For those who are not morning people for the parks, I need your help.

[abnihon]

I find it strange how you talk about your granddaughter as if she’s not even family and agree traveling with her may cause some conflict.

Is there any reason you can’t offer to just take the great grandchildren on the trip?
You’d probably have a better time and their mom would probably appreciate the break especially if she’s not a “Disney person”

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

I will be going basically the same week next year. I can't see 5 year olds wanting to wait long periods for rides. I know early is better for wait times, now. I know I will have to compromise on time and I would be happy getting to the parks before 11 am with the great grandkids. I won't be so happy if it's after 1 pm. Again, all I can say is we will have to come to an understanding before the Disney trip. I'm beginning to feel we may just get an early start without mom. Then, come back for a nap and go back to the parks later in the day with mom. Dad will have to be on board, but we will see how he feels and this may be a good option for our situation.

I don't understand why you're so concerned about mom sleeping in but not at all concerned that dad may be unwilling to lift a finger. Frankly, if he is awake and capable of getting his own kids dressed, but refuses to because you all think mom should be doing it, then he and you are the problem, not mom. I can't believe 3 grown adults would stand around annoyed that they're not at the parks because they can not get a couple of children dressed. I don't mean to be rude but that is just ridiculous and if that is how mom is treated regularly then I don't really blame her for wanting to sleep in or get a break for herself.

Also, I have a 5 year old, as I'm sure many people on here do. And I think most will tell you that a typical 5 year old is more than capable of getting themselves ready in the morning. My daughter gets up every morning for kindergarten and changes her undies, brushes her teeth, puts on her clothes, socks and shoes all by herself. She even sometimes makes herself a bowl of cereal. At Disney she'd have this done before deciding to wake me up at 6:00 am, without a doubt.

I just don't get it. Your whole concern is based on your granddaughter not getting the kids ready to go out and considering dad is there and 5 year olds can do it themselves anyway, it's not even a legitimate concern. To me it sounds like you've either just got a problem with your granddaughter and expect her to wait on her husband and children hand and foot, OR you don't want to spend money for her to sleep in, in which case all this nonsense about getting the kids ready is part of the excuse you're using so it doesn't come off like a money issue. But in all honesty, it sounds like a little bit of both.

I know this was kind of harsh and blunt and I apologize in advance because I probably rubbed you and others the wrong way. But I feel bad for mom! I think there is more going on here than just a mama that likes to sleep in. You haven't even talked to her yet and you've absolved dad of all responsibility in the matter, which is so unfair to mom.

 

[Bete]

I've calmed down about this greatly from my first post. I think I'm mature enough to take Disney at a different pace and time factor, now. My first jerk reaction is not how I feel, now. Of course, I would love it if we could be on the same time frame, but alas, we are not. We will make it work with no regrets. We can all help each other with the great grandchildren.

Now, it will be up to them to go or not go. They may choose another destination after talking about it.

I think taking a mini trip somewhere else will be our first step. If we can both handle that which I think we can, then we will be all right with Disney World.

I'm glad for all the suggestions. I'm more open then I was before to doing Disney differently then how I have done it in the past.

It was good hearing from those who do Disney World differently.

 

[ArwenMarie]

A mini trip somewhere is a GREAT idea

 

[mckennarose]

I'm glad you're being open minded about it and looking for ways to make it work. You hit the nail on the head with this:

I'm more open then I was before to doing Disney differently then how I have done it in the past.
.

Whenever you bring other people to Disney (or anywhere) you have to be mindful that they are different people with their own individual tastes, likes and dislikes. We frequently travel to WDW with immediate and extended family and none of us ever expect one of the other families to follow the others rigid plans. That would make for a very stressful vacation. I would definitely plan some times where they can be on their own to explore Disney their way rather than spend every moment together.

It can be exciting to introduce people to Disney, but Disney itself is very overwhelming, especially to newbies. As a Disney vet, you may feel they are wasting time or not getting the most out of their trip if they don't (fill in the blank). But they don't know the ins and outs of Disney like we do and don't have the same expectations. Any park time, even with a late start, could be special to them.

We are looking at bringing my elderly parents on an upcoming trip and we already have talked about how we want to change our pace for them. My parents have never been to WDW and it will likely be their one and only trip and we don't want it to be awful for them to try to fit into how we do Disney. We go enough times that I wouldn't feel like we were missing out, but for them I know that everything they see for the first time will be special.

