Managing points when inviting family...

[dcfromva]

We started going to WDW in 1991. Some of our most memorable vacations have been when our extended family has come along with us. In most of our vacations with extended family members in the past, it usally takes them longer to decide if they could go (usually resulting in a last minute scramble to find a good room rate ).
Now, I have DVC. I have another one of these scenarios going on.... We have 1 week in the summer at BCV reserved for my immediate family Feb UY (ressie is before our 100% banking deadline). I figure if my relatives from the west coast accompany us, we would need another 2 BR. If I made a ressie for the other 2BR now, I would have to borrow. At this point, they are not sure they will be able to come (DSis has a work related conference that same week and she is not certain she can get out of it....).
If I booked the ressie and then I had to cancel under this scenario, could I reallocate the points by taking the borrowed '05 points from my Sister's ressie and put them towards our 2BR ressie and then bank the '04 year's points from our ressie?

Another scenario I was thinking about was booking the ressie with my new '03 SSR points at the 7 month window (if available ). My only dilemma here is my orignal plan was to bank these points (Dec UY) and put them towards a longer stay at SSR in Dec 04 (using the '03 and '04 points together). If we used the SSR points for my sister's family, we would just put off this planned Dec trip for two years.
In order to book the whole ressie for DSis, I would have to borrow '04 SSR points. If I made the ressie and DSis couldn't go, the borrowed points would have to be used by Nov 30th 04! -(I would try to bank as many '03 points as I could, but a cancellation would would really put my timing off for that Dec trip I want to take...)

Or, I guess I could wait a while (I don't have to bank the SSR points for a few months in order to use them for a Dec 04 trip) but we risk not having availability for my sister (or for us if we don't book our Dec 04 trip in a timely manner). Or, I suppose look for a discount on a regular room.... But, the downside to that is I would really like my sister to see how cool DVC is.

I was wondering if these are my only options. What do other people do in uncertain situations like this?
-DC

 

[zulaya]

I have a similar issue. Next year, my parents have said they will come for 4 days - my mom is a teacher - in December. My brothers may come, my sister may come. I have decided I need an extra 2 BR for them.

They have a trip coming in November so I am not going to bombard them with WDW stuff till they get back.

Basically I am going to say that in order for us to go, I have to reserve at 11 months out or we have no prayer of getting in. I'll also explain that this needs to be a committed trip. If they can't go, they need to tell me by the end of August (my 100% booking window) so I don't lost the use of my points.

Maybe you need to tell your family something like this.

I will have to borrow some points (not a lot) if I do this. But I am going to use the current year points for my parents reservations, so if they cancel, I can bank them. And I will use the rest of my current year and borrow some for mine because I KNOW that there's no way I am cancelling my ressie.

 

[pumpkinboy]

That way, you can pay for your stay with rented points and if your Sis cannot come, then you can simply bank this year's points from your account. Since you know that your family is going in the summer, you don't need to worry about the rented points expiring, since you are definately using them; your own points that you are using for DSis's family can then be banked if she cannot come and you need to cancel her ressie. Furthermore, if you can arrange to rent BCV points, you be more confident of getting in during the 11-7 month window and your relatives get the flexibility they need without inconveniencing you (well, except for the cost of the rented points)

just my $0.02

 

[crisi]

Been thinking about this myself lately....

Not sure what I'll end up doing, but I'm considering just renting rooms at BWI (our home is BWVs) to compliment out Villa for the extended family. They will get to see how cool DVC is by visiting our room - and it isn't like the Inn rooms are second class.

We really want to be generous with our points - but its difficult as we really bought enough for us - not enough for our families. If we share too much, we will be looking at an add on. And we don't want to support both sides of the family's vacations.

 

[lenshanem]

Man, who would ahve ever thought planning just the room for a vacation coudl be so mind boggling?!?

This must be a deliema many of us must have. I have two studios booked for next July for my parents and brother. I keep trying to explain to them that although it is very far out I was abel to secure BCv with SAB for that trip at my 11 month window. I also keep on them that it is VERY IMPORTANT they tell me if they can't go 31 days out so I cancel the ressies. I also think they don't quite get that if the dates need to be changed later there si the possibilty I won't eb able to book BCV again.

With DVC you really ahev to prepare far in advance and the majority of peopel don't get it.

We really want to be generous with our points - but its difficult as we really bought enough for us - not enough for our families. If we share too much, we will be looking at an add on. And we don't want to support both sides of the family's vacations.

