Should I feel guilty...our trip could cost less?

[ppan77]

My mom and dad are taking us to WDW for 4 nights in January. We convinced them to stay on the monorail and booked BLT 2 bdrm suite. We are soo excited and love the use of the monorail with our kids. It will be me, dh, ds4, and dd21 months, plus grammy and pop pop. Now pop pop has received a $99 at the Hilton-WDW through his company travel club. I feel soo bad. But we love being on the monorail especially since DD is going to need to nap each day. They said we can use the rate another time and that he will always have this rate being a Hilton club member or whatever it is. Should we offer to switch?

 

[wmharley]

no don't switch...

you can tell him, that when the kiddos are older and don't need that nap time, then it will be perfect to go over...

 

[poohfriend77]

I'm guessing money isn't the biggest issue, or you would have booked value rooms to begin with, right? If you really feel that bad, go ahead and offer to switch, but also gently point out that the buses take a lot longer than the monorail. Or maybe you could offer to split the cost? I'm not sure if that's a possibility for you, but it would show your parents that it really is important to you to stay on at CR.

And if your parents insist you stay put, stop feeling guilty and enjoy your trip!

 

[Hannathy]

I'm guessing money isn't the biggest issue, or you would have booked value rooms to begin with, right? If you really feel that bad, go ahead and offer to switch, but also gently point out that the buses take a lot longer than the monorail. Or maybe you could offer to split the cost? I'm not sure if that's a possibility for you, but it would show your parents that it really is important to you to stay on at CR.

And if your parents insist you stay put, stop feeling guilty and enjoy your trip!

Are you sure money isn't an issue? The rooms you booked could be costing A LOT more than your parents thought they would and this might be their nice way of saying it is too expensive. If they aren't concerned about the cost or the money WHY did they bring up the cheaper offer he found thru work? That is what I would be asking myself. Why bring it up if they are100% happy with the cost of the trip. These rooms may be more of what they had in mind when they offered to pay. If you really won't move I would at least offer to pay what ever the rooms will cost over the HIlton.

 

[3boys4me]

Are you sure money isn't an issue? The rooms you booked could be costing A LOT more than your parents thought they would and this might be their nice way of saying it is too expensive. If they aren't concerned about the cost or the money WHY did they bring up the cheaper offer he found thru work? That is what I would be asking myself. Why bring it up if they are100% happy with the cost of the trip. These rooms may be more of what they had in mind when they offered to pay. If you really won't move I would at least offer to pay what ever the rooms will cost over the HIlton.

I agree. I don't know how much this is going to cost, but I'm sure it is considerably more than $99 dollars a night. I would either switch to where they are offering or pay the room yourself.

 

[kevschickee]

I agree. I don't know how much this is going to cost, but I'm sure it is considerably more than $99 dollars a night. I would either switch to where they are offering or pay the room yourself.

I agree

 

[brymolmom]

I have a couple of friends whose parents bring them, spouse and children on vacation every year. It is very interesting to have conversations with them about our Disney trips. Let's just say it gives a VERY different perspective when you're actually footing the bill. She'll say things like 'Well, we don't really hop very much, but I like to have it just in case.' and I'll say 'you realize that it costs over $250 for you to use it once or not at all. And she's amazed that it is. Anyway, I agree that unless you know specifically their financial situation - you should at least offer. Maybe they'll refuse; Maybe it really doesn't matter too much to their checkbook. But maybe they'll breathe a sign of relief.

 

[XYSRUS]

I agree

ITA. Especially when you say you convinced your parents about the pricey 2br at BLT. It's like ordering the lobster when someone offers to take you to dinner. You just don't do it. Offer to pay or help pay for the room/get less expensive rooms. That's what I would do.

 

[Minniemama350]

Maybe a compromise would be another Disney hotel? Maybe not, just a thought. There are some great deals. You could go cheaper and still be on property and get transportation, packages sent to the room, etc. Just a thought...

 

[Chelley00]

You don't have to be on the monorail to take DD back for a nap. We stayed offsite and DS then 23 months took naps back at the villa. It might be more convenient, but I wouldn't want my parents to fork over that much money to make my life more convenient.

 

[auralia]

I would guess that if this cheaper rate was even mentioned that there must be some reason for mentioning it. Why would he mention the cheaper rate if it wouldn't help him. I would guess he only mentions it because it would make his finances easier if it wouldn't he wouldn't have mentioned it right? I would find it hard to take a free trip for free on my grandparents/parents even staying at the 99$ a night hilton let alone BLT I would feel way too guilty. And i absolutly couldn't live w/ the guilt if i didn't at least offer to downgrade to the hilton. then it's his choice and not you pressuring him into it.

 

[momx2]

I've never understood the "my kids have to take a nap so I have to stay on the monorail" statement. Yes, it is easier, but not a necessity by any stretch of the imagination. I've taken my kids 15 times, since they were toddlers and were in strollers and have never stayed at a monorail resort, so I just don't get it. I would much rather stay longer at a cheaper resort than stay at a monorail resort.

