Please delete this thread

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

But why would you go with someone that you aren't sharing the experience with? There are five families (two friends, and my Brother's, and two of my in-laws) we go with to Disney, we don't plan every SECOND together, but we try to plan the bulk of the time together.

There's such a thing as too much sharing and too much togetherness...

 

[gk90]

Thanks for all the great advice! We are working on possibly having our neighbors join us for the 5 nights in the 2BR. They're great friends, have kids our kids' ages, and we've traveled with them before. This might end up being even more of a blast than our original plan.

Thanks again for all the words of encouragement and understanding.

Good luck with plans working out with your neighbors!
We're going with my sister and her family in August and I have my fingers crossed--a couple of reasons I was fine with making the reservation for a 2 BR with them is that she and BIL are compulsive planners who have to request their vacation days 9-10 months ahead so they understand the need for DVC advance planning. Also we've vacationed with them many times before so we know we can survive a Disney vacation with them without getting too crazy.
On the other hand I'm wondering about 2011 with my brother...he's not much of a planner, but since he has a smaller family we'll be fine in 2 studios and so can cancel one studio if they bail on us.

 

[crisi]

There's such a thing as too much sharing and too much togetherness...

Yep.

The other thing is that different people want different things from a Disney trip - when we took my mother in law, she was a slower mover who really enjoyed poking through the shops in Epcot - doing the things she wanted to do would have made my kids - who were four and five at the time - crazy. And following them around would have had her exhausted. So some together time to enjoy each others company and hear about the day - but some alone time for each person to be able to really enjoy their vacation without feeling like they were inconveniencing the other - worked really well. For others, its a timing issue - a 'get up early and make it to the parks at opening' family might get frustrated traveling with a 'sleep in late, and take advantage of evening EMH' family.

Another factor is that big groups don't move around the park well. So a family reunion trip is easier broken up - it isn't like you can fit twelve people in a teacup anyway. At least with my family, it was always "where is Dad?" find him and then "where is Grandpa"

 

[LVSWL]

Yep.

The other thing is that different people want different things from a Disney trip - when we took my mother in law, she was a slower mover who really enjoyed poking through the shops in Epcot - doing the things she wanted to do would have made my kids - who were four and five at the time - crazy. And following them around would have had her exhausted. So some together time to enjoy each others company and hear about the day - but some alone time for each person to be able to really enjoy their vacation without feeling like they were inconveniencing the other - worked really well. For others, its a timing issue - a 'get up early and make it to the parks at opening' family might get frustrated traveling with a 'sleep in late, and take advantage of evening EMH' family.

Another factor is that big groups don't move around the park well. So a family reunion trip is easier broken up - it isn't like you can fit twelve people in a teacup anyway. At least with my family, it was always "where is Dad?" find him and then "where is Grandpa"

Very good post! I did chuckle at the end picturing a large group in matching shirts looking around saying "where is Grandpa?"

 

[kikiq]

Another factor is that big groups don't move around the park well. So a family reunion trip is easier broken up - it isn't like you can fit twelve people in a teacup anyway. At least with my family, it was always "where is Dad?" find him and then "where is Grandpa"

That was us last summer. 10 of us, we would start together in the morning. Return to the villas in the afternoon...some of us at least. and then meet for dinner. BUT we were always looking for Dad or as my DDs would say, "Where's Grandpa?" or text me, "Is Grandpa with you?" Yep, it was fun the day he left with my DH who returned for lunch without him. Another "Where's Grandpa?" who had decided to do MK by himself.

 

[crisi]

I can track my own kids - and when its just the four of us (my husband, myself and two kids) we can usually stick together. But we added my sister, her husband, and my parents. And there is something about these particular men where all three of them - free - I suppose - of having half responsibility of their own children/grandchildren because there were extra women around suddenly became wanderers. It was easier to keep track of the four and two year old (my own are nine and ten now) than it was to keep track of Dad, Uncle and Grandpa.....

 

[perpetualplanner]

I've been reading this thread and sympathizing - we've had similar trips with good friends/neighbors of ours pre-DVC. We're now planning a 4th of July trip with DH's brother's family. I've booked the rooms - them a 2 bdr and us a 1 bdr (at DH request even though it killed me point-wise) and even bought airfare for the 8 of us (yes there are only 4 of them for the 2 bdr). DH asks me this morning after reading a text from his bro - can we switch the dates to end of July!! UM - they picked the original dates and I've already booked air for everyone AND DS(9) has soccer camp end of July already paid for (not cheap!). I KNEW this was going to happen and told DH upfront. Of course I got the - it'll be fine answer. I'm going to SCREAM!!

