Update on our trip - we will be 4, not 5

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

I spoke to my MIL late yesterday and she was in a relatively happy and receptive mood so I broached the subject lightly of her coming away with us on one of our upcoming 2 overseas trips. I said we would pay for her flights and likely all of her accommodation which she was a little taken aback with that. We had decided we wanted to pay for these things for 2 reasons, in my DH's and my last phone calls with his father he asked us to "never leave her wanting" which we took to mean not just financially wanting, but in every way. Secondly, we thought it would be a softener on her saying yes if she didn't think it would cost her so much.

Anyway, she has said she won't come away on the Christmas trip as she would prefer to stay closer to home then but when she comes to spend a few weeks with us in April she would like to discuss the UK/France trip as that is something she would like to do.

(on a side note, I felt a little guilty when she mentioned about wanting to stay close to home for Christmas since we will be away for the first Christmas without FIL. I spoke to my DH about it and he said, don't feel guilty. We were meant to do this trip in 09 but put it off and then put it over every year since so we could be there thinking it would be FIL's last. He said we have spend Christmas in a dingy cabin in dodgy caravan parks for the last 3 years so we could be close to them (they don't have enough room for everyone in their house) and he said it's now time to go and do something fun. I guess he's right but I still can't help feeling a little pang of guilt)

So it's kind of / for me today. It's funny, I always thought it would be better if she came on the Europe trip, that it would be something she would enjoy so very much. But because I had spent months searching for accom for 5 for the US/Canada trip, I had started to get excited about all of the places we could show her. She would've adored New York most especially I'm sure so it's a little bittersweet today .

I am glad though that she is thinking she'd like to come on one of the trips though so I'm grateful for that.

So:-

Now we have a few decisions to make. Can you guys jump in with your thoughts.

We had originally booked 2 rooms at POP for our 11 nights at WDW because it was the most economical and spacious way to do 5 people. Now that we are back to the Fabulous Four, we can do whatever we want accom wise.

Last time we did a split stay WL/Pop and it was great so we definitely would like to do a split stay again. Kids are happy to do Pop again as the cheaper option so it's mainly just choosing the nicer place.

DD13 has ruled out WL as she said what is the point of doing a split stay if we go to the same places. Point taken but I will be visiting that amazing tree, can't miss that. So I said what other places would they like to consider. Everyone said AKL, we went to Boma for breakfast and thought it had a similar amazing rustic feel to it as WL, but still very different and the theming is beautiful. DD and DH are also keen to look into BWI, mainly for it's proximity to Epcot and the beautiful boardwalk. I'm also a bit drawn to POFQ for some reason. I wonder if that would be an option to upgrade from POP so that we stay at 2 completely new places???

I know these are my family's decisions to make but I sure do love hearing what the DISers think.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

So we booked to stay at the Hilton New York which we stayed at last time. We love it's location because it puts us more central to all of the things we like to see and do in NYC and it was a lovely hotel. And because the price for a room with a separate lounge with sofa bed was $100 per night cheaper than Doubletree .

So now we don't need to extra room per say, so we could drop back to a room with 2 doubles which would be only $259 per night as opposed to the $433 per night we would've been paying. My dilemma is, I kind of liked the idea of the extra room since we are going to be there for 9 nights and it's over Christmas so I thought that would still be handy. With only the 4 of us the price would be $418 per night. DH pointed out that is $159 per night saving times 9 which is $1431 so I guess we need to drop back to the 2 double room but I would've still loved the additional space. He hit below the belt when he said "how many extra Broadway shows could you go see with that money" . Damn that man, he knows just how to hurt a girl.

So I guess we change that.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

As for the accom for Boston and Quebec, I've kind of fallen in love with that places I chose for those cities. It was so hard to find really great places in good locations that could fit 5 comfortably but I finally did it and now I'm hooked. I was so frustrated that many lovely places were discounted because of the need to accom 5. Now that I don't have such restraints, I don't know if I can change and look elsewhere.

IN Boston I booked Omni Parker House which is a great location but they had me at hello when I started reading about the history of the place. Charles Dickens did his first public recital of A Christmas Carol there and he lived there for 2 years. JFK proposed to Jackie in the restaurant there at table 40 (you so know I'll be booking that table ). And the Boston Creme Pie was invented in that kitchen. So much divine history, I'm just swooning and at $165 p/n for 4 nights it still seems pretty good value (well compared to NYC lol).

