Edited

[eeyore0062]

Crazy, no.... but maybe a bit misguided. I don't think I would venture to take 4 grandkids to WDW at 4th of July. Is there any other time she would consider taking them? It is going to be hot and MAJORLY crowded! I can't see she any your FIL wanting to be out for hours in the heat of the day waiting in lines for hours. Maybe remind her of that, and she might relent and go earlier in June or later in August, once crowds thin out.

 

[Honeibee]

We tried to talk to her and suggest she go at a different time. My fiance even suggested she take them out of school for a few days. But she won't change her plans.

See, really, it's all about her. She LOVES coming up with these grand plans so she looks like the big hero to everyone. But when those kids have to stand in line for hours......and it's so hot out (especially the oldest who is THE Drama Queen).....I just feel bad. Her money would be better spent at another time.

I did suggest she stay at a closer resort - one on the monrail would be best. But she went on and on about this "brand new hotel that JUST opened up. It's BRAND NEW! I forget the name but it has a big playground, and it's brand new". I just said "Oh yeah, Pop Centruy. We stayed they last September." She said "NOOO, it's BRAND NEW".

Can't tell her nuttin.

I also suggested she call NOW and make reservations for the dinner shows. Especially with a party of seven. But no, she thinks she can just walk in and get seated.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Yes, your mil is nuts. She may have been a normal person from childhood on but the second she became a mil she became someone else altogether. Is a requirement. I know very well as I used to have a mil and and now am one myself. LOL

Honestly,all kidding aside, it is just a difference in personalities. We all deal with such every day but it is a bit harder when it is someone who is so close to us and we have to deal with them in a more intimate way and care what they think to boot.

I am assuming that she is paying for the trip? Wow, wish I were that rich. I can help out and will on our planned 2006 trip BUT I am also not planning on hanging out with the family the whole time. Would be fine with the grands but I try to live by my rule or doing what I would have wanted my in laws to have done with me. (shhhh, don't tell them but I do not want to spend every minute with them either LOL)

I can feel your frustration at not being asked for advice though. Being the expert you are you would be a valuable resource. Maybe you could plan an evening, with everyone involved, of watching the Disney planning videos and such to get everyone in the 'mood' and possibly open up the way to everyone talking about their expectations of the trip. Everyone doing the same thing at one time only seems to work for the Brady's or some other sit com families. I am for getting together for a few special events and going our own way the rest of the time. What my family is thinking is that I will take each grandson for a day, or part of one and possibly babysit one evening so that the parents can party. What works for one might not work for another.

I hope the trip turns out to be one great big wonderful family memory for the rest of your lives, even if no one gets to do everything they want.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

That's not crazy. I always plan that way. I have never made a PS in my life. Some people like to fly by the seat of their pants.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Anyone using fast pass won't be standing in line for two hours. I make PS for everyday, yet I've heard lots of people on these boards who don't. Different strokes for different folks. I still can't see why this bothers you so much. It seems like you're going to have quite a few problems with your MIL if a trip you're not even going on is getting under your skin so much.

 

[Brian Noble]

With common sense, this isn't a problem. Get to the parks when they open. See the most popular things first. Leave for the middle of the day. Make PSes well in advance for the handful of restaurants you really want to visit. If she doesn't have common sense, then your fiance should talk to his brother so that his brother knows to get the youngest, at least, out of the park in the afternoon.

We were expecting to be at Disneyland summer '06 for the 4th, because we'd already be in the area. Unfortunately, the "we'd be in the area" part of the plans fell through, but I was really looking forward to visiting for the 4th, just for the pagentry of it all.

I'm someone who would prefer to brave crowds than take my kids out of school. While I understand that some people (and most DISers) would prefer to pull them, it is not patently ridiculous not to do so.

If you weren't going, and you were *my* sister, our mother would tell you to MYOB: mind your own business. She certainly told me that often enough!

 

[PamNC]

I wouldn't call her crazy just yet. She still has time to make ps dining arrangements. She has her tickets. Some people don't have actual itineraries. I hope and pray she has more than one room. Surely she does. That would be scary.

PamNC

 

[Honeibee]

Oh I couldn't care less, really. I just thought you guys on these boards would appreciate the lask of planning and misguided stubborness she is demonstrating. I realize not everyone plans the way I do, but I also don't think this is the kind of vacation you can just wing.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I'll hold off answering until I hear what you experts have to say.

These are her plans, which BTW, she just made yesterday...

At WDW from July 2 to July 9, 2005.

Staying at Pop Century.

Has Park Hopper Tickets

Cast of Characters: Mil(74) FIL(75) BIL(46) & four grandchildren (from 7 to 10)

Has made no other plans/reservations.....

Comments?

Sounds like they're going to have a wonderful time. "Their trip" will be different than "your trip" it doesn't make one better, it just makes them different. Don't worry about it. .

 

[idofabric]

Well since she is paying for it all, and won't take advice from you there is not really much you can do.
Since you and your kids are going in June( ? correct?) they will see the difference between June and July. And they will compare the 2 trips. For better or worse.
Your MIL will be in charge for July, and it is on her head. You can not do a thing to change the trip, her mind, or help.
So don't sweat it.
Just un plug your phone that way if the kids call to complain you won't be able to say "told you so!". Joking, kinda...

