Please reassure me I'm not the crazy one

[Disney Dad Canada]

Tonight my parents came over to drop my girls off, as they stayed there a few days.

Just before they left, I was explaining to them how they don't have to pay for the hotel when they come to WDW with us next March, as I booked them into Saratoga Springs through DVC.

Showing them the web site of Saratoga Springs, my mom saw the room price and said "We can't afford to stay there, we'll stay offsite instead."

I said "Mom, you're not listening to me at all.", and she quickly packed everything up and left in a huff.

Am I crazy, or is that a totally irrational reaction to a free hotel room?

Sorry, I just had to vent.

 

[BriarRosie]

"Mom, what part of FREE don't you understand?" Maybe she thinks you're paying the non-DVC cash value and not timeshare points.

 

[Iggipolka]

Heh..this is exactly the same reaction my mom had when I booked her into BWV for our family trip last October. I explained the whole DVC thing and showed her the 1 bedroom villa at BWV and she got all upset at the price.
Once she was calmer, it turned out that she thought I was paying the Rack Rate for her and she was worried about me "going into bankruptcy for a vacation".
I actually had to pull out the DVC book and go through the whole points thing for her to relax about it.

Sounds like your mom is just confused. Give her some time and try to explain this again later.

 

[Halbleib1]

Tonight my parents came over to drop my girls off, as they stayed there a few days.

Just before they left, I was explaining to them how they don't have to pay for the hotel when they come to WDW with us next March, as I booked them into Saratoga Springs through DVC.

Showing them the web site of Saratoga Springs, my mom saw the room price and said "We can't afford to stay there, we'll stay offsite instead."

I said "Mom, you're not listening to me at all.", and she quickly packed everything up and left in a huff.

Am I crazy, or is that a totally irrational reaction to a free hotel room?

Sorry, I just had to vent.

From what she said I do not think she understood that it was free to them. It sounds like she thought they would have to pay the price shown on the website. Perhaps she does not know what you mean when you say dvc? I think it is just a misunderstanding.

 

[spaddy]

I think the rack rate at SSR or any Disney hotel for that matter is pretty shocking. I know we took my in laws and they didn't really understand that they were not paying for the room that I was using points. They ended up paying us $100/night for the room which they were very happy with and was really much more than was necessary. But no your are not crazy, just give them a little time for it to sink in.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

My parents are the type that never pay more than $50 for a hotel room. I thought switching things around, getting 2 studios would be a nice treat for them. Now I'm not too sure about bringing them at all. Just imagine their reaction to the prices of the restaurants, especially since I'm planning on booking the Yachtsman for my birthday. Even with the dining plan, I'm probably going to end up paying for the entire tip, and my mom wont enjoy herself after she sees the prices. I know that sounds crazy, thats just the way they are.

 

[sjsjbrook]

You could always tell her you won it as a prize. Maybe then she would stay with you. eat where you want to eat and enjoy it, because it was a prize. The contest name could be DVC

 

[BeamsofLight]

It sounds like she was just concerned you were 'spending all that money' without understanding that DVC = already paid for = you don't expect them to pay you back, etc. I agree, it does sound like she got a little huffy for no reason. Hopefully she'll mellow out if you can walk her through the notion that it won't cost them anything and why.

Also, if you could? Wave to Toronto for me. I miss my city.

 

[Halbleib1]

My parents are the type that never pay more than $50 for a hotel room. I thought switching things around, getting 2 studios would be a nice treat for them. Now I'm not too sure about bringing them at all. Just imagine their reaction to the prices of the restaurants, especially since I'm planning on booking the Yachtsman for my birthday. Even with the dining plan, I'm probably going to end up paying for the entire tip, and my mom wont enjoy herself after she sees the prices. I know that sounds crazy, thats just the way they are.

I understand it is your birthday but if your parents are going to be expected to pay they should get a say as to where they eat etc. If you are going to eat together than those decisions should be decided together. Now I do not know your parents financial situation but if this is going to burden them financially than you should not expect them to go to an expensive restaurant where even with the dining plan the tip is going to be high.

I am also a budget person and if I feel that I got a bad deal, couldn't really afford it or that something was not worth the money I too would not have a good time. So it does not sound crazy to me at all that your mom would feel the same way.

 

[Halbleib1]

You could always tell her you won it as a prize. Maybe then she would stay with you. eat where you want to eat and enjoy it, because it was a prize. The contest name could be DVC

How would that work when they would be expected to pay for tip and any other expenses the op does not want to or can not pay for?

 

[monkeyknuckler]

Hey, sometimes old people are crazy, there's no way around it. You'll be crazy in a few years too. I'm planning on checking out in 30 years or so.

