HELP: My sister thinks I'm ripping her off, am I?

[kidzrus]

Thank you so much to everyone who responded. It helps me tremendously to know that I am not guilty of this crime!

My best wild guess is that these 'friends' were friends of my bil (who never liked Disney in the first place) and the information was used to sabotage the trip or maybe my bil is forcing her last minute to an unreasonable budget. Maybe my sister is re-directing her anger at me, because she cannot go and I can. But it is still unlike her to take her misfortune out on me. I think she was really convinced that I'm swindling her.

I would like to save this thread for future reference. Does anyone know how I can do that?

 

[trishy]

We're taking some good friends of ours to WDW next year. We booked them a suite for just the two of them at BWV (our fam. of 5 will be in a 2 br). We charged them $925 for the suite. It cost us 102 points for the studio. We all agreed on this rate up front before booking it. Don't know how others would feel, but we all felt comfortable with it. The accomodations/amenities cannot be compared to a hotel. Maybe your sister would feel more comfortable (money-wise) if she stayed in an All Star, but your family will be having the time of their lives. For an added note, I have 3 dds (13, 9, 6) who LOVE Epcot over the other parks - they are never bored there - the kidcots alone keep them busy for hours - we always spend at least 2 days each vacation at Epcot. We only spent 1 day (1/2 a day really) at Magic Kingdom this last time and they didn't want to even go back again during the trip. But hey, maybe "ignorance is bliss" .

For saving the thread make sure you have the email notification marked and save it in your email file (it's the easiest way I've found to hunt down old posts).

 

[Lisa P.]

1. Print out each page.
2. With each page open, click on "File" in the upper right corner of your window, then on "Save as" then choose where you want to store it in your files.
3. Use your mouse to "right click" (click using the other of your two mouse bottons) and click on the option to "Send" as an email to yourself. Do this with each page of the thread.

One of these ought work for you.

 

[manning]

Try this. If you can afford it and DH is willing, cover the cost. Tell her she can pay you what she thinks is fair after she sees what she is getting. This way she pays what she can afford and you get a good feeling when you see the big smiles on the kids' faces.

Don't be mad at her. Family is a great thing to have!!

 

[Regina]

There's a better method to print this out.

Look at the bottom and click on "printable version". It brings up a printer friendly version of the text.

 

[JSjoquist]

I'm so sorry to hear about the position your sister has taken on this trip, for whatever the reason. I too have faced the challenge of explaining on-property vs a hwy 192 hotel with my sister and mother. Here is what I ended up doing:

After talking to them til I was blue in the face about how it isn't really that much more when you figured in the ease of getting around, and taking afternoon breaks etc. I just stopped trying. When they give me a hard time, I just say "thats what my family likes to do, it's worth it to us."

If you feel it's worth another try, add: "I just thought it was something you and yours would like as well, but if not, lets find you someplace else to stay." I WOULD NOT cancel the trip, if you can afford it. I like the idea someone had about having your sister make the PS for Cinderella, make her do SOMETHING to help plan this trip. As for inviting them over to your 2 BR, my suggestion would be to do it as a way for the kids to play together at the pool and NOT as a "Come and see what you could've been staying at." And if worse comes to worse and your sister decides not to join you, I would still go, you and your family deserve to go and enjoy a great trip and a great place to stay.

One last thing, my kids (now 13 and 8) have been to wdw 3 times now (first in '97 when they were 8 and 3, sorry, I'm sure you all could have done that math ) and after each and every trip (that dad usually schedules only one full day at EPCOT) they ask that on our next trip they could spend more time in. . . you guessed it. . . .EPCOT. Situation will be taken care of on our next trip in December if Uncle Sam hasn't sent me to some far off land by then.

Good luck, I hope it works out, and enjoy the 2br.

