Ungrateful family?

[disneyeveryyear]

I hate hearing about people who are ungrateful for trips to Disney! If someone offered to take me to Disney and give me a free room, I'd offer to clean their house for a year or something and wash their car.

Deal Chelley! I'll take you to WDW and give you a free room at DVC (our next trip is planned for next March), and you can clean my house for a year (I don't even care about the car!)!!!!!

 

[iwrbnd]

I would have taken the ungrateful little snip aside and told him if it was that "boring" he can return his ticket and you can send him on the next plane home. I hope your DS didn't get a bad attitude and not enjoy it because of his friend. That would have been awful!

Unfortunately it did affect his attitude toward Disney. He was a vulnerable 13year old and really looked up to this kid so it did make him question his Disney loyalty. That was last summer and we're returning this summer so we'll see. I've spent the last year trying to brain wash him back into the "magic" so hopefully it worked!

 

[xipetotec]

Any one have any issues with family that are ungrateful? We are getting a grand villa on Sunday and taking my entire family- mom, dad, sister, Brother in law, 2 nieces, 2 brothers, and my nephew, 11 in total. We had originally planned to have my sister, bil, and the 2 nieces in one bedroom, my youngest brother, his son, and my mom and dad in 1 bedroom, and the middle brother on the sleeper sofa in the living room. Of course, with us as the owners, we are taking the master.

My brother at Easter dinner, exactly 1 week before we leave, tells me "I am 32 yrs old and deserve a bed." We have been planning this trip for well over a year, and now 1 week before hand tells me he "deserves a bed". Now granted, when we were growing up the youngest were the first to not get a bed, however, the way he worded it makes me think you ungrateful little @X$^&!!! Then the youngest brother doesn't want to stay in the same room with my dad since he gets up 50 times in the night to use the restroom.

If someone was offering me a free place to stay in the happiest place on earth, and said they only had a sleeper bed, I would say "OMG, thank you for offering- that is so nice of you!" It is almost like they feel entitled to it!! So far, I haven't heard a thank you yet, but we haven't gone yet, however, with the way everyone is acting, I am wondering if I am even going to get a thank you!!

Ultimately, we ended up putting all the kids in the room with my sister, and my 2 brothers will share a bed in the room with my folks, but I have never in my life heard so much complaining for a room that they didn't pay for!!!

I have never in my life been so stressed while planning a vacation. I hardly slept this weekend because my family had been complaining so much. I have already told my husband it is a shame because I like traveling with my family, but I guess not all at once. My DH and I were even trying to figure out how to make it an every year trip, but I don't think I can handle the stress that often.

Wasn't really looking for responses, just needed to vent. I am just hoping the complaining doesn't continue into the vacation!

As someone who has been on 5 LARGE family vacations at a DVC ( 20 as of our last stay ), let me say that you ARE with your loved ones, you WILL have a good time. Just keep in mind ths is YOUR vacation too. Everyone now has a place to sleep, let them take things at their own pace down there. We decided that every "family" in the group can go do whatever they want during the day ( if they all want to do the same thing, then so be it ) and that we would meet for dinners in the evening. This worked out pretty well for us.

Will you hit frustrating moments? Undoubtedly! I will not lie. But try to move past them and enjoy your time in the most magical place on earth.

 

[KBoopaloo]

I am also planning a big extended family trip for next year with 16 people total. Our plan is for two 2 Bedrooms and 1 Studio. What started out as everyone saying "I don't care where I sleep" when the trip was offered a year ago has turned into a level of negotiation reserved for major global conflicts.

I understand the OP's stress because I am feeling the same way and wondering if the entire trip will just be one big stressful endeavor.

 

[crisi]

I am also planning a big extended family trip for next year with 16 people total. Our plan is for two 2 Bedrooms and 1 Studio. What started out as everyone saying "I don't care where I sleep" when the trip was offered a year ago has turned into a level of negotiation reserved for major global conflicts.

I understand the OP's stress because I am feeling the same way and wondering if the entire trip will just be one big stressful endeavor.

This is a little different, but you might figure out a way to make it work for you.

