My family is already making me nuts!

[bonybroad]

I am planning the grand gathering for Dec.
We sat down with our little planners, everyone discussed it back and forth, blah blah.
I FINALLY get through to MS on Jan 5 to book the entire trip - 3 rooms at SSR, got the 5 through the 11, PHEW!
Guess what? The other two parties want to change the dates! They want the 6 -10th now! I have to try to get through to MS again (which I have been trying all day and it rings busy!) to cancel two days of the 7 I have booked. This had better not be a trend for this trip!
I hope someone who was trying to book these dates can use them. It's a 2br and 2 studios at SSR.
Just a vent...

 

[Chuck S]

I have rules...once the dates you agreed to are booked, no changes unless it is an emergency. No changes, cancellation only, and no repeat invitation. So far, there are two extended family groups that will not be invited back.

 

[tomandrobin]

I have rules...once the dates you agreed to are booked, no changes unless it is an emergency. No changes, cancellation only, and no repeat invitation. So far, there are two extended family groups that will not be invited back.

I am with you, once we discuss everything and agree, I take charge and its done.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Send MS an e-mail to cancel the dates...don't stress yourself by dealing with the phones. Or wait awhile (weeks, months) if you want to call, there are definitely saner times of the year to get through.

That would be a disappointment to me. Apparently they weren't listening to you and you thought they were. I don't know what I would do, except to make it very clear that no more changes except to cancel (their reservation, I would be so happy to go with just my family at that point!).

Bobbi

 

[TomD]

I wouldn't cancel the dates till you get closer to the trip. U never know if they will change their minds again. Better to be safe then sorry

 

[rocketriter]

If you didn't set rules with your family, it's not fair to enforce them out of the blue. But you can explain the risks and work involved in making these changes and use that as your reason for setting rules now. This time, they have to commit and they're financially responsible (spell out how) if they change their minds. If you're polite about this and they still object or try to push you around, then you really don't want to travel with them anyway.

 

[LVSWL]

I hope that you have been able to get the dates straight by now. If so, at this point..I would have a "prayer meeting" with the family and say "no more changes". Explain the whole DVC point thing and these are the dates and that is IT! Then go from there. It is no fun worrying about all of this from now until your trip. I know we tried to explain to our good friends the whole booking thing two trips in a row and both trips they blew off a couple of the days and came in when they felt like it, so their room sat empty for those days, but then we had a great time and they wished that they had more days. We just decided that we would'nt invite them again for a while, it was too stressful for us leading up to the trip, even though we had a good time once we got them there. I hope that you get things worked out. Maybe they will let you work out all of the details since you are a disser and obviously an expert

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree with everyone else. I explain "NO CHANGES", and if they do...too bad, so sad, you're on your own from here. Then I go invite someone else to take their places! As Chuck said, they will NOT be given another invitation either...their loss.

I have one couple we invited years ago and they backed out very last minute. I did find someone to take their place. They have repeatedly asked to make plans with us again, and I have been very stubborn. I will NOT give them the opportunity to do that again.

EArly Dec. can be so difficult to get, and if you had a specific booking catagory, it could be even more difficult to change. If you were able to change it this time, I'd probably go ahead and do that, but make sure they are clear that it will NOT be changed again.

 

[LVSWL]

Yep, I think that folks seem to have the "image" of a condo that they can move into and out of at will. Maybe it is our use of the word "villa". Even when we try to explain the whole points thing to them and booking window it is just like . That being said, we have taken other friends, who were ready from the start and so easy to plan with and a joy to travel with. We are by no means planning hogs, we just want to be able to get the basics taken care of so that things run smoothly, and if some parties are la de da about it then my head starts to . Trust me, that is NOT a pretty sight!!!

 

[kimberh]

I agree with all the above. I am the Planner for our family and somehow have become the Planner for our close Friends. My husband said,"Who died and made you the Travel agent?" I would hold fast and be firm or you will be the one to not enjoy your trip. If you book the 2br I would sure be sure you have committed people. It would be easier to deal with Studio's. If they cancel, you could cancel their room, get your points back, everyone on their own meal plan etc.