Inlaws canceled.....now what?

[PaDisney02]

Hi, we r going to disney with my inlaws. We have 2 seperate reservations, but they are linked together. Our reservation is for me, hubby, and our 2 kids ages 2 & 6.
My SIL tells me last night that she is really sorry and disapointed because she has to cancel here trip cuz she isnt going to have the money to pay her balance. Her reservation was for herself and her 3 kids plus my mother inlaw.

I to am disapointed cuz this was supposed to be a big family vacation. My SIL asked me if I would consider taking her oldest daughter with me to Disney. I would not mind taking my neice but I'm not sure how its going to work out. How easy is it to add some1 to your reservation? We are going during free dinig and staying at All Satr Movie. Can 5 people even fit in the room? What about our ADR's? I booked some ADrs for just my family of 4....can I call and add one person to all my ADRs?

I told my SIL that she is going to loose her deposit she made to book the trip, she is hoping that if I take her daughter they can just put her deposit toward adding her daughter to my reservation....do u think they would do that? I'm assuming she will loose her deposit cuz she is canceling her reservation....any suggestions? Thanks

 

[ireland_nicole]

I would call central reservations. If you were paying for your own trip, you should have your own reservation number. Unfortunately, the room at ASMo only accomodates 4 people, so the reservations wouldn't be an issue. If you want to see if there is availablility for accomodations that accept 5, you could try POR (alligator bayou rooms sleep 5 via a trundle bed) or an all star music family suite (sleeps 6) Both of these would significantly increase your cost, though. Although Disney will allow you to postpone your vacation without losing your deposit, I don't believe you can apply your deposit to someone else's reservation.

I'm so sorry about the disappointment. Hope you work this out!

 

[ToddyLu]

She should not loose her deposit if she is still outside her 45 day arrival I would think. We got our money back except for the insurance fee which you cannot recoup after 14 days. I am not sure about 5 to a room at your resort--just call and tell them the situation and ask. You mabe could put DD2 in a crib or something since she is under the age of 3? I am sorry DH and I do not have children. Best of luck to you and let us know what you decide if possible. I am sure your SIL is disappointed, too.

 

[Avonlady1001]

That stinks she has to cancel.

You can have 5 people in your room as All Stars, because your DD is only 2...kids under 3 don't count toward the # in your room.

I'm pretty sure she'll just lose the deposit, unless, like PP said, you're outside the 45days. I doubt they'd transfer it over to your balance.

As far as ADR's, there's a big difference between a table for 4 & a table for 5. Whether or not you get ADR's for 5 depends on the restaurant & availability. It's not a guarantee. As far as I know, you can't just add one. It doesn't hurt to try though.

 

[pigget74]

Actually, you could take her. All rooms sleep 4, but kids under 3 do not count towards that. So you could have you, DH, 6 year old, DN and then your 2 year old. Do not think that they would appply her deposit to your room, since it is a deposit. Now just because the amoung of people would fit does not mean it will be comfy. Those rooms are small. You would have to bring an ait mattress or something since it is only 2 double beds. If you are interested in taking her call Disney before the free dining prmo ends and see what they say. Adding one on the reservation may be harder, but you could always just show up at the door with her, but try to add to all reservations.

 

[Avonlady1001]

Actually, you could take her. All rooms sleep 4, but kids under 3 do not count towards that. So you could have you, DH, 6 year old, DN and then your 2 year old. Do not think that they would appply her deposit to your room, since it is a deposit. Now just because the amoung of people would fit does not mean it will be comfy. Those rooms are small. You would have to bring an ait mattress or something since it is only 2 double beds. If you are interested in taking her call Disney before the free dining prmo ends and see what they say. Adding one on the reservation may be harder, but you could always just show up at the door with her, but try to add to all reservations.

Disney provides pack-n-plays for your 2 year old for free. No air mattress necessary.

 

[PaDisney02]

we called the travel agent today and she said that we can fit my niece in the room with us because my son is 2, so thats not an issue now. I'm just concerned with my ADRs. We r going the first week of free dining and I had a hard time getting my ADRs on my 90th day, I'm affraid I'm going to loose my ADRs cuz I have to add one extra person.

I was thinking of loaning my SIL the money, but I dont know if thats a good idea because i would definitly need her to pay me back and I'm afraid she would stretch it out too long. Thanks for all your input!