Then there is Hotel Palace Royal in Quebec City. Just outside the gates of Old Town, with a beautiful iceskating rink right outside and the most gorgeous surrounds. It's a total picture postcard winter wonderland. This places has a separate living area and is $179 per night for 5 nights. I know we could definitely get something cheaper now that we don't need so much space but sob sob, I just love this location.

So now it's a battle of how much I want to save money versus the places I have fallen in love with and think would be wonderful to stay at.

Heart versus head really. Or is it more heart versus wallet .

Damn, I don't know what to do.

Come on DISers, help a girl out will ya. What would you do????

 

[5ofus]

How wonderful that you now have a bit more freedom with your choices! The hotels you have chosen in Quebec and in particular Boston sound amazing, and I wouldn't change them - or maybe downgrade to a smaller room? The prices aren't TOO bad.

As for New York, I think I'd have to side with your husband on this. The savings over the 9 nights are quite significant - think about the shopping and shows.... I think you need to downgrade there.

And WDW? Well, I share your love of WL. I stayed at the Villas on one of my trips and I LOVE the place. I'd dearly love to stay at AKL and am trying to figure out a way to afford that for the five of us for at least a couple of nights. We're most likely going to go with POR (POFQ is out for a family of five as I'm sure you know from your prior research!) though and that resort is starting to really grow on me too. I like the idea of upgrading to POFQ for the 'budget' side of things and trying out AKL or BWI as a part of your split stay. Again though, I'd lean toward AKL for the themeing, although it is a bit away from everything else. If you do split between POFQ and AKL though, you will have that proximity to Epcot in your POFQ stay - although obviously not as close as BWI.

Now that I've talked myself around in circles I bet everything is as clear as mud!!!

 

[battymum]

Well seeing as though you have already put so much thought into it - how about I tag along as the fifth wheel...!

But I am so glad that you have seen the pain of organising a trip for family of five!!

 

[aussietravellers]

I spoke to my MIL late yesterday and she was in a relatively happy and receptive mood so I broached the subject lightly of her coming away with us on one of our upcoming 2 overseas trips. I said we would pay for her flights and likely all of her accommodation which she was a little taken aback with that. We had decided we wanted to pay for these things for 2 reasons, in my DH's and my last phone calls with his father he asked us to "never leave her wanting" which we took to mean not just financially wanting, but in every way. Secondly, we thought it would be a softener on her saying yes if she didn't think it would cost her so much.

Oh this made me

Anyway, she has said she won't come away on the Christmas trip as she would prefer to stay closer to home then but when she comes to spend a few weeks with us in April she would like to discuss the UK/France trip as that is something she would like to do.

(on a side note, I felt a little guilty when she mentioned about wanting to stay close to home for Christmas since we will be away for the first Christmas without FIL. I spoke to my DH about it and he said, don't feel guilty. We were meant to do this trip in 09 but put it off and then put it over every year since so we could be there thinking it would be FIL's last. He said we have spend Christmas in a dingy cabin in dodgy caravan parks for the last 3 years so we could be close to them (they don't have enough room for everyone in their house) and he said it's now time to go and do something fun. I guess he's right but I still can't help feeling a little pang of guilt)

So it's kind of / for me today. It's funny, I always thought it would be better if she came on the Europe trip, that it would be something she would enjoy so very much. But because I had spent months searching for accom for 5 for the US/Canada trip, I had started to get excited about all of the places we could show her. She would've adored New York most especially I'm sure so it's a little bittersweet today .

I am glad though that she is thinking she'd like to come on one of the trips though so I'm grateful for that.

So:-

Now we have a few decisions to make. Can you guys jump in with your thoughts.

We had originally booked 2 rooms at POP for our 11 nights at WDW because it was the most economical and spacious way to do 5 people. Now that we are back to the Fabulous Four, we can do whatever we want accom wise.

Last time we did a split stay WL/Pop and it was great so we definitely would like to do a split stay again. Kids are happy to do Pop again as the cheaper option so it's mainly just choosing the nicer place.

DD13 has ruled out WL as she said what is the point of doing a split stay if we go to the same places. Point taken but I will be visiting that amazing tree, can't miss that. So I said what other places would they like to consider. Everyone said AKL, we went to Boma for breakfast and thought it had a similar amazing rustic feel to it as WL, but still very different and the theming is beautiful. DD and DH are also keen to look into BWI, mainly for it's proximity to Epcot and the beautiful boardwalk. I'm also a bit drawn to POFQ for some reason. I wonder if that would be an option to upgrade from POP so that we stay at 2 completely new places???

I know these are my family's decisions to make but I sure do love hearing what the DISers think.