 

[LVSWL]

I've been reading this thread and sympathizing - we've had similar trips with good friends/neighbors of ours pre-DVC. We're now planning a 4th of July trip with DH's brother's family. I've booked the rooms - them a 2 bdr and us a 1 bdr (at DH request even though it killed me point-wise) and even bought airfare for the 8 of us (yes there are only 4 of them for the 2 bdr). DH asks me this morning after reading a text from his bro - can we switch the dates to end of July!! UM - they picked the original dates and I've already booked air for everyone AND DS(9) has soccer camp end of July already paid for (not cheap!). I KNEW this was going to happen and told DH upfront. Of course I got the - it'll be fine answer. I'm going to SCREAM!!

Oh well, time to ask someone else if they can't make it. Like I said in an earlier post, some people just don't get it.

 

[perpetualplanner]

I've already had volunteers to take their place! Problem is DH really wants to take his bro & family so we'll see. I'm not changing dates - we really can't and I know we wouldn't get BCV and VB again at this point.

 

[fers31]

I've already had volunteers to take their place! Problem is DH really wants to take his bro & family so we'll see. I'm not changing dates - we really can't and I know we wouldn't get BCV and VB again at this point.

You know what...I think that magically there aren't any rooms available for those "new" dates and you'll have to stick to the reservations you already have. Just a thought.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

The secrets we've learned when travelling with others are:

1. Make sure they've paid for their reservations and/or travel. People don't tend to bail when their money is involved. When it's your money (and really, points=money in the big picture), they magically have no compunction about changing their minds

2. When they ask for changes, just say "I'm afraid that won't be possible for this trip, but we can discuss it for future ones."

3. Know their travelling style ahead of time-we are at the front gates at 7:45 for EMH, we go back to the hotel at 12, nap, pool, dinner, back into the park for evening EMH. We know what works for us and we stick with it. We have friends that this would kill to do. Just make sure you are REALLY clear ahead of time what you're going to do and that you don't expect them to keep up.

4. Get the money ahead of time. I can't stress this enough so I'll say it twice. I also found that when we took people with us for "free", they were much, much more likely to cancel on us because the reservation had no intrinsic "worth" for them. When you ask people to commit some dollars, they tend to commit their hearts to the trip as well. I know there was a whole thread where people were horrified that others charged friends/family for the points, but in the unfortunate absence of friends/family respecting you, I'll settle for them respecting the almighty dollar, instead.

 

[crisi]

4. Get the money ahead of time. I can't stress this enough so I'll say it twice. I also found that when we took people with us for "free", they were much, much more likely to cancel on us because the reservation had no intrinsic "worth" for them. When you ask people to commit some dollars, they tend to commit their hearts to the trip as well. I know there was a whole thread where people were horrified that others charged friends/family for the points, but in the unfortunate absence of friends/family respecting you, I'll settle for them respecting the almighty dollar, instead.

I tend to agree - particularly if you have "those" family and friends. Have them make some sort of non-refundable commitment upfront - park tickets, airfare. If your friends and family aren't "that" type, then count your blessings you can treat them and end up not feeling like you got taken for a ride.

(The other option is to only invite those that you can pay for and trust will be well mannered enough to keep their commitment. But a lot of us feel obligated to invite our sister in law and her family, knowing darn well her husband may decide that is the week the baseball playoffs are on TV and they can't possibly go since the Cubs made the playoffs and this is their year).

Also, when making plans for a spouse's family - and that spouse tends to be a pushover where his family is concerned and his family tends to be one of "those" - have him or her do the planning, make the phone calls, book the room. (I learned this from my mother - my father's family is one of 'those' and my mother would spend all day cooking dinner for thirty only to have no one show up. One day she looked at my father and said "they are your family, if you invite them over for dinner, you cook.")

 

[nunzia]

Holy cow..we did take our kids and grandkids last May (one son did need to back out but it was fine) this was not on points however. We do hope to be able to gift a stay for some relatives on points at GCV but we won't be going with them..it's a treat for just their family..and if they cancel..then whoo hoo extra trip for us. Really..I can't believe how people would get such generosity from someone and just try to change it all.

 

[Julylady]

I must have the BEST family ever! Since we bought DVC in 2000 I have rotated each of my three siblings (we are now on the 3rd "time"). They have the option of a Disney trip or trading out to Interval International. We have done Disney most, but also went to AZ with my brother and his family and to Williamsburg one year with my sister and family.

In the nine years no one has ever cancelled on us! We start planning the trip at least 18 months ahead and at the 11 month we buy the airline tickets. Once airline tickets are purchased, I call Member Services. Since everybody pays for their own air, they have a significant investment in the trip and thus....no cancellations.

