Why am I so hung up on this particular week?

[3littlecuties]

I don't know why I am stressing out about this decision. We are currently booked in a Theme Park View room at CR for Oct 13-20. Total including tickets is $5426. We didn't really need/want the Theme Park View room but it was all that was available when we booked (back in Feb, I believe). Now, of course, FD isn't available this week.

There is nothing at CR Oct 20-27.

We can change to the exact same room at CR Oct 27-Nov 3 for $5324 including FD. So we would save $1100.

For some reason, I am hesitant to pull the trigger. I would like to be able to use the pool and I am worried that it will get cooler and we may not be able to although, realistically, I know that two weeks isn't that big of a difference and the whole month of October is a crap-shoot on temperatures anyway. Plus I don't know how I feel about going over Halloween. We actually went that very week in 2008 (it was cold that year, BTW) and it was fine but the kids are just a bit older and I thought they would enjoy getting to do Halloween at Disney and then again at home.

One more thing...we planned to do mostly CS meals with the exception of two character meals so I don't know if dining would actually cost us $1000 (that's what the dining plan would cost to add on) so the savings may not be quite as much as $1100.

But still...it is $1100 and that is a lot of money and my reasons for not changing seem weak so WHAT IS MY DEAL?

What would you do? Just change it? We're pulling our 6 year old out of school for the week either way so it doesn't matter from the perspective of being able to get away either week.

Help!

 

[c8k6k]

If it were me, I'd change the dates to get the free dining.

More likely than not, it will be warm enough to swim. We were there around November 11 last year, and enjoyed some pool time.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

If it were me, I would skip the free dining. Halloween at home is REALLY important to me. I want my 8 year old to be able to dress up and go trick or treating at home. There's only a handful of times that EVER happens in one's life, and at 8 years old, my daughter's times going trick or treating are already starting to feel limited. She'll be grown before I know it. That's worth $1100 to me. (And like you said, the savings may not even be that much.)

 

[3littlecuties]

If it were me, I would skip the free dining. Halloween at home is REALLY important to me. I want my 8 year old to be able to dress up and go trick or treating at home. There's only a handful of times that EVER happens in one's life, and at 8 years old, my daughter's times going trick or treating are already starting to feel limited. She'll be grown before I know it. That's worth $1100 to me. (And like you said, the savings may not even be that much.)

I think this is big for me too. My oldest is 6 and last year was the first year that he was really, really into Halloween. He just had so much fun going trick or treating and then coming home and sitting on the porch with me and handing out candy. We sat on the porch and talked and ate candy and it was a really special time to me. When we went in 2008, he was only 2 and it wasn't a big deal to not be home for Halloween because he wouldn't have known anyways. But now he is old enough to know he will miss it at home.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I think this is big for me too. My oldest is 6 and last year was the first year that he was really, really into Halloween. He just had so much fun going trick or treating and then coming home and sitting on the porch with me and handing out candy. We sat on the porch and talked and ate candy and it was a really special time to me. When we went in 2008, he was only 2 and it wasn't a big deal to not be home for Halloween because he wouldn't have known anyways. But now he is old enough to know he will miss it at home.

I know it seems crazy, but when you think there are probably only about 5 Halloweens in a child's life when they really get what is happening and enjoy it, then you realize how precious they are. Luckily, my daughter still wants to dress up at 8, but I teach middle school and all of my 12 year olds don't want to go trick or treating anymore. They say they are too old for it. I'm going to really miss it when it is over. We have had so much fun trick or treating!

 

[3littlecuties]

I know it seems crazy, but when you think there are probably only about 5 Halloweens in a child's life when they really get what is happening and enjoy it, then you realize how precious they are. Luckily, my daughter still wants to dress up at 8, but I teach middle school and all of my 12 year olds don't want to go trick or treating anymore. They say they are too old for it. I'm going to really miss it when it is over. We have had so much fun trick or treating!

So true. My kids are 6, 4, and almost 2. If it were just the 4 and 2 year olds, I think it wouldn't matter as much. But I think being home for Halloween will matter more to my 6 year old. The trick or treating that Disney has at MNSSHP is just not the same at all. A few big long lines to get a piece of candy is not the same as walking house to house and seeing all of your friends and neighbors.

Seems like such a silly reason to pass up a $1100 savings, huh?

 

[padawans]

I don't know why I am stressing out about this decision. We are currently booked in a Theme Park View room at CR for Oct 13-20. Total including tickets is $5426. We didn't really need/want the Theme Park View room but it was all that was available when we booked (back in Feb, I believe). Now, of course, FD isn't available this week.

There is nothing at CR Oct 20-27.

We can change to the exact same room at CR Oct 27-Nov 3 for $5324 including FD. So we would save $1100.

For some reason, I am hesitant to pull the trigger. I would like to be able to use the pool and I am worried that it will get cooler and we may not be able to although, realistically, I know that two weeks isn't that big of a difference and the whole month of October is a crap-shoot on temperatures anyway. Plus I don't know how I feel about going over Halloween. We actually went that very week in 2008 (it was cold that year, BTW) and it was fine but the kids are just a bit older and I thought they would enjoy getting to do Halloween at Disney and then again at home.

One more thing...we planned to do mostly CS meals with the exception of two character meals so I don't know if dining would actually cost us $1000 (that's what the dining plan would cost to add on) so the savings may not be quite as much as $1100.

