Taking family vent

[bobbiwoz]

We have brought family and friends successfully. Once a DF cancelled, but it was family emergency realted, and in no way reflected my DF's wishes. I feel I "owe" her one, and am giving her the opportunity to join me and DSis in March.

I hope it works out for the OP in a satisfactory manner for her. We do not charge family or friends, and if anyone insisted, I would direct them to the rent trade board and stay out of it.

Bobbi

 

[5forDiz]

At most as a possible solution to the maximum occupancy issue I'd list your niece on your room but have her sleep in her parent's room and let them figure out who is going to use blowup mattress or sleeping bag; I'm sure she is a lovely child but you and your family deserve the privacy and space of your own room so I wouldn't put her up in your room. Let your SIL and BroIL review the Rent/Trade board and work out renting points and working with that owner etc. if they want an extra DVC room for his parents; it will probably be a very enlightening experience for them and can probably help avoid a situation like this in the future should you decide to have them join your family DVC'ing....but of course tell them you are available to answer any questions they may have in regards to the rental process

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip but the important thing imho is to not alter the plans for you and your family in order to better accommodate what they decided to go ahead and do without checking with you beforehand. We often invite extended family and friends along and have had some situations.....that being said, it hasn't been anything drastic enough to deter us from continuing to do it but like others here have posted we too haven't made them pay anything towards the accommodations so maybe that's helped us in avoiding a more complex situation arising with our guests.

 

[crisi]

We've taken family and friends - there are always minor glitches, but like others, we set the dates in advance with "we'd like you to join us" and spell out the terms when the offer is made. Such as "these dates are firm" and "this will be the room you are in." We don't charge our guests either, but I don't think there is anything wrong with charging them, if they understand the terms up front. We also try and keep alternate plan in mind - when my sister dropped from a family trip, it just meant my kids didn't have to sleep on the hideabed.

 

[Donna M]

We've taken family a few times without any problems. We are fortunate enough that we have 500 points so we have flexibility with accommodations. But we tell them when we are going and they can or can't make that date. We pick the resort and size unit. If they don't like it then they don't have to join us. It's free for them so they haven't complained!

All I say is we're going to Disney and my sister says sure. (She knows the invite is the next sentence.) She isn't even interested in the dates.

 

[robinb]

At most as a possible solution to the maximum occupancy issue I'd list your niece on your room but have her sleep in her parent's room and let them figure out who is going to use blowup mattress or sleeping bag; I'm sure she is a lovely child but you and your family deserve the privacy and space of your own room so I wouldn't put her up in your room. Let your SIL and BroIL review the Rent/Trade board and work out renting points and working with that owner etc. if they want an extra DVC room for his parents; it will probably be a very enlightening experience for them and can probably help avoid a situation like this in the future should you decide to have them join your family DVC'ing....but of course tell them you are available to answer any questions they may have in regards to the rental process

I agree with 5forDiz. Just add your niece to your room so she can do EMH and let them cram themselves into the room. Sure, it's against the rules but they made their blow-up mattress bed and now they need to lay in it. If your SIL is now convinced that she needs a 2nd room for her inlaws then that is her problem. I wouldn't get involved any more than showing her the DVC rent/trade board. She can also find someone to rent to her for her first night and connect the two reservations. Another option (if you're felling generous) would be for you to foot the bill for a 1 BR for as many days as you have already allocated points for the studio and have them pick up the other nights on the rent/trade board and connect the two reservations. 5 people is "legal" in all 1 BR except the Value ones.

 

[photobob]

I don't think most understand how DVC works which makes it difficult to plan trips with those aren't aware of how far in advance planning must be made or don't seem to understand.

I took my son and his then fiance (now my DDIL!) with us in June 2008 and really had to make sure the dates I had planned would work with them and gave her the firm date I HAD to know by so we could make reservations. Everything went beautifully and we had the best trip ever. Bearing in mind there were just five of us, DW, DD and me plus my son and future wife, even with that few and us staying in a 2 bedroom it took tedious planning. I can't imagine trying to pull off multiple rooms with multiple parties, at least not with DVC. We did it pre-DVC with more people involved, but not since.

 

[spiceycat]

well don't bring them - they go when they can - just using my DVC points.

before it was fine - my family (right now ME) and my brother's family - now with my niece and nephew out on their own - can see problems.

especially when they all want to go to WDW.

of course could be mean - since retired can go anytime now!!!

 

[JimMIA]

"I'm sorry, they can't stay in our room because we'll be over the occupancy limit. You'd hate to see my DVC privledges suspended, I'm sure. All my points for my timeshare are used - I don't have any to spare. They will need to pay cash somewhere else. I'm sorry, you really should have checked with me before they booked airfare."

(They won't suspend them, but she doesn't need to know that).

