Another friend's family trip flops

[DakotaRose]

Sometimes, you know how it's going to go. Sixteen people in a lovely rental house. The adults had all been to WDW twice before having kids, about 15 years ago. They had no time/interest in reading up on it. Besides that, some genius told them the week of Thanksgiving is really quiet at WDW. They would just get up whenever and be able to experience what interested them with little or no wait. And they would travel light -- strollers for the baby and two-year old, but the four and five year olds could walk. I tried to gently help, really, explaining that crowds might be bigger than they think, what rides to FP, etc. They didn't make use of the tips or touring suggestions I printed for them, nor did they believe me about crowds.

house - way too much togetherness, got on each other's nerves
crowds - whoa! and lines were crazy long
kids - exhausted and whiny
grandpa - crabby and demanding
my friend - frazzled from all the cooking, picking up, trying to keep people happy while her brothers and sis-in-law's sat around and bickered

It's frustrating. There were probably 50 other extended families with similar setups having a great time. I'm learning that it's not a lack of planning that ruins a trip, but rather a whole series of decisions that mean less convenience, more work, less know-how, more waiting, more stress, less ideal, less enjoyment.

 

[disneymom443]

I bet they believe you now.

 

[Gillyrose779]

Everyone always thinks renting a house for a large number of people is a good idea. Cheaper- yes- good idea- NO... at least not most of the time

my FIL did this once- 17 people in a big beach house- i was pregnant (although no one knew) and we had a 10 month old. the single sisters were complaining by the pool b/c they needed peace and quiet from the kids, the childless also were up all hours getting drunk, and I was exhausted by 9 pm and the only one up with my 10 month old cleaning the mess they left at 6 am. Plus- don't get me started on these people constantly eating my kid's food- let the banana ripen so my son can have it darn it!- you couldn't get your cheap lazy *** to the store so don't eat my son's only food!!

can you tell I'm still pissed about the whole thing? it was over 3 years ago-lol

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

After our wedding at WDW I refuse…adamantly…refuse to travel with family ever again. We were all in separate rooms…but it's like the show "Real World" on MTV some gazzillion years ago…What happens when people stop being nice to each other. (yup still bitter)

On the flip side…when friends go, I have a tip list that I wrote up for a friend once and saved it. I offer my TA and the list. If interested they can take it. If not, no harm no foul. Most know to ask me first…and those that don't oh well...

 

[4xmom]

I have a few friends that I will help. I am tried of trying to help and then no one listens and they want to complain.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I conveniently scheduled gall bladder removal surgery when my husband's family rented a beach house on the Gulf Coast. He thanked me profusely.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

I conveniently scheduled gall bladder removal surgery when my husband's family rented a beach house on the Gulf Coast. He thanked me profusely.

Yes, we've done something similar too! We unfortunately "had no vacation time left" when my inlaws wanted to rent a lake house for a week. Hell no! After a fateful trip to the Grand Canyon with them, never again!!!!!!!

 

[wiigirl]

I conveniently scheduled gall bladder removal surgery when my husband's family rented a beach house on the Gulf Coast. He thanked me profusely.

 

[amym2]

Yup, my SIL and niece went to EP during the summer a few years ago and when they returned, they told us they hated it. I was shocked (EP is my favorite)... until they said they got there around 11, FP were all too late, they couldn't find anywhere to eat, and it was crowded. Duh! Good news is that they have absolutely no interest in ever going to WDW with us. We'll stick with my family, who let me do the planning and don't complain about getting up early. And we have all stayed together in a rental house and had a great time!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I conveniently scheduled gall bladder removal surgery when my husband's family rented a beach house on the Gulf Coast. He thanked me profusely.

My MIL wants us all (our family and SIL's family, so 10 people in all) to go on a "family vacation" this summer and stay in a cabin together. In Santa Claus, Indiana. I'm hoping MY gall bladder gives out shortly before then.

 

[dsneygirl]

My BIL suggested we rent a house and get a 10 seater van to drive around in. Um no way in hell!

 

[SEA333]

My 4 sisters and I rent a beachhouse every year with our husbands and kids. We love it. 10 adults, (this coming year) a 16, 15, 2-14 year olds, 2-10 year olds, 9, 8, 7, 6, and a 5 year old between all of us. My youngest sister is having another in February. It will be interesting seeing what a baby so many years after the youngest grandchild will do to the dynamic. We all bring food to share, if there is something that a particular person needs to have, we all leave it alone. Each kid is welcome to anything they want. We are all respectful of each other. The kids all have someone their age to hang out with and nobody really fights (well, except the 5 and 6 year olds LOL, but neither are my kids, so I just laugh becuase they are so cute about it and my sisters both tell their respective kid to knock it off). We rent a 5-bedroom house so each "family" has their own landing space, and the kids all want to sleep on the couches, recliners, and air mattresses in the gigantic living room. It's like an enormous slumber party. The little ones love the big kids and the big kids love having their little cousins adore them LOL

We would love to do Disney together. It all depends on the family. None of us are control freaks, and nobody cares what the other has planned that day. We have an unwritten agreement that each of us will take a day to cook/supply dinner for everyone, but if nobody does on a particular day or if we are there longer than 5 days, that is OK too. We don't expect it, so if anyone doesn't want to, it's fine. Same with activities. If we end up doing something together, great, if not no pressure for anyone...we have participated in some things, and didn't in others. Sometimes my kids went with their cousins, sometimes cousins stayed with us. My kids are the ones turning 14, 10, and 8 this year so it really is super easy and fun.

Geez...just writing this makes me miss my sisters and the beachhouse, and now I cannot WAIT for summer. It is also making me want to plan a disney trip with all of them!!

 

[mumto3girls]

A long weekend is the most I can do with anyone outside my immediate family. We did Disney with another couple shortly after we were married. It was not something I want to repeat. The husband pouted anytime anyone wanted to do something different than what he wanted. I needed a long break from them after that trip.

 

[Legendteri]

When we went to WDW, we stayed in a 1500 sq ft 3 bedroom 3 bath villa. There were 8-10 of us. It wasn't too bad, mostly because I did most of the planning in order to avoid crowds, so everyone followed our lead. We all also respected the fact that we had different interests at the parks and split up for part of the time.

 

[abinormal]

I can do a group vacation with my family, but I'm done doing it with my in-laws and I'm damn sure not doing an extended family vacation ever again.

 

[Canooknic]

I have done a few family trips with my family (WDW, the Rockies twice) and they have been great. No one expects anything from each other so we set a plan each night for the following day and whoever is up and ready comes along, if not they can meet us later or do their own thing and meet back at the house/hotel when they're ready.

That being said, a 10 minute Skype chat with the in-laws is too much for us!

 

[Jaya]

We had a week-long family vacation a few years ago in a beach house that slept 30. 29 people were there that week and we had a great time. Everyone had a bed and there was a bunk-room for the kids that they enjoyed thoroughly.....it was like being at summer camp for them. It CAN work if it's the right people. Now to do it at Disney? H-E-Double-Hockeysticks NO!