Grand Villa Help!!!!

[dianeschlicht]

Tell them you have had to change your trip and all that is available is a one bedroom villa and you will be going alone. Give the rest of them the number to call Disney and reserve their own rooms on their own dimes at their own time. They are taking major advantage of your good nature.

Tell them perhaps another time.

I kind of like Deb's suggestion. First of all, as I said in my earlier post, I can see this trip going bad all the way around once you arrive at Disney.

I'm quite sure you invited your brother and his family to spend time with them and to treat them to your version of a Disney vacation. I find it to be incredibly rude that the grandparents have horned in to this extent.

As others have said, it will be THEIR vacation with their grandkids, and not your vacation with your nieces/nephews.

I'd put my foot down now and stop this nonsense. If you keep your current reservations the very least you should do is charge the inlaws for the studio. I would NOT be changing the reservations again after reading the "rest of the story" here.

 

[paults]

maybe I missed something, who suggested that your brothers in-laws stay in the 2 bedroom? was it your brother or his in-laws?
Keep your plans as they are and tell your brother his in-laws will have the studio. If not then let them pay for the upgrade to a GV

 

[Dean]

So....We booked a 2 BR Theme Park View at BLT and invited my brother and his wife (and their son) to stay with us at Spring Break. My brother said his in-laws would really like to be see their grandson at Disney for his first trip! (from what I have heard, their family never even liked Disney!) So….I booked an additional studio (lake view) at BLT….thinking we would be in the 2BR, and the in-laws in the studio. NOW…….they think that they should all be in the 2BR b/c the grandparents really want to spend time with the grandson. So….that leaves US in the studio!!!!

We really wanted to stay in BLT…for the convenience to MK for my nephew. But…..I am not thrilled with us staying in the studio. Am I being ridiculous????? I guess we have been so spoiled staying in 2 bedrooms that I can't imagine staying in a studio......

So…..I checked today for a 3BR at OKW….they have all but the LAST night (3 of 4 nights) available. Not thrilled with moving during the trip with a total of 3 young kids. BUT….Saratoga Springs is available…as well as Animal Kingdom (standard view and savannah view). What are your thoughts on which Grand Villa to get? I’m leaning toward AKV Savannah View….and waitlist at OKW. We have never stayed at AKV…what are your opinions???

Thanks for your help!

If you're going to do mostly MK, I'd keep the BLT options, if you'll be at other parks as well, the AKV would likely be my first option even if OKW is available. . I would not accept the studio for such a situation. IMO, if they have the gaul to suggest you should take the studio, my antenna's are up for a bad outcome on this trip. We don't know your family but generally when people act like this, they have a history of other similar and bad behavior. If that's the case, best to deal with it now and/or never to invite them again. Specific to this, I'd just suggest to them that you plan to take the master unless they'd like to get a 2 BR for cash on their own. File this under the heading of "no good deed goes unpunished". You should realize right now that they do not understand the value of what you are offering them and sacrifice you are making to offer what you have. Likely in their view, this is a free timeshare trip to you as it is to them and they will act accordingly in all likelihood.

 

[mjc2003]

A lot depends on your relationship with your brothers in laws. Are you friendly with them? Are you going to feel comfortable staying in a GV with them?

The Kidani GV is 2 stories, and there is actually a separate entrance on the 2nd floor. You could put all of them upstairs, and you would have the entire downstairs; at least this way you get your space.

I would not accommodate them by putting them all in a 2BR and you staying in a studio. If you are going to go that route, the in laws should get the studio. If they want to see their grandchild at Disney for his first trip, the sleeping arrangements should be incidental. They should be there to share in his excitement at the parks, with characters, etc...watching him sleep is not really part of the experience.

Does your brother want the in laws in the 2 BR, or does his wife want her parents in the room? It sounds like he might be the messenger.

The in laws will get to spend an entire week with their grandson at Disney. That should be sufficient. I would very quickly close the door on any additional "suggestions" by telling them how the arrangements are going to work out. Just b/c they want the inlaws with them doesn't mean it has to be that way. Tell them you need a kitchen, and you pay good money for the space the 2BR affords.

Also, from your post it sounds like you have 2 young children? If so, just tell them that the studio is not really ideal for 4 people but perfectly suited for 2. How selfish of them to suggest that 4 of you (who are paying for the trip) take the small space while they waste space with only 5 people in a 2 BR? Sorry, you need to put your foot down.

 

[kevmag]

Same here! You know its going to end up like you are tagging along on their vacation with their inlaws except you are footing the bill for the room essentially?

As others have said, it will be THEIR vacation with their grandkids, and not your vacation with your nieces/nephews.

I totally agree with the other posters. This has written all over it, that you would be subsidizing their first visit to WDW with their grandchild. And from past experience, the old saying is "give them an inch, they'll take a yard". You KNOW that anyone with the nerve to pull this crap before you even get to WDW, will hijack your vacation once you are actually there.

I'm relatively new to DVC, but i remember my first trip. Day 1 in BLT, over looking the Contemporary Marina, discussing what part of the magic we are going to do first. I say that we have to go get our tickets or passes, and my sister in law looks me square in the eye and says
"You mean we have to pay to go in the parks?"

