OK Resort Headache - Need Advice

[ratcatshell]

Background info - December trip planned to celebrate receiving my Bachelors degree (I am 51 - it took me a little time - lol). I had a 40% off code and had booked WL woods view. Oldest daughter gets engaged and married in a 2 month span. Paying for wedding was not in budget so I drop WL and get POR 1 night (using 40%) and then free dining for the next four days at POR. This will probably be my last daughter only Disney trip (I'm divorced, oldest is 32 and youngest is 21 - new son-in-law isn't going because trip was planned before him and he is OK staying home and pet sitting). I really, really, really want to stay at WL. No matter how I work it, I am saving about $700 by staying at POR for the week. I have everything mapped out on an excel with 8 options

My new idea (endless sleepless night - lol) is to stay at POR for 3 nights using 40%, pay for DD dining to cover almost all the meals since isn't doesn't run out until midnights and stay 2 nights at WL using 25% code. I can't used the 40% off at WL because the code is not longer in the system according to CM I got today. I want DD dining because we have signatures planned for about every night and we will save money using the dining plan. What do you think? Suck it up and stay at POR (I have never been there and it looks beautiful) but I had my heart set on WL (never stayed there either but it is my dream resort for Christmas) My new plan is only costing me about $300 more.

Comments? Sorry for all the info but I was trying to give you a better picture.

 

[turnlisa]

What are your dates? I want to run some numbers.

We have stayed at WL and POR. Being from N. Michigan originally, I didn't like WL at all. Felt a lot like being here although I'm sure it's beautiful at Christmas. We do like POR - A LOT. Other than CSR and Fort Wilderness, it is my favorite mod.

 

[Sandi]

I prefer POR over WL, and I've stayed at both (WL only once; POR several times). WL is very pretty and I'd certainly take the time to go see it decked out for the holidays, but staying there was no great shakes. (Maybe it's a Michigander thing? )

Congratulations on your Bachelor's degree!

 

[cvjw]

WL over POR, no question! We like POR, but the WL is so much nicer, especially decorated for Christmas. Just FYI, we are not fans of split stays, especially for a stay that is less than a week. You could end up being homeless for most of your moving day, not to mention all the packing and unpacking.

 

[partypa]

Really like POR but LOVE the WL, especially in December/Christmas time, it is as if the Lodge was built with Christmas in mind
If you can swing it to stay a few nights, go for it
You can check in as early in the day as you want, your room may not be ready of course but you can use the Resort Amenities from the moment you get your Key to the World Card. Disney will move your Luggage, enjoy

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at POR, but we love the WL . If the extra cost is doable for a few nights, I would definitely stay at WL. The lodge is beautiful any time of year, but especially so during the hoidays . The lobby is very inviting with the huge tree in the center and the fireplace surrounded by rocking chairs . Have a great trip.....and congratulations on your degree.

 

[wdwfun!]

I would call again regarding the PIN code. In 2010, I was able to use my expired PIN code to change resorts 2 weeks before our trip. We really wanted to try the CR and it wasn't available when we first booked but I kept calling to check. I think they had to do it through guest services but I am pretty certain that is what happened.

 

[Debbart]

Only you really know your budget and what you can really do. Don't get yourself in a position that you can't look back on your trip with good memories because you got yourself in a financial hole. No matter what, you will be at Disney! It's all good.
Now that being said, this is supposed to be your dream vacation to celebrate your big accomplishment. I must say you are a very generous mother to pay for your 32 year old daughter's wedding at the expense of your dream vacation, and then take her (and 21 year old) to Disney too? I am assuming you are paying for everything too?
Don't really mean to be judgemental, but you did ask and you did give the background info...will they help out at all?

 

[nkereina]

We've stayed at POR twice now and visited WL last trip, and loved it. We said for our trip next year, we want to stay there. But now that I've priced it out, I can't justify the extra cost to switch from POR to WL. POR, and all the other mods, have everything we need at a significant savings from WL. We would love the balcony at WL but would miss the multiple quiet pools at POR, the boat to DTD, and the amazing food court - which is much bigger and better than WL. So overall, WL is not worth the price to us. I don't think you can go wrong with either option but I wouldn't do a split stay or change your dining plans just to stay at WL.

 

[MarineVet]

Hey, Congratulations on your degree! I'm a "non traditional student" as well and I know the challenges of going back and finishing. Good for you!

