Can't do it!

[Tiger926]

okay,
so I called again this morning to change weeks and now animal kingdom is coming out only 600 more than Riverside (dixie landings to me!)

is akl worth the long bus rides?

I was going to suggest you check out AKL - same architect designed both WL and AKL. AKL is a beautifully themed resort!

Can't speak to buses, as we are DVC, and have our car with us when at WDW. But remember, AK is only a little bit farther from 3 parks (MK, Epcot and DHS), and it's a single use bus, which means you don't share with any other resorts. People really have this thing with buses at AK, but the deluxe Epcot resort buses are probably the worst, as you have all of them sharing one bus (Beach, Yacht, Boardwalk and Swolpin!), so those are cramped buses!

As someone who has pretty much stayed in all resorts - both DVC and cash rooms, I don't feel the deluxe rooms would be worth $900.00 more either. And, I am a major hotel girl - we spend a lot of time in them, and that's why we bought DVC!

That being said, $600.00 more might be a nice compromise for you both. But first, find out why DH really wants to stay at WL? It's a nice resort, but our DVC rooms are dated now and need refurbishing, so not sure about cash rooms? Plus, no monorail, only ferry or buses. Also, only 1 regular TS - Whispering Canyon Cafe, which we don't care for and 1 Signature - Artist Point. Also, there CS has improved over the years, but nothing that great. Nice main pool, but AK has a much better pool area, IMHO.

Maybe have a more detailed talk with DH - we find there is not that much difference between deluxe rooms and moderates rooms, but a few differences in the pools and restaurants, but not much to justify $900.00, IMHO.

Best of luck in your planning, Tiger

 

[goodeats]

Personally, I would rather go to WDW less often and do more deluxe trips than to go more often and go budget. Of course I still try to save as much money as possible (discounts, WL vs. GF, etc), but I definitely treat myself. I do live close to Disneyland so I still get my fix often though.

$900 over how many nights? I adore the WL. The location feels so secluded and away from it all. I think you should go for it!

 

[Grimley]

We stayed at WL once and will never go back. The rooms are only a skosh bigger than the moderates, so for me it is totally not worth the extra cash.

 

[Tiger926]

Personally, I would rather go to WDW less often and do more deluxe trips than to go more often and go budget. Of course I still try to save as much money as possible (discounts, WL vs. GF, etc), but I definitely treat myself. I do live close to Disneyland so I still get my fix often though.

$900 over how many nights? I adore the WL. The location feels so secluded and away from it all. I think you should go for it!

By "...go budget", do you mean stay in a Value, or, do you mean stay in a cheaper room, which means a more restrictive budget?

The OP is comparing WL to a Moderate, which is pretty close, IMHO. And, now that she can get AKL for $600.00 cheaper than WL, I think that may be worth considering. AKL feels more secluded to me, and more in theme, than any other resort, even more than WL, as I can still see the castle in the distance.

Tiger

 

[bonoriffic]

I've stayed at the Contemporary and then Wyndham Bonnet Creek. For less money you'll gain an extra bedroom, living room, dining room, and full kitchen. You will have to rent a car, but even then you will come out way ahead in price. Your travel times to all the parks will on average be much shorter with the car than staying at WL. It is next door to CBR, so it is right there and driving is so much more enjoyable than waiting for a bus. Getting to Magic Kingdom is the only downside, but even then that is still faster than on average than any other resort without direct access.

This might be the perfect compromise in luxury and thrift.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I am a frugal type but if I had a DH who worked hard to provide for my family and agreed to go to Disney even though he doesn't like it, I would do everything in my power to make sure he got the one thing he wanted out of it.

If you really couldn't afford it, that would be one thing but to completely ignore what your husband wants just to be frugal is wrong IMO.

 

[SaraJayne]

I am a frugal type but if I had a DH who worked hard to provide for my family and agreed to go to Disney even though he doesn't like it, I would do everything in my power to make sure he got the one thing he wanted out of it.

If you really couldn't afford it, that would be one thing but to completely ignore what your husband wants just to be frugal is wrong IMO.

I agree with this. DH is not a Disney lover, so this next trip, we'll be spending less time in the parks and more time doing other non-park stuff...places he would like to eat/drink, things he'd like to see etc.

It's his vacation, too.

 

[Tiger926]

I am a frugal type but if I had a DH who worked hard to provide for my family and agreed to go to Disney even though he doesn't like it, I would do everything in my power to make sure he got the one thing he wanted out of it.

