Frist Christmas trip-how'd the family take it?

[rantnnravin]

I want to use next year's points for a Christmas visit.
since i'm a teacher, i have to abide by the school calendar, so no low-points early december for us - must go Christmas week.
don't have enough points for large accomodations to invite family
If you've gone during this time, how did your extended family take the news?( Grandmas, Aunts, etc.- my daughter is the only one of her generation)

 

[starbox]

I am a teacher too. Do you get two weeks off at Christmas? We decided to go the week between Christmas and New Year - our system is not out till the 22nd, but is not back in school till the 7th of January.

We went the week of Christmas on our honeymoon and it was so crowded - fine for just two adults, but I swore I would not bring kids during that week. I know some people love it.

 

[chrissybear]

I wanted to go for Christmas. I am just so tired of running from house to house to house on Christmas day. I thought if we went to WDW for the holiday, we could relax, have a day at the resort. Just spend time with my DH and 3 kids. We are very close to my family, we see my parents 2-3 times a week. When I told my parents I was thinking about going away for Christmas, they were upset. So we are going for Thanksgiving instead. They are not too thrilled with that either but are happy that we will be home for Christmas. It's a sort of compromise. I'm glad that I will be seeing the Christmas shows and decorations in WDW in November, but I will still be driving to 3 different places on Christmas.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're the grandparents of family that lives in Boston/New Jersey/New Orleans, not close to us, and we don't worry about actual dates of holidays. We set up alternate celebrations and THAT works for us. Do talk to your family, you have a year to find something that you all agree on!

Bobbi

 

[Ms.Mouse]

Some of my family were okay with it and some were not. We ended up having a Christmas get-together with my side of the family before we went to WDW and with DH's family when we got back. We just made the decision to do it for our immediate family as a Christmas gift to our adult kids and grandson. There is no more beautiful time at WDW than at Christmas and I think everyone should experience it at least once... I think the closer to Christmas it is, the more special it is. Go, and have lots of fun...

 

[JodyTG]

We almost always go on vacation over Christmas. This is what we love to do and the extended family has just learned to live with it.

This is MY families time and we enjoy having fun together much, much, MUCH more than opening gifts from other people. The kids don't remember what they got for Christmas last year, but they DO remember that we were at Disney World.

Our kids aren't going to be young forever, so we're going to enjoy them as much as we can. Time together is precious...things that come gift wrapped aren't.

 

[iluveeyore]

I agree with Jody - we went at Christmas in 1999 with our three kids, and it was OUR family time. We told both sides of our family we were going (surprised our kids), and said no gifts, but if they were adamant about giving the kids something, put money in a card that we could give them Christmas morning so they could buy some souvenirs. We didn't even buy our kids gifts, just the trip was the gift and stocking stuffers Christmas morning. We let them buy something while we were there, and they were more than happy with that. We got together with family for post-Christmas dinner when we got home before New Year's. Best Christmas ever, and I wish we could afford to go every year!

 

[rantnnravin]

my family thinks i'm crazy- MY DM has already indicated that she'd be upset but i have a feeling that DH's DM, wouldn't really worry about it too much (she doesn't put much stock in actual "dates" either, since she used to be a 911 dispatcher and worked a LOT of holidays--we just had the celebration on the most convenient date)
i wish i could get my own DM to see it from that perspective...
Our district gets out on the 22nd and is back on the 2nd, so we only get 10 days - i might be willing to come back before NYE, but not sure - is there anything that's a "do not miss" at WDW on NYE???
it's me, DH and DD7.

 

[starbox]

Our district gets out on the 22nd and is back on the 2nd, so we only get 10 days

Oh my goodness! Poor you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ScottNBecky]

We are both teachers and this will be our 3rd year celebrating Christmas at WDW. We were nervous at first leaving our extended family, but ultimately decided that this is the time to start OUR FAMILY traditions and they will be at WDW. We have 2 DD's 9 & 7 who love WDW. So now they know to celebrate Christmas a few days before we go on vacation.

 

[RLevy29]

Oh my goodness! Poor you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How long do you get?

 

[RLevy29]

Ok, Duh, I just saw that you are back on the 7th of January. That is so nice! When do you get out for the summer?

