Can I Vent?!

[PlutoLuvr]

Make the changes - tell your parents there may be some more expense because you may need to do some signature dining. There are some lovely outside the park places (in fact, we MUCH prefer dining outside the parks) - and ADRs are not as difficult to get there as in the parks.

In a very few years you will realize that your parents are old and mortal, that your family has trouble getting together to see each other. There will be spouses and kids - and these moments where you get to be the family you grew up with with be few and far between. Things will happen - wonderful things like babies - horrible things like cancer.

These will make something as stupid as not being able to dine at Le Cellier seem incredibly petty. It will also make your sister's reluctance to go into the parks remarkably petty. But you don't both have to be petty. Be the bigger person.

I agree with everything this poster says.

OP, I have been in very similar shoes to yours. DH & I planned a birthday trip for just the two of us a couple years ago. It was my birthday gift. His family is spread all over Florida. About two months out from our trip, his mother announced that our trip in Orlando would be the perfect opportunity for everyone to see each other; that it would be a family reunion in a way. We're talking about 12 people suddenly on our vacation.

Due to various family members' budget constraints, being given this news with about 6 1/2 weeks from our arrival date and just the logistics of trying to keep everyone's accommodations near "the group," staying onsite would be out of the question. An offsite timeshare/condo would be more appropriate, and our ADRs "wouldn't work" either since so and so wouldn't like that food or so and so can't afford it, etc.

Needless to say, I was livid. But it's my hubby's family, we're in Orlando, in Disney, I was determined to have fun.

Let me just say it was one of the best trips we've ever had to WDW. Yeah, we ate a lot offsite, things weren't as "planned" as they had been on recent previous trips, but the memories of laughing at, say, Outback Steakhouse or Hard Rock Cafe instead of one of the places where I'd originally had my ADRs for just the two of us were well worth the trade-off.

It also helped to open our eyes that you can have a wonderful WDW vacation with last minute changes. There is a lot that Orlando offers

 

[auntie]

COuld the reluctance to have sis eat in the parks be because your mom would have to pay for a park ticket for your sister? She's obviously doesn't want to go to the parks and it seems like a waste of money to buy her a park pass for her to go only for dinner. OF course it's not so bad if she will actually tour the parks with you.

I do agree that she does need to suck it up and go with the flow.

Am I missing something?..because I thought that it was that the 16 year old hated parks and didn't want any part of the Disney trip. Is the mom reluctant to spend on a park pass so the child who doesn't want to be there anyway will eat with them in the park?...I think I'm kind of lost. I had the impression 16 year old was being..well a 16 year old, and giving the family hard time about the trip. Is there more to it?
I agree with some posters who said that she is certainly old enough to be left with a relative for those ..what 2 days...? Then go to her conference, where she will be going from Disney anyway. Sheesh at 16 I'd think she baby sits herself, I think rather than sucking the life out of everyones fun, let her stay with grandma or whoever for a couple of days. She might actually miss her family and it would be good for everyone. No changes in ADR's for a person who doesn't want to be there anyway. Honestly..it's just the way she is right now..she will come through this, and life doesn't end if she stays with grandma for a night or two. Seems as if the orginal plan indicated she was to be at her conference while the family was in Disney anyway..so not being with the rest of the family for a couple of days shouldn't be a big deal.

 

[CinderellyCinderelly]

UPDATE: The little sis will be staying with a friend who will also be attending the conference. When my mom told the friends mom that my sis will be flying from Orlando to DC, the friends mom offered to have her while we were gone! Again, thanks for all of the advice and letting me vent!

 

[auntie]

UPDATE: The little sis will be staying with a friend who will also be attending the conference. When my mom told the friends mom that my sis will be flying from Orlando to DC, the friends mom offered to have her while we were gone! Again, thanks for all of the advice and letting me vent!

Sounds like the PERFECT solution. I think you're little sister was ticked because she was probably looking forward to her conference and didn't want to deal with the family vacation. I'm so glad that everyone is happy..and even your mom can have a guilt free vacation knowing she isn't dragging along a perfectly miserable 16 year, and able to enjoy all your efforts on your families behalf. Have a GREAT time!

 

[TLSnell1981]

I am happy things have worked out for you. Have a "magical" trip!

 

[blueangel]

***I forgot the quote! I was responding to the high school teacher who said that even the emo/goth kids were into Disney.***

Me, too! I teach 8th graders (some of which, in this day and age, are 16...sigh) and they all love my Disney stuff. They even beg for me to give them Disney shopping bags to carry their PE clothes in.

We live in FL, and most of my kids have never been, and would do just about anything to go--maybe even homework.

Just wow.

 

[hammie59]

I'm still getting over the fact that she says she's too cool for Disney!! (What?!!!)

Anyways, I agree with many on this board, the entire family shouldn't change so many plans just to suit her. She's got to be a bit more reasonable since this involves everyone. Have a great time no matter what though.....

 

[bdcp]

I'm happy to see that everyone agrees a parents' job is to be the parent and not the child's friend. The poster who is about the same age, really doesn't understand. 16 is an extremely selfish age for most people and I agree this is totally about control. Someone has to be the responsible adult and a 16 year old can't be.