Well you know that we LOVE AKL Nothing bad to say about that place. It has our favourite CS, favourite breakfast (Boma) and favourite signature (Jiko). AKL is a cheaper deluxe, so maybe if you saved on that a bit, then you could upgrade POP to POFQ. And also, in December they are likely to have a good discount (or free dining) which would bring down the cost even more I vote for AKL and POFQ, but POP is so fun too.
I will say though, when we stayed at BC and YC (liked YC better). That we absolutely that location. I loved being able to pop into EPCOT just for dinner or lunch or to grab a fastpass. So the location of BWI is fabulous. But bus wise, I like AKL better (although we didn't have a problem with getting on a bus at YC, it was just all the stops it made)

So we booked to stay at the Hilton New York which we stayed at last time. We love it's location because it puts us more central to all of the things we like to see and do in NYC and it was a lovely hotel. And because the price for a room with a separate lounge with sofa bed was $100 per night cheaper than Doubletree .

So now we don't need to extra room per say, so we could drop back to a room with 2 doubles which would be only $259 per night as opposed to the $433 per night we would've been paying. My dilemma is, I kind of liked the idea of the extra room since we are going to be there for 9 nights and it's over Christmas so I thought that would still be handy. With only the 4 of us the price would be $418 per night. DH pointed out that is $159 per night saving times 9 which is $1431 so I guess we need to drop back to the 2 double room but I would've still loved the additional space. He hit below the belt when he said "how many extra Broadway shows could you go see with that money" . Damn that man, he knows just how to hurt a girl.

So I guess we change that.

Oh wow, that's an awesome saving! I'd be swaping too! although I have to say, even though it was just DS and I, we did love having that extra room. When we got to AKL after Doubletree, DS asked why we didn't get another room with a tv room But for $1431 difference, I'd be swapping to the Hilton too

As for the accom for Boston and Quebec, I've kind of fallen in love with that places I chose for those cities. It was so hard to find really great places in good locations that could fit 5 comfortably but I finally did it and now I'm hooked. I was so frustrated that many lovely places were discounted because of the need to accom 5. Now that I don't have such restraints, I don't know if I can change and look elsewhere.

IN Boston I booked Omni Parker House which is a great location but they had me at hello when I started reading about the history of the place. Charles Dickens did his first public recital of A Christmas Carol there and he lived there for 2 years. JFK proposed to Jackie in the restaurant there at table 40 (you so know I'll be booking that table ). And the Boston Creme Pie was invented in that kitchen. So much divine history, I'm just swooning and at $165 p/n for 4 nights it still seems pretty good value (well compared to NYC lol).

Then there is Hotel Palace Royal in Quebec City. Just outside the gates of Old Town, with a beautiful iceskating rink right outside and the most gorgeous surrounds. It's a total picture postcard winter wonderland. This places has a separate living area and is $179 per night for 5 nights. I know we could definitely get something cheaper now that we don't need so much space but sob sob, I just love this location.

So now it's a battle of how much I want to save money versus the places I have fallen in love with and think would be wonderful to stay at.

Heart versus head really. Or is it more heart versus wallet .

Damn, I don't know what to do.

Come on DISers, help a girl out will ya. What would you do????

I think your options here sound wonderful. I think you should stick with what you have. You are saving in NY, so why not keep what you have in the other cities if you love where you have picked. What if you swap, then walk past that ice rink and the grounds and wish you had stayed there.

 

[aussietravellers]

PS.... All of this WDW talk is making me think about maybe swapping from DL & Vegas to WDW! No, I really want to see Carsland so we will stick with DL! But we have been to DL at Christmas time before, we haven't seen WDW at Christmas.

 

[battymum]

I'm with 5 of us - really how much are you going to save in Boston and Quebec - stay where you have chosen and enjoy it, I bet you paid more than that for your cabin with the family.

and wow, as I didnt look at other accomodations in NYC - I didnt realise how much extra that fifth person was costing - curse you twins!!!!

As for WDW - I am going to throw a curve ball, we really loved our stay at the Hard Rock Hotel - I've heard it compares to a Disney deluxe.

We love the proximity of the universal parks and city walk - and the resort is just beautiful - shopping is just a short and cheap taxi ride.

But for a Disney deluxe I would go for Beach Club for its location or would love to stay at the GF. If I remember your TR you didnt spend much time at the WL - which may be different on your 2nd trip, I would think AKL is a little isolated.
Also being December you will probably not be using the pools, so what else would you be doing at the resorts.

 

[Mum from oz]

Sounds like you have worked it out really.

I'm a people pleaser so I think you should stay at BWI and POFQ to make you and DD/DH happy.

