Someone Cheer me up :(

[Luv2trav]

I know in the scheme of things this is not a tragic or anything but you will all understand my situation.

We are taking my in laws for the first time ever with us this Nov 30th-Dec 7th. I planned this at the 11 month window. I was able to get 2 concierge studios at AKV for our stay. Super right?? I was very excited until In Laws asked if brother and family could come with us. We asked him 2 months ago if anyone else wanted to come. They decided THIS week they wanted to come. They need a 2 bedroom. Of course NOTHING available at AKV. The only place available for all of us is SSR... Now I love SSR but I was SOOOOOOOOOO looking forward to concierge...

My husband's feels it's more about my In Laws visit because this might be the only time they ever go with us... There is always next time for us. I know this but still very disappointed.

 

[disneynutz]

Let brother and family stay in a savanna view studio that they pay for.

Bill

 

[Luv2trav]

We thought about that but there are 7 of them. It would require 2 rooms and we are trying to use our points to help them out financially. Other option was put 2 in In-Laws room and 5 in a 1 bedroom (current reservation) but 5 in 1 bedroom with 3 being adults is hard to do.

 

[disneynutz]

We thought about that but there are 7 of them. It would require 2 rooms and we are trying to use our points to help them out financially. Other option was put 2 in In-Laws room and 5 in a 1 bedroom (current reservation) but 5 in 1 bedroom with 3 being adults is hard to do.

IMO the fact that they decided to change their minds and come along isn't your problem. I don't care if it's their only trip, I would not let them change your plans. In fact we have learned that being nice will usually bit you in the butt. My guess is that you will be left out and the others will pair up.

Bill

 

[rpk1951]

Be happy, you will still be at Disney. You will be with family. I can think of lots of bad things and these are not on the list.

 

[Shea&Van]

Just wanted to say...you are super sweet for considering moving resorts. I don't think I would.

You gave them the chance and they changed their mind. It's okay to do that, but I would choose the resort I wanted and explain the other options to them. You are very kind to offer to help them out with points.

I have found myself in a similar situation recently regarding a beach trip. I'm working on the fine art of saying "no" gently and kindly because I really want our trip to be what we envisioned and not something we are forced into because family decided to change thier plans at the last minute.

I'm sure whatever you decide to do will still amount to an awesome Disney vacay.

Happy planning and best of luck!!

 

[Disbroads]

IMO the fact that they decided to change their minds and come along isn't your problem. I don't care if it's their only trip, I would not let them change your plans. In fact we have learned that being nice will usually bit you in the butt. My guess is that you will be left out and the others will pair up.

Bill

I have to agree with Disneynutz. I would do whatever it takes to keep your reservation as is, with the late joiners experiencing any crowding or inconvenience. Or, book them at Saratoga, explaining that there's no rooms at AK, and leave it at that.

They have demonstrated a bit of apathy already on this trip with the delayed response.
What sort of friction will it cause if/when they back out in September, leaving you at Saratoga without them?
We've seen too many stories about people bending over backwards only to get burned... Because "Hey, they already own it. It's free so no big deal to cancel.".

 

[lisaviolet]

Have you changed it?

Don't.

A two bedroom at AKV will come up. I would put money on it. Do not rely strictly on a WL.

Scan the online system yourself like an assassin. You will get it.

Look at the dancing banana that you posted beside your concierge snag. Look at the joy in his dance. Do you want to squish him? NO, YOU DON'T.

A two bedroom at AKV will come up!!!! SCAN.

 

[Tinker mommy]

You have my sympathy! We are long-term planners like many others on the DIS, and we do our best to try and explain (without being pushy) to family and friends why you have to make these decisions so far in advance. But no matter how much you warn them, until someone experiences WDW, they don't really understand the necessity of planning in advance to get the vacation experience you want. I agree with other posters that you did your best to warn them and include them, so now you should stick with your plan. If you want to help them out with your points, book them at SSR. If they rent a car they can go back and forth pretty easily, and still spend lots of time with family, and enjoy AKL too. (The reality is that it is pretty hard to move through WDW in such a large group all the time, so you will probably spend time apart anyway as parts of the group go off to do different things.) Any inconvenience they suffer is due to their late committment. SSR is nice, but just not the same experience as AKL. Don't feel like the bad guy! You are the one making this vacation happen for everyone else. You are probably worrying about it more than anyone else.

