Husband's company cancels summer vacation!

[Sherlee]

We have been planning several months for our summer vacation to Sedona, AZ and the Grand Canyon in August. My husband received an e-mail yesterday informing him of a mandatory company conference in Las Vegas for five days right in the middle of our trip. I know there are more problems in the world right now, but I am mad!!! Once I can think rationally, we need to decide if we should 1) cancel completely and HOPE his company reimburses us for the non-refundable airfare and hotel deposits, 2) go as planned and try fit Las Vegas in since we are in that part of the country anyway (what would I and seven year old do in Las Vegas for five days?), 3) My daughter and I just do the vacation as planned, 4) Sit home and pout, or 5) DD and I head to Disney World on our own!

Has anyone out there had a vacation ruined by an employer? Are they responsible to reimburse us?

 

[Kermit]

His HR can probably tell you what the official policy is. My guess is that they won't reimburse non-refundable expenses, but they could surprise you. That's too bad. You'd think that they'd have planned that far enough in advance that they could have told him when he requested that time off.

 

[Minnesota!]

I say go to Vegas since you will be out that way, anyway! There is a lot to do there...even with kids. Check out a few websites for ideas!

 

[disfanatiks]

2) go as planned and try fit Las Vegas in since we are in that part of the country anyway (what would I and seven year old do in Las Vegas for five days?),

I say go for it!!! I am sure you would all have a grand adventure!!!

 

[pat fan]

i would go with option #2.My DH was in Vegas(passing through)and he said there is a lot of stuff for families to do now.We have actually thought about making that a vacation for us sometime.

They have CircusCircus,those guys with the white tigers,amusement parks,pools and every kind of show imaginable.You could also have a mother & daughter "girls day out" thing.Go to a salon and get your hair/nails done,go somewhere for a scrumptious "tea",maybe see a movie..just have fun .

good luck with whatever you do.

 

[Serena]

I would go and make the best of the situation. It's a lousy thing for the company to do, but turn it into an adventure like disfanatics said.

It'll be something you talk about down the road.

 

[nativetxn]

How disappointing and frustrating for you. I like option 2, at least you could still see some of Arizona before you have to go to Nevada.

 

[Lars624]

One of my closest friends (also DVC member) has taken her kids to Vegas on vacation a few times. I believe her youngest was even younger than 7 the first time. They go to some kid friendly shows, take turns gambling & hanging out at hotel pool w/kids, some of the places have roller coasters and things for families. They have a trip planned in August to Las Vegas with their kids who are now 10 & 12.

 

[bsnyder]

I agree with the option of going to Vegas during the vacation. I haven't been there, but know lots of families that have vacationed there and I know they are trying to cater to familes with young kids.

Hope everything works out!

 

[Micca]

I would hope the company would make some allowances for non-refundable expenses. There are family oriented activities in Vegas, but I don't know if there are 5 days worth.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am one for an adventure, I suppose. I would probably go check out Vegas.
To combat the anger I would:
1) order lots of room service, esp. breakfast.
2) drink champange in a jacuzzi bubble bath in my hotel room to drown my sorrows
Sorry about the situation. I am sure you will figure it out.

 

[DocRafiki]

How annoying. I hope it works out. Don't forget Cirque du Soleil has 2 shows in Vegas! I bet there's lots to do there... I bet there are whole DIS-type sites dedicated to Vegas fanatics! (I've never been, but would LOVE to go just for the Cirque shows)

 

[C.Ann]

I would be VERY annoyed as well, BUT - I guess I'm with the "go for it" crowd.. Go to Vegas and explore all there is to see and do. I'm POSITIVE there would be child-friendly activities somewhere and you could turn it into a really fun Mom/daughter adventure!

Don't let the company ruin your plans! Go and have fun.. Life is short - live it to the fullest..

Good luck!

 

[CindyKansas]

Disneyland is just a short drive away. I always try to sneak Disneyland in when I'm out that way.

 

[Rajah]

I'd either go to Vegas as well, or do what Cindy suggested and have your DH go to Vegas and you and DD hop over to Disneyland for a couple of days before rejoining him and continuing with your trip!

 

[jsmith]

For heaven's sake go-if you are not intimidated by driving fair distances you can easily go-stay in Vegas a day or two and then drive to the GC and Sedona. We did this with our kids when they were younger. I seem to recall that it was about 4 hours from Vegas to Flagstaff, which is very nice. We used Flag as our base and drove one day to South Rim of GC and another to Sedona-which was a very pretty drive. They you can go back to Vegas and hook up with DH-or your can family vacation before or after.
All of the hotels in Vegas have great pools and there is really plenty of kid friendlyl stuff to see and do.
Have a great time!

 

[disykat]

I'd say go to Vegas, but plan on taking a side trip while dh is busy with his work. I was in Vegas last fall and didn't feel like it was anyplace I'd purposely take my kids to. That said, I'm sure there would be enough stuff to fill a few days especially if you have your car with you. We were on foot and felt like we would have had to do a lot of walking to avoid passing through lots of smokey casinos. That said, it totally depends on what resort you stay at whether it seems kid friendly or not.

 

[Sherlee]

Thank you all very much for helping me put this into perspective. We are going to try Las Vegas. I looked up some websites and it has changed since I was there ten years ago, seems to have quite a bit for kids to do. We are going to miss out on the Sedona part of the trip, but that gives us an excuse to go back again someday. Since half of the trip will be company paid now, just gives us more for the next Disney vacation.