I told my Dad that I found out I was allergic to Brazil nuts. His advice:
maybe I shouldn't eat so much peanut butter. Thanks Dad.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I don't think you are crazy - it just sounds like she didn't understand what you were saying. Maybe she would understand better if you got reservations to send her a packet with all the itinerary information including that all accommodations are paid in full. Sounds like pride got in the way of appreciation...which I think we have all run into at some point with our loved ones. I am sure she will enjoy the trip, but some people (particularly parents)take their children paying for their expenses to be a bad thing. At least mine do - but I keep doing it anyway!

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

I understand it is your birthday but if your parents are going to be expected to pay they should get a say as to where they eat etc. If you are going to eat together than those decisions should be decided together.

I gave them the list of restaurants, etc, but this is a woman that brings a cheese slice to McDonalds so she doesn't have to pay the extra 30 cents for a cheeseburger. No matter where we eat, even the counter service prices will be a shock.

 

[tpholland]

I wish I could help, but...

1: the leaving in a huff is my mom
&
2: bringing your own cheese to McDonald's is my husband's mom

 

[MAYNARDS99]

I can't imagine how large your inheritence will be!

My late father was much like the OP's mom, I just divided any check or bill by three. He had nothing to say then...sneaky but it worked!

 

[Halbleib1]

I gave them the list of restaurants, etc, but this is a woman that brings a cheese slice to McDonalds so she doesn't have to pay the extra 30 cents for a cheeseburger. No matter where we eat, even the counter service prices will be a shock.

Oh ok! Now I understand better where you are coming from. Disney is going to give her sticker shock for sure.

I don't think anyone like's the prices on most things at Disney but you expect it in a tourist destination. Would it help to sit down with her in advance and explain the situation or would that just make her upset enough not to go at all? Just thinking it might be better for her to know ahead of time what the prices are going to be like rather than to find out once she is there.

 

[tiggspring]

This may sound crazy but does she shop at Sams or Costco or other club. If she does explain DVC is like belong to a shopping club. Others can come in pay alot more for one day but members get deep discounts all the time and since you are a prepaid member the room is all set. DVC can be hard even for us DIS nerds to wrap our heads around. Maybe if you find something she can relate to she will have an easier time understanding. Too bad you cant use the DDP that would have helped alot with the meals. Thats going to drive her crazy if she sees the checks.

 

[Halbleib1]

This may sound crazy but does she shop at Sams or Costco or other club. If she does explain DVC is like belong to a shopping club. Others can come in pay alot more for one day but members get deep discounts all the time and since you are a prepaid member the room is all set. DVC can be hard even for us DIS nerds to wrap our heads around. Maybe if you find something she can relate to she will have an easier time understanding. Too bad you cant use the DDP that would have helped alot with the meals. Thats going to drive her crazy if she sees the checks.

According to a previous post they will have the dining plan.

In case you did not know DVC members can now purchase the dining plan.

 

[cdotla]

Honestly...if it was me, and you could get out of it, I would consider planning a different type of trip with your parents.

Maybe you and the kids could do the Disney trip, and then meet your parents for a couple of days on one of the coasts for a couple days at the beach.

It sounds like your style of touring Disney (DVC, Signature Dining), is not going to mesh with your parents.

Even when you would be footing the bill, I expect the prices of everything (DVC discount or not) is going to bother your mother. And the fact that it is bothering her is going to bother you.

Unless you really want to compromise how you end up touring, or risk the negativity that will result from someone constantly complaining about prices, I personally think that you would be better off doing a solo trip with your girls.

 

[tiggspring]

According to a previous post they will have the dining plan.

In case you did not know DVC members can now purchase the dining plan.

Sorry I missed that . I did not know that had changed. What great news my DH would like to purchace a DVC and that is one more reason to go ahead!


In that case I would tell her it is prepaid all inclusive like a cruise. The prices are for non-members who pay rack rates and to ignore them. When we were on the DDP we had a great time ordering all the most expensive things on the menu and calculating how much we saved. If she is a big couponer it might be a way to make it more fun for her. If however it is just she doesnt like to buy expensive things even with a discount then I agree with the poster who says Disney might not be the right trip for her.

I can't tell you how many family reunion posts I have read that have been disasters because a certain relative was not capable of enjoying Disney. Much of my family hate "fancy" meals, hate anything that requires you to use your imagination, cant stand the beach or the pool or dancing or drinking and would never stay at a hotel that cost more than $75. When they come to visit we stick to historical sites, state parks etc. Nothing fancy and we have a good time. Taking them anywhere else would make them very uncomfortable and judgemental of my spending even if I could afford it. Disney is a terrible place to be miserable because you want to enjoy every moment! You do not want your kids to have terrible memories of Disney with their Grandparents or be unable to freely talk about your love of Disney in frount of your parents because they had such a rotten time. If you dont think the cruise explanation will work IMHO I would bow out now and avoid the things I have heard other families say.

GOOD LUCK!!!