Why is it so complicated? (Long) About This Page:

[jbd]

Many of you have been kind to offer support with my planning woes, so I'm going to share more.

The short of it is that we're planning a trip to WDW for next August. This trip is a "replacement" trip of sorts for a trip we couldn't take this year. For several reasons, a trip next year is way better than a trip this year, but it was still a disappointment that we couldn't go in 2010.

The original plan was to invite either my sisters or my in-laws to come along with us, figuring that all of them would be interested in going with my kids. We had thought of getting some kind of villa, splitting the cost, and (unabashedly) having live-in baby sitters (The trip was meant to be our tenth anniversary present to each other).

So when we started this planning this year, I suggested that we tell EVERYONE (all of our family) we were going and whoever decided to go would go. I told my oldest sister and she grabbed onto the idea like it was gold. I had mentioned that I would really like to stay at the Polynesian, so she said that is what she would do.

She wanted to book at the Poly right away. Immediately. No ifs, ands, or buts--just do it. But, I couldn't. I needed to play around with the money. I needed to figure out what will be financially possible. I want to stay at the Poly, but realistically, I don't want to make myself broke to make it happen.

I finally convinced dh that we should book by the end of this month so that we could pay over time. He agreed, but wanted to do some research. I sent an email request to AAA to get some quotes, but have yet to hear back (it's been almost a week; is that normal?).

My sister called and said that she was going to book the Poly, and that she was going to drive down with my parents and her two daughters. Those were her plans, regardless of what we were going to do. She felt that since she had our parents she needed to be at a monorail resort. Dh was kind of resentful. He felt a little pressured that he was being forced to book the Poly. I didn't feel anything of the kind. She's got money we don't.

So last night, my sister called me and told me that she wanted to double check the dates because she was just going to book at the Contemporary. She found the Poly to be too expensive. And it would have been for her, too. She'll have five grown up people in her group--with the possibility of another sister joining her. Also, I think the CR is the best option for my parents--they're both a little limited in their mobility.

I felt immediately relieved. If she was going to book at the CR, then we could book somewhere else. I told my husband. His response was, "She would do that."

Oh well. I don't get it. Dsis and dh are passive aggressively butting heads over a trip that no one has booked yet. I should have kept my suggestions about inviting people along all to myself.

Do I tempt fate and price out a stay at the CR? Or do I just go ahead and book at our cheaper option--POFQ? Somehow, I don't think I'll win with either option.

Thanks for reading. This has turned out much longer than I intended, but I really do appreciate your reading.

[JoanneS]

I would price out both and see which one fits in the budget. I really liked the CR and it is a little less expensive than the Poly. Also keep in mind how much time you will spend in your room. If you plan on returning in the afternoon each day, which resort would be more comfortable?

Good luck deciding!

[shannonwellnitz]

WOW~!
I think you should see if you can swing staying where you want to stay! But, if your husband and sister butt heads then perhaps a bit of space between them might not be a bad idea!

Good Luck!

[HiddenMickey]

You should book what you want and can afford. There is no rule that says everyone has to be at the same resort. You'll meet up in the parks and for meals and such.

[Jesshayes79]

First of all you certainly can stay at different resorts. Meet at the parks, eat dinners together, whatever. I do suggest looking into what I call the regular deluxe hotels, as opposed to the super deluxe and grand deluxe hotels. (This is just my personal way of making the different tiers of deluxe resorts make sense...ie Grand Floridian is a grand deluxe, CR is a super deluxe) Wilderness Lodge is what I call a regular deluxe resort. It offers all the fabulous things the monorail line hotels offer (great food, great pools, great service) but it is a little less money. You can take a boat to the magic kingdom from the WL if you want, which I love to do. Often at park closing we stroll right onto our boat while people wait and wait and wait to get crammed onto the monorail. If you book a trip now you will have plenty of time to pay it off, but you dont want to be financially drained either. Price out all of your optioins and than decide what is best!

