Anyone have a nice write-up for family members staying with you?

[bumbershoot]

We're doing this big WDW trip in December, and for 4 nights will have family with us in a 2 bedroom. It's going to be so much fun, and I want to do everything I can to keep it from being a "this was a mistake, learn from me" sort of trip, LOL.

Luckily, the family members have been to WDW a million times, but this will be their first DVC stay. I've tried to give the basics "we won't have daily housekeeping" to them, but I'm not sure I'm being heard.

Has anyone written up a list or letter or something to give guests, so they have accurate expectations for their stay? Even the good stuff, like what's in the villa, but also the "this is different from a hotel" info...

If anyone has written up such a thing, I'd love to check it out. I'm happy to do my own, but why re-invent the wheel, if someone's already done it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[CrazyDuck]

Noting to add... Just subscribing to this thread....

 

[sb127]

Last summer we had a grand villa for our family( DS, DDIL,DD, DSIL and 3 grandchildren). I think that you should let them know what the sleeping arrangements will be so they are not surprised. We discussed the arrangements before making the reservations and made sure everyone knew what to expect. This was not their first trip as we have taken our children and grandchildren multiple times but it was their first DVC stay. They loved being able to have a kitchen and laudry and we had more than enough bathrooms because we were at AKV Kidani with the extra bathroom. That was so convenient when everyone was getting ready in the morning.

 

[Granny]

I know that Dean has posted his 3 or 4 golden rules on taking a group. And others have chimed in as well. I've never taken a large group but I'd say it's important for everyone to know that you don't all have to do everything together. In fact, it will be almost impossible to do so and will ratchet up the stress factor of the entire stay.

As for being a DVC stay, it really isn't all that different for veteran WDW goers. Just a nicer place to stay and yes, no housecleaning every day.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, we usually give them the housekeeping info along with directions about the garbage room etc. Then we suggest that everyone start out each day together or meet up at a specific time to do at least one thing together and then all go on their way. We find the group usually sticks close together for at least the first day, but after that, folks kind of break up into smaller groups. That once a day meeting spot is a way to catch up, and for the groups to change around. We also had each family group responsible for one meal during the trip. IT was their choice what to cook (or ressie to make). It worked out great. That was a trip where we had 4 family units in a GV.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think that you should let them know what the sleeping arrangements will be so they are not surprised. We discussed the arrangements before making the reservations and made sure everyone knew what to expect.

Thanks! I'll definitely include that. (it's OK that we, the hosts, take the big bedroom, right???? I don't need to feel guilty about it, do I?)

I know that Dean has posted his 3 or 4 golden rules on taking a group.....

As for being a DVC stay, it really isn't all that different for veteran WDW goers. Just a nicer place to stay and yes, no housecleaning every day.

I'll definitely look for that. Interesting perspective that it's not so different from a hotel stay. I would have thought differently! (obviously I did, LOL)

Yes, we usually give them the housekeeping info along with directions about the garbage room etc.....

We also had each family group responsible for one meal during the trip. IT was their choice what to cook (or ressie to make). It worked out great. That was a trip where we had 4 family units in a GV.

Thanks!

Ooh, interesting idea about the meal...


Thanks, all!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I'd like some tips too. Last year we took my inlaws with us, this year some friends are joining us. It's their first WDW trip as well as first DVC stay.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

There's really only one thing I make sure everyone including kids know up front, if you want your towel to dry, hang it up, and remember where you hung it up. If that doesn't work, I just throw a load of them into the washer/dryer on a short cycle and we start again! That's the beauty of a 1 or 2br, a laundry room. It's great to dry the bathing suits between uses.

Besides, anyone who travels with me knows to pick up after themselves! I'm a bit of neat knick.

