Aaack - fly in the ointment! (m)

[queenmum2]

This is what I get...I invite everybody under the sun!

Synopsis: I'm going to WDW with DH, DS and DD in October.. Yes THIS October Way back in February, I invited my Dad and Stepmom to come. She has a son that lives in Orlando and I thought they might could plan a visit with him, then do the parks with us a day or two. She accepted the invite and said that it was her gift to Dad for his 75th birthday.

That in mind, I planned HDDR for us to go to. Here's my problem. I also mentioned to my sister that we were going and that we were going to celebrate Dad's b-day. She sounded mildly interested, but since she works in a school she didn't think she could really get away long enough to make it worth the price of going.

TODAY she calls and says that she found a great fare ($98) and was going to try and book it. She'd get in at midnight on Friday and leave on Sunday. Now - we're staying at the WL. I had said in the original invite that she could bunk in with us for a night or two. Even at the WL, I figured for a night or two, one kid could bunk on the floor. But coming in at MIDNIGHT? UGH! I'm hoping that she'll decide to stay with Dad & Gladys at her son's house

My main question is -- what does a car-service from the airport cost? I know my Dad would willingly pick her up, and he's a night-owl so it wouldn't put him out, really. But if she's staying with us, he'd have to take her to WL (would she even be able to get in at, say, 1:00 am if she's not an 'Official" guest of the WL?), then go back to DSS's house.

OH - that doesn't even cover all of the problems with this. First, I"d have to rearrange our touring schedule because we planned the AK for that day and she's not interested in AK. I could fairly easily swap with an EPCOT day. OK
Then - the HDDR. What are the chances they could accomodate one more in our party?

Thanks for any info! Sorry so long...I can't type short.

Tracie

 

[hezreck]

Car service from MCO is $95 round trip or $55 one way. The service we always use is Tiffany Town Car. They are great. As for getting into WL that late and not being a resort guest, you will have to ask someone else or call the resort. I don't know their policy, but I am assuming it won't be allowed if you are exceding the room capacity. Those rules are there for fire codes, so don't count on it. I would tell her to stay with the parents so you can enjoy your vacation.

 

[Principessa Alba]

First of all, I don't think you should have a problem with HDDR - just call.

Next, is your heart set on WL? Why don't you look at changing to a resort that can accomodate 5 people in a room? There may be deals that are coming out with specials that could make it not that much more expensive. The cabins in Fort Wilderness do 5 or maybe even 6 people.

 

[queenmum2]

We are kind of set on WL - We originally were looking at the Contemporary (love the refurb), but bumped down (pricewise, but otherwise equal) to the WL for money-reasons.

We'd only be "one over" for one REAL night unless you count her midnight entry. But - I might be able to convince her to stay with Dad and Glad at least that night.

The other thought would be to split the stay with the weekend at another resort. We're already getting a great deal with the discount code that came out a few weeks back. But the money we're "saving" has now been earmarked for getting our roof repaired (don't you love the priorities...Disney first - THEN repair the roof!).

Thanks for the input!

Tracie

 

[Principessa Alba]

I know this is going to sound crazy, but by the time you pay for a towncar plus tip you might get a couple of nights at one of the value resorts for not much more! Then, have ME pick her up and you can meet her in the AM!

 

[JennyDrake]

OK, maybe I'm the hard hearted one here, but my in-laws will do that to you. I would explain to her with a BIG smile that you already had the hotel and the touring plans. It will be great for her to join you and you will be happy to help her find a hotel room within her budget if she will give you a credit card to make the reservation.

My guess is that HDDR will not be a big deal with one more, but be sure to call and ask.

Instead of touring plans and plannign everything out for everyone, why not arrnage for a couple of meals a day at a certain time and place. Those who want/can will meet up and dine.

Jenny
P.S. I also recommend a book by Henry Cloud called "Boundaries."

 

[queenmum2]

Car service from MCO is $95 round trip or $55 one way. The service we always use is Tiffany Town Car. They are great.

Thanks for the info on Tiffany - I'll pass it on.

As for getting into WL that late and not being a resort guest, you will have to ask someone else or call the resort. I don't know their policy, but I am assuming it won't be allowed if you are exceding the room capacity. Those rules are there for fire codes, so don't count on it. I would tell her to stay with the parents so you can enjoy your vacation.

I think that will be our "loophole" for at least staying that first night with Dad and Glad. Thanks!

Tracie

 

[queenmum2]

I know it sounds bad - that she's barging in. This is my closest sister...she's great - not normally a "crasher". I just think she doesn't realize the planning that has gone into this and so forth. She hasn't been to WDW since uh - 1985 or so. I actually went with her and HER family (but as much to enjoy it as to help with her kids). I'm closer to her than anyone else in my family - she half-raised me (she's 10 years older) and has been a great sounding board for everything I ever go through with my kids/dh/work/whatever. She's a social worker.

