Family finally cancelled~ Updated pg 3 #33

[flechette]

Gah -

love my sisters - really truely do - but why on earth would you tell me that you've been pretty sure you couldn't make it for a couple of months when I've been begging for a confirmation and explaining how DVC works during all that time? I swear if she were in the same state I'd drive over and strangle her. I've been saying during all that time that if you can't make it fine but let me know sooner vs later so I have more options!

One sister has decided she couldn't make it from NY - that's the studio we're no longer need. My sister in FL is still going to try and make it but she's real iffy about care for our mom. So I'm going to hold onto the 2 bdrm, even if it does wind up being just hubby and I : 2 bathrooms are some much nicer than 1

And this is our first stay at DVC as members


I may have to bite the bullet and try and rent out one reservation (Oct 26-31 studio) at this point; because we have a Feb UY and pretty much no time left to take another vacation this year. My only hope is a NC Concierge collection being available in Dec (not likely) or HHI this weekend (I know that isn't happening!)

And I can't try and rent out the reservation until 30 days out on the DIS boards right? The one thing I have never wanted to do with my DVC is rent the darn thing out but almost all the points were banked from 2007 so I'm in a use or lose situation

And I just realized I need to make changes to our dining reservations too . Well that should open up 1 table at LeCellier anyway~

I wish I could say I'd never do this again but I know I'll get suckered into it at some point down the road.

Sorry - I just had to share some. I rather thought this was coming on down but now that it's a reality I'm freaking out!


Michelle

 

[dianeschlicht]

THere are several of us on this board who have a simple policy for inviting friends and relatives. We'll invite you once. If you accept and show up and carry outyour end of the bargain with dates etc, you'll likely be invited back again and again. If you drag your feet, say yes and then change it to no late in the game, or cancel last minute....you blew it. You will get NO OTHER CHANCE for free accommodations from us again. End of story. WE have our list of invitees down to a nice comfortable 4-5. One family has come twice and one has come three times. A third also owns DVC, and we occationally vacation at the same time. It's a great way to "share".

Oh, and I forgot one other little detail. If you accept our invitation and neglect to acknowledge or thank us at the end of the trip, you too will not be invited back. Only had this happen once, but I must say I was a bit miffed that I gave tehm a free room for a week, cooked breakfasts for them and purchased snacks and never got so much as a "thank you" or dinner out. I actually don't care if guests don't offer to take us to dinner (although most do), but I'd at least like the voiced thank you and even a written one would be nice.

 

[CarolMN]

Gah -

love my sisters - really truely do - but why on earth would you tell me that you've been pretty sure you couldn't make it for a couple of months when I've been begging for a confirmation and explaining how DVC works during all that time? I swear if she were in the same state I'd drive over and strangle her. I've been saying during all that time that if you can't make it fine but let me know sooner vs later so I have more options!

One sister has decided she couldn't make it from NY - that's the studio we're no longer need. My sister in FL is still going to try and make it but she's real iffy about care for our mom. So I'm going to hold onto the 2 bdrm, even if it does wind up being just hubby and I : 2 bathrooms are some much nicer than 1

And this is our first stay at DVC as members


I may have to bite the bullet and try and rent out one reservation (Oct 26-31 studio) at this point; because we have a Feb UY and pretty much no time left to take another vacation this year. My only hope is a NC Concierge collection being available in Dec (not likely) or HHI this weekend (I know that isn't happening!)

And I can't try and rent out the reservation until 30 days out on the DIS boards right? The one thing I have never wanted to do with my DVC is rent the darn thing out but almost all the points were banked from 2007 so I'm in a use or lose situation

And I just realized I need to make changes to our dining reservations too . Well that should open up 1 table at LeCellier anyway~

I wish I could say I'd never do this again but I know I'll get suckered into it at some point down the road.

Sorry - I just had to share some. I rather thought this was coming on down but now that it's a reality I'm freaking out!


Michelle

Sorry for your trouble. Unfortunately, stories of friends and family backing out are not uncommon.

If it were me, I'd cancel either the 2 bedroom or the studio now - before the 31 day mark arrives. Since you have a February use year, you can bank until the end of September.

If you really want (and are able) to do a concierge option or the HHI weekend, you can always borrow next year's points.

