Can I vent here please?

[noodleknitter]

I know that the OP is being very generous with her offer.
However, I still maintain that there are strings attached.
She has had many complaints over this already.

Here is my analogy.
You want to buy your sister a nice sweater, but it must match everyone elses, it is your tastes and what you like, and since it was on clearance, therefore affordable, it will have to be two sizes too small, since that was the only size available in that sweater.

And, to top it all off, there can be no exchanges or refunds.

So, now the sister has to go back to the store and purchase her own sweater with her own money to be a part of the 'family'

Not a good gift.

I disagree. Your example makes the gift unusable.

Not so in the real life issue.

 

[Wishing on a star]

NO, it does not make the gift UNusable.
It makes it UNCOMFORTABLE.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Vent away! What's that saying, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth?". Good grief. You're supposed to learn that early in life.

Very rude to say they don't like spending that much time with family. IMO, it's one thing to think it, insulting to say it the way she did.

Hope you guys have a nice trip. Just remember, you can't please everyone. Nice of you to make the offer and coordinate. Very nice. From the sounds of it she may be doing you guys a favor by splitting off and doing their own thing. You can see them the one day (if it works out) and be on your merry way. Again good luck!

 

[lulugirl]

For those who could not do a studio with teenagers, would you turn down a FREE studio, or would you accept the offer, and make do?

She has every right to thank me for the room, but decline the offer if it is unacceptable. But, she has not done that.

I would decline your offer and book my own rooms.
Too many strings attached to your "generous" offer IMO.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Too funny that I replied to this thread today...I just got an e-mail from my other sister and she said that her son just reserved a place in Orlando for a week in med-January (off-site ), that sleeps 6 people or 8 with the sleeper sofa and she said I could join them if I wanted (my other sister is going). Uh...... I love my family and most of them are going to be here in November staying at my house (think about 18 people staying in my house ), but this is WDW we're talking about. But I would love to meet my great nephew, who is 2yo. I hate eating my words so soon after speaking them.

 

[disykat]

I don't get the big deal about her asking about the points that she thought might go to waste. I'm guessing you made a big deal that you would be losing the points if someone canceled so she asked to use them instead of them being lost forever. Had you not said you were going to lose them, she probably wouldn't have asked. You had the right to say no - but I don't get the big deal in asking. She thought they would be going to waste.

It also makes sense to me that she would ask you, the expert in this area, if there's a way she can upgrade. Again, you had the right to refuse help, but I don't get what's wrong with asking.

If I remember correctly, she really doesn't want to go and was reluctant to accept her offer. You talked her into it by saying she would be able to vacation on her terms. Now you're wasting a lot of energy upset because she wants to vacation on her own terms. There's no such thing as a free room. Your offer was very generous, but she is also spending vacation money and vacation days and wants to enjoy her vacation.

 

[Keggy]

I can see both sides. I can see your sister's side that maybe she felt comfortable asking you for help and then when you told her no rooms cannot be upgraded that she was just trying to figure outwhat to do. I don't need to tell you that vacations at Disney cost a lot of money. And while you have given this generous gift to your family, it will still cost a lot of money to save for tickets and food, etc. So, maybe your sister is just wanting to make this a great trip for her immediate family.

I can also see your side where you have given them a great gift and you feel that they should just be thankful and deal with it.

Ultimately, I hope that you all have a wonderful vacation and you are able to enjoy and appreciate your time together.

Kelly

 

[noodleknitter]

Too funny that I replied to this thread today...I just got an e-mail from my other sister and she said that her son just reserved a place in Orlando for a week in med-January (off-site ), that sleeps 6 people or 8 with the sleeper sofa and she said I could join them if I wanted (my other sister is going). Uh...... I love my family and most of them are going to be here in November staying at my house (think about 18 people staying in my house ), but this is WDW we're talking about. But I would love to meet my great nephew, who is 2yo. I hate eating my words so soon after speaking them.

Skyauction can be your friend, you know...

 

[RitaZ.]