I learned a valuable lesson that day about pushy in-laws...

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Suggest to your brother that his family share Disney with her parents on their own for the first time, and you'll treat the smaller group to a timeshare trip another year.

Everyone's happy, and you're not wasting a whole lot of points for a trip it doesn't sound like you're going to enjoy all that much. I know I really wouldn't want to feel like a 3rd wheel on a trip I was funding. Tell your brother this is exactly how you're beginning to feel so he understands why you want to cancel this trip.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I'm outraged for you.

I'd call Disney and ask them if there is a 2BR available to book with cash using your DVC discount. If they say yes, get the price and call your family members. Tell them here are their two options due to availability:

1) Keep the arrangements as they are. You guys in the 2BR and the in-laws in the studio. These are YOUR points (that you both paid for and pay maintenance fees on) and YOUR vacation. To me, this would be non-negotiable. And...whoever posted it earlier, I'm in total agreement about dibbs on the the master bedroom!

Or,

2) Be more than willing to book them a 2BR on cash if they'd like to pay for it. I'd explain that because you're a DVC member, you are able to get them a 25% cash discount on their room.

I'm in disbelief that others are so willing to take advantage of someone who is being so generous. They are placing you in a very uncomfortable position, and if they are doing it now, it may be insight into how the entire trip will go.

Best of luck. I feel for you!

 

[kirstenb1]

Suggest to your brother that his family share Disney with her parents on their own for the first time, and you'll treat the smaller group to a timeshare trip another year.

Everyone's happy, and you're not wasting a whole lot of points for a trip it doesn't sound like you're going to enjoy all that much. I know I really wouldn't want to feel like a 3rd wheel on a trip I was funding. Tell your brother this is exactly how you're beginning to feel so he understands why you want to cancel this trip.

You know, I'm usually pretty easygoing, but Birds of Prey Dave is right on the money. Before you know it, you'll be hauling their bags, cooking and cleaning up for them.

They are trying to completely override your very generous offer of a trip. I would shut this down right now, and let them have the trip they want, and let them plan it and pay for it.

 

[rocketriter]

After you've settled this one way or another, be very careful about dining arrangements, event tickets etc. This bunch will show up when they feel like it, if they feel like it, to whatever you plan for them. (And if you don't plan for them, they'll complain endlessly about long waits and crummy fast-food alternatives.) Either way, you're going to be strapped to their wagon for the entire trip, not just the rooms.

 

[duckygirl]

After you've settled this one way or another, be very careful about dining arrangements, event tickets etc. This bunch will show up when they feel like it, if they feel like it, to whatever you plan for them. (And if you don't plan for them, they'll complain endlessly about long waits and crummy fast-food alternatives.) Either way, you're going to be strapped to their wagon for the entire trip, not just the rooms.

I agree! I had not even thought about that aspect! What a nightmare!

Cancel both the studio and the in laws if you want a great trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

A lot depends on your relationship with your brothers in laws. Are you friendly with them? Are you going to feel comfortable staying in a GV with them?

The Kidani GV is 2 stories, and there is actually a separate entrance on the 2nd floor. You could put all of them upstairs, and you would have the entire downstairs; at least this way you get your space.

I would not accommodate them by putting them all in a 2BR and you staying in a studio. If you are going to go that route, the in laws should get the studio. If they want to see their grandchild at Disney for his first trip, the sleeping arrangements should be incidental. They should be there to share in his excitement at the parks, with characters, etc...watching him sleep is not really part of the experience.

Does your brother want the in laws in the 2 BR, or does his wife want her parents in the room? It sounds like he might be the messenger.

The in laws will get to spend an entire week with their grandson at Disney. That should be sufficient. I would very quickly close the door on any additional "suggestions" by telling them how the arrangements are going to work out. Just b/c they want the inlaws with them doesn't mean it has to be that way. Tell them you need a kitchen, and you pay good money for the space the 2BR affords.

Also, from your post it sounds like you have 2 young children? If so, just tell them that the studio is not really ideal for 4 people but perfectly suited for 2. How selfish of them to suggest that 4 of you (who are paying for the trip) take the small space while they waste space with only 5 people in a 2 BR? Sorry, you need to put your foot down.

I'm outraged for you.

I'd call Disney and ask them if there is a 2BR available to book with cash using your DVC discount. If they say yes, get the price and call your family members. Tell them here are their two options due to availability:

1) Keep the arrangements as they are. You guys in the 2BR and the in-laws in the studio. These are YOUR points (that you both paid for and pay maintenance fees on) and YOUR vacation. To me, this would be non-negotiable. And...whoever posted it earlier, I'm in total agreement about dibbs on the the master bedroom!

Or,

2) Be more than willing to book them a 2BR on cash if they'd like to pay for it. I'd explain that because you're a DVC member, you are able to get them a 25% cash discount on their room.

I'm in disbelief that others are so willing to take advantage of someone who is being so generous. They are placing you in a very uncomfortable position, and if they are doing it now, it may be insight into how the entire trip will go.

