Ugh...family !!

[pyrxtc]

So my DH, my kids and myself are planning to go to WDW and booked a room. So we got permission for my DSD to come and DMIL wants in too. DMIL's brother says he wants in, along with his wife and baby. Cousin decides she wants in too with her two kids. They all want to stay at the BWV's where we are and so instead of finding one studio for our extra guests, I get to try to rent enough points for 3 studio's so everyone can have their own room. It's hard enough getting 48 (now 60) points after the 11 month mark but to find someone with 180 is next to impossible.

I thought I was half way done and now I get to plan for them too. I hope they only expect me to help with the tickets. I already know which park I'm going to and where I want PS's so they better decide before I have to make the ressie. Wish me luck!! They don't understand anything about DVC and like the idea of kitchens in their rooms, even kitchenette's.

 

[CapeCodFam]

You're headed down a path of disappointment. I'd give them all the number to Central reservations and have them make their own plans. Otherwise, the gravy train will keep wanting more and you'll be unappreciated for your generosity.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

pryxtc

Good luck, I would hate to hear later that you went thru all this work and they all start changing thier minds. Not sure if i would do all the work (i'm usually the family/extended family vaca planner in our clan) or if i'd just give them the web site and tell them to rent their own point off of someone. Good Luck

deb

p.s. Never been to Disney ever!! Can't wait!!Countdown to 1st Disneyworld trip & 3rd Anniversary at BWV

I don't understand your signoff? Your've never been to the parks but have been to BWV three times? Your celebrating your 3rd wedding anniversary?

 

[robinb]

Yikes!

This is your first trip and
(1) Your family of 6 is coming PLUS
(2) Your MIL and your DSD (2 more) PLUS
(3) Your DH's uncle's family (3 more) PLUS
(4) Your cousin's family (3 more)

You're going to be vacationing with 14 people! Yikes again !

Alrighty then ...

I have traveled with a group as large and it's a pain. Here is my advise:

First of all, make sure that your family understands 100% the cancellation policies at BWV. You're renting points which works differently than just a regular hotel reservation. Backing out will be difficult at best and just about impossible in the last month. Arrange for each family unit to book their own studio. You can be an intermediary, but all the cash needs to come from them. You do not want to be stuck holding the bag if they cancel. You should be able to find plenty of people who have BWV points to rent.

Secondly, make a maximum of 1 PS for everyone per day. That way each group can do their own thing the rest of the time and meet up for the meal. Make PSs for the places that you're interested in going to for everyone. If they choose not to eat there, then "oh, well". Maybe next meal. You can almost always remove people from a PS, but adding people at the last minute is harder.

Lastly, make your plans and let the other families know what you're doing and invite them along. I make a calendar so everyone knows that Tuesday is the MK day and Wednesday is the MGM day. If they don't want to do what you want, that's OK. They can do things at their own speed and you can meet up later. For instance, don't wait for a bunch of sleepy heads if you want to commando early in the morning. If they want to meet you in the parks, arrange an afternoon meeting place. Better yet, invest in FRS radios for all adults and children over 10. You can "buzz" each other when you enter a park or when you become separated.

Good luck! Even we seasoned WDW vets shudder at the thought of 14 family member in the parks!

 

[Sarahsal]

You're headed down a path of disappointment. I'd give them all the number to Central reservations and have them make their own plans. Otherwise, the gravy train will keep wanting more and you'll be unappreciated for your generosity.

CapeCodFam is absolutely correct. If you make all the arrangements and put out the funds you are setting yourself up for a very unhappy vacation. Been there done that. Never again.

 

[Chuck S]

We'll all be here for shoulders to cry on when you return. Each DVCer must go through the "Family Rite of Passage" on their own. Our thoughts are with you.

 

[DrTomorrow]

My advice (and maybe HBC's advice, too) to you is to start drinking heavily....

 

[rocketriter]

Communicate, communicate, communicate...

 

[robinb]

My advice (and maybe HBC's advice, too) to you is to start drinking heavily....

 

[ChickieToo]

depending on which one you get you could be in for a world of hurt. The first time was with my family, ten of us in all, and everyone paid their own way. We had a couple of bumps in the road, but nothing major and all-in-all, we had a lot of laughs and a good time. Everyone was happy to be on vacation.