 

[moredisneyplease]

THere are several of us on this board who have a simple policy for inviting friends and relatives. We'll invite you once. If you accept and show up and carry outyour end of the bargain with dates etc, you'll likely be invited back again and again. If you drag your feet, say yes and then change it to no late in the game, or cancel last minute....you blew it. You will get NO OTHER CHANCE for free accommodations from us again. End of story. WE have our list of invitees down to a nice comfortable 4-5. One family has come twice and one has come three times. A third also owns DVC, and we occationally vacation at the same time. It's a great way to "share".

Oh, and I forgot one other little detail. If you accept our invitation and neglect to acknowledge or thank us at the end of the trip, you too will not be invited back. Only had this happen once, but I must say I was a bit miffed that I gave tehm a free room for a week, cooked breakfasts for them and purchased snacks and never got so much as a "thank you" or dinner out. I actually don't care if guests don't offer to take us to dinner (although most do), but I'd at least like the voiced thank you and even a written one would be nice.

I agree...........you get one chance and thats it. Simple as that!! Sorry this happened to you.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm so sorry.

I took my sisters on my first DVC trip as well. From my perspective, with relucant sisters...you are actually better off than they don't show up.

If it weren't for Wishes and 1 very special night in MK, I think I would have lost my love of Disney in that trip. (The teacups is not the place to have a marital spat that includes the names of lawyers.) I'm just saying.

Hilton Head is really wonderful. Because of my nephews' school schedule for the same trip, we had 29 use it or lose it points that we used at Hilton Head. We combined them with the cash rate over Thanksgiving in 2006. Hilton Head is very convenient to Savannah. The marsh and the beach are both beautiful. DVC cash rate in Nov. for a studio is only about $82 if you need to combine.

Also remember...you can bank the '08 points into '09.

 

[Claire L]

Sorry to hear about the change of plans but can you not bank the points from the studio or are they already banked points?

Claire

 

[Granny]

I wish I could say I'd never do this again but I know I'll get suckered into it at some point down the road.

Inviting friends can be challenging...inviting family can be even more brutal! I wouldn't say "never again".

Instead I'd say "enjoy your cash reservations!".

 

[Ducky4Disney]

The OP said that most of the points are banked from 2007 - so cancelling and banking ahead to 08 doesn't sound like an option.

Sorry it didn't work out for you. One of the big pros of DVC is being able to take family and one of the cons of DVC is being able to take family! I always feel like some sort of deranged cruise director trying to figure out rooms for split stays, what restaurants people will and will not like, what time will people want to head to parks... it's totally crazy.

One of these days, we'll take a DVC trip without additional family members... we'll just not tell them we're going!

I understand that you didn't want to ever rent your points - but stuck in this situation, aren't you glad that you can?

D4D

 

[flechette]

Inviting friends can be challenging...inviting family can be even more brutal! I wouldn't say "never again".

Instead I'd say "enjoy your cash reservations!".

Oh Granny - how I wish I dared! (I bark loudly but whimper in the corner when it comes to biting)


Hmmm for those who have the "one strike" policy - does your family know this policy in those words? My main gripe is that for 2 months they were "pretty sure" they couldn't make it but everytime I asked (since June) I was told they'd be there. Stuff happens and I get that, sis does have alot on her which is why I asked in the first place if they were sure they were coming and was told "yes". It makes no sense: but if they just hadn't told me the "for 2 months" part I'd be fine and comiserating that they couldn't make Disney. That tiny little bit is what irks the heck out of me!

Turns out the Grove Park Inn does have availability but it is a mandatory 2 night stay. I have to confirm with my husband that he can take a Friday off before I book it; and that he's okay with the point cost. For the most part he leaves that stuff to me so I just want to make sure he can at least get half a day off... and of course his phone isn't picking up. ...


I did get all my dining changed - someone should be a happy camper, I freed up a table at Le Cellier on Tues 10/28 7:30.... just in case someone was hoping for it .....


Thank you so much for all the responses! I just had to vent some - I'm a bit calmer now, sorta~

I'll keep ya updated!

