Still Steaming Three Years Later

[Vero Beach Bum]

I learned a valuable lesson about inviting family during a trip to the Boardwalk Villas for the Millenium Celebration. I was lucky enough to win the DVC lottery for Millenium reservations and, after informing my sister of my good fortune, she decided that we should all head down to WDW for the celebration. In order to accomodate everyone, I borrowed the next years points and charged my sisters family $1,000 for an eight day stay in a studio. The studio was adjoined to my one bedroom and, upon arrival at the BWV, my sister toured both rooms and immediately declared the the 1 bedroom for her family. Needless to say, I set her straight and directed her to the studio. For the rest of the week, I was subjected to comments such as, "these accomodations are not at the level of service that we are accustomed to", etc. I decided that from that moment on, first of all, that my sister would never be welcome again, and secondly, that anyone who stays with me would stay for free. When someone stays for free, they feel like a guest, but when someone pays, even if it is a small amount, they feel a sense of entitlement. I learned a terrible lesson and am still steaming after three years. Hopefully, someone will heed my advice and avoid a similar situation.

By the way, I am still on borrowed points because of the Millenium trip.

Thanks for listening, I feel better already.

Vero Beach Bum

Vero Beach Bum

 

[MELSMICE]

How unfortunate that your sister could not appreciate the accommodations she had.

I have had a few things happen in life that have angered me also, but after a while I try to leave the anger behind at look at it as "lesson learned".

It's just too bad you had to borrow your valuable points. If you ever do vacation with her again, let her make her own reservations somewhere that the "accommodations are what they are used to experiencing"

 

[Granny]

VB Bum...

We've heard lots of stories here from folks who have had bad experiences with friends and family on trips. We've avoided it because we haven't had much chance to include anyone, and stories like this make us think that we probably won't.

I know that many have had family, friends, etc join them on trips and have had a wonderful time. I'm sorry that three year's later, you're still bummed out about that trip.

 

[manning]

Two things!

Good for you for setting your sister straight and not letting her get her way!

Let go of the anger and forget about it. It only ruins your day and life is too short for that.

Well three things. Next time you go down, send her a post card. She'll appreciate it.

 

[WDWLVR]

VBB,

We took my in-laws down in October as guests in a 2 bedroom. They had no problem with the studio side at all - in fact they spent all their time in it. I was expecting that we use the master bedroom and they use the studio as their bedroom. Instead they spent all their time in their own room. My MIL who complains about my FIL's snoring wouldn't even come and sleep on the couch in the living room saying "that's your room". Instead she just complained every morning about not getting sleep. Go figure. We will continue to give them points to use on their own at Vero Beach (they love it there), but I don't think we'll be inviting them to share DVC with us again anytime soon.

 

[KNWVIKING]

" When it comes to family,if you can't afford to give it to them, you dare not sell it to them."

 

[John P]

$1000 for 8 nights on the Millenium IS "giving it away" - don't waste another moment feeling bad, you did her an outstanding favor and if she can't see that then it is her problem, not yours. Next time I'd be happy to rent a studio from you

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Does she have any clue what the going rate for a studio during that time frame is? If not, perhaps she felt that for $1000 she should have got the 1br because the studio wasn't worth that much. I'm not trying to defend her actions in any way, just wondering if she knew the true value of the accomodations. We have not charged any family we have taken with us, but then again we haven't had any family invite themselves either as your sister did!

 

[Luv2Dream]

VB,
I hope you can let your anger go. It seems that with events like this in my life, eventually there is always the opportunity to set things straight, either by telling your sister how this still bothers you, or possibly, you would bug her at some point in her life for something that you did. Nevertheless, life is way too short and people are way too unpredictable to let it keep you "steaming".

 

[SimbaNoodle]

My trip in a few weeks will be the first time that I have brought family with me. I have a two bedroom at OKW for 6 nights. I feel it will go just fine. Can't wait to go.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

We took my parents in July for 5 days at BWV and they had a GREAT time--loved the studio--mom slept on the couch but she does a lot at home too--instead of money they bought us one meal a day, and Dad still raves about Flying Fish.
I wish they could go more often!
Robin M.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Well, if it will make you feel any better, my mother and sisters were in two additional studios for our family vacation on my points, and they changed resorts at the last minute without telling me!! It seems that they also felt the accommodations at OKW weren't "up to their standards" and managed to get the rooms changed to WLV. My room stayed at OKW, and I found this out just two hours before I was due to fly down. I was livid--fortuneately, the staff at OKW helped get my room changed to WLV, but I vowed "Never again" Believe me, they will go to their graves never having received another vacation from me, and I don't feel a bit guilty. "Up to their standards" is a funny statement, because my family's standards are "who can I mooch from?" I'm also still bitter, but I feel better every time I go to Florida

 

[CaptainMidnight]

We try to take family along a couple of times as a gift of appreciation. I guess it doesn't always work. Switching resorts without telling you? Wanting the one bedroom over the studio? Unfortunately family can be ungrateful. Hope it works out better in the future. I can undertand some folks being upset ofer being taken advantage of.

 

[rae519]

Remember that old saying, "You can pick your friends but you can't pick your relatives"

Now this is coming from the mouth of an only child - and what do I know!!!

Rae

 

[mrsdon]

I understand how you feel.
Now I might be selfish, but my DH and I decieded a long time ago to invest our money in vacations and thats why we joined the DVC. My sister on the other hand hordes her money.
I would never ask her to share my vacation, because she would complain the whole time that she cant afford anything this nice,
ARGH!!!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

After a few more responses, if your still steamed, you could consider printing this thread off and sending it to your sister.

Never mind, probably not a good idea. A heart to heart telling her how you feel is probably the better way to go.

 

[pwoodham]

The danger is certainly there!! I'm so grateful my family does not mind paying their own way and tends to look on the bright side of things! I've gone with family many times, mostly on my points. One of my sisters has several timeshares, and she's taken us to Canada and Virginia. She's never taken a dime, and we offer every time. We always make sure to take them to a very nice dinner, and pay for as much as they will allow (activities, groceries, etc.). I am so sorry you had a bad experience. For me, I'd rather have some sisters along than go with just my DH and my kids. The more, the merrier!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Thank goodness my family is simply inconsiderate about last minute cancellation & planning. Other than that they are fine.

Let the anger go. Just take as a lesson learned and if there is a next time with your sister then let her book her own room(s). Odds are she'll get accomodations that are to her standards and she'll be happy paying Disney where as she wasn't happy paying you. That's just the way some people are.

 

[wilderness01]

Rae,

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[rae519]

Thank you but please don't feel sorry - I wouldn't have missed loving her for all the pain of losing her. And her life had so much meaning especially in that she gave a second chance at living to 8 people. And if just one person considers organ donation after reading about her, then her memorial will be her legacy.

God was good to us when He let us have her and for as long as a time we did, she loved and was loved. And I really wouldn't have missed having her for anything! She was worth it.

Thank you, and God bless!

Rae