Our disappointing "Travel With Family" story

[donald...really]

And we haven't even travelled with them yet. We are only in the planning stages!!!

I have been so lucky. I have read so many accounts on the DVC board about bad trips with family or friends, but we have taken numerous DVC trips with family and friends and they have all been wonderful, filled with great times and magical memories. My husband and I plan meals at some of the best WDW restaurants, we don't do the parks commando style but we spend the morning and evenings in each of the parks and hit all of the highlights, taking care of all of the strategic planning so we don't have to wait in any major lines, etc. We really enjoy showing our guests a good time, full of surprises and special events, and they are always so appreciative of the work and planning that goes into the trips. We have an upcoming trip planned with my cousin and her family, and already it has proven to be a frustrating and disappointing endeavor.

PROLOGUE:

While discussing past disney trips at a family gathering my cousin mentioned how much her kids love WDW. I really enjoy time with my cousin and her family (we don't get to see her much since she lives in a different part of the country than my other family members) so I suggested we do a Disney trip with them. We would stay in one of our DVC resorts. They were all very excited about that. They said the only time they could go would be late July. We are not a fan of WDW in the summer, but since this is a trip for them we said "Great." We suggested a Sunday through Friday trip (which is what we offer all of our friends/family for WDW vacations) in late July of this year. I explained that we would take care of the room, but they would need to pay for their transportation to and from Orlando, tickets into the parks, and meals. They would be driving from from South Carolina, so they didn't need to worry about air fare. They said it would be my cousin, her husband, and their three kids (son in high school and two young-adult daughters).

ACT ONE:

Once home we asked her to confirm that the dates would work for her and her family. She replied that they would, and that her oldest daughter already requested the time off from work. They also said that the oldest daughter's boyfriend might want to come. In order to accommodate all of us, we thought a two bedroom with three bathrooms would be the best option, so even though they are more points we made a reservation at BLT. We sent a link showing the resort to her and they were all VERY excited about staying there.

About a month after I made the reservation she emails me and says there had been a change of plans. Her husband, son, and daughter's boyfriend were no longer going on the trip. They would rather go camping. So it was now only 5 of us in a two bedroom with three bathrooms. That stung a little, because if we had known that when making reservations we would have chosen a less expensive resort. But they were so excited about BLT (and we had never stayed there before) so we left it.

ACT TWO:

About 5 months before the trip, I sent her the email I usually send to our guests stating that they should buy a 4 day hopper pass, which gives us the most flexibility. She replied that they couldn't afford the 4 day hopper pass. I researched discounted tickets and found a discounted four day non-hopper pass that I hoped would fit into their budget. When I told her about them she said that they really couldn't afford any days in the parks, but they might be able to get tickets for one or two (non-hopping) days. I told them that the trip was still a long way off and they still had time to save up some money for tickets, so we could hold off on making a final decision about which tickets to buy until later, but even if we only go to a park one or two days I was sure we would still have fun because we would be together.

ACT THREE:

Dining in nice/fun restaurants is a big part of our Disney trips, but I realized that my cousin and her family are on a strict budget, so I emailed them and asked them if they had a budget in mind for meals so we could plan maybe one or two meals out, and save by eating in the room the remainder of the time. The trip was about 5 weeks away so we really needed to make reservations asap. She replied that they are firming up on a plan for the trip and this is what they have decided:

On the way to WDW they would stop off and visit some friends so they wouldn't get to WDW until 9:00 or so Sunday night. They are planning on spending Monday and Tuesday in a park, but (and here is the big surprise) they need to leave early Wednesday morning. The youngest daughter made plans to visit friends in New York for the remainder of the week and they need to drive her to the airport. Then they need to drive home because the oldest daughter needs to work on Thursday and Friday. They decided on another family trip the week after our trip and she couldn't take two full weeks off from work. So that would leave me and my husband alone Wednesday and Thursday night in a two bedroom, in July, a month we would never vacation at WDW in if it weren't for my cousin and her family, who will only be there for two days. Luckily we were able to switch our reservation to a studio for Wednesday and Thursday nights, and add a few nights so we are now checking out on Sunday.

