Am I Crazy? Give me Your Thoughts.

[Tiggerfanatic]

I know I originally planned on not going back until DD18 graduated from college, but I just got a nice incentive bonus check at work, and had the idea of taking my great niece & nephew (ages 6 & 9) down for a trip, possibly next January or February. My niece (their mom) is a single mom no NO extra money, and I kind of get the warm fuzzies when I think of the look on my little niece's face when she meets Sully for real and in person. It's been a long time since I spent that kind of time with young children - I realize that we probably won't get to see or do as much and when DD & I go, but on the other hand, there are some attractions geared for kids that I kind of miss seeing.

My bonus will just about cover half the cost for the 3 of us to stay for 5 nights at the Contemporary. My big question is, how soon should I book? Should I go for a package right now, or just book the room and add the extras later? What happens if I get the dining plan now and there are changes for 2009? Am I nuts for even considering this at all? HELP!!

 

[Shelby's Dad]

Trip for Great Niece and Nephew

Well you are a wonderful and kind person to spend that bonus check on your extended family. What better place to spend money on Children than Disney, right. ONe question, are you sold on Contemp. You might do better to consider a monderate, give up a bit of convenience but save a few dollars. The Corando springs for example has the best pool at Disney (Well except maybe for Beach Club) and it is much cheaper than Contemp. It is a large complex but has buses that don't stop anywhere else and run regularly and the rooms are nice. Just a thought. Also, yeah I would book now if you can. YOu just have to put down a certain % deposit and if the offer some huge discount or incentive in the future, you could probably get credit for it. As a Floridian, I have a Seasonal pass and until recently we could not get a dining plan with that so I am not as familiar with that aspect. Have fun!!

 

[bigedefd]

I don't know about when to book or anything like that, but I do know I think its an awesome thing you would do. The only thing I would suggest is maybe book at a value instead of the contemporary. I think the little kids would enjoy all the things going on at those. Then you might be able to afford taking their mom as well. Just a thought.

 

[Disneykidder]

Yeah, very sweet of you. But I agree with everyone. The little amount of time you will be spending at the resort, may not be worth it. You have the monorail, but there are other resorts that the kids may have more fun with. I have stayed at 3/4 mods and 2/4 values and they are all wonderful. The kids will enjoy it and you can save the extra $$ for souvenirs or, like Bige said, taking their mom. The Contemp is a big difference in $$. Price the date on the Disney web site for the exact time you want and you will see about a $1000 difference.

I would say to book as soon as you finalize dates and hotel. You can always choose the Contemporary and change to a less expensive down the road, considering it is still available.

No matter what you decide, have a great time and I think you are doing a great thing for them!!

 

[dreamscometrue]

Don't hesitate to do this. Life's short man! Kids grow up quickly and things happen as we age that can quickly alter our plans.

I would book the hotel now. Although the Contemporary is wonderful, I'd likely book a moderate for a lot less money due to the little amount of time you'll likely be in the room. (My favourite moderate by far is Coronado, but given the ages of the children, a smaller resort like Port Orleans French Quarter would be a nice choice.)

We've done the dining plan a few times, but did the last trip without it. Although it was good value (especially before the changes), we found we were eating too much food (the bottomless shakes at Whispering Canyon made it difficult to eat appetizers, entree and dessert ). The 11 day trip we recently took was without the dining plan and we ate all we wanted, and spent $500 less on food that we would have using DDP. Don't worry about DDP, but still plan to make advanced dining reservations (ADR's) several months in advance. You only have to be an on site guest to do this 6 months out.

Book the resort right away and start having fun planning. Enjoy!

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

You are an awesome and incredibly generous person! I say book now because it seems hard to get rooms at the Contemporary if you wait too long.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

That is very nice. But I need to agree with a PP and suggest downgrading the resort. I would stay at a mod or value and give yourself some extra days at the parks. It would allow you to take your time and enjoy things at a little bit slower pace for the kids.

 

[MaryMcMagic]

I, too, am planning a January or February visit....be forewarned! The Super Bowl is in Tampa next year and will definitely bring extra crowds to the parks...plan early, and if possible avoid that weekend and maybe even the week before and after.
Oh, and IMHO, the mod and values are more bang for your buck, especially with kids...Pop and Coronado Springs would get my vote!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I'm with everyone else on this - downgrade your resort and your cheque will cover all your costs

 

[bayoumoon]

I agree that downsizing your resort would be the best bet. And if you invited their mom you would have someone to share the "work", and I'm sure that being a single mom she could use the vacation as well. Wouldn't that be the best Christmas present ever???? You are a saint. Those are some very lucky little girls to have someone like you in their life.

 

[Disney_Belle]

What a great person you are to do such a great thing!!!

I have to say, going down to a moderate or even a value resort would be a good idea. I have stayed at all the values, and at Port Orleans Riverside. Riverside was a beautiful hotel!!! And of the values, Pop Century was a great hotel and so was All Star Movies, the Music & Sports were a bit smaller.

Good luck, and no matter what you do, you will have a great vacation, we are going the third week of January, and usually that time of year, there are little to no waits!!!

Have fun planning!!!

 

[Tiggerfanatic]

Thanks for all you kind words and advice.

I've stayed at both Coronado Springs & Caribbean Beach. They are nice hotels, but the biggest reason I'm leaning towrds the Contemp is the monorail. Our last trip, I figured out we gained at least 2 hours a day in park time versus transportation time. Since we're planning on a January-February trip, the pool won't be that important. And Chef Mickey's is right there!!

I would take their mom (my niece) if she could work out the days off, but she works 3 part-time jobs, so the logisitics might not be doable. But, it's not as bad as it sounds - DH & I took her on our Poly trip in '95, and she went with the HS marching band in '96. If I decide I need another adult, I would probably take my sister (she's the kids' Grandma). If we decide now, that would give her a year to put aside some money.

I'll get my bonus check this next week - I'll probably give Pam or Elizabeth a call then and see what we can work out.

 

[DougK]

Why downgrade if you don't have to? The Contemporary is a GREAT place to stay and needless to say it is super convenient. While the theming is not as Disney-ish as many of the other hotels, it is still a cool place and the convenience is well worth it if you can afford it. What better way to spend some "found money"? Believe me the kids will enjoy themselves too and if it is warm enogh there are pools there even if they are not as "themed" as some of the others. Once you are in the water the kids still have fun! Enjoy!

 

[gabroccoli]

Don't down size. I agree Monorail + young kids = Less Stress. The only thing I would consider is the poly over the contemporary. Better theaming for kids.

 

[eroyee]

If you have to have a deluxe on the monorail I would stay at the Poly. give kingdom konsultants a call. they can do everything for you and answer all questions.

 

[TTFN-Tiggger]

You are so kind! This past Christmas that was my gift to my sister, brother in law and their 8 year old daughter. We booked this back in April of 07 for a trip in March of 08. I did hotel/air/tickets/dining plan so they only need $$ for a meal a day and shopping. I let them look at the value and moderate hotels and told them to pick one. Because we spent most days in the park they chose Pop Century. My 8 year old neice thought that place was so cool! We spent one day at the resort swiming and then shopping at DTD. Otherwise it was just a place to sleep as were were in the parks the rest of the time. Maybe give your neice a few hotels and let her choose where you stay? If they opt for a less expensive place use the money you save for souvieners - they will want plenty - trust me. You will have a blast with them! And make sure you are ready with the camera when they see the castle for the first time!