Potential vacation/family event schedule conflict. Advice, please. Update - Post#8

[KelNottAt]

If everything goes well, I plan to book three 1BR Boardwalk view villas for a family trip next year. We hope to check in on Saturday, Aug 12 for 5 nights. This is the best date according to work, school, and day care schedules. To play it safe, and hopefully get what we want, I’ll definitely book as soon as the 11-month window opens.

But…
My grandma turns 90 on Aug 12, 2006 (target date for check-in). Since we’re 13 months away from the big 9-0, there hasn’t been any discussion yet of holding a birthday event next year. It would be ideal if the party (if we have one) doesn’t conflict with these vacation dates.

So how do I bring that up? No matter what conversation or email I rehearse in my mind, I just sound snotty and selfish (not to mention CRAZY for looking/booking/asking so far in advance). BTW, my sister is part of the BWV trip. So we’re partners in this dilemma.

I guess I should mention that Grandma’s in a nursing home and, although she can hold a lively conversation, she really doesn’t know whether today is July 11, Halloween, or December 7, 1941. So the vacation/party conflict will mainly be an issue with my dad, my aunt, and 2 cousins.

As DVC owners, I’m sure you can appreciate the sensitivities of the timing problems here: moving vacation moves the 11-month window, and if vacation must move earlier, then the window slides and I could miss an early booking. (What if I should be booking today???) Plus, we’re really hoping to get a BW view for our first trip home. Finally, if worse comes to worse and no one even thinks of a party until July next year, we’ll be within the 30 day cancellation period. (But that’s what insurance is for, I guess.)

And anyone who's ever had a wonderful grandma knows, you wouldn't want to miss a big party...or be the difficult one when it comes to scheduling.

Anybody got some advice? When/how do I raise the issue? Would after this year’s birthday, but before the 11-month window be OK? Should I not even ask, and just go about my plans? Should I volunteer to organize a party, and make sure it’s clear of the vacation? (Boy that’s sneaky. Horrible idea.)

Please help. Thanks.

**** See update in post #8. *****
Kelley

 

[CarolMN]

Why not move your trip by just one day - Assume your grandma's party will be on her actual birthday (August 12 ) and then travel/check in to the BWV on 8/13, (a Sunday) for 5 nights? It will cost you less points and you still get to do the party if they have one. Be sure and telll the others that you are leaving on 8/13, so that they do not plan the party for Sunday.

Best wishes -

 

[dianeschlicht]

I was going to suggest the same thing as Carol, but I want to add, that maybe YOU should take the initiative for Grandma's birthday, and start plannign the party NOW! Contact a few of the closest relatives and tell them you are planning the party for XX/XX, and then make part of the plans so it is relatively all set. I was able to plan my Grandma's 90th birthday by pre-renting the community hall at her residence quite awhile ahead of time. If you plan it for the Friday evening (this will be before her actual birthday), it wont look like you are being selfish at all, and perhaps everyone will be relieved that someone else is doing the planning!

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

Well those are two PERFECT ideas...way to go ladies!

 

[KelNottAt]

Thanks, everyone.

I'd love to checkin on Sunday, rather than Saturday (fewer points). But that would mess-up plans for the end of the week or cut us short at the beginning.

I like the idea about asking that the party be on Friday, Aug 11. That may turn out to be the most peaceful idea. (Thanks for the suggestion.) Even tho the party location (Ocean City, Md) is 3 hours from BWI, we could probably still make an early Saturday flight to MCO.

I'm most apprehensive about starting the party plans myself just to get a date that's convenient to me. Something about it seems underhanded.

It's time to consult DSis. I'm sure this conflict hasn't even occured to her. As a spontaneous free spirit I'm sure she'll dismiss all my concerns as obessive compulsive planning disorder. But, hey, they're not her points...so she doesn't "get it."

Kelley

 

[ChickieToo]

I'm sort of an "Honesty is the best policy" kind of person, so I would go to your Dad and Aunt and tell them that you have a tight schedule next vacation season and becasue your vacation will include juggling the schedules of two other families it will be even tighter. Thne I would tell them that these are the dates I was able to come up with for my vacation. I know it comes up right at Grandma's 90th Bday, and I would hate to not give her a grand party, and I would hate to miss it, so do you mind if we start planning it now so I can do both.

I don't think there is anything underhanded about wanted to do both and trying to get the schedule to accommodate both. I believe that thinking so far ahead and putting some thought into your grandmothers Bday would be appreciated by your Dad and he wouldn't be angry.

Give it a whirl.

 

[HookdonWDW]

I'm most apprehensive about starting the party plans myself just to get a date that's convenient to me. Something about it seems underhanded.

Instead of thinking of it as "underhanded", think of it as wanting to make sure that you and your dsis are there to help your gm celebrate a truly important birthday. I'm a party planner by nature, so I would be knocking people out of the way to plan such an event!

Also, having a party on a Saturday for a landmark birthday would not be unusual. More people will be able to fit it into their schedules and not have to worry about church or work on Monday. IMHO, no one need know that you planned your vacation first and the party second. It works for everyone, your grandmother will be delighted, and THAT is all that truly matters.

 

[KelNottAt]

Well, it seems I was nervous over nothing. I emailed Dad and Aunt C yesterday. See their great replies below:

Daddy and Aunt C,
Mary and I are planning to vacation together next summer at Disney World. (Mom's coming, too.)

After comparing my timeshare seasons to our work and daycare (camp) schedules, the trip is slated to begin August 12, 2006. Now I just realized that's Grandma's 90th birthday. Should we change our plans? Or is it safe to keep the week we're booking?

Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

Love, Kel


Kel,
I would not change any plans for your wonderful vacation next year. If we plan something we will either have it before you leave or after. How does that sound?
Love, Aunt C

Kel....[edit for space] Keep your Disney dates. We can move Gigi's birthday party to a nearby date. Love, Dad

Woohoo! Time to add a countdown to my sig!

Thanks for all your advice and encouragement. BTW, in thanking them both for their flexibility, I did offer to help with the party planning.
Kelley

 

[CarolMN]

What a great ending! The only negative is all that worrying you did for nothing, LOL!

Hope you have a wonderful trip and a great party to celebrate your Grandmother's 90th!

Best wishes-

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

I am glad that it all worked out for you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You have a nice family, you got friendly replies. Enjoy your trip and the birthday party.

Bobbi

 

[CharlesTD]

Glad that worked out for you Kel I know our family wouldn't dream of booking a trip near a milestone like that but every family is different glad you had a happy ending to it and it seems the worry was for not congrats. My mom would hang me if I tried to book a vacation when my grandfatehr turned 90 I would have never heard the end of it LOL.