2 Families and Still a Good time? Tips and Testimonies

[latexscooter]

I need some advice and tips for our upcoming May trip. Please forgive me if this gets long giving you the background.

Our little family of three (DH, myself, and DD6) are huge Disney fans and make at least one family trip a year. We love our trips because they are a relaxing getaway and we all look forward to them. In March, I helped my best friend of 20 years and her family (friend, husband, DD2, DS4) plan her first family vacation to WDW. They had such a great time they are now hooked and can't wait to get back. Since we are all now Disney fans and we don't get to see each other in person often, we booked a trip together in May. The problem is, my husband all of a sudden isn't so nuts about the idea. He just thinks it'll be stressfull and things may not work out like we think it will. I don't know where he's getting this from because prior to both of us having kids we would take vacations together and we always had a great time. We're comfortable letting each other do what we want, when we want and not having to be together 24/7. I think his real concern lies in that fact that in 2005 we took his bother, SIL and kids on a trip and although it was nice time, we had our struggles because they just wanted to shop but didn't want to shop without us being there.

I'm not completely dillusional that things will be absolutely perfect so I've planned some precautions. Although we're at the same resort we didn't request adjoining rooms. We're both getting our own cars. We've booked dining for all of us almost each day of the trip (a place to debrief for when we do go our separate ways). And we have some activities planned that are just for our own famillies. So, I think the expectation is that we'll be on vacation together but we won't have to spend every moment together.

So my question is this, do you think I've done enough? Is there anything that I can do to help DH rest easy? Is there anything else I should do in advance to set expectations? Any help, tips, and advice is appreciated.

 

[puffkin]

We had friends go down with us this past May. Now, we were there a week, but they only were there the first four days so we tried to be more flexible with their schedule. Her DH was not thrilled about the idea at first, but ended up having a blast. We really didn't go in expecting to spend a ton of time together. We planned our meetings around an ADR usually. We would usually meet up before that to do a ride or two before or after the meal. THen we went our seperate ways. Sometimes we met back up later in the evening for parade/fireworks and once we hit the pool together. But mostly we went our own ways. Our boys had a blast when they were together and it worked out great for both families.

 

[jpeka65844]

I need some advice and tips for our upcoming May trip. Please forgive me if this gets long giving you the background.

Our little family of three (DH, myself, and DD6) are huge Disney fans and make at least one family trip a year. We love our trips because they are a relaxing getaway and we all look forward to them. In March, I helped my best friend of 20 years and her family (friend, husband, DD2, DS4) plan her first family vacation to WDW. They had such a great time they are now hooked and can't wait to get back. Since we are all now Disney fans and we don't get to see each other in person often, we booked a trip together in May. The problem is, my husband all of a sudden isn't so nuts about the idea. He just thinks it'll be stressfull and things may not work out like we think it will. I don't know where he's getting this from because prior to both of us having kids we would take vacations together and we always had a great time. We're comfortable letting each other do what we want, when we want and not having to be together 24/7. I think his real concern lies in that fact that in 2005 we took his bother, SIL and kids on a trip and although it was nice time, we had our struggles because they just wanted to shop but didn't want to shop without us being there.

I'm not completely dillusional that things will be absolutely perfect so I've planned some precautions. Although we're at the same resort we didn't request adjoining rooms. We're both getting our own cars. We've booked dining for all of us almost each day of the trip (a place to debrief for when we do go our separate ways). And we have some activities planned that are just for our own famillies. So, I think the expectation is that we'll be on vacation together but we won't have to spend every moment together.

So my question is this, do you think I've done enough? Is there anything that I can do to help DH rest easy? Is there anything else I should do in advance to set expectations? Any help, tips, and advice is appreciated.

I think this sounds like a great plan. This is how we've handled multiple vacations with friends and they've ALL worked out fine!

Remember that YOU are not responsible for their good time; THEY are. If something goes wrong, know that you've done as much as you can. And vice versa. Don't let a change in THEIR plans ruin your good time. Some of our party of 13 going in Jan significantly altered their plans and it bothered us for about a day. Then we just vowed to have a good time, no matter what.

Good luck!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think you have already covered the biggest issue. You CAN NOT plan to stay in a group all day, every day. That is a NIGHTMARE. A huge disaster of a nightmare from which there is no escape.

Ground rules I would have in place are:
You will NOT stay in a group the whole time. (This can not be stressed enough.)

If you are ready to leave the resort (or the park, or whatever) earlier than your friends you will NOT be expected to wait for them.

ALL PARTIES will understand things like DINING PLANS prior to departure so the planner isn't saddled with explaining it OVER AND OVER AND OVER during the trip.

I will never, never, never travel in a group again. Never. What sounded like a good idea was NOT a good idea AT ALL. Just make sure that everyone knows and understands that you are vacationing at the same time, not vacationing TOGETHER.

I was astounded how NOT fun it was to vacation with another family. We hang out at home and things are great. Both families had been to WDW in the past, so nobody was a newbie. It should NOT have been as stressful as it was. I hated it. And for months after that I wasn't sure we would continue being friends with the other family.

Good luck! I think if you talk things out in advance and everybody is on the same page that you can probably have a good time!