 

[LisaS]

I agree with the others here. Don't change YOUR plans because someone else changed their mind. Put them up wherever you can but don't give up the Concierge studios you worked hard to get. If they couldn't decide to go when you originally asked, what are the chances they will change their minds again and decide they cannot go after all?

Even if they do come along, sometimes a bit of distance between family members is a good thing. If you are at different resorts, you can arrange to meet up at the parks or for meals.

 

[Tinker mommy]

Have you changed it?

Don't.

A two bedroom at AKV will come up. I would put money on it. Do not rely strictly on a WL.

Scan the online system yourself like an assassin. You will get it.

Look at the dancing banana that you posted beside your concierge snag. Look at the joy in his dance. Do you want to squish him? NO, YOU DON'T.

A two bedroom at AKV will come up!!!! SCAN.

I agree with this post too. Be vigilant and you will get what you want.

 

[Luv2trav]

Thanks everyone... I haven't cancelled it yet. I can't bring myself to do it... Right now 2 nights are available at AKV..

 

[LisaS]

A two bedroom at AKV will come up. I would put money on it. Do not rely strictly on a WL.

Having them at a different resort may be a good thing. Otherwise the OP might not be able to take full advantage of the Concierge Lounge since they might feel compelled to give up time in the lounge to spend more time with brother's family.

 

[quirty30]

I too hope you haven't canceled your AKV CL studios. If they've decided to join you at this stage of the game, they could just as easily change their minds a few months later. Book them at SSR & waitlist AKV. Agree With Lisaviolet that your waitlist will likely come through.

 

[lodge]

Book those two, the rest wherever, waitlist akv to change when available..... then scan like pp said.

We accommodated familiy's needs for years, then when the first time came up that we needed consideration of needs, they were not even slightly considered- game over! Stick with your plans and help them learn to consider your efforts.

 

[dmoore22]

IMO the fact that they decided to change their minds and come along isn't your problem. I don't care if it's their only trip, I would not let them change your plans. In fact we have learned that being nice will usually bit you in the butt. My guess is that you will be left out and the others will pair up.

Bill

Oh yeah! Been there, done that.

No matter how flexible and accommodating we were for our guests they would invariably have a change of plans, or a request made, at the most inopportune time. The last straw was when we made reservations for the extra accommodations, albeit, as with your situation, less than the 11 month window. We did a wait list which came through. That's the good news. The bad news -- they cancelled out on us 14 days before check-in. Never, Never, Ever, Ever Again!!!! If anyone wants to come along, and it requires accommodations over and above what we would use if they weren't coming, we direct them to AP room discounts, Disney Visa, or whatever deals may be available at the time. They're a lot more careful when they become the stakeholder, i.e., using their own money. Now it's very easy for us to say "Too Late! The window of opportunity has closed! You might want to check out the All Star Resorts. They're very nice and affordable."

 

[Luv2trav]

OK we haven't cancelled... We have a 1 bedroom reserved for the week with hopes of a 2 bedroom coming available... Thanks for all your input.

Our inlaws(step brothers family) are really understanding. They even offered to stay somewhere else but it's my in laws that I would be concerned about. this will be the only trip where all of their grandchildren together. I want us all together in the same resort.

 

[LisaS]

Good point about the possible last minute cancellation. Booking with cash through Disney might give them better cancellation options, provided they don't book a package. When we used to book room-only, I remember the cancellation policies were very generous. I don't know if that's still the case.

If they will have a car, I think Pop Century and Art of Animation are close to AKV.

 

[Luv2trav]

Having them at a different resort may be a good thing. Otherwise the OP might not be able to take full advantage of the Concierge Lounge since they might feel compelled to give up time in the lounge to spend more time with brother's family.

I've thought about that...or them thinking they have access too.. But our step brother is well travelled and he understand that they will not have access to this...LOL... I made the perfectly clear.

 

[JWG]

I agree - keep what you have and see if you can make something work.

When we take extended family we do one of a few things:
- Let them know where we're staying and allow them to book wherever they want on their dime
- Charge them some rate between the cost of dues and $9/point (always less than the going rental rate) to have their own rooms (dependant upon number)
- Allow them to stay with us for free if it doesn't change our accommodation need by adding a room (We've had 5 in a 2BR and added 2 w/o impact to the reservation)

It forces some skin in the game. We've not done a strict friends comine along trip yet. So we'll see how that works when it happens. I think we'll go with #2, charge them some rate between the cost of dues and the going rate for a portion of the points.

It's not about the money (usually the money gets reinvested into something involving the travel party), it's about the committment. Same reason most service providers require a deposit.