 

[Doctor P]

No, you are not ripping her off. If I was a newbie, though, I would be really upset at paying $200 per night for my party in the midst of the discounts that are printed in the paper. I don't think most people can understand the difference between All Stars and any other hotel on property until they have stayed there. I would suggest that you try to convince your sister that you will do some meals in your villa and that you can actually save some money that way. Good luck! Once she sees the accomodations, she will be ecstatic. Also, there is much more for little kids than MK.

 

[paults]

Sorry for the problem you are having and I hope it works out.

Suggestion: If your sister thinks its a bad deal just give her the option of calling Disney to get prices on ressies for that time of year at any onsite resort. Remember if your staying onsite you don't need to rent a car for the week if you fly in. If you stay offsite you will need a car to get around. Let her see first hand what a great deal you have gotten for a 2-bedroom BCV.

I don't understand why you must make her ressies for her if she doesn't stay with you. If she's not happy with BCV why would you think she would like the next ressies you make. I'm not trying to be harsh but you don't want to get down there and have her complain about something else. Get her involved now with looking into other resort pricing, you'll be glad you did.

I think your sister just does not know enough about Disney and the DVC experience. Best of luck, Paul

 

[crisi]

Perhaps your sister is having money problems - or had just expected a Disney trip that would set her back about half as much money. Did you guys do some pre-budgeting as part of planning?

My sister and her husband have been hot about getting the whole family together in Hawaii. Although we can easily afford to go, a Hawaii vacation is not where we really want to spend either our time or our money. She is so excited about it however, that I can work up no more than lukewarm protests over the idea. Like your sister and WDW, I've never been to Hawaii (she has several times and loves it)

 

[anniet]

Kidzrus,
I am so glad you asked this question. I am in the beginning stages of planning a family vacation involving cousins, parents, aunt and uncle and I suggested we get 2 2bedrooms and 1studio (DBF and i don't have kids and we like our privacey.) When they said how much, I said $150 each couple (which would have only been $300 per night for the two bedrooms) I thought that I was offering a great deal too, but they balked at it. Now we are down to each getting our own Studios for a short period of time and because I LOVE my family I'm only charging them $100/night. I would give it to them free if I could, but I'm not rich.

When we are down there, however, I'm going to try to take them on a tour to show them what they passed over for a mere $50 per night.

Good luck, and I hope with or without your sister you take advantage of this opportunity and have a wonderful time!

 

[thepoohbear]

Something very much like this happened to us! We were very good friends with another couple who had never taken their kids to WDW. The first year we bought into DVC we invited them to come along. We were also bringing our family so we booked ourselves a two bedroom and we booked them a one bedroom. They said they wanted to pay for their share and, since it was our first year and we were a little short on cash, we agreed and told them to give us $100 a night. The husband half of this couple is my DH's childhood best friend. They've been friends for almost 40 years. The wife half of this couple went to work and everyone told her we were ripping them off. Eventually she convinced her husband and we had a confrontation like you are having. They wouldn't agree to paying nothing, they wouldn't agree to paying less. They were just so ticked off that they simply refused to stay with us at BWV. So they ended up staying that All Stars. (movies I think) They paid $89 a night which was cheaper but once you add on all that tax I'm not sure. We had mentioned how we eat breakfast and lunch in the room most days so they decided they could do that there just as easily and had PBJ (no fridge) 13 times. Then we did what has been suggested. We invited them over for a nice lunch. They never said a word but I'm confident they saw the error of their ways. By the way, we invited them back (at no cost) and they said they will NEVER go back to WDW again. They had a horrible trip. 4 people (two adults, one 7yo and one 9yo) in that little room was just too much. And within a few days they were all tired and cranky. When one slept, they all had to sleep. When one was awake, they all had to be awake. They said they are glad they did it to give the kids the experience but they won't go back. It just wasn't a fun vacation and not at all relaxing (which we all know parents need at least a LITTLE of!) They can't imagine why we would go every year. We just said it's different with DVC.
The worst part was what you must be feeling. How on earth could they (she) think that we (you) would be ripping them (her) off? We would never even THINK of ripping ANYONE off and we had hoped our friends would know that. It pained us very much to think that they even thought us capable of doing that. Sometimes, it seems, money brings out the worst in people. And it is so very sad when that person is someone you care deeply about.
In the end, though, it worked out. We are still friends and I did feel like there was an attitude change after they saw the room they would have had but I may have imagined that. Nobody ever said a thing but I think that's for the best. So if you can afford to, go yourself and invite her over. Or try the 40/60% idea. But do try very hard to get her over there to see inside the room. In our case, I really think that's what set the record straight.

