A Close Call

[wtpclc]

During a recent wiekend with the ILs, my DBIL, whose family had just returned from WDW, had teh brilliant idea that we need to go as a family. As my life flashed before my eyes, most of the family discussed how fun that would be. "We'll just head over from teh next reunion in MO." Luckily my DH stayed silent. He has still not told his family about DVC and doesn't know if he's ready yet.

On the way home, we brought up the conversation, noting that the biggest hater of QFT (quality family time) is the one who brought up the family trip to DVC. Oh yeah, he wants the free baby sitting, we thought. The recent trip to WDW was the longest they've ever gone without someone else helping with the kids (5 days). (Now I love my nephews, but I hate having them dumped on me. I will offer if you giv eme the chance.)

So, after we figure out that mystery, DH fesses up to me. "My first thought was 'Wouldn't a big villa for all of us on points be great!'" Then he realized that it will be ~2009 before we would have that many points again. Then he realized that his family ruined our LA vacation and we weren't really looking forward ot that. If they killed our happy place for us, it would be bad.

I can now rest easily in the fact that DH knows better adn that he will likely never tell his family about DVC! Whew! That was too close!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Sounds like a close call! It's great that you and your DH are on the same page!

 

[spiceycat]

yea!!! you get to keep your points for you.

does your family know that you own DVC?

 

[wtpclc]

spiceycat - Yes, my family knows. It's just my parents and my brother and his family. When my parents are in FL, they have their fifth wheel. Most they'd ever do is a day trip to meet us. They've done that in the past and it's worked out very well. My SIL has asked us if we've planned vacations yet, but at the time we hadn't. We won't have enough points for them for a couple years, as we're doing WDW marathon and the Alaska cruise next year. I do not see it being a problem, though. They're much more respectful and we would have no problem just meeting up here and there. (Although the kids would probably want a lot of Uncle Scott time.) The ILs would want me to plan everything and the whole family would need to spend every second together, except when SIL and BIL dumped teh kids on us and went there own way.

 

[chimera]

Whew! That was close!

We can't get family to come with us. My mom came once...I have a bunch of cousins around the state with APs but we can never seem to get it together all at once. My brother lives in Orlando, but hates theme parks

The Alaska cruise sounds wonderful! Take lots of photos!

 

[rocketriter]

Every family is different. But the fact that you feel yours has already ruined one trip for you is significant. It's also good that you and your spouse are on the same page about this.

 

[OneMoreTry]

wt,

If the subject arises again, would you feel obligated to plan for everyone? It's likely that your ILs will bring it up some time within the next 40 years.

I think I would make it clear that everyone is to make their own reservations, and then commit to hooking up a few times. If someone else plans lodging, just opt out and stay where you usually stay. And have some "plans" ready for when you need excuses not to babysit.

I guess that's easier said than done.

 

[wtpclc]

But the fact that you feel yours has already ruined one trip for you is significant. It's also good that you and your spouse are on the same page about this.

That would be the vacation from h-e-double hockey sticks, although I have a hard time calling it a vacation. That's why I was a little disappointed that DH even thought about WDW with them. The good thing is that he realized on his own that the trip would be bad.

 

[wtpclc]

wt,

If the subject arises again, would you feel obligated to plan for everyone? It's likely that your ILs will bring it up some time within the next 40 years.

I think I would make it clear that everyone is to make their own reservations, and then commit to hooking up a few times. If someone else plans lodging, just opt out and stay where you usually stay. And have some "plans" ready for when you need excuses not to babysit.

I guess that's easier said than done.

You'd just have to know them. The VFH was a family reunion. We needed to be together Fri - Sun. The rest was on our own. They wanted to drive. My MIL hates flying. So, I got plane tickets. I planned the days in a way that I thought no one else would want to follow. I got my own room. I found out where I wanted to go. Got my own rental car....

Somehow, we were not alone on the plane or in the rental car or in the hotel room. In fact, the un-married couples were the only ones who got their own rooms. We were guilted into staying with DBIL, DSIL and DNeph (2), because they did not have money for their own room. It got worse from there.

DH and I discussed it during our 2 hour car ride the other day. There is no way it would work. The only option is to say no. If we caved on anything, they would take over. (Yes, somehow I planned the whole thing, but did not get to do any of the thing that I wanted to do durign VFH.) I regret the fact that I will not be able to share WDW with DNeph's. However, the person I become on vacations with them is not someone DNeph's would want to be around anyway.

I know it will come up in the next 50 years, but I'm sure that I will not have vacation time!

 

[rocketriter]

As the years go by, if there are young 'uns in the extended family, you can always offer to take a couple of them along on a trip. My mother took each child in our extended family to WDW over the years. If the in-laws say, "Great, we'll come along, too!" you simply reply, "No, thank you, this is a special once-in-a-lifetime chance for [insert child's name] and us to spend quality time together."

 

[Divamomto3]

Everyone knows I own DVC, but I have no plans on renting a Grand Villa for everyone to enjoy. That would be as enjoyable for me as bamboo under my fingernails. I don't feel bad about not renting points cheap or giving points to family members. My DH worked hard to buy our DVC. I don't have 1000 points to fool around with either.

Glad your DH and you are in agreement. Enjoy your DVC!

 

[LeftCoaster]

So, after we figure out that mystery, DH fesses up to me. "My first thought was 'Wouldn't a big villa for all of us on points be great!'" Then he realized that it will be ~2009 before we would have that many points again. Then he realized that his family ruined our LA vacation and we weren't really looking forward ot that. If they killed our happy place for us, it would be bad.

I can now rest easily in the fact that DH knows better adn that he will likely never tell his family about DVC! Whew! That was too close!

I think you trained your husband well. He deserves some bonus points.

My family thinks I have a little, tiny 100 point contract at OKW. Well, it was true until I did the 130 point add on for SSR in October. Shhh! My sister and her family will be joining me next October. I'm going to be creative with explaining how I could book a 2 bedroom.

 

[wtpclc]

I think you trained your husband well. He deserves some bonus points.

Yes, he is trained well. I may even have ot give MIL credit for some of it. He deserves LOTS of bonus points too!

Rinkwide - Thanks for the line. I'm going to keep that, 'cause I know if I take a child, the entire family will want to come!

Thanks for letting me vent everyone!!!!

 

[ForTheLoveofDisney]

That's why I was a little disappointed that DH even thought about WDW with them.

Poor guy. When your DH heard them talking about going to Disney his mind probably went back to happy times w/ you at Disney and for a split second thought, "Well, just maybe we could make this work. . . NAH!!!!"

At least he DIDN'T say anything.

 

[wtpclc]

Poor guy. When your DH heard them talking about going to Disney his mind probably went back to happy times w/ you at Disney and for a split second thought, "Well, just maybe we could make this work. . . NAH!!!!"

The even sadder part is that he has wonderful memories of WDW with his family. They are frugal, to say the least, but they would save every penny they had and then splurge when they got to WDW. Yikes! I'm almost startign to sway myself! Thanks for reminding me what a victory it was.