Help me through my free dining sadness

[Hodder]

Started a new job in November, hired as a "temp" employee which will lead to full time this is just how everyone pretty much starts off. I am considered as and when needed, which means available when needed ( I have no trouble getting my hours and overtime). I won a trip to the Dominican Republic in February, and they were great about letting me go. Actually, there was no question at all, just came in and told them when I booked (March 22). We are very short staffed here, and can be very stressful at times. I thank my lucky stars for this job and the awesome people I work with.

 

[StrwLady]

All4Disney98,

I'll keep you in my thoughts and hold out hope that some magic will happen for you! Have you considered going without the hubby? I know this may not be your first choice but he might be happy knowing you are enjoying yourself that week! My son and I go from time to time without the hubby and while he misses not being with us he also enjoys the few says of solitude (outside of work)

Keep your chin up and just think if you can't make this trip maybe you can make the next trip bigger and better!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I totally agree. While I would be very upset if this happened to me, I would never jeopardize my job for a Disney trip; whether the company was right or wrong.

Um, well, there was that time that I'd planned a cruise for my 40th birthday, six months in advance,,, and by two months before the cruise I was the only person left doing my job,,, and my boss asked two weeks before my vacation (I think jokingly) what it would take to get me to cancel... and I named a figure that equaled only my actual, nonrefundable costs... and suddenly they were able to hire an additional - not replacement - person...

 

[MinnieTink]

Awww...poor pookie. I really feel for you. It is a difficult situation...the job puts the bread on the table, but family vacations are important too. And it sure sounds like your DH needs a vacation, poor guy! (BTW, I do the same thing w/ those 3am calls... "Oh no, it's ok, no, the baby was up anyway!" and hand the phone to DH while cursing under my breath) I am totally in agreement w/ Canadian Guy...keep your ressies til almost the "last minute." You just never know! What if he could just get a few days off instead of the whole week? You could go ahead w/ your DD, and let him meet you there?
And although I might not have put it the same way as a previous poster, your DH seems so indespensible, he should tell Ol' Scrooge to 'show him the money!!!!'
Good luck! Hope your Disney dreams come true somehow!

 

[Torylovesdisney]

All4Disney98,

I'll keep you in my thoughts and hold out hope that some magic will happen for you! Have you considered going without the hubby? I know this may not be your first choice but he might be happy knowing you are enjoying yourself that week! My son and I go from time to time without the hubby and while he misses not being with us he also enjoys the few says of solitude (outside of work)

I was thinking the same thing. One of the best trips I ever had was with my mother and my daughter, kindof a "girls trip". I know it's hard to think of going without dear hubby but sometimes it's good to do things with just the girls. Maybe hubby can join you for a long weekend while your there? Think about it, call up a sister, girlfriend or your mom, you deserve it! -- tory

 

[CoolPool]

I'm sorry this happened to you, but if everything was all set with money in order, then would you consider to go w/o DH? Bummer as it might be. Maybe he'll get a longer vacation down the line and you can do something else later (...or, you know, Disney again...)

My DH abhors all things Disney. He would never set food in WDW even at gunpoint. So I take our kids by myself and we have a blast without 'im.

 

[Rustysmom]

Wow, that really sucks! I'm so sorry your DH's boss is such a jerk. Gee, what would happen if your DH was sick while that other lady was out on maternity leave? They should really train a back-up. The day that I announced that I was pg, my boss was looking for someone to fill in.

 

[kelscross]

I don't think it would jeapordize your DH job to just inquire about the fact that you already had plans etc. If it is a large company, I don't see why they can't have two people off at the same time (and it's just one week).

I'm a nurse at the hospital in my small town. Did they like the fact that both my mother (who is a nurse on the same floor as me) and I take the kids on a vacation every year in September? Of course they didn't really like it, but they were told when we both interviewed that we vacation together and we were still offered the jobs.

I agree with the other posters...you have a little time, hang on to your ressies just in case. What if your DH found his own replacement for that week?

 

[rlduvall]

Um, well, there was that time that I'd planned a cruise for my 40th birthday, six months in advance,,, and by two months before the cruise I was the only person left doing my job,,, and my boss asked two weeks before my vacation (I think jokingly) what it would take to get me to cancel... and I named a figure that equaled only my actual, nonrefundable costs... and suddenly they were able to hire an additional - not replacement - person...

Now that would be too much - 2 weeks before!!! Turning 40 is bad enough. BUT, in this case there aren't any non-refundable costs yet . . . and I really couldn't tell if it was ever actually approved first. I do understand the frustration . . . I didn't mean to make light of it, I promise. Being an adult sucks, doesn't it? I want to be 8 again. BTW, I'm a Rhonda, too.