 

[nutshell]

We'e going with the parents. So it's apples to apples.

Actually, it’s not. Your taking your parents on a cruise. The OP is taking her great grand children to WDW. Have you ever “rope dropped” a cruise?

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

Actually, it’s not. Your taking your parents on a cruise. The OP is taking her great grand children to WDW. Have you ever “rope dropped” a cruise?

I really think OhhBother was talking about the idea of gifting someone a vacation and letting them enjoy it their way instead of controlling the schedule because you paid for it. In that sense it is apples to apples.

 

[nutshell]

I really think OhhBother was talking about the idea of gifting someone a vacation and letting them enjoy it their way instead of controlling the schedule because you paid for it. In that sense it is apples to apples.

Agree to disagree.

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

People do “rope drop” cruises btw. They get there really early so they can be one of the first on the ship in order to enjoy as much as possible and sign up for first come, first served activities. Public spaces and activities on cruise ships are extremely limited so there is very much an early bird gets the worm approach to cruising.

Either way though, everyone’s idea of what is valueable is different but I think everyone agrees what a dollar is worth. It’s certainly not worth more at Disney than it is in on a European cruise. Rope drop really has nothing to do with it.

 

[memo10]

This is a point that most guests still fail to realize: the parks can be much less crowded in the evening than they are in the morning. The OP may find her visit to be much more enjoyable by not rushing around in the morning which would just make someone miserable.

Those boys will probably love the parks in the evening. Even when they were little, it was much easier to let my kids stay up late than to make them get up early.

Totally agree! We've also gotten a lot of pixie dust during our late night closings... free mickey sundays, cookies from starbucks, abandoned balloons, a stack of paper FPs. There's something so magical about being the only people sauntering down main street at the end of a full day.

 

[rdaky]

I realize that this post is several days old, but I just wanted to add another perspective. As many others have said, everyone vacations differently. We have been on several vacations with my in-laws, everything from beach trips to Disney World, to a cruise. Several times, I have felt that my MIL was so excited to share an experience with us and had it all planned out in her mind about how everything would go, that when it didn't go that way, she was clearly disappointed and actually ended up souring the vacation. To the point that I don't even want to vacation with them anymore, because I feel that even when they pay for it, there are so many strings attached and expectations unmet that it becomes stressful and not worth it. For example, she took us to Dollywood 2 years ago and we stayed in the Dollywood hotel, along with my SIL's family. All the kids wanted to do was swim in the hotel pool. They didn't care about roasting marshmallows or the fancy activities at the resort. And she bought 2 day passes and had it all planned out that we would spend the mornings at the parks and the evening at the hotel. My kids lasted half a day at Dollywood and they were DONE. We didn't see half of what my MIL thought we should see. We didn't eat at the restaurant where she wanted to take us. Our kids had a blast at the hotel pool! But my MIL's sour attitude about that just made it our last trip with them. I might sound ungrateful. But I do appreciate the gift of vacation. But it's not a gift if it has so many strings attached that it's no longer fun.

 

[cruising spud]

What if we took the thought of who is paying for the trip out of the equation? Now, what we have is a great-grandmother and great-grandfather who would like to enjoy Disney with their granddaughter and her family. And, this trip will probably be a "one and only."

Now, since great-grandmother has been to Disney before, she "gets it." She understands how big Disney is and how very much there is to see. She is not expecting to be able to experience everything, but think about it. The shows, the parades, the character meals, the rides, seeing characters..... doing even a portion of these things takes time and usually, at least a bit of pre-trip-planning (example, reservations for character meals, fastpasses, etc). And, say what you want about going later in the afternoon, it is a common planning strategy to say-rope droppers fight fewer crowds for the first hour or two of any park opening.

So, a family going to Disney. How could anyone not have a fantastic time? Well, there is one glitch-the granddaughter is not a morning person. Perhaps not even a mid-morning person. And, will she be willing to compromise (since great-grandmother is) and get out of bed and to the parks by late morning? Or, would she be willing to alternate late days with early days for park visitations?

