I need advice (LONG!!) - UPDATED WITH ANOTHER QUESTION..near bottom pg 1

[Minnesota!]

What would you do? We are on a super super super strict budget. However, we have $1000 coming our way, to be used ONLY for a trip. We are currently supposed to be going to Vegas with it. I am not thrilled with Vegas - the gambling and not spending any time together aspect. I want to go so bad to see Hoover Dam and the Canyon and stuff like that, but my DH is not too keen on driving when we are out there - just wants to be able to relax for a week. And, Vegas is so cheap, we can really go whenever, but right now we have this money, you know? So, I am thinking of surprising him and getting to the airport and going to the Orlando counter instead, and it will just make his head spin, you know?

Anyway, we are going to go from a Sunday to a Saturday. So, the $1000 will cover the airfare from MSP (about $500), then the 4 day hoppers ($400), and then spending money for 2 days. So, that will leave us with spending money for 5 full days and the hotel. I have been pricing it out, and to stay at the POR vs. the AssP is about $375 more. We have stayed at the Assp, and while we enjoyed it (Hey, we are at Disney, that is all that matters), it was not as relaxing, and we REALLY enjoy staying at the CBR the 3 times we have...we really like moderates. Anyway, since the $375 and the additional spending money (about $350) will be out of pocket (for a total out of pocket of about $1200 at OPR, $825 or so at AssP), do we do it?

Sorry so long winded, to come to such an easy point, but what would you do?? We just bought a house, and the budget is key. But, it is Disney...

Will we get THAT much more for our money at POR? We are looking to relax, kick back, etc. We like staying at CBR and grabbing a beer at night, and laying in the hammocks - unwinding from the day. Is there some sort of that relaxation at POR? Or PO-FQ? What do you think???

Thank you so much for reading my novel, and for any answers you may have

 

[JulesMom]

If you can get the extra money, then definitely go!

I would hate for you to go and then worry the whole time about the money you are spending

Have you checked out the codes on Mousesavers.com? You may be able to save some money.

 

[aahmom1]

Are you planning to surprise your husband?

 

[thinkerbell]

I don't know about how your husband will feel but I wouldn't like to be surprised in that way. If my husband was to totally surprise me with a trip I would love it. If he let me pack and get excited over going to Las Vegas and then at the airport change where we were going I'm not sure I would like that too much, even if it was going to Disney World. Just my opinion.

 

[taylor1293]

I wouldn't do it if it were me.

If you would rather go to Disney, IMO, you should tell your DH and see what he says. If Vegas is his preference, then insist while you are out there that you guys do things that YOU want to do in addition to what he wants to do.

If I thought my DH and I were going to Vegas and he surprised me with Orlando. I'd be disappointed. I LOVE Disney, but I love Las Vegas just as much, but for different reasons!

Good luck,

Teresa

 

[Hsminnie]

IF your DH were part of the planning and agreed to Orlando then I would go for Disney. You didn't say (or I didn't read ) when you are going. If it isn't for a while then you can get codes on mousesavers for your room. Try Connections for your hoppers and food vouchers and then hopefully you can hit an air sale for the flight.

But be careful and heed JulesMom. Do NOT go spending money you don't have....not for any amount of fun. You'll regret it at some point and it will ruin your stay or the memories of it.

The point is plan something you can both enjoy. You know you can do Disney cheap, if you want to, but do you? I'm not a Vegas fan, but those who are love it too.

Have fun and let us know what you decide.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I would stay at POR - Riverside if you can swing the extra money. POR is so nice, the grounds are beautiful and just the atmosphere in general is relaxed. Your food choices are better and there is more to do. We loved taking the boat over to Downtown Disney at night and they also have the water mice that you can rent which All Stars doesn't offer. We stayed there in May and really enjoyed it. We liked the All Stars as well when we stayed there but of the two we prefer POR.

 

[Bob NC]

Gotta tell ya, we love WDW as much as anyone, BUT, we went to Vegas last year and had a GREAT time. We flew over the Hoover Dam in a helicopter, then landed in the Grand Canyon for a picnic lunch. We toured all the mega resorts. There are many reasonably priced shows to see.

I can tell you'll be going to Disney sometime in the future anyway, may as well take this chance to see some other sights.

I have to add that if I were your husband I would not be amused at the airport. How happy would you be if you and the hubby planned a WDW trip for months, then when you got to the airport he suprised you by getting on a plane to Dollywood instead? Would your head spin?....I bet it would.

 

[Minnesota!]

Thank you for the advice. Well, DH has made it perfectly clear through the planning for this Vegas trip that he would MUCH prefer to be going to Disney. Since I handle all finances, I just simply told him that Disney is too expensive. In actuality, he knows we are getting that $1000, but he does not know I am getting $1100 (bonus), and that he is getting an additional $$1800 from his bosses. I do. So, I know that the $375 will not kill us, but do you think that it is worth it to stay at POR? Or even PO-FQ or CSR?

 

[peachgirl]

Originally posted by Minnesota!
Thank you for the advice. Well, DH has made it perfectly clear through the planning for this Vegas trip that he would MUCH prefer to be going to Disney. Since I handle all finances, I just simply told him that Disney is too expensive. In actuality, he knows we are getting that $1000, but he does not know I am getting $1100 (bonus), and that he is getting an additional $$1800 from his bosses. I do. So, I know that the $375 will not kill us, but do you think that it is worth it to stay at POR? Or even PO-FQ or CSR?

You're the only one who knows how your husband reacts to surprises, so if you think he'd be pleased, why not? Mine couldn't care less where we go as long as we go. I on the other hand would wring his neck if he changed plans and surprised me...go figure. Anyway, just threw in my opinion even though you didn't ask what I thought about whether you should surprise him! For the question at hand...should you spend the xtra $$'s to stay at another resort. Of course, it really depends on what's important to you. For us, the resort is very important. We stay at the "best" resort our budget will allow and cut corners elsewhere if we need to. So, if it were me, I'd go for the moderate if I could possibly afford it. There are those that love the value resorts, I'm just not one of them.


Another thing you didn't ask for opinions on. We've been to Las Vegas twice, once on our way to DL and this past summer for a week. I loved Las Vegas although it can be as exhausting and expensive as DW! The Hoover Damn just didn't interest me in the least, the Grand Canyon was a 2 minute WOW! and that was about it. It just goes to show you that everyone's tastes are different.