But still...it is $1100 and that is a lot of money and my reasons for not changing seem weak so WHAT IS MY DEAL?

What would you do? Just change it? We're pulling our 6 year old out of school for the week either way so it doesn't matter from the perspective of being able to get away either week.

Help!

We are going the same week and I am 100% positive we will be swimming everday. The average temp is in the low 80's or high 70,s. I looked at the temp from that week in 2008 and it was still in the high 70's with 2 days at 64. I think 64 is very unusual for that time of year. We were there last Oct and it was very warm. We were there in Dec last year , and it was in the high 70's. We swam everyday. I wouldn't pay an extra 1100 for a few degrees. Your chances are very good for nice warm weather. Just to clarify I live in AZ so I am not a person that thinks 70 is warm. It was 113 today.

 

[3littlecuties]

We are going the same week and I am 100% positive we will be swimming everday. The average temp is in the low 80's or high 70,s. I looked at the temp from that week in 2008 and it was still in the high 70's with 2 days at 64. I think 64 is very unusual for that time of year. We were there last Oct and it was very warm. We were there in Dec last year , and it was in the high 70's. We swam everyday. I wouldn't pay an extra 1100 for a few degrees. Your chances are very good for nice warm weather. Just to clarify I live in AZ so I am not a person that thinks 70 is warm. It was 113 today.

It may have gotten into the 70's that week we went in 2008 but that was maybe for a few hours in the afternoon. It was downright cold in the mornings. We wore the same jeans and sweaters over our t-shirts every day because we didn't expect it to be that chilly every day. Even with jeans and sweaters, we were cold in the mornings. I know that was unusual but it is still in my head!

 

[3littlecuties]

I just looked up the actual temperatures to refresh my memory. On October 29th, 2008, the low was 43 degrees. Yes...that was cold! We wished we had coats but it is not usually THAT cold so we didn't expect it. The high for several of the days was in the 60s so it did warm up enough to take off our sweaters but certainly not warm enough to swim.

Again...I realize that was unusual but I just remember that visit and how much colder it was than we expected.

 

[Phatoomch]

The way I see it is this: you were comfortable to pay the previous amount plus pay for food. Obviously $1100 is a huge amount but money isn't always everything. I'm a gut feeling type of person and like you said, your reasons are weak but there is something stopping you, maybe you should listen to that.

One thing I would think of is now that FD is out many people would have changed their dates so take into account crowds - your week might be very quiet Also, don't forget your kids can still celebrate Halloween at MK but it will be heaving!

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

So true. My kids are 6, 4, and almost 2. If it were just the 4 and 2 year olds, I think it wouldn't matter as much. But I think being home for Halloween will matter more to my 6 year old. The trick or treating that Disney has at MNSSHP is just not the same at all. A few big long lines to get a piece of candy is not the same as walking house to house and seeing all of your friends and neighbors.

Seems like such a silly reason to pass up a $1100 savings, huh?

No, not to me. You can't put a price on that stuff. It's so fleeting--it's priceless to me!

Best wishes either way!

 

[Phatoomch]

Seems like such a silly reason to pass up a $1100 savings, huh?

Not really. Some moments are priceless

 

[mickeyluv'r]

What about going in between your dates? I usually find the best transportation deals going Tuesday to Tues, or Thur to Thur. In my experience, Saturday is usually the worst day to arrive, since so many others are doing it. (At WDW it always pay to Zig when everyone else is zagging)

It also doesn't really make much difference in how much time you are taking off from work, you also get another advantage- if one week is more busy, or two weeks are different prices, you kind of get the best of both. doing split weeks has helped us very much on both accounts.



Try Oct 23 to the 30, or the 18 to the 25 - something like that.

 

[danceintherain]

I expect the first number didn't include any dining, but the second does?

I would probably sit down and figure out exactly how much I would end up spending on dining. At the very least, you will be saving the amount of the meals you do end up eating.

Another option is to sit on it and see if a room only discount ends up being released. If that's the case, then you may still be able to save something without your savings being tied into meals you may or may not eat.
In a week or two if nothing happens, you can check to see if the alternate dates are still available.

 

[mad madam mim78]

Halloween has always been very important to me. I get where you're coming from, but the kids will have fun no matter when you go. Even though they can't pass out candy. If a couple hours on Halloween night is worth $1000 dollars then by all means stay home. There's no guarantees it won't pour down rain at your house on Halloween though. Just something to think about.

 

[MMS1125]

Oct 23-30 works but it's Atrium Club Level and 5300something so you aren't saving much $$ that way either but it does include free dining. I think with the CR you are better with a room discount anyways

Are you set on staying at the CR for those dates or willing to change resorts?

 

[3littlecuties]

We are set at staying at CR. We need to go Sat-Sat to maximize time at parks while minimizing time out of school since we are pulling my son out of 1st grade for the week.

 

[Nomad70]

I would switch the dates! Not only are you saving a very large chunk of money, but you get to spend Halloween at Disney! Halloween is my favorite Holiday, and while we decorate at home like most do for Christmas, I love being at Disney for it.

 

[MarcyMouse]

Weather-wise, we were there last year in mid November and it was gorgeous- 80s and swimming everyday! So don't let that stop you.

 

[shburks]

We were there Oct 20-28 last year. First few days were quite cool. We wore jeans and long sleeves at least two days and a jacket the first day and morning/evening the second day with highs in the 60s! BUT gorgeous after that and we did water parks, pool, etc just fine.