 

[annaaidan99]

We actually had a scare like that for our first trip to Disney last February. My company has a pretty large blackout period for vacations- part of which is the entire first quarter of the year. I asked our regional director about the steadfastness of the first quarter blackout back in May 2005, and he told me there was a great deal of flexibility there, so it shouldn't be a problem. So, I booked the trip. Suddenly in JANUARY, they're telling me it is a no go. They can't possibly do without me for five days. By then, the trip is paid for, the airfare is a done deal- Good Lord we were practically there! I told them either they could either grant me the vacation- paid or unpaid, I did not care, or I was giving them notice. Suddenly they were fine, it was granted, I was paid- but I don't book trips during blackout periods anymore.

 

[Scornelius]

.

 

[CarolA]

That is the saddest thing I've ever heard! What fuels this hatred of the happiest place on earth? Bad Tigger experience?

Probably people who try to FORCE them into beliveing that "it's the happiest place on earth"

My boyfried is not a Disney fan. That is in NO WAY the "saddest thing I've ever heard" (For comparison turn on your news today..... LOTS SADDER!)

 

[Scornelius]

I'm sorry, it was meant to be a joke. Please accept my apologies for any offence caused.

 

[cobbler]

Sorry but I would NOT tolerate the 3am calls. I sure would tell them they woke us up, hello?? it's 3am. But I digress.

Anyway hugs to you, hope pixie dust comes your way.

 

[all4disney98]

Hi -

I'm the OP. Our vacation was definitely approved by his boss but had to be taken away when they found out that his co-worker was due early August. The company did feel bad and said they would pay any cancellation fees we may incur because of this (of course there are none). There is another guy that will be on vacation that same week we planned. His was approved before ours so that is why ours was taken away and not his. No hard feelings there because he is a really nice guy and he once swapped a vacation with us.

My husband did say that I should go without him and ask my sister to go with me. I could never do that though, he really was as excited as me to go (I converted him to a disneyholic. The first time he ever went to Disney was on our honeymoon - poor guy !! Plus, it would be really hard for me to watch both the kids there (ages 5 and 3). Believe me, I am home with them all day and can take great care of them but 9 days at the Happiest Place on Earth alone may not be the Happiest Place on Earth anymore!! I think my sister would have a hard time leaving her family for the week to go with me too.

So, the bad news is that we cancelled our reservation - the good news is if anyone wants Pop Century for 8/26 to 9/2 standard room - we cancelled about an hour ago. I had a Le Cellier reservation too if anyone wants to try for that -8/30 for 4 at 5:30 pm We also had CRT for 8:20 am on 8/27. I think those are the only two that I had that someone may be interested in.

He is looking to get a September vacation approved and try again. The September one would be like what August was going to be - laptop etc. but at least we may be able to go. We cancelled our current reservation because he knows there is no hope what so ever. His boss was very serious about this and his job is what allows me to be a stay at home Mom (well except I work in the evenings but that is so I can stay sane ) We wanted someone else to have the chance to have the ressie.

Thanks to you all for the "support". I see that many of you have been in the same position. It is really hard and took a few days for me to calm down and pick up the phone to cancel but I really do feel better now that it is done. If you want I can update tomorrow and let you know if they approved September (and if we were able to get a reservation!!). We are keeping our fingers crossed because no one is scheduled to have a vacation in September (his co-worker will probably still be on maternity though -she hasn't yet given her dates) and he is willing to take all the work "baggage" along with him. I am not excited about the thoughts of a September trip because I don't want to be let down again. We'll see...

 

[sorul82?]

He's THAT indispensible yet the only way you can afford to go is with free dining? Seems to me he should be saying, ok, pay me what I'm worth.

I was thinking the exact same thing!

OP, hang on to that ressie, you just never know what may happen.

 

[Donnainnj]

We had a similar problem this year. I saw August airfare real cheap and was hoping to go for free dining, but when I called DH to see if the job would approve they let us know that there would be no vacations in July of August. They really didn't want us to go in June either but that is the only other time we could go as a family, and he knows they will be ok without him then. He is in a pretty small department, that his co-workers keep quiting (at least 5) or die/sick. Within a couple of months last year they had 2 people die and one have a stroke.(one of those were in his department) With all that "left" (6) I think they hired maybe 2 people to replace them. He has been traveling about 4X as much as he has done in the past and in July they "promoted" him to a position that no longer offers overtime pay, without telling him until August. (that went over real well)
Luckily we can still go in June, but it is going to cost an extra $1560, not to mention the difference in hotel seasons. But i'm not to bitter.
Hope September works out for you.
Good Luck
Donna
By the way my DH said we could go without him to, or do both trips, but I pay the bills, and we have to really start saving more for college for the kids. Damn need for higher education foils us again.

 

[kimberh]

To the Op, I am sorry for the lost vacation, but we own our own business and never would we call anyone at 3:00 AM. What's with that? We have had to reschedule vacations on a number of occasions, people in their own business do what has to be done, I feel your pain.