Asking the in-laws to go to WDW.

[POOH&PIGLET]

My wife and I are planning to ask her parents to go with us to WDW next fall. Her dad is retired and her mom runs a nursery school. We have a two-year-old and a baby due in January. We are trying to time our trip so that we can go to MNSSHP and the Food & Wine Festival. We have vacationed together in the past, and it's been fun.

I expect they'll be happy we asked but may not want to go. I hope to print out any responses and use them if they need convincing.

Why should they want to go to WDW?

 

[vernon]

To see WDW through the eyes of a young child is to roll back your own years and become young again. Children grow up SO QUICKLY, this could be a unique opportunity to see their first visit.

Is there a better place to vacation with your grandchildren?

 

[Wislodgers]

Our in laws our going with us in January. When we asked we were not sure if they would want to go either. They vacation to Florida every winter for a few weeks and have done all the Disney Parks at one time or another. They enjoy Disney, but are not obsessed with it like we are!!! Well, we cannot believe how excited they are to go! They have been saving, planning meals out, and even talking about stuff they want to do in the parks. My mother in law really want to do the Cinderella Breakfast........hopefully we will successful in getting PS!!!!

 

[shelbyjosh]

Oh my gosh...we took my mom to WDW with us in March and vowed we will never do it again! It was the absolute worst trip we have ever had there. You have to understand how my mom is. She is VERY judgmental, critical, verbal, etc. about everything! There were times we would walk away from her and let her be. We had a lock-off at OKW and by the end of the week-long trip my DH and mother were not speaking. She never offered us a penny for the room, nor did she offer to buy a meal for us. We thought that was pretty ungrateful. On the other hand, we would take down friends and a dear neighbor. The next trip we will not be taking anybody!! Family (DVCers) will be going, but they are very easy going!! I would never even consider taking my in-laws down. Disney is not their cup of tea. Just my 2 cents (and boy do I feel better after writing this!! )

 

[rbuzzotta]

Nothing can compare to seeing Disney through the eyes of your own child. I can't yet say through the eyes of my grandchild(ren) as my DD's are only 10, 5, and 3!!! But, I am sure by the year 2042 I will have that wonderful opportunity!!!!!!

 

[scootert]

DH and I took his mother with us several years ago - she was mid-80's at the time. It was one of the nicest vacations we ever had. She loved exploring the gardens in the parks and watching all the children in their various states of excitement. She wasn't up for Space Mountain, but for nearly everything else. It was a special time for all of us.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: we've taken my mom with us twice. it sounds as if your in-laws are still active. it is great to take them when they are able/willing to get around on their own. sure, you may have to slow your pace down a touch; but you won't be moving that quickly with little ones.

 

[Granny]

Do you realize how many parents would be tickled if their children would do something as simple as pick up the phone and call every once in a while? Much less ask to go on a great vacation?

And this provides the folks a chance to not only keep up with one of your children but also share some life long memories with your grand children (okay...they're too young to remember but you can always regale them with stories from your trip).

Bottom line....your daughter wants you to go with them on a vacation with fabulous accommodations and two of your grand kids.

This could be the mother of all no-brainers.

 

[pentex]

Hey, Pooh&Piglet, which resort are you staying at so we could all talk about that aspect?

As far as WDW, we have taken both my mom and my MIL down to FL at different times. They both had a blast. WDW is hopping with seniors and your in-laws will feel right at place. What did my mom & MIL like best:

* the beauty of the parks...the flowers, the pretty theming, the immaculate condition
* the countries in Epcot (they are both originally from Europe)
* the restaurants
* the beautiful weather when it was fall at home, being able to take long walks on a beautiful evening
* how nice everyone is to you in WDW
* most of all, watching the joy on their grandchildren's faces. Several years later, they can still retell...word for word...cute things my daughter said and did in 1994.

I hope that when I am older, my children will want to include me in their travel plans. What better way to tell your inlaws that you love them and enjoy their company than inviting them on vacation?

 

[Terry S]

We are taking my mother at the end of this month. I will let you know. I beleive see WDW through the eyes of her grand childern will be a wonderful thing for her.

I was kind of funny though, she may teach me a few things. ( I have been to WDW many times she has never been). Last time we talked about our trip, which we do often, she mentioned she was really excited about all the gardens she has heard about. I was like... what gardens? So I think this will be a learning experience for all.

 

[Lisa F]

We took my inlaws this past January to WDW and shared a 2br at BWV. They didn't take much convincing to go, it was their idea! They didn't know that we had bought into DVC but they commented several times that we always have so much fun at WDW that they were a little jealous and wanted "the experts" to show them around.

