What would you do if DD insists on hotel

[mickeyschickie]

funny story...
a couple of years ago, my Mom and Dad left for Florida with our 3 year old daughter in their RV. We met them a week later at the VWL, stayed a week and then headed home and left them to stay a few more days @ FW...when they went to set up camp that night, Charlotte asked what they were doing
"we can't stay here" she said...and while she didn't throw a fit, she was extremely happy that they were not going home aka VWL...so, my Dad, being the sucker that he is and my Mom being the anti-camper, called and were able to get a studio in the Villas for a couple more nights, which was just a few more points for them, and they all happily moved between the VWL and the MK for the next three days. I cannot, absolutely cannot believe that my parents gave in to her whim and did this...but I guess that is the joy of being a grandparent and not a parent. Charlotte knows that the VWL is our home away from home and I doubt that her opinion will change anytime soon...which is just fine with us...lol.
BTW...when my grandfather took his last trip with us there, (he passed away last summer and at the time was in the early stages of alzheimers) he told my parents what a nice place they had and told them that he was really going to miss them @ home...he thought they had moved into the Villas! it really was a very nice corner 2-bedroom villa...lol
sorry, had to edit because I totally forgot to make my point above...My Mom and Dad had the luxary of changing their plans #1 because they are DVC owners and they had the points available to them #2 they are the grandparents, they do not have to deal with this kid the way a parent does, they did a good job raising me and my brother and they have earned the right to spoil a child...this is what a grandparent is for..."what happens at grandma's, stays at grandma's", my DD knows better than to question Mommy's plans, because I always tell her that Mommy's surprises are better than what she can plan...we don't tell DD any details of our vacation until is actually happens and she just goes with the flow...
there, got my point out.

 

[CTDis4]

Clearly, I should have stated it differently and asked advice on how to get a child excited about trying this new experience in Disney.

Thank you to those who responded with positive thoughts!

My son never liked change...I always no matter what the situation had to stress how much fun trying something new was. I'm sure it will all work out and you will all have a wonderful time.

 

[mylilnikita]

I am grown and I want to stay at the Poly! The Neverland Club is right there and my DD9 loves it. The volcano pool. You can see the MK fireworks at night from the beach at the Poly. Last year before taking DD to Neverland Club we walked by the pool and saw a duck getting into the Volcano pool. Heck even ducks want to hang out there. Have a great time!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

I would tell her, "You know I'm really sorry, but we cannot stay there this year." When she asks why say, "It's just not going to work out. We are staying in a different hotel this time." Period. End of discussion. A girlfriend of mine said, "You can't play verbal volleyball if one side of the court is empty." Empty out your court.

(This works the same way with adults who badger you about volunteering and when you say no they want to know why. Just say, "it won't work." Don't give exact reasons because people can always counter with so and so is busier than you and they can volunteer.... Same theory. Different situation.)

When she brings it up again say, "You know this is where we are staying. Do you want to see photos of the new place?" If she doesn't, let it go. Often trying to convince someone to change their mind makes them that much more adamant that they will not change their mind. Stop trying to win her over.

Once you get to the hotel if she says, "I liked the other place better!" Say, "Oh we loved the last place too! What did you love the most?" Let her rattle on and on. Really listen. Agree if you really do agree. Then off to a new subject, "Okay now we need to make our Magic Kingdom plans for tomorrow. What do you want to do first..."

If she gets very upset about the whole hotel situation ahead of your trip say, "I know you are disappointed. I know you are sad. We cannot change our plans. Would you like to talk about a fun Disney topic or do something different?" End of subject.

 

[PudgetteD]

how is old is your daughter and who is footing the bill??

My kids (DD14, DS8) don't care where we stay as long as they're @ WDW!

 

[BMNABrinx]

I would keep the ressie at the Poly. But that's because DD's & DH say "No Poly, No Go!" My girls are 10 & 17. Our first trip they were 5 & 12 and we all sat down, looked through alot of Disney "stuff" and agreed on staying at the Poly. Our first trip, and second one too, included my mom and she agreed as well. While we didn't "give in" to them we did take their opinions into consideration because it is a "family vacation" and we wanted them to feel included because part of the fun of going to WDW is the planning. I have tried to get them to try other resorts but they just don't want to. They feel safe at the Poly so that's fine with me. I will have plenty of time in the future to try different resorts and different places. I really don't think choosing a resort is a big deal. As long as I'm at WDW I don't care where I'm sleeping (within reason).

 

[septbaby]

You're going to Disney and happen to staying at the Poly, tell her to focus on that. I wouldn't try to get her excited about the resort, this is for you. Many, many, many things will be for her upon arrival. She can understand that going to Disney is a treat and a privledge, not a right. Even at 9yrs old that is a good lesson to teach her. Then hopefully she'll have an even more magical time because she'll understand what a treat it is.

Focus on you're own excitement and she may catch fire, or not. Please don't stress over this at 9 'cause at 13 she will be much much worse and I'm afraid you won't survive those teenage years!

 

[2manypets]

Do a google search for "polynesian resort tikiman" (Mods, sorry if I'm not allowed to post this, just delete if I'm not ) In the middle of the page, listed under fun stuff, it has all the fun things for children to do there. Tiki man has a lot of info and beautiful pictures on his site. And I agree, maybe plan a meal in the CR to help ease her in.

