Convincing Family to Go Back!

[maliboomer]

I recently returned from a very good trip to WDW. Yes, very good, not great, because we made several of the silly mistakes first timers do, and now the family feel 'they've seen it all', which as all of you here will know, is utterly impossible! I think they could be easily coaxed into going again, because for one they enjoyed it, and secondly they can realise there is so much more to do at Walt Disney World! We only spent a day, and on all except two of days, only 9-3, at each theme park, never straying to a waterpark or DtD, or any resort, as we were staying offsite (double ). And the only cure for PDD (which is actually on Urban Dictionary if you care to look it up!) is to plan, which I've done without anyone elses approval (of course all on paper, I'm only 'really' stubborn about my Disney fixes, not so 'extremely' I'd book!) which ended up in me...

.. working out that my perfect Disney visit, which would last ten days and include everything we ever needed, would set us back $6,500, not an utterly extortionate amount for a Disney vacation, at least I think so, but still my family immediately sees a cheaper option which they instantly regard as better, so that will take extra convincing as well. But Disney Dad spents huge amounts of his skiing vacations... but of course he's leniant about that as it's his personal intrest, so should I make a point of that or not?

So basically I'm looking for tips that would help convince my whole family that another visit is a good idea.

And I do realise I sound really, really utterly selfish, cruel and ignorant of other's feelings and opinions reading over this letter, but it isn't so bad it seems. I don't know why it sounds that way. Thanks.

 

[Shells9]

First off, I do not think you are selfish for stating what you want! It's not like you are dragging them kicking and screaming to WDW again and your family has lost their home and has no way to eat because of it. You're just looking for ways to make it more pallatable to them, which is fine!

You mentioned Disney Dad enjoys skiing. Does he have any other interests (water skiiing, maybe) that can be woven into a trip to WDW? What intertests do your kids have? Florida is loaded with ball teams for spring training. If they like baseball, maybe you can trade off a day in the parks for a good spring training game? What is the cheaper alternative that they see -- is it anything you can combine with a WDW vacation?

Hang in there -- you'll make it back!

 

[salmoneous]

Personally, I wouldn't worry so much about being selfish or trying to convince your family that they want to go back. Focus on making it clear that you want to go back.

 

[AJKMOM]

I can't tell from your post how old you are, but you could always go back only with the ones who want to go again. There are threads here at the DIS for singles, for budget tips, for families. Lots of advice on how to go it "alone".

There are lots of threads, too, about people who made the mistake of going to WDW with family & friends who didn't want to be there. Not much of a vacation there.

 

[mcgrawfan]

Sorry I can't help. We don't have this problem. We just plan when we are going back while we are still there.

 

[zulaya]

maliboomer...just a personal story...

My immediate family (DH, I and 2 kids) go every year. One year we took my in-laws. They got "it" that Disney IS the place where magic lives. They have been coming every other year with us and are currently working on getting their own contract at DVC.

My parents on the other hand...my dad would love to come more often, I think. He went to MK during MNSSHP one year because he was at Coronado for a conference and loved it. I think he "gets it".

My mom is the downer. She's one of those people who thinks WDW is a "been there, done that." She doesn't get why she should go back; she was there in 1994.

So, I really wanted both sets of grandparents to come. I was SURE I could have the bug bite my parents. My sibs were excited. I went all out and covered the rooms for them with my DVC contract, which was not easy. This was December 2004.

I think my mom sort of enjoyed herself at times. She liked Illuminations. That's about all I can tell you for sure. I think she just tolerated it.

Looking back, I wish I hadn't even asked for this large group thing. I feel like my mom's lack of enthusiasm and unwillingness to "feel the magic" and live in "bah-humbug-land" sort of ruined it for me personally. I went to a lot of trouble arranging a lot of different things for everyone to have fun.

Long story but assess whether it's worth it for you to take the WHOLE family again. Because some people will lay not a brick wall, but a titanium wall, in front of them and never change their minds about WDW, no matter how much you gush about it.

Maybe invite those who care and "get it" and those who need to see other places can go see other places.

 

[rie'smom]

I can't tell from your post how old you are, but you could always go back only with the ones who want to go again.There are threads here at the DIS for singles, for budget tips, for families. Lots of advice on how to go it "alone".

There are lots of threads, too, about people who made the mistake of going to WDW with family & friends who didn't want to be there. Not much of a vacation there.

This is what I would suggest. DH and DD love to ski-I don't. So, I've told them to plan a trip next year w/out me. Of course, they love WDW and will come with me next year. What I'll do is put aside the money I would have spent on my plane fare,lift tickets,etc into a WDW trip account. You might want to do something like that too if you don't like to ski.

 

[marcbelt]

While I've never done this, it would take no time at all for me to go back if my wife said she'd take me to the Richard Petty experience...

 

[lillygator]

there is so much to do and see I am not sure how anyone could do it all..maybe sit down and go over all the other things there are to do and see if it piques any interest.