining, watching a parade or show, going on some rides).

I think #1 above nails it. Sometimes the kids get worn out and need to rest away from the parks. This will give you a better chance to savor the good moments and avoid the melt-downs due to overtiredness.

 

[Toolmaster]

I am in the same boat as you Pesky...I want to add a day to our trip, but DH keeps poo-pooing the idea because this is supposed to be our budget trip. The thing is, it will barely cost us anything to add the day. We are planning on arriving 10/22 - Monday (staying at Hojo at old retro rate for 3 nights). We are activating our AP's on this trip, so ticket prices are a non-issue. Our plan is DCA on Tuesday AM at rope drop, take a break around 11ish (if the park opens at 8am) and go to the Halloween Party at 3pm. On Wednesday, most of my family (about 10-12 of them) are meeting us in the parks. They all have a different agenda, but I know most would like to see Carsland. I am not even planning anything on this day. Thursday will be a day for ourselves to do the stuff we want to do, but haven't been able to do.
One of my brother's lives in Long Beach and it is about a 20 minute drive to the parks. Last trip, we stayed with him the night before our first park day, which worked out great. DH really wants to be able to drive right to the hotel when we drive into the area, rather than go to LB first. I have suggested to just drive in on Sunday and stay with my brother and go to the parks on Monday...It isn't going to cost us any more $..except food maybe...So far, he is having none of it.
Looking forward to the tips in this thread.

Just for your information they have started posting park hours( been watching we are staying at the hojo the same week) they list the park not opening till 10:00 am

 

[skellinton]

I would tell my husband he can go home after 4 days, but you are staying longer!

 

[Girimama33]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girimama33

I am in the same boat as you Pesky...I want to add a day to our trip, but DH keeps poo-pooing the idea because this is supposed to be our budget trip. The thing is, it will barely cost us anything to add the day. We are planning on arriving 10/22 - Monday (staying at Hojo at old retro rate for 3 nights). We are activating our AP's on this trip, so ticket prices are a non-issue. Our plan is DCA on Tuesday AM at rope drop, take a break around 11ish (if the park opens at 8am) and go to the Halloween Party at 3pm. On Wednesday, most of my family (about 10-12 of them) are meeting us in the parks. They all have a different agenda, but I know most would like to see Carsland. I am not even planning anything on this day. Thursday will be a day for ourselves to do the stuff we want to do, but haven't been able to do.
One of my brother's lives in Long Beach and it is about a 20 minute drive to the parks. Last trip, we stayed with him the night before our first park day, which worked out great. DH really wants to be able to drive right to the hotel when we drive into the area, rather than go to LB first. I have suggested to just drive in on Sunday and stay with my brother and go to the parks on Monday...It isn't going to cost us any more $..except food maybe...So far, he is having none of it.
Looking forward to the tips in this thread.

Just for your information they have started posting park hours( been watching we are staying at the hojo the same week) they list the park not opening till 10:00 am

Mondays hours are posted and they open @ 10am. Most Halloween Party days open @ 8, so that is what I an hoping for on Tuesday. We shall see in the morning.


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[cgh]

We went from 3 to 5 to 6. Generally, we had done 3 days last year, didn't see everything, then they added Carsland. We like to go leisurely, so wanted the same pace as we did the previous year. You can write up a tentative plan for each day and go from there. Ie. do you want to do night things? Will you have EE? Time for big meals (ie 90 minutes for character meals). It is also helpful if you have experience in the past with a cranky child do to missing nap to reflect back on.

 

[seadd67]

Ya me to i went from 4 to 5 and then 6, and this to was suppose to be a budget trip!. This Is a Father and DS trip(ds now 19). Because this was a budget trip because we are going to WDW In March/April, so the 4 days came where so we could see two MNSSHP and then spend 2 days at DL and DLC. But DS wanted to see Universal horror nights and the San deigo zoo. That made It 5 days, then he wanted to see Knot's berry farm,,,,not so budgety anymore!. Oh well we will still be budgety, but some where else. Can not stand down days, that's just us, that's why we have our days cram, plus I am going to play golf for a couple days in there to.

 

[dadzgirl70]

Just do it. Wrap up the extra day and give it to him as a present. As he opens it have everyone yell "surprise"! What could he possibly say.

 

[julieheyer]

Yep, I had to convince dh to go from 2 days to 4! We're traveling to SFran in between. I rationalized it, told him about the savings on longer hoppers, and even used points for the room. Finally, I just told him this is what I wanted for Christmas, and it'd be a few year before we could go back again. We're going for4!!!

 

[Girimama33]

The stars must have been aligned for me or something...
Yesterday, we were walking the dogs and taking DD for a bike ride. The subject of the DL trip came up and DH asked when were we planning on driving down. I told him we hadn't finalized whether we would drive down Monday and go to the hotel or Sunday and stay with my brother and do the first park day on Monday vs. Tuesday (which opens at 8am...another wish granted). He told me that I was in charge of planning it, and either one was good for him. So now we will be there Monday - Thursday with the HP on Tuesday and a family day on Wednesday. I grew up 4 miles from DLR, and cannot even remember the last time I was there with my parents (being old doesn't help either)...I always remember getting dropped off though. Can't wait for this trip!!!
I hope you get the same magic Pesky ~

 

[readytogotodisney]

I'm trying to add on another day myself! We already have our plane tickets and room for Oct 14-19th, but my DH wanted to do something other then Disney one day. We've compromised and he gets the day of the 15th, and then we'll head to the HP that evening anytime after 3pm. But it's his job to find something for us to do for the morning/afternoon. If he can't figure that out in the next month, I'll be adding another day to our park tickets!

 

[SA mom]

We spent 6 days in the park this past summer. It was our first trip and our kids are 11. We still needed afternoon breaks on a couple of days. It was much more enjoyable/less stressful knowing we had the time.

With little kids, you will need those breaks.

 

[Caseheidi]

Would he go for adding a day to add the Christmas Party? You could still do a 4 day hopper, but get in for the party at night. I know, not too budget friendly, but lots of fun and special. Maybe he would be willing?