And I'm definitely the "pleaser" type -- "sure, no problem, we'll work it out..."

Truth is, I'd LOVE her to be with us! I just wish she'd been able to commit to it much earlier (but as a "pleaser" - doormat? - I'd NEVER say that to her) so we could have planned accordingly.

And she's got that GREAT Hidden Mickey on her neck! That's gotta count for SOMETHING with this crowd!

Tracie

 

[queenmum2]

I know this is going to sound crazy, but by the time you pay for a towncar plus tip you might get a couple of nights at one of the value resorts for not much more! Then, have ME pick her up and you can meet her in the AM!

Though - I'd probably see about getting her to stay with D&G first, or else maybe at a cheap off-site. It would be cheaper than paying for the car. Though, I don't guess cheap off-sites would pick you up at the airport at midnight! Back to square one...D&G is our best bet, I think - though I probably should run it by them, eh?

Tracie

 

[Principessa Alba]

I know it sounds bad - that she's barging in. This is my closest sister...she's great - not normally a "crasher". I just think she doesn't realize the planning that has gone into this and so forth. She hasn't been to WDW since uh - 1985 or so. I actually went with her and HER family (but as much to enjoy it as to help with her kids). I'm closer to her than anyone else in my family - she half-raised me (she's 10 years older) and has been a great sounding board for everything I ever go through with my kids/dh/work/whatever. She's a social worker.

And I'm definitely the "pleaser" type -- "sure, no problem, we'll work it out..."

Truth is, I'd LOVE her to be with us! I just wish she'd been able to commit to it much earlier (but as a "pleaser" - doormat? - I'd NEVER say that to her) so we could have planned accordingly.

And she's got that GREAT Hidden Mickey on her neck! That's gotta count for SOMETHING with this crowd!

Tracie

Oh, I got all that! My family can never plan a trip without something like this happening! And half the time, I just think it's because I do so much of the planning and no one realizes what it takes to organize everything and how "the fly in the ointment" makes a problem!

I didn't see your sister as being a pain. I know you just want everyone to have a good time - and you will!

 

[queenmum2]

Instead of touring plans and plannign everything out for everyone, why not arrnage for a couple of meals a day at a certain time and place. Those who want/can will meet up and dine.

No touring plans...are you CRAZY?

It was kind of a "have to" with the planning...I basically told Gladys where we were eating and when and she agreed to join us for several of the meals. They will have park tickets for only two days (no hopping) - so I wanted to be sure that we were in the park we'd eat in when they were with us, YKWIM?

As it is, we have one "free-ish" day planned because when Disney discounts came out for October, I was able to add one day. So I don't have any ADRs on Friday and on Saturday, all we have is the HDDR. I can pretty easily slide the AK over to Friday, then do the "extra" EPCOT day on Saturday when we were going to be doing AK.

Tracie

 

[ainmama2001]

I always say that you can't have any type of family gathering without someone laughing, someone crying and somone getting offended!

 

[tinkersmama]

I always say that you can't have any type of family gathering without someone laughing, someone crying and somone getting offended!

And here I thought that was just my family!

 

[debbiepump]

From a 'been there done that' person........let sis figure this out on her own. She's the one who chose to come in at midnight, not you. To get a car service is I think maybe $50, not sure. DON'T change your plans for one person. Gonna have alot of resentment. If she doesn't want to go to AK, then ok, let her not go. No one needs to be upset, angry, etc., just let her go do her own thing and you yours. You are setting yourself up for a misreable EXPENSIVE vacation trying to make everyone happy but yourself. Like I said, BEEN THERE DONE THAT. This coming Oct my sis and her husband are going with us on my dime (points) and have already told her that if she and hubby don't want to do what we want to do, then we can all do our own things and meet up later and no one will be upset with the other. Besides, it gives everyone a break from each other.

 

[queenmum2]

From a 'been there done that' person........let sis figure this out on her own.

Actually, I *think* she has. I was in the middle of coloring my hair (gotta cover those gray - I mean, blond - hairs! ) when I saw her call come in. I couldn't answer it and not get junk on the phone...so I let it go to VM.

She sounded a little disappointed, but said that it sounded like it was going to be too much hassle and expense for just one full day of being there and she would be seeing Dad on his ACTUAL birthday anyway...so I think she's going to bag it. I'm waiting until she gets off out of school to call her back. I've got to formulate the exact right thing to say.

Thanks for your input!

Tracie

 

[queenmum2]

Dear sis has decided it is too much trouble for everybody and expense for her to come down for just the one day. I have mixed feelings - mostly, I'm sorry because she sounded so excited about it. But she isn't upset with me for not being more accomodating...

's all good.

Tracie