In-laws Backing Out

[flexsmom]

So after all the threads I've read about family backing out, it's happened to me. We are cruising in December for Christmas with both my parents and my in-laws. In January we discussed pre-cruise plans, and all agreed to go down 3 nights before the cruise to enjoy WDW for a bit, and I offered BCV studios for both couples. They all "seemed" to understand that I had to book at the 11-month window since it is such a popular DVC time, but evidently they didn't get the fact that it's not like calling Holiday Inn and booking or canceling on a whim. I had to borrow a few points into next year, and now they've suddenly decided not to go down early.

I don't want to guilt them into it, and would rather not get into a protracted discussion with my FIL, who likes to think he knows everything about everything as soon as he's read a Wall St Journal article about it. So I told DH I'd rather just let it be and consider renting the studio, which is something we've never done before. I figure I'll be there at the same time as my renter, so maybe that will take some of the uncertainty or trust issue out of it for both of us.....although then again, they have no reason to believe that I'd really be there for them to have words with if I suddenly canceled the ressie!

Anyhow - will I have any trouble changing the name on the reservation if I strike a deal with a renter? Anything I need to take into consideration before I post the availability of the studio for those 3 nights?

Thanks.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

If there is still availability, they can reallocate the points on the ressie to use the borrowed points on the ressie that you are keeping freeing up points to bank if you don't need them. Just an idea.

 

[kimberh]

To change the name on the reservation, you call Member Services, change the name, have the new address and phone number.You will need the names of all staying in the room, ages of children. If your renter needs Magical Express, you will need their flight information...Member Services will make the call. If the renter wants the Disney Dining Plan, You will be the one to set it up with Member Services... MS will give you the dollar amount, you will give it to your renter to pay at check in. You will need a contract, decide a deposit amount (some use half),and when the balance, is to be paid. Then, you will mail your renter the confirmation, that is in their name. You are done at that point. Now, if you don't want to do all of that, try seeing what borrowed points are on which reservation and you use that one (switch names that way), bank the points on the reservation that you are going to cancel. I hope this helps.

 

[CarolMN]

If it were me, I'd explain to the in-laws that it is OK if they don't want to go down early, but that I need to know now (for sure one way or the other) to avoid losing money on the accommodations they wouldn't need. I'd tell them the accommodations become "non-refundable" on a certain date and give them a drop dead date to decide for sure - I'd make that date about a week before my banking window. I'd emphasize that DH & I am HAPPY to treat, but we don't want to pay if they aren't going to go.

Then if they say no to going early, I'd do what the others suggest - make sure the studios that are reserved with the borrowed points are the ones we use (changing names around if necessary). Then I'd cancel the extra studio and bank the points. (And HOPE HOPE HOPE that the in-laws didn't change their minds again)!

Sure hope you aren't paying for the cruise - I'm wondering if they will be backing out of that, too!

Good luck!

 

[Dean]

I'd at least let them know it's not that easy and that it creates an issue for you. If you don't, they'll do this repeatedly. If they're just like that any you're better off letting them make their own plans in the future and if they match up with your's, great, if not, that's life.

 

[mbhoxsie]

This has happened to us a few times in the past... (Both my family and my IL's..)

We are pretty much to the point now where we know who to invite, and who not to...

It's a shame, but you can only get burned so many times.

 

[Chuck S]

I would ask the in-laws if they are sure they do not want to do the WDW portion of the trip. If the answer is "yes" then I would cancel it, and have MS use the borrowed points for the remaining reservations and bank any remaining points. I would also make clear to the in-laws that it is a final decision, then follow through. If later they decide to do WDW, give them the number to CRO and tell them that you hope they can get a room at a reasonable price, but not to count on it.

 

[JimMIA]

I agree with Carol and Chuck, but I'd probably be a little more "self-defensive." If the in-laws have said they're not going, cancel their ressies, use the borrowed points for what you keep and bank the rest. I would not keep asking the question hoping to get a better answer, because they'll change their minds again and mess you up.

I would not go through the hassle of renting, plus the banked points would be worth more to me than the cash I'd get from renting.

If they later change their minds again, you have already banked the points, they cannot be "unbanked" and the only alternative is for them to call "1-800-I'm Paying For This Myself."

There's no reason to get upset with anyone. You made a very generous offer, which they accepted. Upon further consideration, they decided to decline...which is their prerogative. Fine -- cancel and bank -- no harm, no foul, no guilt.

 

[flexsmom]

Thank you for all of the info, particularly about the ability to reallocate points to shift to the borrowed points so I could preseve others by banking those eligible. I will talk to them to be sure this is what they want to do and if so, I'll pursue that option before I try to rent. My in-laws aren't really the WDW type - the mildly laugh at me about the fact that I like it and tease DH about me "dragging him down there" again. They'll have a good time on the cruise, but I doubt they'd ever head to WDW on their own!

 

[dis-happy]

Where do your IL's live and when/how will they be arriving for the cruise? I ask because I planned an extended family trip with cruise and DVC stay during Christmas a couple of years ago. Your IL's are going to want to be in the Orlando (or Pt. Canververal) area the night before the cruise. You might want to double check and see if they at least want that one night, or if they are planning to make their own arrangements for getting down there and getting on the ship. As it was we had a flat tire on the way between WDW and the ship and the whole experience was very stressful. We made it in time to sail but missed lunch on board that day. There have been a lot of other threads where people were flying in the morning of the cruise and missed the boat due to airlines delays. Warn your IL's!

 

[kimberh]

Where do your IL's live and when/how will they be arriving for the cruise? I ask because I planned an extended family trip with cruise and DVC stay during Christmas a couple of years ago. Your IL's are going to want to be in the Orlando (or Pt. Canververal) area the night before the cruise. You might want to double check and see if they at least want that one night, or if they are planning to make their own arrangements for getting down there and getting on the ship. As it was we had a flat tire on the way between WDW and the ship and the whole experience was very stressful. We made it in time to sail but missed lunch on board that day. There have been a lot of other threads where people were flying in the morning of the cruise and missed the boat due to airlines delays. Warn your IL's!

Oh dis-happy, this is so true. Two years ago, I booked a cruise for 38 people to leave for Port Canvernal. Some were wise and spent the night in the town prior to boarding, some arrived right when the ship was getting ready to sail. I was standing on the pool deck, looking down, just as a nervous parent would. My husband and son said," that if I did not chill, I was going to have a miserable time." It turned out to be a wonderful trip, but planning and getting the people on Board was almost more than I could bear. When you provide your own transporation to the ship, it will leave you, if you are not there, when it sails! I-95 could shut down, that ship will sail! We always go a day early, when we book our own transportation.

 

[CarolMN]

.....(snip).....call "1-800-I'm Paying For This Myself." ........(snip)....no guilt.

Thanks for the laugh!