For those who could not do a studio with teenagers, would you turn down a FREE studio, or would you accept the offer, and make do?

I would book my own accommodations.

I go on vacation to enjoy myself and relax. I've learned one thing when vacationing with family (except my mom, the woman is a saint), someone will always disagree or get upset.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Originally Posted by Disney1fan2002
For those who could not do a studio with teenagers, would you turn down a FREE studio, or would you accept the offer, and make do?

Our family can "make do" for one or two nights. Beyond that, on a 6 day vacation, I would turn down the offer. As a family we pretty much agree, we wait until we can afford to do vacation in a way that we enjoy, and hotel space is a deal breaker for us.

 

[disneysnowflake]

You are generous.

If you offered to book, and your sister doesn't think it's big enough then let her decline your offer and book her own trip.

The way I look at it is if I believe my kids won't get along, or the space is too small I won't use the offer and book my own trip.

I wouldn't offer to get involved with upgrading because one will be upgraded, then another, etc. Your offer to let them use points is generous enough, imho.

Oh, and if I had a choice of doing NO vacation or cramming in a room with 5 people, I'd cram. If the teens don't get along tell them to freaking grow up. I had a twin. We bickered back and forth. My parents told us to stop or we weren't going. We shut up, we went on vacation, and we had fun. My parents wouldn't dream of spending money on another room to separate us and give us more space. We only slept and showered in the room anyway.

My boys are 16 and 12. My 16 yo would love to have his own room and bed at WDW, but when it comes to going or not he's glad to share and is quiet about the matter. Then after the trip is over he can complain about having to share a bed with his brother.

I feel for you.

I tried planning a grand gathering with a bunch of relatives who didn't save their money like they were since 2005, wanted to pay next to nothing, and expected me to do all the work, including booking everything. We don't want a value resort, but we don't want to pay for a mod or deluxe. We don't want to drive, but we don't want to pay for airfare. Why does the food cost so much? Can't we find free tickets somewhere? Will you stay right with us the entire time we are in WDW? Complain, complain, complain.

Now only the 4 of us in our own family unit going. The rest can stay at home and have fun looking at our videos and photos when we come back. They'll still complain about never going anywhere and be miserable, but I can't make free vacations including airfare happen for them. They have to pay for it themselves.

If you were my relative offering to do that for me I'd be grateful.. really grateful.

If it were me offering my relatives that same offer you did with your relatives, my relatives would complain and whine.

 

[SplshMtn99]

So, the 15 yr old brother & 12 yr old sister need to share a bed for 6 nights? Not too even mention the ewwwww factor in that, that's gonna result in 2 miserable teenagers which will definetely ruin ANY vacation.

lol......good luck.

I've done the whole family vacation thing too.....its a challenge to keep everyone happy....but sometimes it HAS to be done....or no one is happy.

I would let her upgrade with her own cash, so everyone can enjoy their vacation. Family vacations MUST include away time from each other to some extent....or bitterness sets in. Everyone has things they want to see & do that are different than other peoples....and if all they are doing is "your" schedule....well it results in lots of unhappy campers.

 

[lillygator]

If I was the sister I would decline and book and pay for a room that would be comfortable for my family.

 

[Christine]

So, the 15 yr old brother & 12 yr old sister need to share a bed for 6 nights? Not too even mention the ewwwww factor in that, that's gonna result in 2 miserable teenagers which will definetely ruin ANY vacation.

.

Either that or each parent will sleep with a child.

 

[noodleknitter]

Either that or each parent will sleep with a child.

Or take a blowup mattress.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Either that or each parent will sleep with a child.

Like I said......2 miserable teens.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Or take a blowup mattress.

Nothing says "fun vacation" more than a blowup mattress.

 

[noodleknitter]

Nothing says "fun vacation" more than a blowup mattress.

Having slept thru-out Europe at the hostels blowups don't look so bad to me! Guess it is just what you are use to!

 

[Sherri]

I need to spout off, or I am going to explode. All my friends and family are at work so I can't call them. I did manage to vent a little to one of my sister's last night, but waking up this morning, I realized that vent was not enough.