Michelle

 

[Tiger926]

Most of our family/friends thought that we could cancel at last minute, make lots of switches, etc. since we are 'members', so we take every opportunity to explain how DVC really works. We find that people just don't have an understanding of the vacation club/timeshare world as it's not as popular here in Canada as it is the U.S., so there are lots of misconceptions on this subject. Do you think that is what is at play here? Did you go over stuff verbally, or, did you write stuff up? We haven't invited anyone yet, except for my sis and we've realized that would not be a good idea. She, as well as my nieces struggle with ADHD and depression/moodiness issues, so thinking ahead for them is what are they doing in the next 5 mins? We have issues with family events, being late for dinner, etc. so we know that vacation would be a huge problem. We gave them a general invite - one day, we'd like to take you with us to WDW. My sis and I are total opposites, and so this would be very hard, but we have offered as they struggle with finances at bit, and it may be the only way for my nieces to get there for awhile. We don't think we are going to revisit this for awhile though as there are a multitude of personal and family issues that would make a trip to WDW a very stressful one for us.

I am sorry you have gone through this - as I said, most people think that there are no cancellations, we have endless points, etc. until we thoroughly explain it to them, so for us, all of this would be discussed and written down before we made any arrangements as I do not want to be in the same predicament as you with having to rent - that is unacceptable. The other thing is that I would be discerning about whom I invite - we have realized that going with my sis, brother in law and nieces would be a huge issue, so we are not going to broach that subject for awhile. We would also lie about the cancellation policy and we would only use regular points - no banked or borrowed points. My sis actually was talking about it the other day in reference to us helping them plan a trip for possibly next year using a cash ressie, and that would suit us just fine!

Good luck and have a wonderful vacation, Tiger

 

[Lynne M]

I think a lot of people have a mistaken impression of what DVC is, or what a timeshare is. I've seen posts from people on other boards who think you buy a villa, and it's yours, and you can stay in it whenever you want to - like a vacation home. If you don't stay there, you don't lose anything.

I know a lot of us aren't comfortable bringing up money when we invite friends or relatives, but maybe we should. Something like, "If you cancel after I've booked this villa, I may lose the points. That means that I lose money. Just as if I'd paid for a hotel room for you, and you didn't show up." Sure, there's no actual outlay of cash, but if the points are lost, that's one less vacation that the member can take.

 

[Chuck S]

THere are several of us on this board who have a simple policy for inviting friends and relatives. We'll invite you once. If you accept and show up and carry outyour end of the bargain with dates etc, you'll likely be invited back again and again. If you drag your feet, say yes and then change it to no late in the game, or cancel last minute....you blew it. You will get NO OTHER CHANCE for free accommodations from us again. End of story.

Yep, there are 4 people on my never again list.

 

[Tiger926]

I think a lot of people have a mistaken impression of what DVC is, or what a timeshare is. I've seen posts from people on other boards who think you buy a villa, and it's yours, and you can stay in it whenever you want to - like a vacation home. If you don't stay there, you don't lose anything.

I know a lot of us aren't comfortable bringing up money when we invite friends or relatives, but maybe we should. Something like, "If you cancel after I've booked this villa, I may lose the points. That means that I lose money. Just as if I'd paid for a hotel room for you, and you didn't show up." Sure, there's no actual outlay of cash, but if the points are lost, that's one less vacation that the member can take.

Exactly! If and when we take family or friends, this is exactly how we would be presenting it. It doesn't matter if no actual cash is lost as if booking a cash ressie,but we look at it as our points are like cash. We've already paid for them, and so if we don't use them correctly, we lose them, which as you stated, is losing out on a vacation, which equals money, IMHO! We take every opportunity to explain to family/friends when we are asked about DVC, exactly how it works so as to avoid any future issues in this regard.

Tiger

 

[Chuck S]

Actually, I don't think there is a need to explain to these people that you lose your points, anything about $$, or anything like that. I simply tell them, before I make ANY arrangements, if they cancel they are not invited again, ever. (Of course I make exceptions for unforeseen medical poblems, emergencies, etc.)

Even so, one of my 4 "never again" people asked me when "we" were going to Disney again. I politely told them they were wlecome to go whenever they wished, on their dime.

