by Elaine A.
Member since:
July 27, 2006

Gather friends and connections I need your advice

March 19, 2009 12:32 PM EDT
views: 79 | rating: 10/10 (15 votes) | comments: 27

Gather friends and connections I need your advice, it will be my 50th Birthday this year, I really don't make a big deal out of my birthday despite the fact it is July 4th, and that my husband's family loves to make a huge deal out of my birthday (which I hate). 

This year my husband wanted to go to Las Vegas or on a week Cruise to celebrate my 50th birthday and make a big deal out of it, which is something I don't like anyway. But with the way the economy is now,  and the with friends and family out of work - we have decided against that. Plus we are on a really tight budget, and are trying to save money because you never know what may happen, we normally save money out of every paycheck but now we are being super strict with the money and saving even more.

My husband registered me at Disney for the FREE ticket on your birthday, hey I like Disney, and hey a FREE ticket is cool even if it is just for one.

He has said we'll go to Disney for 2-3 or 4 days but he wants to stay at Disney's Contemporary Resort, we are going during 4th of July & high season, the rate I have been quoted if I book right now -by the way this is the cheapest rate...

 Garden Wing - Standard View
  Thu Jul-2-2009 to Sun Jul-5-2009 Thu Fri Sat  
  Availability request: 1 room $325  $345  $345  

This rate does not include the taxes wich are 13% I believe.

 I know if the rate does go lower I can cancel and rebook, but if I cancel they may or may not have a room available.  I can not justify spending around $1200.00 for a hotel room for 3 days even if it is my 50th birthday, I guess this is because I am so frugal.

What would you do, would you stay at  Disney's Contemporary Resort and pay that?

Would you stay off site?

What would you do?

 

 

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Comments: 27

Marianne R. Mar 19, 2009, 12:44pm EDT
I'd go and stay offsite.
Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Mar 19, 2009, 12:47pm EDT
I would stay off site.
☀ Aunt Shanny Mar 19, 2009, 12:47pm EDT
Same as Mare.
Pat D. Mar 19, 2009, 12:47pm EDT
No way.

Of course you couldn't PAY me to go to disney, so I'm biased.
Pat D. Mar 19, 2009, 12:49pm EDT
I don't get why ANYONE would pay that.

Heck, I have had two week vacations that cost less than $1200 (for two people).
Mariana T. Mar 19, 2009, 12:50pm EDT
If it's something you always wanted to do - then go for it - life is short - however, if you are having financial problems at all - just keep the money and celebrate another time - a birthday is very special but not if you're going to worry about every penny.
Frankly, if you really want to go, stay offsite and bring along your own snacks. Salud
I wouldn't pay that much for a room anytime.....no way ! ! !
I'd stay someplace else and then enjoy the park a whole lot more......
Katie Scarlett (Site Bouncer Wanna Be) O. Mar 19, 2009, 12:52pm EDT
Whenever we go, there is a Howard Johnson's in Kissimmee where you can get a two room suite, two beds, two baths and a kitchenette for a very good rate. We stayed there in October (off season) and paid something like $50./day. It's not a luxury hotel, but it's clean, convenient, and just think of the great restaurants you can go to with the money you save.
Lina :-p Mar 19, 2009, 12:57pm EDT
I would stay off site, I am cheap though.
Jessica S. Mar 19, 2009, 1:29pm EDT
you only turn 50 once!
Kim A. Mar 19, 2009, 1:56pm EDT
Elaine, though I love Disney I wouldn't stay at the Contemporary. I could never see spending that kind of money to be in a room where you mostly sleep (that is, if you're going to spend your time in the parks). Yes, there are nice hotels that are cheaper off site and I had the good fortune this past January to stay at Bonnet Creek Resort since my son used some of his points in his timeshare discovery package. To me, part of the magic of going to Disney is staying on property and we've learned to do this relatively cheap. Yes, we've had our stays at the value resorts and the theming with them is great, but the nicest stay we had was at Disney's Old Key West Resort (one of their vacation club properties). We managed to stay there for 5 days/4nights for a total of $345 just by renting points from a member (but that was 2 years ago). Shoot me an email or check out DisBoards and look on the discussion forum and scroll down to the Disney Vacation Club section - there's a thread titled DVC Rent/Trade. You can poke around there and get some ideas of how much it would cost. Maybe this would be a good article for me to write about over the next couple of days and post on my group Disney World Devotees.
Dawn S. Mar 19, 2009, 2:08pm EDT
i understand your point, but i'm with jessica...you only get to 50 once, so why not enjoy a fabulous trip?
but if you're not a birthday-celebrate type person, maybe look off site so you don't have that high cost handing over.
donna h. Mar 19, 2009, 2:58pm EDT
That is alot...but I am one to talk when if comes to Disney!!
Nurse Nancy S. Mar 19, 2009, 3:00pm EDT
There are litterally THOUSANDS of hotels in the Kissimmee/Orlando area that are AWESOME and not far from The Magic Kingdom. Look on Hotels.com for a great rate. We just stayed in the area last night, as we went to Kissimmee to visit some family. Stayed in a very nice hotel for less than $50.

