Our trip is cancelled :(

[unixadm]

I have to agree with others here.....

1. First find out WHY they don't want to go. The've only gone once, so they couldn't be tired of the parks....and there is probably a lot they have never seen. Do the kids think they are too old for the parks? There are plenty of things geared for teens and adults. You could always plan other things outside of the parks...how about Disney Quest for the kids....or Cirque-de-Soliel? Parasailing at the lagoon or a fireworks cruise? How about a day at Universal where they can ride the rollercoasters? A day out fishing for Dad and the boys? There are tons of teen and adult things that can be done....Florida isn't just for little kids.

2. Personally, I would tell the kids to "suck it up" and take the vacation since it is already planned and they were aware of it before it was booked. Tell them that for this trip, you will work with them to find things they want to do, but that it is a done deal. I would tell them that if they want to go someplace else for the next trip, then they can get jobs and pay for it! (I paid for my own trip to Disney when I was 16.) What concerns me more is that your hubby isn't supportive of your plans.....and is willing to throw away that kind of money. I am assuming that he was aware of you planning this trip and agreed with it (it wasn't a surprise for the family was it?) If so, then HE should "suck it up" as well.......I think he is giving a bad example to the kids that shows he makes a commitment, then has no problem breaking it. I think that if nothing else, this should be a lesson for your kids.....once you commit to something, you stick with it and make the best of it.

3. If they are adamant about not going, and the change fees are too much, then I agree that you should go yourself and some friends (hey, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some people here that would go down and hang out with you!). It is crazy to waste the $1200 airfare tickets now.....at least have some fun.

 

[Darcy03231]

I would seriously look into going and taking them somewhere other than Disney. We're going for two weeks in August 2007 and not doing Disney. My kids are about the same age as yours (15 & 13) and they don't want to do Disney. We're getting the 5 park flex pass tickets and going to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Busch Gardens and the Wet n' Wild Water Park. We're also going to the beach, and the Kennedy Space Center. My kids can't wait to go now that they know we're staying away from the Mouse House.

 

[DisneyKidds]

The 3 kids and hubby don't want to go anymore !

Funny story. We're waiting on line for Candlelight Processional and my DD says "I don't want to go to this show", to which I answered "I didn't ASK you if you wanted to go to this show". The people behind me loved that answer.

Ok, so maybe it works better with the kids than with the hubby, but you are nuts if you give a bunch of teenagers the option of flushing your family's $1,250 down the toilet. They are going. Sure, alter the plans and do things that will make everyone happy, but so long as they live under your roof...........you know how the rest goes .

 

[monte]

Make it a girls only trip and take your buddies......have fun

 

[marc1477]

Get a few of your friends and go. If they don't want to go leave them home. No sense in letting them ruin your entertainment.

 

[canron]

go your self and show them pics of the good time you nhad with out them......enjoyyyyyyyyyyy

 

[Chester's Mum]

Got any neices or nephews that you like enough to spend vacation with? I think I'd be finding some other people to take their places. They are being selfish to spring this on you at this point (although they may not be generally selfish people). The time to tell you this was when the planning began. They are not thinking of you, their mom, who needs a vacation, as all mom's do. Good luck with this. I hope you get to go anyway, some people do go alone, you know, disney has wonderful spas.

 

[Cass]

Trouble was, they were both right...it pretty much WAS what I was planning! It was a reality check, all right.

I loved your post, it was very honest and a good reminder of how our ideal vacation may not be the same as everyone travelling with us.

I am happy yours worked out and everyone was able to enjoy it how they wanted.

 

[NancyIL]

Unfortunately, airfare is non-transferable - so the OP can't use the plane tickets to take anyone other than the family members whose names are on the tickets. I would hope your husband and kids change their minds, but if not - I would go solo before cancelling the whole trip. You can use the value of the other 4 plane tickets for future flights, minus the $100/pp change fee, within a year of the original purchase date.

 

[Trekker]

Could the $100 pp change fee work for changing the name on the ticket?

