Need Help Convincing Cousin's Husband to Stay On Property

[KAT1811]

We are planning a trip to Walt Disney World for November of 2011. As of right now there are 16 family members planning on going and staying on site. My cousin and her family would like to join us as well. There are 6 in their party, she, her husband and their 4 children. She has looked into staying in either 2 rooms at a value or the family suite at the ASMu. The problem is her husband adamantly refuses to stay on property. He says it a lot more money than staying off site. But without the cost of a rental car (to fit 6 people in), carseat rental , and parking it ends up being just about the same price. He is concerned about not having their "own transportation". She really wants to stay on site with the rest of the family. He has never stayed on site so he has no experience with the "magic" of being on property.

If you were trying to convince someone to stay on property what would you tell them?

[MNNHFLTX]

It sounds like you have your arguments down pat. If he doesn't listen to those, there's probably nothing you can do to convince him. His wife might still have some sway, if she lets him know how important it is to her that they stay on-site with the rest of the family.

I have to say that it's hard for me to relate to this type of situation. With all of our trips, my husband pretty much defers to me in the planning process, as he trusts that I do my research and will get the best bang for our buck. Plus he knows how much I enjoy vacation planning.

[KAT1811]

I have to say that it's hard for me to relate to this type of situation. With all of our trips, my husband pretty much defers to me in the planning process, as he trusts that I do my research and will get the best bang for our buck. Plus he knows how much I enjoy vacation planning.

My husband trusts me to make the best decisions for our family and never challenges me on my vacation decisions. Even when I ask him he tells me to do whatever want.

[Thepeterpan]

There are plenty of advantages by staying one property. You get the extra magic hours and the Disney transportation throughout the day. You also get free parking when staying on property. Staying on property is an advantage to everyone who stays there. Hope this helps and hope you have a magical time at Disney World

[JPL]

The only other things you could bring up is the EMHs and being closer to the family and the activities you are planning. You can also add the hassle of getting in and out of the parks especially the MK is you are driving and then having to drive back to an off-site room. If the money comes out about the same without a rental car then it seems to be more than a financial decision.

[Madame Leona]

I hate to say this but present her with the pros but it's up to the two of them as to where to stay. You could end up being the bad guy if they stay on property and he doesn't like it.

[forever a child]

We are going at end of Sept and staying at value. At $62.44 per night (that is with discount pin) I don't know how much cheaper he could get. Not when you add on ME, EMH's, Resort to park transportation, and not having to pay for parking if you do drive to parks. ($14 day)

[MouseHouser]

I'm all for saving money, and have stayed off site a fair number of times. That said, I MUCH prefer to stay on site.

Imo, the confines of the Disney bubble are transporting. There's magic and excitement everywhere you turn: a futuristic monorail, dramatic magic castle, thatched african porte cochere, polynesian tiki torches with tom toms beating in the background, etc.-- And the service and smiles are world class; everyone you encounter is happy.

Then you depart the grounds, merge onto a congested highway, horns honk, litter tumbles by--and it's over.

Nope, if you can, stay on the premises and leave the real world behind. It's good for the soul.

[Kairi_7378]

I remember reading in the unofficial guide to disney world that all of the perks of staying onsite are available at all resorts, even at Pop. So even if he can find rates less than the Values the parking, car rental, and car seats will add up!

[brownie]

The only other things you could bring up is the EMHs and being closer to the family and the activities you are planning. You can also add the hassle of getting in and out of the parks especially the MK is you are driving and then having to drive back to an off-site room. If the money comes out about the same without a rental car then it seems to be more than a financial decision.

Not just the hassle, figure in the time too.

[Kairi_7378]

... it's up to the two of them as to where to stay. You could end up being the bad guy if they stay on property and he doesn't like it.

I have to agree with this, too. You don't want to be the person blamed if they don't have the time they want!

[wdwfansince75]

Tell them what you expect to spend...perhaps the problem is that they will really have to scrimp to afford the trip or just flat cannot afford the trip...Even off site, they will probably have to get two rooms....and there is still the cost of transportation, parking, and meals...

Suggest that they consider the Cabins at Ft. Wilderness....Their party of six can fit, they can save money by preparing some of their own meals, and they can even host all of you for a family cook out...

[Magic Smiles]

One of the perks I enjoy about staying on site is the delivery of my shopping to my resort. I love not having to carry any shopping around.
My step daughters are going in August and there was no way that we could convince them to stay on site either. Until they have experienced staying on site, they don't know what they are missing.

