Travelling with others....HELP!!!

[Reese]

We have a grand gathering booked in Dec. We're very excited to be bringing my parents (we've brought my Mom once before) and DH's parents (their second trip ever to WDW, first one was 17 years ago). DH's parents are very excited and so are mine. The problem is my brother and his GF live with my parents. She is a Disney fanatic and when she caught wind of our trip she decided that she wanted to come too, no biggie okay. Well than next thing we know her Mom is coming and so is her brother. Okay the more the merrier right ?
I talked with everyone before I booked anything. I informed everyone that I would need complete confirmation 6 and half months out so I could make all our ADR's and not have to worry about losing them if anyone backed out. I said that I would purchase the airfare on my CC and the deposits and MVMCP tix and they could pay me back before my balance was due. I also gave everyone a written estimate of how much their OOP costs would be since we are doing the DP. I calculated tips for all of our meals and explainded that they would have to pay for these at each meal.
Well my brother's GF's Mom has been driving me crazy. First she was worried about POP because she read some bad reviews on the internet. She was all worried I hadn't booked the flight yet (in May). I had been watching and waiting for SW to open up to see if they were any better than Jetblue. So I booked the air and than she was worried about her luggage with ME. Explained we have done this many times and it's fine. Now DB's GF's brother doesn't want to stay at POP it sucks (he's never stayed onsite), "why can't we stay at the GF, I'm going to have a horrible time". Her mom has said she's refusing to tip . She's on vacation so why should she have to pay someone's salary because Disney is too cheap to pay them.
And all my DH keeps saying is "They weren't even invited!". I've suggest to DB's GF that she pays the tips than for her mom and brother, but I can guarantee as soon as this problem is dealt with there will be another...and another, right up until we leave. I just don't want to be so stressed out that I can't enjoy our vacation with our parents because I've somehow become responsible for someone else's vacation. Any suggestions????

 

[kellyg403]

I have taken vacations to WDW with others before. My best suggestion? If they want GF let them make the reservation and go for it. If they want to not tip or whatever, make your own ADR's. Trust me...separate meals and accomodations don't hurt your vacation...they will help. I love my mom and dad but it was nice to leave them every now and again and I am sure that it was nice for them not to deal with us for a day here and there. We don't live together anymore, visit each other but too much togetherness is a recipe for disaster when they are so many people's opinion to take into consideration.

Just my experience!

Kelly

 

[starann]

Sorry about the stress you are having.

I would (and again, easier said than done) tell ehr the tips will automatically be charged in your meals since you are a party of more than 5. If she isn't going to pay tips then she will have to make her own meal reservations and dine alone, cause you WILL NOT be held accountable for her amount of the tip. You are already donig a lot by planning/ paying ahead for this trip.

I think you need to remind these people that you are doing all the planning, but of someone wants to take over, they are more than welcome to, but you will do the planning for YOUR family and your parents. I doubt they take you up on the offer!

Good luck! And enjoy your vacation!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

We are doing a GG in December too - my fam (4) and both sets of grandparents. For us, everything was booked by me, but if there were other people involved, I would NOT have booked their stuff. I would assume that you don't really even know your brothers girlfiends mom and brother. I would never book accomidations, flight, or meals for someone I don't really know, because that is just a recipe for disaster! It could also be bad booking all those things for the people you do know!!! Unfortunatly, I think you dug yourself into a hole... don't know really how to get you out of it other than let them know that you are canceling all of their accomidations (if possible) and let them go wherever they want.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

 

[everylastbreath]

I would never book anyone elses accomodations/airfare especially not family (This is your brother's GF's Mom??) Deal with your own relatives, let GF know where you plan to be (make your own ADRS) and if DB & GF & Mom want to join you let them make their own ADRs and if not meet them for a drink somewhere- tough. You are way too nice, take care of your own stuff - let them stay where they want/do what they want.... sounds like you will be better off not seeing them.

 

[Anonomom]

Seems like it's a little late for these people to be whining, now that all the plans are made. I'd be tempted just to tell them "Here's what we're doing. If you don't like it, you are welcome to make your own arrangements, but I will need compensation from you for any costs of canceling your reservations, since you didn't speak up earlier"

 

[thegrimdwarf]

I honestly think your biggest mistake was shouldering all the planning for such a large group. I actually winced when I read that you paid for everyone and they could pay you back. Gads!

If I were you, I would look into getting ADRs for you, your kids, husband, and respective parents. Cancel your GG stuff (unless you still have enough people without them), and let your brother know he's on his own and give him the Dine Line number and dates/times of your reservations. I wouldn't deal with the girlfriend or her mother, because, as your husband pointed out, they were never invited and you're not able to accommodate their needs.

Good luck!

 

[tlbwriter]

Now DB's GF's brother doesn't want to stay at POP it sucks (he's never stayed onsite), "why can't we stay at the GF, I'm going to have a horrible time".

"Oh, the GF sounds like a great idea. It will be an additional $6500 for all of us. How would you like to pay - with a check, or a credit card?

Whatever you do, do not let these people take over your entire trip. Don't ask them what they want to do or where they want to go during the day. Instead, tell them what your family is doing, and invite them to come along if they want. Or not.

"We're doing the MK on our first day, and we want to be there at rope drop, so we'll need to leave the hotel by at least XXX time."

"Oooh, that's too early! We don't want to get up so early."

"That's fine, you don't have to go with us. You can meet us in the park later."

 

[Reese]

I had asked everyone when I first started planning if they would like to do seperate things and they all said they were just going to do what we were doing. I have planned all our ADR's together (which for a group of 16 was a chore).

When we started planning everyone just wanted me to tell them where and when. I've got ADR's for Le Cellier , the Sunset Safari, Coral Reef (for both grandmother's b-days) and some character meals. These were all the resturants that they wanted. I really just think DB's GF and her family have no idea how much planning goes into this.

I have already told DH that we will just leave them directions on how to get to the ADR's and time to leave and we can just meet them there. We've already said that we will be doing EMH's in the mornings so if anyone wants to get up and leave with us at 7:30 they can. We also always come back to the resort for a swim/nap in the afternoon. This will hopefully provide us enough seperate time. Also we have our alone day in MK well the other members head off in their own. Also I convinced DH that since we have AP's we should take a family trip in Jan to revive from this one . Also we have decided to have DG and her Mom and brother over in Oct and go over the itinerary. This way they can ask any questions and we can clear everything up. Hopefully once they have concrete plans in hand they can relax...or atleast I can feel like it's no longer my responsibility.