Go cheap & short this year or...

[KATIESMOMMY]

wait till next and be able to stay deluxe and longer?

Heres my situation. We already have a tripped planned for Dec of this year, room only ressie at the Pop Dec 8-13.Now we are going to have to go really really cheap, no extras, drive down.We had alot of money going out this year paying for all the medical bills from my youngest preterm birth and NICU stay which we will finally be paying off soon.

I also have thought about going in May, but again, would have to be short this time because its my DH busy time at work and taking off anytime Jan-June is difficult for him.

I dont want to do summer, just too hot.

BUT, we were discussing, if I agree to wait to go till Dec 2008, DH says I can have the tax check, we forgo our summer vacation that usually runs us around $1000 and I can stay at a Deluxe resort and stay 10 days instead of 6 By then our youngest will be 2.5 not 1.5 and our oldest will be 4.5 and her new special preschool may have made some progress helping us to adjust to her autism.It also gives me more time to save up for extras.

Last Dec was our first ever trip, I won it from McDonalds and we stayed at the Poly for 4 days then switched over to Pop for an addl 4 on our own dime. Pop was nice, but...I fell in love with the Poly and the proximity to MK and all.

SO would you hold out for a year to get a longer/deluxe vacation or would you go ahead and go in Dec this year just to get a fix in? Will it seem just as nice at the Poly as it did the first time, or is it just ok after your first trip? Does staying deluxe really make that much of a difference?

 

[faindrops27]

I would say yes, if your husband feels comfortable about it. Plus it will be easier it seems for you, and your family. Think about it.. 10 days in a deluxe, everyone adjusted. Hand's down yes! JMHO

 

[Gus]

I'd wait. It sounds like you've had some tough breaks, and the super vacation would be much more comfortable than than the tight, worrying about every dime trip.

With two small kids, the Poly will be much more convenient. Being able to take the monorail to MK and Epcot is one of the biggest reasons we're staying there (with two 1 1/12 yo in our group) in September.

 

[hotwheels]

my opinion would be to wait . the kids will be older and able to enjoy it /remember it more. but if you put it off are you sure you'll get to go? lots can happen in a year. a few days might be better then no days.

 

[dclfun]

I remember our early vacations with my four kids, esp. the one with my youngest under 2 y.o. I was worn out from carrying him through all the queue lines and trying to watch the others who were also young. My husband and I had thought what a great trip it would be but the kids were whiny and didn't quite get the "magic". Unless you really need the Disney fix, I'd wait til your youngest is 2 1/2- while you still might need to carry your youngest at times in the queue lines, he/she might be old enough to do a bit more on their own. Of course you never know what curve balls life will throw you for next year's plans. Do you do best with shorter vacations or does the appeal of 10 nights at a deluxe outweigh the idea of a few breaks inbetween? See, I'm waffling....----Kathy

 

[Dorisk3]

I'm in favor of waiting too. I think it gives your kids another year of maturity- and will hopefully make things easier on you and your husband. Also, you can stay longer and stay somewhere that you really love. Not to be too cliche here, but time does go fast- and before you know it you'll be preparing for next year's really special trip!

 

[grannyminnie]

Add me to the "wait" list!

 

[Doc CW]

Wait and stay longer, I know waiting will be hard, but it will be well worth it when you can go to a deluxe besides, you'll be there longer so I would definitely wait.

Good luck with your choice

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I would do the cheap and short and get more trips in.

Thats just us we can stay anywhere as long as it's on-sight. 2 6 day trips are 2 more days then 1 10 day trip and a lot sooner as well.

Also look into renting some points from a DVC member you can cut expenses there for the Home Away from Home resorts as well.

 

[disneyfan67]

I would recommend waiting and saving so you can stay at a deluxe. I just returned from a 7 night stay at the Poly last night and while I enjoyed the parks, it was the resort and the atmosphere that made my vacation. That was my 5th trip to DW and I have to say something that might not sit well with some folks. The parks need some updating and newer rides, especially MK and MGM. I enjoyed my visits to them, but noticed room for improvement and the glaring need of updating some. I could never see myself craming my family into a smaller resort like Pop, in order to visit the parks. Don't get me wrong, I really love DW and MK holds a special place in my heart, but I see no change in any of the rides. DW needs to build new attractions in their existing parks and update current rides they already have. After doing all the parks this past 7 days and riding just about everything in sight multiple times, I'm going to take a different approach to visiting DW.

My wife and I have decided on this trip that we will always stay at the Poly and will make the trip shorter if we have to, in order to do it more often. If the parks aren't going to change much and they haven't, why not enjoy the beauty and atmosphere of a deluxe resort like the Poly? You can visit the parks on a easy to do schedule to see your personal favorites, but still take the time to swim in a beautiful pool and relax by it. Next year I'm going to do a 3 night/4 day stay at the Poly instead and not theme park hop to much. I'm going to make the Poly the central point of my vacation and take it from there. The parks will always be there and if you're not a theme park commando, why not take time to just slow down and smell the proverbial flowers? Just my opinion and not intended to offend anyone.

