OH NO...May have to cancel our X-Mas trip. Need your opinions..**UPDATE!!

[VickiVM]

My husband is a gourmet food vendor and the major grocery chain store he sells to is having a fit over his taking Christmas week off, even though he will have a team of merchandisers that will be helping him.

After all my scheming, he was the one more ticked that we may have to cancel. So I have a couple of alternatives and want to know - What would you do??

1) Step down from Y/C Concierge to POR (if available) and save about $1100 to use towards airfare so that he can fly out a few days after us and still be available to work through Mon, 12/22 (vs. driving out of SA on Fri 12/19)

or...

2) Forget the whole Christmas trip and the incredible rate we got that may never be available and go as previously planned in early June when the kids get out of school.

I thought about driving out as planned on that Friday and have him fly out one-way on Monday evening, but I doubt he would go for that.

Hate the thought that we may miss Christmas, but since it's the commission he earns from this grocery chain that pays for our vacations...not worth creating ill relations with this company.

UPDATE!! - See my last post this evening. Bottom line trip is back on. Thanks for your help and good wishes!

 

[JodyTG]

I was so upset after reading your post. How dare they ruin your vacation/holiday plans. But...such is life I suppose. We're also going to WDW this Christmas because of the GREAT price we're getting on a package. (And I always considered packages not a good deal.)

My only suggestion, as a "list maker", is to get a sheet of paper. On one side list "reasons to cancel" and on the other side list "reasons to change around plans and go anyway". Whichever side has the most entries is the way to go.

I know this may sound kind of weird, but there you go...
lol

 

[Minky]

Hi,

I am heart broken hearing about your situation, how dare they!!!!! However, i must say....if you can make it work at Christmas time, I dont think there is anything better than Disney at Christmas....I LOVE Mickeys xmas party, there are no lines, they make it snow in the MK, and its just so beautiful. And POR looks beautiful anf you could save money, I say go for it!!
We are leaving in 12 days, Im afraid of hurricane Isabel
But best of luck in whatever u decide!!!

 

[CaipiraBob]

Sound like there more to this than I can really judge by here.

If he's got adequate staff in place to handle things, then it's no one else's business where he is for Christmas. None at all.

Really, what happens if he's sick during those days? I mean, it sounds to me he's done enough to cover the situation with his staff.

Sound slike he may need to make some more new business contacts or these people will run your life the way they see fit. There are plenty of people out there willing to ruin Christmas for others simply because it is Christmas. It may do well to assert the fact that your family and faith take precident at this time.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I like plan 1. Your husband will be there for his merchandisers, and your family will still get to spend Christmas in WDW.

 

[VickiVM]

Sound slike he may need to make some more new business contacts or these people will run your life the way they see fit.

You have no idea, CaipiraBob. My husband's biggest source of income is from this grocery chain and they are large enough here in South Texas to set their own rules in regards to the vendors that sell in their stores. If this company had their way, they would require him to be available 24/7. He has protected his nights and weekends ferociously with them, so being available during peak is important.

He says it's not all hopeless. His own company said they were ok with it as long as he has the store's confidence that they will not suffer while he's gone. It's a delicate relationship, so my husband will try his best to work it out.

Thanks for the input!

 

[Selket]

I feel for your situation...my husband is a consultant and sometimes it is very hard to plan vacations around his work...other times it is easy. Unfortunately we just have to pick a date and make a reservation and hope it hits an easy time.

With option #1 do you need to save all $1100 for the airfare? I mean...if the airfare that much? I'm thinking that you mean that will cover airfare for your entire family and not just your DH. So everyone would fly out on the 19th except DH right? If you're driving when do you arrive at WDW? I think it would be fine for you to drive yourself if you were planning on spending the night along the way...and depending on how old your children are!

I think you should keep your plans unchanged as much as possible if you can....just in case he is able to go as planned. Is there any train service from your area?

I hope everything works out!

 

[Wendi]

I worked retail for 13 years and know very well how they want to "Run" your life. I was a top employee for 10 of those years and every year when I went to go on vacation they would "Threaten" me with my job? I lived in fear for that when I returned from vacation I would NOT have a job. Well, that never happened. After 13 years, finally I quite to raise my children and everything was fine. I feel that your husband should approach the Management around the first of October with a "Game Plan" or "Plan of Action" to show the Manager that he has put there store's needs at the top of his list. If he is willing to have his cell phone on him while on vacation reassure him that he will make sure the staff covering him will TAKE CARE OF HIM. He might have to make a few phone calls, but taking minutes instead of days away from your FAMILY vacation is a nicer option. If this is a possible option he may even want to go as far as to have a contact sheet with all of the staff that is replacing him on it. Have there names and phone numbers, that way the Mean ole Manager can call them and leave your hubby alone zif he wants them there earlier or needs information. Look at it this way, He goes on Vacation! Most people know that FAMILY COMES FIRST!! If they can't respect him for that and allow him his time with his family, they maybe he needs to find better clients. I would not cut back on my vacation and have Daddy running back and losing the entire reason for this vacation which is to be with Family. I say Keep your WONDERFUL Plans as they are, get the Managers blessing and Have a Wonderful FAMILY Vacation at the Happiest Place on Earth. June is too busy, hot and crowded. Stay with what you have.

