Convince DH's family to do DCL

[nikkistevej]

Ok, title says it all. DH and I have been on 5 Disney cruises, we love it!! We love the parks too, but can only go in the summer(been there, done that many times) His father and mother have decided to take us and DH's sisters and their kids to "Disney". They have never been to Disney or the cruise, prices for DCL are about a thousand more for the 4 night cruise, vs 7 nights at the parks. I need some real valid points to just do the cruise, I don't think I can take 7 days at the parks with all 11 of them. LOL Plus I would have to be the tour guide, a cruise would be easier to do our own thing. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Well you have sailed DCL 5 times so it's impossible to add to your knowledge, just say it's more relaxing than WDW.

Difference in price is on DCL most is included like Food and entertainment that will have to be paid for at WDW.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

I honestly think that the parks would be better. Definitely more bang for your buck. It will be hard to get away from 11 people on the ship. You will always run into them. At the parks, you can stay at different resorts and go to different parks. You can be their guide before you get there by scheduling fp+, restaurant reservations, etc...... I know you want to do the cruise, just giving a different perspective.

 

[AndreAggie]

No planning, you don't have to lift a finger. Meals are lovely, not sweaty. The wait staff really caters to the kiddos, so it's a more relaxing experience for the parents. Tons for the kids and adults to do on the ships. A Disney cruise is much more than a trip....it's an experience everyone will remember.

However, if they're paying, and DH sister has never been to the parks, you might be fighting a losing battle. You might just have to bite your tongue and go with it.

 

[Crystal O_o]

I think you are loosing this battle. 7 days in the park is hard to resist when you compare it to 4 days on DCL.

 

[nikkistevej]

I think you all are right. Don't know if I could convince them, they don't understand how hot/tired/sweaty/crowded the parks will be, because they haven't even been there. Now don't get me wrong, I love the parks, just not with 11 people. hahaha It would be easier to convince them to do a cruise after the visit to the parks. LOL Maybe I can convince them to do a 2 day park visit and a 3 night cruise. Thanks for all your help. any more suggestions I will take also.

 

[bethy]

If I were in your shoes I'd do 3 days at the parks with the family and go do a 4 day cruise on our own.

 

[Quellman]

It's unclear if the parents are paying for it or not. But if you aren't paying for it, you can only make a suggestion, and convincing someone else to spend more of their money on a gift they are already giving isn't very nice.

But being in the parks and playing tour guide to a bunch of newcomers is not a good idea, especially with a group of 11. You need to allow them to go off and do what they want with prearranged meeting times for certain attractions or meals. This way there is some freedom but you can still do stuff together. For example, book a meal a day if you want or say we will meet up at Festival of the Lion King for the 2pm showing and afterwards maybe catch the safari. After that if you want to do something else you want until 6pm when we have a dinner reservation at Rainforest Cafe.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing. You'll still have to coordinate a trip on the cruise, it'll just be a little easier.

 

[com_op_2000]

What I tell people is:
Whoever pays the piper calls the music.




If your family wants you to go on a vacation and they are willing to pay for it, go and have a great time on them. If you are paying for the trip you go where and when you choose to go.
Since they are paying, you want to go, you will need to just go along, if you can not get a change of mind.
IMHO, you should pay for your cruise and go about half way through the trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just because they are newbies doesn't mean you have to play tour guide. I didn't make my cousins do that when it was our first time and we went in a group of 8.

 

[nikkistevej]

Parents are gonna pay, so I'm at their mercy. LOL They haven't done any of it, so have no idea. I would love to do Disneyworld with them at a non peak time, but we have 4 kids in various grades of school, and cannot miss that much. So it has to be summer, that's really the problem, I think they will be miserable most of the time and hate it. I don't want them to hate my happy place. I just think the cruise would be more relaxing/enjoyable.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If you "have" to go during summer we have found that the last week in August really isn't very crowded. Depending on your region of the US, your kids ages and school-related activities, this may not be an option. Our schools don't open until after Labor Day but kids playing HS sports start practice much earlier. Most schools down south have already reopened too. Most lines were around 15 mins. Compared to late June when the entire country is out of school and eager for vacation.

I prefer cruising myself but if someone wanted to treat us to a trip to WDW I would graciously accept it.

I would make it abundantly clear in the planning of details (FPs, ADRs, etc) that you are not the tour guide, perhaps use the word "boss", of everyone. Everyone should do what makes them happiest on vacation so there should be no hurt feelings if people want to separate.
Before dh and I were dating, my BFF and his BFF, a married couple, would travel to WDW by motor home with his mother, her sister, her niece and their own children. Sometimes dh would join them. Once in the parks they would all stand around for a half hour deciding by committee decision which attraction to choose next, as if splitting up was never an option. He said the whole thing made his brain bleed. Lol

So when we cruised with a group of 19 we all agreed, it's your vacation too, do what makes you happy, not necessarily what I'm doing.

