losing job...which resort?

[castlehappy]

Well, after 23 years of service, they are closing my plant down. The only way I can keep from getting too depressed is to get out of town quickly and where else to go but to the World!(my one and only happy place).
My question is which resort would give that most magical stay? We have stayed at CBR, POFQ, and WL. My favorite of these was of course WL, what a beautiful resort. I am just wondering should I go back to WL, or a different resort?
My DH thinks we should not go anywhere and just save our money, but, I am walking away with a pretty decent severance package, plus 5 weeks vacation so I say "with or without him, I am going to Disney!

 

[minnie1928]

I would vote POFQ-cheaper than the other two options ( to appease the spouse ) and simply a beautiful and relaxing place to be! The recent renovations can't hurt either! Don't forget to try and use some of the codes that are available for an even better deal. I'm sorry to hear about your job, but I'm sure that something will come you way, so enjoy your trip!

Good luck!
kelly

 

[zalansky]

I agree with the previous poster. I would save the money and stay at POFQ. That severence won't last forever! I love WL too, but you can't beat what you get at POFQ. enjoy your newfound freedom, and your trip to Disney too!

 

[Lewisc]

Since you like WL I'd give AKL a shot. I don't agree with previous posters, if conserving money is an issue you really can't go at all. Passes, food, transportation aren't inexpensive no matter where you stay. Code rates for AKL aren't that much more than the moderates.

 

[siac]

Last year we live the same experience I recommend POP Century is cheap,new,and funny

 

[sm4987]

Save some money and go to a Moderate or an All star. That way you'll have more money to buy yourself something nice. I would try CBR. It is a lovely tropical paradise IMHO.

 

[liltoot]

Sorry about your job situation but I have to be honest. I wouldn't go to Disney. I would save the money and see what happens with your employment first. I love Disney and I understand just wanting to go and enjoy and not worry about the job but you still have to come back home and face the music. No matter how cheaply you try to go it still can cost a good amount of money. Just my opinion. Hope things work out very well for you.

 

[Parrothd]

First of all, my condolences to you on your job-loss. I've been in your same position........winding up with nothing after 23 years of dedicated service.

That being said, you need the BEST "magic" you can get right now. Don't settle for a mere value or moderate resort. That just won't do it for you right now. If you really like the Wilderness Lodge and have good memories of being there, going back might just be the therapy you need.

If you'd like to try something different though, the absolute best "magic" you can find in a resort (IMO) is at the Polynesian. You couldn't go wrong with staying there (if you think you can afford it -- and only YOU know the answer to that). The magic of staying on the monorail circuit is beyond compare!

Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

 

[dixielander]

Sorry, but I am with liltoot, maybe the vacation could wait until the job situation is settled.

It's a tough market out there, and expenses can add up quickly.

Disney will always be there!!! I think you'd have a better time if you waited until you knew expenses were not going to be a problem, then go all out and celebrate.

 

[Ratpack]

I know just how you feel. My plant closed down last year and we went to Disney. Have a new job this year and guess what, plant closing down there too. So what are we doing, going to Disney. Jobs and other things come and go and is usually beyond our control, but memories with our families at Disney will last forever and you can never get those years back especially if you are like me and have young children.

 

[AdventurerKat]

I know I would want a little magic if I had just lost my job.

I would probably pick a moderate however and try to save a little money. I think its a fair compromise. If you haven't tried POR and you want to try someplace new, I would try there. The grounds are beautiful.

Life's too short. Enjoy yourself. When you do get a new job, it may be a while before you get vacation time so I don't blame you for wanting to go.

 

[*Fantasia*]

If you want to "UN-depress" yourself and you got a very good severance package, then I say go and have a good time, but just be aware of how much you are spending on this trip. You might need the money for later. Enjoy yourself and forget about the "real world." for now. If I was in your shoes, I say as long as I am in Disney World, I'll be happy wherever I stay, so in this case, I would opt for value resort. As long as I am enjoying myself and making wonderful memories, I am happy.

