Family bailing on us?

[gracelrm]

We had family cancel after our final deadline - which upset me greatly, but we just freed up some more space for spreading out. Then about a week or so before the trip, all the other families told us they were leaving one day early - which was a Sat. reservation. So all those points went in to holding. I was upset until we were able to book a Christmas trip on those holding points. We had a great time and in the long run, it all worked out.

We're planning another extended family trip for June 2010 and we'll set specific rules and guidelines and and explain the "system" clearly ahead of time and hope for the best. If the best doesn't happen- then maybe we'll get another unexpected Christmas trip!!!!!!!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

When we took my sisters families, they seemed really non-challant about the trip until the last two weeks! They went, but I was REALLY nervous.

We drove and they didn't want the dining plan, so the only thing I could push on was the tickets.

One sister even suggested purchasing her tickets after she got down there. I gave her some lame excuse about why it was so much better to purchase the tickets in advance.

I was quite relieved when they bought the tickets.

Also...BEWARE...if you have relatives on inlaws that can be a real pain, that is not enthusiastic about the trip...they will be a real pain once you get there, and will still not be enthusiastic about the trip. But hey, they can always make a side trip to Daytona so that the trip won't be a real loss. Ugggh! But I digress...

Good Luck!

 

[goldilocks_63]

I now reserve the room I want, keep inviting everyone until it's full - on a first come / first serve basis...

and then when people say... oh, I wanted to go, I remind them that the invite is first come to whomever pulls the trigger first to buy plane tickets, and maybe (or maybe not) next time...

I don't have empty rooms anymore.

Also, from reading the threads, I think the 2 BR + Studio may be better for downsizing..

GOldi

 

[baj0505]

We had the opposite problem, booked a studio and invited my 7 year old nephew to come with us - we have an 8 year old son. They are best buds. At the last minute my aunt (his grandmother) decided that she had better come along. We had to scramble to cut back to 4 nights to have enough points to get another studio (we got very, very lucky!)

 

[Dean]

We do a family trip about every other year and we provide the accommodations. We decide when including general time and exact dates. We do take into account that many have children and/or teach so we're generally looking at mid summer. After the dates are set we invite people until the space if full, alternating between mine and my wife's side of the family on alternate trips. The rules are pretty straightforward. You pay your own way and any portion of other common expenses, you don't wait on me and I don't wait on you, cancellation limit varies but is usually more than 60 days out, there will be an occasional alcoholic drink and with one exception, I require a group family meal out. If you don't comply, you will not be invited again.

 

[Flyerfan]

Also...BEWARE...if you have relatives on inlaws that can be a real pain, that is not enthusiastic about the trip...they will be a real pain once you get there, and will still not be enthusiastic about the trip.
Good Luck!

This is what I'm afraid of. We want to take DH's parents but don't know how much they really want to go. Actually, I think DFIL wants to go but DMIL really doesn't. We haven't asked them yet but fear they won't give us a straight answer which leads me to believe they will say "yes" at first, then back out.

 

[tecodis]

Don't invite non-immediate family members is my motto! After all, I didn't purchase DVC for them!


Seriously, for people that have booked in anticipation of other family members going and paying for some have to understand that you are taking some risk once you get close to your baking deadline. While the other family members may not understand how DVC points work, you do! If it is important that you not loose out on your points because of "no shows", you should consider that when you first think about inviting them!

 

[spruce]

My advise is to get used to invited guests bailing. We've been members for 10 years and it's happend a number of times. Alternates were invited in their place and we had a fun trip without the original guests. I especially enjoyed showing them photos of what they missed.
Always have a backup, because it seems that regardless of what you are trying to do, you've set yourself up to be disappointed. That's why we enjoy our trips for us first.
I'll also add, did you ever notice how you become regarded as an expert at WDW and you end up being a tour guide?

 

[adminjedi]

I think it is great that you were able/willing to offer the room at no charge. However, if you were to charge a fair and affordable price which was due upon booking and make it clear that it was non-refundable, people wouldn't bail. We also bought wanting to "give" to others. We charge them according to their ability to pay. We show them the comparative rack rate and they know they are getting a great deal and are happy to pay and understand if they need to cancel we can't refund the money due to the points already being booked. When people have their own skin in the game, they make it work!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I've also learned that it is good to plan these things early in your use year. I was nervous about my group bailing for months. The only thing that allowed me to sleep at night was knowing that if it all fell through (before the deadlines) was that I could rebook and still be within the 11-7 month windows.

 

[DisneyMomJen]

We have been there and after my experience I will not invite anyone on our points again. We invited my inlaws 2 years ago for an early December trip. We booked a 2BDR and a Studio at the BCV and bought the airfare. They bailed on us about 2 months before our trip for really no good reason. We were not going to go then since this was a trip planned for them to experience Disney, especially the Christmas decorations. Our points were out of the banking time and had to be used by the end of the month of that trip. Luckily I found out from the Disboards that there is a one time deal where Member Services will bend this rule for you. We paid over $200 for airfare changes. I was so upset with the whole situation! I also realized that my DVC points are like gold to me. For Christmas that year my inlaws gave me an 'extra' present, a Disney Lenox piece which was Tinkerbell standing with her arms folded, pouting. I really love the piece, but have to wonder if there is any hidden message in there after this DVC incident.