****Please note, I am just VENTING. I am not asking for advice in any way. I know some people will side with the person I am venting about, but I can't help the way I feel, what she asked was way out of line IMO< and I won't be obliging her. Thank you.

OK, next August, I am booking a whole bunch of my family in an OKW Studio for a once-in-a-lifetime family trip. You may remember my post about a month ago, where one of my sister's informed me she and her family are only planning to do one day in one of the parks, out of the 6 days they will be there, because there are "other things to do in Fla." Including a trip to Clearwater to visit her husbands family.

OK, I have calmed down about that, it is HER vacation after all. I have put it out of my mind.

So, now comes the time where I can book some of the rooms. I e-mailed everyone 2 weeks ago, letting them know I was getting ready to book, and if anyone wanted to back out or was thinking about backing out, now was the time to let me know. My sister e-mailed me back asking if there was anyway she could pay for an upgrade after using points for a studio. She doesn't think her family of 5 will be comfortable in a studio. Her family of 5 is her, her DH, her 15yo DS and 12yo DD and 2 yo DS.(the age they will be at the time) I reply, stating there was no way to upgrade with cash. So I lied.( I know there is, but I am not getting involved in that) I am GIVING studios away to anyone who wants them, if she upgrades, then someone else will upgrade, and then it will be a big mess, that I don't want. I told her they would be fine in a studio, 2 queen beds and a port-a-crib. Plus the little kitchenette. she was OK with that, I thought.

I booked the reservations this past Monday. last night I was talking to her on the phone. I told her she was one of the who got a room booked 1st because she was least likely to cancel on me. Here is where it gets good. She asked me that if someone did cancel, rather than lose the points, like I would, could I just book a room for her two older kids?

OMG! I saw red. I kept my calm, and just told her no. I had decided that if anyone cancels, I will use the points to extend my stay. I again reminded her that an OKW studio is plenty big enough for her family. Want to know what she said? "Well, we don't like being together that much."

WTH???????? My other sister and I decided that it is all because she wants to be able to get it on with her husband. Well, you know what, I DON'T CARE. I am GIVING her a freaking FREE room. I am sorry if her FREE room is unacceptable to her.

I swear, if she has one more "request" I am uninviting her. She can feel free to book a room anywhere else, with her own money.

Thank you for letting me vent. I wish I could say it made me feel better, but I think I need to go take a long walk.

I have to say that my two kids are a boy and a girl to. A studio just doesn't cut it for us. If we were given the opportunity to have one for free, we would probably rent points to have another one as well. When you have two kids of opposite sex that leaves a huge problem for sleeping, through in one bathroom and that does not sound like a fun vacation to me. We are DVC members and book two studios when we go, DH and DS and DD and I. We spend the days together and at bed time it is heaven not to have the fighting. I think your sister is greatful, I think she is just asking for more space and is asking to pay for it, she is not asking you to donate it.

 

[Jennasis]

1. What exactly do you have to gain by lying to her and telling her she can't pay out of her OWN pocket to upgrade the room? What's it to you??? It was super generous for you to offer studios to those who want them, but not your right at all to prevent them from upgrading to a room sufficient for their needs. Gifts don't have strings attached.

2. NO WAY in Hades is a studio ok for a brother and sister of that age. The kids should not have to share beds because their aunt thinks they should. If Mom and Dad want their own room to "get it on", more power to the happy married couple and none of your business.

3. LArge family vacations seldom have a smooth go. When i was 17, we took a large once-in-a-lifetime trip to WDW. There were 17 of us staying offsite (Embassy Suites and mistake #1). Even with plenty of sprawl space in our rooms, by the end of the 7 days, I thought the cops would have to be called. The fighting was unbelievable...and we all LOVE each other (and had zero issues with each other goin in).

I'm sorry your trip isn't going to be quite the way you hoped. You did not aske for advice, and I'm not going to give you any. Good luck...but yes, I side (for the most part) with your sister.