[Janmac]

This is the argument I have used in the past: If you don't like it, you don't have to do it again.

I used that with DH the first time we stayed on property. He has never wanted to stay off property since and that was over 20 years and several trips ago. And he's so not a Disney fan. He goes because his family is going.

Sometimes a kid saying, Daaad, please can we stay with the other kids? Or maybe all 4 kids can say this.

Another thing that can be done, once the money arguments have been presented, is to put it in his court. He can be told this is what the rest of the family is doing. What is he going to do. And leave it up to him.

He has two choices here: he can disappoint his wife and look like a jerk to her extended family, or he can cave.

If he is a jerk, everyone may have to just live with their being off site and meet up with her as much as you can, during the day. If he's that much of a jerk, you may be better off having less time with him.

If he caves, hopefully he'll do with grace. Our son-in-law generally was a pill because he thought too much money was being spent. She did get him to lighten up occasionally by saying it's not about him but the memories they're making with their daughter. That might help you.

Actually, there might be another argument - transportation. Obviously, with 4 kids, there is a good chance someone will get icky feeling some time during your trip. On property, with Disney transportation available, one parent can take the ill child back to the room - even by Disney van I think? - while the rest of the family can remain wherever they are, and continue having fun with the family. If they are all in one car, staying off property, and one child needs some time away from the parks, the whole family has to leave.

This might allow him to save face and agree that staying on property might logistically be the wiser choice.

Jan

[jonahbear2006]

remind him of travel time, of what leaving a park late at night in the parking lot could look like including a line of cars exiting and tired people and finding your car at the end of the day. .. . also that its hot so everytime you get in your car its not air conditioned like the disney transportation is. Package delivery service. We use this SOOOO much. it is SO nice to buy stuff AS you see it and not look for it at the end of the trip and send it to your room via cast members. I wouldnt stay off site just for that reason alone. EMH is a great reason, especially the morning EMH bc it gets ONLY EMH people into that park. Outside of the disney magic, there are so many reasons to go with disney from not having to pay to park to their pools and grounds are amazing no matter which resort you choose.

[Ilovemesomedisneymom]

We started staying onsite in 1997 and never ever had to had the discussion again. It's great to get of the plane and get right onto the Magical express. No headache about the traffic or getting stress out..

If we want to go to Downtown Disney we hop on the bus. We have our packages delivered to our rooms and don't have to worry about leaving them on a ride.

In 2002 we stayed because of a family reunion and there was 21 of us. It was so nice.

I hope he changes his mind.

[DisneyNut6777]

all the above meet my criteria. My wife lets me plan the trip, I always get and use her input tho. A big plus, and I mean big plus for me is that I feel very, very safe in the WDW resort area. I don't get that feeling until I arrive there, and don't loose it until I leave. In a 6 night /7 day stay we never once leave the property. Having been there off site and in travels around the area, I definitely like staying on site at any resort.

[DisneyDINK]

Here's my 2 cents:

I like to have an occasional beer or coctail while in the parks. You can get a drink just about anywhere except the MK. Stay on property you don't have to worry about driving back to the hotel. Obviously you don't want to overdo it on a nice family getaway, but it is nice to have a beer or two and then take Disney transportation back to the hotel. Then again if he's a miser he might not want to pay the WDW drink prices.

Being able to go back to the hotel easliy during the day with all or part of your party is a real plus. You can go back to the room and hit the pool or take a nap.

Park hopping is a lot harder when you stay off property since you all have to get back to the car.

Beware: having a rental car gives you some flexibility and control. There may be an issue there beyond the expense that needs to be addressed.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

1. Free Transportation
2. Free Package Delivery from parks to resorts
3. Extra Morning and Evening Hours
4. Availability of Dining Plan
5. Restaurants and Gift shop in hotel
6. Emersion into Disney atmosphere 24/7

[irish1967]

I would suggest to your cousin that she do a cost analysis for staying on-site and off-site and then leave it up to your cousin and her husband to decide.

Remind her that Orlando is a major metropolitan area and that means dealing with traffic.

But, like someone early on said, stay out of it. Otherwise you become the bad guy.

Honestly, I AM Disney - heart and soul - and though it isn't what I would prefer to do - staying off-site when we went with my DH's family a few years ago really wasn't that bad. My preference - no, but I would do it again.