 

[eliza61]

I think the better question is probably, "who hasn't had this happen"
My lovely sister did me in one year, and actually it was my own fault. I swear that women can't keep reservations to go to Walmart, what made me think she would come through this time?
Now I think long and hard before inviting other people on my points.

 

[flechette]

OP, I hope everything works out. That has got to be nerve-wracking.

I can totally sympathize -- we've booked a 2BR and a studio at BCV next June, and I'm worried about my brother's family bailing. We could always cancel a room, but we banked some of this year's points and borrowed some from 2010 to have enough. If they bail, I don't have enough vacation days to use our points by the end of our UY, so we'd just lose a ton of points.

People just don't realize the damage that is done by bailing on a DVC trip -- it's not like a hotel room! You really take a risk when you try to take others on a DVC trip!!

QFT!

I'm in the same situation! I've got a 2 bdrm and a studio booked at for last week of Oct 2008. Family choose the month to go, we have a Feb UY. Now the sister in the studio said, just last week, she wasn't sure if she was flying in on Sun or Mon and if she was leaving Fri or Sat. (she also drove me nuts about dining but that's another story) Both sisters have timeshares so it's not like the have no concept of what's involved here.

Eldest sister is in a sticky situation. She takes care of our mother who is bedridden, can't speak any more, and has dementia on top of it all. She can not find out until the week of the trip, whether or not she'll have a caretaker for Mom or not. They live in Tampa so they may wind up doing some day trips to see us. That situation has been understood since the beginning

Middle Sister in studio has a ton of stuff on her right now, I will truly understand if she needs to cancel: she's got work problems, health and medical problems, and relationship issues too. I personally think a week in FL away from all of that would do her good but it is her choice. The thing is, she's not making one. She told me "Eldest probably wouldn't be going because of Mom" and she told Eldest "M is probably canceling the trip because of her hubby" Neither of which was accurate.

My husband is up for a 3rd activation of National Guard Duty but it will be stateside not overseas. And either way, I had already told everyone "It's his 3rd tour, we've been there and done it twice now, we're both tired of it. I'll be in Disney the last week of Oct no matter where my husband is. And frankly he agrees with me!"

It really feels like she wants us to cancel the trip so there no pressure on her. OTOH I could be misreading what occurred. Eldest is somewhat irritated with both of us right now, and I have to admit Middle sis and I do sometimes forget we're adults now ....

All the points were banked from 2007, I think I used 15 2008 points. I can't take another trip to Disney before April 2008 so I may wind up losing the studio points if she doesn't cancel now but does later.

If she cancels in the next few weeks I'd like to try and get a night or 2 near Asheville NC in December. With a Feb UY I'm out of luck after Sept 30 for even trying... not that I expect there to be much availability at this point...

I told them I need to know final decisions by Sept 15th barring emergencies so I could cancel the studio and rebook dining as needed and I wanted my 10th annivsary vacation to Hawaii (Sept 19-26) to NOT have any clouds over it so Final was Final. And I wasn't coming up with points for a Fri night stay either - offer is for Sun night to Fri morning. The fact that the 2 bd could handle 8 people and we'd be 6 was also made...


I'm the baby - chances of me being taken seriously are nil but I can try Gotta love families- they do mean well!

 

[snowwhitemom]

QFT!


I'm the baby - chances of me being taken seriously are nil but I can try Gotta love families- they do mean well!

OMGosh...... I so know your pain, LOL

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

OMGosh...... I so know your pain, LOL

I know what you mean about being "the baby." I have my finances, relationships, etc. all in order...but I can't possibly understand what they are going through, and I will certainly find out in due time, according to them.

Funny, oldest sis was divorced at 28, and remarried to a jerk. I'm almost 40 now, and married to my wonderful DH for almost 17 years.

Exactly why am I the irresponsible one?

 

[Muushka]

You got a lot of great advice. I just wanted to give you one of these .

Your heart is in the right place. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[pixiedust23]

I would set a hard deadline for your family. Tell them that you need to know all of their flight info for DME etc. If they don't book by your deadline, invite other people. It is truly their own fault, if they miss out, and to be honest I think they are being incredibly selfish.

 

[eva]

This is one reason we always do the big family trips in May. With a February use year, we still have time to bank if necessary. But I must say that we have done 4 big family trips in the past 10 years and no one has backed out yet. We have another one planned for May 2009. So I will knock on wood now. I'm sure it helps that most of our family members really enjoy going to WDW. And they know if they don't jump on the chance of a free room that it may be awhile before they are asked again. Plus after the first trip everyone that went was going on and on about the GV at OKW. Doing 2-bedrooms at BCV one year was a big hit too. Now we have problems with deciding who to take on these trips.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

This is one reason we always do the big family trips in May. With a February use year, we still have time to bank if necessary. But I must say that we have done 4 big family trips in the past 10 years and no one has backed out yet. We have another one planned for May 2009. So I will knock on wood now. I'm sure it helps that most of our family members really enjoy going to WDW. And they know if they don't jump on the chance of a free room that it may be awhile before they are asked again. Plus after the first trip everyone that went was going on and on about the GV at OKW. Doing 2-bedrooms at BCV one year was a big hit too. Now we have problems with deciding who to take on these trips.

 

[Laneychris]

Good luck to you, I hope it works out.