Heeeeelp!

[WDW Princess]

Ok guys... I desperately need help making a decision. I can't ask DH for his opinion since it's actually for his B-day. It's a very special B-day also because he is leaving military soon (too many injuries) and is very emotional about it as it has been his life since he was 18 y.o.. So I want to make it an absolutely unforgettable experience for him and to remind him that 100% civilian life is not so bad. It's hard to do as I frequently "drag" him to mini-vacations and make sure he enjoys little luxuries here and there. It'll be hard to surprise him.

Anyway. This was a preamble. Originally, I booked 3 nights at RPR. I "tested the waters" and mentioned that we should go to US sometime soon and stay onsite again. DH briefly mentioned that he would actually enjoy trying out Portofino since we've stayed at RPR soooo many times. After much deliberation, I switched to Portofino, which the total with taxes (FL resident rate) is about 621$. I really did not have peace about it since I'd like to enjoy walking around the resort leisurely, taking gondola rides, eating outside.... when it's a bit cooler - much more romantic when you don't melt We are going at the end of September. We like RPR pool better as well... But I thought, hey, it's my DH's b-day, it's all about him. Well, now I am looking at the website and for 50$ more, we can stay 4 night at RPR, rather then 3 at PBH, AND get 2-day universal tickets. We are not doing Universal (discovery cove, SW and much needed hanging out by the pool doing absolutely nothing), but I confirmed that as long as we do not use it, we can use them the next trip.

I don't know what to do!!! 2008 rates are quite higher and I would like to go a couple of times to all of the resorts this year. We were planning on going back again in November, but may cancel this since the very next month is my b-day and christmas + we go to Europe to visit my parents twice a year (it gets to be expensive). So I thought may be we can do a split stay at PBH (to make sure we experience it while the rates are low ) and HRH on my b-day/christmas weekend AND use the free tickets (thus keeping the cost down for another vacation but still experiencing PBH). Sorry I am rambling and it's so long.. What would YOU do? I need thoughts!!!! PLEEEEASE!

 

[cbdmhgp]

Ok guys... I desperately need help making a decision. I can't ask DH for his opinion since it's actually for his B-day. It's a very special B-day also because he is leaving military soon (too many injuries) and is very emotional about it as it has been his life since he was 18 y.o.. So I want to make it an absolutely unforgettable experience for him and to remind him that 100% civilian life is not so bad. It's hard to do as I frequently "drag" him to mini-vacations and make sure he enjoys little luxuries here and there. It'll be hard to surprise him.

Anyway. This was a preamble. Originally, I booked 3 nights at RPR. I "tested the waters" and mentioned that we should go to US sometime soon and stay onsite again. DH briefly mentioned that he would actually enjoy trying out Portofino since we've stayed at RPR soooo many times. After much deliberation, I switched to Portofino, which the total with taxes (FL resident rate) is about 621$. I really did not have peace about it since I'd like to enjoy walking around the resort leisurely, taking gondola rides, eating outside.... when it's a bit cooler - much more romantic when you don't melt We are going at the end of September. We like RPR pool better as well... But I thought, hey, it's my DH's b-day, it's all about him. Well, now I am looking at the website and for 50$ more, we can stay 4 night at RPR, rather then 3 at PBH, AND get 2-day universal tickets. We are not doing Universal (discovery cove, SW and much needed hanging out by the pool doing absolutely nothing), but I confirmed that as long as we do not use it, we can use them the next trip.

I don't know what to do!!! 2008 rates are quite higher and I would like to go a couple of times to all of the resorts this year. We were planning on going back again in November, but may cancel this since the very next month is my b-day and christmas + we go to Europe to visit my parents twice a year (it gets to be expensive). So I thought may be we can do a split stay at PBH (to make sure we experience it while the rates are low ) and HRH on my b-day/christmas weekend AND use the free tickets (thus keeping the cost down for another vacation but still experiencing PBH). Sorry I am rambling and it's so long.. What would YOU do? I need thoughts!!!! PLEEEEASE!

Well if you want romantic type stuff PBH is the way to go. But if you like relaxation, and paradise, then do RPR. My hubby would like to do RPR again and again, rather tahn trying a hotel that we have never done before. we don't really like PBH but you may like it. I like the deal that RPR has going on. RPR is our favorite hotel, so if I were y'll I would do RPR

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I think since you specifically mentioned a trip back and your husband said he wanted to try PBH that you should stick to that plan. Next time you can always go back to where you have already been. PBH is very romantic although they dont have any gondola rides. Its a gorgeous resort with beautiful rooms and lots of food options as well a pools.

