Help! I can't decide! Which vacation option would you choose? update page 3, dec 1st

[mombrontrent]

Our next Disney vacation is being planned for next year 2018. This trip will include me, Dh, Dd12, Dd16 and her 16 year old boyfriend (permitting they are still dating of course, it's been almost two years so far). My Dh has to put in for his 2018 time off in November so we have to decide fairly soon on when we want to go and we have found two great options that we keep going back and forth over. We have never gone at either time always going in January or April/May so either trip would be a new experience for us.

Option 1:
We have a campsite booked for Fort Wilderness Halloween week. We would drive down from Canada, a long 24 hour drive with our travel trailer. I think it would be awesome to experience the fort for Halloween. Weather would most likely be better for swimming, we would save some money by driving but would essentially lose two vacation days due to the drive. We would like a longer trip but we don't want to take the kids out of school for more then a week. Also by staying here we would get all the benefits of staying onsite.

Option 2:
Second week of December, fly down and stay in a two bedroom condo at Bonnet Creek. We've stayed here the last two trips and love it there. The space, location and property all wonderful. We could spend 9 nights vs the 7 we have booked for Fort Wilderness as we wouldn't have to waste two extra days driving. I've always wanted to see Disney at Christmas.

We've factored in all the costs of gas, parking, rental car ect. And we will save money by driving but not a hugely significant amount, maybe $500, but will lose vacation time driving, although we do try to fit in a couple cool stops on our travels. Space wise Bonnet creek wins but it's offsite. Halloween vs Christmas decorations? I can't decide!!!! Help!!

 

[pitpat]

Between the drive and all those people in a travel trailer, I'd vote for #2.

 

[SCSteve]

No contest - option 2

 

[Klayfish]

Oh jeez...not even vaguely close...option 2. Just my own taste, but I wouldn't even consider doing option 1 under any circumstance.

 

[mombrontrent]

Between the drive and all those people in a travel trailer, I'd vote for #2.

Thanks, really I'm leaning more towards that option but still undecided. I've asked the kids and they can't decide either! The trailer fits us all comfortably enough and the kids enjoy it for camping but after using it all summer it might be nice to stay in the condo for our Disney trip. My Dh is a truck driver and used to spending long days in the road so for him driving the long distance doesn't bother him. Plus since we have the trailer we are free to drive and stop whenever we please without the bother of finding a hotel.

 

[Sydney2977]

I vote #2 without a doubt! Your family may be fine with the travel trailer, but you will appreciate the extra space in the condo especially since you are adding another kid to the mix. Plus you get extra Disney time! It sounds like you've really done your homework on cost factoring too.

Our next trip is going to involve two extra "kids" which we've never done. I looked and priced different options as well, and the big thing that turned me away from onsite bigger spaces was the lack of two bathrooms. With six people- we need two bathrooms! I really wanted to stay onsite though and finally decided that two adjoining rooms at POR fit in our budget. I'm not sure if you've checked into that or if it would help. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[pitpat]

The extra days on site is also a big plus.

 

[Shellyb84]

Though I cringe at that long of a drive pulling a TT, the Fort would be awesome at Halloween. We went for a week Thanksgiving last year and are doing that again next year. Of course, we are driving from Atlanta so it's not so bad, but even that long of a drive with the TT stresses me to the max. It was worth it though. I want to go Halloween sometime in the future.

 

[mombrontrent]

I vote #2 without a doubt! Your family may be fine with the travel trailer, but you will appreciate the extra space in the condo especially since you are adding another kid to the mix. Plus you get extra Disney time! It sounds like you've really done your homework on cost factoring too.

Our next trip is going to involve two extra "kids" which we've never done. I looked and priced different options as well, and the big thing that turned me away from onsite bigger spaces was the lack of two bathrooms. With six people- we need two bathrooms! I really wanted to stay onsite though and finally decided that two adjoining rooms at POR fit in our budget. I'm not sure if you've checked into that or if it would help. Good luck with whatever you decide!