However, with my husband's family (11 people)... let's just say that it's over a year later and my MIL is still complaining about the prices at Disney. Hello! It is a tourist resort area, what did they think? I understand that prices can be daunting at a vacation destination, but I make the distinction between what I spend my $ on at home vs. what I'll spend it on on vacation. I know that popcorn is a buck for 1000 pounds at Wal-Mart, but we weren't at Wal-Mart, we were at Disney World and I felt like some popcorn so I paid the $4. But it was more than that. I was asked to plan a trip the way I would for my husband and I because they didn't know the ins and outs. They wanted to do character meals, so we did three during the week. Now, a year later that was too many. (Forget the fact that the kids were in heaven at these meals). I used points on four studios at OKW and sent out detailed e-mails about the lack of maid service, the kitchenette for quick breakfasts, etc. It turned out that I was the only one eating yogurt and fruit in my room. They all went to Good's Food To Go every morning and bought these really big breakfasts and then complained that it cost too much. My SIL ended up arguing with my husband (her brother) in the MK and swearing a blue streak and stomping off with her family. It goes on and on.

My advice is unless you get along with all these folks, and these people really want to go and can afford to go, don't take respponsibility for this trip. If they don't want to eat on-site, that's fine, but find out before you're actually sitting at Chef Mickey's. If they want to go to Wal-Mart to get their souvenirs, again, okay, but find out before you're at DD. If you don't you may be listening to the complaints for years!

 

[greenban]

Good Luck and G-d Bless!

I have yet another disaster story to share, and ours didn't even involve the DVC. May '04 my family (DMe {Dear Me}, DW, DD11, DS8 & DD3) wanted to go to WDW. DW told her family (DMil, DFil, DSil, DSil, DBil) are all going. We have to change dates (Smart me, we stayed 5 additional days, so we could have a real vacation). Well, one wants the GF, one wants POP C, we had POR. No one wants the PSs I have made, etc.

Fastforward, no one is on time, we wait and wait for late arisers, No one wants the same rides at the same times, no one eats at the same time. We have 11 Children & 12 adults to syncronize......

After day 3 the screaming, crying and going seperate ways starts. Then the complaining about PSs for my family only, (why didn't you make 23 Pss?!?) starts.

Well to make a long story short, after day 7, when they all left, we had a great time!

Never, NEVER, NEVER again! Sure I may take only one family down at a time, in the future; but that is it!

Hmmmmmmm...... a poll is formulating in the dark/dank recesses of my mind!

-Tony

 

[pyrxtc]

Well I'm lucky in the fact that they can all well afford to go. They spend money very freely and are not worried about prices. Half of them just buy whatever they are in the mood for wether it costs $5 or $5,000. The Uncle gave us money to buy our house and when we went to pay it back, he told us to forget it.

They are giving me the money for the deposit and I explained there was no refund and all was ok. I'm giving MIL a copy of everything I have planned and any extra info I have so they know what to expect on Friday.

I'm trying only have one planned meal for each day. No commando style here! We typically wake early anyways so I already told them they can meet us in the parks. They said they aren't sure about parks every day anyways.

After reading many, many reports on these boards, I am just going straight through with what I have planned and they can join me for what they want.

Also Uncle's DS will be almost one while other 2 kids will be 17 and 12 I think. The aunt does not speak English so it will be interesting. So far having a kitchenette is a good thing. I hope I don't stress out! I want to enjoy myself my first time there!

 

[KNWVIKING]

I'll never understand why people let friends and family know when they are going to WDW.

Let them know AFTER YOU GET BACK !!

 

[CarolMN]

I'll never understand why people let friends and family know when they are going to WDW.

Let them know AFTER YOU GET BACK !!

Ahhh - the very best plan of all! (Except I don't bring it up at all unless someone asks, LOL)

Best wishes -

 

[mom23boys]

You guys are making me nervous. We are taking my Inlaws and my DS and her family in August. I have three rooms at the BCV 1 2bedroom and 2 studios.

Last time I vacationed with my Inlaws my oldest was 4 ( he is now 11) and it was a disaster.

The all want me to make the plans, PS, what park to go to, and everyminute planned. What tickets to buy (DS has already complained they are so expensive) and what flights to book. I hope it all goes okay.

I told my DS that we were staying at the All stars for a few days before, and she wants to stay in the same room. HELLO, I am not fitting 10 people in two Allstars room, she does not see the big deal for one night. I do.

