The Christmas That Never Was...

[Huskerfamilyof5]

As you can see by our ticker, we planned on going to WDW in December with our 3 DD and my husbands parents. My husbands parents were paying for the trip as their 50th Wedding Anniv. present. My DH is an only child.

Today was our 45th day to pay the balance and we just learned that our in-laws cancelled the whole trip due to economic reasons. I am not sure how or when to tell our DDs. We have talked about this for almost a year and had our countdown going.

I know a lot of people are hurting financially including us, as we started our own business this year and it has not taken off as we would have liked. So now we have had to file for bankruptcy this week and are doing everything possible to keep our home . I know some may say that they made the right decision, but we have lived for most of the year very, very, very conservatively and this trip was the only thing we had to look forward too.

When we told my husbands parents that, they informed us that we were too obsessed by the trip. Their only experience with WDW was back in 1977. As they were told we had so many reservations made associated with our reservation number when they cancelled. We have repeatedly told them that due to the time of the year, you must make dinning reservations and my husband and I just wanted to make this most memorable trip for all 7 of us. We both are aware that some come to WDW with little or no planning, however, with a group of 7 not planning would have been a recipe for disaster.

Needless to say, we are still very shocked and hurt by their decision. I know the girls will be devastated and heartbroken.

For now we will have to live through those of you who will be in the parks during that time and we will now begin to Dream about the next time we can plan a trip to WDW.

At this time we ask for your encouraging words, thoughts, prayers and some Disney Magic as we break the news to our 3 DD.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh gracious, I am SO sorry.

I'm not sure I could speak to your in laws for a very long time after that. It's one thing to not be able to afford it, but to tell you that you were making too many ADRs, making too much of the trip? To criticize you and somehow imply that your excitement was the reason they canceled?

Totally unacceptable, IMO.

I hope you're able to get the tix to someone else.

 

[pixiepower1971]

So sorry to hear that this happened. Not a fun way to head into the holiday season.

For the MVMCP tix- call guest services and explain the situation. They MAY be able to refund your money.

Good Luck!

 

[puffkin]

I would make the grandparents tell the girls that the trip is off, but that is just me....

 

[snubie]

I would make the grandparents tell the girls that the trip is off, but that is just me....

I agree with this. They canceled the trip without your input so they should tell the grandchildren.

 

[bonita_babe232]

WOW!!!!!!!!! I would be MAD!!!!!!!! i mean after telling the kids, and planning for so long.... not to just postpone it but just cancel it ...... i would make them tell them too. Dont worry soon u will get the chance to go

 

[SLDL]

I agree with the others, if it were me, I'd call up my MIL & tell her that she & FIL should explain to THEIR GRANDKIDS that THEY canceled the trip. That is EXACTLY what I would do. And I think it is crazy that they would say you were obsessed with it by making ADRs. (Although I could actually see my inlaws saying the same b/c they have no concept of planning for a Disney trip).

And am I reading it correctly that they called & canceled w/o first telling you? Strange and rude.

 

[sk!mom]

First off, let me say that I am so sorry about your situation and especially the disappointment of your children.

I would sit the children down and explain that you know it's disappointing but you can't afford the trip. Then be very sympathetic. There's no easy or good way to do it. It's our job as parents to help our children handle disappointment - it's never easy.

As far as the inlaws, I don't agree with being angry with them. Sure maybe they could have handled the situation better, they probably should have discussed it with you but bottom line if they were paying then it was there decision. If they feel that they can't afford it, then they can't afford it.

The number of reservations and your bankruptcy may have scared them into thinking that the trip was getting too costly and that this wasn't the best time.

So sorry.

 

[crisi]

As far as the inlaws, I don't agree with being angry with them. Sure maybe they could have handled the situation better, they probably should have discussed it with you but bottom line if they were paying then it was there decision. If they feel that they can't afford it, then they can't afford it.

Agreed. I'd also like to say I'm sorry. But if your inlaws are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, they are probably retired - or close to it. The recent stock market dive and economic insecurity, the loss in value of real estate - all of that is making a lot of seniors very concerned about if they will be able to maintain their standard of living. The could have handled it better, but if they are like my parents and my inlaws, give them a break for being very scared right now.

 

[DVCsince02]

Since your girls are 12 and 8 be honest with them that the cost was just too much for you right now, but get them excited about planning a new vacation in the future. Your 2yo will be old enough by then to fully enjoy the vacation.

