How do handle DVC vacationing with ext. family?

[shovan]

I would like to hear how everyone handles vacationing on DVC with extended family? Do you use all your points & generously act as host? We have offered this to Sis, B-I-L & 4yo niece for a trip in January. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to join us.
But, now we are thinking down the road. We can't continually host everyone. We don't know quite how to handle this. Do you ask for payment from extended family based on the larger amount of points used? Do you offer to book them another room, at DVC cash prices?
We have several trips we are considering. One with a cousin & her husband (friends).
Later on we would like to consider a big get together in a Grand Villa. This would include 1 grandmother,1 adult daughter & her hubby, 2 B-I-L, 2 S-I-L, 3 nieces/nephew. How do we handle this?

 

[browniemtb]

How a person handles this situation can vary. I myself look at extended family coming down with us a joy, depending on who of course. I use our points to get them accomodations but its not free for them. They either will pay for our DDP or park tickets. Which for us it helps and they are still getting a heck of a deal. The main thing that I read about is the family backing out on the vacation just before departure leaving you with points in holding, this is what worries me the most.
Brownie

 

[UConnJack]

I put down a lot of points for a BWV GV for 6-nights last May for my family (3), my parents (2), my aunt (1), and my cousin and her family (4). My parents paid for our airfare, and my cousins paid for all the groceries for the week. They tried to offer more, but I was happy with the arrangements. I got as much enjoyment having them on the trip (it was their 1st time, as well as their kids 4 and 6) as they had on the trip, so it was worth the point cost for me.

 

[NoVaDVC]

Here's how my family works it. Parents, brothers, & sisters of either me or my wife pay what it costs us per point ($7 per point currently with the current MFs). Extended family (Cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) pay $10 per point. They are getting a great deal, and it helps us defray the upfront cost. We are scheduled to arrive on Dec. 9 for 1 week in a 2 bedroom. MIL, FIL, SIL, & BIL are going with us. They are paying, between the 4 of them, the cost of a studio. This will almost pay for our DDP. If you don't want to pay the cost of family, explain to them that it costs you X dollars per point, per year, and you would be happy to allow them to use your points, but that it would be an expensive gift if they didn't pay something. How much would be up to you.

 

[DVC Grammy]

When we invite our grown kids, we use our points for the rooms (I book individual studios, since rarely can all 3 families join us at the same time for the same number of days, and this way, everyone gets their privacy (and their bathroom ). Whoever is with us covers the cost of our dining. Everyone makes their own travel arrangements and their tickets.
How fortunate we are that DVC gives us the opportunity to give to those we love!

 

[nmere]

Not a member yet, Have an offer in at VWL for 300 pts. This is exactly why we are puchsasing 300pts. This year We stayed at the Poly Club Level, Had my Parents at Wilderness Lodge, MY Bro S-i-l & boys at Wilderness Lodge, & In laws at Fort Wilderness CG, in there Motorhome. This year I took care of the Bill for all of it including flights, Next year everyone takes care of their flights & Tickets, Rooms are on us.

To me Disney is all ablout family, If I can do this for everyone it makes it worth it to me.

Best of Luck
Nick

 

[JimMIA]

I agree with Brownie that HOW you handle the arrangements is up to you...but you'd better be aware of the downside.

If this is Monday, there must be a "My family done done me wrong" thread, and, sure enough, here's this week's:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1292047

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I think you have to own A LOT of points to be able to invite family and not be concerned about what happens if someone can't make it. We only have 200 points at this point and can't really make this decision. I think there is a real good chance that with any grand family get together, that someone or some people are not going to be able to make the trip in the end, and unless you have enough points to make it not a concern then you should wait until you have so many points that it doesn't concern you if some don't come.

 

[Boston5602]

One out of a list of reasons why I bought was that my family and friends and I were planning on a trip next Summer at Boardwalk (cro )$6300. for the villa .

I decided to buy dvc and use points -it took all of 06 and 07 points but we have a 2 bedroom and a studio for 10 days and we are splitting the cost to add 1 cash night , otherwise I'm not charging anyone money.

I did let EVERYONE know this is a ONE TIME ONLY deal. Next time we plan on a Disney trip they will have to get their own room!

Of course I may treat depending on how the trip is comming together BUT they know if we start talking Disney it doesn't automatically mean free Villa's at DVC for them!

 

[Deb & Bill]

... Do you offer to book them another room, at DVC cash prices? ...

Technically, the member is supposed to stay in a DVC cash discounted room. But they could get an AP rate room which is usually about the same rate or similar.

To me, it just depends on how much you like them and enjoy their company. If we're not going to have fun with them, we don't invite them at all.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We are points poor but I refuse to get into borrowing . I did treat Dm and DsF to a 2 bdrm for our first trip home using the last years bonus points we got.