Wendi

 

[STINKERTINKER]

I can really feel your disappointment with this situation.I work with a major Supermarket chain here in Fl. and I hate that I am not allowed to take any time off for Xmas,or Thanksgiving.I would hope they would realize how much effort your DH has put into getting them the coverage they need while he is away.Sometimes I feel like those Big guys don't remember that Quality time with our Family makes us a more Quality Associate for the Company!!!!! If you decide to skip the trip just remember They do have Good Rates at Xmas(not just this year) and the Osborne Lights won't be showing this year.Just hang in there and the right decision will come. GOOD LUCK

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

Hi Vicki,

I'm sorry your Christmas plans have been upset. That's what happened to us as well--dh's boss won't let him take the 26th off, so that one day was screwing up our trip! So now, I'm driving down with the kids the weekend before Christmas, and dh is flying down to join us on the 27th.

Since you asked for opinions, here's mine: I think you should ask your dh to try to work things out with the store chain people so that your original plans can remain intact. Failing that, I think you should drive yourself and the kids on the original date, and have your dh fly down to join you as soon as he can. As long as your dh doesn't mind.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Sue

 

[STINKERTINKER]

It's me again!!!!!Sounds like WENDI has an Excellent plan of Action from past experience.Go with her idea if you can.JMHO.....

 

[magsmouse]

If your DH is anything like mine, if he decided to go without the "blessing" of the store management, he would worry the whole time on the trip that things would be totally messed up when he returned, thus making our trip a bummer rather than fun. If not, and he can make it work where everyone is happy, the store and you and kids (even with the downgrade in accomodations), then go for it. I know with the economy still in sad shape, especially retail, you all may decide to delay for fear of losing his biggest account, but what a downer for the holidays when you have worked so hard to make the plans! Disney in June is nothing like Disney at the holidays. Lots of opinions, hope it works out for you.

 

[deadheadbelle]

I agree with the cell phone idea. If you don't think this chain would abuse it, how about your husband keep his cell phone on him. Most likely, if he has prepared his merchandisers adequately, they would not need to contact him at all, but the chain may feel better knowing if need be, they can reach him. My DH is an account manager with a bev. company & even on vacation, he has his cell. Usually the calls are short and infrequent, but it makes him feel better that his clients can contact him if need be. Of course, he is an anal retentive workaholic, but I degress...

Anyway, whatever you decide, I hope it works out!

 

[CaipiraBob]

Well then, I guess the good side of it is that you have a man who loves his family so much he puts up with sort of thing every day so his family can enjoy a wonderful lifestyle. Believe me, when I was a kid growing up, families that spent Christmas at Disney were living like "kings and queens"

Maybe you'll be able to work it out so he can come out after the "rush" is over. Here's to hoping...:

 

[VickiVM]

Thanks, guys, for your support. I was so bummed, but worse, my husband was really depressed about missing out. He acts like he's doing me a favor by going to WDW for vacation...but he really enjoys it more then he lets on.

Anyway...Good news this afternoon!! My husband talked to the grocery manager of the larger of his stores about his plans, who would be available that week, how he would order bigger two weeks prior to have it in before he left, yada, yada, yada and the manager didn't think it was a big deal as long as he had everything covered

Thank you all for your good wishes!! Game on

Vicki

 

[STINKERTINKER]

Hi Vicki,
Thats GREAT NEWS!!!!I also noticed that you are staying YC Concierge.We are staying YC Concierge for the first time in Dec. alsur dates are Dec.11,for 3 days.I'll have to give you all the details when we get back.Have a Great Night!!!!!!

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

Vicki, just wanted to say that I'm so glad that things worked out and you get to go after all!! Someone must've sprinkled pixie dust on you there!!!

Jules

 

[Wendi]

Vicki,

We stayed YC Concierge 2 years ago and they are THE BEST!
You will love it there. I know they have changed things since we were there, but if you ever need drinks or anything DON'T hesitate to ask them. They were sooooo nice to my family. This is a funny thing but they have the FASTEST Elevator around. If you think about it, clock how long it takes you to get to the 5th floor from the 1st. We compared it to GF and Poly. mind you poly only has 2 floors but you'll see. Even around home in Houston we compare elevators here to the Yacht Club and giggle. People must think we have an Elevator thing. hahahahaha.
Glad to hear that Hubby ironed everything out for the most part.
Have a Great Holiday.

Wendi

 

[CaipiraBob]

<H1>PARTY ON!!!</H1>