 

[nanalisa]

You can tell DD what I told DGD; after we've stayed at all of the resorts, you can tell me which one is the favorite. We've had a blast staying at all the different resorts. My DGD can't be involved with all the decision making, she would always choose the Poly or CR and some years we can't afford it. Your DD will love the Poly pool.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I would keep the ressie as is. Once she gets there she will love it. It is a beautiful resort. Show her some pictures of the Poly. The sooner she knows that she is not getting her way by being upset, the sooner she'll be happy about it.

When we plan our WDW trips we sit the DS's down and let them help us plan, but we always have the final say on it. The first trip that we planned the DS's were 5 & 6. The resort they picked out was the WL, but it just wasn't in the budget that year. My DH and I chose the CBR, and at first they were upset. My youngest DS tried to make a huge fuss over it, and claimed to not want to go if he didn't get to stay at the WL. I told them that everyone in the world wanted to go to WDW. That you had to take turns on not only when you could go, but the hotel you stayed at. This year wasn't our turn to stay at the WL, but it will be the next time. It was ok for him to be diappointed about not getting the one he wanted, but again we have to take turns with everyone in the world. Also it didn't make sense to be upset about the resort when most children in his class at school hadn't been to WDW, and they would be happy no matter where they slept at night. When he saw that being upset about it wasn't going to get him his way, he became ok with not staying at the WL. Then by the end of the trip, they liked it so much they didn't want to come home. Luckily, the next trip we were able to stay at the WL. Now that he is 8 when he asks if we can go to WDW, and I tell him, "no this year." He just says, "I know, I know, it's not our turn."
Have a magical trip no matter what you decide to do!!

 

[Unca_Scrooge]

I'm surprised a seven year old even liked the Contempory.

 

[NMAmy]

Kids are creatures of habit. When dd was 8, we stayed at AsMo and she loved it and thought it was the best hotel in the whole world and never wanted to stay anywhere else. When she was 10, we stayed at the Dolphin. She was sure she would hate it, it would be awful--I mean, it didn't have great big Disney characters, how could it be cool? She LOVED it. She loved the boats, she loved grilled cheese sandwiches at Picabu's, she loved the ducks. Then she didn't want to stay anywhere but the Dolphin.

Last year, she was 16 and we had a split stay at the WL/Dolphin. She liked the WL more than I did. At 16, she was more willing to try something new than she had been in the past.

Frankly, most kids would rarely try anything new unless their parents insist. Stay at the Poly and maybe your dd will have a new favorite hotel. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[BubblPopElectrc]

No way would I alter a reservation based on the preferences of a 7 year old.

 

[melomouse]

Your post made me laugh!

Disney worked their magic on my DD really quickly. A few trips in August, and she thinks maybe she can go to WDW EVERY year for her birthday!

A few stays on property - POR and WL - and I rent a gorgeous pool home for ten days a couple of years ago($78/night) - and DD says she just "doesn't feel the magic".

This trip, we were at YC (excellent upsell rate) instead of WL or POR - and she still didn't feel "Disney". Problem this time was neither did I, so we switched to WL.

In your case, tho, between CR and Poly, I think she'll LOVE the Poly once she gets there, as others have indicated. My DD has already said she will choose the Poly any day we can afford it, over CR or GF.

As for some other posters who seriously think there are parents who "let" kids choose resorts - I think some of us seriously listen to input, then make decisions based on budget and what is good for ourselves and the family.

Good Luck OP!!!

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

You can tell her if SHE wants to pay for the CR then you can stay.... just kidding........

You can also explain that there doing alot of construction, and it wouldn't be the same right now too much rehab, that's not how you would want to spend your vacation.

 

[LakeAriel]

My kids would have been thrilled to stay in a Motel 6 near Disney world growing up.

 

[spiceycat]

You can also explain that there doing alot of construction, and it wouldn't be the same right now too much rehab, that's not how you would want to spend your vacation.

you know that might work. here are some pictures to prove it to her.

http://www.mousesteps.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=107&Itemid=65

some pictures other diser made of the Polyn
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/553

she will have a good time no matter where you stay

 

[sydprincess]

Change the ressie- it would mean more to her than you. And after all, it's her vacation,too!

 

[goofy4tink]

Here's my dd and our resorts story.
'99, stayed in DxL..we both loved it, so went back again in '01. Disney came out with a terrific pay for four nights, stay for three more free...I was at POR, changed to WL, then changed to the Polynesian because my dd, then 9 really, really, really wanted to stay at the Polynesian. So..we get there, I ask her how she likes it. Her answer? "Well, it's okay, but it just doesn't feel as Disney as POR!!" Argghhhh. So, we bought DVC at BWV. For our first stay, we spent the first two nights of our trip at the Contemporary. DH and DD were not at all thrilled to be staying in the 'bus terminal' as my dh called it. Now? They both love it. Dd is dying to stay there again!!! We have found something to like about each resort, no matter what level resort it was.
I would stay at the Polynesian, telling your dd that you want to try different resorts and if she really doesn't like it, then you won't book it again. I like to give my dd some imput into where we stay but the final decision is mine.

 

[raven69david]

If it was my DD asking me, i'd say "sure, no problem". To us, it's all about what she wants since we take the vacations for her. We love Disney World and seeing how much she enjoys it, makes it that much more special for us. Of course, staying at the contemporary may be cheaper than at Poly so that may be a plus.