Rethinking our room plan

[ilovesugar]

We have booked a GV at Jambo for a week in December. There will be 6 adults with 5 kids ranging from 1-8. 3 families (our family and Dh's 2 brothers and their families) We were all excited about it but now I am re-thinking this set-up.

The main reason for this is that my SIL does not seem to be able to handle being around that many people for long periods of time. I did not know this at the time we booked the room, but after spending a day with her recently, I found she is going to be a PITA. Long story short, we visited their home and she made it so uncomfortable for us that we ended up leaving after one day. Well, she recently went to visit her OWN family for a week and ended up leaving early because it was to many people in to close of quarters. There were 6 adults and 3 kids in a 1400 sq foot home.

I am thinking this is going to be a miserable trip for everyone if I don't reconfigure things. I am REALLY bummed because I was so looking forward to staying in a GV. So now I am stuck wondering what to do.

What would you do? We are foooting the bill for the lodging so I don't want to spend more than 525 points, which is what it costs for the GV for the week we are there.

A studio is 105 points
A 1 BR is 208 points
A 2BR is 278 points

I think that a 2 bedroom is too small for 4 adults and 4 kids (one being an infant), don't you? We talked about going down to a 2 bedroom and a studio but I don't know if that will work. If we do all studios, then we don't have a kitchen. If we do all 1 bedrooms, it is to many points.

Can anyone help?

 

[extremesoccermom]

Personally I think you are very generous to plan this and even worry about her. If she is problem though I would also want to be away from her though. I think a 2 bedroom would be fine for 4 adults and 4 kids. Although 2 kids would have to share a bed which would probably the case in the GV anyway.
I would get the 2br and a studio for her if the rest of the family gets along alright. That way she could visit for meals or planning but have a chance to get away also.
Otherwise you could do 2 1br and 1 studio That will teach her to make you change everything.

 

[bobbiwoz]

You may not be able to get whatever you hope for, but I do not think a 2 bedroom in Kidani ( I wouldn't try it in Jambo) is too small for 4 adults and 4 kids with one being an infant. We had a 2 bedroom in BLT for 5 nights with 5 adults and 3 kids and none of us felt overcrowded, and I think Kidani's accomodations are a bit larger. I know the master bath in Kidani is huge. Having the 3 bathrooms is what I think makes the 2 bedroom doable for your group size.

Bobbi

PS. Yet, I doubt that you'll get what you want right away. Maybe with a waitlist, but I wouldn't really risk giving up the GV.

 

[Disneypubgal]

We have booked a GV at Jambo for a week in December. There will be 6 adults with 5 kids ranging from 1-8. 3 families (our family and Dh's 2 brothers and their families) We were all excited about it but now I am re-thinking this set-up.

The main reason for this is that my SIL does not seem to be able to handle being around that many people for long periods of time. I did not know this at the time we booked the room, but after spending a day with her recently, I found she is going to be a PITA. Long story short, we visited their home and she made it so uncomfortable for us that we ended up leaving after one day. Well, she recently went to visit her OWN family for a week and ended up leaving early because it was to many people in to close of quarters. There were 6 adults and 3 kids in a 1400 sq foot home.

I am thinking this is going to be a miserable trip for everyone if I don't reconfigure things. I am REALLY bummed because I was so looking forward to staying in a GV. So now I am stuck wondering what to do.

What would you do? We are foooting the bill for the lodging so I don't want to spend more than 525 points, which is what it costs for the GV for the week we are there.

A studio is 105 points
A 1 BR is 208 points
A 2BR is 278 points

I think that a 2 bedroom is too small for 4 adults and 4 kids (one being an infant), don't you? We talked about going down to a 2 bedroom and a studio but I don't know if that will work. If we do all studios, then we don't have a kitchen. If we do all 1 bedrooms, it is to many points.

Can anyone help?

No offense... but if spending all that time with everyone is too much maybe she should just stay home and the rest of you keep your plans... It is going to be VERY difficult to make changes for December this late in the game... December is a very busy DVC month!! Whatever you decide... try not to let one person ruin the trip for everyone... perhaps you could plan for everyone to spend park time on there own and just meet up for meals.... just a thought and good luck!!

 

[Chuck S]

If it is too much for her, why should everyone else not be able to enjoy the GV? She is the one with the problem, she needs to find a solution, whether that is staying home, or paying cash for their own accommodations in another room.

They are your points, you should not have to spend more points than you intended. You presented the opportunity to them for a vacation...and they accepted under your terms.

 

[ilovesugar]

No offense... but if spending all that time with everyone is too much maybe she should just stay home and the rest of you keep your plans... It is going to be VERY difficult to make changes for December this late in the game... December is a very busy DVC month!! Whatever you decide... try not to let one person ruin the trip for everyone... perhaps you could plan for everyone to spend park time on there own and just meet up for meals.... just a thought and good luck!!

If it is too much for her, why should everyone else not be able to enjoy the GV? She is the one with the problem, she needs to find a solution, whether that is staying home, or paying cash for their own accommodations in another room.

They are your points, you should not have to spend more points than you intended. You presented the opportunity to them for a vacation...and they accepted under your terms.

Oh boy do I agree with both of you. I will be emailing her this week and kind of putting it on her. I will very nicely explain to her that while this is a larger room, it is by no means a place where you are going to get away from other people. That it seems like she needs a little more privacy and I don't want her to be miserable the whole time, then suggest that maybe her and her family would be happier in their own room (at their own cost) and see what she says.