Now, the Hilton means not on property and that is a different story. I must stay on property. I would split the difference and stay in 2 value rooms if it were me unless you are renting points then it may be cheaper to stay at BLT.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I would tell your parents that they can book the hotel "they" want to stay in and that you are very thankful that they are willing to pay for your room.

Naps can be taken anywhere, even on a "monorail" ride a few times around...

Have a great trip.

 

[MineMail]

The monorail hotels are more convenient when you have small kids, but pushing a double stroller up the ramps is enough to make me need a nap, too! Depending on the resort, the buses might be just as convenient if you won't have a car. My kids napped anywhere: stroller, bus, monorail, tram, ferry, etc. When they needed a snooze, they just went out.


The WDW Hilton's a great hotel and that's an awesome price, almost too good to be true, though.

(1) Make sure that the offer is for the on-property WDW Hilton in Downtown Disney. That Hilton has privileges such as EMH, that the Disney Resorts offer. Disney bus transportation is available, but MK is a long ride. I've never seen a $99 special at that hotel, even as an HHonors member, but the economy can make people do strange things. (There are other Hiltons offsite that charge less per night. The deal might be for one of those hotels.)

(2) Be certain that the deal's available when you're planning to visit. Cut-rate rooms never seem to be available when we're going on vacation there, lol. (Except one time when we stayed at POR, which really worked out poorly with three little kids.)

If someone else was paying for the hotel, I wouldn't choose an expensive hotel like the Contemporary unless there was a special deal, such as the Hilton offer your Dad found. Just my opinion.

I'd ask the Contemporary to match the deal, which probably won't happen but hey, doesn't hurt to ask, right? If not, I'd look into switching hotels to save your parents some money.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

It's a tough call; people have different values when it comes to intangibles like taking vacations. My Mom loves them and would spend any spare money on travel; my Dad, on the other hand, thinks vacations are a waste because you don't have "anything to show for your money" - he'd rather buy a power tool.
I don't know if your parents have been to Disney and are familiar with the high costs there. My parents have been with me and my husband; and my Dad kind of got "sticker shock" to the point where I don't think I'll ever get him to take Mom back WDW with us again. And they weren't even paying our way; we were splitting the cost of a $650.00 a week rental home off property (in 2003), buying our own park admissions, food, etc. We've invited my parents several times to go with us again and they always have an excuse.
If you want your parents to travel with you again, my advice would be to have "the talk" about the cost of the trip and make sure your parents are ok with an expensive trip. You know your parents "values" best; if they take vacations regularly, chances are they'll enjoy Disney and consider it money well spent.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

If you are paying for the trip, stick with your plans. There must be a $500 difference per night. Maybe more. I can't imagine being that casual with someone else's money just for an "easy" nap.

Mine napped when little, and we stayed all over the world and outside of the world.

 

[powellrj]

If you are paying for the trip, stay wherever you want. If mom and dad are paying, I would tell them the Hilton was fine and change your reservations. If they didn't want to consider cheaper options, they wouldn't have mentioned it.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

If someone else was paying for my trip I'd sat where ever they were comfortable paying for.
I went once with my grandparents who wanted to take my cousins who had never been and wanted me and my (only) DD (at the time) to come along. We stayed off property, and while it was not exactly the same, it was a free trip and one I would not have been able to go on had they not paid, so I was thrilled to be able to go.
As for kids napping, we have taken our kids since they were babies, and when they were tired, they fell asleep in the stroller. Even when we have gone back to our room, we have never been at a monorail resort and we got back fine. Sure it won't be AS convienent, but remember it is helping your parents out.
The economy is tough right now, and you said yourself you "convinced" them to stay there. I'd say wait till your next trip for the monorail resort and go where your parents are comfortable paying.

Just my $.02...

 

[WantToGoNow]

My mom and dad are taking us to WDW for 4 nights in January.

Sounds like the parents are footing the bill. I would switch hotels especially since the $99/night hotel has the same benefits as the hotel that will be much, much higher (one night equal to entire stay more).

I took kids at 6 months, 1 year and 2.5 years (and older but those were the youngest) and I've never stayed on the monorail. We returned to the room a few days to relax but mostly my kids napped in the stroller. They did absolutely fine and we didn't have any meltdowns, etc. We stayed from rope drop to fireworks most of the time with an ADR for dinner.

You said you were going in January - the parks won't be open that late. If you take a long break for naps in the afternoon, you aren't going to be spending much time in the parks.

 

[sunnyday123]

ITA. Especially when you say you convinced your parents about the pricey 2br at BLT. It's like ordering the lobster when someone offers to take you to dinner. You just don't do it. Offer to pay or help pay for the room/get less expensive rooms. That's what I would do.

Exactly. Also, I've gone with a 22 month old, and she napped in her stroller. We brought our own, and she she fell asleep ( which they do ) we kicked it back, and did our own thing. You'll spend half the day going back, getting the kid settled, hoping they fall asleep....our friends did this with their little one, and always met back up with us saying, "He just wouldn't sleep!"

If someone else is paying ( especially if they are named Grandmom and Pop-Pop) you start at the bottom and work your way up to what they can afford comfortably.