 

[WDW Princess]

Thanks so much for your input, guys! I think once I started thinking about it and put emotions aside, it's becoming a little more clear what to choose. DH came over to my work to have lunch with me and I nonchalantly asked him what he'd like to do for Christmas. He looked at PBH rooms and did not care for them but said it'd be nice to walk around the resort for a day or so but RPR is still his favorite.

You see, I don't want to break 700$ for the resort since this birthday altogether is going to be almost 3K, including gifts of course (for some, it's probably a drop in the bucket but it's a decent amount of money to us). So if I can get an extra day in for only 50$ more and it's still his favorite resort, hey, why not? Besides, we can use the free tickets for December vacation and stay at PBH for a night or two and then stay at HRH..... Does this make sense? The highlight of the trip, hopefully, will be a day at Discovery Cove (got a b-day package for him; yes, cheesy but a macho military man needs to be spoiled once in a while too, right?). Also, DH had an SF military ring, that he lost, and for one of his gifts I am getting it replaced and will give it to him when DC staff brings out a b-day cake. The ring part is off top, sorry. I am just soo exited to surprise DH.

PBH does seem to be more romantic and this part is still makes me wonder if I am not making a mistake. But you know what, romance can be found anywhere, as long as I am with my best buddy (aka DH ) and I think he'd get a kick out of "tropical R&R". Does my plan make sense? Comments are very much appreciated. I get so caught up in details and it's nice to get some feedback on big picture, so to speak. Thanks again!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Sounds like a great plan! The resorts will all be there so you can plan a trip in the future. Have a romantic meal at Trattoria del Porto on the Piazza one night to get a feel for PBH! That was very nice to replace his ring. Sounds like a wonderful B-Day celebration!

 

[cbdmhgp]

sounds great!!!

 

[mouseplanner]

I can sense your excitement about this trip!! I think that wherever you choose to go you and your hubby will have a great time!

 

[WDW Princess]

Yay! Sounds good to me too RPR here we come ! Thanks again, guys!

 

[WDW Princess]

That was very nice to replace his ring. Sounds like a wonderful B-Day celebration!

The original plan was to replace DH's decorations (in his wilder days, he gave them to a nephew and the stupid kid sold them for a couple of $ to another kid...DH never thought he'd want to get married or have a family, young punk that he was ). We still have his SF jacket hanging in the closet and I was going to replace the decorations and put them back on the jacket, but dealing with VA - forget it! DH never talks about decorations or what exactly occurred on a field or how he got them (and I don't pry) so I don't know if medals would bring good or bad memories so replacing a ring is a safer choice anyway. Look at me rambling about totally irrelevant things... It's just my DH is my hero and I am sooo exited about surprising him (mousplanner, how did you know I was exited?? ). Ok, done rambling and off planning. Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.

 

[WDW Princess]

Ok guys, just a quick update. Even after switching back to RPR, I was still unsure whether I did the right thing. Mind you, this was the third time I switched and I was really concerned Loews' reservation line would ban me from calling . Well, after I switched back to RPR, I started looking at pics of PBH (big mistake!) and decided if I can't make up my mind on one of them, we should do both and have a split stay. Hope DH will be ok with the inconvenience of switching to a different resort after 3 days (I added extra 2 days so we have 3 nights at each; instead of a long weekend, it'll be a mini vacation).

Has anyone done a split stay between the Universal Resort? I hate the fact that on the day we check out from RPR and check in to Portofino's, there is somewhat of a gap since check out is at 11am and check in is at 4pm. How do you work around that?

 

[Flyin2MCO]

I think extending a UO trip is always a good thing, even if it means uprooting and moving to a second resort...

Regarding the transition, you could approach it several different ways. You could request late checkout at RPR (I'm assuming you have a Lowe's First #) for 2PM and go right from RPR to PBH...You could also just check out early and stow you luggage with the bell hop at RPR, or even take it over to PBH and stow it there (who knows, they may even be able to accomodate you early). Bottom line is that it's certainly a pain in the neck to move, but you should be able to do it without too much trouble.

 

[WDW Princess]

Flyin2MCO, thanks for the suggestion! It would work out nicely if I could check out late and perhaps check in a little early; however, I've just remembered that Loews First is not applicable when we get FL resident deals. I don't know if I could still request a late check out - I'll confirm.

I did find out that RPR (or PBH) will transfer our stuff for us so we may just go to a park and let them worry about it. I don't know all the details how this occurs, but it would actually work for us if we left RPR in the morning and came back to PBH with our stuff already there. I just need to find out exactly how this works. All that would have been sooo much simpler and easier if I could just make a decision which resort to choose!