 

[Disney Spaz]

ilovesugar I think you are making the right choice by putting it on her. I have had 1 family vacation hijacked by in-laws and I must say it really soured me on family trips for quite awhile. These seem to be her issues so et her decide how she wants to handle it. And hopefully she will choose to book her own room. Let us know how things work out.

 

[spiceycat]

think Dec is completely booked - so if you give up the GV then don't think you or your family is going this Dec.

one of the nice things about Jambo House or Kidani - is there are lots of places where she can get away by herself - if that is what she needs.

the places where you can see the animals or just read.

understand too much family or friends is too much - but she can get away even if the weather is bad. which at ssr, okw, values and moderates would be impossible.

if you are staying in Jambo house - she has the entire lobby and DVC entertainment area - to also get away.

think you picked a wonderfully place for someone with people issues.

also she might be negative and yo will think she hates it - but believe she does not. some people don't know how to be positive.

good luck!

 

[Disneypubgal]

Oh boy do I agree with both of you. I will be emailing her this week and kind of putting it on her. I will very nicely explain to her that while this is a larger room, it is by no means a place where you are going to get away from other people. That it seems like she needs a little more privacy and I don't want her to be miserable the whole time, then suggest that maybe her and her family would be happier in their own room (at their own cost) and see what she says.

Good luck!!

 

[DenLo]

I understand your concerns, but no matter how nice you put it, it will come out wrong. Families misunderstand even the most well meaning changes.

I think you might just have to bite the bullet and either get them a separate DVC villa or accept that at this late date you'll all have to share. And in future not invite them again. Personally I'd get them a room even if I had to pay cash. They could still stay at Jambo House, just not be on your floor. And the distance might be worth it.

It's an expensive solution, but might be best. And I would tell her that after your visit it seems she would be happier in their own room so you bought/got them one. And tell them that you can't afford to do this in the future so they won't expect any more invites.

 

[ilovesugar]

I understand your concerns, but no matter how nice you put it, it will come out wrong. Families misunderstand even the most well meaning changes.

I think you might just have to bite the bullet and either get them a separate DVC villa or accept that at this late date you'll all have to share. And in future not invite them again. Personally I'd get them a room even if I had to pay cash. They could still stay at Jambo House, just not be on your floor. And the distance might be worth it.

It's an expensive solution, but might be best. And I would tell her that after your visit it seems she would be happier in their own room so you bought/got them one. And tell them that you can't afford to do this in the future so they won't expect any more invites.

We thought about that too but there are two very big things that hold us back.

1. We are already putting out 525 points for the GV and we don't think that it is fair that because of her issues, we then would have to shell out another $1000 or more so that she can deal with it.

2. She is a neurologist and he is a neurosurgeon, they can afford an exrta room way more than I can.

 

[ToddyLu]

The PP is very correct about there being plenty of space for her to remove herself from the hustle and bustle of a Disney trip. Dang, she can just shut the door to her room and you can tell the kids, "hey, who wants to go get ice cream or swimming" (you most likely will be able to do some swimming in Dec). I don't think you are going to be able to change your GV to something else at this late date and I certainly would not give it up. It is what you planned...she knows it and she can get her own room if she wants. Maybe this is what she wants but doesn't know how to tell you? I would just kindly ask her if the arrangements are OK and then state if she wants to get her own space you certainly understand. There now, you have given her an out.

Or your DH can handle it through his brother.

No matter how the trip unfolds you are not going to be able to make her happy--that is on her.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Best of luck!

No good deed goes unpunished.

 

[ToddyLu]

Did she agree to this trip? Gosh, if I didn't want to be around people I sure as heck wouldn't go to WDW....talk about miserable. That is like making my DH who hates the confinement of an airplane...fly to Australia with no Ativan to take on the trip and making him sit the whole way. Maybe she wants you to give her an out and that is why she is acting stuffy? Maybe she is beginning to worry about the trip herself and knows she has this problem and sees no way out of it due to her DH and kids being excited.

You could even offer to make the reservations for their room one night over dinner like it is no big deal---show them the other accomodations that THEY can pay for at WDW--she might would get excited at that prospect.

 

[dvcterry]

at this point you may have to check with MS if you will have all those rooms available for the new setup in December for all the nights of the original reservation. I wouldn't want to lose the GV. GV's are beautiful. Why does every family have to have a PITA?

 

[spiceycat]

Why does every family have to have a PITA?

because they are families.

no one fights worst than brothers (or sisters & brothers)

 

[Donna M]

They are great and you'll love it.

We have invited large family groups in the past and I let them know what the accommodations will be. If they don't like it they don't have to come. No way would I pay cash for them especially since they should be able to afford it themselves.

You will be giving up too much by canceling the GV for one person who should be capable of finding out how to get the space she needs with the accommodations that are being provided for her and her family for free.

What does PITA mean?

 

[simmons_m]

Pain in the ...

I can relate

 

[ddoconnell]

I agree with a PP that you should just keep your GV and let your DH work it out with his DB. Take the vacation that you and the rest of the family are looking forward to taking!

Good luck!

 

[Tara]

We thought about that too but there are two very big things that hold us back.

1. We are already putting out 525 points for the GV and we don't think that it is fair that because of her issues, we then would have to shell out another $1000 or more so that she can deal with it.

2. She is a neurologist and he is a neurosurgeon, they can afford an exrta room way more than I can.

I totally agree - they're her issues, and ones you apparently didn't know about when planning. But I bet she knew about them! I think my concern would be how to deal with her if she starts showing her...bad attitude during the vacation. Good luck!!