I need suggestions and/or encouragement ...LONG

[TriMom]

What is it that everyone says - oh yeah! Don't ever invite people with you!

Accutally, I am really looking forward to spending 8 nights with our friends in a 2 BR. The crew will consist of me, DH, DS (2), DS (baby) Friend, DS(3), DD (1), oh and friend's grumpy, anti-Disney DH (herin lies the problem)

The grumpy DH will have a great time once he gets there, he is just opposed to vacations in general. We had originally planned to go January 2007. Then I decided that I didn't want to chance not being able to swim or water park, so I suggested moving it up to Sept. Sept. didn't work out, so now we are going in Oct. - Food and Wine Festival (The other part of the problem)

The grumpy DH only agreed to the whole plan if we could stay in an EPCOT resort. He likes boats. Not a problem in January. BIG Problem in Oct. I NEED a 2 BR at BWV or BCV for any week in Oct. We aren't picky. If this fails, I could probably get away VWL. If we end up at OKW or SSR the grumpy DH will sell thier park tickets on EBAY - OK, he won't really sell them, but we will have to listen to grumpy DH grump constantly for the next 8 months. I would like to save my friend from that.

Don't get me wrong. I love the grumpy DH. He's actually a really cool guy. We get along great. He just hates all vacations and has sworn this it the last one ever. (I don't really believe him)

So on the the actual problem (I warned you this was long):

How do I get a 2 BR at BWV or BCV in Oct. at 7 months?

 

[cobbler]

This is exactly why I won't invite anyone to join us and we provide the rooms. They can find their own and go the same time we do if they want.

I have seen posts before where people swap out points. Maybe someone will swap out some BC or BWV points for your points so you can make that reservation at the 11 month window.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

We've had pretty good luck taking friends with us, but I'm frank with our guests about how it all "works", that there are certain expectations, not the least of which is that we aren't compelled to spend every waking moment together.

A couple of thoughts: Go ahead and schedule your vacation for when and where you want (and, of course, the Epcot resorts are all about the Food and Wine festival, and you may get lucky), and assist the other family in finding some lodging for themselves, and y'all can hang out together, as appropriate, in your villa.

If said grumpy DH likes boats, I think the sole DVC property on "big water," the VWL, has the best marina. While you can't throw open your windows and gaze at Bay Lake, you've got easy access to boating activities.

You don't want some ol' sorehead messing with your good time. *sigh* I live for vacations, so I guess I'm a little less tolerant than I should be.

 

[J and R's mom]

I think your chances are pretty good on the waitlist but you never know for sure.

However, my experience is with booking the last week of Nov/first week of Dec (another DVC prime vacation time). We own at SSR and made reservations for our 2br at the 11 month window at SSR so that I knew we were guaranteed somewhere to stay. Then, the day the 7 month window opened up, I called and waitlisted at BWV and BCV all views. Within one week (and I'm not kidding) BWV preferred view became available. I took it but stayed on the waitlist for BCV. Two weeks later, BCV became available and I took that one.

I did not waitlist day-by-day as many do. I didn't want to run the risk of having to switch resorts mid-stay and then switch back, but that's a personal call on your end.

Good luck.

 

[JimMIA]

Don't get me wrong. I love the grumpy DH. He's actually a really cool guy.

Well, I guess he may be. However, where I come from, people who are accepting free vacation accommodations don't go around adding a bunch of stipulations which have to be met for them to accept the generosity of others.

If you are providing lodging, I'd give him a reality check. (Actually, I wouldn't even do that; but for the sake of discussion I'll continue) Tell him you will certainly take his desires into consideration, but it's a tough time of the year and you will do the best you can and he will just have to get over it.

If that's not okey-dokey for him, or if he's paying for his own lodging somehow, direct him to the Rent/Trade Board. He can get a great bargain there, and might be able to find a BCV/BWV owner who can book in the 11 month window for him.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd get a two bedroom at OKW to give him more room to hide from the rest of the group. With the two bedroom lockoff, there is a second closet in the second bedroom. He could hide out there all week. They do have boats at OKW. Plus the golf course.