 

[DebbieB]

I had a conversation with a coworker a couple of months ago. She was talking about a timeshare in St. Petersburg that a friend has. She mentioned about it being "free". I think some people look at it that since you are not actually paying money when you check-in or reserve, your stay is actually "free". They don't think about the money you paid to purchase plus annual dues. They figure that since you already paid that anyway, you shouldn't charge them or are somehow making a profit on them. They don't consider that they are taking away points that you could be using for another trip or a longer trip.

Another angle - my hairdresser sometimes uses a friend's timeshare offsite near WDW. The agreement is she pays the maintenance fee for that year for that room week, plus the housekeeping fee (this resort has a housekeeping fee for each stay). I'm sure it's a great deal.

 

[kidzrus]

Thanks again everyone.

thepoohbear, I can't believe how similar our situations are. You are right, what hurts the most is that, after all of these years as a loving sister, she feels that I am ripping her off, that I would do such a thing. It just shows how convinced she is that I am doing just that. She probably can't believe that after all of these years of her being a loving sister that I would do this to her.

Many of you mentioned that their young children really enjoyed Epcot or MGM even more than MK. Can you tell me what events/rides the children enjoyed most in these parks. I can think of the big jungle gym in Epcot (but I can't remember where it is) and I also can think of the Muppet show and Fantasmic in Mgm. I'm sure there is more, please help. Thanks!!! If the topic comes up again, I'd like to be able to respond with all of the wonderful things that can be done in these parks (plus if we do go ourselves it would be nice to know)

It is great to have a resource like this board. I can't believe how knowledgeable everyone is!... a bright spot in a sad week.

 

[pollyanna]

With a 5 year old ,2-3 year olds and a baby,I have to agree with sis and say stay near MK.

The resorts board has posted codes( or go to Mousesavers.com) ...many WDW resorts have GREAT rates starting November 3rd.The WL and AKL have great rooms for under $200 a night and these are "Deluxe" resorts.

 

[anniet]

There's a jungle gym in EPCOT??????


How'd I miss that???????????????????????????????????

 

[nydizfan]

If there is a Jungle Gym, then where are the swings...

 

[DebbieB]

There is a play area where kids can climb, I think it's back by Germany or Italy. There may even be slides. I don't have kids, so I really didn't pay close attention to it. I am an insurance underwriter and I remember cringing when I saw it, I could see lots of falls (I can't get away from the job mindset, even on vacation )

 

[donald@home]

The thing that kids say is their favorite part of a WDW vacation is the pool at their resort. BCV has the BEST pool on WDW property. The kids will love it. Keep your reservations and stay at BCV.

The play area is behind Norway. It is a big viking ship that the kids can play on. I think the last time I was there it was walled off (?) so I don't know if they are changing the area or not.

 

[Caskbill]

There's a small area in Norway with a small ship to play on. Maybe they're thinking of this?

 

[kidzrus]

Hi everyone,

I am aware of the Norway ship, but that's not the Epcot play area I was referring to.

The Jungle Gym I had in mind is a large honeycomb-like, dome-shaped monkey bars. It was swarming with kids last I saw, I just can't remember exactly where it is.

If anyone knows exactly where this is as well as other favorite activities for tots in Epcot I'd be interested in knowing. Thanks again