Why is this so hard?.

[BigAlsGal]

Well, here's the thing, the trip is a surprise to our triplet boys for Christmas, which is why we haven't asked for their input. DH originally wanted to stay at WL, but he is aware a discount was not available for that resort, and it was undergoing renovations. I really want his opinion, but he doesn't want to be bothered with the details most of the time, except to interject mixed messages regarding our trip. For instance, he'll say he wants to stay at the cheapest place, but then asks me why I didn't I just get a monorail resort since it's more convenient. We discussed not doing US because the cost was $800 for one day. Poly is $1300 more, but it's over the course of an entire week. I'm also still hopful discounts will come out for Jan, although not expecting I will get both the discount I have now and another one. Not sure how to get more input from him. He's never been so he's relying on my opinion for most of it. I don't know how the buses will be at POR because I have never stayed there. I've only stayed at Coronado Springs and that was 10+ years ago. This has happened before with other trips. If I don't book somethings g convenient, he isn't happy, and if it's too expensive, he isn't happy. How do others choose?

Ah! Ok. Well my DH is always willing to weigh in on the decision so that helps. If your DH is the kind of guy to be like "you handle it" and then poo poo on your choice then I would make him answer the question "More convenience or save some cash?" PoR is our favorite resort. Saving $1300 would be my choice. Think about it. You could choose PoR then hand all of them 3 brand new tablets. That would make smiles right? The deluxes are never worth it to me. (So far). I've stayed at Saratoga Springs and Beach Club. PoR is our home resort.

 

[have2getaway]

I don't know if it is worth the cost to you but I would keep the Poly if you can swing it. The monorail will be nice. Not to confuse you, but AoA is great - the space and even my DDs at 14 and 10 loved the theming. Have all 5 of you stayed in a one room hotel for a week before? DDs were 7 and 2 on our first family trip (which happened to be to WDW), and it wasn't great. We have been staying in suites since that trip.

I looked into the suites at AoA and All Star Music and both were as much (ASM) or more than (AoA) the deal we are getting at Poly so, that helps make our decision and, DH agreed! Phew. Of course, one of our 7 year olds just found out Disney Planning video and said he wants to go here.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you're booked through who I think you are, a Disney discount will not apply on top of the discount you already have, and won't beat it. The price you are paying is the price you will pay.

 

[Nancyg56]

Well, here's the thing, the trip is a surprise to our triplet boys for Christmas, which is why we haven't asked for their input. DH originally wanted to stay at WL, but he is aware a discount was not available for that resort, and it was undergoing renovations. I really want his opinion, but he doesn't want to be bothered with the details most of the time, except to interject mixed messages regarding our trip. For instance, he'll say he wants to stay at the cheapest place, but then asks me why I didn't I just get a monorail resort since it's more convenient. We discussed not doing US because the cost was $800 for one day. Poly is $1300 more, but it's over the course of an entire week. I'm also still hopful discounts will come out for Jan, although not expecting I will get both the discount I have now and another one. Not sure how to get more input from him. He's never been so he's relying on my opinion for most of it. I don't know how the buses will be at POR because I have never stayed there. I've only stayed at Coronado Springs and that was 10+ years ago. This has happened before with other trips. If I don't book somethings g convenient, he isn't happy, and if it's too expensive, he isn't happy. How do others choose?

I pick what I think is best. My DH tends to toss those mixed messages as well, and will say go cheap, but then ask why I did nto choose a monorail resort. He also wanted to vist his cousins on our first trip. Had no idea that we were only there 8 days, no time my love! He agreed after we arrived, it would not have been a good idea to pay Disney prices to day trip.

Here is the thing, your DH has never been, so while he may have opinions, he really does not know. I would not worry about buses. I know folks tend to fixate on them, but I think they should be secondary to location and budget.I would listen to what he seems to find important. In this case, monorail resort. I woudl discuss with him that your budget was used on a location that would save time, be convenient and offer plenty of amenities for the family.
You can plan a Universal trip later, and though I am not a universal guest, I have heard that you save if you stay on their property. Plan one than another, and tell him that it makes sense financially to vacation this way.

If the Poly really is out of your budget, POR is awesome. It has boat transportation to DS, which is pretty darn sweet perk. I stay at POFQ and have never found the bus time to be horrific, The kids will love the pool. There is a nice lounge. The food court is good.

I think you are trying to please too many people, and one of the people you want to please has no idea what he wants. My DH complained about he cost of our first trip back with my DGD, but after he told me it was the best money we ever spent. You see, it had been years since we had been to DIsney, it had all changed, He did not realize the expanse 4 parks really was, or the amount there is to do. Now he lets me plan. I listen to his resort choice and then decide where to stay, and we figure our budget to be sure we are within. After that he trusts me.

 

[have2getaway]

If the Poly really is out of your budget, POR is awesome. It has boat transportation to DS, which is pretty darn sweet perk. I stay at POFQ and have never found the bus time to be horrific, The kids will love the pool. There is a nice lounge. The food court is good.

