Very Touchy Subject Question... please help!

[zakatak]

Ok, first off, I just need your HONEST opinions. I know RIGHT vs. WRONG...

We have reservations at POR from 7/3 - 7/10 then BC from 7/10 to 7/13.

I lucked out on Saturday and received a $245 credit from southwest for our flights (I'd been watching since February!). So, I invited my SIL to come with from 7/3 to 7/6 (Thur - Sat). She lives in Va. Beach and I used my credit to purchase her ticket N/S from Norfolk to Orlando (still have $26 in credit left!).

Now, I offered to purchase her ticket (see another post) and decided on the 3 day/3 park ticket since I already have one hopper day left over on another pass. $149.00. She is paying for her food. CAN YOU IMAGINE A 4 day trip to Disney for under $200? (I am a nice SIL)... this is a complete surprise to my DH (her brother) and my kids! They won't know anything until they see her at the MCO airport (she gets in 45 minutes before us!)...

OK, on to the flaming question of the week!! I bet you know this already...

We have 5 (me, dh, ds 7, dd 4, dd 2 (will be 3 on 6/16)) so we have reserved POR AB with Trundle Bed. I tried this morning (while securing the AP rate) to get another room at POR from 7/3 to 7/6. NO go. Sold out. She checked CBR for me (for two rooms) and all she had were king rooms left.

Here is the question... should we just all fit into the room for three nights (they probably won't notice her at all) as we will only have her extra for the first 3 out of 7 nights? Since this is extra, I can't justify moving up for two rooms at a deluxe either and it seems that most (if not all) of the MODS are sold out since POFQ closing.

What would you do? Please don't flame me... I know it is "stealing", "lying", etc... but it would be fine if it was three weeks earlier (i.e. 5 plus a baby under 3)... Should I just tell them that the baby is turing three on July 4th (her actual due date lol)... I am just stuck since I want her to stay with us (at the same resort) but can't afford to go from $89/night to $200+ a night...

Any advice? Ideas?

Thanks.

Karen

 

[zakatak]

Alright, I am going to update my own post... lol

I just got off the phone with CRO and she said that since the extra adult isn't staying the whole time, that I have to deal with the front dest at checkin. So, if I tell them that the baby is turing 3 on July 5th, then I would have to pay the extra adult per night charge for the three days she is there. So, Disney would be getting the extra money for her and I would only be telling the smallest, tiniest white lie.

Still horrible of me?

 

[gonga]

In a word...........NO

 

[Dee & Greg]

I don't think it is "horrible" of you at all... it does make for more dirty towels, etc. This is coming from a person who shows horses, and many times we'll have four adults and a few kids in the same hotel room... we're just there to sleep! We have the kids share towels so we don't request extra. So I really don't see anything wrong with your situation...

Now we can be flamed together!!

Have fun!

 

[zakatak]

Just to prevent further flames and such... YES, I am purchasing an Annual Pass for her (we all have APs), and purchasing her buffet meals for the entire trip.

Instead of just being short and rude, i.e. "In a word... NO", please give me another idea. I would appreciate any ideas.

Thanks,
Karen

 

[gepetto]

I'm not sure what "ideas" you are looking for. A clever way to lie at check-in? You've decided to do it anyway, so why ask us?

 

[Bill From PA]

Two years ago we were in a similar situation. Four of us in one room @ PO/Riverside, daughter and fiance in connecting room. He had to leave on Wed., she moved in with us, son spent the rest of the week on an inflatable matress. When I'm being charged $2.50 for a bottle of water, I take liberties . Save the flames for someone who cares.


Bill From PA

 

[pnelson]

I also really don't care if people want to put extras in a room. It doesn't take anything away from me. Having said that, I myself would be really uncomfortable in a room with 6 people in it. It would just be too crowded for me to enjoy or even sleep. But I understand your dilemma as other moderates are sold out. I would not give up on trying to find two rooms though. But that's just me. When my mom travels with us, we always get two rooms and there are just 3 of us-We like our space!

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

Well, if it were me, I wouldn't even mention your sil to the front desk. Then you wouldn't have to lie about your son's birthday. And I wouldn't feel bad about it at all either. Have a great time!

Sue

 

[Lisa3]

I have learned alot on these board including how easy it is for others to make judgements on what is right and wrong. The way I understand your situation is that you intend to pay for admission of your just turned 3 year old to the parks. Your question is would it be o.k. for 6 of you to share a room for 3 nights? You have tried to get a second room but none are available (how am I doing so far?). I will tell you our experience.

We stayed at POR when my kids were 7, 5 and 4 and it was our first family trip to Disney. We loved this resort and it was perfect for our young family. I do have to say that I am one that does not book hotels for amenities but for sleeping (yes I have to be very cost concious for our family to even consider Disney). The one complaint I had was that when the trundle is pulled out you cannot even open the door. The rooms are tight but I feel this is a personal decision.

Our next trip I fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine and we stayed at the Polynesian (got a great rate or DH wouldn't have gone for it). The kids were 9, 7 and 5. Of course we are now spoiled. The rooms are soooo much bigger and nobody had to sleep on the floor. (We just stayed in a Best Western on a short weekend trip and that was enough to convince DH that we will definately either book two rooms at a value or moderate on or go for the Polynesian again.)

I guess what I am trying to say is that I am looking more at your comfort. It will be extremely tight with 6 at POR but if that's o.k. with you who am I to say differently. As long as you are paying for the extra adult, Disney is not loosing any money from you during those three days (in fact they will be making more - food, souveniers, etc.) I can't see where it would even be an issue with with the little one just turning 3 (thought the rule was 3 and under).