As others have said, only you know what you can truly afford. Keeping that in mind, you will only have one true Bachelor's Degree Celebration Trip. So put yourself first on this one and do what you would like to do the most.

I don't think it would be inappropriate to ask the daughters to chip in just a little if they can to make up the difference and give you your dream trip.

 

[ratcatshell]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I may try to call back and get a different CM and see if I get the same answer about the expired code. I have done 1 split stay about 12 years ago I and it was OK.

I have trouble putting myself first. I try to be the sensible one and put my kids first but this is really important to me.

Yes I did pay for my 32 year daughter to get married. It is her first and I think that's just what parents do. She has been out on her own since college. The wedding wasn't anything over the top but it was unplanned for this year. The disney trip had been planned back in the spring. My youngest is in her last year of college, is a college athlete and honor student. That doesn't leave much time for part-time jobs. I feel this will be our last "family" (just the girls and me). The oldest did offer to pay for the upgrade but I feel bad because I am the parent and feel I should be providing for my kids not the other way around.

I know my budget and this is a stretch in even going but it means a lot to me. I don't want to regret spending this money a year from now though. My dates are December 9 - December 14.

 

[tjwichmann]

Quick question - Did you try looking up how much it would cost to rent points from a DVC member for WLV?
Example - One week at a Deluxe Studio (sleeps 4) = 107 points. Most points rent for $10/point so that's $1,070. I havn't checked but that's got to be comparable to staying at POR for the week. The DVC member will get you DD if you want.
(Hope I'm not being a 'know-it-all'...maybe you already researched this method. If not, feel free to ask any questions. We've rented points 3 times now and it's the only way we will do Disney moving forward). Good luck!

 

[Sammie]

Quick question - Did you try looking up how much it would cost to rent points from a DVC member for WLV?
Example - One week at a Deluxe Studio (sleeps 4) = 107 points. Most points rent for $10/point so that's $1,070. I havn't checked but that's got to be comparable to staying at POR for the week. The DVC member will get you DD if you want.
(Hope I'm not being a 'know-it-all'...maybe you already researched this method. If not, feel free to ask any questions. We've rented points 3 times now and it's the only way we will do Disney moving forward). Good luck!

She would need to book 11 months out to get WLV for early December.

 

[DisneyWitch]

First, allow me to add my congrats on your degree. I too was on the "20 year bachelors plan" and obtained my degree well into my adult years. Trust me, this is the best investment you can do for yourself, your self-confidence and your career. It is a HUGE accomplishment and hooray for you!! I'm betting you will find that your shiny new degree will benefit you as much as it has for me.

You sound like a woman who cares about her family - but don't forget to take care of yourself too! Remember, you count as much as anyone else!

With that being said - if you can swing it financially (though you don't sound like a fiscally irresponsible person), I think you should stay where your heart wants to be. You'll be sitting at another resort wishing you were at WL, and that's no fun. The extra money isn't worth months / years of regret. This trip has too many significant moments (graduation, trip with DD, etc.) to make it second-best. Save your frugality for another, less poignant, time.

I wish you a wonderful trip, and a bright future!

 

[nolanboys]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I may try to call back and get a different CM and see if I get the same answer about the expired code. I have done 1 split stay about 12 years ago I and it was OK.

I have trouble putting myself first. I try to be the sensible one and put my kids first but this is really important to me.

Yes I did pay for my 32 year daughter to get married. It is her first and I think that's just what parents do. She has been out on her own since college. The wedding wasn't anything over the top but it was unplanned for this year. The disney trip had been planned back in the spring. My youngest is in her last year of college, is a college athlete and honor student. That doesn't leave much time for part-time jobs. I feel this will be our last "family" (just the girls and me). The oldest did offer to pay for the upgrade but I feel bad because I am the parent and feel I should be providing for my kids not the other way around.

I know my budget and this is a stretch in even going but it means a lot to me. I don't want to regret spending this money a year from now though. My dates are December 9 - December 14.

Just a thought - but I see no problem letting your grown daughter chip in since she offered. We have taken my in-laws twice with us and feel blessed that we could. You were so generous to pay for the wedding, maybe your daughter just wants to reciprocate. My in-laws may not be in the postion to take us, but they made my DH the man that he is, and taking them was a thank you for that.

I wouldn't stress out too much about the resort. Both are lovely, and I'm sure you'll have a great time with your girls. I wouldn't upgrade if it is a stretch, as you will have great memories regardless.