This is just the beginning. I have to say I charged her $300 for the room and told her that if she did cancel within 31 days I am keeping the money.

I think I am setting myself up for failure.

 

[DeDixie]

pryxtc
p.s. Never been to Disney ever!! Can't wait!!Countdown to 1st Disneyworld trip & 3rd Anniversary at BWV

I don't understand your signoff? Your've never been to the parks but have been to BWV three times? Your celebrating your 3rd wedding anniversary?

I think OP is saying: 1st time to DW, celebrating 3rd Anniversary, Staying at BWV.


Good luck on your "BIG" trip, sounds like things will work out. You seem to have thought this thru, and expectations play a big role.

 

[robinb]

You guys are making me nervous. We are taking my Inlaws and my DS and her family in August. I have three rooms at the BCV 1 2bedroom and 2 studios.

Last time I vacationed with my Inlaws my oldest was 4 ( he is now 11) and it was a disaster.

The all want me to make the plans, PS, what park to go to, and everyminute planned. What tickets to buy (DS has already complained they are so expensive) and what flights to book. I hope it all goes okay.

{snip}
I think I am setting myself up for failure.

No, you're not setting yourself up for failure! Of course they want you to do everything for them! You're the expert after all. Go ahead and plan your vacation and allow them to tag along or do whatever they want. Make the PSs and make the touring plan. You'll want to do that anyway, right? Tell them which tickets to buy and let them do it. Unless you are sharing a town car let them book their own transportation. Also, make sure that their name is on their reservations. That way they can decide about charging to the room. If you are sharing the 2BR with a family unit get an agreement in advance that they will pay you or use their CC prior to check-out for their portion of the bill. Each key is coded with a number so it's easy to break things out. Or, just make their keys non-charging.

I had to learn all this the hard way.

My first WDW trip with my inlaws was a disaster! My MIL is a very late riser. I had to ride rough-shod over my inlaws to get them out the door and then we still wouldn't get to the parks until 11:30! I felt like I was herding cats. I was grumpy because we got to the parks late and there were lines and my MIL was grumpy because I made her get up early. The next trip was much different. We left early and met them at the parks. We missed a lot of the lines and they got to sleep in. I made a few PSs for the whole crew. At almost every PS one family unit or another would crap out. I didn't let it bother me because dragging them to a meal they didn't want would have been a mistake. I just told the CM that we had 8 people instead of 12 when I checked in.

I think you'll be fine .

 

[mom23boys]

Thanks Robinb for the tips. Actually after I posted, I sat down and emailed my DS a spread sheet of what I thought it would cost her, including estimated air, tickets, one night at All Stars, food and two PSs with phone numbers and websites so she can take care of these things. I will set up the PSs. So we will see what happens, but it is a good start.

On our first trip with the inlaws the trouble was dinner. They wanted to eat at 8:00 at night, and my DS was starving and cranky after the second night of this, we ate dinner seperately and everyone was happy.

The 2 bedroom is for us we are a family of 5 and my mother and I like my space. Their names are on their own reservations.

Thanks again.

Sharon

 

[Granny]

They don't understand anything about DVC....

Ah, the magic words that can be a precursor to disaster!


I know that many have had bad experiences with this type of thing. Others have done well, and it seems that the key there, as rocketriter said, is clear and firm communication.

Since money doesn't seem to be an issue for them, why not just get them cash reservations? Cuts out the hassle of renting points and is much more flexible than DVC for changes or cancellations?


Aside from that, DrT presribed appropriate medication for the trip.

 

[Wislodgers]

We have had 4 wonderful trips with extended family. Last year we had a high of 25 people all in one studio (just kidding!).

Everyone was at the VWL or over at the Main Lodge. We had a blast! One family was only there for the weekend, so for the rest of the week we had a group of 21. We had 2 PS's and a private wagonride at the campground. We all went to the same parks, but set up meeting times during the day. For example at MK, we would say, "If you want to get together meet at Casey's at 11:00, Haunted Mansion at 2:00 or Pirates at 5:00." Whoever showed up showed, it never mattered. That way no one was waiting for anyone in the morning and if we wanted to meet up we had time set. It worked fabulous!

We did quite a bit together, but families also broke off on their own. We are going again in 12 days with a group of 14. It feels like hardly anyone is going this year! We plan on doing our meeting times because it worked great for us.