Does anyone else stress about date details and travel companions that don't get it?!

[suebeelin]

Planning a trip with sisters family next December. Taking advantage of 11mo priority for bwv std 2bd.

We currently snagged Dec 2-8. I'm asking for confirmation, and she said she's ok with Dec 7-12.

I told her once I release Dec 2-6, we can't get it back.

She said it doesn't matter to her bc it's so far away, almost a year away. Does she understand how this detail is very important?!?

Anyone else frustrated with family or friends who "don't get it?"

 

[bwvBound]

BT. DT. And will likely continue to repeat the cycle many times.
Chin up. Hope it all goes well!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I'm in the same boat!!! Daughters and their families get it....trying to pick a date....son "can't plan that far ahead"....ugh...

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Then they don't get to go. And if they back out, they never get to go.

 

[toolmanjan]

Then they don't get to go. And if they back out, they never get to go.

Exactly leave them home.

To me the only stress that is justified related to my vacations is making air and cruise connections.

I'm not a fan of vacationing with friends or family. Unless you need a $$ from your sister or brother to make the vacation happen give them your dates let them accommodate your dates.

 

[BillPA]

If you don't charge them, they don't think there is any cost to back out. I have seen too many post about family backing out at the last minute. Worst case was a couple (2) in a GV because everyone else bailed out. Charge them, and if you want give it back when they show up. I have not had anyone cancel on me yet.

 

[suebeelin]

I'm not charging this time bc its a present for my sister and her son. She is the only sibling in my family who does not own DVC (my older sister goes 3 times a year, my younger brother goes 1-2 times), and her son does not remember ever going to Disney (I hosted a large group trip 4 years ago, but he was 2.5 years old then).

Poor kid is 5.5 now, and by next December he will be 6.5, and it is the perfect age for Disney.

The trip is pretty much for my nephew b/c I feel bad for him that he doesn't get to go to Disney like all his cousins.

If they back out, thats fine... I'll just make sure they buy their plane tickets by end of September, my banking deadline! I just wish they would tell me which days in December is ideal for them!! Dec 2-9, or Dec 7-12? Do they want to go 7 or 5 days?! Sigh.....

 

[Julylady]

I won't make a DVC reservation until they have either purchased airfare or purchased tickets. I need for them to make a financial commitment to the trip before I risk my points. I too have been burned. "I know that you will understand that we are cancelling with less than 30 days to go. How was I to know I was going to get a new job and I don't want to request vacation so soon!."

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I know that it is not always feasible, but I add a few days before and after my planned trip, so that I have a window that accounts for airfare differences and potential work conflicts.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Sooooo frustrating! We planned our current trip with family friends 11 months out. 7 nights in a two bedroom January 1-8. Well come time to buy plane tickets and they don't want to travel on New Years. What the heck? They didn't know this 11 months ago? It's not like New Years moves around! Grrrr. And then prices were too expensive to fly back on Sunday so they are leaving a day early. So frustrating to have a two bedroom for two days that we don't need it. I could have done something much differently for my family. Won't be inviting them again!

 

[disneynutz]

I'm not charging this time bc its a present for my sister and her son. She is the only sibling in my family who does not own DVC (my older sister goes 3 times a year, my younger brother goes 1-2 times), and her son does not remember ever going to Disney (I hosted a large group trip 4 years ago, but he was 2.5 years old then).

Poor kid is 5.5 now, and by next December he will be 6.5, and it is the perfect age for Disney.

The trip is pretty much for my nephew b/c I feel bad for him that he doesn't get to go to Disney like all his cousins.

If they back out, thats fine... I'll just make sure they buy their plane tickets by end of September, my banking deadline! I just wish they would tell me which days in December is ideal for them!! Dec 2-9, or Dec 7-12? Do they want to go 7 or 5 days?! Sigh.....

Disney is your special place, not theirs. Not everyone cares about Disney vacations and if you push it, you will be the bad guy. We learned long ago not to mix friends and family with our Disney.

Bill

 

[Uncranky Donald]

Disney is your special place, not theirs. Not everyone cares about Disney vacations and if you push it, you will be the bad guy. We learned long ago not to mix friends and family with our Disney.

Bill

This is a very great thing to remember, especially for me. Its so hard not to get carried away with my love of Disney. I am fortunate though to have very great friends who are more curious about my love of WDW and don't get annoyed (often). At work I make them guess wait times of rides to pass the times (even though they've never been on them lol)
I too have been burned before w/vacations but ended up finding other friends to complete the DVC reservations last minute,thank goodness. I am currently booking a vacation with 5 adult friends, most 1st time Disney visitors who all can't wait to see me in my "natural habitat" Its already been rough getting everyone to get on the same page since I started planning in August for June 17. It took a LOT of time and patience, but as we are now booking ADRs they finally all understand how Disney works and how much work/time needs to go into pre-planning, this isn't an Orbitz-it 3 weeks before deal!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Planning a trip with sisters family next December. Taking advantage of 11mo priority for bwv std 2bd.

We currently snagged Dec 2-8. I'm asking for confirmation, and she said she's ok with Dec 7-12.