I seriously do not know.

 

[MEK]

Go to Daytona Beach for a few days. Visit the Kennedy Space Center. Go the Busch Gardens in Tampa.

I have a DS 13. After our last trip (last month) to Disney, he told me he never wants to hear the word again. He never wants to return. He said he has been too many times and it doesn't appeal to him. During November we left him at the resort one day by himself because he kept complaining that everything was "boring, gay, stupid".

After 8 hours in the room he was much more pleasant for the final days of the trip. Plus, we had a great time in the parks without him. Much more relaxing. He did like the Kennedy Space Center. We all did. It really is fascinating. I recommend it. The 3d movies are great.

Anyway, I am sure you can modify your plans to compromise with your family. If they are still insistent to stay home, please go without them. It will be hard, but you may need to do it. Maybe one of your kids would like to accompany you.

 

[loralie]

So sorry to hear your trip may be cancelled. I too may have to cancel my trip but mainly for financial reasons. My kids are 11 amd 9 and they are devestated and so am I.

I am curious to know the REAL reason your family does not want to go. I would make the kids and DH tell me specific details as to why they changed their minds. They would not be allowed to just say "I don't want to go". Please keep us updated and let us know what you decide to do.

Loralie

 

[boomhauer]

Simple solution - Tell them all "fine", grab a friend and go have a great time!

Nothing personal, but that sounds VERY selfish and ungrateful to me.

 

[bytheblood]

 

[sewer]

Simple solution - Tell them all "fine", grab a friend and go have a great time!

Nothing personal, but that sounds VERY selfish and ungrateful to me.

I have to go along with this reply. I cannot believe they would not like to go.

 

[chyam]

Simple solution - Tell them all "fine", grab a friend and go have a great time!

Nothing personal, but that sounds VERY selfish and ungrateful to me.

I cannot fanthom anyone throwing away 1200.00 worth of airfares, either. If they don't want to do Disney then at least they can relax at the pool or downtown Disney and do Universal or some other sites. To me it seems very wasteful especially when many of us have to save for months or years just to get to Disney.

 

[NancyIL]

Could the $100 pp change fee work for changing the name on the ticket?

I seriously do not know.

I'm pretty sure you have to cancel the tickets and then you have a credit to use. I don't know if anyone can use the credit or only the person originally booked, but when you rebook you pay whatever fare applies at the time.

 

[sjw4870]

When I was that age (15 and 12) I didn't get a vote in where we went - I felt fortunate to be going ANYWHERE. I'd be finding a sitter for the kids and going without them.

 

[Abbie]

The only thing that keeps striking me here is the 15 yr. olds. My children, at 15, were taking AP courses and really could not have afforded to miss more than a day or two at the most. And if they play a sport, they are expected to be at every practice and every game. If not, it is considered unexcused and they could be kicked off the team. Harsh, yes, but that is the reality of high school sports and the parents are well aware of the rules prior to their child joining the team. I could see perhaps the OP planned this trip, everyone was on board, but when the time rolled around, the kids found it would be much more difficult than they thought to be able to go. My daughter coaches a high school team now and has excused several players this week to go on trips with their families (although technically she is not supposed to) so it is possible if they communicate with their coaches and teachers!

 

[CampbellScot]

I just had to add my sentiments to the rest...your family sounds like they are being very ungrateful little pootsnorkels! I'd tell them TFB...we paid for the tickets, we're going and if I don't see positive attitudes we are NEVER going anywhere for vacation again...EVER. I don't recall ever having a say as to where we went when I was a child. My job was to say thanks! And be glad to be going anywhere!

I seriously can't believe that your husband would be okay with all that money going down the drain. Geez my husband would go to StINKYVILLE to see the stinkiest pair of feet if we'd paid that much to go!

See if you can't change the the names on the tickets and take some friends!!I feel really disappointed for you!! I really hope you can get your family to see how ungrateful and sort of selfish they are being on a lot of levels.

good luck!