 

[Lesley Mahler]

My cousin went this past November with her family of 4, her Mom and her Dad and on the day they were leaving, her sister and her 2 kids decided to go!!! I was able to add her sister and 2 kids to her parents room since they had their own room, but I stayed on the phone for almost 2 hours trying to get her sister and 2 kids into all of their ADR's with no luck. They told me to have them go to the podium at check in and see if they would be able to be seated with them and if they had room, they would seat them. They were able to seat them at everyone of the ADR's. So even if you can't add her to your ADR's, don't give up, try going to the podium w/5 instead of 4, I doubt they'll turn you away!!! Plus, they ended up with all of this luck and it was Thanksgiving week!!! So I'd say your chances would be good!!! Good Luck and have a great trip!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pigget74]

Disney provides pack-n-plays for your 2 year old for free. No air mattress necessary.

I was actually thinking about the DN--not sure of the age, but didn't know if DS would want to share a bed with her. lol

 

[2forMe]

Could your 2 yr old sit in someone's lap at meal times, ore request a high chair... maybe that will not affect your ADR's

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Are the SIL other two kids young enough not to care that you took their big sister to Disney without them?

 

[PaDisney02]

Are the SIL other two kids young enough not to care that you took their big sister to Disney without them?

Her other 2 kids are 1 & 4. My SIL should have never told her kids about this trip if she wasnt sure about going. When I told my hubby (her brother) that she has to cancel his comment was "I could have told you that was gonna happen", so I'm kinda upset with her because, yes, her other 2 children especially her 4 yr old did know about the trip and is excited. For the past couple months everytime we have been together all we have been talking about is the trip. But there isnt room in my car or in my room to take her other children or even her 4 yr old. It's just a sad situation cuz we were all excited about being together.

My MIL was even going, but she was just going to help SIL with her 3 kids. So I'm bummed my MIL isnt going cuz i kinda wanted her to spend some time with my kids. Which is why I was thinking of lending my SIL the money, but I'm afraid she wont be able to repay me and I would definitly need to be paid back eventually. Plus the money she owes to the travel agent isnt the only money she is going to need. I'm afraid she wont have money to spend down there. She should have never agreed to go and had me make all the arrangements if she knew she couldnt afford it. Thanks for everyones input!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Could your 2 yr old sit in someone's lap at meal times, or request a high chair... maybe that will not affect your ADR's

I agree that this might work for you. I've changed a reservation from 3 to 4 before, and they had no problem with it - because 3 people would have been placed at a table for 4 anyway. If your youngest in a highchair, your current ADRs probably have an empty chair (or half booth seat) already.

 

[singnring]

Her other 2 kids are 1 & 4. My SIL should have never told her kids about this trip if she wasnt sure about going. When I told my hubby (her brother) that she has to cancel his comment was "I could have told you that was gonna happen", so I'm kinda upset with her because, yes, her other 2 children especially her 4 yr old did know about the trip and is excited. For the past couple months everytime we have been together all we have been talking about is the trip. But there isnt room in my car or in my room to take her other children or even her 4 yr old. It's just a sad situation cuz we were all excited about being together.

My MIL was even going, but she was just going to help SIL with her 3 kids. So I'm bummed my MIL isnt going cuz i kinda wanted her to spend some time with my kids. Which is why I was thinking of lending my SIL the money, but I'm afraid she wont be able to repay me and I would definitly need to be paid back eventually. Plus the money she owes to the travel agent isnt the only money she is going to need. I'm afraid she wont have money to spend down there. She should have never agreed to go and had me make all the arrangements if she knew she couldnt afford it. Thanks for everyones input!

Not that I condone charging things you can't afford, but if she got the Disney Visa, it would give her the chance to pay for the trip and also give her 6 months to pay it off.

Don't know if she's someone that handles finances well, ao you'd have to make that decision as to whether it is wise to suggest this to her.

It would make it so the kids aren't let down and would simplify the situation for now. But if it will be a financial issue later for her, it isn't worth it.

Just a suggestion to consider. Good luck with it either way!!

 

[PaDisney02]

I called disney dining and unfortuantly we can not add her daughter to our ADRs. They said it doesnt matter if my child is in a high chair, if the restraunt is full there is nothing they can do. We r going the first week of free dinig and on my 90th day it was hard getting ADRs so I kinda figured this would happen. Some of our meals are even booked together (for the whole party of 9). Disney dining said that if those ADRS are booked as one table (some are and some are 2 tables) then we might loose those when we go down to just a party of 4. Now i'm mad about this situation. I do not want to loose my ADRs over this!