Best of luck. I feel for you!

Both of you are being much too nice to the freeloaders. The member is supposed to be staying in the villa if a cash discount is obtained. Let them get their own discount.

And guess who is going to complain when they get back to the villa on the next day and the bed isn't made and the towels aren't replaced and it hasn't been vacuumed and there isn't a fresh supply of coffee and toiletries....

I still say, drop all of them and go by yourself for your first trip. Otherwise, OP, you will be back here on the DIS talking about your ruined first DVC trip and how you will never.....

You have a tough decision to make, but be brave and do what is going to make you the happiest. Don't worry about SIL and her parents. Let them fund their own trip.

 

[Donna M]

I'd stay in the 2 bd. If they don't like the studio that they are being given for free then too bad! What a way to ruin your trip, when you are getting excited for the space of the 2bd. Like was mentioned, they aren't even your in-laws.

I'm getting annoyed with them just sitting here.

They are taking over!

 

[Dean]

Cancel both the studio and the in laws if you want a great trip.

I'm betting it's not the in-laws who are the problem here but more likely, the SIL who's in charge and the brother who is letting her run the show. Having the in-laws along might be a good thing to act as a buffer. I suspect this is just a symptom of larger issues.

 

[kevmag]

I'm betting it's not the in-laws who are the problem here but more likely, the SIL who's in charge and the brother who is letting her run the show. Having the in-laws along might be a good thing to act as a buffer. I suspect this is just a symptom of larger issues.

As this thread grows, it lools like what Dean says is exactly what's going on here. I recognize the animal...my brother and sister in law follow this play book ALL the time.

And you can bet your bottom dollar the sis-in-law will take over the entire trip.

 

[goofydad99]

I would never be able to give up my master suite for others. If they want their own 2 bedroom then they can book it themselves.

 

[Dean]

As this thread grows, it lools like what Dean says is exactly what's going on here. I recognize the animal...my brother and sister in law follow this play book ALL the time.

And you can bet your bottom dollar the sis-in-law will take over the entire trip.

One of the phenomena I've seen over the years with members dealing with family is that they take people that are bad animals and assume they'll be better because it's Disney and they are giving them something so great. I'm sure it happens not uncommonly that people are on their best behavior in such a situation but we see a lot of the other side posted here and elsewhere. I remember one person who planned the trip and invited others and then were muscled out of the trip even before it began. We do a fair number of family trips. Fortunately we don't have any truly bad players but our planning and rules setup further decrease the chance of a preventable issue. We also see many posts where it's obvious the reverse it true, the poster in some situations (not talking about the OP) is a master planner and wants to control everything and sometimes people either rebel or don't measure up to expectations. The bottom line is we really only get bits and pieces of the story and don't know the players so all we can do is respond to what's posted and make the assumptions that are possible given the info provided.

 

[dcfromva]

We really wanted to stay in BLT…for the convenience to MK for my nephew. But…..I am not thrilled with us staying in the studio. Am I being ridiculous????? I guess we have been so spoiled staying in 2 bedrooms that I can't imagine staying in a studio......
Thanks for your help!

I would keep with the original plan (including the original sleeping plan). I suspect if you make the change to the GV now, there is always a chance the grandparents cancel out and then you end spending mega-points for accomodations you don't need or going on the WL to try to downsize your accomodations.
Alternatively, you could tell them they can have the 2BR, but your two kids go with the 2BR because you don't want to deprive the kids of cousin-time.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

...The member is supposed to be staying in the villa if a cash discount is obtained...

Good to know! I didn't realize that.

 

[Reginak]

All of the Grand Villas are amazing! I would be thrilled to stay at any of them again.
We have also loved our stays at each of the hotels you mention. There are things to love about all of them.
If I were you, I would just explain to my brother and sister-in-law that there must be a misunderstanding, because my family would be in the master bedroom of the two-bedroom villa.
If you go the Grand Villa route, then pick either SSR or AKV since the entire stay is available. I wouldn't count on a waitlist coming through. You could also waitlist for a Grand Villa at BLT if you have the points available.

I hope that everything goes well for you and your family on this trip.

Regina

 

[sleeperclan]

So....We booked a 2 BR Theme Park View at BLT and invited my brother and his wife (and their son) to stay with us at Spring Break. My brother said his in-laws would really like to be see their grandson at Disney for his first trip! (from what I have heard, their family never even liked Disney!) So….I booked an additional studio (lake view) at BLT….thinking we would be in the 2BR, and the in-laws in the studio. NOW…….they think that they should all be in the 2BR b/c the grandparents really want to spend time with the grandson. So….that leaves US in the studio!!!!

I'm usually an easygoing person and am likely to accommodate at every turn, but I'm just speechless I have to agree with previous posters that this is a disaster waiting to happen...these are not even YOUR in-laws! Stick to your original plan and enjoy your 2bd...let them take the studio or find other arrangements. As an in-law myself, I would NEVER insinuate myself into my DDIL's parent's trip and expect them to stay in the smaller lodgings while I (free of charge) take the better of the lodgings