advice please - adjusting plans

[sarah-jane]

I lurk a lot and post a little. I'm not sure what to do. We had our vacation planned a year ago and my sisters asked if they could come. We said yes, and at eleven months we booked a two bedroom to accommodate them joining our family for the last five days of our ten day trip (2 dds, dh, And me). All was well. We booked our tickets together, planned together, got party tickets together, etc. SO, My sister called me yesterday and said she thinks she will have to work now. However my other sister will still be coming the dates they originally booked. My sister who's working wants to come early instead. we have a one bedroom AKL Concierge during the first five days - not sure if I can even add her. I'm so stressed. I don't know what to do. I don't want to be rude but dh and I don't want extended family during our planned "family time" in the parks. That's why we split the vacation. Not to mention we now have a two bedroom we maybe didn't need to spend the points on. And it is odd having just one extended family member at a time, just because it's sort of makes odd man out a bit when we split up for various activities. I don't know what to tell my sister. it is three months till our planned vacation. Any advice, encouragement, or calming wisdom would be appreciated. It's only our second DVC trip and I just feel very stressed.
Thank you! This is an awesome community to be a part of.

 

[Callymum]

I can understand how stressing this must be. To be honest I would be straight with her and tell her that this is a special booking and that it can't be altered as club level is highly sought after and not easily changeable at late stages.
It's your holiday and although we all love our Family, I don't think I would give up CL for them.lol

If she could get a studio for herself then I would say yes, but I don't think you would get a 2,bdrm CL now anyway. You could ask to be put on a waiting list. I personally wouldn't change.

I wouldn't give up my own family time for late changes, especially a Club level Change.

 

[VrBchJ]

It's unfortunate that your sister has to work during the time of her planned visit. Stuff happens and in this case she had to change her plans. But that doesn't mean you have to change yours. You have your AKV time planned, you're looking forward to your special family time. I would tell working sister "Next time. We'll make a new plan for another year but this time it's not going to work out the way we'd hoped."

That's easy for me to say! But seriously, you can't go thru your whole DVC life working your trips around the wants and needs of others.

 

[sarah-jane]

I think some of what makes it difficult is how bad she feels about changing plans. And there is a bit of a disconnect - to many people three months out seems like a long time because they don't understand the DVC timelines.

BTW - I'm feeling calmer and better already. The fact is we'd love for them join us for the later part of the vacation, but the first five days are reserved for my kids and us. We don't get that much time just the four of us during the year, and this family time is important for us to reconnect. I think if I explain it like that, she'll understand.

 

[Callymum]

I think some of what makes it difficult is how bad she feels about changing plans. And there is a bit of a disconnect - to many people three months out seems like a long time because they don't understand the DVC timelines.

BTW - I'm feeling calmer and better already. The fact is we'd love for them join us for the later part of the vacation, but the first five days are reserved for my kids and us. We don't get that much time just the four of us during the year, and this family time is important for us to reconnect. I think if I explain it like that, she'll understand.

I'm glad you are feeling calmer. We all love our family but you had already had it set in your mind and in motion that the first week is for your own family.
CL Dvc at AKL is not easy to book as everyone is after it in Dvc, including me.
I'm on waiting list for Sept. I'm sure your sister will be fine with the news.

You never know she may be able to eventually go the 2nd week. Have Fun in Club Concierge.

 

[mjpisani21]

I think some of what makes it difficult is how bad she feels about changing plans. And there is a bit of a disconnect - to many people three months out seems like a long time because they don't understand the DVC timelines.

BTW - I'm feeling calmer and better already. The fact is we'd love for them join us for the later part of the vacation, but the first five days are reserved for my kids and us. We don't get that much time just the four of us during the year, and this family time is important for us to reconnect. I think if I explain it like that, she'll understand.

I think if you explained it just like you did above about wanting some private family time and then wanting her to join in the end, she'd probably understand and respect your wishes. If that doesn't work, just tell her that you have different reservations planned for the second half of your trip and its not that easy to switch at this point..

 

[Kidanifan08]

. . . but the first five days are reserved for my kids and us. We don't get that much time just the four of us during the year, and this family time is important for us to reconnect. I think if I explain it like that, she'll understand.

I think if you explained it just like you did above about wanting some private family time and then wanting her to join in the end, she'd probably understand and respect your wishes. If that doesn't work, just tell her that you have different reservations planned for the second half of your trip and its not that easy to switch at this point..

IDK . . . I have a 72 yo "favorite" aunt who has no children and has not had a spouse since 1973 who still does not understand the concept of personal time for my family. Your sister may be under the impression that you can just "squeeze" her into the room . . . no problem. You may need to be more concrete with her and explain that the room you are in has a maximum capacity of 4 persons, and that 3 months out, you won't be able to get a room that would accommodate 5 people. You can tell her that you already checked the availability, and there is nothing. Then you can go into the particulars about complexities of owning a timeshare, yada, yada.

I would finish with the conversation with, "but, we can definitely try to make this work next year, 'cause we really want to do Disney with you. If you can find someone who can switch shifts with you, we definitely have room for the time that you were planning on coming."

 

[gray52]

your sister may be under the impression that you can just "squeeze" her into the room . . . No problem. You may need to be more concrete with her and explain that the room you are in has a maximum capacity of 4 persons, and that 3 months out, you won't be able to get a room that would accommodate 5 people. You can tell her that you already checked the availability, and there is nothing. Then you can go into the particulars about complexities of owning a timeshare, yada, yada.

I would finish with the conversation with, "but, we can definitely try to make this work next year, 'cause we really want to do disney with you. If you can find someone who can switch shifts with you, we definitely have room for the time that you were planning on coming."

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