Here's A Serious Question

[Anntan]

Disclaimer: IN NO WAY AM I COMPLAINING ABOUT MY PREVIOUS SITUATIONS!

So, As a 16 year old Disney FANATIC I have not been incredibly lucky as to have gone to WDW many times. 4 to be exact. Once before I can remember, once in second grade, once in 2010, and once this past March for 3 days. However, I believe I know the root of that dilemma: 2 out of the 4 times the family has stayed at the Grand Floridian. Once at the Polynesian, and once that I can't remember. Now, DON'T get me wrong! In nooooooo way am I saying I disliked or don't want to stay at GFla! However, it's not cheap. Obviously. And I figure, if we chose somewhere less expensive, maybe we could take a trip more often/for a longer stay.
Here's the thing though: If my parents are gonna do Disney, they're gonna do it in the lap of luxury and with the most convenience for a family of 5.
So My question would be: How can I get them to consider other, less-expensive resorts?
And is there anyone else cursed with the "We stayed at GFla once and now we can never stay anywhere else because it really just doesn't compare" ?

 

[AJ1983]

The only thing you could really do is to suggest to your parents that if you stayed at a cheaper resort, or went at a different time of year, it would be cheaper and you could do more often.

Of course, the likely response from your parents would be "We are paying for the vacation and we will do as we please. Consider yourself lucky to get a dream vacation every few years".

You'll be an adult in 2 years. From there you are free to choose and pay for your own vacation.

Frankly. this should be posted on firstworldproblems.com

 

[lc1965]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of flack, but I advise you to ignore it. You have every right to ask your question & if folks are jealous of your position, scr*w 'em. I'm jealous, too, but I don't blame YOU!

If your folks are set on wasting your college & wedding funds this way, all you can do is find a particular resort you want & ask if, just this once, you can try this place. You'd really like to experience it & you've heard so many things & wouldn't it be nice to experience something new & blahblahblah. Maybe they'll agree to do half & half at 2 resorts as a compromise. In fact, I think your best bet is compromise.

Now, having said that, I once stayed at the 5-star Grosvenor in London because that's where our tour group was staying for a special event. What a glorious waste of money! We overpaid by maybe $1000 for a stunning room we never saw & a bidet we couldn't figure out how to use. Sure enough, when I go to London alone, I stay at a very nice, very reputable, centrally located, high-service hotel that is indescribably less expensive. I spend the extra money on all kinds of things, but NOT lodging.

Having been in customer service for 25 years & being a former travel agent, I like to think my standards are fairly high so I can understand where your parents are coming from. They want a beautiful hotel, centrally located w/ excellent service. They probably also like the cache, which is the only thing I can't really address. Some of the moderate resorts are spectacular & answer everything else. I have stayed at AKL & Poly & found them to be an enormous waste of money - & I was staying at a miniscule fraction of the rack rate. I have also stayed at several moderate resorts & now usually stay at Port Orleans Riverside, which has my highest recommendation.

Riverside is just gorgeous, sprawling - it even smells nice! Every morning, I start by strolling along the river followed by breakfast (my family knows they can find me seated by the water wheel getting my Zen on) & every evening I sit at the bar or even the food court & have a cuppa. Maybe a slice of cake if I've been a good girl! It has a nice reception area, lounge, restaurant, food court. There are so many beautiful things to photograph that I, who have stayed there 6 or 7 times, still take pics. My mother MUST feed the ducks or her day isn't complete. It has 3 or 4 busstops & a boat ride to Downtown Disney - which is one of the lovelier things to do at WDW, btw. Each building has its own theme - I recommend requesting Magnolia Gardens on Magnolia Bend for a good location & pretty landscaping. [I think it has a rose-covered gazebo.] They won't guarantee it, but I've been disappointed in the request only once.

Good luck & congratulations on having a realistic view of money!

 

[nadira36]

A family of 5 only has so many options - two rooms - or deluxe - or suites - or off property. Only one of those would make enough of a difference $ wise to actually make it possible for the average person to save money to take another trip. We, for the time being, can stay in a room for 4 - but even so the difference in cost between staying moderate compared to at the Poly is only $500 - $1000 for 2 weeks. That only covers enough for one person to fly (not even enough for one flight difference for us this year).

PLus feeding a family of 5 on vacation - esp at Disney - is very expensive.

By all means talk to your parents - but first maybe look into what options are available to your family before talking to them - you might be surprised.

Also how does your family travel to get to Disney? Our family has to fly due to distance - but flights are so expensive that they cost as much as a moderate accommodation.

Driving has it's own stresses - and many families might choose to go less often b/c of that stress.