Years ago, my girlfriends and I went to Vegas. We had ten of us. Five rooms. Because we didn't want the hurt feelings of "everyone wants Crisi as a roommate and no one wants Kathy" (or however the ugly dynamics would have worked out - and although we are good friends, there is no way to choose without hurt feelings) we drew names. Most of us ended up with a roommate who wouldn't have been our first choice, but that was great in and of itself, because it gave us an opportunity to become closer to the women we didn't know as well. We also drew for room numbers when we arrived - some of the rooms connected. That part of the trip worked VERY well.

 

[toniosmom]

This is a little different, but you might figure out a way to make it work for you.

Years ago, my girlfriends and I went to Vegas. We had ten of us. Five rooms. Because we didn't want the hurt feelings of "everyone wants Crisi as a roommate and no one wants Kathy" (or however the ugly dynamics would have worked out - and although we are good friends, there is no way to choose without hurt feelings) we drew names. Most of us ended up with a roommate who wouldn't have been our first choice, but that was great in and of itself, because it gave us an opportunity to become closer to the women we didn't know as well. We also drew for room numbers when we arrived - some of the rooms connected. That part of the trip worked VERY well.

You are so lucky that it worked for you. There are some personalities that would spell disaster in some cases.

 

[eliza61]

I think anyone who is a dvc member has one of these stories. I have a sister who can't commit to going to Walmart. She has burned me twice, so now I simply do not invite her. Period.

 

[KBoopaloo]

This is a little different, but you might figure out a way to make it work for you.

Years ago, my girlfriends and I went to Vegas. We had ten of us. Five rooms. Because we didn't want the hurt feelings of "everyone wants Crisi as a roommate and no one wants Kathy" (or however the ugly dynamics would have worked out - and although we are good friends, there is no way to choose without hurt feelings) we drew names. Most of us ended up with a roommate who wouldn't have been our first choice, but that was great in and of itself, because it gave us an opportunity to become closer to the women we didn't know as well. We also drew for room numbers when we arrived - some of the rooms connected. That part of the trip worked VERY well.

That is a great suggestion, thanks! We have considered doing something like this as well now that everyone is being so difficult!

 

[wbl2745]

If there is one thing I have generally learned from the DIS, it's that best of intentions on the "Magical Gatherings" level almost never turn out as hoped for.

We've made two "Magical Gatherings" trips to Disney World with a group of equally minded Disney fanatic friends. Everything worked great! In a couple of weeks we're all going to VGC (where we just purchased) and staying in a 2 bedroom: DW, DD, and I in the room with two beds, a couple in the master suite (bummer...) and a single friend on the couch in the living room. I'm sure this will work too.

For the first time we're traveling with my two brothers and their wives in December to WDW. We'll see how that goes. You can pick your friends but you can't pick your family.

 

[Tara]

Deal Chelley! I'll take you to WDW and give you a free room at DVC (our next trip is planned for next March), and you can clean my house for a year (I don't even care about the car!)!!!!!

I'll see Beverly's offer and "raise" it in that I'll just take house cleaning for 6 months!

 

[CandyMandy]

This is a little different, but you might figure out a way to make it work for you.

Years ago, my girlfriends and I went to Vegas. We had ten of us. Five rooms. Because we didn't want the hurt feelings of "everyone wants Crisi as a roommate and no one wants Kathy" (or however the ugly dynamics would have worked out - and although we are good friends, there is no way to choose without hurt feelings) we drew names. Most of us ended up with a roommate who wouldn't have been our first choice, but that was great in and of itself, because it gave us an opportunity to become closer to the women we didn't know as well. We also drew for room numbers when we arrived - some of the rooms connected. That part of the trip worked VERY well.

That is a fantastic approach that I can see working for a group of girlfriends (although I'm still left wondering how whoever ended up drawing Kathy felt about the idea ). But whether it would work within extended families is a whole other discussion. I can see it in some but in many might be D.O.A.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I hate hearing about people who are ungrateful for trips to Disney! If someone offered to take me to Disney and give me a free room, I'd offer to clean their house for a year or something and wash their car.

Do you cook and do laundry?

 

[crisi]

That is a fantastic approach that I can see working for a group of girlfriends (although I'm still left wondering how whoever ended up drawing Kathy felt about the idea ). But whether it would work within extended families is a whole other discussion. I can see it in some but in many might be D.O.A.

Yep, and it was a good choice with THIS group of girlfriends because this group is pretty adult about things and getting "stuck" with Kathy was no hardship. However, they aren't so adult that we could depend on no hurt feelings.

