It Finally Happened - They Flaked!

[RoseGold]

I remember reading this years ago about why you shouldn't get a timeshare at all. People just think it's free and they'll just no-show on you. Well, I just got my first flake. Months and months of work and stalking. Hundreds of points.

So, now I have to decide if I want to cancel the trip or stay in a giant, too expensive room by myself. Gotta say, two VGF2 studios look better and better as a solution. At least I could just cancel one. I'm really disappointed. I bought DVC planning to treat some family and make this great group experience for the kids. I get it. Tickets are expensive. Airfare is expensive. Maybe my plan isn't going to work after all. This feels bad man.

 

[cm8]

I remember reading this years ago about why you shouldn't get a timeshare at all. People just think it's free and they'll just no-show on you. Well, I just got my first flake. Months and months of work and stalking. Hundreds of points.

So, now I have to decide if I want to cancel the trip or stay in a giant, too expensive room by myself. Gotta say, two VGF2 studios look better and better as a solution. At least I could just cancel one. I'm really disappointed. I bought DVC planning to treat some family and make this great group experience for the kids. I get it. Tickets are expensive. Airfare is expensive. Maybe my plan isn't going to work after all. This feels bad man.

 

[cm8]

Unfortunately things like this sometimes happen. Do you know why they decided not to travel again? Will this decision change how you invite family/ friends in the future?

Are you able to cancel one reservation and keep the other without affecting your trip?

Are you able to bank the points without repercussions?

 

[RoseGold]

It's a 2BR, lots of the points were banked. I could try to book something else. I'm just so disappointed.

They're VGF points, so I guess I could rent them while VGF has priority at VGF2... Still, this isn't what I wanted. This was a lot of points, and I really wanted this trip to happen.

 

[Bjaiken77]

I’m sorry. That sucks. I have the same concerns about booking extra room for friends and family. I doubt they understand how far in advance you have to plan and the fact that you can’t just change quickly for an almost equal alternative.

It's a 2BR, lots of the points were banked. I could try to book something else. I'm just so disappointed.

They're VGF points, so I guess I could rent them while VGF has priority at VGF2... Still, this isn't what I wanted. This was a lot of points, and I really wanted this trip to happen.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Ugh, that would be extremely disappointing. We also bought with visions of treating family and friends to DVC stays, either with us or on their own. My wife already has the trip in a 2 BR next fall with my son's family all planned out (our granddaughter's first trip), though we don't have it booked yet. We would be crushed if the trip didn't happen for some reason, regardless of how it would affect our points.

I hope you're able to work out a trip that you'll enjoy

 

[disneyforsix]

I just has a similar thing happen with a cabin in Broken Bow. Everyone was good to go 3 days before arrival. I purchased all the food for the group (total of 17) and had already paid for the rental. Then all of a sudden 5 or the 17 dipped. The rest of the group split the food costs, but I was still left with paying for 3 extra bedrooms that weren't needed. And when it is family - what do you do? Suck it up, smile, and know for next time to make them pay a deposit, lol.

Sorry about your trip! Hopefully you can find something smaller for you and/or rent out the points and get some money back.

 

[robinb]

BTDT, had the points go into holding. At least you can cancel and get your points back. Use the banked points to make a reservation you can use and then bank this UYs points into next UY for later use. It really sucks but people just don't understand the limitations of using DVC points.

Oh, and I would go and text the friend/relative all kinds of photos of you having a blast without them.

 

[MinBz]

I’m so sorry this happened to you. Very disappointing. Families just don’t understand the months long (sometimes over a year) planning it takes to have a magical Disney vacation. I booked 2 Studios and a 1 bedroom for our June trip just in case my family flaked.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

I’m so sorry this happened to you. Very disappointing. Families just don’t understand the months long (sometimes over a year) planning it takes to have a magical Disney vacation. I booked 2 Studios and a 1 bedroom for our June trip just in case my family flaked.

Brilliant!

 

[CarolMN]

So sorry. I hope you can somehow find the lemonade.