I personally would do that so I could have extra $$ for wonderful dinners and gifts to bring home.
Sue * Mar 19, 2009, 4:07pm EDT
I love the Contemporary Resort, and I've stayed there several times. As you know, I've stayed at several Disney resorts. The past few years we have started staying off property for several reasons. We like to get breakfast free. We like being away from the masses of small children, now that we don't have them, and we do save money by staying a few minutes away. Check out the Marriott World Center. It is expensive, but often has specials. It is a wonderful hotel, great pool, very nice. I want a nice hotel room, but I'd rather have something a little cheaper and spend the money on something else, or stay and extra day or 2.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Mar 19, 2009, 4:59pm EDT
I would stay off site. How much do you use the room? My son stayed off site and had a very nice room with a pool for a lot less money. I hope you get to go and have a wonderful time.
Elaine S. Mar 19, 2009, 6:53pm EDT
I would stay off site too.
I hope you have a Great time.
Dagmara H. Mar 19, 2009, 7:07pm EDT
I would stay off site too
Renita P. Mar 19, 2009, 10:34pm EDT
i would stay off site. That is WAY too high. There tons of hotels around the Kissimmee area that are MUCH cheaper
Elaine A. Mar 19, 2009, 11:09pm EDT
Thanks to everyone for your comments ;-)

I spoke to my husband and we are going to do Priceline for Disney area and choose resort, which is what we dop 95% of the time, unless the All Stars runs a $49 to $69 a nite rate, for Florida residents. I just got a code but yes not for the days I am going...

We are going High season, because of 4th of July, normally we'd stay away from WDW at this time because of crowds and costs.

Biddingfortravel.com
Lists as the Disney World Vicinity for Resort
Gaylord Palms Resort
Hilton in the Walt Disney World Village
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Marriott Orlando World Center
Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate
Walt Disney World Dolphin
Walt Disney World Swan

We have stayed at all of them, and any one would be okay with us. My husband said he wants to stay somwhere nice because it is my 50th birthday.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Mar 20, 2009, 7:37pm EDT
I would think about Vegas. Flights are really cheap and you can get some amazing package deals. You might be able to go spend a few days in Vegas for the same price.

Plus...you can see Barry Manilow!
Elaine A. Mar 21, 2009, 5:28pm EDT
Amanda I want to go to Vegas so bad, but my husband does not want to spend the money, he thinks Las Vegas will cost more money than Disney.

And he wants to take me to Disney world, duing the height of the summer season -July 4th when wait times will be unbelievable -even with a fast pass because I get in FREE that day...I've been there before on the 4th of July and I do not want to go during this time, I have told him this & I swear he has his whole family going or something, there is alot of calling, wispering and so on going on.

The last time we went to Magic Kingdom on the 4th of July it was crazy it took us 3 hours to get out of the park on the 4th of July after the last fireworks show! I do not want to do this...I really don't....probably why I don';t want to spend the money for the hotel.

I normally would be thrilled to go to Disney but I really don't want to go....I'd reather go to Las Vegas.
The Red Headed Witch of Gather G. Mar 25, 2009, 10:52am EDT
Elaine - depending on what you do in Vegas it can be cheaper, the same or more expensive than Disney. The key to a Vegas trip is plan your activities & budget. Also go off strip once in awhile for meals & fill up at buffets during lunch and just snack for dinner.

Hope you have fun on your birthday whichever trip you get!
Victoria H. Mar 25, 2009, 11:47am EDT
I'd stay offsite. I'm cheap. LOL
Mary H. Mar 26, 2009, 10:40pm EDT
I would stay offsite. I would also check the Orlando Sentinel for local prices compared to the tourist away prices ...get the best deals.
Ghostly Ghoul Apr 23, 2009, 5:34pm EDT
I'd stay offsite, but I am cheap.
JoAnn C. May 17, 2009, 9:24pm EDT
I'd stay off site. I hope you can get a good deal on Priceline.

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