possible...cancelling Thanksgiving trip...

[dbprimeaux]

We might (99.9% sure) have to cancel our 2009 Thanksgiving trip...

I just started a new job, and I will not have enough earned time off to go.... I don't know what to do????

I called member services today, and I have to use the points by Jan. 30, 2010

The only way we will be able to go during Jan. would be to take the kids out of school for at least 4 days....kids - 16 yr old son, 7 yr old son, and 5 yr old daughter.... I need some advice!!!

 

[ua1992]

Oh my gosh -- I'm so sorry you may have to move your trip. Good luck in what you decide to do.

 

[dbprimeaux]

I just decided to go to bed and try to not think about it....

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could sell the reservation and then use the money you get to make another reservation when your family can go without missing school.

Any friends or relatives who might want to use it??

 

[rigsby25]

Why don't you ask your new employer? Explain about preparations already being made. I plan vacations all the time. In the last 5 years I've had to tell 2 new employers that preparations were already made. I mentioned this right when they made the job offer. Offer to go unpaid if you can afford it.

 

[dbprimeaux]

I have already mentioned this trip to my new boss....but, my "stand in" is getting married the same time of my trip....so, both of would be gone during the same week....

 

[disfanforlife]

I know this can be a "heated" subject, but I do not have any problem taking my kids out of school. Normally, they miss very few days and are good students. Case in point, we are taking our kids out next week when we go for 3 days. I would try to go in January if you can!

 

[wdw1972]

Why not send your spouse & kids?? The points may be wasted otherwise, since they go into holding at this point and your year expires in January. No reason the rest of the family should suffer because of your new job status...and there's no reason the trip has to be everyone or no one.

 

[Sandisw]

If the only way to use up the points is to go in January, then I would do that and pull the kids from school if it is not going to be too much of an issue for the 16 year old (I think the 7 and 5 should be fine).

Or, as someone else said, you could try to rent the current reservation, or cancel, put the points in holding and offer them for rent.

With only being able to book 60 days out, you may find availability in January limited.

I wish you luck! And, congratulations on your new job!

 

[SLM]

Just one thing to consider-the time of year might not affect the younger children, but many high schools have mid-terms in January.

 

[Dee77]

I would suggest that you go for as long as possible with the holiday and weekend and have your spouse and children go for the duration that was originally planned.

The point of them missing school around mid-terms etc may be worse to deal with. Good luck with your decision!!

 

[omalley1118]

I hear your pain...had to cancel our very first "trip home" this past septmeber for the same reason. UGH!!!! We also were going with friends... I take my kids out of school for trips. I know others don't and it's a personal decision.

 

[ccigliano]

I agree with wdw1972, try to maximize the Thanksgiving Day weekend and have your family stay for the entire reservation. We have Thursday and Friday as a holiday now at work so maybe you work a day on one end or the other and pull 5 days out.

 

[dbprimeaux]

thanks for all the advice...

 

[JennSaint]

Are you sure you'd be able to book a DVC stay for January? Did you even inquire availability? I probably would pull the kids from school (though not sure how it will affect the 16 yr old) and go in January if there's even availability.

 

[CNPHILLY]

Pull the kids out of school! Done.

 

[dbprimeaux]

Yes - I did talk to MS on Friday about Jan. availability.....and the week we would be able to go is open. We could go the week of MLK Holiday, and the kids would only miss 4 days of school.... I am going to contact my kids teachers tomorrow, and see what is planned for that week...

 

[twinklebug]

Yes - I did talk to MS on Friday about Jan. availability.....and the week we would be able to go is open. We could go the week of MLK Holiday, and the kids would only miss 4 days of school.... I am going to contact my kids teachers tomorrow, and see what is planned for that week...

Sounds like you're perking up a bit The wonderful thing about owning DVC: there will always be more vacations and lots more planning to come.

Talking with the teachers is an excellent idea. Some teachers/school systems are far more tolerant and helpful if situations are discussed with them in advance.

Too many people quickly take a side on taking kids out of school. My answer to taking kids out is: it depends. It's a very personal decision between the parents and the teachers, and as they get older, the children. We don't all have the perfect students those who do are quick to boast about. Nor do we all have school systems that think it's fine to take a child out of school for anything other than the flu or a death in the family. It just bothers me how fast people are to chime in "take them out" or "don't take them out". Falling off the box now...

 

[dbprimeaux]

thanks....twinklebug!

I actually don't mind moving the trip to Jan. 2010.... due to the crowds being "low." I am more worried about it being "flu" season for us...and moving the reservations and not being able to go due to sickiness....and I have to use the points by Jan. 30, 2010

 

[DznyDreamz]

I just went through this very issue, except it wasn't due to necessity of my job.

We had just gone the week of 10/5 and had another trip planned from 11/30-12/5. We wanted to see the parks during Christmas, but weren't quite "ready" (mentally and financially) to go again so soon. We love Halloween so much we opted to stick with October and re-schedule the December trip.

We had borrowed about 9 points from our next use year so we couldn't bank the points and had to use them by 1/31/10. I also have AP's that expire 1/29/10 so I wanted to get one more use out of them.

I tried to offer the time to some other family members but no one was able to swing it on such short notice.

We then contemplated taking our DD out of school again and after talking with my parents, decided DD would spend a week with her grandparents and just DH and I would go in January.

We went on our own last January and absolutely loved it! So, that was the decision we made.

My DD does well in school and we don't have personal issues with taking her out. She was out for that week in October and may go again in May and then December (which will be in the next school year).

So, I guess you just have to weigh your options and see what you can do.

Good luck!