 

[mgilmer]

THere are several of us on this board who have a simple policy for inviting friends and relatives. We'll invite you once. If you accept and show up and carry outyour end of the bargain with dates etc, you'll likely be invited back again and again. If you drag your feet, say yes and then change it to no late in the game, or cancel last minute....you blew it. You will get NO OTHER CHANCE for free accommodations from us again. End of story. WE have our list of invitees down to a nice comfortable 4-5. One family has come twice and one has come three times. A third also owns DVC, and we occationally vacation at the same time. It's a great way to "share".

Oh, and I forgot one other little detail. If you accept our invitation and neglect to acknowledge or thank us at the end of the trip, you too will not be invited back. Only had this happen once, but I must say I was a bit miffed that I gave tehm a free room for a week, cooked breakfasts for them and purchased snacks and never got so much as a "thank you" or dinner out. I actually don't care if guests don't offer to take us to dinner (although most do), but I'd at least like the voiced thank you and even a written one would be nice.

I like your style.

 

[Flyerfan]

We might have the same problem IF we could find friends and/or family to take with us!!! No one seems to want to take advantage of free lodging. Go figure.

 

[Dean]

We might have the same problem IF we could find friends and/or family to take with us!!! No one seems to want to take advantage of free lodging. Go figure.

We lived in HI for 3 years and had very little action on the visit front. If I had known someone who lived in HI with free lodging, transportation and mostly free meals, I'd have gone in a heartbeat, probably once or twice a year.

We do a family trip about every other year. We secure and cover the accommodations and invite people until the space is full. We have very few rules but they go something like this.

• As noted in this thread, if you don't confirm or cancel last minute, you will not be invited back. Fortunately I've not had to put anyone on the black list yet but my brother and family have gotten very close.
• You don't wait on me and I don't wait on you.
• You cover your portion of any direct expenses.
• There will be an occasional alcoholic beverage (very occasional actually).
• I normally require a group meal out though with 35 people in Gatlinburg and such an eclectic group, I didn't keep that requirement though there were several large meals both in the units and out with large segments of the groups.

 

[flechette]

Most of our family/friends thought that we could cancel at last minute, make lots of switches, etc. since we are 'members', so we take every opportunity to explain how DVC really works. We find that people just don't have an understanding of the vacation club/timeshare world ... Do you think that is what is at play here? Did you go over stuff verbally, or, did you write stuff up?

Good luck and have a wonderful vacation, Tiger

I've explained DVC in emails, I've sent them links to DVC primers (I really like DVCnews.com for basics), I've explained on the telephone, I sent them point charts... it just doesn't seem to sink in. And both sisters are intelligent, articulate people who are normally very quick on the uptake- I just don't get it .

Actually, I did have forwarning. They couldn't understand the dining plan If the concept of QS and TS confused them- they probably weren't grasping DVC at all either. Both sisters own timeshares, which may be part of the problem. One sister thought it was fine to arrive Monday afternoon since the reservation was for Sun to Thurs. The fact that I "paid" for the studio nightly and I didn't want to waste points or rooms that would be unoccuppied didn't make much sense apparently.

I sent them Passporter Guide Books so the whole Disney experience wouldn't be a complete shock...

Dare I mention that our 2009 trip is with friends? 2 of the 3 friends are Disney fanatics like ourselves; I have no worries about them, only a family emergency would stop them from coming. Last friend I think may be a bit more iffy but he has contributing to the Disney fund just as regularly as the rest of us and says he's looking forward to it. So I'm not borrowing trouble til Nov 2008. I refused to worry about that trip until then


Hubby says to go for the 2 nights at Grove Park Inn, so provided it's still available, it looks like I'll be making someone on the waitlist very happy; which, surprisingly, feels really good to know

Thanks for the well wishes!
Night All!

Michelle

 

[vicki_c]

to the OP: Enjoy the Grove Park Inn! I haven't been, but my mom goes there for a conference every year and raves about it - the photos I've seen are beautiful! So at least you can make the best of it and get an extra trip for yourself!

 

[rangermom]

We are doing a friend and family vacation this October. We have a friend that might have to bow out and I have a strong feeling my mom is also going to drop. We told everyone to let us know by Sept 10, so our points don't go into a holding account.( We still have until April to bank our points)

This is also the reason I got everyone studios and not 2 bedrooms or a GV. We did not want to be stuck in something that was more than we needed if people dropped.

You know, want as many people to enjoy our DVC as possible, but I'm sure going to have fun using the points if they drop out.