Growing up, my family went to Disney every year we lived out of state - however, we drove, and we stayed off property. My parents also made most of our meals, packed a cooler for during the day, and we only ate at Disney a couple times while we were on vacation. We also only had 3-5 days in the parks each year.

If you really want your parents to consider your idea then I think you need to find out more about how their finances work - it isn't as simple (to many people) as using cheaper accommodations.

 

[Anntan]

The only thing you could really do is to suggest to your parents that if you stayed at a cheaper resort, or went at a different time of year, it would be cheaper and you could do more often.

Of course, the likely response from your parents would be "We are paying for the vacation and we will do as we please. Consider yourself lucky to get a dream vacation every few years".

You'll be an adult in 2 years. From there you are free to choose and pay for your own vacation.

Frankly. this should be posted on firstworldproblems.com

Ahhh I know I feel horrible making it seem like it was a terrible experience that needs to be changed!! I'd be happy staying anywhere, my parents are just a bit Disney spoiled.

 

[Anntan]

A family of 5 only has so many options - two rooms - or deluxe - or suites - or off property. Only one of those would make enough of a difference $ wise to actually make it possible for the average person to save money to take another trip. We, for the time being, can stay in a room for 4 - but even so the difference in cost between staying moderate compared to at the Poly is only $500 - $1000 for 2 weeks. That only covers enough for one person to fly (not even enough for one flight difference for us this year).

PLus feeding a family of 5 on vacation - esp at Disney - is very expensive.

By all means talk to your parents - but first maybe look into what options are available to your family before talking to them - you might be surprised.

Also how does your family travel to get to Disney? Our family has to fly due to distance - but flights are so expensive that they cost as much as a moderate accommodation.

Driving has it's own stresses - and many families might choose to go less often b/c of that stress.

Growing up, my family went to Disney every year we lived out of state - however, we drove, and we stayed off property. My parents also made most of our meals, packed a cooler for during the day, and we only ate at Disney a couple times while we were on vacation. We also only had 3-5 days in the parks each year.

If you really want your parents to consider your idea then I think you need to find out more about how their finances work - it isn't as simple (to many people) as using cheaper accommodations.

I think our biggest hurdle is where we stay when we travel down. The first time I remember going was with another family, then not again until 8 years later, and most recently two years after that. We've never driven down (mainly because of travel distance and the time we save by flying) I'm working on trying to get a solo-drive-down trip within the next year while simultaneously discussing different travel/stay options with my parents. And beyond the money-saving issues, I want them to experience more Disney than just 2 resorts!

 

[jennylyn_b]

Perhaps renting points and staying at a DVC might interest them? They are a home away from home and the resorts are lovely. I'd look into that.


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[DVC~OKW~96]

You've posed your question with great maturity and understanding.

Now, a few hard "facts."

You want your parents to broaden their experience. Your parents clearly don't want to. They may well feel that a shorter vacation in the accommodation that provides them with this level of luxury is HOW they choose to vacation. (As opposed to longer in a less luxurious resort).

They do, of course get to choose for themselves.

You will too, one day. Look at the positive side! Once you are in control of paying for the vacation, and defining the vacation you have so many untried options at WDW! You'll have years of vacations from which to choose!

Take care now and enjoy your parents while you have them. You'll soon be "out there" on your own and making those decisions is far more alluring than the realities of adult responsibility.

 

[Art 1]

Ask them nicely.

 

[AJ1983]

Ahhh I know I feel horrible making it seem like it was a terrible experience that needs to be changed!! I'd be happy staying anywhere, my parents are just a bit Disney spoiled.

I think you're just going to have to suck it up, and wait 2 years to pay for your own. If your parents can afford to take all of you on a luxury vacation, they they clearly work for their money and have the right to decide on the family vacation. I'm sure you'll find way to have cheaper and more frequent trips once YOU get to make the decisions. Plus. how fun will it be to vacation with your friends as opposed to parents?

To the pp who said the parents are wasting their money on vacations rather than saving for their kids college or wedding...wow do parents still that? I would never put that expectation on my parents!

That being said, I am more to the mind of the OP and would rather more cheaper vacations than one big luxury vacation. However, I don't think the parents are screwing over the kids in any way by spending THEIR money to take their kids on a vacation, as opposed to saving for a wedding that the kid should pay for himself/herself anyway.

My parents didn't pay for my university degrees, but I remember fondly the big family vacation we took to Disney when I was 8

 

[antree]

Ask You Parents about renting Points from DVC Member through David's Vacation Club Rental. Ask them if you research it would they consider doing a vacation that way. Show them all the different hotels, Bay Lake Tower, Animal Kingdom and Fort Wilderness, since they like the GF these hotels would be your best bet to convince them. Good Luck. It doesn't hurt to ask. We are lucky enough to own DVC and go once a year, my kids will still come to me and try to go twice in a year, and if I can do it we talk about it. If I can't I explain why. So talk to them, see how they feel.

