I have an embarrasing situation...

[Ms. WDW]

Last year I mentioned to a friend that there was a possibility my DH would not be able to make our trip to WDW. And, if that happened I would love for her and her son to join us!
She said that even if DH came she and her son could get a room at a near by resort and spend the week with us. Fine.

This morning I mentioned that DH still didn't know what was going on. She replied "well I won't make any ressies until I know what's going on, but I'm also bringing my niece!

Ah, hello here....I can't sleep 5 in a 1 BR!! The invitation was for her son and her!!

Now what do I do? Pray DH comes and they rent a room?????

I nicely explained that my contract clearly states only 4 in a 1BR and that I could not "sneak her in" and let her "sleep on the floor".

I hope I don't loose a friend over this........

 

[PamOKW]

Don't you love it when people add on to your invitation? Seems to happen everywhere from weddings to DVC trips. Well, you've just told her the rules. She said she would pay for her own room if your husband came so maybe you should just get it clear that the additional person maakes it impossible for you to have them in the condo even if your husband doesn't come. However, you will be glad to spend time together with them at WDW and make the trip together, just not staying in the same room. I don't think this should hurt the friendship as long as everyone stays clear on what's happening.

 

[Granny]

I hope I don't loose a friend over this........

A friend who would be upset because you wouldn't break the rules for her? I won't comment on the quality of that friend because it isn't fair without all the information. Also, there are people who just "don't get it" when it comes to following rules.

But you have done the right thing....and yes, you should pray that DH comes and they rent a room!

 

[Chuck S]

Guess they won't be invited back, huh? I just don't understand folks that "add" to invitations.

A few years ago, we had a family member cancel on us at the last minute - the story is that the roads were icy - but were clear to the airport. Unusual ice storms for San Antonio. We were able to switch our flights to fly out the night before because of the weather (they predicted that the airport would be closed the next morning). This woman was packed, ready to go - retired but just "didn't think" she wanted to go the night before and stay one night at a Motel 6 in Kissimmee. (I was driving to the airport - not a problem for her)

Another incident involved friends that wanted to go and stay 2 weeks, so we banked points and took 1 trip instead of our usual 2 or 3. I made the ressies, then they canceled because even though their teen daughter and a friend had saved up money to pay their own meals and park tickets, the parents decided they shouldn't spend the $$$ on WDW.

These folks just can't imagine why they've not been invited back - how clueless can people be?

 

[DVC-Don]

Last winter we invited my sister to stay with us at OKW. The day she is to show, she calls in the morning and told us she invited one of our cousins and his wife. The first thing I said was No! . She replied that she had already asked. I just told her to call them back. They wound up paying cash for a studio also at OKW. We could have fit them in, but I do not put up with people taking advantage of us.

 

[lehrsj]

A couple of years ago I was checking on making a reservation in a two bedroom unit at OKW for 5 - 2 adults and 3 children. (not an infant) There weren't any two bedrooms but there were 1 bedroom units. The person at member services suggested that maybe I could just take the 1 Bedroom and bring along an air mattress for one of the children.

I got the feeling that even though the rules say 4 persons if there's an occational circumstance where you break the rules a little no one is going to turn into the Gestapo (spelling?) and kick one of your guests out of the room.

So if you want to allow someone to sleep on the floor I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Chuck S]

While what lehrsj is true, and there really are times that you're stuck in a bad situation and you COULD maybe use an air mattress - I'd be sure that the resort is aware of the extra person. What really burns me up is when people that members invite just think it is an "open invitation" for anyone else in their family to come.

Ms WDW, if you are comfortable with having someone on an air mattress, and feel you're sort of "stuck" then do it. If, on the other, the very thought of it makes you uncomfortable, just be firm with your "friend" - she IS in the wrong feeling free to invite someone else without discussing the rules and regs with you. You should be relaxed during your trip, not having issues.

What resort are you staying at? I've only stayed at OKW, but I know the other resorts have smaller rooms...do you think an air mattress would fit OK? I'd advise my friend to make a ressie NOW, that it is easy to obtain a refund of her deposit if the room isn't needed - assuming of course you're DH would know a week or so before you leave whether he can go with you.