Good luck on whatever you decide to do and I hope things will work out for you. I am sending you some Pixie Dust!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

If you are going I would vote for the moderate. There are a lot of ways to save money (and a lot of ways to spend money, of course). We ate all our breakfasts in the room and sometimes ate a sandwich in the room for dinner. We didn't feel that we were scrimping too much and didn't feel guilty when we did have a nice meal out.

Personally, though, if you and you husband really need the money I would wait to go to WDW, though. If your paycheck is extra $ I would go and watch the budget in other places, but if you and your husband live on your paycheck I'd wait.

Good luck with your decision.

T&B

 

[keith-atl]

Originally posted by Ratpack
I know just how you feel. My plant closed down last year and we went to Disney. Have a new job this year and guess what, plant closing down there too. So what are we doing, going to Disney. Jobs and other things come and go and is usually beyond our control, but memories with our families at Disney will last forever and you can never get those years back especially if you are like me and have young children.

More power to you, and good luck with the job hunting. That is to both of you.

Stay where you want to stay and have a good time =P

 

[Steffy]

I'd go back to the WL. I'd want to go where I made good memories. Life's too short.

If I lost my job after 23 years and got a severance package, away to WDW I'd go.

Good luck on job hunting, after your return. Enjoy your trip. Make good memories.

 

[HANDYMOM]

I can't believe that so many people are advising you to go whole hog at such an financially uncertain time for you. If you've got the money and comfort level to go, I agree that the trip will certainly relieve the grief and some of the stress that comes with such a disappointment.

I certainly sympathize with you. Going all out though??? Please be careful to not saddle yourself with more stress and grief down the line because of excess enjoyment now (which really is fleeting) The values and moderates will still offer you the Disney Magic and the frugality of a toned down trip will bring you a little more room to breathe financially as you look for a new job..

 

[castlehappy]

Thanks to all of you for the advice and the kind words. I am definetely going to the World once my job is done. My DH and I both work, and we will be fine, he just worries more than I do. Of course, I would go the cheapest I could, I am not going to drop my whole severance package on Disney. (I love Disney, but I do have to live). I just know that once a new job comes along for me, it will be awhile before I will have some vacation time, so I am used to going to Disney once a year, and I just want to make sure I get it in this year. Still undecided, but I am leaning towards going back to CBR. I would love to stay at the Poly, but I don't think I should go with that rate.
Thanks again and you are all great! I absolutely love this board.

 

[DavidandDenise]

No offense, but if someone is posting a question like this to a public board, they probably have some doubt in the first place. I for one would definitely NOT go to WDW. Severance packages are given for a reason. In the current market, you'll probably be job hunting for quite a while. I'd feel foolish if my money flow was all in one direction. Do a reality check and don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket. This kind of thinking is why the average American has over $1000 in credit card debt that they're paying 20% and higher interest rates on. Your severance package may give you cash now, but it's the only guarantee for money that you have in the future. As a previous poster said, Disney will always be there. Definitely sit down and look at the future. Hope things work out.

David

 

[Jillpie]

Well we sure have been in your shoes, at this time last year. My DH went through eight very long, long months of unemployment. I will tell you this. Thank God we cancelled our long awaited trip to Disney when he lost his job. We used that money for our mortgage and other bills. We finally went in January and completely enjoyed ourselves. If you are financially ok with your DH bringing in the household income and are comfortable with that, they I say go for it. But if you are at all uneasy, then I'd hold back and wait. It sure is no fun worrying about bills.

 

[marcyinPA]

We've BTDT, too. My dh was laid off from his job in May 2002. Where did we go in June 2002? Disney We had actually booked it in March 2002 and it was completely paid for in cash, so we decided to continue as planned. We were a little bit more frugal with meals and souveniers, but we totally enjoyed ourselves and our children.

We went through 11 months of unemployment, and then 11 months of contract work and now he is permanently confused: is any job permanent anymore?) employed, making significantly less than he had 2 years ago. We have made some serious lifestyle changes and have lowered our monthly payments tremendously. We are once again going to Disney in May and paid for the trip in cash.

Even with the job insecurity, honestly there was NOT ONE MONTH that we worried about money. We were never late with a payment and we never were without. We were careful, but we continued to live. Our faith played a big part in our survival.

I wish you the best trip ever! Good luck with the future job search! And remember that things happen for a reason!!