Thsi si true. We only have enough extra moeny to budget for poinst for ourselves. I think when a coupel of my cousins and even my brother heard we joined they thought they'd be going a lot. Thsi year I'm taking my parenst in December and next year in July along with my brother. I had the extra poinst cause of our add on and banking them. I felt like I needed to explian to them that our next couple years are already planned out and it won't eb until after then that we have extra points to share again. It made me feel odd.

 

[spiceycat]

Shan you are being nice to your family - don't feel odd - if they want to go more often - they can buy dvc points same as you.....

if your family is used to a room - while not get them a studio - explain that if they have made definitely plans then they could also have a 2-bedroom (like yours) - but since they couldn't - I mean a studio is much better than just a hotel room....

see if you can't get them a studio at OKW (save you some points) then have them meet you at BCV for the day at Epcot and see what they say when they see your 2-bedroom.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

This is probably the cheapo in me coming out, but book a nice 2 bedroom for yourself at either VWL, BCV or BWV, then when those that want to join finally decide, let them book rooms in the hotel adjacent to where you are staying, they can probably get a really good package, then you have your place, with kitchen, wash/drye, etc, etc, they can join you for meals, etc, and you don't have the worry of it! This was my mothers suggestion, we had booked a 2 bedroom at VWL for us for Thanksgiving weekend, after about 3 months, my DS decided she wanted to go, I would waitlist for a s studio at VWL or get a 2 br and studio at OKW, I choose OKW, then mom said, why didn't we just get a hotel room at WL, we would still have been really close? Who Knew Mom always knows best!!!!

 

[lenshanem]

If I wasn't so lazy I might start up another spin off thread. It is interesting to see how many handle bringing along others who don't quite understand the DVc basics and how it can affect you.

After I thought about thsi a bit, I then starting worrying about my in-laws and BIL and his wife. UGH! I guess we'll ahve to take them at soem point, too. I really can't stand any of them! I think I'd rather go to a prison work camp with chains on me then go on vacation with them.

My hubby has factored in two to four nighst each spring to take his Dad to Braves spring training or VB. But, at soem point soon MIL is gonna want to go with my gilrs, then there is BIL and his new wife. I'm sure kids will be in that picture soon...

spiceycat, you're right! If they want to go they need to buy their own points!!! LOL They are rolling in the dough anyway. Don't feel too bad about my brother, though. He's pretty poor right now.

It is funny to me how my cousins have a set week timeshare in the mountains and nobody ever assumed it was for anyone but them each year. Why is it many think DVC is just this open call to go as long or as often as you like to WDW? Is it cause of the point system? Maybe if it was a set week each year they wouldn't even think about it. Course, that woudl suck though!

Just goes to show you cna never have enough points! Mayeb one day we can be that family in those Vacation Magic letters with 40 family members going...

 

[crisi]

I suspect it may have something to do with us and not them.

I have a generous nature, so I have indicated to some family members that I hope to be able to treat. We did treat my mother in law this last trip. This leads some people (some justified, some opportunistic) to assume that they will get a turn (some justified - if we can work it they will).

If people want to use your points that you don't want to travel with - don't! I don't like my brother in laws wife. My MIL traveled with us last time and said "wouldn't it be nice if we could bring BIL" I just flat out said I'm not risking my vacation on him bringing his wife. Now, I'd be nicer to her - we will just always have other plans. That isn't hard when we are looking at every other year trips anyway. The list of people we'd like to treat is fairly long - and she is down somewhere around year 43 of the contract.....

 

[crisi]

I suspect it may have something to do with us and not them.

I have a generous nature, so I have indicated to some family members that I hope to be able to treat. We did treat my mother in law this last trip. This leads some people (some justified, some opportunistic) to assume that they will get a turn (some justified - if we can work it they will).

If people want to use your points that you don't want to travel with - don't! I don't like my brother in laws wife. My MIL traveled with us last time and said "wouldn't it be nice if we could bring BIL" I just flat out said I'm not risking my vacation on him bringing his wife. Now, I'd be nicer to her - we will just always have other plans. That isn't hard when we are looking at every other year trips anyway. The list of people we'd like to treat is fairly long - and she is down somewhere around year 43 of the contract.....

 

[lenshanem]

The list of people we'd like to treat is fairly long - and she is down somewhere around year 43 of the contract.....

That is funny Crisi.
You might be right though that it is us and not them.
Ever since we joined I have thsi guilty feeling I need to atke everyoen along at soem point.
I never felt that way when we were staying at WDW resorts before we joined.
I mean we're still paying on the contracts. It is not liek it is free to us.