Some people are saying that great-grandmother should either not have any expectations at all-let granddaughter sleep in as long as pleases, get to the parks whenever, OR come up with a variety of back-up plans, such as take the boys and the dad without the granddaughter and meet up with the granddaughter later. I say, what about great-grandmother's wish to watch the joy on the faces of her great-grandsons when they see The Lion King Show, ride Dumbo, watch the parade? Perhaps get a chance to hold her granddaughter's hand as they walk down Main Street and see the castle for the very first time? My belief-it is important to consider everyone's point to view here.

Bete, I think you need to talk to your granddaughter and her husband. The ball is in their court on this one. Without some commitment and compromise on their side (and, they might be very willing to compromise) this could turn into an extremely stressful trip for you. And, I don't think that makes you controlling or anything else. It is just who you are. A rope dropper, a person who enjoys seeing much of what Disney has to offer.

Whatever you decide, best wishes.

 

[mousefan73]

We have never done rope drop. In fact we usually head to the parks around 2pm and then close. We go in September where it is miserably hot.. So most days are like this.. sleep until 9:30ish.. eat quick in room breakfast and head to water park from 10:30sh until 1pm ( or outlet shopping).. ( eat snack there) shower and head to parks between 2:30 and 3pm. We plan FPs around 2:30.. I have never thought our many trips were not worth it or a waste of money as we did not utilize the full opening hours at a park. We stay usually until close. Our first trip we were with my dad and we did it their way.. morning then afternoon break and thenback to park. For my mom that back and forth is simply too much and exhausting both physically and mentally. I often see in at close people barely making it to the bus stop, exhausted, burnt and simply miserable from doing RD to Close. I am on vacation and have the luxery to do WDW each year, so I take things slow, and use my vacation time as time re-charge and relax.

This year though we did HS and AK "early" about 9:30 just the kids and I rode as we had FP for Pandora later and wanted to do standby some thrill rides ( mom stayed at resort and chilled, swam.) Kids and I went back,swam and all of us went to a different park late afternoon.

I thing your GD might be motivated to get up early as its Disney, or give her a few days time to sleep in.. How about DAD and grandparents get the kids ready and mom just stays in bed and rests ??

I think if 5 year olds are the type to sleep in and the weather is not too hot, they will make it from afternoon to close with no nap. if you have kids who regardless of bedtime our up a crack of dawn, you might need to think otherwise.

 

[Bete]

We will have discussions about a Disney trip. My biggest fear is a late morning start and quitting late afternoons at the parks. Then, our window of opportunity will be the afternoon only in the parks. Not sure it's worth it under those circumstances. In that case, I think we will be better off going somewhere else. It will be up to them to decide. I just want honest answers on their part as to whether they can handle a Disney trip. It's not for everyone. Our granddaughter has been there as a teenager; so, she should be able to decide whether or not she wants to do it.

I'm going into this with an open mind, but it might not be enough. The dynamics are really tough, here. Some people are just more passive and a homebody.

 

[mousefan73]

First, we were in the parks with the extra magic hour at 8 am and Magic Kingdom at 7 am; we did not arrive at 9 am. We didn't really leave early; we were done with 90% of the park by 2 pm. The only thing left was at night with the fireworks. We were able to get FP+ for all the biggies and even did a 4th one most days. We saw all the shows, too except for Nemo at AK; we didn't care to see that show. With the kids we will do that show. With 6 days in the parks we split Epcot and Animal Kingdom into 2 days each and MK and HS were a day each. HS right now is not really a long day; unless, you want to repeat some rides. I wasn't looking to leave early, but we were able to accomplish so much using stand by in the early morning that we were just done by 2 pm. Having all the major FP+s really helped, too. We had dining packages for the Candlelight Processional, River of Lights and Fantasmic.

My concern is that you can't get those same results going later into the parks. The crowds probably double in the afternoon; so, it's physically not possible to get done with rides as quickly even with FP+. And my last trip didn't concentrate too much on the kid rides in MK; so, I know we will be doing the parks differently with the great grandkids. This next trip we will spend more time in MK. Epcot will be a short day with 5 year olds and so I wouldn't care if we went there later in the day. I was shocked that we were able to do so much on this last trip without being in the parks longer. I feel it was all because of the early extra magic hours. That's why I'm concerned about getting to the parks later.

I will be going basically the same week next year. I can't see 5 year olds wanting to wait long periods for rides. I know early is better for wait times, now. I know I will have to compromise on time and I would be happy getting to the parks before 11 am with the great grandkids. I won't be so happy if it's after 1 pm. Again, all I can say is we will have to come to an understanding before the Disney trip. I'm beginning to feel we may just get an early start without mom. Then, come back for a nap and go back to the parks later in the day with mom. Dad will have to be on board, but we will see how he feels and this may be a good option for our situation.