Do not offer to pay for a room or help them rent points or even suggest a resort for them.

This beautifully sums up my feelings on OP's particular issue. "Sorry outlaws...your bad, not mine!"

I also would not go through a bunch of gyrations covering their tails so they can be over occupancy in a villa reserved with my points!

 

[dburg30]

I did tell her that they couldn't have that many people in the room. I then also explained to her that besides not being allowed, it would be very uncomfortable since there's just one bed and one pullout couch. She now is of the mindset that they need two rooms.

We're actually already staying in a value studio at AKV, plus borrowing 6 points from next year (we already took a trip in Nov and used some points at AKV). So, there's no way to downgrade the room any more. I called member services this morning, no more value studios for the length of our stay. There's a standard view studio at Kidani and a savannah view studio at Jambo. I told her those were her two options and the prices or she could just book another resort on her own and pay cash and I wouldn't be offended at all.

DH is on my side, love him! He's definitely not trying to bend over backwards for his sister, it's all me, lol. We do feel like SIL is really ungrateful considering she was going to be paying about $85/night for AKV. Rack rate is over $300 for the time we're going. She's acting like we're inconveniencing her. She decided fly out a day early, without checking with me, and was annoyed that she'd have to stay at a value and move or pay the full price for the AK room. We're both hoping she'll take the out we gave her and book a room at a value with her in-laws. When I was on the phone w/ member services I checked on availability at BLT, they had a studio available. So if they go value, we're going home!

Thanks for the advice and letting me vent! Has anyone actually brought family successfully? lol. Maybe we should write out an explanation of DVC for family members coming along and make sure they understand before we make a reservation in the future.

The first bold part all I can say is, Thank GOODNESS, I've read others where a sibling doesnt stick up for their spouse, but for their sibling

And the 2nd bold, seriously?? She honestly just thinks you can magically have an extra night somehow, especially without even mentioning it??

Wow.. well all I can do is And say you are one

 

[Dean]

Has anyone actually brought family successfully? lol.

Many times, almost every summer since 1998. Had 35 people in Gatlinburg 2 summers ago, doing DVC next Sept with 20 or so people the way it's looking now and HH this coming June with about 25-30 people. I decide when, who's invited, etc. I have rules and if you want to come when we're going AND follow the rules, you can come. I provide the accommodations at my expense but try to control it with timeshares. We have yet to have any significant conflict associated with these issues. IMO, most of the issues happen in certain situations, when you knew the people were problems anyway and tried to fool yourself into thinking it would be OK this time, when people don't understand timeshares and assume they're free and when the planner tries to work around everyone else's schedule and situation. I think those of us who are ultra planners can sometimes put people off that don't "get it" both for Disney and otherwise though. The group above with 35 was really 3 groups in one and it could not have worked better including that we as the link were able to spread ourselves among each segment and bring the different factions together just the right amount.

The rules are fairly simple and go something like this.

• You don't wait on me, I don't wait on you.
• Here's when we're going, you're welcome to come, here's how much space you'll likely have.
• Everyone shares in the common expenses, mostly groceries.
• There will be a group meal, you're expected to attend.
• There will be an occasional alcohoic beverage but there will NOT be any unruly behavior related.
• If the rules aren't OK, don't go.

We've also been lucky though my brother comes closest to pushing it because they are just poor planners and don't seem to be able to think of others situation. If anyone gets on the naughty list not to be invited, I'm sure it'll be him.

 

[calypso726]

We've done it successfully with family and with friends. I thoroughly explained how DVC works. A year before the trip, I proposed the dates and gave a time frame of a couple of weeks to let me know if the dates worked for everyone and then book at the 11 month window. I told everyone that once reservations were made NO changes could be made period the end If somone can not take the trip and needs to cancel the deadline to let me know without seeing me lose my temper would be 2 months before the trip (give myself a cushion there). If not, then I would fully expect to be compensated for the points I can't get back and give them CRO rates for the same type room Hmmm so far no late cancellations. Everyone gets a picture itinerary of where DH and I will be and what WE will be doing each day including cute invitations to the ADR's. They are told that they are welcome to come along and follow our game plan or do their own thing. I do warn them if they do their own thing I will not listen to complaints of long lines and every restaurant being booked solid and no where to eat, but if they choose to come with us then there will be no need for such complaints So far no one has opted to do their own thing and everyone we have taken has told us it was their best Disney Vacation which I consider high praise seeing as well ALL live in Florida and have been many times!

 

[crisi]

Is anyone but me agast over inviting your husband's sister - only to be told HER HUSBAND'S PARENTS are coming along on your vacation.

I cannot imagine - in my wildest dreams - having my sister invite us somewhere, and inviting my husband's family along without talking to her first. Or that they would invite themselves along under those circumstances.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Is anyone but me agast over inviting your husband's sister - only to be told HER HUSBAND'S PARENTS are coming along on your vacation.

