Would you take this chance?

[Disney1fan2002]

I would like to book a studio for my dad and his wife so they can join us a few days bfore Thanksgiving, and then have dinner with us on Turkey day. My dad has a friend who winter's in FLA, so they can also spend time visiting him. My dad's wife has never been to Disney ( I don't think dad has either, and since I was alive when it opened, and I had never been as a child, I am guessing the Disney dad says he visited was DL) So, I invited her and told her to let my dad know. This was months ago. She still hasn't mentioned anything to my dad. She says she definitely wants to come. I don't want to book them a room if she is going to keep saying "yeah, we will be there, sounds fun" and then a week before the trip say, "no, dad doesn't want to go" or whatever. Believe me, it has happened with these two. It is not usually my dad, it is her not wanting to go and then SAYING it is my dad. When most of the time she has never even mentioned it.

I think before I use my points on them, I will talk to my dad myself ( this will upset her, as she does not like us kids going straight to OUR dad) My dad is a golfer, and I think it would be great to allow him the opportunity to play on a WDW course. My Dh plays, and dad enjoys golfing with him. I already have the date when I can call for a tee time the day before Thanksgiving. My dad and his wife could use this trip. My brother passed away unexpectantly on Father's Day, so dad (actually my whole family) has had it rough the past few weeks. It was quite a shock.

There is a good chance that they will agree to go, and then decide not to come at the last minute. Would you chance booking them a room if it were your situation? If they do cancel in the 31 days, how long do I have to use those points? Can I rent out points if I can't use them, and they are in a holding account? Does anyone have any advise for me?

 

[JimC]

My advice is call and talk about it. Let them know what the commitment means and let them know how much you would like to spend the holiday with them at your favorite place! You can get Dad in the conversation by asking him which golf course he would like to play at.


From the DVC website:
A Holding Account is a "parking space" for Vacation Points from a Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation that has been changed or cancelled 1–30 days before your scheduled arrival date. Here are some guidelines regarding usage of Holding Account Vacation Points:

They can be used for a new Disney Vacation Club Resort reservation that is booked 60 days or less before the new arrival date, during your current Use Year.
They can be used for an exchange through The Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, Adventurer Collection, and World Passport Collection, if you are making the reservation 60 days or less before the new arrival date, but more than 60 days before the end of your Use Year.
They cannot be banked or borrowed.
They will expire at the end of the Use Year if they are not used.

 

[PamOKW]

You can't book family DVC vacations unless everyone knows what is happening and discusses it openly. You also have to consider who is going to pay for the travel expenses, tickets to WDW, meals, etc., etc. In your case, you also can't assume that your Dad's friends will be able to entertain them (or that his wife will want to visit them).

Tell your stepmother that you all need to get together to discuss the plans for Thanksgiving and then lay it all out. (Have it planned in your mind first, as to who pays for what.) Then ask Dad whether it sounds good to him. Let them know that you will have difficulty if they cancel after "Date X".

I just noticed one glitch in the plan. It says you would "like" to book a studio. I think you better check availability ASAP or you may be promising something you can't deliver.

 

[spiceycat]

It might already be too late for Thanksgiving this year - I think all the DVC resorts are booked for that week already.

of course you might get lucky and get a cancelation.