What to do with a busted bubble

[jcsbama]

How is it that I'm now depressed when I'm going to Disney in two weeks? After many, many changes to our ressie trying to get the full stay at WL, we had finally done it. We have been counting the days. Then it happened....that unknown, out of the blue, where the heck did this come from financial blunder. No need to give details, but our Disney funds have been cut in half. We desperately need a vacation. We have not had a vacation since we were at Disney three years ago. We struggled as to what to do. Do we not go now? Push it back a few months? Downgrade in resort level and go as scheduled? My beloved WL Courtyard view with A/P discount down the drain. Since we have non-refundable plane tickets and Nana has scheduled to take off work for the week to keep DD13months (no flames, she's going w/ us next year ), we decided to downgrade and go the schedule week.

This creates a new problem. Are we going to be able to get rooms two weeks away? So, I get on the phone with CRO. After an hour, we have a new plan. It's not the best laid plan and I'm not thrilled with my options, but if I want to go now, I take what I can get, right? So, now we are staying at ASMu for three nights, CSR for two nights and I still get my WL for two nights (my "ideal" plan would be POP, POR, WL). Even though the CM didn't seem thrilled about checking availability one day at time for each resort level, she did and had a lot of patience with me. I warned her up front she would need patience.

Before I get suggestions on what we could do, I need to tell you two more things. Number one, if we don't have cash, we don't do it, especially something like a vacation. A lesson learned the hard way from college days, so now, we stick to our guns. Number two, hubby promised me that next year we can stay anywhere I want. We'll probably have to start saving right when we get back.

ASMu I'm not really concerned with. We did Sports last time, so I know what to expect. CSR is my main concern. It does not seem like our kind of place at all. I don't know why, I've never been there, only seen pictures and not to thrilled. But, I'm going to Disney with the best husband in the world who is also my best friend so it can't be too bad, can it?

Diser's, I need reassurance we will have as much fun in our new resorts as I had anticipated having at WL. How frustrating is it to switch resorts so many times? I need to do a search for the best way to pack for resort hopping.

So many months of planning I feel are just wasted. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. Anyone have extra pixie dust they can send my way. I'm not stingy, I don't need much, just a little will do.

 

[Magic2000]

We stayed at CSR before, and we enjoyed our stay!!! The resort is big, but not too bad!! We only ate in the food court once, and it was pretty good.

The main pool area is nice, and we enjoyed the "quiet" pool too!

Don't worry - you'll have a great time! Just go with an open mind! Have a great trip!!!

We LOVED our stay at Wilderness Lodge last summer! I really, really, really wanted to stay there again (so did DD), but the rate was just too high for me. So we're doing a split stay between Pop Century and Port Orleans FQ.

Can't wait til next week!!!

 

[ret1958]

I know you must be disappointed, but if you are like us, you really don't stay too much in/at the hotel. Enjoy the Parks and enjoy the unknown. At least after this trip you can say you tried CSR. I hear the food court is wonderful there!

My youngest son, 14 yrs, is leaving tomorrow for his first trip without us. Boy, am I jealous! We get to go again next year though!

Like you said, you will be with the one you love and like and at WDW - what could be better!

Hope this cheers you up some Have a great time! And just think of next year!!!

 

[Manon]

The best advice I could give you is to stay "focus" on what's important: beeing with your family and doing Disney!! Where you spend the night is not that important, as long as you have fun et feel the Disney magic around you. I believe that what ever hotel you stay it's magical because it's Disney's!!!!!

Stop the worries, and start packing!!!

We are leaving in 19 days !!!

 

[YCFAN]

You'll get to add to the list of places you've stayed! Just think how great your signature will look in the future!!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

jcsbama,

Like Mamon said, where you stay doesn't matter. I found out in Feb that you really don't spend that much time in your room, so when your in a jam like this why not downsize and still go. Your still at Disney and your still staying onsite.

 

[10drum]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. We always stayed deluxes and once we were only able to go during peak season, so to save, we booked CSR. It was great! had as good as time as ever, the resort was wonderful, the pool was as good as most deluxes, the food was good and more affordable than the deluxe resorts, and the bus service was tremendous.

GO, HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT COULD'VE BEEN, YOU'LL STILL BE AT WDW.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Maybe you could think of this as part of a plan to eventually stay at resorts all around the World - you will get to try them all!! (And if you don't like one, well then you've checked it off your list.)

I have stayed at WL and enjoyed it. But I loved CBR, which is oriented around a lake something like CSR (which I've walked around just to visit.) I actually think that the moderates can be a bit more relaxing than WL or AKL. They are beautiful, but the design of both lends to a slightly more hyped-up feel for some reason (at least to me.)

As far as packing goes, try to pack into carry-ons if possible. It seems daunting, but summer shorts and tee-shirts don't take up that much space, and small suitcases can be unpacked and packed again really fast. (It makes me feel much more settled to unpack completely, and takes less than 10 minutes to empty a carry-on.) If you absolutely have to, each resort has laundry facilities. Just don't leave home without quarters!

Don't worry! You're going to have a great time!!!

 

[jcsbama]

Wow! I wasn't expecting such a quick response. Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it. Sometimes, you just need another person's perspective to make you feel better.

 

[Uncle Albert]

OK. Go now and put part of the trip on a card. Like only the hotel or only food. The money you would save to go in a few months, pay a big payment on the card then with that money. Go and have a great time and forget the money. It will be taken care of in two months. You said you could go then. Go now and pay later.

Uncle Albert

 

[Sammie]

I don't think you will be disappointed in CSR, it is a beautiful resort with a fab pool. It really has a lot to offer. Great beach area with hammocks. Good transportation.

I agree with your book what you can afford plan. We never charge our vacations, we could not enjoy them knowing when we got home we would then have to face the bills. I admire your determination to stick to your budget.

 

[Uncle Albert]

It's money you where going to spend on the vacation anyway when you got it. Right? So why bust up your ressies and plans. Go with the original plan and put part on the card. Only part. The part you would have later.

Uncle Albert

 

[septbride2002]

Maybe you could think of this as part of a plan to eventually stay at resorts all around the World - you will get to try them all!! (And if you don't like one, well then you've checked it off your list.)
Don't worry! You're going to have a great time!!!

I think this is the best suggestion I've ever read. I visited Coranado Springs and it seems so relaxed. The menus at the food court area look yummy with some items you won't find at other resorts (sort of reminded me of AKL in that respect). The pool area is large if you plan on spending some time there. I've seen great pictures of Coronado Springs that make me think I would like to stay there some day.

Here are some that I really liked.
http://community.webshots.com/album/144060117RYUeOO

Try to focus on the positives - you still get 2 wonderful days at WL with the chance to stay there the entire trip next year! Even a downgraded Disney Vacation is still a DISNEY VACATION!
~Amanda

 

[dmonroe]

Is it just you and your dh going? If that's the case I really don't think I would mind staying the whole trip in a mod. with a king bed. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a deluxe kind of girl. But without needing the extra space and ammenities for the kids I honestly think I could be perfectly happy in a mod. I would be even happier to down grade if it would afford dh and I more opportunities for nice meals and special things that we don't get to do when the kids are along! HTH-Dana