But I explained to the I can get them points at such and such a cost. Either for a studio for them or will pay some as well to step-up to a 2bdrm again.

They can then decide what to do and I will use there money to get the transfer or the ressie in their name for them.If I had more or extra points then it would be no problem but we don't.

 

[DVC Grammy]

I think you have to own A LOT of points to be able to invite family and not be concerned about what happens if someone can't make it. We only have 200 points at this point and can't really make this decision. I think there is a real good chance that with any grand family get together, that someone or some people are not going to be able to make the trip in the end, and unless you have enough points to make it not a concern then you should wait until you have so many points that it doesn't concern you if some don't come.

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post is that we give deadlines, even to family, which, if they don't give a definite "yes", they know I'll go ahead and cancel the reservation, usually 65 days before a trip. This way, we don't lose any points. After 65 days, only a "major emergency" is acceptable as an excuse.
In truth, our kids wouldn't disappoint us or make us lose points. In fact, they can't wait to be invited!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Both my DSis and DMom offered to buy some points to put into our account so they don't always feel they are vacationing on our dime. Together they own 75 of the points in our 575 total. My DSis pays the MF on her 50, I don't think we will ask DM for her share, but I haven't fully decided on that. She was with us at the VWL last December, with her legs in the hot tub, and as she looked around, she said that she truly understood how I could love this place, could she buy some points here. She wanted to buy them so that we could always invite our family even after she was "gone." Well, her 25 points make her so happy, she has talked to many many people about owning points at WDW, and was thrilled to discover that a neighbor in Cape May also owns some points to take his grandchildren on cruises and to WDW.

So, this was not expected when we first bought in '03 for the specific reason to have a place to invite family and friends to stay at when we celebrated DM's 85th birthday. Maybe some of you will be as fortunate in that regard as we are. We have not ever been disappointed, people have backed out, for personal reasons, but no villa/points have ever gone to waste, and we have been blessed with many many happy memories.

We tend to get 1 2 bedroom and studios for others, but sometimes, we're in a studio because it's a larger family than ours who's the "guest of honor." It really "works" for us!!!

Bobbi

 

[shovan]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions!

Unfortunately, we've already had a taste of how this will go with some of our family! Bad, very bad!

We have already booked a studio for DH & I for F&W next year. My DH had mentioned to my cousin's husband (the guys work together) that we were going. Cousin's husband says they'd be interested in going to F&W also, if they can get off work. DH tell's him he'll check into cost on a cash basis or buying points from someone.

Well, DH finds points for sale going at 10/11 a point. Yesterday,he tells CH this cost & what a good deal that is compared to the cash rate we were quoted. (you all know the savings there!) His comment to that "WELL FREE, now that would be a good deal!!!!!!!" My DH was just speechless! This is from someone who usually visits WDW at least every other year. So, it's not that they can't afford it!

So, we can see that even though we have never suggested to family that this DVC purchase was meant to take everyone for FREE, some seem to have come to that conclusion! I can see, we will have to be very cautious about how we handle all futrue trips! Probably just keep our mouths shut!!!!

 

[TomD]

We brought my Dad this past Oct. That trip went well. We are bringing my wife's brother and his crew along with her aunt and uncle which I love dearly and possibly my MIL in Dec of 08. That is 1 trip that I am not looking forward to.

Hopefully they all will back out ( I am not that lucky )

 

[UConnJack]

Technically, the member is supposed to stay in a DVC cash discounted room.

Actually, that is not true, or at least isn't anymore. I thought it was as well, but after making HH reservations on points for the upcoming New Years, some friends wanted to maybe go. There was no more point availability at that time, so I asked about cash. They did have availability for DVC discounted rooms (but not CR full rate, go figure). I told MS to book it, but to change our name to the cash reservation, and have our friends in the points room as our guest. She told us that wouldn't be necessary, because DVC member are no longer required to occupy the DVC discounted rooms, that they can be used for guests.

 

[shovan]

My DH was told the same thing when he called about it. He did tell them we preferred to use the points for our own studio. We need a handicap room & when we booked it they gave us the same room that worked well for us last trip. He was told it was no problem to put friends in the "cash" room.

 

[mellormousee]

I've Had A Horrible Experince This Past Nov. With My Best Friend Of 30 Years. I Am An Only Child So She Was Like My Sister. She Cancelled The Week Before We Were Suppose To Arrive. I Ended Up Cancelling My Vacation All 255 Points Went In To Holding. I Lost Out On My Annual Passes I Bought Last Dec. And We Haven't Spoken Since. Might I Add She Won't Speak To Me (she's Too Ashamed) The Only Good Thing Is I Was Able To Book 2 Weeks In Jan With My Dh & Ds Cant' Wait To Get There. I Wish Everyone The Best & Hope That This Never Happens To Anyone Else