Lost my chance to help!

[maburke]

I know you DVC planners would have sympathy for me. My department's admin assistant, who has two young boys the same age as mine, has never been to WDW. I have always told her that if ever she was interested, I would love to help her plan it, get a DVC reservation, maybe even join her. Well, last Friday, when I was on a business trip, her husband told her that they should use their tax refund on a trip for spring break. That very day, she called Disney and booked (and paid for!) the whole trip, booked into Pop Century!

Since they're going the week before Easter, I don't think I'd find much available, even if I could take the time off to join them. So I'll just have to do my best planning help in advance.

 

[disneynutz]

Don't bother. People are people and your friend doesn't want help. I have been through this a million times. You offer a deal or help to someone and they ignore all of your efforts, or better yet come back to you and complain.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

 

[allshookup]

Don't bother. People are people and your friend doesn't want help. I have been through this a million times. You offer a deal or help to someone and they ignore all of your efforts, or better yet come back to you and complain.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

It's so true! I try to help people all the time, but people find the whole discount thing too confusing? We had neighbors go this past November & they took the kids out of school for the week so it wasn't like they picked a vacation week or anything, they could've picked anytime they wanted but they picked Jersey week, the one week that no discounts were being offered. She called me & said her "friend" got free dining the week before, but Disney won't give it to her. I don't know what she thought I was going to do about it!

Plus they were surprised when they found out we were going a few weeks beforehand when the kids had a 5 day weekend due to Yom Kippur, Staff development & Columbus Day & it was during MNSSHP & F&W. "Oh I didn't know they had 5 days off!" Do people not research anything? How much trouble is it to look up the school calendar?

 

[rkwier]

I have a different perspective. My DMIL owns "another" timeshare. She always says that we are weclome to go, but we just do not feel right about going unless we are specifically invited. (i.e. We are planning a trip on x date and were wondering if you would like to come.) Perhaps your co-worker feels like she would be unfairly taking advantage of you. Just a thought...

 

[maburke]

I have a different perspective. My DMIL owns "another" timeshare. She always says that we are weclome to go, but we just do not feel right about going unless we are specifically invited. (i.e. We are planning a trip on x date and were wondering if you would like to come.) Perhaps your co-worker feels like she would be unfairly taking advantage of you. Just a thought...

Yeah, I get that, but she could have just said, "We're thinking about going to WDW," and I would have run with it from there! But I went from thinking that they'd never be interested in going to hearing that it's all paid for in one day.

Sorry for the whining. Thanks for listening.

 

[rkwier]

I understand completely. I think that my feelings would be hurt also.

 

[bobbiwoz]

maburke, especially since your co-worker has never been to Disney she doesn't have a clue even about how you can help. I hope you don't feel bad, just take the time to plan another get away for you!

Also, once a co-worker of DH's was going to WDW for the 4th of July week. She and her family never had been either, but it turns out that they had a wonderful time. They had the foresight to hire a professional planner.

Bobbi

 

[carol1231]

Some people are more receptive to help than others. I figure that everyone knows that I'm a disney junkie, and if they need advice, they know where to find me. Just let them know if they have questions, you will probably have the answers.

 

[JimMIA]

I'd let it go. You offered -- for whatever reason, they didn't take you up on your offer. I can think of a hundred reasons why they might not have wanted help -- the most important of which is noone else is them.

They are planning their trip and they'll have the trip of a lifetime.

If they need inside scoop now that they've made their initial arrangements, they know where you work. Wish them well and enjoy their trip reports when they return.

And don't play woulda, coulda, shoulda...even if you're right. Actually, don't get involved in that silliness especially if you're right!

 

[maburke]

They had the foresight to hire a professional planner.

Wow, there is such a thing?! I think I've found a new career!!

My feelings aren't really hurt, I just think you're right, people who haven't been there before don't realize that a few decisions can make a big difference. We hosted my SIL and family once at OKW; we started the trip with 3 days together, then went home while they had 2 more days. They said the last 2 days were miserable, they spent 90% of their time on transportation and in lines, because they didn't have any sense about how to do it without us. Ever since then, I'm much more specific with my planning advice, and then people can take it or leave it. But I definitely will NOT play woulda, coulda, shoulda when they return!