 

[Cinderella]

I would tell him to get lost. Honestly - what a cheek he has. You choose where you are staying and don't stress over having to get accommodations of his choice at the 7 month window. He is getting free accommodations! If it were me, I would tell him that if he likes boats that much - just go on a cruise. I know you maybe want to please your friend, but this is ridiculous

 

[TriMom]

Thanks for all the support guys. We have a vacation planning meeting where I will explain things fully as they are. I really am not that bummed, and the excitement of the rest of the family more than makes up for it. I guess that I just really wanted to spread the pixie dust hoping to turn the world into the Disney fanatic that I am, but I guess that we can't all be Disneyholics!

This is trip 3 of 4 for us this year - thanks to banked points and AP's. So, for us, the trip is not about going to Disney. It's about spending time with our friends, watching our boys play together, and just generally relaxing.

I am just really focused on making this extra special. And thanks to everyone's posts, I realized that I am too focused on all the small details. Yes there will be a little disappointment if we don't end up at an EPCOT resort. Heck, I will be disappointed! But I know that when we finally get there, and we are having a glass of wine on the balcony, laughing about what we did that day, it won't matter what resort we are at.

So I am letting go of some of my control issues, and instituting a no grumping rule.

I still going to try hard to get an EPCOT resort

 

[CarolMN]

Why not wait and see if you can get the 2 bedroom when your 7 month window opens? If it were me, I'd call day by day as soon as MS opens. Bet you can get either BCV or BWV (PV - Pool/Garden) if you call day by day.

Nothing you can do beyond that - even if you suceed, the grumpy one will just find something else to complain about anyway.

Best wishes -

 

[go cowboys]

I would get a two bedroom at BWV... and then a nice room in say Detroit for Grumpy. You would probably have a much better time.

Sorry Detroit!

 

[Simba's Mom]

What is it that everyone says - oh yeah! Don't ever invite people with you!

Accutally, I am really looking forward to spending 8 nights with our friends in a 2 BR. The crew will consist of me, DH, DS (2), DS (baby) Friend, DS(3), DD (1), oh and friend's grumpy, anti-Disney DH (herin lies the problem)

The grumpy DH will have a great time once he gets there, he is just opposed to vacations in general. We had originally planned to go January 2007. Then I decided that I didn't want to chance not being able to swim or water park, so I suggested moving it up to Sept. Sept. didn't work out, so now we are going in Oct. - Food and Wine Festival (The other part of the problem)

The grumpy DH only agreed to the whole plan if we could stay in an EPCOT resort. He likes boats. Not a problem in January. BIG Problem in Oct. I NEED a 2 BR at BWV or BCV for any week in Oct. We aren't picky. If this fails, I could probably get away VWL. If we end up at OKW or SSR the grumpy DH will sell thier park tickets on EBAY - OK, he won't really sell them, but we will have to listen to grumpy DH grump constantly for the next 8 months. I would like to save my friend from that.

Don't get me wrong. I love the grumpy DH. He's actually a really cool guy. We get along great. He just hates all vacations and has sworn this it the last one ever. (I don't really believe him)

So on the the actual problem (I warned you this was long):

How do I get a 2 BR at BWV or BCV in Oct. at 7 months?

I used to have one of those "grumpy DH"'s. I didn't think the word "vacation" was in his vocabulary. How long have you been a member of DVC? If you're a fairly new member, keep up the faith-it could change! One reason we joined DVC (a pretty major reason, actually) was that DH was anti-vacation and knew he should change since it wasn't healthy, and besides I nagged him about it and I think he was sick of my nagging! Thankk goodness DVC did exactly what I hoped-made DH look forward to vacations-maybe there's hope of it happening for you too.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We always drive. As we are pulling out of the Driveway, we implement the "Disney Rules". No whining, no crying, no griping, etc. Anyone who starts one of these gets reminded immediately of the Disney Rules. It actually seems to work for us.

 

[DisFlan]

Stay where it makes YOU happy to stay. If Grumpy has a problem with it - tuff tootie. Leave him in the room to grump as much as he likes.


DisFlan

 

[dianeschlicht]

People like your "Grumpy" can always find something to be unhappy about, so just plan they way you like, and don't give a thought about one "Grumpy". Maybe buy him one of those cute "Grumpy" tees we see at WDW! BTW, ALL of the DVC resorts have water. BWV and BCV have the lagoon, but SSR and OKW have a great waterway, and VWL has the lake too. I do believe they all have watercraft to rent as well (not sure about SSR though).