We finally had to explain about DVC because they would NOT let the room thing drop ("we'll work something out when we get there" was not sufficient). They pretty much paid for all of our meals and still feel like they got a great price for the room they had (and said that they were glad that we told them we bought into DVC because they would've thought that we had REALLY gone over the top if they thought we paid CASH for those rooms!).

They had a wonderful and are already looking forward to going with us again once grandkids come into the picture. How's that for a big fat hint!?! I think they are already dreaming about the great time they'll have with their grandchildren there.

The truly wonderful thing about WDW is that I don't think I've ever been anyplace else where it is sheer joy just for ME to be there, and then when you go with kids, you get to experience your own joy and add their amazement to your own. What better way to build some quality memories with all 3 generations?

Lisa

 

[KnightsQwn]

I have been considering asking my mom if she would bring my son in June... I will be watching for the responses.

 

[stlrod]

We took my wife's parents a few years ago between Thanksgiving and Xmas before everyone knew it was a great time to go. I wasn't sure how the trip was going to be. We are early-ring get to the parks type people and my mother in-law has had heart sugery a couple of time and wasn't in the best of health. Well, by the 3rd day, she was dressed and ready to go by the time the rest of us woke up (in fact, she was hurrying us out the door.) They loved going to th ehotels to see the Xmas decorations and believe it or not, Blizzard Beach. It was such a wonderful experience that having just bought DVC, the first reservation I made was for HH over Easter hoping they could come with us. This year at X-mas we're going to WDW with my wife's sister and her family. We are all looking forward to it very much. I must say, however, I would not want to go with both my wife's sister and her family and my parents-in-law at the same time.

 

[Peggy Sue]

This past May we got had a 2 bedroom at OKW and brought my dad and niece along. My dad is 71, has a heart condition and bad knees...he loved every minute of Disney and had no problem keeping up with any of us. My niece had recently graduated from college and has lots of loans to pay off..so we knew she wouldn't be going anywhere soon either. We had such fun together as a family. We all love looking at the pictures, videos etc.


A 2 bedroom gives you lots of privacy..plenty of space to spread out for some quite, alone time inbetween all the visits to the parks. It provides a great living room/kitchen area to share breakfast, afternoon snacks etc.

I'm sure they will be delighted to go! Have fun

 

[genealle]

My mom used to dog sit/house sit for us when we made the trip to WDW. After we bought into the DVC in 99, we decided to take her along on the next trip. She loved the pictures and video we shot and always wanted copies. Sadly she passed away suddenly in January of 2000 at the young age of 67. If you're thinking about taking the parents along for a trip, do it soon!

 

[fkj2]

My mom's failing health (she's nearly 80) will preclude me from ever taking her with me again on WDW vacations. I envy you the chance you still have. Don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Went to WDW in '96 with my mom! She had a great time playing with my 1.5 yo son. It was our last trip together, so I have the terrific memories.

We now invite my in-laws every fall to come with us. They come for about 3 days out of our 10 day trip. (We pay for the hotel).
They love it, my son loves it and we ask them to take our son out with them alone one night so dh and I can catch up being a loving couple!!!!

Everybody wins...........

 

[Wislodgers]

genealle, I am so sorry about the loss of your mother. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be.

As I posted earlier, we are going with my in laws in January and looking forward to it. We have gone with my parents, an uncle, a brother w/wife and kids and my DH, me and 3 kids of our own all together as a group 4 times now! We have the most wonderful memories and and cannot wait until our next trip together in 2003! We have gotten many comments from people that say they would not want to spend their vacation with their family but we consider it a blessing that we are able to!(and actually enjoy it!)

 

[Jeanne]

When we joined we didn't tell my parents right away, didn't want to hear any negative thoughts. The second trip down, we took them with, and they became members. Why? So they always had points to join us on trips, so they could spend that time with their grandchildren. As well as the trips with us almost every year, they have taken trips on their own for May in the gardens, and Food and Wine festival. By having the GV or 2 seperate villas, we always have enough space to have down time, and plenty of together time. We have had our inlaws, all of them, down for a family reunion, that was not a good idea. To many differences in the way we all vacation, without flexability being allowed by all. Know your family.

 

[adamak]

We joined DVC with the thought that we'll be inviting our in-laws and the whole gang. We went to BWI 2 years ago, with our teenage nieces/nephews, my DH, his brothers, inlaws and all that....

They all say it's the best vacation, ever, in their life. Reunion is not the same when you're in Disney. Of course, we'll still have the same arguement (kids screaming at 5am, laundry, fighting for bathroom...etc), but it's really WORTH it.

Tell your inlaws to try it once, and then ask them if they enjoy that. I bet you can't get them off your back!