Go the smaller room in NY mainly for the saving and if you're sacrificing that then you can have your accommodation in Boston/Quebec!

 

[dabecs]

I'm glad that your MIL isn't ruling out travelling with you completely but I do wonder if at Christmas she won't regret not being with you. On the other hand if she is really down at Christmas and she was away with you it might make it a harder time for all of you...

I agree with everyone else that the NY accommodation should be downsized but I think the other accommodation should stay the same - the history of that hotel would have won me over too and the price seems reasonable. It will be nice to have some more space on such a long trip too.

 

[DisneyGirlInOz]

With WDW I have stayed at AKL, BWI and POR not POFQ and I would say AKL without a doubt.

Not sure if that is much help, but we loved AKL.

We had a Savannah view room and it was awesome

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and ideas everyone.

It looks like it's the double room for sure for NYC. Thank you for keeping me practical .

And I think you are all so right, Boston and Quebec prices are pretty reasonable anyway. I think we will keep them.

Aussietravellers - I knew you'd recommend AKL, I know you are a fan. It really is a beautiful place. I'm not sure whether I prefer it over WL (that place has my heart) but I think it is so beautiful. I think I remember you mentioning something about the buses being not as great at BWI. I will go back and see my old thread and see what you said. I can't stay anywhere with a slow or dodgy bus system.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

And WDW? Well, I share your love of WL. I stayed at the Villas on one of my trips and I LOVE the place.

It truly is a gorgeous place

Well seeing as though you have already put so much thought into it - how about I tag along as the fifth wheel...!

But I am so glad that you have seen the pain of organising a trip for family of five!!

It seems a shame to waste all that planning, there's room in my suitcase

PS.... All of this WDW talk is making me think about maybe swapping from DL & Vegas to WDW! No, I really want to see Carsland so we will stick with DL! But we have been to DL at Christmas time before, we haven't seen WDW at Christmas.

Why not keep what you've already planned and just throw in a side trip to WDW for an extra week to see the decorations

and wow, as I didnt look at other accomodations in NYC - I didnt realise how much extra that fifth person was costing - curse you twins!!!!

As for WDW - I am going to throw a curve ball, we really loved our stay at the Hard Rock Hotel - I've heard it compares to a Disney deluxe.

We love the proximity of the universal parks and city walk - and the resort is just beautiful - shopping is just a short and cheap taxi ride.

It truly was so much more expensive and hard to find accom for 5 people. I really feel for you, it definitely makes it a little more tricky.

As for staying near Universal, we may not even bother with Universal this time so probably wouldn't be worthwhile staying near there. Although DD is dying to go back to WWoHP.

Sounds like you have worked it out really.

I'm a people pleaser so I think you should stay at BWI and POFQ to make you and DD/DH happy.

Go the smaller room in NY mainly for the saving and if you're sacrificing that then you can have your accommodation in Boston/Quebec!

I'm a bit of a people pleaser as a rule too so have asked for my TA to quote on all scenarios - and then I guess we'll let the figures do the talking

I'm glad that your MIL isn't ruling out travelling with you completely but I do wonder if at Christmas she won't regret not being with you. On the other hand if she is really down at Christmas and she was away with you it might make it a harder time for all of you...

I agree with everyone else that the NY accommodation should be downsized but I think the other accommodation should stay the same - the history of that hotel would have won me over too and the price seems reasonable. It will be nice to have some more space on such a long trip too.

I'm was thinking it would be nice for her to do something completely different for Christmas but respect her decision to stay. It will be a strange old Christmas for everyone. I'm hoping spending it NYC will take a bit of the sting out of it though .

Glad you think the Boston hotel's history is as amazing as I do. I was sold the minute I read that

With WDW I have stayed at AKL, BWI and POR not POFQ and I would say AKL without a doubt.

Not sure if that is much help, but we loved AKL.

We had a Savannah view room and it was awesome

Thanks for the vote for AKL

 

[ExcitedSam]

See just to throw a spanner in the works, my first thought, for 9 nights and over Christmas I'd want the extra room too....."but it is a lot of money.....which you were going to pay anyway.....? I'm no help!

How fun deciding where to stay at WDW. We are going to DL and the DL hotels are so expensive, not sure I could cope with the size of WDW, I'll work my way up to it and go maybe when the girls are older.

 

[queenie82]

I used to have a crush on boardwalk. Then I stayed there.

If you want the location stay at beach club.
Your son would love the pool.

But I do love akv. So. It would be between beach club and akv.

Of course. I love BLT

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Ms. Shuttergirl that is awesome that your MIL is thinking about doing Europe with you.