I told her once I release Dec 2-6, we can't get it back.

She said it doesn't matter to her bc it's so far away, almost a year away. Does she understand how this detail is very important?!?

Anyone else frustrated with family or friends who "don't get it?"

I'd suspect it isn't just Disney that can cause some frustrations with certain family members. I know it isn't in my family.

 

[bumbershoot]

She said it doesn't matter to her bc it's so far away, almost a year away. Does she understand how this detail is very important?!?

'm not charging this time bc its a present for my sister and her son. She is the only sibling in my family who does not own DVC

If she doesn't get it despite having 3 siblings who own DVC and go often, she's deliberately not getting it, and possibly doesn't really deserve this free trip.

If the boy will be 6.5 he'll likely be in, what, 1st? 2nd? grade, and school year will probably come into play. Even if his teacher doesn't care, I bet sister will suddenly not want to pull him. So I'd look at his district's calendar (our schools have comprehensive websites which give calendars for this year and next) and see when he'll be out of school and go from there.

And hey, maybe she'll just let him go and not her!

 

[suebeelin]

If she doesn't get it despite having 3 siblings who own DVC and go often, she's deliberately not getting it, and possibly doesn't really deserve this free trip.

If the boy will be 6.5 he'll likely be in, what, 1st? 2nd? grade, and school year will probably come into play. Even if his teacher doesn't care, I bet sister will suddenly not want to pull him. So I'd look at his district's calendar (our schools have comprehensive websites which give calendars for this year and next) and see when he'll be out of school and go from there.

And hey, maybe she'll just let him go and not her!

He will be in 1st grade, our kids will be 2nd grade and preschool. We will be happy to take just him! It'll be like having 3 little kids under age 8 in a 2bd!!

 

[Dean]

Planning a trip with sisters family next December. Taking advantage of 11mo priority for bwv std 2bd.

We currently snagged Dec 2-8. I'm asking for confirmation, and she said she's ok with Dec 7-12.

I told her once I release Dec 2-6, we can't get it back.

She said it doesn't matter to her bc it's so far away, almost a year away. Does she understand how this detail is very important?!?

Anyone else frustrated with family or friends who "don't get it?"

IMO there are 2 big risks here. If she has a history of changing her mind or canceling on such things, be very afraid. Often, far too often, others see timeshares as free so they see no risk or cost to you if they change or cancel last minute. I think you said you weren't charging her but I've seen many people have unreasonable expectations. I remember someone who wasn't being charged upset they were not getting the master suite side and demanding it. And when one is charging at all, I've seen people upset feeling overcharged even at just half the dues on the points for a given reservation.

 

[Cyberc1978]

I really depends on the people you are inviting or givin a free vacation.

DW and I gave a 1 week stay in NYC at Hilton to some of our friends, they were so grateful. Even though they are good friends we didn't know that going to NYC had been a life long dream of theirs.

So when we asked if they wanted go, they were so happy - they accepted and had the best time ever.

IMO if I give a free vacation to anyone I expect some sort of gratefulness - I also ask people to take a real hard look in their calenders to see if they are actually able to go or not. Dont accept if you don't know if you can go or not.

I you give a vacation away then it should be free to the receiver, but if you plan a vacation with someone else I think its more than fair to split the cost of the dues or whatever the price of the vacation is - you just need to mention it on beforehand so everyone ones. Let them pay their half on the time of the booking - as others mentioned its a commitment.

I haven't been "burned" yet, should it ever happen I might revise my thinking.

I haven't travelled with friends...yet, But should it happen I would have a talk about expectations and so. I would hate for a vacation to be ruined because of this. I find it more than fair if the owner gets the master bedroom - afterall being an owner does come with some upfront costs.

 

[CarolMN]

Well, there's four of you, right? If your sister cancels, maybe you just spoil yourselves a bit and keep the 2 bedroom. Wouldn't it be nice to have the extra space? To have the living room free in the evenings for you and DH to enjoy without having to worry about sleeping children?

Since it's at the BWV, and you'll have a lock off, MS MIGHT allow you to drop the studio or 1 bedroom side, but if not, I'd just splurge and not invite sister again.

Hope it all works out for you.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I'd suspect it isn't just Disney that can cause some frustrations with certain family members. I know it isn't in my family.

This! I have had all but one family member back out of a different Florida vacation after I spotted the full non-refundable payment. We are a very close family and yet I still had trouble recouping the money after they all cancelled since they kept telling me to just find a way to get a refund. One never did repay me the full amount. She gave me what she thought was an acceptable non-refundable deposit. I learned my lesson. If I am not footing the bill then I have to let them make their own decisions and won't spot anyone a down payment. If I foot the bill (which it sounds like op is) then if they back out you get better accommodations to yourself.

 

[suebeelin]

We are ok going by ourselves and splurging on a 2bd if she cancels. Who knows- my parents or in laws could step in and enjoy the grandkids if we have an extra bedroom!

My issue is pinning down her best dates... give me hard and fast dates. I really want my one non Disney nephew to enjoy Disney before he's too old for the magic