Revamping vacation plans

[tammydel]

Hi All!
I'm posting this here because I believe the Podcast Board family and friends are a creative bunch that will understand my need to "find a way to make it work" rather than "this won't work".
Here is our scenario, 3 Part trip.
Part 1 - the kids and I fly down July 5th to do some intensive park time. My husband loves to relax at resorts (kids and I do as well) so we like to do some park days that DH wouldn't much enjoy before he gets there. During this part the kids and I hae been planning on staying at Coronado where our very good friends will be for the Children with Diabetes conference. We planned some time with them and thier kids.
Part 2 - DH flys down and we move to BLT on July 10th. We have been looking forward to lake activities at Sammy Duvall's, Top of the World Lounge, having a sofabed and chair sleeper for the kids plus the extra bathroom! We are DVC owners at BCV and have an ongoing affair with the Polynesian - so we were interseted and excited for trying out a resort with a different feel. Also during this time our friends from part 1 will be a the Beach Club so we have more plans to hang and dine with them.
Part 3 - My whole family transfers to Unversal for a stay at the Hard Rock. We did this last year and DH and the kids are all clamoring to go back. Plan is to be there July 15 - 19th. DH likes Universal more than Disney stay (But I'll stay married to him, he has other redeeming qualities).

Now if you've read this far - you have earned 3 credits in Life of the DelGiudice's. Now for the advanced class.

The problem is DH just found out he has to go to a conference 7/14-17. He would miss part of the BLT stay and all or the Hard Rock (the parts that he really wants). SO. We could just leave the plans as is and he just comes for a few days and leaves. No one loves that plan, seems silly for him to miss Hard Rock which he loves.
I thought up this beautiful plan - We all go to Universal first maybe July1st - 4th or 5th. Then we go to BLT 7/5-10th ish, then DH goes home and kids and I move to Beach Club and do park time and spend time with my friends . While a beautiful plans that gets everything we want, it has a flaw. DVC owners will have spotted it. The chance of changing our BLT this close is slim to none. I called and availibility is spotty, nothing consecutive. Asked about some other resorts as well, mostly same situation.

I feel like it is some kind of logic problem that I just can't see the answer yet. Maybe someone else will see it and I'll slap myself in the forhead and say "Oh, of course that's what we can do!"

Anyone see a solution?

Answers will be graded on a sliding curve.

Tammy

 

[disneym2m]

I am not an expert with DVC, but your plans sound good. Go early in July so that your husband can enjoy Universal park and hotel. Then continue on with your vacation as planned. Believe me, I understand about a husband not liking Disney but enjoys Universal.

Just keep telling yourself that the most important thing is time together as a family. Having to change plans isn't easy but the result is what matters.

I know this isn't very helpful, but it seems like you already know what is important and what to do. I am sure other board members, especially DVC members, will give you some suggestions.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation.

 

[BriarRosie]

I don't see a good solution for you at all. Mostly because you'd try to get things changed during peak season, and you'd have Hard Rock and BLT to have availability.

You can try to put a deposit down for Universal if you can, but I doubt Member Services will have a room at BLT for you. Usually the resorts with availability are SSR and OKW.

Of course it doesn't hurt to call!

 

[sayhello]

Well, how about trying at least to move the Universal stay to the start of the trip? Spend those days at Hard Rock, then, on July 5th move to Coronado and let hubby come up with some alternative activities for himself while you do the parks commando (he could golf or something like that). He's a big boy, I'm sure he can find things to amuse himself. Then, on July 10th, you all move to BLT, and finish out your vacation together.

It's not as ideal as the first setup, but since work interfered, there's not much you can do. This is, of course, assuming you can move your Hard Rock reservation.

Sayhello

 

[disprincessatheart]

Well, how about trying at least to move the Universal stay to the start of the trip? Spend those days at Hard Rock, then, on July 5th move to Coronado and let hubby come up with some alternative activities for himself while you do the parks commando (he could golf or something like that). He's a big boy, I'm sure he can find things to amuse himself. Then, on July 10th, you all move to BLT, and finish out your vacation together.

It's not as ideal as the first setup, but since work interfered, there's not much you can do. This is, of course, assuming you can move your Hard Rock reservation.

Sayhello

I think this is the best plan. Move hard rock to the beginning of the trip and keep your Blt reservation as it is. You can wait list for July 5 thru 10 at blt or another dvc if you think your dh would prefer that to coronado, or even switch to poly for those days instead. Main thing would be to work around the blt reservation.

 

[disprincessatheart]

I had another idea just incase airfare is already purchased. You could swap the Coronado and hard rock dates. Do hard rock 5 - 10 then Blt as planned (so dh gets what he really likes. Then go to beach club or another EPCOT hotel with your friends ( other than storm along bay any would do for joint dining and park touring)

 

[tammydel]

Just keep telling yourself that the most important thing is time together as a family.

This is what I keep telling myself as we sat as a family and tried to come up with a plan.
Everyone seems reluctant to give up BLT - I'm going to call tomorrow and see if I can back it up a couple of days. DH and Kids were even open to having to switch rooms if other views (we have Lake view) are available. Right now they are all hoping I can back it up a few days so we can go down together staight to Hard Rock 7/3-7 maybe(I've checked their sight and availability doesn't seem to be a problem there). Then BLT 7/7-12 (IF I can get 7th, 8th, and 9th!!!!!) Then the kids and I go over to the beach club when DH goes home.

Sayhello - that was my daughter's plan. Still a posibility....

Now I'm thinking - kids and I go down to Coronado 7/1-7/6, DH comes 7/6 and we head to universal until 7/10. Then over to BLT. DH leaves 12th or
13th and the kids stay until the 15th. When did this all get SO complicated Oh right, when we found out about the conferance...and of course there is my "I don't want to give up anything"

Back to the flow chart!
Tammy

 

[Cherinva]

I hope this all works out for you...good luck today.

 

[tammydel]

So finally we have a new plan!
One that we are all happy with (even me!)

We are going July 4th - 8th to the Hard Rock, the 8th - 12th at BLT (they were able to push us back a couple of days), DH goes home, then the kids and I the 12th - 17th at BCV.
It was funny - when I was planning it out my DH says to me "you can't come home until Sunday (17th) because I can't pick you up at the airport until then because I won't be home from the conferance until then."
And suddenly.....I didn't hate his conferance quite as much.


Thanks all for the suggestions.

Tammy

 

[disneym2m]

YAY...I am so glad that you were able to work your vacation plans out.

Oh darn conference. What a shame.

Have an AWESOME vacation. It will be here before you know it.

 

[sayhello]

Yay! I'm so glad you got it all worked out! I knew something would work out for you. Sounds like a wonderful trip! And you'll be in WDW for the 4th of July!

Sayhello