 

[nikkistevej]

We go back to school around the 24th/25th August, so the latest we could go would be 2nd week of august, which we have been. It is hot as heck, BUT so much less crowded then June. So it would be then. Lines are sooo much better, you are so right ruadisneyfan2!!!!
I mean I am very excited to get a free trip, just want to make it enjoyable for them.
I would have to make all the plans, which I am fine with. Each family will need to kind of "do their own thing" though. We have been so much, we are more chill with our visits, and my DD is 13. One sister has a very rambunctious 9 yo son. Then another sister has a 15 year old boy and 6 year old daughter, so the differences with the kids is a lot. LOL

 

[SwimMom2]

My parents occasionally pay for trips and ask me to plan them, so I feel your pain. It can be an awkward place when your advice is requested but they don't want to listen.

Honestly, even with the parks being more crowded, you can have an awesome time if that is where they want to go. If they ask your input, act like a travel agent- ask them questions and stick with their answers.

 

[nikkistevej]

My parents occasionally pay for trips and ask me to plan them, so I feel your pain. It can be an awkward place when your advice is requested but they don't want to listen.

Honestly, even with the parks being more crowded, you can have an awesome time if that is where they want to go. If they ask your input, act like a travel agent- ask them questions and stick with their answers.

Yep, I am gonna just plan it. Now another group are trying to join ours. OMG, that is 10 more. Now I'm scared. hahaha I am gonna do a seperate itinerary for each family. The only way it can be done, I guess. I think i might "accidently" book a cruise for us instead. hahaha

 

[EPCOTatNight]

We go back to school around the 24th/25th August, so the latest we could go would be 2nd week of august, which we have been. It is hot as heck, BUT so much less crowded then June. So it would be then. Lines are sooo much better, you are so right ruadisneyfan2!!!!
I mean I am very excited to get a free trip, just want to make it enjoyable for them.
I would have to make all the plans, which I am fine with. Each family will need to kind of "do their own thing" though. We have been so much, we are more chill with our visits, and my DD is 13. One sister has a very rambunctious 9 yo son. Then another sister has a 15 year old boy and 6 year old daughter, so the differences with the kids is a lot. LOL

Maybe you could focus on the more "relaxing" aspects of WDW. Do ALL shows, ride the trains in MK and AK, Peoplemover, Spaceship Earth, Ellen, One man's dream, etc.... You get the point. While everyone thinks about the fast paced things, steer them towards a slower paced itenirary with thrills sprinkled in. And don't rush through World Showcase, preferably at night(see my name).

 

[diznymom]

If this is for next summer, you have time. If it were me.......I would make each family unit read at least one of the WDW books (check out the library). Get the kids involved in the planning, especially the older ones. I would have each family unit decide where they want to stay and where they want to eat. I would also have them research the different attractions and rides. Some will want roller coasters, some won't. I wouldn't have everyone stay at the same resort or eat every meal together. Get everyone involved in the planning. That way they will feel like it is "their" vacation. Since you have been several times, you are a wealth of info. I would have maybe monthly meetings to go over some things. Maybe each month is a different theme.

You can do this.

 

[turtle27]

This is tough, even for me, who like you, runs, doesn't walk, to the nearest cruise. WDW was too stressful for me with 4 adults. But that was me, between having to be at fp+ locations at this time, reservations at this restaurant at this time, it seemed like one long to-do list, instead of a vacation. Of course, we went right after being pampered on a 5 day cruise. Oh and having to plan meals and fp+ locations 60 days early, egads. It was too much.

Sine they are paying, it is up to them, and for kids, Disney World is a sight.

Like others have said, the cruise is a bit more all inclusive, no paying for snacks, etc., and much more relaxing, but a week at WDW vs a 5 day cruise, that is close. Now if they were comparing the 7 day cruise....

 

[Sunshine2U]

Make sure you book a good resort. Show them the bus stop, send them on their way, and then go to the pool.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I grew up in Orlando and lived there for 35 years. So trust me when I say, WDW in August will be a living hell. Like slogging through a sea of humidity wrapped in a soggy blanket of sweat. The pools will be fun or being in building with AC. Nothing else. Please, for the love of all that is holy, please tell them this and see if they will reconsider. The cruise will be hot, but you can get in the ocean, the pools, the AC.


If you do go to the parks, wear bathing suits so you can get wet at various misters and water features in the park. Also, it should rain every day at 3pm. Go EARLY, then back to the hotel for lunch and AC break, then go back in the rain. The parks will clear out and it feels great to walk in the rain.