 

[luvmy2sams]

Sorry that you're dealing with this disappointment, but Disney will still be there when you are able to make the trip. As others have stated, perhaps your inlaws could have informed you differently about their decision, but it was their decision to make. Sounds like they have good reasons for canceling. Kids are resilient. They'll be disappointed, but it's not the end of the world. Remember that your handling of the situation will give them cues of how they should be feeling. It's going to be fine.

 

[Pinnie]

Agreed. I'd also like to say I'm sorry. But if your inlaws are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, they are probably retired - or close to it. The recent stock market dive and economic insecurity, the loss in value of real estate - all of that is making a lot of seniors very concerned about if they will be able to maintain their standard of living. The could have handled it better, but if they are like my parents and my inlaws, give them a break for being very scared right now.

Ditto.

These are tough times for many people and those on fixed incomes are really suffering now. These times call for decisions that can be hard to make. Right now your inlaws feel that an expensive luxury like a trip to Disney is not in their best interest. I suggest you explain to your children that life sometimes throws us a curve and we have to deal with it.

Your children will probably get over it before you do. I suggest you don't let them see YOU disappointed and hold this against the grandparents. That would be grossly unfair.

pinnie

 

[lastminutemom]

I am so, so sorry. I can feel your disappointment and your hurt as I read your post. That said, the group being most negatively impacted by the economic problems (specifically the stock market fall) are those in and near retirement. I am certain your in-laws feel some shame in having to cancel and disappoint not only you but their only grandchildren. I suspect that they really couldn't afford it and it doesn't sound like your family is in a position to offer to pay for any or all of it.

I think that your children will follow your lead. Just tell them that WDW isn't going anywhere and you will go when things get better.

Times are tough all over. On other postings on this site, people are posting that CMs in CRO as saying that they are mostly handling cancellations and aren't very busy otherwise.

 

[jorem1]

Wow...I am so sorry this has happened to your family. I know how much everyone on the DIS looks forward to planning our trips and how much work goes into it. Hopefully you guys will beable to take your trip in the near future. Good luck

 

[mickimousemama]

I am so sorry that the InLaws pulled the plug on your vacation, I can only imagine the devistation I would be so hurt that they didn't first discuss it with my DH and I as to try to cut costs, or whatever, I mean there are ways to do Disney for pretty cheap if you try.....
I agree with being honest with the girls about not being able to afford it this year, and then come up with a fun family plan to try and start saving for Your own family trip. We are planning a trip for our family of 5 next October, We have to manage to save about $300 a month to be able to afford it. We are NOT a wealthy family by any means but all we can do is try.

Best of luck to you and your family

 

[okeydokey]

If they can't afford the trip for all of you, there really is nothing you or they can do. It really hurts to see the little ones disappointed, but you can't blame the grandparents for having to cancel. Times are getting tough for almost everybody and some things just have to give.

 

[LadyShea]

Canceling due to financial reasons in this economy is totally understandable, however I think not directly informing you of the cancellation when it was done is unacceptable.

So, if it were me, I would explain to the kids that times are very tough and the trip simply unfordable at this time.

I would also have a private talk with my in-laws about their lack of communication.

 

[mom2aredhead]

As far as the inlaws, I don't agree with being angry with them. Sure maybe they could have handled the situation better, they probably should have discussed it with you but bottom line if they were paying then it was there decision. If they feel that they can't afford it, then they can't afford it.

So sorry. You must be very disappointed.

But I agree with the above poster that I quoted.

Please don't let this cause a rift between your family and your in-laws. Think about how hard it must have been for them to admit to you that they couldn't afford it. I'm sure they didn't want to cancel on their grandchildren, and they may have used the whole ADR thing as a way to hide their embarrassment.
Personally, I would never allow someone to pay my way. And I certainly wouldn't get angry at them if they legitimately couldn't afford it and had to cancel. Disappointed, maybe, but not angry.

 

[arminnie]

Are you aware that retirees with money in the stock market have lost about HALF of their hard-earned savings in the past couple of weeks? And that retirees that don't have stocks are getting tiny little bits of interest for their savings?

At their age they might not be able to recover from these catastrophic losses before they die. It sounds like you are not in a position to help them financially.

Please don't blame them for not being willing and able to spend thousands and thousands of dollars right now.

There is no reason to be devastated - severely disappointed yes. Devastated should be saved for serious real problems or death.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's too bad your trip got cancelled and your children are going to be disappointed. But you may have to discuss the possibility of losing your home with your children if you have to declare bankruptcy this week. With your own dire financial problems, I can't see where you would even be thinking about going to WDW at this time.

Maybe your in-laws are figuring on using the money they aren't spending on a vacation to help you keep your home or business. Or at least keeping their own home and paying their own medical bills.