 

[eeyore0062]

If the kids can't go at that time, then she will have to change her plans!

I have a SIL who has decided that she will pay for DD to come and stay with her for a week. Problem is, she drinks too much for my taste and I don't feel comfortable with that. So, DD will be doing dance, drama camp and community theatre this summer. Guess she just won't have the time!

 

[Lucky4me]

I'm confused. Are you included in that Grand Canyon/ Vegas trip?

I also sense something else going on here. Are you the new DIL on the scene and she doesn't treat you well or something? I take it your step children are invited on these trips? Do you have children of your own?

Just call me Dr. Lucky.

 

[TwingleMum]

She's footing the bill? I'd go in a heartbeat.

 

[ncbyrne]

You mentioned getting married in June. Since you already had certain feelings for your mother-in-law to be - make sure you know what you're getting into. You can always go to WDW!

 

[Tiger Fan]

I understand what you are saying, but I have one better for you. My mom came home from church Sunday night and our Pastor's wife (I love this lady dearly by the way) said they were thinking they would go to Disney this year and heard that I could help. Mom was excited and told her yes, I would be glad to help, when were they thinking of going. She wants to go over Spring Break - yes, of this year - like NEXT MONTH!! She has NO reservations, much less PS and said they could stay 3 nights. I tried to gently explain this was just not really possible. I encouraged the end of May when our kids get out of school and yet before Bible School starts. This would allow me a workable time frame for planning and getting her PS and the crowds will be much better, especially if they insist on only 3 days. She said that sounded good, but she hated to make plans SO FAR in advance since you never know what could happen I'm a good planner and can usually find really good deals, but WHAT - this is not something I can pull off!
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[disneyjunkie]

I don't think your MIL is crazy. She sounds like a wonder grandmother.

I'm planning a family trip for July 8-15, 2006. Most of the people in our group have never been to Disney. Since family members will be coming from NYC and SC, July is the only time (other than Christmas) when all of our kids are out of school at the same time. None of us will pull our kids out of school for a trip to WDW, so July it is.

I know it'll be hot and crowded but we'll deal with it. Like your MIL, I plan to take advantage of EMH then head to a water park or the resort pool. By using EMH and fastpass, we won't have to wait in long lines.

We're also staying at the "new hotel". The children in our group will range from age 3(turns 4 during the trip) to 16 so I'm sure they'll enjoy Pop Century. If codes come out for our dates, I'll try to talk them into POFQ.

 

[swilphil]

I have gone to WDW twice in July, so I guess I'm crazy too That just happened to be when the cousins could go, and we only get to see them once a year. The heat is unbearable, but the crowds settle down after the 4th. If you go at opening, do EMH at MK, use Fastpass, and take afternoon breaks, it's still a lot of fun. We didn't do the water parks. I've heard you need to go in the morning or it's too crowded.

 

[swilphil]

We tried to talk to her and suggest she go at a different time. My fiance even suggested she take them out of school for a few days. But she won't change her plans.

See, really, it's all about her. She LOVES coming up with these grand plans so she looks like the big hero to everyone. But when those kids have to stand in line for hours......and it's so hot out (especially the oldest who is THE Drama Queen).....I just feel bad. Her money would be better spent at another time.

I did suggest she stay at a closer resort - one on the monrail would be best. But she went on and on about this "brand new hotel that JUST opened up. It's BRAND NEW! I forget the name but it has a big playground, and it's brand new". I just said "Oh yeah, Pop Centruy. We stayed they last September." She said "NOOO, it's BRAND NEW".

Can't tell her nuttin.

I also suggested she call NOW and make reservations for the dinner shows. Especially with a party of seven. But no, she thinks she can just walk in and get seated.

Can she make dinner show ressies this far in advance? I thought it was 90 days. It sounds like she can easily afford to stay at a deluxe hotel and might be unhappy with the smaller rooms and the bus waits at POP. Give her a Guide Book or print off some pictures of some of the deluxe resorts. Beach Club just rehabbed the Stormalong Bay pool and Poly has some newly remodeled rooms. Maybe that would appeal to her sense of new.

I really do think she sounds like a very generous woman. My MIL is all about money, but she just likes to brag about it and tell us how to spend ours. She only wants time with the kids if we are there to keep them in line. I'd be happy to trade MIL's with you

 

[barrett7890]

don't think shes crazy at all

the first time we went was for 2 weeks in July with no plans at all and we had no problems what so ever

disney can be done in t he summer with no plans and you can have a ball

cami
x

 

[inaminute]

disney can be done in t he summer with no plans and you can have a ball

You sure can! We've been twice in July and twice in August. It's not my favorite time of year to go, but I'll take a trip to WDW whenever I can fit it in! We rarely make plans--unless we want to attend a special event.

We're planning another trip this August. We had a great time on each trip. We did things a little differently, though. We spent the mornings at the pool and the afternoons in the parks--when others were heading back to the pools! Some lines were outrageous, but we just used FastPass.

When we took our grandson (age 6) we only did the rides and attractions he was interested in. So, that cut out a few of the more popular bigger rides.

The only park I have a problem with in the summer is Animal Kingdom. It just feels packed and crowded all the time. That makes it feel warmer to me.

So, is your MIL crazy? No way! Is she generous? Absolutely! I wish my MIL had been like yours! Yours sounds like she could be a lot of fun!