When we were little kids, my family always took camping vacations with either my aunt/uncle and their kids or another family. So...we are very used to traveling together and putting up with the quirks of traveling with a big group of people.

In addition to the Disney trips, my entire extended family still camps together for a week most summers so we know how to "get along." I agree with the previous poster who said that vacationing together brings and keeps families close.

We bought DVC knowing we wanted to share with family and for us it has worked out really well! Our next trip is April with Mom, Sis, SIL, 21 yr old nephew, 18 year old niece, and 14 year old niece (cousins). In July, we are taking my two little nieces (7 and 4) to Disneyland (on points), but Shhhh, its a surprise (they think we are going camping!).

I know the time will come when someone will get sick or have to cancel at the last minute, but the good times and memories we have already have will more than make it worthwhile.

Donna

 

[crisi]

Holy cow..we did take our kids and grandkids last May (one son did need to back out but it was fine) this was not on points however. We do hope to be able to gift a stay for some relatives on points at GCV but we won't be going with them..it's a treat for just their family..and if they cancel..then whoo hoo extra trip for us. Really..I can't believe how people would get such generosity from someone and just try to change it all.

Just make sure you book their trip in a way that lets you take advantage of it if they cancel. I think the worst cases involve short notice cancellations, late in use year, borrowed points, lame excuses, and a sacrifice on the part of the member (when people shorten a trip of their own, or get a studio for themselves instead of a one bedroom, or don't invite their own sister so they can invite their husband's brother in order to gift the trip).

 

[GoofyKevin]

I've been reading for a while now and had to chime in. We are planning our first trip as dvc members and using developer points to stay at SSR in a two bedroom. We decided to invite my sister, her husband and my nephews along. My sister is a free spirit, go with the flow type and I am the planner. I want to coordinate where we are going on which days and where we should eat. My sister says if she was going by herself she would ride a few rides, eat popcorn from a cart and go watch a parade. Notice the difference? I'm looking at the dining plan and trying to see if its worth it and she's not sure if they'll eat! I'm stressing a bit (and she worries that I won't speak to her after the trip). The kicker is- my dad announces he would like to join us! I decided to get a studio also and now I might switch people around so I can have some people on the Dining Plan and move others to the studio so they don't have to be on it.

I did mention that we don't have to do the same thing all the time but since we live far apart the idea is to spend as much time with each other as possible. I think my gameplan is to plan things out, let them know and let them decide if they want to join us or not. We'll see how it goes and if they ever get invited again.

Thanks to all of you for providing so much information!

 

[Castillo Mom]

I haven't had the opportunity to stay in a DVC resort yet so don't have any experience. I did buy in with family in mind though. I have my SIL and her family who live in South Carolina. When we visit we looking forward to a short stay at HH. Another plus is that they're only a few hours away from WDW and/or VB, so lots of options there.

My sister and her family on the other hand, live out here in California near me so I plan on taking them with us for some trips, maybe even a sisters-only trip for Food and Wine Festival.

I don't forsee any major problems traveling with family as our last trip as a group went off without a hitch. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Hey, maybe I can convince them to buy in before then.

 

[PSC]

The secrets we've learned when traveling with others are:

1. Make sure they've paid for their reservations and/or travel. People don't tend to bail when their money is involved. When it's your money (and really, points=money in the big picture), they magically have no compunction about changing their minds

2. When they ask for changes, just say "I'm afraid that won't be possible for this trip, but we can discuss it for future ones."

These two are key for us when we travel with family or friends. I like to make sure that they have already bought their park tickets and paid for airfare before the 30 day cancellation (or 4 months before end of use year) mark. If they feel that they have some "skin in the game", last minute surprises aren't likely.

Once we've paid for our non refundable airfare, we don't entertain date change requests. My simple response is "I will try to change your room reservation, but we will miss you during our vacation". So far that has always worked!

Of course causing me problems is likely to get you placed on the "never again" list.

 

[perpetualplanner]

I don't have to magically pretend the new dates won't work. I called MS and then told DH that Vero would be out - they have NOTHING for the only other set of dates that could possibly work at all. We also wouldn't get the BCV that we currently have and he really really wants. He's going to call his DB and say this is it - sorry you can cancel and that's ok. I'll have a mess with points to clean up but I could make it work. I'm glad I have you guys who understand all this.

 

[jodifla]

I think there a lot of good suggestions here...but the easiest one for me is to book a 2 bedroom at OKW, then whoever shows up, shows up.

We've brought about 10 different sets of people with us. Another two sets needed to cancel, but because I already was happy with the accommodations, it was OK.