I cannot imagine - in my wildest dreams - having my sister invite us somewhere, and inviting my husband's family along without talking to her first. Or that they would invite themselves along under those circumstances.

I totally agree. I think it's the height of rudness to assume you could invite others along. I really think part of these issues are because they are renting the points out to the sister instead of just inviting them along. In that case, it's probably an "anything goes" mentality, since the sister still percieves she is "paying" for a trip. It's one of the reasons we invite folks along and then provide the room....there are NO QUESTIONS about who is going.

 

[robinb]

I totally agree. I think it's the height of rudness to assume you could invite others along. I really think part of these issues are because they are renting the points out to the sister instead of just inviting them along. In that case, it's probably an "anything goes" mentality, since the sister still percieves she is "paying" for a trip. It's one of the reasons we invite folks along and then provide the room....there are NO QUESTIONS about who is going.

Well ... since the SIL is renting the points from the OP she IS paying for the trip and can invite anyone she wants to share her room within occupancy rules. The main problem here is that the SIL has overloaded her room with too many people.

 

[crisi]

I totally agree. I think it's the height of rudness to assume you could invite others along. I really think part of these issues are because they are renting the points out to the sister instead of just inviting them along. In that case, it's probably an "anything goes" mentality, since the sister still percieves she is "paying" for a trip. It's one of the reasons we invite folks along and then provide the room....there are NO QUESTIONS about who is going.

Even when its an "everyone pays their own way" vacation, you don't add to the guest list without checking with the people already invited - particularly the trip coordinator.

 

[Shleedogg]

If there we no occupancy issues, I honestly would be fine with them coming. They are really nice people. My problem was just that they booked airfare and just assumed that it would be no problem to add them.

I talked to SIL last night and she's going to book them a room at a value and I'm going to keep an eye on the rent/trade board for the price they're looking for (which I don't think I'll find, unfortunately.)

All is well now that I candidly (but nicely) told SIL how difficult it would be. She understands and says that they just want to go and don't care where they stay. Thanks for the place to let me vent my frustrations. I did learn a lot over the last few days and will know what to do/not to do in the future re: family.

 

[bandjbaine]

I've done 2 successful family trips- one with 1, 2BR- lot's of folks stuffed in and one with 2, 2BR and a studio. All went well...Similar theme as to why..

1) Explained "We are planning a trip, we would love if you could come along.
Here are the dates we are going. If you want to go let me know by x and if you have to cancel I need to know by x or i will pay a cancel fee."
I had already considered the back up plan for someone cancelling at the last minute. I had thought of worse case scenario and what we would do if we had holding points- I was set to be OK with that if it came to be ( though same friends/family would not have been invited back!). We were fortunate- no one backed out or tried to change a thing.

2) We treated everyone ( though we had lots of meals, tickets, etc purchased for us while we were there).

3) I planned a family event each day but told everyone given the size of the
groups it would be best for everyone to "tour" on their own and then gather together in the evening (if they chose to- no big deal if they didn't want to). Some came along with us, but were wanting to follow our touring plans to the tee. I learned that from the first trip- too many people make touring slow and impossible- one going to the restroom, other in the gift shop, other

 

[robinb]

I talked to SIL last night and she's going to book them a room at a value and I'm going to keep an eye on the rent/trade board for the price they're looking for (which I don't think I'll find, unfortunately.)

Give your SIL the address to the rent/trade board and let her put in a request at the price she wants to pay. I wouldn't waste any time looking for her.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If there we no occupancy issues, I honestly would be fine with them coming. They are really nice people. My problem was just that they booked airfare and just assumed that it would be no problem to add them.

I talked to SIL last night and she's going to book them a room at a value and I'm going to keep an eye on the rent/trade board for the price they're looking for (which I don't think I'll find, unfortunately.)

All is well now that I candidly (but nicely) told SIL how difficult it would be. She understands and says that they just want to go and don't care where they stay. Thanks for the place to let me vent my frustrations. I did learn a lot over the last few days and will know what to do/not to do in the future re: family.

If you're okay with them inviting others and they are okay with staying within the occupancy limits, then it looks like all's well that ends well. It's just not something I would ever expect from guests. Now I have invited others along last minute too, but it was my reservation and my points. We once had the 4 of us going in a 2 bedroom and we invited a recently divorced friend and her 14 year old son to come along to help cheer them up. Sure we were croweded with 6 of us in an OKW 2 bedroom, but well within the occupancy limits and we were so glad we made the jesture.

I hope you all have a GREAT trip!

 

[nickspace]

We are taking family to HH but everyone gets their own unit and we are using the cash discount instead of points. That way our points are not drained and they are responsible to pay for their own unit when they check in.