I may have to "downgrade" my resort...help me feel better!

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

As I'm sure a lot of you know (I've talked about it and asked enough questions!lol) I'm planning a large family reunion at WDW in Aug. 2004...Our first choice of resort is the WL, which I have booked. We got a rate of $1648 for 7 nights through AAA, and are paying 2/3 of this since my sister will be sharing a room with us...as of right now I have right at $700 left to pay. My dilemma is this: we are going to do this with our tax refund money and if I keep this reservation, I will only have about $60 per person (me,dh,dd) to spend per day...however, if I split my stay between the WL and PC, it will save me about $350, and if I stay at PC for all 7 nights, my room will already be paid in full from what I've sent in so far....I really had my heart set on WL as I've always wanted to stay there, but I'm torn...I don't want to be worried about finances the whole time...someone help me feel better about giving up my "dream resort"!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Go for a lower resort and be able to eat without pinching pennies! You're going to be so happy to be at Disney with your family you're going to be happy regardless! Why not plan a lunch at whispering canyon, that way you can still visit WL?!

You do have one other option. Watch the AP rates. You can book the AP rate BEFORE you have the AP in your hand. One AP, even at the value resorts, is a lot of money being saved!

Enjoy your planning; you're going to Disney World!
Debbie

 

[spiceycat]

go with PC - remember that WL has 2 queen beds but PC only has 2 double beds

at least you are staying on property - I could not get a good rate for May so I am staying off property....

 

[2MuchOhana]

Have you considering splitting the difference and stay at a moderate? We just returned from a two week stay at the CBR. The room size would be equivalent to the room size at WL. It is more spread out; but in some ways it makes it seem a little less like a hotel. You would still save money by considering a moderate; but maybe you wouldn't feel like you were giving up too much! Just a thought.

 

[klh999]

Just...remember its what you make of the trip. I have heard so many good things about Pop Century. I too had my heart set on WL, but then things just got to expensive, so I settled and switched to POR. Maybe try a moderate. The thing I like best about POR, is that the pool is so cool. I think maybe they are taking ressies for POFQ, or should be soon... That is going to be a totally remodeled. If not PORiverside is beautiful.

If your not happy, you can have a miserable time at a nice hotel. Personally I get a nervous wreak and miserable when I think I dont have enough money. So enjoy your time at pop century, instead of worring at WL

 

[kevind65]

you could switch your ressies to a moderate or value if you're concerned about finances with no worries. we have stayed at pretty well all different levels of disney resorts from deluxe to value and have never been disappointed in ANY of them. they're all fantastic...IMHO, $180 per day should be more than enough spending money for 2 adults and a child. we are also a family of three and usually budget about $100 per day and have always had funds left over at the end of the trip. we usually do one "nice" sit down per day and the rest at counter service/food court/mcdonald's type places...either way I'm sure you guys will have a great time...

 

[Kimberle]

You know, you can really have a nice time on $60 per day per person. We generally average $100 per day for the 3 of us (me/dh/dd, 4.5).

B/fast is generally just a bagel (we get the mugs so coffee/soda is not counted).

Lunch, dh generally doesn't eat. DD & I get something at a counter, abt $15.

Then we generally eat out at a nice resturant most nights. We do the "snack bar" one night (pizza, burgerers, etc).

If you're staying at WL, it's very easy to go to Trails End for a meal. The 3 of us had a wonderful dinner for $40.

You have to do what will make you happy. If you like the dinner shows, Circ. etc, then you probably would be happier at Pop. Myself, I'd save on food & stay at WL.

WL is just so beautiful and relaxing.

Do what you feel most comfortable with. Just realize with a little planning, you can have a wonderful time on $60 per person per day.

 

[TIGGER'SFRIEND]

I'm an original guest at POP, it's a great place,I think you'll be fine there and have the extra cash to spend on other things.

 

[Jaklackus]

Well there is nothing worse that freaking out over money while on vacation...I cringe everytime my DH and SS walk toward a pin cart....I'd much rather have more $$$ breathing room than kill myself to stay deluxe.

I would look into a deal on a moderate resort..or maybe even a deal on a value and reserve a second room...you'll appreciate the extra space with your sister along for the trip.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I think $60 per person per day is plenty! Especially if you really want to stay at WL. But if you are really stressing, then downgrade and watch for codes. I bet something will come up!

 

[Jaklackus]

Well there is nothing worse that freaking out over money while on vacation...I cringe everytime my DH and SS walk toward a pin cart....I'd much rather have more $$$ breathing room than kill myself to stay deluxe.

I would look into a deal on a moderate resort..or maybe even a deal on a value and reserve a second room...you'll appreciate the extra space with your sister along for the trip.

