Back to Wonderland with a side of French Fries-New 3/15Mix up culture w/fun

[PracPerfPatricia]

A brief interlude of madness before we return to our regularly schedule programming...


Hmmm...


I think that Alice has gone mad...I don't know...maybe too much time with the Hatter or maybe just that condition know at "teenagehood"...

Alice reaaaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyyyy wants to take a friend/couple of friends...on her 16th birthday trip...it would make her life perfect...it would be the most special thing ever...

sigh...


I don't know what to do...

On one hand I thought that this was going to be a family trip...kids, parents, grandparents...

On the other hand...would allowing her to take some friends for part of the trip (we'd (the family) get there on Wednesday...the idea that the friends would come for a long weekend portion...Friday-Monday...It's Columbus day weekend so no school for them on the Friday or Monday...they could get the plane together and get the ME at the airport...

It would be like 3 friends...her best friend is a guy, her "boyfriend" and her best girlfriend...(they are all friends...)

Since my ILs have generously picked up the tab for our two rooms...we could get a room for the guys...and do some moving to accomodate the girl...(Hatter would probably get to sleep with his parents...hehehe for a couple of nights...)

We'd pick up their dinners while they were with us but they'd have to get their air and park tickets and obviously any spending money...

The reason this is even coming up now for me is because of ADRs for dinner...

I'm torn...

on one hand it would be more intimate if it were just us...

on the other hand I do like these kids and I know that it would be a huge deal for Alice to have some friends with her on her 16th...("a dream come true")

I think she could do a good job balancing her time with us, them and all of us...

I just really don't know what to do...

Any thoughts...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh, that is a tough decision....I think the idea of having some family time, and then some time with the additional teens would be a good mix. Satisfies that need for the closeness for the family - and makes Alice's "dream come true". If you like the kids, and they are well behaved appreciative ones, I say go for it.

Are you going to have them go to the same park as the rest of the group but allow some time for them to do their own thing?

 

[eandesmom]

T

Rabbit told me the three things we wanted to do the most in Paris was visit the Eiffel Tower, climb up the tower at Notre Dame, and eat as many sugar crepes as he could...


I certainly hope I don't start finding any mini M&M s around the house......there will certainly be some serious discussions and there'd better be a wedding ring involved...

I must say I am pretty stealthy with a baguette...

I like the way that boy thinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mini M&M's! Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, onto Alice.

I guess a big factor for me would be the other families. Is this something they'd be willing to pay airfare and park tickets for or would that be awkward? I keep waiting for K to hit us up for something similar and I know the 2 families would have a hard time with the extra expense so K would expect us to cover it.

The other factor is how would your IL's feel about it? I know my MIL is HYPER sensitive to feeling ignored by the teens and so while she'd want the teens to be happy, she'd also be (in her own way) a bit jealous and upset that the other teens were getting "her" time. One friend might be less likely to cut into the overall family/intimate feel than 3.

That said, I completely get where Alice is coming from and both girls K would want I know would be lovely to have along. Tough call.

Wouldn't an adult technically have to be in the room with the teens?

What does Hatter think?

Yikes.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh my, Patricia! I am not sure what I would do about that! I guess I would ask the in-laws what they think about it and go from there. Maybe. Gosh, I just don't know.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh, that is a tough decision....I think the idea of having some family time, and then some time with the additional teens would be a good mix. Satisfies that need for the closeness for the family - and makes Alice's "dream come true". If you like the kids, and they are well behaved appreciative ones, I say go for it.

Are you going to have them go to the same park as the rest of the group but allow some time for them to do their own thing?

I like the way that boy thinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mini M&M's! Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, onto Alice.

I guess a big factor for me would be the other families. Is this something they'd be willing to pay airfare and park tickets for or would that be awkward? I keep waiting for K to hit us up for something similar and I know the 2 families would have a hard time with the extra expense so K would expect us to cover it.

The other factor is how would your IL's feel about it? I know my MIL is HYPER sensitive to feeling ignored by the teens and so while she'd want the teens to be happy, she'd also be (in her own way) a bit jealous and upset that the other teens were getting "her" time. One friend might be less likely to cut into the overall family/intimate feel than 3.

That said, I completely get where Alice is coming from and both girls K would want I know would be lovely to have along. Tough call.

Wouldn't an adult technically have to be in the room with the teens?

What does Hatter think?

Yikes.

Oh my, Patricia! I am not sure what I would do about that! I guess I would ask the in-laws what they think about it and go from there. Maybe. Gosh, I just don't know.

Oy...thanks for the feedback...Hatter also just laid this little piece of info on me this morning...his parents may not go... They just aren't up to traveling anymore...airplanes....Give me a break...they are just super anxious, not particulary flexible individuals...Emily heard this and just burst out crying...she really wants them to be there...

They will probably cave if she works on them...(and Hatter said they would still pay for us...but that isn't the point...this is supposed to be a celebration...Oy, OY, OY...