We have actually got two adjoining rooms at Pop before and that worked out great when our kids were younger as often I would take one back for a nap or one of would stay out later then the other with the older kid or kids so having the Disney transportation worked out well. Then when the kids got older he discovered Bonnet Creek and it's amazing! The space is wonderful.

This summer we took a vacation to Montreal that included all the kids mentioned above plus our 18 year old son and stayed in a 4 bedroom, 2 bath condo and it was awesome. We also took trips with all of us in the trailer and it works out fine for camping but not sure if I'm willing to do Disney that way. So much to consider, I'm leaning towards Bonnet Creek but with have a discussion with all trip participants again this weekend.

Side note, but can you believe this is the second Disney trip my oldest is declining on attending. Crazy kid!

 

[mombrontrent]

Though I cringe at that long of a drive pulling a TT, the Fort would be awesome at Halloween. We went for a week Thanksgiving last year and are doing that again next year. Of course, we are driving from Atlanta so it's not so bad, but even that long of a drive with the TT stresses me to the max. It was worth it though. I want to go Halloween sometime in the future.

That's the thing, Halloween at the fort sounds like so much fun! Plus the kids would have more freedom to do their own thing and come and go as the please on Disney transportaion. Pulling the TT is no big deal for us, my Dh is a truck driver and regularly pulls two connecting trailers so he's used to it.

 

[HappyHaunts999]

Check the timing. If you go the end of Oct into November, MK will change from Halloween to Christmas. I don't know if you planned on going to the parties but you can do the last Halloween one and the first Christmas one in the same trip.

 

[mom2rtk]

Check the timing. If you go the end of Oct into November, MK will change from Halloween to Christmas. I don't know if you planned on going to the parties but you can do the last Halloween one and the first Christmas one in the same trip.

You can't do that and stick with kids only missing a week of school.

 

[mom2rtk]

You'd have to sedate me to get me into a trailer for a 24 hour drive. Plus, sleeping in close quarters with my child's boyfriend wouldn't appeal to me in the least.

You're right though that the offsite option comes with its own issues. Being held hostage each day to when you can get teens up and out the door would drive me crazy.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I'd ditch the boyfriend so we could fit into a value room that holds four. Otherwise option 2.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Option 2 for me minus the boyfriend. Where is he going to sleep? What bathroom will he use? Being in a trailer with two horny teenagers is not my idea of a good time. Nor is a nice condo.

 

[mombrontrent]

I'd ditch the boyfriend so we could fit into a value room that holds four. Otherwise option 2.

Even when we went in January and with just the four of us we stayed in the two bedroom condo at Bonnet creek.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Option #2

 

[mombrontrent]

Option 2 for me minus the boyfriend. Where is he going to sleep? What bathroom will he use? Being in a trailer with two horny teenagers is not my idea of a good time. Nor is a nice condo.

He would use the same bathroom as the rest of us or the one at the comfort station, why does the bathroom situation matter at all? We've all slept in the trailer before, yes it can be tight but it's doable. It says it sleeps eight but realistically it sleeps six comfortably. I've taken this boy on vacation more then once before and slept in hotel rooms and the trailer with him, no big deal, he gets along great with our family.

 

[melissapealo]

I know you said you went to Bonnet Creek for the extra room but you also said that would hinder the kids ability to come and go more freely. Why not look into 2 value rooms just for this trip. I can't see that being anymore cramped than a travel trailer would be. If that isn't an option I would choose option 2. If it were me I'd choose Christmas over Halloween anyway. I think it's a little more magical.
I do not agree with others saying to ditch the boyfriend. We've done Disney as well as other vacations with my oldest son's girlfriend when they were those ages. They were some of the best vacations we've had.

Option 2 for me minus the boyfriend. Where is he going to sleep? What bathroom will he use? Being in a trailer with two horny teenagers is not my idea of a good time. Nor is a nice condo.

Just curious why you think the boyfriend would need a separate bathroom??? Doesn't make any sense to me at all.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Option 2 all the way. I'm not a big Halloween person. It does nothing for me. But I'm HUGE on Christmas.

I would personally do two rooms at a value over both of those choices.