 

[franw]

Our friends just got back from the PC and loved it. We just returned from the CBR in November and had the best time ever. You could easily stay at the PC and have a wonderful time with lots of extra spending money or at the CBR with extra cash to play with. What do you think the $60 will be covering? We usually spend about $40 each per day on food (on the high side and averaging a few more expensive meals). That is allowing $10 for breakfast and lunch and $20 for dinner. That figure is very flexible if you have a snack at breakfast, a late lunch and a snack later at night. Stock the room with the snacks from the grocery store and bottles of water and you save even more. Don't stress out over the room. Lots of folks who are sold on the moderates are staying at the PC just to try it out and are loving it. There is a real advantage to not having to pack up and move to another resort so pick the one you can most comfortably afford and make your own magic.

 

[Kaycee]

I agree with Kimberle - do what will make you happy. What's more important to you? Does the resort make a big difference? Or do you prefer nice meals and shopping?

Our family has found that a nice resort makes all the difference to us. We get the best deal we can on a nice resort and then budget our meals and spending. To us, it's worth it. But then again, our food tastes are pretty simple, and we're very happy with a couple of pins for souvenirs. Other people feel entirely differently - they don't care where they're staying and would rather have the money for nice meals and shopping.

Unless we're independently wealthy , all of us have to prioritize our trips. The key is figuring out what is most important to you.

Happy planning!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Well, I think we've decided on PC for the entire trip....The reason we have decided to do this is because I sort of started the whole family reunion thing, and since we invited everyone, I don't want to be worried about money. I want to have enough to do everything that they want to do...DH and I have decided to take our DD back in Dec. for her 5th birthday and stay at WL then. I'd rather see WL decorated for Christmas than PC, and then I'll get a whole weekend at WL....since we'll have leftover days from our tickets, we won't have to pay for anything but food and spending. So, now that we've decided to change, we'll have about (approx.) $300 per day....no worries there!!! thanks everyone for making me feel so much better and not making me feel like I'll be "missing out"....we've never stayed at a deluxe before, always ASMo, so the weekend in Dec. will be a really special treat, always good for a birthday! Thanks again, and on with the planning!!! Tyler, I'll be asking for you!

 

[Figaro]

Kirstin's Mommy, we've stayed at the deluxe resorts, the home away from home resorts, all of the moderates and off property. Every single trip has been wonderful in their own ways(smile). I've come to believe that a lot of my life enjoyment has to do with keeping my expectations reasonable and not spending time focusing on what I think is missing, but instead focusing on what I am actually getting. It sounds like you've come up with a perfect solution to spend your dd's 5th birthday at Wilderness Lodge when it is all decorated up for Christmas.

Hope both of your trips are wonderful in their own ways!

 

[Micca]

We have stayed at many WDW resorts, and while I have a great appreciation of the deluxe resorts, you can sure allocate a lot of money for other things with the less expensive hotels. We have come to enjoy Coronado Springs. I'm sure we'll be staying at deluxe hotels again someday, but there are so many things to enjoy at WDW that are not in your room

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think you made a wise choice- best of both worlds this way!

IMHO, $180 per day should be more than enough spending money for 2 adults and a child. we are also a family of three and usually budget about $100 per day and have always had funds left over at the end of the trip. we usually do one "nice" sit down per day and the rest at counter service/food court/mcdonald's type places...

I agree with this though... we budgeted about $100 per day for all FIVE of us (2 adults, 3 children) and had one or two nice meals a day, counter service or snacks for the other meal. Usually one character meal every other day also (breakfast or dinner). But we did use vouchers bought through connections so that saved us a bit on that (but it was counted in the daily budget what we spent on the vouchers). We still didn't spend $100 a day! Some days more- some days much less... we were there 12 nights and budgeted $1200 for food- spent $300 less than that. So it can be done- without feeling like you are penny pinching the entire time.

BUT... the way you have it arranged and still get to do WL for another trip- that's probably the best way to go! Good choice.

 

[susy]

Don't miss the WL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We just got back from there. It's soooo worth it!!!! Are you paying rack right now? Can you save anything by getting a AAA membership? Room only codes might appear or something like the FT package. Do you have an AP?

On our recent trip (five nights) we budgeted $150 per day (for DH, DS, and I). That included everything! We did great and came hoem with over $100. We did eat breakfast in the room (cereal and parmalat milk), did counter service lunch and sit-down dinner. One day we did sit-down lunch and dinner. another day DS went to Cub's Den ($25) and we ate at AP.

Bottom line: I would NOT give up the WL just to eat breakfast at the food court at POR! $60 a day will be plenty!

 

[Tinkbell]

If money is an issue, switch to PC. Who wants to worry about spending money while on vacation? I've heard nothing but good about this place. Don't think of it as a "downgrade" of resorts. Think of it as an "upgrade" in your souvineer/dining choices.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

I look at it this way: Disneys not going anywhere. I plan on at least 1 trip a year plus 1 side trip once to every other year. I plan on hitting every resort from ASMo (March baby!) to the GF. Thats what makes it sooo fun! To me planning and anticipation is half the experience. So Im just as excited to see ASMo as I was to stay in a BWV this past Sept. I may not see the GF till the girls are out of college (theyre 3&4 now). But its in the works! Look at it as just another knotch on your disney belt! One day you can say you stayed everywhere!!