Two Different Resorts for a group?

[MomOTwins]

The parking lot trams have not returned since the parks reopened last July but the will return some day.

Dave

Ugh, see to me that actually makes the case for on-site even stronger so you can take the buses and avoid a long walk back to the car!

 

[hotblooded]

I see nothing strange about staying at two different hotels, but my sister and I are both very independent. I've stayed at a lot of "deluxe" hotels throughout my travels, but when I go to WDW, I almost always return to Pop Century. It's very generous of you to pay for her room regardless, and with the addition of the skyliner, Pop Century is quite a nice place to stay. I'm sure she'll be very happy with it.

 

[Kerr84]

As the younger sister that was single forever, I would be so bummed to go back to my room alone. It is so generous of you to pay for her, but I would look for a place you could all stay. Someone mentioned the AoA suites and that would be plenty of room plus the skyliner! Or maybe you can find a 1 bedroom through some dvc sites.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

Stay in one resort. Maybe rent dvc points for a two bed condo at old key west or animal kingdom.

 

[Eastern]

I agree that it's very generous to pay for your sister's hotel, and I'm sure she would be fine at her own resort, but it is more fun being together/close by.

 

[SirDuff]

I don't know your sister's financial situation, but could you make the offer and, if she wants to stay at the Poly, she can cover the difference between the two resorts?

 

[tjmw2727]

We have done many family trips with each family in a different resort and it worked well. We met for meals, park time and a water park day and kept it fluid as the kids in each family were all different ages so we would travel in different combinations depending on who wanted to do which attractions and shows.

However when my sister was still single and she joined us she always stayed with us. I personally can't imagine spending the day with her and then sending her alone to a value resort while we were staying a the poly. If it were her and her dh or another family that is fine but I wouldn't invite someone to join my vacation and then have them stay elsewhere. I think it would be sad and lonely to leave you and her niece/nephew? and go back to a room alone each night.

I would look at OKW as the one bedroom is likely around the same price as the poly studio and give you all the space you need and more. I would even go back to the offsite option before I split hotels, maybe put that Poly stay on hold for another trip?

 

[MomOTwins]

We have done many family trips with each family in a different resort and it worked well. We met for meals, park time and a water park day and kept it fluid as the kids in each family were all different ages so we would travel in different combinations depending on who wanted to do which attractions and shows.

However when my sister was still single and she joined us she always stayed with us. I personally can't imagine spending the day with her and then sending her alone to a value resort while we were staying a the poly. If it were her and her dh or another family that is fine but I wouldn't invite someone to join my vacation and then have them stay elsewhere. I think it would be sad and lonely to leave you and her niece/nephew? and go back to a room alone each night.

I would look at OKW as the one bedroom is likely around the same price as the poly studio and give you all the space you need and more. I would even go back to the offsite option before I split hotels, maybe put that Poly stay on hold for another trip?

Yeah, I do think there is a big difference between family members on a trip paying their own way and staying at separate resorts that they choose, versus inviting a single member with a promise you'll pay their accommodations (especially when you pitched it as staying together, albeit offsite) and then upgrading your immediate family to one of the best resorts on property while sending them back to a value resort every night. Even if the value resort is pretty nice, would be nicer for your family to stay at a value too, or compromise in the middle at a moderate, than create that different treatment and split up. Yes Poly is more comfortable and in a more convenient location, but isn't that the point? It would be more comfortable and convenient for her too.

Just feels more exclusionary when you are the one choosing her accommodations. Before I likened it to having a different entrees for her than for your family at a meal. But it is actually a bit worse because of the separation--more like saying you'll cover her meals and then booking your family a dinner at Cinderella's Table while sending her to go eat quick service at Cosmic Rays. Or like paying for flights for everyone and putting your family in first class while she goes in coach. I get that it's a lot of money, but I don't agree with others who have said it is generous to give your guest something lesser than what you give your own family. I was always raised that when you are a host, you treat your guests like family.

 

[mousehouse23]

I think every family operates differently, and the OP is best suited towards understanding her sister's feelings regarding this stay.

As a little sister, I know, for a fact, I would have been fine with this arrangement, had my older sister sprung for my accommodations at Pop while she stayed with her family at the Poly. Why? Because I would have been at Walt Disney World. And I would have understood that money doesn't grow on trees.