Thanks for letting me vent. I am hoping some out there will understand our disappointment and can sympathize. Our trip is in a few weeks. Wish us luck!

 

[Granny]

Thanks for letting me vent. I am hoping some out there will understand our disappointment and can sympathize. Our trip is in a few weeks. Wish us luck!

It's hard to read these disaster stories and not feel both empathy for the DVC owners as well as something approaching disgust at the rude guests.

I'm sorry to hear that your trip is not what you had hoped, but I'm sure you will make the most of it. If they get to WDW and then decide to skip the parks, eat at McDonalds, or whatever then you need to make sure that you and your DH do the things you like to do anyway. Don't make the trip all about "pleasing them" since it seems that they really are clueless about what they've been doing to you.

FWIW, we've been to WDW several times during the summer. Yes it is hot but park hours are long, all attractions are generally operational and there are lots of air-conditioned places in the parks to cool off.

Good luck on your trip, and enjoy.

 

[limace]

Would it be possible to cancel, telling her it seems like it just isn't meant to be this timeand you can go some time in the future when they have more time and money.

 

[dgaston]

all I can say is

Remember to do some of the things you love at WDW, so you still have some great memories of this particular trip.

 

[photobob]

Wow, so sorry. I don't think others understand or care about the advanced planning that DVC requires. You could try downgrading accommodations for the time you guys will be alone, it is a long shot at best at this point but worth a try.

 

[JWG]

Ugh. This is why we've charged a nominal fee form stays thus far. It seems to lock people in. Nothing extravagant, just enough to cover dues and make people feel committed.

People don't get how timeshares work and in try to remember that. Doesn't make it any better.

 

[gray52]

First... if you're as close to your cousin as it seems you are, she should've been the first one to read this story and to be made to understand the consequences of her actions. We've taken many family members to Disney and I've always have been up front about the costs/risks I'M taking on so that they can have a wonderful time at WDW at a reduced cost (the first thing i tell them is "You can go almost anywhere in the world for what it costs to go to Disney, so keep that in mind").
Most people aren't aware of the process of DVC, so unless you've explained all this to her, she probably has no idea the grief she's caused you.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

sounds like they were never really commited to going on vacation "together"

more like a, we'll see ya when we get there, mooch off of ya what space is left in the room and use it and leave it.

I'm sorry they're being buttheads like this. Well, at least you know in advance, at least they didn't just pack up and leave on Wednesday morning !

 

[thebigman65]

FWIW.....if it were me, I know it is disappointing, but I would cancel. Why would you go in a time you dont really want to go, and have to stay for a week when they are only staying for 4 days? As was suggested above, just say to your cousin that you think it's best to delay you trip until they are more ready to commit to it. If you cancel more than 30 days out, you still get your points back!

Sorry you had to deal with this situation. It is very unfortunate. Good Luck whatever you decide!

 

[smjj]

You have a much better attitude towards them than I would have. I would have gone off on them big time. You know they have to know how expensive this is and what you had to do to secure these times. I just don't see how people can be so inconsiderate, I just can't. You just don't do this to people....smjj

 

[twinklebug]

sounds like they were never really commited to going on vacation "together"

more like a, we'll see ya when we get there, mooch off of ya what space is left

While I love my family, this sounds like what I might experience if I tried to schedule a room for extended family: there's lots of non-commitment floating around in my family tree.

Like others have said, I think I'd cancel and just book a room for myself. Tell my extended family (nicely) that they had their chance and blew it. Toss in a link to the WDW reservations site while I'm at it so they can price out their own trip.

 

[dmoore22]

I just don't see how people can be so inconsiderate, I just can't. You just don't do this to people....smjj

I should introduce you to some of my relatives. After being burnt once we are very leery when it comes to inviting friends/relatives. We now throw out options such as, "we'll take care of the accommodations and you can cover the DDP" or "There are some great resort offers with DDP included. I know you would prefer more privacy." As JWG said they have to make more than a verbal commitment. They have to be willing to assume the consequences of their decisions.

 

[Eventer98]

You have a much better attitude towards them than I would have. I would have gone off on them big time. You know they have to know how expensive this is and what you had to do to secure these times. I just don't see how people can be so inconsiderate, I just can't. You just don't do this to people....smjj

I agree...I would feel so unappreciated and I would cancel for all the reasons other people have stated. OR tell them you canceled and downgrade to a studio for you and then go and have a great time!