Several suggestions - Keep trying for the second room, sometimes things open up. If your SIL will be there at the beginning of your trip, maybe book the Polynesian for those three nights and then move over to POR. The rooms at the Polynesian have queen size beds, a daybed and plenty of floor space to accomodate 5 plus a 3 year old child. Hope you have a great trip and don't take the flaming comment to heart - people need to lighten up a bit. What you are proposing will not affect anyone but your own family. (I would however leave a generous tip for housekeeping or be very neat!)

 

[dianeschlicht]

Could you rent a 2 bedroom at OKW for those dates? At $10 a point here on the rent trade board, it might be cheaper for you. Plus, with the in room laundry room, you can do all your wash free for that part of the trip, and you wont have to pack so much. You will also have a full kitchen and an in room jacuzzi. Can you tell I LOVE OKW?

 

[maggiew]

Personally, I would leave the reservation as it is. If you think you would be comfortable, I wouldn't say anything. We had a similar dilemma for our June trip, my mom, sister, me and 3 small girls (but >3) were going. We were going to stay in a POR room. Our girls are very small and we could easily sleep 3 to a bed (maybe one on the trundle). But, my sister's vacation week got bumped by someone with more seniority, so she and my niece are not coming.

If it really bothers you, look into the Doubletree at Downtown Disney. They can sleep 6. Plus, there is decent bus transportation. Or, if you have a car, look into the Holiday Inn Family Suites. I have only heard good things about this place and it is really close to WDW.

Maggie

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

I am not going to flame anybody, but Disney is a company they are in this to make a buck just like every other company. Their rules are 5 to room not 6 not 7, but 5. And you have to pay for the fifth if they are over a certian age. Where is it ok for a customer to take liberties. Who cares what you have to pay for bottled water in the parks. If you feel it's to expensive then drink from the free water fountains like everybody else. You all know what is right and what is wrong. If you have to tell a lie to get what you want then it's wrong, plain and simple.

As for no rooms available, the way I read it is that there are no rooms available at the price you want. Again, is that Disney's fault, no.

My suggestion, get two connecting rooms at one of the all stars or rent points from DVC, but a two bedroom at OKW from 7/3 to 7/6 would be 176 points or 1760.00 if anybody has any points to rent. Don't forget its 4th of july weekend/week. Disney is very busy

good luck

 

[leahannpen]

Gosh, don't worry so much about it! I'll get flamed, so fine... whatever, but you don't have to beat yourself up over this. Just have her stay with you for those 3 nights, if in fact you are comfortable with the room provided... it may get crowded.

You are going on vacation and should be relaxing and enjoying this time. Don't stress over 1 person for 3 nights that is worth an extra what... $25.00 a night, if that. I honestly don't think Disney is going to mind nor care all THAT much, honestly.

I think you may be crowded, but if it's only for 3 nights and you can't find anything else, then don't worry about it.

 

[tar heel]

A two-bedroom at OKW at $10 a point is somewhere around $300 a night -- don't believe that will work! We have a family of 5 and I would love to do that, but it's way too much if you have to have the two-bedroom.

I'm sure you already know this, but you can legally stay in two rooms at the All-Stars with the AP rate for $132 including tax. That's what I would do -- and what we are doing with three adults and two children.

 

[susy]

I don't think you will be at all comfortable. Add the heat of that time and the crowds for the holiday . I would call and try to get two rooms at one of the AS. You won't pay the extra $25 per night and you will have two bathrooms and be more comfy. Also, the Double tree has two beds in the bedroom and a pull out sofa in the living room. What about a FW cabin? I would weigh the difference in cost, since you have to pay that extra $25 per night -which is a waste to me.

 

[dahess]

I would squeeze the family into POR. It's only for a few days. It happens all the time.

 

[onceuponadream]

If 2 rooms at the All Stars are available and similarly priced I would go with that. I think it would be more comfy...more space for your "stuff" and 2 bathrooms. The All Stars look great! As far as if you are going to be noticed I've read threads where folks have stated Disney can kick you out but honestly after we check in I don't think anyone has a clue how many rooms we have for the six of us. We usually stay in 2 rooms at the mods and it is a bummer as I would pay less for 1 deluxe rather than the 2 mod rooms but I have to say the privacy and space is great and we always have AWESOME trips. This trip we were lucky enough to get the Swan on hotwire so the 2 rooms are less than $200 per night toatl. Last year it was $242 per night with AmEx discount at CBR (2 rooms). We do what we feel would be the most comfortable for us..Good luck with your decision and have a great trip

 

[luvindisneyworld]

i will not flame you,but i would say to get 2 rooms at the AS also.the moderate rooms are not much bigger than the AS and we ahd 4 adults at the AS and it was very tough.if you were trying to get POR 2 rooms then you were planning on spending extra money any way for those 3 days why not switch to the AS the whole time.the kids would love it there.like i said we were 4 adults staying there and LOVED it.you also said that you had an AP,value season starts on the 4th of July and i am sure that there will be codes and AP rates for your time period.the AP rates are till the 3rd of July now and they are 59.00 a night and i figure that they will probably be about the same and if they are you could get 2 rooms for118.00 plus tax.

 

[justhat]

If you can't get another room at your resort, I would squeeze into the one room for the 3 nights. Yeah, it'll probably be tight, but it's only 3 nights, and really, your kids won't notice the small space and your SIL won't complain since she's going free, so you'll be fine. On one trip with my family when I was about 15, a friend of my mom's was in the area and planned to stay with us for a night. We were at the Poly and already had 4 in the room and one more would have been a little crowded, but we would have been fine. He ended up staying only for the day, but if he had stayed the night we could have accomodated the extra person since we don't often see him and we would have enjoyed having him around, which I imagine is the case with your SIL. So go ahead and pack into the room, after all, it'll make it seem so much more spacious after your SIL leaves!