 

[Scoootch]

I think the problem really is that you felt "put on the spot"with your friend inviting an extra guest without asking you if it was okay first. While I agree with the last poster that an air matress and one person over the occupancy limit probably isn't a big deal, if it were me, I'd feel uncomfortable not knowing for sure if it were okay to do that. (I don't have a problem with anyone doing this) Just for me, I'd feel much better knowing I'm not breaking any rules. You could always call and find out if that would be okay if you like that idea but if you aren't comfortable with it either, I would just tell your friend outright that you wished she had checked with you first because you the unit you have booked only allows 4 people and you aren't comforable with sneaking an extra person in or breaking any rules. After all, you are the member and the vacation home is booked in your name - she is your guest. If she wants to still bring the extra person, I would simply tell her you are fine with it as long as she doesn't mind booking her own room and you can all still spend the week together. You need to feel comfortable and be able to enjoy your vacation - worry free. You shouldn't feel bad about setting her straight. If anything, she should feel badly about not having cleared it with you first. And if you loose a friend because of it, then it doesn't sound like she is was much of a friend in the first place. I'm sorry but it would be her loss. I hope everything works out for you. It's always tough when you feel like you are between a rock in a hard place, but it really wasn't fair of your friend to put you in that postion to begin with.

Good luck - I'm sure it will all work out.

 

[spiceycat]

I left you a pm (private message) - hope this works for you!

 

[Granny]

Oh gosh, let's not take this into an occupancy discussion, please!!

I've thought a little more about this and I think part of the issue may be the concept that others have of DVC. They may think it is a standard time share...with condo-like accommodations. And many of them don't care much about room occupancy limits.

So they might honestly have thought it was no big deal. But if they are informed that it is against the rules and still want to invite the extra person....well, that's a different deal.


In any event, the "add-a-person" mentality to invitations is hard to understand!

 

[Ms. WDW]

Granny you hit it on the head. She has no clue that the DVC is "not a typical timeshare" and we do have rules and regulations. I don't think it ever occurred to her that there was a
limit as to how many can occupy a 1 BR unit.

Well, we'll see what happens. I did tell her nicely that I can't sleep 5 in the unit. So time will tell......

Thanks all for the replies.

 

[TnRobin]

I agree - do not turn this into an occupancy thread. The original poster did not ask if she should put up the 5th person.



My opinion on the matter - if she is bringing her neice, then she is renting a room for the neice.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Granny
I've thought a little more about this and I think part of the issue may be the concept that others have of DVC. They may think it is a standard time share...with condo-like accommodations. And many of them don't care much about room occupancy limits.

Actually many timeshares are very strict on occupancy limits. I had friends that went to HH and stayed in a 3 BR withint Shipyard Plantation. They had to sign a contract that if they were over, they would get down to the required number within one hour or pay a fine (?$200). On the second occurance, they would all be required to leave. I know of several others that hold very strictly to the occupancy and don't know of any that specifically look the other way other than DVC. I'm sure there are others that don't care.

 

[Chuck S]

Another way to take everyone, although it would be less comfortable for your family, would be to try switching your ressie to 2 studios at OKW - studios there have 2 queen beds and are "roomy" enough for 3 folks in each room. Of course, you would lose the full kitchen, jacuzzi, and washer/dryer in room. Your quandry over occupancy would be solved, everyone gets to WDW, and you still have a reasonably comfortable room - another advantage would be separate key cards with separate charging privileges. We've done this when taking friends to WDW, and it works out well for us (we don't cook too much in the room anyway). This is assuming, of course, that you won't be traveling during major holidays and studios are still available.

 

[Ms. WDW]

I thought about this situation over the weekend and my answer still stays; I can't have 5 in a 1 BR Unit.

I thought about switching to 2 Studios as one person mentioned. But I do enjoy the convienence of the washer and dryer plus I'd loose out on the kitchen.

Thank you all for your input....

If she's upset, well so be it. She should have asked first!

Happy Thanksgiving Early To All!!!

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by Ms. WDW
I thought about this situation over the weekend and my answer still stays; I can't have 5 in a 1 BR Unit.

I thought about switching to 2 Studios as one person mentioned. But I do enjoy the convienence of the washer and dryer plus I'd loose out on the kitchen.

Thank you all for your input....

If she's upset, well so be it. She should have asked first!

Happy Thanksgiving Early To All!!!

Good for you for sticking to your guns. No reason you should have to give up your kitchen and washer/dryer because someone else overstepped their welcome.

Hope it goes well when you break the news to your "friend"...

 

[colleen costello]

We have stayed in the studios at OKW and BCV and while they are GREAT, I would hate to downgrade from a 1-bedroom to accomodate a kid you don't even know. I hate to admit it, but I am not a flexible kind of woman. I wouldn't want to stay in a room with an extra person I didn't really know. At least you would have the privacy of the bedroom, but still... I think your friend did your generous self a disservice.

Miss Manners is a hero of mine. She always knows just how to handle rude people and uncomfortable situations. She always says it is perfectly alright to be assertive, just never rude. She would say it is fine to tell your friend ONCE about the 4-person rule. After that, keep repeating "I am so sorry it's simply not possible." You don't need to explain yourself as this is YOUR dvc!

Hope it works out.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Miss Manners is a hero of mine

.

I love it! Nicely put Colleen - I'll have to remember what "Miss Manners" says!!