Hi - we are a family of 5 travelling to the world in Dec. Currently we have ressies for split stay 3 nights BWI & 5 nights Poly. Two other familes with their 5 children and an inlaw from our neighborhood have decided to come also for 5 nights at the Poly. (not necessarily invited, but who needs an invite to Disney??)
We have some meals & time planned out together. I'm a bit concerned about being together so much and may prefer to stay at the Contemporary for a little space and because the rooms seem brighter/fresher. Not sure how to explain my resort hopping to the rest of the group. I'm pretty sure one individual would be offended. Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated.
I can't be certain from your post if you made your split-stay ressies first, then other family & an in-law "followed" uninvited after learning of your vaca dates... (waskally wabbits!) But it sounds like you were put into an uncomfortable predicament and you shouldn't feel bad about changing things up to get the vacation you and your family want. Sounds like you've got some fun-loving neighbors if they're so willing to follow you /yours to the Happiest Place on Earth! In that case, having some shared experiences will be a whole lotta fun, so enjoy it. But having "just us" family time is its own treasure, too.
Well, maybe focusing on some outright facts could help. 5 nights at one place is a lot. You can arguably get more memories from your trip by splitting those 5 days to add a stay at the Contemporary - which would also give your that "alone time." Another benefit is the Contemporary's walkway directly to Magic Kingdom; takes about 10 minutes at a comfy stroll ... which is VERY nice after late nights out, or simply for exiting the park after fireworks/parade and not having to use the mass-O-people movers. They've got super dining options in-house, so you don't have to leave the joint to have a super time; you can even dine at California Grill and view the Wishes Fireworks Show and the Parade of Floats on the Lagoon, from either the dining room or their observation deck, without having to negotiate crowds. The Contemporary is a much different experience than the Poly; now you just need to decide where to stay first/last!!
Beyond that, it's not just you and your feelings and experience at stake, or that individual you're trying not to hurt or offend, it's the memories your family of 5 will have and treasure that's at stake too.
There are lots of ways to view the situation. For gosh sakes, another fact is that you go on vacation to "get away" and if you're always with ppl you live near, well then you're not "away" are you? And if you all do things and stay in resorts together, you'll have fewer stories to SHARE post-trip; so your breaking-away could be better for everyone.
I sure wish you the best.
Best of luck to you!!