I think that maybe the best compromise might be if the grandparents come down with us...stay three nights...for the big b-day dinner...we'd just be a ferry away from the MK...I should be able to find something for them to do at Food & Wine... (I'm fit to spit nails...) and then have the kids come so like Brook said there is a balance...

then to just add an extra dash of madness...Hatter is all perky this after and saying that since we might need three rooms...maybe he should talk his parents into buying half and half with us into DVC at the Wilderness Lodge because when you figure out the amt you'd spend on three rooms... (& then we'd have it for a Christmas 2011 trip...)

Ok...my head is spinning and I need to go run some errands but later tonight I need to catch up on my subscriptions and update tonight's French Friday...

I really feel like Alice in Wonderland...everything feels so topsy turvy upside down...

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh my. And don't you just love how this all lands in YOUR lap to figure out??? You've got your hands full. I do hope it works out with the Grandparents. Do they mind trains? The Auto Train goes from somewhere in PA to FL, and their car can go on the train as well, so they would finish up the trip by driving to WDW. Not sure if that helps, but just tossing it out there since I know you aren't too far from PA!

I do like the idea of DVC. Even if you just rent points from someone for this trip it will probably be cheaper than 3 rooms. A 2 bedroom at WL sleeps 8, a 3 bedroom or Grand Villa sleeps 11 or 12 I believe.. But if you buy...then yes...you will have guaranteed Disney trips!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Oy to the Vey!!



I don't know what I would do not being a parent.

As a former teenager though, I'll offer this opinion. As great as it is to have friends go along sometimes that brings unnecessary drama even with good kids. I know that we invited some of my friends to go on our vacations (never to Disney) and by the end of the week I just wanted some family time. But then again they would be there for a much shorter time so it might work out to be a good balance.

 

[jenjolt]

Oh Patricia...all this at one time...yucky!! I'm sorry you are having to deal with all this chaos...I am no good at advice so I'm just going to give you a hug LOL!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I always used to go on vacations with my bff's family when I was a tween & teen. Even twice to Disney! But that was very different - she was an only child so I fit neatly into their family. Plus you have boys in your mix...

 

[Flossbolna]

Just wanted to say that I am sorry about your dilemma... Will post something sensible tomorrow, but just came back from a lovely dinner with nodnol and Remy and consumed too much tequila (actually not a lot, but since I don't drink that much, it feels like a lot! ), so I am not going to be very helpful at the moment! Don't worry, things will fall in place!

 

[eandesmom]

Oh Patricia!

My head is swimming just reading all that! You poor thing. Poor Em!



Lots to process for sure but financially Hatter does seem to have a good point about DVC.

Not that I'm enabling or anything....

 

[mousescrapper]

I hope you can get back to scappin soon......it's very theraputic and healing to focus on doing something you love...

thanks for your sweet comments...I keep saying I'll get in that scrapbook room and clean up so I can get started...just haven't managed the time...but soon...only a week to make these special scrapbook pages to frame as part of my wedding shower present to my DBro and future DSIL....

Alice reaaaaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyyyy wants to take a friend/couple of friends...on her 16th birthday trip...it would make her life perfect...it would be the most special thing ever...


We'd pick up their dinners while they were with us but they'd have to get their air and park tickets and obviously any spending money...

The reason this is even coming up now for me is because of ADRs for dinner...

Any thoughts...

I know the above post has changed a bit w/ the below post...but first I ditto many of the thoughts the others have given...

ask inlaws

talk to parents

I like your idea have them [friends] be there for part of the time and pay tickets and airfare down + spending...

as far as the ADR's if you think it would be a possiblity to have a few friends w/ during part of the trip you can do a DisMomAmy thing (sorry Amy...) and book a few of your ADR's w/ the higher guest number and then lower it as needed once the final decision(s) has been made...I'm not sure you may be able to figure it all out and have the parents decide before you leave for Paris...but if you do ask the parents..I'd give them the numbers how much it would cost and a time line of when to answer you.

BTW not to be a snot...but she is 16 and yes this is a special day/vacation...but how many of us are great friends or in love w/ the boy we dated when we were 16? I wouldn't drag out your decision to ask parents if you and Hatter say yes...to avoid teenage agnst...kwim

I think that maybe the best compromise might be if the grandparents come down with us...stay three nights...for the big b-day dinner...we'd just be a ferry away from the MK...I should be able to find something for them to do at Food & Wine... (I'm fit to spit nails...) and then have the kids come so like Brook said there is a balance...

I think the IL's coming for part would be the best solution here P~ if they are up to it...very similar to my IL's...this trip may be hard for them now...I know no way they'd be up to coming when my oldests turn 16...

plus would you feel weird having them pay if they are not there?

then to just add an extra dash of madness...Hatter is all perky this after and saying that since we might need three rooms...maybe he should talk his parents into buying half and half with us into DVC at the Wilderness Lodge because when you figure out the amt you'd spend on three rooms... (& then we'd have it for a Christmas 2011 trip...)

