Had to change plans, can't decide

[lovepurple]

My family had a trip booked for 10-15 to 10-21 at FW Cabins. It was going to be Me, DH, DS21, DD19, DD14, and DS5. But life happens sometimes and the two older kids can't go, I'm going to have to have surgery so that is a hit to our budget and I can't take as much time away from work. So now Me, DH, DD14 and DS5 are going to Orlando on 10-16 to 10-19. DD14 will turn 15 on 10-17 and this is how she wants to celebrate her birthday. I had to cancel the cabins and have booked Pop, but I also booked Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista because they were running a special of $29/night. Our plans are one day at Disney(park of daughter's choice for her birthday) on Saturday. On Sunday night DH and DD will go to Universal Studios Halloween Horror nights for which they already have the non-refundable tickets. We also have one ticket that won't get used because of DD19 not going. Me and DS want to go to MNSSHP but I can't decide if I want to spend that money. The benefit of staying at the Pop would be transportation since we will be splitting up on Sunday night. DH would take car to Universal. But I could save even more money by staying at Comfort Inn. But how would I get to MNSSHP? I've stayed at Pop before and the Comfort Inn has bigger rooms with more comfortable beds. But my DS loves Pop and Hubby and DD haven't been there before. I wish I could have gotten a mod at the 28% off rate. I would be happy with that but there is nothing available. So what would you do? Stay at Comfort Inn for $29/night and find another way to party or not go to party, or stay at Pop for $74/night? The difference is only $150. That wouldn't have seemed like a lot a few weeks ago but now it does for some reason.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Is this the Comfort Inn in Lake Buena Vista? Doesn't it have a complimentary shuttle service to the Disney parks? If so, I would choose this resort and get the MNSSHP tickets for you and your DS. Let your DH & DD go to Universal with the car. You and your DS can take the shuttle to WDW for the party. If the shuttle stops running before the party is over, you can take a cab back to the hotel.

Looks like you're handling the curve life has thrown you well. I hope that things improve for you.

 

[swilshire]

Just wanted to tell you I feel your pain. I tried for a few years to work around my two oldest kids (now 23 and 21) and finally gave up. I plan our trips and if they can come, fine. If not, OK too.

The only problem is that we sometimes wind up with bigger units than we really need. I reserved a 4-br unit for December thinking the extended family might need the space and now it may only be four or five of us. I'm sure we'll feel a little lost having so much space. Once we wound up with a 3br for four of us and my youngest turned one of the bedrooms into his playroom for the week. Another time we had a 3br for the four (and one of the bedrooms was HUGE) so nothing but luggage occupied the third bedroom all week.

Sheila

 

[lovepurple]

Is this the Comfort Inn in Lake Buena Vista? Doesn't it have a complimentary shuttle service to the Disney parks? If so, I would choose this resort and get the MNSSHP tickets for you and your DS. Let your DH & DD go to Universal with the car. You and your DS can take the shuttle to WDW for the party. If the shuttle stops running before the party is over, you can take a cab back to the hotel.

Looks like you're handling the curve life has thrown you well. I hope that things improve for you.

It is the Comfort Inn LBV. I checked their website for the shuttle times and it doesn't look they work for the MNSSHP. I need to call and ask them about that. The only time I have ever been in a taxi was once in San Francisco and it was a terrifying experience. So I didn't really think about that option, but I suppose I could do that. I think my biggest problem is getting over the disappointment of not having the original trip I planned and I almost want to not go at all. But I promised DD for her birthday.

 

[lovepurple]

Just wanted to tell you I feel your pain. I tried for a few years to work around my two oldest kids (now 23 and 21) and finally gave up. I plan our trips and if they can come, fine. If not, OK too.

The only problem is that we sometimes wind up with bigger units than we really need. I reserved a 4-br unit for December thinking the extended family might need the space and now it may only be four or five of us. I'm sure we'll feel a little lost having so much space. Once we wound up with a 3br for four of us and my youngest turned one of the bedrooms into his playroom for the week. Another time we had a 3br for the four (and one of the bedrooms was HUGE) so nothing but luggage occupied the third bedroom all week.

Sheila

We don't need as much space since the two older ones aren't going, and I also think I would feel guilty if we spend too much like a full blown vacation instead of just a birthday weekend celebration. I know I need to get over that because they are at an age where they will be living their own lives and won't go on all vacations with us. And they went on vacations with us before the other two were born so I suppose it's not really all that unfair.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

It is the Comfort Inn LBV. I checked their website for the shuttle times and it doesn't look they work for the MNSSHP. I need to call and ask them about that. The only time I have ever been in a taxi was once in San Francisco and it was a terrifying experience. So I didn't really think about that option, but I suppose I could do that. I think my biggest problem is getting over the disappointment of not having the original trip I planned and I almost want to not go at all. But I promised DD for her birthday.

I checked the website. Their shuttles run 7a-7p. You can get into the park as early as 4pm with your MNSSHP ticket. You could even head over earlier than that and visit the monorail resorts to just take a look around or get a snack. A taxi back to your resort should run about $20. Orlando taxis are no where near as scary as some of the ones in major cities.

I know that it's hard to let go of your plans but it sounds like you should be able to make this a fun trip for the 4 of you.

 

[englishteacha]

If it were me I'd totally go with the Comfort Inn, hands down. Take the shuttle or a taxi if you need to, or have your DH drop you and your son off before they head over to Universal, then shuttle or taxi your way back. It's not worth $50 extra a night to me to stay onsite. You won't spend that much on one taxi ride, and think of all you'll save!

 

[horseshowmom]

I agree with Comfort Inn and letting your husband drop you off. As another poster said, you can actually go in at 4 with your ticket so that's extra play time. Just take a cab back (it really will okay ).

Also, I would sell the extra Universal HHN ticket on ebay (just a thought).