Why you don't include others on your vacation!

[debbiepump]

OK, have had our ressies with my sis and her DH for a loong time, everything set, dates, our plane ressies, them staying on my 'dime' (points). This morning sis tells me DH wants to leave a day early! NOW, no biggie to us, except, we are now left with an empty room (got a 2 bedroom) for a day and trying to find a way to the airport the next morning, flight leaves at 7am!
I don't think they realize the cost (both $$ wise and point wise) it is to have them just do this, I'm sure if they had prepaid a hotel room and couldn't get a refund, they'd be thinking differently. We're stuck trying to figure out whether rent a car for the entire time there or do a towncar or something.
Will they even come as early as we have to leave (probably 430am).
Geez.

 

[isyt]

Why don't you use Disney's Magical Express. I used it at 5a once and had no problems.

 

[smjj]

Did you just tell them it was impossible to do? If faced with that, they may have stuck with what was previously aggreed to..smjj

 

[OurDogCisco]

I'd use Magical Express too. It works great. We had a flight that left at 7 am too. They will pick you up early like around 3:30 am. The only bad thing but it might be a good thing is that you must check your own luggage. So you take your luggage with you on the bus.

GL with your sister. I wouldn't let her cancel or let her know if she does then, she will not be invited back for free.

 

[castleri]

OK, have had our ressies with my sis and her DH for a loong time, everything set, dates, our plane ressies, them staying on my 'dime' (points). This morning sis tells me DH wants to leave a day early! NOW, no biggie to us, except, we are now left with an empty room (got a 2 bedroom) for a day and trying to find a way to the airport the next morning, flight leaves at 7am!
I don't think they realize the cost (both $$ wise and point wise) it is to have them just do this, I'm sure if they had prepaid a hotel room and couldn't get a refund, they'd be thinking differently. We're stuck trying to figure out whether rent a car for the entire time there or do a towncar or something.
Will they even come as early as we have to leave (probably 430am).
Geez.

You didn't say how soon this trip is but I think there are several possible solutions. 1. cancel the last night, leave luggage with bell services, get a room at the airport and plan to take DME there in the evening when finished with Disney stuff for the day. .
2. Rent a car, try to get a smaller size unit at DVC for the last night and drive to the airport. 3. rent a car, cancel the last night and get a room close to or at the airport for the last night. This would be if you could get your points back in some format that would allow them to be banked or used.

How were you planning to get to the airport if they stayed? If you have a rental car with 2 drivers maybe they can go on DME and you keep the car to get back to the airport. The other option would be a town car rental since you need to be there so early and DME picks up about 3 hours before your flight time. with a rental or town car you could leave later for the airport.

Good luck - it seems traveling with family can be a real challenge at times- I have made it a point to make certain mine understand all the consequences and expense in points or $ involved. I think too many people still do not understand the point concept and just think -oh they have the unit for a week so it doesn' matter whether we are there for 1 day or all 7, the cost is the same. I firmly believe in letting them know the consequences of cancelling, using weekend points etc. is totally different for DVC.

Hope you have a great trip and don't let this get you down. My family left me with a GV and only 5 people one Christmas week. We just said - too bad you can't come and proceeded to have a wonderful trip. However this year I have a2 BR and a studio reserved in case someone decides they can't make it. If that happens I will have points to use in the Spring for another trip.

 

[gmboy95]

I am convinced there are two types of people in this world...those that are thoughfdul and take things like this into consideration before acting, and those that are not thoughtful and want the rest of the world to adjust there schedules to them...I have friends and family that fit into both of these catagories, and we adjust our expectations accordingly.

 

[kathleena]

Sorry that you have to deal with this! I guess my thoughts are:

1. Tell them that it is costing you xxx extra points to have the 2br for one night and the value of those points. Tel them you would not have booked the 2br except for their agreement. See if they offer any $$$ to compensate.

2. If they don't offer any $$$, then suggest that you make up the difference in another way - say they pay for the car, they pay for groceries, they pay for dinner.

3. If you don't want to do 1 or 2, then call and get a studio for the last night and let the 2br go for the night. Hopefully you are not within the 30 day window and can get the points back and maybe bank them? If you are not, then I say go back to 1 and 2 and let them know that you have lost these points forever.....I would totally put the pressure on them to compensate you for their change of plans.

4. If you can't do 1 2 or 3 - then remember that you have given this to them as a gift. You would be "out" the extra points if the stayed the night, and you are "out" no more points by staying the extra night. Chalk it up to experience and let it go. You will have more fun on your trip if you just do that. Otherwise, it will hang over you the entire time.

5. Definately use ME for your return trip to the airport.

6. As the other person suggested, let them know there will not be any freebies in the future as this has cost you money.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Isn't family fun? You have gotten just great suggestions. Good luck with what you decide and just be sure to remember this experience next time. Always hard when people don't understand how DVC works and what a waste of points it is to have the 2br for a night when it is not needed.

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

If there are any additional inconvenciences and costs associated with their change of plans, it should be born by them. As others suggested, they need to make transportation arrangements if they differ from your already established plans if they choose to leave early. If you can downsize the last night to save some points, do it. If it's too late, then the difference in points between a 1BR and 2BR for one night is not horrible. Plus you get that last night alone.

 

[murcor]

Plus you get that last night alone.

Thats what I was thinking.....maybe its a blessing in disquise

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Boy, how many times have I experienced this type of scenario. When DW and I were young parents my grandmother paid for whole family vacations to Rehoboth beach every year for probably 10 years. It was nice and CHEAP so of course we went, but man once you get people with different schedules, desires, likes and dislikes it really can easily become a logistical challenge and stressful situation.

These days all of our trips are my DW and I make two. It is sooo much easier.

 

[robinb]

If they are making the choice to leave early, I would have them do DME or have them pay for their own towncar. If you don't mind packing up a day early you can save some points by moving to a studio or dong your final day at a resort that you always wanted to try. Or ... you can just relax alone in your 2-bedroom and enjoy the space. Good luck!

 

[Fitswimmer]

Boy, this thread makes me nervous. I just got invited to go to HHI with a friend who is a DVC member, and her BIL, DS and one yr old DD. I'm not worried about my DVC friend, but her sister and family make me a little nervous. They are "last minute Louie" about everything and aren't very considerate about how their choices affect others. I agreed to go as long as my DVC friend and I take our own car and leave on our own schedule so we don't get delayed by the family or get stuck at the resort when we'd rather go out. I'm hoping that will be enough to allow us to have our own fun and not depend on their choices.

 

[Lora]

If your family doesn't realize what it costs you, then you need to explain it to them. They can't possibly know the details unless you spell it out. We always have to be very clear on the agreement and have even taken a deposit from someone who had cancelled on us in the past (we "lived and learned" ). I don't mind changing rooms to save my points on occasion, so that would be my plan. See if you can switch to a 1BR or something for the final night and TAKE Magical Express!

 

[rinkwide]

It's the same old story; Boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy and girl buy a timeshare, in-laws screw up their travel plans.

If I only had a nickel...

 

[paults]

don't know where or when your going but I would

1--call and try to get 2 studios ( anywhere) and booked nts you need(save pts)

2 --if you have to change resorts and they don't like it ,tell them it cost to much since they are leaving a day early.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

You don't say when your trip is, but could you cancel your last night's two bedroom, and book a studio? I know you would have to pack up to move, but you'd have to pack that night anyway, so look at it being a step ahead!

As for getting them to the airport, tell them they are on their own. Why should you have to get them to the airport? Mear's will come at any hour to bring you to the airport. There is always a taxi also.