We have taken family/friends 4 times and every time there was some sort of incident. We have always "rented" the points for rooms to them, but at a very reduced cost. Except this last time where my sister was in the studio with us..that was a nightmare. So after returning last month we swore off ANY family for the time being. We had been trying to be generous but it's just not worth the sacrifice on our own family. If in the future someone wants to come with us then, like a PP said, I will direct them to the WDW res. website.

I'm sorry you are going through this!

 

[dis-happy]

It's hard to read these disaster stories and not feel both empathy for the DVC owners as well as something approaching disgust at the rude guests.

I'm sorry to hear that your trip is not what you had hoped, but I'm sure you will make the most of it. If they get to WDW and then decide to skip the parks, eat at McDonalds, or whatever then you need to make sure that you and your DH do the things you like to do anyway. Don't make the trip all about "pleasing them" since it seems that they really are clueless about what they've been doing to you.

FWIW, we've been to WDW several times during the summer. Yes it is hot but park hours are long, all attractions are generally operational and there are lots of air-conditioned places in the parks to cool off.

Good luck on your trip, and enjoy.

So well said.

All I can say is, once they see and experience how FABULOUS the BLT room is, I hope they will be pining away with grief when they have to leave on Wed. You and your family, however, will get the last laugh as you enjoy the ensuing days all to yourselves.

Oh, that first day, Sunday? Make sure you are at the TOWL when they arrive at 9 pm and (gee, darn) you won't be able to make it down to meet them until after Wishes is over.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I might just talk with my cousin and make it clear that this trip doesn't seem to be working out for either of us. It would cost both of us too much to take a trip that has too many snags. I would say that the important thing is just to get together, and we should plan to do that a different way. (Could you meet someplace cheaply for a couple of days in July?)

That's assuming, of course, that it would work for you and your husband to cancel this trip and use your points for something you'd rather do.

Hope this works out for you. I know what you're going through. Paying a price for bending over backward to be nice sounds really familiar!

 

[bianca]

First off, sorry about the situation you find yourself in. Just know, that most of us have been there before. We've had our own version of what you described, and for that reason, we no longer take anybody with us.

FWIW, I'd re-schedule my vacation even if it meant forfeiting airfare that is already purchased. As long as you pick something else within your UY, you could go at a time you like in a room better suited to your needs and stay for a longer period of time.

 

[Granny]

First... if you're as close to your cousin as it seems you are, she should've been the first one to read this story and to be made to understand the consequences of her actions. We've taken many family members to Disney and I've always have been up front about the costs/risks I'M taking on so that they can have a wonderful time at WDW at a reduced cost (the first thing i tell them is "You can go almost anywhere in the world for what it costs to go to Disney, so keep that in mind").
Most people aren't aware of the process of DVC, so unless you've explained all this to her, she probably has no idea the grief she's caused you.

This is a good post. When I posted, I assumed that the OP had laid out all the issues that cancellations or changes would cause as far as the DVC part of this goes. So I was also assuming that the cousin was aware of the consequences of her actions.

Maybe not a good idea to assume, but I was thinking that the OP wouldn't be so frustrated if they had not shared the basic rules of DVC regarding reservations, accommodation sizes and cancellations.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

For once, I've been left speechless! At this point I think the whole situation is so upsetting that vacationing with them at all will upset you even more! Perhaps you can cancel the whole thing and rebook later, if your use year will allow depending on the cancellation rules!

We've enjoyed many family trips, I'm sorry to hear yours appears to be taking a turn for the worse before it even starts.

Maybe make the best of it for those few days and bring someone else in to fill in the rest of the week!

 

[BeesKnees]

The first thing I tell new bring-alongers is the approximate rack rate of the room. Not to brag but to explain the seriousness of their commitment. I also tell them that once the room is reserved if they fail to meet their commitment I might lose all or part of that money if I can't plan another trip in time. Even if I can plan another trip there are the travel and ticket costs that I would not have planned for in my budget.

Personally, I wouldn't take anyone who thought so little of my gift.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Gotta love family!