 

[gracelrm]

We've been right before Christmas but never ON Christmas. I think DMIL would be very upset. Everyone is always home for Christmas. My DF and DMIL are both 80 yo and my DM & DFIL have both passed away. I'm thinking the first year that both DF & DMIL are gone will be a nice year to spend the holiday at WDW. Of course, I hope that is many years in the future, but that is the plan to help our kids and us deal with that first holiday!

 

[starbox]

Ok, Duh, I just saw that you are back on the 7th of January. That is so nice! When do you get out for the summer?

Kids get the last week of May - teachers work till the first of June. School usually starts mid-August. Two weeks at Christmas and one week Spring Break.

I'd love a year-round schedule though. Maybe one day.

 

[NARM Forever]

I really don't know your circumstances so I may be well out of line here. Have you thought of asking your family if they want to rent points so that you can all go? Of course, all this is spoken by an only child

 

[pbharris4]

This will be our 1st Xmas trip too. I think it depends on the parents. DH's family is accustomed to having their family around all the time (they all live in the same 20 some mile radius of each other) and then you have my family: I live in VA, parents (both are deceased now) were in PA as well as 1 DSis and another DSis's DH is in the USMC. My parents were just happy to see us. They understood we had a family too and never made us feel like that we had to do what they wanted us too. DH's family..totally opposite (until I came into the picture and broke THAT barrier! ) When both my parents died DFIL expected us to be there at EVERY occaision, but I do have sisters and we still take turns. No one tells me what to do. They EXPECTED it I feel never thought about me and my feelings. (Or any of the other spouses either..did I mention that his 1 sister is divorced 3x, the other one 3x, and the other one left her DH for the preacher's wife?) Sorry getting off topic.

The first 2 times were a little rough, but his mom and dad got over it and now it doesn't bother them as much. Dh was afraid to tell his mom, but she was fine. She said we can get together the week before or something.

Bottom line...you do have your own family. And parents should really understand that and never guilt you into not going..they should be happy for you and your kids! Have a great trip and a great Xmas!

 

[rantnnravin]

I really don't know your circumstances so I may be well out of line here. Have you thought of asking your family if they want to rent points so that you can all go? Of course, all this is spoken by an only child

They fall under the "don't get it" category.

They think we're crazy for wanting to go more than once in a lifetime, let alone once or twice a year

 

[disneydiz]

The week between Xmas and NYears is the busiest week of the year. Lines are exceptionally long--2-3 hours are standard, with FP gone by noon. The parks are all open very early, and very late (MK was open from 1-4 am a couple times). It's best to not go any of the parks on NYE -- they are way too crowded with MK and EPCOT being the worst. People were grabbing viewing spots at 6:00 pm for the Midnight show!
You will have to make your dining plans on the first day, especially for NYE dinner. They go fast! If you have little kids, you might want to stay away from the parks. We have been going Easter week for the last 10-years, but nothing prepared us for NYE. Cars were lined-up for 2-3 miles to get into EPCOT. The stroller lines were 2-hours long. The MK has their NYE fireworks show on 12/30 and 12/31.

 

[thelobstershanty]

Just thought I would chime in with our experiences. We have been to WDW during the "holiday season" which at WDW begins in Oct and goes through to Jan-- many times. We have also been at WDW actually ON Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, several times. Although we LOVE being at WDW during the "holiday season" we do not really enjoy being there ON Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It just doesn't feel like it is Christmas to us--at all. It is almost like the holiday never even happens.
We orginally started going FOR Christmas after a tragic accident & death in our family days before Christmas. The following Christmas we could not face being at home for Christmas, so we escaped to WDW. This served it's purpose for us for several years until we were ready again to face Christmas without our loved one. But now we want to be home for Christmas, we will go anytime before or after Christmas; like this year we arrive at WDW 12/29/06; but we want to be home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
But that is just our feelings on the subject--YMMV.
Have a great trip!

 

[kd5k]

my 2 cents worth.....

Christmas is for "family". And when you are married and have kids, they ARE your family!!
We have always had a big family ta-do for Christmas. Got together sometime during the holiday season with mom, dad, and sibs for "our" family Christmas. It was never, ever on Christmas day!! That was a day to spend with "our" kids. And how we spend it should be up to us!!
We even had to put off family Christmas until the weekend after New Years one year as kids had strep.
What I am saying is, start your new traditions...if going away is what you want, then I think you should do it!! Feelings may get hurt, but #1 to me is hubby and kids!!
hugs, Deb