 

[pnyltwk]

I would take the Master Bedroom since it is my DVC. And I would not feel bad about that unless someone wanted to pay the MF for the year. We took a trip a few years back with two other families and stayed in an OKW GV. The issues that we had as discussed already were the cooking arrangements and not having to hang out together the whole time. My wife's aunt just expected that what she was doing was what we were doing. That did not go over very well. And they also got upset because the other family cooked roast one night. It seemed that we were suppose to ask what the aunt wanted before the cooking started. So we just made it plain that we were on vacation and they needed to just enjoy their trip and stop trying to be in charge.
The only other issue was the tip for housekeeping before we left. The other two families that stayed with us for free did want to come up with a portion of the tip. Some people.
We don't make it habit to take others with us since. Good luck!!!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Have a wonderful time !! I don't have any printed to give out just let everyone know how DVC works before we left......but we've taken 20+ down for my parent's 50th anniversary...stayed at BCV..in a 2br and 2 studios....We've taken trips with 2 different sets of friends in a 2 br villa.....trips with our "kids..20 & 23" and boyfriend/girfriends.....so far.."knock on wood" no issues at all..

 

[PHILCT]

Good Luck, I hope your gathering goes well.

This subject always makes me vent, I apologize in advance.

----

I recommend that everyone agree to specifics about where they are all going to sleep, and not to listen to anyone who gives you an answer, "I'm fine with anything". Especially when there is a snorer and a non snorer combined in the same sleeping area. I have suggested ear plugs in the past, and they just think they can cope with it until the first night is over, and then they are out of their minds. My friend's father actually came out of the 2nd shared bedroom begging me if I could find him an additional Studio on the fly. He was among the "I'm fine with anything" group.

Once you invite someone in the family or friends you really like, somehow someone else will want to go and add on to your group. Resist the temptation to say yes ! Don't even mention there is an unused pull out couch in the living room, because you might end up sleeping on it !

Or you start planning for a value season points vacation in early December or Fall, and then the INVITEES try to get you to change it weeks later to March or another magical seasons higher points schedule. They don't care you will be dipping into future borrowed points. Be true to your own scheduled vacation needs.

If they are going to join you for a park, and you have someone that insists on getting to the Park at the minute it opens, make sure that all the others are aware of their responsibility to be ready for the agreed upon time. This one caused a fight amongst some family members trying to get those early fast passes, while others dragged their feet. (Lot of yelling, none from me).

Don't plan to be together all the time, I have seen sad faces from one set of family members who expected other family members to go along with them that day, and didn't quite understand why the others seemed to want to go along without them that day.

Explain the idea of Disney adding on the 18 percent tax to large groups dining together. I had one relative have a fit over this.

They also seem to think that DVC is cheap on not giving them a clean towel each day, and making up the beds. They don't get the DVC lifestyle.
And even though they thought they were in the most beautiful place ever, and were invited to stay for free, they could not understand why Disney would do this, as when they last stayed at the moderate resorts they got clean towels every day. I washed the towels every night and loaded the dryers, and fluffed the towels and placed them on the racks so they could feel like they were getting the Deluxe Service they needed.

I am scared of group trips now, sharing one itinerary and one roof to all to be under. Groups of 6 or less seem fine, but when you get over that, I get very scared !

And I often book my flights about 3 or 4 months or more in advance, with some adjustment to that in hopes to get a good price. My "INVITEES" often like to wait till the last month and see if the price has gone down to like 50 percent off, or cancel out on my invite at the last month. They don't really pay attention to DVC cancellation policies or the chances I can change a Grand Villa and downsize to a 1 or 2 bedroom at the 30 day mark. I now think SEPARATE studio reservations is a good idea for the INVITEES.

I encourage you to set a DO YOUR OWN THING attitude, and meet up for special things only. Like a couple nice restaurant meets outside of the parks in the evening. A stroll to Downtown Disney and the movies.
I like less on meeting in the parks, as the teens versus the older adults have their own agendas, like MORE RIDES versus MORE PARADES and SHOWS.

In the end if your family is flexible you won't have a problem.
Mine is NOT !

Now I prefer going with just my partner most of the time.
I think I would have more fun on a DIS meet, than a extended family gathering.

----

End of Vent, I wonder if Pete Werner (Podcast/Webmaster) would have liked my Rant or Hated it ?

Have a great time !

Phil

 

[adminjedi]

Everyone is advised that they are responsible for their towel and they won't get a new one until the 4th day.

If kids are involved, we bring along colored or themed large diaper pins to attach to the towels as personal identifiers. If they have the blue elephant pin towel, they can't use the yellow lion towel!