I understand others may see it as a slight, but don't assume the OP's sister will. She could enjoy having time with her sister's family, while having an adventure at Pop all her own.

 

[loves to dive]

I think every family operates differently, and the OP is best suited towards understanding her sister's feelings regarding this stay.

As a little sister, I know, for a fact, I would have been fine with this arrangement, had my older sister sprung for my accommodations at Pop while she stayed with her family at the Poly. Why? Because I would have been at Walt Disney World. And I would have understood that money doesn't grow on trees.

I understand others may see it as a slight, but don't assume the OP's sister will. She could enjoy having time with her sister's family, while having an adventure at Pop all her own.

I 100% agree with this, OP you know your sister better than a bunch of random strangers on a message board and you know your family dynamics. As a single mom, my mother often would pay for my son and myself to go along with her on vacations. It was two fold, she had company and she knew we couldn't afford it. I was always happy with whatever she provided for us and would have actually been embarrassed had she sacrificed giving herself a better experience to pay for us.

 

[tjmw2727]

LOL - actually the OP did ask "a bunch of random strangers on a message board" if it would be weird to have her sister stay at a value while she stayed deluxe.

I simply answered that I personally would not do this and why, isn't that the point of a message board?

Of course the OP will ultimately make the decision that works best for her family but hearing all types of opinions can be helpful.

 

[mousehouse23]

It was my understanding the OP was looking more for advice on aspects/difficulties that would arise from a two-resort stay. She said her sister was fine with it.

 

[robinb]

I also think you should try to find a resort where you can all stay. If I were the All Stars sister, I would feel like I was being thrown a bologna sandwich while my rich sister ate prime rib at the Polynesian. It would really make me feel like a charity case. I know that's not how you mean it! But that's how I would feel. Of course, an added problem is that your husband felt cramped in a BLT studio (it *is* small), but most regular Deluxe resort rooms are not a whole lot bigger. Perhaps you can go back to the idea of staying offsite. The Wyndham Bonnet Creek has lovely 3-bedroom villas for less that you'll pay at the Polynesian and you'll all be together.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Have you considered renting points for a 1BR at BLT? It would have a master bedroom and then a pull out chair and sofa bed. While the studios at BLT are small the 1BR and above are a nice size and have two bathrooms. We usually have 8 in 2BR there with the SIL and her crew and find it plenty of space.

If you are intent on keeping the Poly room + Pop I don't think it will be too much of an issue with the car & WDW transportation.

 

[Snow L]

It was my understanding the OP was looking more for advice on aspects/difficulties that would arise from a two-resort stay. She said her sister was fine with it.

Yes this is what I was looking for, but I do appreciate everyone's insight. I will probably present a few scenarios to my sister and see what she thinks. There is so much up in the air right now, I'm sure I'll go back and forth a million times before we decide.

 

[mousehouse23]

Yes this is what I was looking for, but I do appreciate everyone's insight. I will probably present a few scenarios to my sister and see what she thinks. There is so much up in the air right now, I'm sure I'll go back and forth a million times before we decide.

Good luck! Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful trip. And once you make your decision, try to be at peace with it.

 

[robinb]

Would you consider a family suite at AOA? It's not as close to MK but it is on the skyliner which makes Epcot and HS easy and fun to get to. It would certainly save you some money (I believe) and they are so much fun for kids. There are 2 full bathrooms and there is a closed bedroom if you need a separate space for the kids to sleep while adults stay up at night and a small kitchenette for some small meals if you want to. Most importantly you would all be together and your sister would not be left on her own to catch transport at night or in the morning to meet you. They sleep 6 so there would be more than enough space.

Another option is to book the AoA suite for all the room and keep the Pop room for the sister. After all, Pop and AoA are "sister resorts" .

 

[MomOTwins]

It was my understanding the OP was looking more for advice on aspects/difficulties that would arise from a two-resort stay. She said her sister was fine with it.

Well of course her sister would SAY that.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Get a big condo at Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We had never stayed offsite until we stayed there for my daughter's cheer competition, as it was the team hotel, and I was blown away by how good, how close, and how cheap it was compared to staying onsite. You can all be together and save a ton of money even if you use Uber XL to go everywhere.

 

[mousehouse23]

Well of course her sister would SAY that.

It's entirely possible she meant it, too.