[julieb]

Hmmm - different resorts might actually be a good idea - give them a little bit of space. I'd book the Poly if the money works for you, and I'd lean toward doing that even if it meant cutting a day off of the trip (I'm sure that others will disagree, but if that's the resort that you want, then you should have it, if possible!). We've done three trips with my parents, and have only stayed at the same resort once. The first year we stayed at the Beach Club and they were at the GF, just to give you an idea, and it still worked out fine. We met them in the parks, and for meals, and we did our own thing some of the time, too. Sorry to hear that it's frustrating, and it takes the fun out of the planning when people are butting heads. I'm sure that it will work out for you.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

I would try to all stay at the same resort - it doesn't seem like a good idea for your group financially or emotionally. I would book what you can afford, and the rest of your group should do the same.

And for the record, waiting a week for a TA quote is not the norm. Most agencies get quotes out to clients within an hour!

[Colexis Mom]

I would book what you can afford!

[TraD4Disney]

Sometimes too much togetherness isn't a good thing. Book separate resorts. Then when you and DH want some alone time, take the kids to the grandparents.

Meeting up at the parks occasionally and for 1 meal a day is a great way to be connected but not tied at the hip. Everyone can do what they like when they like outside of the designated meet up times. Win Win for everyone!

[mdobereiner]

I agree with everyone else, book what you can afford (and if you find out later that you can move up to CR, maybe with a good promo or pin code, then you can always make the change then. We've changed our resort 3 times for our trip next month, Disney is very happy to work with you.) I also agree that if you do end up in seperate resorts, it wouldn't probably be a bad thing. I don't know how others feel, but the passive agressive behavior makes me way more uncomfortable that people just being upfront. At least you'll have a break from that if you aren't rooming next to each other.

I don't know how your relationships work with your DH and your sister, but if I were in your position, I'd try and nip that in the bud as soon as possible so it's doesn't affect your vacation. But like I said, passive agressive behaviors put me on edge.

GL!
Mel

[disneynina]

Have you thought about checking into WL. It is a beautiful deluxe resort, a little more cost effective and a short boat ride from CR. It also has a beautiful lobby where everyone could meet up or your parents could even spend the day. There is alot to be said about going your separate ways at the end of a long tiring day.

Hopefully your sis and DH will agree to disagree this trip and make it easier for everyone. Disney can be very stressful with a crowd even when everyone gets along really well!!!!

[MayraLR]

I think you should get different quotes and compare them. Whatever fits your budget, than that's the way to go. Staying at different resorts is not that big of a problem. You can always meet up at parks, restaurants, etc and your husband and sister would have space and time to be away (if needed).
Sometimes you have plans in your mind, but when reality sets in you have to be opened to changes. Hope everything works out for the better.

[HeatherD]

I may be reading more into this or not getting the whole story here, but how is your sister butting heads with your DH? He's upset that she's making decisions, but she's not doing anything to mess with him (purposely), is she? I would try to stay upbeat and positive about this - you have family members who not only said they'd go with you, but have latched onto the idea and are really onboard with it! That's a good thing.

However, before you go further, perhaps you should have a group meeting, not to "air grievances" but to determine desires and priorities. As a group, you can decide if it's important that you all stay in one resort (remember, she may be taking your parents, but they are still your parents, too), how much time you want to spend together (all day at the parks or just meeting for dinners and/or shows), who the parents hang out with (taking turns, so to speak).

Communication is the KEY! You all may have very different ideas of what this vacation entails and may just be under the assumption that everyone else is thinking how you think. Be up front in the beginning, so you can enjoy that much more when you get there.

[B.M.]

I agree with everyone else. Book where you want and can afford and they should book where they want and can afford. There is no reason that you have to stay at the same resort. If money is of concern; don't rule out the values either- we stay at the value resorts and love it......

[Princessdreamer]

You can book what you can afford. Then you may always get a great discount and be able to upgrade. Always better to upgrade than have to down grade.