Change resorts????

[TeresaMc]

I am up in arms trying to figure out what to do. I have booked 2 woods view rooms at WL for 7 nights/8days with free dining. It's supposed to be myself, DS17, my mom, DSis, Dniece7, Dnephew5. Last night my sis tells me she doesn't have the money for her part....not that she's a little short....she has basically none (she's never been very good at money management). I've already paid $330 more than my and DS portion, my mom paid $220 more than her part by paying for airfare for all 6 of us. DSis's part is $3450 and $2900 is still due to Disney. I can't hardly cancel one of the rooms and not take her kids they have been looking forward to it for over a year. My family always stays at the WL and not sure if we can change to a value and keep the free dining, and not sure if I would enjoy myself at a value.

What to do, what to do?

 

[grannyminnie]

Do you really want to know what people think in this situation, because my comment sure would be harsh!

 

[dburg30]

Do you really want to know what people think in this situation, because my comment sure would be harsh!

Agree 100%. Subscribing early is case they really want to hear

 

[TeresaMc]

Not really sure why your opinioin would be harsh......but I guess I have broad shoulders and can take it.

I am looking for ideas to try to make this easy and painless for all.

 

[dburg30]

I'm sorry you can very easily cancel a room and not take HER kids, when SHE hasnt come up with the $3400 SHE owes for HER kids to go. Why ruin YOUR vacation by cutting corners when it's not YOUR fault. You're already out some cash it sounds like for airfare.

Or I guess if you are financially able and willing, you can let her kids have a magical trip with you. If you decide to do this, and she says she'll pay you back, DO NOT do it unless you are willing to be out that cash anyway, as I fear you may see some of the cash, but I doubt if you'd ever see it all. I dont know, but it appears this isnt the first time something like this has happened to her or she's just not financially savvy?

So I guess I had a 'mean' idea and a 'kind' idea

 

[megnsamsgracie]

Honestly, since I have 4 kids I know how disappointed the kids would be if they had to cancel, especially this close to the trip. For me, $2900 or $3400 is a LOT of freakin money! I do NOT have it to give to my sister. If she has trouble coming up with the money now, she wont have it to pay you back anyway. Even though there are kids involved, I say you tell your sister you are cancelling her room. She is those kids mom, she is going to have to tell them why SHE doesnt have the money to go. I am sure as the Aunt you love them and feel bad, but thats a lot of money!

 

[TeresaMc]

I don't think your opinion is harsh.....trust me I tossed and turned all night trying to figure out what to do.

Last year I took her daughter for her first ever visit and she then decided to tag along, and pay me back for her part, which never happened.

I am in a position to pay the balance just don't really want to. I do realize that if I pay her part I won't expect to get repaid...because it just won't happen.

I just have a guilty concience not taking her son who has never been, ater he has been talking about going for so long. Unfortunately 5 & 7 year olds don't understand mommy didn't plan very well.

I guess I am looking for someone to have a "miracle resolve" which I don't think is probably possible...but you guys always have great ideas....I am hoping someone comes along and says...."how about such and such"

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Suggest that she get a loan, I don't see that you should be resposible for her. Maybe she had you schedule everything, knowing full well she could not afford it, and thinking that you would just pay her and her daughters way anyway.

You could always cancel the entire trip and rebook for the new low prices that disney has posted on their website, no free dining, but really cheep rooms. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=07_AugCYODOfferPage

Have you asked her what she expects you to do?

 

[msmayor]

I'd say "I'm so sorry that you and your kids won't be able to join us. Maybe some other time, when you're able to get the money together, we can go again. I'll see you when I get back".

You need feel no guilt whatsoever about HER kids.

 

[dburg30]

Or of course drop down to a value. I've heard that people really are enjoying the POP century and of course others like the all stars. I guess it all depends on your heart

If I was in the same position as you, I know what my brain would want me to do, but I have a feeling my heart would win I think I would take one for the team, drop down to a value, not worry about it, have a great time, but also know that you will probably never go with them again unless you are paid in full WELL in advance

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

I don't think you can drop down to value and keep the free dining, since the promotion for it is over, plus I highly doubt that they have any openings left in value for that time.

 

[RachaelRol]

Or of course drop down to a value. I've heard that people really are enjoying the POP century and of course others like the all stars. I guess it all depends on your heart

If I was in the same position as you, I know what my brain would want me to do, but I have a feeling my heart would win I think I would take one for the team, drop down to a value, not worry about it, have a great time, but also know that you will probably never go with them again unless you are paid in full WELL in advance

I totally agree. I would do this too.

 

[binky]

I am up in arms trying to figure out what to do. I have booked 2 woods view rooms at WL for 7 nights/8days with free dining. It's supposed to be myself, DS17, my mom, DSis, Dniece7, Dnephew5. Last night my sis tells me she doesn't have the money for her part....not that she's a little short....she has basically none (she's never been very good at money management). I've already paid $330 more than my and DS portion, my mom paid $220 more than her part by paying for airfare for all 6 of us. DSis's part is $3450 and $2900 is still due to Disney. I can't hardly cancel one of the rooms and not take her kids they have been looking forward to it for over a year. My family always stays at the WL and not sure if we can change to a value and keep the free dining, and not sure if I would enjoy myself at a value.

What to do, what to do?

I don't know about keeping the free dining, but I'd look into the family suites at the All Stars resort. Everyone would save $$ and your niece & nephew wouldn't have to miss out. Since you stay at the WL often, maybe a change of pace might be fun! You may find that you like other resorts. Or you may decide that it's only WL for you! But you would still have fun being with all your family and have a good time.