Poly isn't out of our budget this time. It's not a splurge we would do all the time, maybe ever again, but we can afford to do it for this trip, especially with the discounted rate. I talked more with DH and he agreed it would be simpler and more enjoyable to skip Universal this time. He also agrees with Poly choice for convenience and overall trip enjoyment. What ironically helped sell him was mentioning that POR has a nice boat to Disney Springs - the shopping/dining center. He wanted as far away from that as possible!

 

[have2getaway]

If you're booked through who I think you are, a Disney discount will not apply on top of the discount you already have, and won't beat it. The price you are paying is the price you will pay.

I thought that might be the case as it was a SUPER good deal! I can't complain either way!

 

[thebigwoods]

I thought that might be the case as it was a SUPER good deal! I can't complain either way!

We just returned from a week at the Poly, and it was everything we anticipated and more. You won't regret it.

May I ask what prices you are seeing for January?

 

[have2getaway]

We just returned from a week at the Poly, and it was everything we anticipated and more. You won't regret it.

May I ask what prices you are seeing for January?

Thank you! We're looking forward to it. It was an all inclusive package with a travel agent, but at least $1,400 minimum less than Disney site.

 

[Nancyg56]

Poly isn't out of our budget this time. It's not a splurge we would do all the time, maybe ever again, but we can afford to do it for this trip, especially with the discounted rate. I talked more with DH and he agreed it would be simpler and more enjoyable to skip Universal this time. He also agrees with Poly choice for convenience and overall trip enjoyment. What ironically helped sell him was mentioning that POR has a nice boat to Disney Springs - the shopping/dining center. He wanted as far away from that as possible!

LOL!!! You will not regret the Poly, and if the boatride to DS made the difference, .....you are welcome!

I'm glad that you decided to take this trip for WDW, and skip Universal for now. I see a lot of people try to stuff it all in and the trip turns into one race after another, trying to fit more in than is possible. Have fun!

 

[have2getaway]

LOL!!! You will not regret the Poly, and if the boatride to DS made the difference, .....you are welcome!

I'm glad that you decided to take this trip for WDW, and skip Universal for now. I see a lot of people try to stuff it all in and the trip turns into one race after another, trying to fit more in than is possible. Have fun!

Oh, it definitely helped LOL! I think DH now sees the Poly as a savings.

What helped me to decide to skip it is that I have done both before parks before, and just Disney. The time I did both parks I was not staying on site, but I was there for a longer stay, 10 days, and was not with kids. The Disney trip I took where I brought my older son 10 years ago, who is now 14, was much more enjoyable staying on property and doing just Disney. Part of why we want the Poly is my older son will be at Disney with his father, which is part of why we decided to surprise his younger brothers (none of them know yet). He is not staying with us, but we are planning to still see him for some of the time (up to him and his Dad, of course). Anyway, we felt that a convenient location was crucial to allowing time with both him and our younger sons. Older DS will be going to US as is a Huge Harry Potter fan. It makes sense for him to experience it, but not our 7 year olds just yet.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Poly isn't out of our budget this time. It's not a splurge we would do all the time, maybe ever again, but we can afford to do it for this trip, especially with the discounted rate. I talked more with DH and he agreed it would be simpler and more enjoyable to skip Universal this time. He also agrees with Poly choice for convenience and overall trip enjoyment. What ironically helped sell him was mentioning that POR has a nice boat to Disney Springs - the shopping/dining center. He wanted as far away from that as possible!

We stayed for 10 nights last trip and never went to Disney Springs. If I were to take my kids there it would be nothing but a shopping fest. I don't go to Disney to shop till I drop. I've done it when it was DTD and I found it to be alright. Good food but just a money pit for ME. At least at the parks the kids are entertained. I might try it next trip.

Is your older DS staying at the Poly also?

 

[AngieInOH]

It sounds like you've already made your decision but I think your boys would love AoA Cars plus you would have all that extra space and two bathrooms. We loved it. While the Poly is nice and I would love to try it for the convenience, I don't think it will be very "Disney" for your boys first trip. I am so glad we chose AoA for my girls first trip!!

 

[have2getaway]

We stayed for 10 nights last trip and never went to Disney Springs. If I were to take my kids there it would be nothing but a shopping fest. I don't go to Disney to shop till I drop. I've done it when it was DTD and I found it to be alright. Good food but just a money pit for ME. At least at the parks the kids are entertained. I might try it next trip.

Is your older DS staying at the Poly also?