The easy thing to do would be to loan her the money but she is not good with finances and has borrowed from ever1 else she knows which is why she can not come up with the money and she doesnt have the credit available on her credit cards. I do have the money in savings to loan her, but I am in the process of openig my own business and I am going to need all the money I have once my business opens up which will be in a few months.

I'm torn...I dont want her kids to be disapointed, I dont want my trip and ADRs to be messed up, but honestly I'm not in the position to lend any1 over a $1000! I guess I'm just venting here I'm gonna have to sit down with my SIL and have a serious talk about this. Thanks again!

 

[JUJU814]

I called disney dining and unfortuantly we can not add her daughter to our ADRs. They said it doesnt matter if my child is in a high chair, if the restraunt is full there is nothing they can do. We r going the first week of free dinig and on my 90th day it was hard getting ADRs so I kinda figured this would happen. Some of our meals are even booked together (for the whole party of 9). Disney dining said that if those ADRS are booked as one table (some are and some are 2 tables) then we might loose those when we go down to just a party of 4. Now i'm mad about this situation. I do not want to loose my ADRs over this!

The easy thing to do would be to loan her the money but she is not good with finances and has borrowed from ever1 else she knows which is why she can not come up with the money and she doesnt have the credit available on her credit cards. I do have the money in savings to loan her, but I am in the process of openig my own business and I am going to need all the money I have once my business opens up which will be in a few months.

I'm torn...I dont want her kids to be disapointed, I dont want my trip and ADRs to be messed up, but honestly I'm not in the position to lend any1 over a $1000! I guess I'm just venting here I'm gonna have to sit down with my SIL and have a serious talk about this. Thanks again!

It is never a good idea to load someone money, especially for something like this, especially when you definitely need it back. I never give out a loan that I can't afford not to get back. If I "loan" my brother money, I would not expect to get it back, and be pleasantly surprised if I did. that way, I'm not hurting financially, and bitterness doesn't brew if his irresponsibility causes him once again to not pay back a loan.

I can only imagine the tough situation you are in. I'm sure you love her sister and it's so kind that you want to help her, but just remember you really need to put your immediate family and needs first..and you shouldn't have to mess up all the ADRs you worked on either. This is your vacation too.

You are right..she never should have agreed to it if she didn't have the financial stuff worked out first.

 

[livndisney]

Personally, I would not loan anyone any money. If she can't pay for the vacation, how is she going to pay you back? Loaning money to family or friends always seems to go bad.

If you can reasonably take your niece, I would. I would keep calling WDW to see if you can add her to your adrs. If nothing else you can arrive early to your ADR and politely ask if she can be added. Hope for some Disney Magic.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

A good rule of thumb is that if you "loan" money to a relative it would be better to look at it as a gift. That way you will be pleasantly surprised if they pay it back.
I am so sorry you are having stress over the trip. If she isnt good with money in the irst place it is pretty doubtful you will get it back. I would also be really uncomortable taking one of her children while the others can't go. My son is 4 and I know he would be crushed if he was looking forward to a trip and then told he couldn't go but someone else could.

This is a tough call. I feel for you.

 

[JUJU814]

A good rule of thumb is that if you "loan" money to a relative it would be better to look at it as a gift. That way you will be pleasantly surprised if they pay it back.
I am so sorry you are having stress over the trip. If she isnt good with money in the irst place it is pretty doubtful you will get it back. I would also be really uncomortable taking one of her children while the others can't go. My son is 4 and I know he would be crushed if he was looking forward to a trip and then told he couldn't go but someone else could.

This is a tough call. I feel for you.

Great rule of thumb!! that's exactly how I do it.

Also, I agree..the poor child that is 4..that is not too young to be disappointed. My dd was 4 last summer when we went and she couldn't wait..I never could take one of my kids but not the others. It seems to me like your SIL has put you in a real predicament.

 

[Nancyg56]

If you want to take your niece this is what I would do. Add her to your reservation, you can then get her dining added onto your package. Then don;t stress your ADR's. Continue to try to add her on, if you cannot just take her to your meal with you and explain that you have one extra. Are you taking a chance? Yes, but honestly, it is a slim one.

When my DS joined us unexpectedly or when my niece was able to join us we explained to the CM's at the restaurants that we had ADR's and they worked with us. I would never suggest that anyone try to circumvent the ADR system by adding or subtracting a guest in order to get a table but there are times when life happens and this seems to be one of those times.

I think that places like the castle may have more of a problem with this but most restaurants are dealing with one more or less all of the time.

Whatever you decide, have a good tme!