Inviting the family HELP

[DVCTiff]

I have read the thread about the perils and pleasures of bringing your extended family along to enjoy WDW, and my DH and I decided that we wanted to do it in 2006. We've mentioned it to his brothers and sisters, but now I feel I have to write something down to send them explaining how this would work. Of course, no one's going to know when they can take vacation a year-and-a-half from now, but at least the two sisters in school can start thinking about it.

Does anyone have samples of letters/invitations they've written their friends/families? I don't want to leave anything out, and I'm not really sure how much info is too much at this time, i.e. should I give them ballpark ticket prices already so they can decided if they can even afford to come?

I can see how this can become an emotional landmine if we're not careful (should the youngest girls be allowed to bring their boyfriends, etc.), but we'll deal with all those issues once we get a date and a reservation, I guess.

Thanks for the help!

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Leave them all at home.

Ha! Not really.

I would just tell them the price of PH and include a couple of different options (preorder through Disneystore or Ticketmania versus buying a length of stay pass at DVC)

Then include a rough idea of food costs--we budget $150 per day.

I assume you are taking care of the room?

I plan to buy an Unofficial Guide for our guests next summer and to order the Disney Planning video for them so they can see what it's all about.

I will schedule an itinerary for my own family and share it with them--they are welcome to join us or to do their own thing.

For PS's, I plan to schedule a few for the whole group but with separate tables--4 tables of 4 as an example. Then if people no show, my family still has a table.

Even though I will tell them about prepurchasing PH tickets, I'm sure some of them will show up and pay full gate price. But that is their problem, not mine.


Good luck with your trip!!!

 

[dallastxcpa]

On the issue of boyfriends/girlfriends, I would not feel obligated to invite these people unless they were considered significant others (living together, engaged, or married).

Now don't flame me I am not saying I condone living together, but you have to draw the line or you will wind up with each person asking to bring someone.

 

[Figment2]

Here's the problem I've run into. Everyone wants to go when you first mention it. They even put the dates on their calendar! Then as the dates get closer and closer, life interferes. All of a sudden it's too busy at work, not a good time to take off, the kids need new braces, etc.

No matter how many times you tell them you need to know DEFINITELY before the 30 day mark hits, you'll hear the "We really want to go but we don't know..."

The only thing I can figure out is they feel you're not "paying" for the room so what difference does it make.

Invite them but have them make their own arrangements. This way you're not tearing your hair out with the "we need a one bedroom - no, a two bedroom - may be another studio."

Sorry to sound so cynical but this past March I thought I was going to go crazy!

Cyn

 

[janette]

I'm working on an extended family trip for 2005, it's been a scheduling nightmare. It's really hard to find a week that everyone can go. My 12yo DD is one of the hardest to schedule so that has also been an issue. I'm not sure yet if it will work out.

I'm using my DVC points so that will cover the hotel, planning to stay at OKW.

We will not be doing everything together, everyone will be in groups of age / interests. I'd like to do at least a few events like the night shows & parades with everyone.

It is hard to get anyone to commit and we less than a year away right now.

Good luck, I believe it can be done and hopefully will succeed.

 

[eeyore kelly]

I agree with having them make their own plans. i also think that needs to be a time you start mentally crossing people off the list. I am making my hotel reservations in February. Any one who does not make their reservations in February will be considered "not going."

 

[mudnuri]

Stupid double post!

 

[mudnuri]

Well I haven't done a WDW trip with everyone, however I have planned/booked extended family trips for DH's family for the last 8 years!

We always travel together as a family, DH's 3 brothers, their wives, and kids,and DMIL (DFIL use to come, till the divorce). We try to go every 18 months or so..

Usually what I'll do is ask at a gathering- "where do you want to go"...everyone gets a vote, even the kids. Whichever place receives the most votes, wins. The last one was Mexico.

I then researched a few all-inclusives. Sent for enough brochures for each family...then we voted again. Which ever won- we went to.

All of our kids are in the same school district, so calendars match. Yes, we all live within 10-15 mintues of one another !

We've never had a problem doing this, but DH's family is extreamly close to begin with. the last 4-5 times, we've rotated "who pays"..LOL talk about close. One brother pays for the plane tickets/hotels for everyone. Then the next year, a different one does!...

We have a blast each time we go, however it's difficult if you raise your children differently. I am very strict with mine. "no you may not run up and down the resort hallways"...where other SILS' are "sure- just get outta here"....that does make it hard, but as my kids are getting older, they're getting more responsible on their own, and know better.

good luck!

Brandy

 

[Reginak]

I have planned two family trips. Both had and have their headaches. First, after my DFIL died in Dec., a year and a half ago, I suggested family go on trip in Jan. or Feb. to help in-laws get through holidays without dwelling on loss too much. All wanted to go to WDW except for two. After much back and forth and attempted manipulation by DSIL, we went to WDW and they all had the time of their lives. I was a nervous wreck.

This year I am stupidly trying again with my own family. I started discussions a year in advance. (They think that I am nuts planning this far in advance, but I have repeatedly explained with some exaggeration that the only chance of getting rooms together or a BWV GV in January was to plan well in advance.) I made the reservations in June; discussed ticket prices and budgets as well as the availability of a kitchen should my DSIL and her family need to cook in order to keep down expenses.

Their budget is tight so I suggested that they divide the projected amount of tickets, airfare and food by the number of days that we have remaining to the trip. I know that if they come up short; my DBIL will not come and possibly the entire family.

January is the last month in our use year; we will be wasting approximately a years points if they don't go. But I have resolved to enjoy our BWV GV whether 9, 5 or my family of three are the only ones to show up and not sweat the points.

I have also resolved that I will not be inviting family or friends for many years to come. It is waaaaaayyyyyyyy too much trouble.

I will probaby keep that promise to myself for about three months,
make that minutes ...................................hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................................Hey, I wonder if so-in-so would like to go next year???

WDW is such a treasure you just have to share it with everyone you love, and DVC allows us to that. I actually think that the return trips will be much easier because my family and friends will know "the score."

Regina

 

[DVCTiff]

Thanks so much for all your great responses. Sounds like a necessary evil to me, but I'll do it this once and then try to break it up into smaller groups in future years. Good luck to everyone!