After reading your posts and how you guys tour, I sure hope I am that active and fit at 81!!! Hats off for that!

 

[Aflyingbuttress]

I say, what about great-grandmother's wish to watch the joy on the faces of her great-grandsons when they see The Lion King Show, ride Dumbo, watch the parade? Perhaps get a chance to hold her granddaughter's hand as they walk down Main Street and see the castle for the very first time? My belief-it is important to consider everyone's point to view here.

Of course any decent human being takes other people into consideration. Problem is, the way OP is talking about granddaughter she's leading us to believe granddaughter is either not much of a decent human being or OP has personal issues with her.

She's putting the cart before the horse assuming there is going to a problem before there even is one. Now let's assume she's right that her granddaughter might be a problem. Well, OP can't control her. Granddaughter is her own separate person. And OP has to decide whether the important things she wants, like seeing the kids light up at the magic of WDW, is something she wants bad enough to do it regardless of granddaughters behavior. If her granddaughter sleeping in is going to ruin the vacation, I question how badly OP might genuinely want those moments.

She just has to accept that she can't control another adult human being and decide that she's not going to let granddaughter ruin the trip for her if she behaves as OP is expecting.

But before anything she needs to talk to her granddaughter and see if it's even a problem she needs to worry about.

 

[mousefan73]

Okay, let's go another way. Knowing you are doing a Disney World trip are you satisfied to just get your three fastpasses done in a day or do you expect to do more? Forget about the time of day you are there. How much park time is enough for you to consider you had a successful Disney vacation? I have never gone to Disney with the idea of just being at the resort most of the day. .

to answer your questions.
Yes we are usually happy with just our 3 FPs, but we also will use single rider line for TT, Everest and RNR so we dont need FPs for that. We also enjoy tons of things that usually dont have long waits.. People mover, Carousel of progress. Granted we go in a slower season. If you are going Xmas peak, you might have long lines for this..

My advice.. go during the slow season.. It makes a huge difference. Beginning of Dec for example but not by Thanksgiving.

We don't put a value based on number of rides or hours spent. We usually stay at the Beach Club.Tthis resort is ridicously overpriced but has an awesome pool. Some trips my kids would rather spend hours buidling sand Castles there than riding Test Track next door.

One time were at Epcot and due to longer lines at Soarin and TT we decided lets make the time for the Pixar movie.. We looooved it... so glad we slowed downa nd saw that. sometimes we are happy simply to enter Epcot, and just walk about the countries and not even ride anything. We find value at WDW in finding interesting places to eat and dine. I find value in simply taking the boat from BC to HS and having a skipper that told funny jokes the whole way.

Putting a value based on time spent or rides ridden is setting you up for disaster.. Some one can not feel well, weather shuts outside rides down and all indoor ride times then triple and you "Get nothing done" . Sure it sucks but there really is sooo much too do. As a repeat visitor you should know this. Dont over do it.


For us we like to plan a good 6 hours a park per day ( rest of day at water park, DS, riding monorail or boats about, or outlets) . With hoppers we might do late morning 3 hours and then a second park from 3/4pm until close. We are late night people.

 

[musika]

@Bete I am glad you are open to changing your view on how to tour. I think taking a smaller trip together first is a good idea to see if you can handle Disney together. And again I wish I had a grandma like you!

 

[Bete]

After reading your posts and how you guys tour, I sure hope I am that active and fit at 81!!! Hats off for that!

We use scooters. We couldn't do it otherwise. Getting in and out of some rides can be a challenge especially the ones with the conveyor walkways. Also, I'm younger than hubby. There are some rides like the thrill roller coasters he sits out.

 

[OhhBother]

I really think OhhBother was talking about the idea of gifting someone a vacation and letting them enjoy it their way instead of controlling the schedule because you paid for it. In that sense it is apples to apples.

Thanks, Aflyingbuttress, for having my back. You got what I was trying to say.

BTW, we surprised my parents with the cruise on Christmas Eve. My mom and dad both cried. It was an incredible moment. We then spent part of Christmas Day planning out excursions and activities. Can't wait til April 22 when we fly to Rome!