Someone once posted that the only way to prevent this is to make sure the guests have some skin in the game up front - i.e., tickets, non-refundable airfare, etc. Of course, not talking about medical issues or other last minute unforeseen events.

Again, sorry. It makes one feel taken advantage of, especially when it is family

 

[808blessing]

bummer! once i gifted our babysitter's family a hotel night (not dvc). they hated it becAuse it wasn't their thing afterall (they didn't know it until they were there). The spouse complained so much that they went home a few hours after checking in. they had greater issues but still. I would have appreciated using that fabulous stay.

 

[sndral]

My brother & his wife were all gung ho a couple of years ago & then a couple of months before the trip he pulled out. This was a 2 br. lock off at AKV & MS actually offered to let me keep the 1 br. part & return my points for the studio part - but we decided to just keep it as a 2 br. & ended up enjoying the extra space.
In spring of 2020 I was set to visit WDW w/ a girlfriend w/ me providing a 2 br. for us when WDW shut down & canceled our reservation - we had airfare paid for, ADRs, tickets, etc. - different cause, same disappointment though
Sorry this happened, are there other family members or friends who might be thrilled to go to WDW & can afford to do so?

 

[kandlsutton]

It's a 2BR, lots of the points were banked. I could try to book something else. I'm just so disappointed.

They're VGF points, so I guess I could rent them while VGF has priority at VGF2... Still, this isn't what I wanted. This was a lot of points, and I really wanted this trip to happen.

Since they are VGF points, you could try and get the resort studio for yourself while there is still home resort priority, assuming your trip is after June opening. If extra points that can’t be banked, would probably book resort studio for fall frenzy and rent it out.

 

[nuhusky123]

This may not be realistic but one possible path in the future

book your dates, then make whomever you bring buy a non refundable airfare ticket within 30 days of your booking

this means they have $ skin in the game and if they fail to uphold their end no harm no foul you can cancel and bank the points. And if they still bail then it means they are out $ so cancelling on their part is a little more serious

this may seem harsh to ask of a family member but it may be necessary as A precaution to protect your interests

 

[gregskellington]

Sorry to hear that, that's awful. I bought a smaller contract first, with plans to add on to treat family/friends. Literally the first trip showed me that was going to be a source of problems and decided DVC is just for me. People suck.

 

[lowlight]

I had it happen to me, it sucks. Points, time, energy, those all suck to waste, but what really upset me was my kids missing out on the experience and then seeing other large families somehow making it work.

 

[mistysue]

I'm sorry, that sucks. People are mean, or frustrating, or any other number of unpleasant things we need to call them before we move on and like them again.

I appreciate your posting this though, It's a good reminder to book people separate rooms, or not get too far in to re-plan if there's any chance they might not be 100% sure thing.

 

[BroganMc]

We've all been through it, especially in the early days of our ownerships. It takes a while for family and friends to understand you're serious when you talk about the limitations and the rules.

Some things I do is make a trip plan for myself first and foremost. I will get more rooms or space for other people if they want to join me, but they have a firm cutoff date of 32 days in advance. Or my banking deadline. Depending on what comes first.

If a wig out let me at the last minute there better be a doctor's note. Otherwise I will remember and hold it against them for Future travel. Meaning I will not be booking them a room.

Eventually you figure out which family and friends are serious about a Disney trip. You will end up with people who are thrilled with a chance of a last-minute reservation. And they will happily treat you to meals as a thank you. Then you have the opposite problem. Too little space and more people then you can handle wanting to join you.

I just got back with a week's vacation at Disney World. It was only supposed to be me and two others. I ended up having nine people there and three rooms. As soon as I said I wanted to go, they all signed on.

And if you don't have any family or friends that love Disney as much as you, then remember you bought DVC for yourself. You enjoy it. I promise you you're not the only one. There are a lot of us gathering at the world all year long.

 

[lizziepooh]

What reason did they give for cancelling? I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. It does take so much time planning everything.