Just wondering if you looked at the king sofa bed room at Doubletree its cheaper?

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

See just to throw a spanner in the works, my first thought, for 9 nights and over Christmas I'd want the extra room too....."but it is a lot of money.....which you were going to pay anyway.....? I'm no help!

How fun deciding where to stay at WDW. We are going to DL and the DL hotels are so expensive, not sure I could cope with the size of WDW, I'll work my way up to it and go maybe when the girls are older.

Hahaha ExcitedSam, you are so not helping me .

Actually WDW accom is really reasonable compared to the DL onsite options. I would not rule it out if I were you, although if your girls are only very little DL would be easier for tired little feet i guess. I felt the same way about WDW originally, now I cannot ever see myself bothering with DL again, WDW is absolutely amazing.

I used to have a crush on boardwalk. Then I stayed there.

If you want the location stay at beach club.
Your son would love the pool.

But I do love akv. So. It would be between beach club and akv.

Of course. I love BLT

Well Queenie, don't keep me in suspense. What is it you hated about the Boardwalk. I want to hear all about it so I don't make a mistake.

I'm not interested in Bay Lake Tower, not enough theming for me and I feel like at WDW, I want to take advantage of the amazing theming some of the resorts offer.

Tell me what it is you love about Beach Club also.

 

[queenie82]

Hahaha ExcitedSam, you are so not helping me .

Actually WDW accom is really reasonable compared to the DL onsite options. I would not rule it out if I were you, although if your girls are only very little DL would be easier for tired little feet i guess. I felt the same way about WDW originally, now I cannot ever see myself bothering with DL again, WDW is absolutely amazing.



Well Queenie, don't keep me in suspense. What is it you hated about the Boardwalk. I want to hear all about it so I don't make a mistake.

I'm not interested in Bay Lake Tower, not enough theming for me and I feel like at WDW, I want to take advantage of the amazing theming some of the resorts offer.

Tell me what it is you love about Beach Club also.

What few people understand is just how much cheaper. Per what you get. WDW is.
Disneyland food costs more. Restaurants more. Accommodation more. Everything.

I don't hate boardwalk. I stayed there at Christmas along with beach club.
Being in villas I can't tell you what room type or location you'll get in a 'room' but beach club does suffer from long corridor syndrome. Of course so does Kidani house.

I just feel there is zero need to stay at the boardwalk to experience the boardwalk. These resorts are next to each other. Literally.
The pool at beach club is so far superior as well. A five minute extra walk to 'the boardwalk' for a better pool.

Beach club is also closer to EPCOT.
SO closer to Sunshine Seasons and Strawberry Shortcake.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Ms. Shuttergirl that is awesome that your MIL is thinking about doing Europe with you.

Just wondering if you looked at the king sofa bed room at Doubletree its cheaper?

Yeah we are glad she's considering one of the trips too.

We hadn't looked at the king sofa bed room at Doubletree because it only has one king bed and I wouldn't want the kids to have to share a sofa bed for 9 nights, even for the extra space. DD is 14 and DD is 10 so what we tend to do is boys share a bed and girls share a bed and that works well for us. I would've taken it night about with MIL for the sofa bed but I don't really want anyone who is a grown up to have to sleep on one that long, they can tend to get a little uncomfortable, although I could be wrong. Doubletrees sofa beds might be really comfy.

Have just checked the Hilton and we can upgrade to a deluxe double for an additional $6 per night using our NRMA/AAA card so that's handy. It really just means a refurbished room I think. We had an older room last time and it was lovely so can only imagine how nice the deluxe is.

The other thing we love about Hilton is there are so many yummy CHEAP places to eat breakfast nearby which as we all know, in NYC is a total bonus.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

What few people understand is just how much cheaper. Per what you get. WDW is.
Disneyland food costs more. Restaurants more. Accommodation more. Everything.

I don't hate boardwalk. I stayed there at Christmas along with beach club.
Being in villas I can't tell you what room type or location you'll get in a 'room' but beach club does suffer from long corridor syndrome. Of course so does Kidani house.

I just feel there is zero need to stay at the boardwalk to experience the boardwalk. These resorts are next to each other. Literally.
The pool at beach club is so far superior as well. A five minute extra walk to 'the boardwalk' for a better pool.

Beach club is also closer to EPCOT.
SO closer to Sunshine Seasons and Strawberry Shortcake.

Alright then, I shall look at pricing for Beach Club as well and will jump online with the kids in the next few days and see what they think of BC. I actually think I remember my daughter saying she liked that one also.

And the less walking I have to do, quite frankly the better