Planning with friends

[goofydad99]

I know I know............Don't do it! I already know that is the first thing to do. It may or may not happen but I am in the beginning of planning a June vacation this way. We go through our points without too much difficulty on our own. I was thinking of having points transferred from another member. (Our friends live overseas) I know I am only allowed one per year. I think this will be the best way to manage it. Does it matter which resort the points come from? I know if nothing else and our friends back out, we have extra points to play with ............The bad news would be we have extra points to play with and the desire to go more.

They will have their own villa, but I could hope that we could be in the same area at least. Any other suggestions? Am I going about it the right way? I already know we are crazy for even considering it.......We are at least starting out the right way by doing the following:
We are not gifting the points. They will pay for the points they use.
They will have their own villa.
We won't spend every waking moment together either unless we want to!
Any other comments?

 

[dianeschlicht]

You are starting out the right way. Everyone knowing up front what is expected and what can and can't be done is essential. BTW, we invite friends along all the time, and have never had an issue. We do gift the accommodations, but I have yet to have anyone back out.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Transferred points do now retain their original resort and use year. So you can't receive OKW points and book BWV at 11 months, for example.

 

[Inkmahm]

I just did this in December. We had 10 of my husband's relatives (parents, brother, sisters and their kids) join us at BWV for 5 nights. We gifted the accomodations as well as all of the dinners we scheduled for us as a group and MVMCP. It actually worked well! We didn't do all things together, but we did do SOME things together. Enough that we had sufficient family time and sufficient alone time. I'd do it again.

We also made it very clear WAY up front that cancellations would cost us money and that once the family said they were going, they had better be planning to actually go. They all did. One brother and sister-in-law ended up staying only for 3 nights though as they had to get back to their jobs. I wasn't happy, but understood that.

 

[goofydad99]

I thought I was on the right track. I would like to get this in gear. I am trying to make it as easy as possible for them. I thought this would be easier to manage than them trying to rent points.........

Now if I could only get them to finalize their plans.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Now if I could only get them to finalize their plans.

And THAT will be the hardest part!

 

[goofydad99]

And THAT will be the hardest part!

Which is why I haven't offered up my own points.

 

[Inkmahm]

Which is why I haven't offered up my own points.

If you really aren't sure about them finalizing plans, why not make your own plans with your own points and have the friend so the rental of points from someone else? Then if they back out, it's all on their own dime.

 

[goofydad99]

If you really aren't sure about them finalizing plans, why not make your own plans with your own points and have the friend so the rental of points from someone else? Then if they back out, it's all on their own dime.

We do have our own trip booked. We are all set to go. They have the dates and the ball is in their court. We will go regardless of their plans. They live overseas and they have never visited before. Renting points would be more cost effective for them than going through CRO. They have a toddler so the bigger room will be nice. Of course, with the $ being low, they will do ok. Is this all clear as mud?

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

I just did this in December. We had 10 of my husband's relatives (parents, brother, sisters and their kids) join us at BWV for 5 nights. We gifted the accomodations as well as all of the dinners we scheduled for us as a group and MVMCP. It actually worked well! We didn't do all things together, but we did do SOME things together. Enough that we had sufficient family time and sufficient alone time. I'd do it again.

We also made it very clear WAY up front that cancellations would cost us money and that once the family said they were going, they had better be planning to actually go. They all did. One brother and sister-in-law ended up staying only for 3 nights though as they had to get back to their jobs. I wasn't happy, but understood that.

I'm glad for you and how everything worked out well.
We made two sets of plans with my side of the family and they backed out of both. It didn't really seem to sink in that their actions COST US money. They seem to think I'll keep inviting them back. I'd love to, just don't know if I can trust them to honor the commitment.

 

[tjcj]

Last year we managed a big family trip (14 of us) for DWs family. We are planning a second big family trip (12 to 14 of us again) for my side of the family for spring of 09.
We gifted the stay for all (that is one reason we love DVC to be able to host and share our trips). Bottom line with this was to upfront inform all that they could not back out once they agreed to join us, and we all agreed on the date prior to us making the ressies at 7 months out.
It worked out great, everyone was able to come . We did stuff together for the 1st two days and then little by little the group broke up and did their own things as the trip moved on... We did set up big dinners in our GV most nights which was great.

Anyway good luck and let us know how it all goes

 

[Inkmahm]

We do have our own trip booked. We are all set to go. They have the dates and the ball is in their court. We will go regardless of their plans. They live overseas and they have never visited before. Renting points would be more cost effective for them than going through CRO. They have a toddler so the bigger room will be nice. Of course, with the $ being low, they will do ok. Is this all clear as mud?

There's a big difference though between you transferring points to your account or them just renting a reservation from another owner.
In the first case, you are directly involved. In the second, you are completely out of it and the arrangements are their own.