 

[dianeschlicht]

There is NO DISCUSSION about the master. We own the points. It's our "home" so it's our bedroom. I let everyone know that there are 2 queen beds in one bedroom and 2 double beds in the third one, and a queen sleep sofa in the living room for those who don't wish to share. We only had one issue one time with sleeping arrangements, and that was because a single mom and her DD couldn't adjust to having others in the room where they slept. They did know that going in, but they ended up taking sofa cushions and making beds elsewhere.

I've never had an issue with people not respecting the towel thing or caring that their bed wasn't made for them. I think it's because they see me get up and make my bed and clean my bathroom when I'm done using it, so they felt they needed to do the same thing. My guests also have no problem doing their laundry. They love that there is a laundry in the unit.

My guests are usually used to camping, so they also have no problems chipping in to help in the kitchen, and also keeping the place picked up.

I've never taken anyone that wasn't completely gracious about having "free" accommodations.

 

[bumbershoot]

There's really only one thing I make sure everyone including kids know up front, if you want your towel to dry, hang it up, and remember where you hung it up.

Good point about the towels!

I'm definitely not a neatnik...but my aunt is, and she's already "called" the pullout sofa...she loves sleeping on those! So her domain will be that area, and I'm certain she's going to be keeping it clean, b/c that's what she does (she has worked as a housekeeper before).

I would take the Master Bedroom since it is my DVC. And I would not feel bad about that unless someone wanted to pay the MF for the year.

The only other issue was the tip for housekeeping before we left. The other two families that stayed with us for free did want to come up with a portion of the tip.

Good point about the tips!

I just have this generous side that comes out and makes me want to give EVERYTHING to people...here's this stay at a place you've never stayed at, and hey, take the big bedroom, too! Even though it makes no sense. We're only 3, and we have a family bed, so the one king bed (we're at OKW for the 2 bedroom part of the trip, and I believe they have the king?) in the master. My cousin has a hubby and TWO kids, so it makes sense for them to have TWO beds in their room. Though honestly I bet that my aunt will have at very least her grandchildren in the living room with her, and maybe even her grand nephew if he gets brave enough for a "sleepover" with his cousins (second cousins but it's all the same, really).

So it makes sense that we take the master, but the generous side, especially with my cousin (who is tremendously generous), peeks out.

Especially when there is a snorer and a non snorer combined in the same sleeping area. I have suggested ear plugs in the past, and they just think they can cope with it until the first night is over, and then they are out of their minds.


OK, I think I'll buy a whole bunch of earplugs and just put them on the counter. Because, um, I think we ALL snore. Jinkies!

Once you invite someone in the family or friends you really like, somehow someone else will want to go and add on to your group. Resist the temptation to say yes ! Don't even mention there is an unused pull out couch in the living room, because you might end up sleeping on it !

I was going to say "that won't happen", but yeah, another cousin and her daughter are being invited to meet up, but really cannot be added, b/c we'd go over limit. But she's local so I think it's OK.

Be true to your own scheduled vacation needs.

OK!


Explain the idea of Disney adding on the 18 percent tax to large groups dining together. I had one relative have a fit over this.

Excellent thing to make note of for them. I don't think they've ever gone with more than 5 in their group, so even though they've been there umpteen million times, they might not know it! I don't even know if they will want sitdown meals, but it's possible!

I washed the towels every night and loaded the dryers, and fluffed the towels and placed them on the racks so they could feel like they were getting the Deluxe Service they needed.

That was so nice of you! I can totally see my aunt doing this. I don't think she's going to spend much time in the parks with us, and I've told her that she is more than welcome to just enjoy the resort, so I can see her running around the unit, washing things. She just loves doing that sort of thing for people. She's also INSISTING on watching her grandchildren and grand nephew for *at least* one evening, so that me, my cousin, and our hubbies can all go out and be grownups.


My "INVITEES" often like to wait till the last month and see if the price has gone down to like 50 percent off, or cancel out on my invite at the last month.

Thankfully they are all basically local! Coming from near Daytona. No worries on that one!

Have a great time !

Phil

Thank you!!!

There is NO DISCUSSION about the master. We own the points. It's our "home" so it's our bedroom.

Another good point! Thanks!