 

[DisneyFunTrips]

>Honestly, since I have 4 kids I know how disappointed the kids would be if >they had to cancel, especially this close to the trip. For me, $2900 or $3400 >is a LOT of freakin money! I do NOT have it to give to my sister. If she has >trouble coming up with the money now, she wont have it to pay you back >anyway. Even though there are kids involved, I say you tell your sister you >are cancelling her room. She is those kids mom, she is going to have to tell >them why SHE doesnt have the money to go. I am sure as the Aunt you ?>love them and feel bad, but thats a lot of money!

Why not condider a Wilderness Lodge Cabin? 1 cabin can accomodate your entire party - without the expense of 2 separate rooms? I would CALL Disney and check if you can switch or modify your room or resort with your free dining code? Perhaps a value or moderate resort has new availability (people change plans all the time) and still keep your free dining package promotion by modifying your exisiting reservation? Another option may be to see if you can add the current discount code ZJZ to get a better rate on your room or to select another property (This is the code that include tickets and the dining plan) However, this is not the free dining code but the room rates are much better - you would need to check and see if their is availabilty and what the cost difference would be to see if there would be savings to you? Disney also offers a credit card with Chase Bank, perhaps she can finance her portion of the trip? Another choice would be to stay at a Downtown Disney Resort (on property) no -dining plan but many rooms are now on sale and are very cheaply priced - some include free hot breakfast (Hotel Royal Plaza is having a promotion stay at least 4 nights get 1 free + hot breakfast and Double Tree has free continental breakfast) There are others as well and they offer free regular bus service transportation) Hilton - is the only hotel in Downtown Disney that offers extra magic hrs to its guests) Check out mousesavers.com for their deals postings. I hope your family trip to Disney works itself out and you can all go?

 

[TeresaMc]

Just priced two value rooms, paying for dining and it's a savings of about $1000. Is it worth it to leave a deluxe?

Also looked at 1 deluxe room at resorts that accomodate 5 (leave Dsis at home) not much savings there.

Guess I'll just suck it up.....pay for it and then both kids will have been at least once....and I'll never invite them again.....if they want to go they can book their own stuff.

Thanks all of you for at least letting me vent......pixie dust to you.

 

[f7prez]

I'd say "I'm so sorry that you and your kids won't be able to join us. Maybe some other time, when you're able to get the money together, we can go again. I'll see you when I get back".

You need feel no guilt whatsoever about HER kids.

I like this approach. It is not your responsibility and it sounds like your sister is use to people picking up the slack for her. She will never learn to take responsibility for herself as long as people keep bailing her out.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[dburg30]

Just priced two value rooms, paying for dining and it's a savings of about $1000. Is it worth it to leave a deluxe?

Also looked at 1 deluxe room at resorts that accomodate 5 (leave Dsis at home) not much savings there.

Guess I'll just suck it up.....pay for it and then both kids will have been at least once....and I'll never invite them again.....if they want to go they can book their own stuff.

Thanks all of you for at least letting me vent......pixie dust to you.

Hmmm math is hard I thought her share was about 3400? Which seems to be about 1/2 of it since you have 3 and she has 3 (granted hers are younger but I wouldnt think the price difference was too much or not THAT much) It just seems like it should be a bigger difference then $1000. Also, do you really need / will you use the DDP or would it be cheaper to just pay for the meals? I dont know for sure when you're going, but how about any of the room only discounts that I saw pop up recently? I dunno, I just figured it would be a heck of a lot more difference then $1000 for 6 of you

 

[Tigger714]

I have two points of view on this. First, being a person who for many years struggled to go on a vacation (and always because I didn't manage my money very well) and never went to Disneyworld, if you continue to pick up the slack for her she will never learn. It was not until I was left with no one to run to to "borrow" or "bail me out" did I learn to buck up and take care of my own responsibilites. My sister-in-law asked us for years to go with them and we never seemed to be able to make it work. Then our son turned five and he knew what we were talking about and we couldn't bear to disappoint him so we acted like adults and started prioritizing. Needless to say, we are getting ready to go on trip #5 to WDW and we always pay for our trips in advance, let her figure it out for herself.

Now, I am also the sister that seems to always be helping out my sisters and I know what you are feeling. I have 10 nieces and nephews who have NEVER been to Florida, much less Disney. They are still surviving. Each year I think how fun it would be if they could all go but then I just think about "view #1" and remember that if they want it bad enough they will figure it out. If you really, really want to make it work you might be able to book a cabin for all of you or perhaps two values. The other posters are correct, you will probably loose your free dining at this point but you could first call and let the CM know the situation and see if they can work with you. Last year we upgraded a week before we left and were able to keep our dp but we were upgrading so that may have been the key.

No matter what route you decide, remember that people don't change unless they really want to. & you are not responsible for everyone's happiness, only your own!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...
Why not condider a Wilderness Lodge Cabin? ...

Because no such thing exists??? I think you mean a Fort Wilderness Cabin which is not located at Wilderness Lodge, but at Fort Wilderness. Fort Wilderness is NOT a sister resort to Wilderness Lodge so they can't use the facilities (like the pool or health club) of Wilderness Lodge and stay at Fort Wilderness.

 

[sunshine girl]

I'm sorry you have to deal with this! Kind of puts a damper on the fun vacation plans... I feel bad for the kiddos involved too.

Stating the obvious here: I have to say that having stayed at WL and also the value resorts... WL is MUCH different than staying at a value resort! I know this isn't news, they're all Disney, and kids will probably like them all, but a value is just not a Deluxe in my book... smaller, fewer amenities, double beds instead of queens, etc. Just be sure to research, and make sure you're really happy switching to a value, if that's the solution you choose (if it's even a possibility).

However - that's only a comment on the resort choice, and clearly doesn't take into account the many factors involved in your decision!! I hope you're able to come to a workable solution.