If you really couldn't afford it, that would be one thing but to completely ignore what your husband wants just to be frugal is wrong IMO.

I guess I disagree...there are other resorts that may be just as good for him, or better, so she is doing good by by considering all options. I would do the same thing, and I guess it depends upon how reasonable the spouse is, but my husband would have no issues with it. Saving money wins out for us most of the time, but in this case for sure, as there are other hotel cheaper options available that may be better, or provide a more comparable experience as WL.

I am also confused about the providing for the family comment - is this just in reference to working outside of the home? I am the majority breadwinner, and I would never ask for a hotel that costs that much more, but I am also the frugal one over here too. This comment confused me, since I am sure they are both providing for their family...

I agree with this. DH is not a Disney lover, so this next trip, we'll be spending less time in the parks and more time doing other non-park stuff...places he would like to eat/drink, things he'd like to see etc.

It's his vacation, too.

I agree with this, but it sounds like you are talking about doing other stuff, such as recreation, food, etc. and not necessarily spending $900.00 more on a hotel.

It will be interesting to see what the OP decides!

Tiger

 

[mdsoccermom]

I guess I disagree...there are other resorts that may be just as good for him, or better, so she is doing good by by considering all options. I would do the same thing, and I guess it depends upon how reasonable the spouse is, but my husband would have no issues with it. Saving money wins out for us most of the time, but in this case for sure, as there are other hotel cheaper options available that may be better, or provide a more comparable experience as WL.

I am also confused about the providing for the family comment - is this just in reference to working outside of the home? I am the majority breadwinner, and I would never ask for a hotel that costs that much more, but I am also the frugal one over here too. This comment confused me, since I am sure they are both providing for their family...

I agree with this, but it sounds like you are talking about doing other stuff, such as recreation, food, etc. and not necessarily spending $900.00 more on a hotel.

It will be interesting to see what the OP decides!

Tiger

But, if they can afford it, why can't he have the one thing he's asking for on a vacation that he's really not into? Why should he have to settle?

I don't know what's confusing about the comment about providing for the family. No matter how you want to look at it, he is the one bringing in the money. Yes, they both provide for the family, but the money comes from him and he should have a say as to how it's spent on vacation, especially if they can afford it. If they absolutely cannot afford it, that's a whole other story.

He doesn't like Disney, but is consenting to go anyway. She should throw him a bone and let him stay at the place that he would like.

 

[Tiger926]

But, if they can afford it, why can't he have the one thing he's asking for on a vacation that he's really not into? Why should he have to settle?

I don't know what's confusing about the comment about providing for the family. No matter how you want to look at it, he is the one bringing in the money. Yes, they both provide for the family, but the money comes from him and he should have a say as to how it's spent on vacation, especially if they can afford it. If they absolutely cannot afford it, that's a whole other story.

He doesn't like Disney, but is consenting to go anyway. She should throw him a bone and let him stay at the place that he would like.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Wages have nothing to do with it, as far as I'm concerned. I make between $25,000 - $30,000 more than my husband (depends upon his bonus), and I don't ask, nor demand stuff just because I make more. I really don't understand that...

There are lots of things that we have to do, that we might not like, and that's the way life is...

It will be interesting to see what they decide, Tiger

 

[mdsoccermom]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Wages have nothing to do with it, as far as I'm concerned. I make between $25,000 - $30,000 more than my husband (depends upon his bonus), and I don't ask, nor demand stuff just because I make more. I really don't understand that...

There are lots of things that we have to do, that we might not like, and that's the way life is...

It will be interesting to see what they decide, Tiger

Is the OPs husband demanding stuff? Is he refusing to go if he can't stay at WL? I see no demands here. I see someone who wants to stay at a particular resort and his wife not wanting to do it.

Yes, there are lots of things that we have to do in life that we may not like. And may include accommodating someone in the hotel of their choice at a vacation destination they don't even like.

 

[okeydokey]

I am a frugal type but if I had a DH who worked hard to provide for my family and agreed to go to Disney even though he doesn't like it, I would do everything in my power to make sure he got the one thing he wanted out of it.

If you really couldn't afford it, that would be one thing but to completely ignore what your husband wants just to be frugal is wrong IMO.

Absolutely. I say let hubby have his stay at AKL!

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

The husband isn't demanding anything, he just asked for one thing that would make an otherwise unideal vacation better for him. I don't think he is asking for too much and I find it sad that the OP doesn't want to do this for him even though they can afford it.

