Here's the story....

[jackal]

Ok. someone of you may be following my story about how I have a spoiled DD15 and her reluctance to stay anywhere but a deluxe resort. And thank you for all that replied with great suggestions!

Anyway, I checked my flights this morning and Sunday flights came way down. So, I was thinking of leaving on Sunday instead of Saturday. I know everyone says take the extra day in disney BUT, we would have gotten there at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night and now will get there at 11:45 a.m. Sunday morning, savining us over $160.

So, by reducing that one day, saving on the flight, I think we could swing the WL for our trip with deluxe dining. As many of you may know, it was between Pop, POFQ and CSR (I narrowed it down to them). Now I am going to through WL in the mix.

So, I guess here's the question, still leave on Saturday arriving at 7:00 p.m. stay at Pop, POFQ or CSR OR leave on Sunday arriving 11:45 and stay at WL?
And if free dining or another discount comes out, we could switch to the Poly.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would leave on Sunday and stay at the WL

 

[whitney37354]

I'd keep the extra day and stay at Pop. Spoiled DD could stay at home if she can't handle staying in a value.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I always vote for more days instead of resort location.

 

[jackal]

You guys are making this hard! Even with the arrival late in the day on Saturday compared to late morning on Sunday? This is such a rough choice.

 

[mamamary]

I vote for a longer stay! Even just those few hours on Sunday morning you could get to do so much.

 

[jackal]

We aren't used to going in October. We are going either 10/24 or 10/25 to 11/3. We are used to spring break and NYE. Is that much time really needed in October? I think it is during those really busy times.

Longer stay seems to be winning!

 

[Corwin]

I would go on Sunday. You're not going to be able to do much on Saturday evening if your flight arrives at 7 p.m. You won't even get into your room before 9 p.m.

Also, I would save money by just doing the DDP (not the deluxe plan). I don't think the extra expense for the deluxe dining plan is worth it.

 

[avahoneybee]

I had to change my flights 2 months ago and my airline charged me a $75 change fee per ticket. Do you have refundable fares?

If it were me, I'd keep the existing res and get up bright and early on Sunday to enjoy a full day.

 

[jlcd]

I would go on Sat. That way you are up and ready to hit the parks early on Sunday. I would go with CSR and the regular dining plan. We just stayed at CSR after having stayed at the Poly once and WL twice and loved it. We did miss the balcony but that was about it.

 

[ptrbryant]

Totally OT, but I had to laugh when I saw the title to this thread since it's the exact title of my blog! www.karlabry.blogspot.com

Karla B.

 

[jackal]

I would go on Sunday. You're not going to be able to do much on Saturday evening if your flight arrives at 7 p.m. You won't even get into your room before 9 p.m.

Also, I would save money by just doing the DDP (not the deluxe plan). I don't think the extra expense for the deluxe dining plan is worth it.

Unfortunately, getting rid of the Deluxe Dining plan is not an option. DD15 and DH LOVE it. We have done it in the past and they just love it. That over where to stay is more than a necessity. I want the Deluxe Resort! Of course, DD15, wants both and DH knows that moneywise, we can't do it.

 

[jackal]

I had to change my flights 2 months ago and my airline charged me a $75 change fee per ticket. Do you have refundable fares?

If it were me, I'd keep the existing res and get up bright and early on Sunday to enjoy a full day.

I haven't actually booked the airfare yet. I just noticed today the fall in the Sunday prices. That is another story in itself. The deciding when to book airfares. The go up and down. It's like the stock market. You never know when you should pounce on a good price.

 

[avahoneybee]

Booking airfare is like Russian roulette sometimes. In all my years travelling to Disney, I've never managed to book a Saturday to Saturday flight without getting charged a fortune. I don't even bother to look now and plan on Tuesday to Tuesday trips. Pain in the butt.

Could you do a moderate or is that not an option?

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Ok - here are my 2 cents (and I'll try to remain objective because I LOVE THE WILDIE. Whew --- ok, I'm better


My thoughts in no apparent order

* Fly down late at night and stay someplace very affordable----something near the airport--- holiday inn express? REALLY cheep. Checkin, rest, get a good meal, go to bed early. Wake up and transfer to the Wildie early in the AM....leave bags with them and go off to the parks refreshed?

We are leaving for DL Thanksgiving weekend. We are choosing Saturday may not even go into the parks late on Saturday. It will be busy and it will be a long flight from the east coast. I cannot push the schedule hard so I'll rest and then....LOOK OUT SUNDAY MORNING!


OR

* You can fly down Sunday if it's the only way to can manage the Wildie.......it will be worth it!!!!!! The property is so very pretty.

* Go in Saturday night and stay at POR - have a wonderful dinner at Boatrights and stop in the lounge to see BOB. He is a very funny entertainer. Now in this case you may enjoy the show so much you stay up until midnight --- not gettng the rest you need.

DH and I have always started our Thanksgiving trips this way -- then move to the deluxe hotel the next day. Disney will transfer your bags so checkout....give them the bags......and go play.


Take a chance - try the Wildie for a change - my recommendation.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

I would just go on Sunday and stay at a nicer resort. But thats because the resort is important to me. We always come back for a midday break the week we are there, so its nice to come back to a deluxe like WL and be able to watch the geyser and the boat come and go from MK, etc. If you don't take breaks during the days and just go to one park and stay there the whole day I would possibly just go on Saturday and stay at a cheaper resort. It all comes down to how important is the resort experience to you?

 

[jackal]

Booking airfare is like Russian roulette sometimes. In all my years travelling to Disney, I've never managed to book a Saturday to Saturday flight without getting charged a fortune. I don't even bother to look now and plan on Tuesday to Tuesday trips. Pain in the butt.

Could you do a moderate or is that not an option?

A moderate is definitely an option. Either POFQ or CSR. I agree about the airfare and Russian roulette. I book early always and tend to kick myself because they end up going down. But sometimes they go up so I guess you win some and lose some.

 

[jackal]

I would just go on Sunday and stay at a nicer resort. But thats because the resort is important to me. We always come back for a midday break the week we are there, so its nice to come back to a deluxe like WL and be able to watch the geyser and the boat come and go from MK, etc. If you don't take breaks during the days and just go to one park and stay there the whole day I would possibly just go on Saturday and stay at a cheaper resort. It all comes down to how important is the resort experience to you?

Me and DD6 love to go back to the resort and hang out. DD15 and DH are die hard commandos. WE are so split. I was even thinking of booking them Deluxe Dining at Pop and Me and DD6 going to POFQ I really think me and DD6 would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Wilderness. DD15 wants it both ways and DH is a the cheap end which is making this decision near impossible.

Thank you all so much for all your thoughts. You are all bringing up great points!

 

[Disneychix]

I would suggest the Sunday flight and stay at the WL just for the fact that it's the WL!

BUT we tried CSR in March and loved it! It really is very very close to a Deluxe resort. So if you wanted to save a little $$ that would be my resort choice.

Also, when I take an early morning flight I am always a little slower moving that day. My body just isn't used to the heat (we come from the North so it's usually hotter and more humid in FL). Arriving the evening before and going for dinner sounds very appealing.

 

[jackal]

Disneychix, we are coming from Wisconsin, so I definitely hear you on that one.