OK you know my feelings about DVC...but if you want to buy into WL...you going to have to do through an outside seller...I believe the only DVC properties you can buy into right now directly thru Disney is BLT...maybe AKL too? if you buy resale...you won't have a full 50 yr contract...but the price per pint most likely will be less....that is a huge thing to look into right now in the midst of planning Paris and the WDW trip...if you are remotely serious I'd recommend taking the tour on your trip and talk to a guide first hand...


Ok...my head is spinning and I need to go run some errands but later tonight I need to catch up on my subscriptions and update tonight's French Friday...

good luck w/ all your decisions

looking forward to the next french friday...

J~

 

[TyRy]

EEEK -my head is swimming now as well. Would the kids all be able to go? Could you slyly speak to their parents before even saying yes or no?

And I'm with Hatter...your should just buy DVC...will make your life easier

Oh and hopefully I'll have an update tonight complete with videos!

 

[jordanyosh]

DVC...wow. I'd go for it while the offer's on the table.

As far as bringing kids along....a girl's 16th is important..I'll have to think about that one. Trip dynamics are tricky and sometimes tenuous and that's just with family....adding 3 teens to the mix......

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, Patricia -- everything is topsy-turvy, isn't it?

I would be fit to spit nails over the in-laws, too. Poor Emily!

I kind of like DH's reasoning about DVC -- that would be a fun purchase!

 

[manntra]

I agree with Jordan.....and I would snatch up that DVC offer!!
Also you wouldn't want to be too separated from them all the time and lose the family time...

Tracy

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Thanks everyone for all the support...you guys are the best...

I'm going to respond to everyone individually but right now I'm in the middle of watching the Disney version of The Three Musketeers with the kids...w/Mickey, Donald and Goofy...its pretty funny...

Em and I are deciding between Funny Face or French Kiss when David goes to sleep...

We read Crepes by Suzette and had Hachis Parmentier (basically a French Version of shepard's pie...(which I made) and a Tarte Tartin for dessert- (which I did not make) I give a full undate tomorrow...

As for the birthday trip...Eric and I spoke and think that the four of us will obviously be there for the whole trip...my inlaws WILL be there for at least the first three days...and a few of Emily's friends will be invited to come ON the tail end for a long weekend...(assuming they can pay for their airfare and park tickets...-We'd pick up an extra room and pay for any lunches or dinners we all eat together...

We already have ressies for 2 rooms for us...and my inlaws and we have our airfare...so we'll see I guess...

This trip may wind up having more planning versions than a LL trip...which is not easy to do......

DVC is definitely on the table...we have to work some things out...

Thanks again, sweet Disney dreams and I'll give a FULL update tomorrow...

 

[Charleston Princess]

Sounds like you are beginning to figure things out!

French Kiss or Funny Face -- tough call. Depends if you are in the mood for Kevin Kline being hysterically funny with is French accent or in the mood for the cool sophistication of Audrey Hepburn and some great clothes. Can't wait to see which one you decided on.

 

[Happydog]

Okay, as an adult who has taken other people's children (teenage children) all over various continents during spring break, I would simply say this:

Sqabbles between even the best of friends happen.

Friends do not necessarily make the best room mates... but if it is only for a couple of nights that should be okay.

Make it clear what they need to bring $ wise and for what, AND get this from the parents and possibly hold some money for them -- maybe their dinner $ if they are going to be participating in the family meal (see next item)

Plan ONE "group gathering" daily -- in the middle or later in the evening -- to rendezvous and check in. Dinner works great for this.

Agree to certain expectations/limits with the kids and parents before hand.

Now some of this might be too stringent for a few friends and only a few nights but sometimes the closest kids are not the best traveling companions...
We take kids for 8 - 10 days, so more conflicts ensue...

I would say at some point kids may outgrow a Disney vacation, this is a way to keep it engaging and fun, and your daughter is definitely at the age where the social scene is important...

SO this is just based on my experiences the past 10 yrs with teenage travelers... maybe there will be something useful there!

Great idea about DVC... funny how that happens, huh?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Thanks everyone for all the support...you guys are the best...

I'm going to respond to everyone individually but right now I'm in the middle of watching the Disney version of The Three Musketeers with the kids...w/Mickey, Donald and Goofy...its pretty funny...

Em and I are deciding between Funny Face or French Kiss when David goes to sleep...

We read Crepes by Suzette and had Hachis Parmentier (basically a French Version of shepard's pie...(which I made) and a Tarte Tartin for dessert- (which I did not make) I give a full undate tomorrow...

As for the birthday trip...Eric and I spoke and think that the four of us will obviously be there for the whole trip...my inlaws WILL be there for at least the first three days...and a few of Emily's friends will be invited to come ON the tail end for a long weekend...(assuming they can pay for their airfare and park tickets...-We'd pick up an extra room and pay for any lunches or dinners we all eat together...

We already have ressies for 2 rooms for us...and my inlaws and we have our airfare...so we'll see I guess...

This trip may wind up having more planning versions than a LL trip...which is not easy to do......

DVC is definitely on the table...we have to work some things out...

Thanks again, sweet Disney dreams and I'll give a FULL update tomorrow...

Can I vote for Funny Face? I love that movie..

And ha ha on the more planning versions of a LL Trip.