And this made it fun. I got to stay with one of my girlfriends who I've known for ever, but we hadn't made one on one time for each other in years. Where if I would have chosen, I would have ended up staying with the woman who I'm good friends with, my husband and her husband are best friends, we vacation all the time together and go out to dinner regularly.

But for a lot of families, there is no way you could pull this off. With our last family trip we got two two bedrooms and I made sure my husband and my sister's husband were in DIFFERENT units. Or one of them would have ended up at the bottom of Bay Lake with an anchor tied around their neck. They can be friendly and civil in small doses, but sharing space for a week would have resulted in a CSI episode.

 

[perfectparanoia]

While I don't agree at all with what your brother did (a week before, I mean, come on), I do agree that some people are very particular about sleeping arrangements.

I, for one, will not sleep in the same room as anyone else (I only tolerate my husband but would still prefer to be alone). If someone in my family offered to have me sleep in free digs even with only me, my husband and the kids in one room, I would decline.

I would, however, ask if there were a way we could get two rooms on my own dime.

I am planning to take my parents, sister and BIL next year and already ruled our a GV as not enough bedrooms. Actually, I am thinking of getting each family their own room period (even if it is just a studio). We all love each other but we also like our privacy and time to ourselves.

 

[Chelley00]

Deal Chelley! I'll take you to WDW and give you a free room at DVC (our next trip is planned for next March), and you can clean my house for a year (I don't even care about the car!)!!!!!

I'll see Beverly's offer and "raise" it in that I'll just take house cleaning for 6 months!

Do you cook and do laundry?

:woo: I may not find time to clean my own house anymore, but who cares if I get to go to Disney, right?

 

[Dean]

Let me give some simple advice for people thinking of taking family or friends or giving anyone a trip. IF you know they have issues and you have problems with them at times, it's guaranteed you'll have problems planning and/or during a given trip. If you haven't had issues previously, you MAY still have problems. Often the people that are a problem are known to be a problem. For some reason those planning the trips often con themselves into thinking that it'll be OK this one time because it's Disney, it's expensive and people will be grateful and on their best behavior. One of the issues is that those that are poor planners, handle money poorly, are just trouble makers, often show up late or not at all or routinely mooch off others will do the same with a Disney trip as well. Add to the that the fact that many people see a timeshare as a free item, even to the owner who's paying dues, even if you tell them over and over again to the contrary.

 

[sajetto]

While I don't agree at all with what your brother did (a week before, I mean, come on), I do agree that some people are very particular about sleeping arrangements.

I, for one, will not sleep in the same room as anyone else (I only tolerate my husband but would still prefer to be alone). If someone in my family offered to have me sleep in free digs even with only me, my husband and the kids in one room, I would decline.

I would, however, ask if there were a way we could get two rooms on my own dime.

I am planning to take my parents, sister and BIL next year and already ruled our a GV as not enough bedrooms. Actually, I am thinking of getting each family their own room period (even if it is just a studio). We all love each other but we also like our privacy and time to ourselves.

What she said. We're getting a GV in May and there are only 6 adults going. Everyone needs their own space.

 

[twinklebug]

I believe that Disney will bring out the best and worst in everyone. With this approach I'm prepared for melt downs, whining and attention getting screams (and that's just from the adults) I no longer offer to bring anyone with the kids and myself for this very reason.

 

[Nancy F]

My response would be: No problem. Just go to www.disneyworld.com, and book yourself a room. Have your credit card ready.

That's why we go alone. my husband already warned me that we bought into DVC for us... not so we can take everybody with us. If I had to take anyone...it would be my BIL and his family. And I know they would be nothing but grateful.

Nancy

 

[Starr W.]

What she said. We're getting a GV in May and there are only 6 adults going. Everyone needs their own space.

We do a GV for 5. It was great last Thanksgiving when we had a rainy day and we had a grump or two after spending the morning at MK(not crowded at all for Wednesday of T-giving week).

It really helps when no one had to share a bed or sleep on the sleeper sofa. A good nights rest does wonders for people's attitudes.

Make sure you bring a router along, if you have a bunch of computer users. I hate having to run a timer on everyone and yelling "your turn is over, give the computer to the next person in line."