No. It's a long story! I'm not sure if his Dad is staying on site as they are planning a trip to Universal as well. They may stay off-site. Right now, it's a sore subject with his Dad. We have always coparented well, but I think he feels it was in poor taste on my part to bring his younger brothers at the same time they are bringing my older son. He's been telling me for the past 2 years they were going to take him to Disney and to please hold off on my plans until he does. He really left me no option. We had wanted to go at Christmas, but he didn't want me to bring him before he did, and said he was going in January. We already have other family vacation plans for spring break, which includes my older son, so waiting meant next fall or winter (summer is too busy for mine and DH's jobs. His brothers are old enough to understand that big brother is doing something special that doesn't include them. I asked if we could spend some time with him while there, but stressed that I understand if he doesn't want to do that. At first, he was all for it, especially when I offered to help with his costs so...we went ahead and made plans. Then, after the fact, said he didn't want to share HIS time with him at all, which I do understand. It's hard to be in the spot we're in and I just really wanted it to work out all around, and hoping that it still will, and that he'll agree to allow one dinner, evening, something. Sorry if this is too much info!

 

[have2getaway]

It sounds like you've already made your decision but I think your boys would love AoA Cars plus you would have all that extra space and two bathrooms. We loved it. While the Poly is nice and I would love to try it for the convenience, I don't think it will be very "Disney" for your boys first trip. I am so glad we chose AoA for my girls first trip!!

Thanks so much for this. I seriously considered this, but DH was very against it. I think he thought it looked tacky or cheap, but I was 100% thinking that the boys would love it and feel completely immersed in Disney. This could be the exact reason DH didn't want to. Cost was a tad more, but not huge. I think it mostly has to do with the fact that he wanted something VERY convenient. Our last and first theme park visit was to Hershey Park this summer and we didn't stay at an affiliated resort and had to drive, park, etc. it was very clear it would have been more enjoyable if we had stay on property and closer. I keep telling him that Disney is not Hershey Park, but I think that experience is why he chose the Poly.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

No. It's a long story! I'm not sure if his Dad is staying on site as they are planning a trip to Universal as well. They may stay off-site. Right now, it's a sore subject with his Dad. We have always coparented well, but I think he feels it was in poor taste on my part to bring his younger brothers at the same time they are bringing my older son. He's been telling me for the past 2 years they were going to take him to Disney and to please hold off on my plans until he does. He really left me no option. We had wanted to go at Christmas, but he didn't want me to bring him before he did, and said he was going in January. We already have other family vacation plans for spring break, which includes my older son, so waiting meant next fall or winter (summer is too busy for mine and DH's jobs. His brothers are old enough to understand that big brother is doing something special that doesn't include them. I asked if we could spend some time with him while there, but stressed that I understand if he doesn't want to do that. At first, he was all for it, especially when I offered to help with his costs so...we went ahead and made plans. Then, after the fact, said he didn't want to share HIS time with him at all, which I do understand. It's hard to be in the spot we're in and I just really wanted it to work out all around, and hoping that it still will, and that he'll agree to allow one dinner, evening, something. Sorry if this is too much info!

I understand. I'm divorced. I've taken the kids since our divorce but XH hasn't. We took them together 4 times. I don't know how he would feel if I went to WDW while he was there with the kids. I would say he would take me up on my offer to take them a night or two so he could have a break. He's in a new relationship so if he was going with her and her kids I don't know how he would react. I usually go in August (and he likes that time for free dining) and have mentioned F&W so if we ended up going around the same time he would have to deal with it. My kids are older and we don't follow a custody order. We throw out vacation ideas and plans early. It's complicated but then it's not complicated. lol

We actually discussed once overlapping our trips so we could each have 4-5 days with the kids and then a few days alone. We both arrive at the same time and one takes them the first 4 days and the other the remaining 4 days. We both love WDW.

I don't think it's fair for your ex to ask you not to take your kids until he's taken older DS first. Or for him to want to take DS FIRST and holding back your plans.

 

[have2getaway]

I understand. I'm divorced. I've taken the kids since our divorce but XH hasn't. We took them together 4 times. I don't know how he would feel if I went to WDW while he was there with the kids. I would say he would take me up on my offer to take them a night or two so he could have a break. He's in a new relationship so if he was going with her and her kids I don't know how he would react. I usually go in August (and he likes that time for free dining) and have mentioned F&W so if we ended up going around the same time he would have to deal with it. My kids are older and we don't follow a custody order. We throw out vacation ideas and plans early. It's complicated but then it's not complicated. lol

We actually discussed once overlapping our trips so we could each have 4-5 days with the kids and then a few days alone. We both arrive at the same time and one takes them the first 4 days and the other the remaining 4 days. We both love WDW.

I don't think it's fair for your ex to ask you not to take your kids until he's taken older DS first. Or for him to want to take DS FIRST and holding back your plans.

Thank you! I have been very patient until now. It would have been one thing if he brought him to Disney when our boys were 3 or 4, but not now, at almost 8. As it is, one of the boys is very attached to his big brother and will be very sad if we don't see him at all while there. My ex is in another relationship, and she has two teenage daughters. My son gets along with them, but isn't super close to them. He has a special bond with his younger brothers as he lives with them, and loves that they get excited about things he enjoys as well -- like Star Wars. Just really hoping and praying my ex will cave and let me see him for a day!