 

[Anntan]

Ask You Parents about renting Points from DVC Member through David's Vacation Club Rental. Ask them if you research it would they consider doing a vacation that way. Show them all the different hotels, Bay Lake Tower, Animal Kingdom and Fort Wilderness, since they like the GF these hotels would be your best bet to convince them. Good Luck. It doesn't hurt to ask. We are lucky enough to own DVC and go once a year, my kids will still come to me and try to go twice in a year, and if I can do it we talk about it. If I can't I explain why. So talk to them, see how they feel.

I think you're just going to have to suck it up, and wait 2 years to pay for your own. If your parents can afford to take all of you on a luxury vacation, they they clearly work for their money and have the right to decide on the family vacation. I'm sure you'll find way to have cheaper and more frequent trips once YOU get to make the decisions. Plus. how fun will it be to vacation with your friends as opposed to parents?

To the pp who said the parents are wasting their money on vacations rather than saving for their kids college or wedding...wow do parents still that? I would never put that expectation on my parents!

That being said, I am more to the mind of the OP and would rather more cheaper vacations than one big luxury vacation. However, I don't think the parents are screwing over the kids in any way by spending THEIR money to take their kids on a vacation, as opposed to saving for a wedding that the kid should pay for himself/herself anyway.

My parents didn't pay for my university degrees, but I remember fondly the big family vacation we took to Disney when I was 8

You've posed your question with great maturity and understanding.

Now, a few hard "facts."

You want your parents to broaden their experience. Your parents clearly don't want to. They may well feel that a shorter vacation in the accommodation that provides them with this level of luxury is HOW they choose to vacation. (As opposed to longer in a less luxurious resort).

They do, of course get to choose for themselves.

You will too, one day. Look at the positive side! Once you are in control of paying for the vacation, and defining the vacation you have so many untried options at WDW! You'll have years of vacations from which to choose!

Take care now and enjoy your parents while you have them. You'll soon be "out there" on your own and making those decisions is far more alluring than the realities of adult responsibility.

These are all wonderful responses. Thank You! I'm definitely all for being patient until I can have full control of my own Disney trips. And I have begun to show my mom different resorts and options online, and she had positive and curious reactions to them. She for sure seemed interested in looking into other possibilities of vacationing. Granted, I'm much more enthusiastic about going to Disney than they are, so it's not always their first vacation choice as it is. These are definitely some things to chat about though! Thanks!

 

[AJ1983]

Just had another idea: What about throwing out the idea of a split stay? Ask your parents to try a moderate/value for the first half of the vacation, and do the last half at a deluxe? It will expose them to the other resorts, but if they absolutely hate it at least 1/2 the vacation will be spent in their usual accommodations, and they won't feel as if they wasted money by spending their whole vacation at a hotel they didn't like. And, it will save them a bit of money.

Keep us posted!

 

[Anntan]

Just had another idea: What about throwing out the idea of a split stay? Ask your parents to try a moderate/value for the first half of the vacation, and do the last half at a deluxe? It will expose them to the other resorts, but if they absolutely hate it at least 1/2 the vacation will be spent in their usual accommodations, and they won't feel as if they wasted money by spending their whole vacation at a hotel they didn't like. And, it will save them a bit of money.

Keep us posted!

That's an interesting idea! It might also be good for us to ease into opening up to a different resort instead of jumping right in.

 

[juncker]

I second the idea of looking into renting DVC points. The DVC properties are on par with the Polynesian and Grand Floridian. Even if they spend the same amount of money, they can get a 1 or 2-bedroom suite that comes with a full kitchen and washing machine. You'll feel much better about what you get for your money. Use the Disney website to get the "rack rate" and compare it to what it would cost you to rent points. Your parents will think you a genius.

One caveat though, DVC properties don't come with daily maid service. Towel and trash service on day 4, full room cleaning on day 7.

... of course this could just compound the problem. How can they every go back to just a hotel room at the Grand Floridian? They may need a full 2-bedroom suite for every visit. Maybe recommend DVC ownership after you've done one stay and they like it.

Best of Luck.

 

[AJ1983]

That's an interesting idea! It might also be good for us to ease into opening up to a different resort instead of jumping right in.

And maybe telling your parents that "roughing it" for a week at the mod/value might make you and your younger siblings more appreciative of the deluxe resort vacations

 

[Anntan]

And maybe telling your parents that "roughing it" for a week at the mod/value might make you and your younger siblings more appreciative of the deluxe resort vacations

YES! haha That's good too! We must experience it all in order to fully appreciate the best!