 

[Tiger926]

Why think of demand in such a hostile manner? Maybe he's not kicking and screaming about it, but it sounds like it is an issue if OP is considering it, despite it being much more expensive than she planned. So I don't want to make any negative assumptions about the OP's husband, but through her posts, it sounds like he doesn't care for Disney. Who is to say that staying at WL will make him love Disney?

I think it's sad that some people are judging the OP in a negative way because she wants to save $900.00. I can understand that sentiment if she was considering cancelling the vacation altogether, but she is only comparing different WDW resorts - they are still going, and will probably have a fine time, wherever they stay, or, since hubby doesn't care for Disney, it might not matter where they stay? So, why not save $900.00 or $300.00 if they decide on AKL?

I don't know how many times they've been to WDW, and how much her hubby even knows about WL, only she knows that. But if he has just seen it 1x and then decided that he may want to stay there, I don't think that she needs to indulge him on that, and if she doesn't, she is certainly not a bad wife. Goodness gracious...that is a very harsh judgment.

Tiger

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

It is the fact he doesn't want to go to Disney that makes me think where they stay does matter. This is not a vacation he enjoys but he is willing to go to make his family happy. He thinks staying at the WL will make the vacation better but the OP doesn't want to make him happy over $900.

If that $900 would break them financially then I can see the OP worrying about it but it doesn't sound like they can't afford it.

The husband has already compromised by agreeing to the trip, even though he doesn't like it. The OP should compromise over their accommodations.

 

[disneymom3]

But, if they can afford it, why can't he have the one thing he's asking for on a vacation that he's really not into? Why should he have to settle?

I don't know what's confusing about the comment about providing for the family. No matter how you want to look at it, he is the one bringing in the money. Yes, they both provide for the family, but the money comes from him and he should have a say as to how it's spent on vacation, especially if they can afford it. If they absolutely cannot afford it, that's a whole other story.

He doesn't like Disney, but is consenting to go anyway. She should throw him a bone and let him stay at the place that he would like.

I don't think soccer mom is saying that he makes the money so he should get to decide, but he should at least be able to make some of the choices. I would imagine that if they stay at WL and work in some resort time, the husband might feel differently about a Disney vacation.

 

[sweetdana]

I personally think both FQ and POR are much nicer, better location, better food choice, closer to DTD than AK. I would never pay more for AK, infact I would pay the 600$ to stay at either of these over AK.

I would say I would have a hard time, if I was the one always saving to indulge the extra. It would depend if he ever wants upgrades, or is this is the only 1. If usually you make all the rules/upgrades, and you can afford it 100% I would. If he is always upgrading while your cutting back.. nope.

 

[punkin]

It is the fact he doesn't want to go to Disney that makes me think where they stay does matter. This is not a vacation he enjoys but he is willing to go to make his family happy. He thinks staying at the WL will make the vacation better but the OP doesn't want to make him happy over $900.

If that $900 would break them financially then I can see the OP worrying about it but it doesn't sound like they can't afford it.

The husband has already compromised by agreeing to the trip, even though he doesn't like it. The OP should compromise over their accommodations.

To some people $900 is an enormous amount of money. Why accuse OP of not wanting to make her DH happy? I think just the opposite. She is considering spending an extra $900 just to make him happy.

My DH is much less frugal than I am so I can sympathize.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Like I said...if the $900 would be a financial hardship then I could understand the OP's stance....but it doesn't sound like this is the case.

The guy has asked for one thing. If my husband asked for one thing and we could afford it, there would be no thinking involved, it would be done.

I am a very frugal person (at least when it comes to my vacations) but sometimes you can take frugal too far and I think that is what the OP is doing.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I don't think soccer mom is saying that he makes the money so he should get to decide, but he should at least be able to make some of the choices. I would imagine that if they stay at WL and work in some resort time, the husband might feel differently about a Disney vacation.

Exactly. He should have a say in the trip as it's his vacation, too AND he is the one providing the funding for it. If the one thing he wants is WL, and it's not going to break the budget, then they should go for it. It may make a world of difference in how he feels about Disney.

I think it's quite gracious of him to even consider Disney considering they went there on the last family vacation.

Like I said...if the $900 would be a financial hardship then I could understand the OP's stance....but it doesn't sound like this is the case.

The guy has asked for one thing. If my husband asked for one thing and we could afford it, there would be no thinking involved, it would be done.

I am a very frugal person (at least when it comes to my vacations) but sometimes you can take frugal too far and I think that is what the OP is doing.

I totally agree with this. Yes, if it was a financial hardship, it would be different. I understand that. But that doesn't seem to be the case.