 

[NancyIL]

It sounds like you want to wait - so do what's best for you. However, if it were me - I THRIVE on my WDW trips. I prefer more frequent, short, and cheap trips to less frequent, long, and expensive ones.

 

[traci]

I would *personally* wait, stay in a deluxe FOR 10 MAGIC DAYS, and plan like crazy until then!! You have so much to look forward to either way

Happy Travels!

 

[tinkerrn]

I would wait and stay in the deluxe for a longer stay. If you stay at the Poly, you will have the monorail and quick access to MK. This would be VERY helpfull for those naps and breaks from the parks. You will have a much longer time to plan ahead, especially if you go in Dec.! Think MVMCP! The kids will be a little older, the weather not so HOT, and hubby sounds more inclined to go then. The shorter trips are great if you go very often, but if hubby is willing to go 10 nights in a deluxe that would be your best bet.

I am in a similar situation, debating on going this winter (Nov., Dec., or Jan.) staying at POP for a 4 night stay or waiting till next fall (Sept., Nov., or Dec) and really going all out. I'd love to have a split stay at the YC and GF, playing golf, going to the spa, MVMCP, and soooo many other magical things to see and do. Its hard, just have to have patience!

 

[raven69david]

I'm going against the majority and say take your trip this December for MVMCP. I'd take two cheap trips instead of one fancy trip. Time spent at WDW parks is what it's all about. The hotel stay is only part of the experience, albeit a very pleasant one indeed, which really adds to the magic of the trip. To me, staying in ANY Disney hotel makes the trip that much more magical. If you can only afford POP, then you go with what you're comfortable with. There's no rule that says staying at a Deluxe resort makes your trip more enjoyable as Value's are just as enjoyable to kids. They're so ecstatic about being at Disney that they won't care where they are. The resort issue is mainly for the adults to deal with and after reading the boards at how wonderful Deluxe's are, there's nothing less magical about staying at a Value resort.

After you get back from this trip, start planning within a few months and make a reservation for next December. This way you'll have about 10-12 months to payoff the trip. This is what we do and it works out fantastic. Our AKL trip in December is already paid off which leaves us the remaining months to add to the trip fund.

Whatever you decide, you're trip will be awesome and the kids will definetly love it. My DD2 (almost 3) has gone twice and she's enjoyed both trips. They're never too young to enjoy WDW. Our pediatrician told us that it would be ok to take her at 1 as she'd remember everything surrounding her at a subconcsious level. She'd recall those memories as she'd get older and assimilate the surrounding sounds with something familiar to her. Both trips she's never cried and has given me nothing but the biggest ear-to-ear smile watching her enjoy herself looking at the shows and characters in awe.

 

[tinkerrn]

After, re-reading your post, I definatly think the Dec. 2008 trip would be a better idea.This way your daughter will be better prepared for the trip, you will be closer to the resort for those much needed breaks, and you can space out the time spent in the parks ( you will have 10 days!!!).

If you have not already go to the disabilities board (sp?) thay have so much information about autism and trips to WDW. I am a nurse and am working with our hospital on educating staff on PDD. I have been able to get REAL information that clinical websites just lack. It is just amazing the info that they have on the board! Good luck and happy planning!

 

[mickeysaver]

I would hold off and go next year in December. I love WDW at the holidays and to be able to spend 10 days in a deluxe is just about perfect with little ones. Maggie

 

[HA_Mom]

If I knew for sure that I would be able to have two trips. I would buy an AP for the first one and schedule the second one for just a little less than a year later. That way even if I had to stay cheap the first time, I would not have the ticket expense the second time and could upgrade to a mod or deluxe.

Wish I had done that last November. We went at Thanksgiving. We are going early November this year (totally unexpected that my DH said yes). If we had bought AP's last year, we wouldn't have to buy tix this year.

Oh well. I'm just thrilled to be going again.

 

[G8r4evr]

Lots can happen in a year...I would go this year and who knows, good things could happen and you may end up being able to go again next year too =)

But then again, Im not more impatient person, EVER.

 

[ldo]

I would definitely wait until next year, esp. with a 1.5 yr old. I have stayed in Deluxes and Values, on and off-site. Really, I would not spend the extra $ for a Deluxe if $ was at all a concern. You might not be at the Ritz, but your kids will never know and will love Pop, etc. I have never had a "better" vacation b/c I was at a Deluxe vs. another place.
Also, you could put the $ you save aside for an emergency household fund (for possible other expenses, a special camp for your child later, etc.). Or, you could put that $ in a mutual fund and start saving towards your next Disney trip for a few year later and then have a Big start towards it---b/c you WILL get hooked on the Mouse.
That's just me--but I am a very pragmatic person (with twin 29 weekers---52 days NICU). Good luck and best wishes!

 

[bab31]

I would wait- I would love it if I could get DH on a 10 day vacation- I was absolutely shocked that I got him to go in January and it took alot of pleading for the seventh day! Me- I like vacations!

Also- staying at the poly you have the convenience of the monorail. If you have the $$ - I would. I know the above poster suggested the values- but I have to say when I was waiting for my bus for CSR, I looked at the lines for the values and thought- I am so glad I am not waiting there. And I didnt have any children to be carting around-