Going with a GPs as group suggestions

[PaulaSue]

We are planning our first trip in a year and still at the beginning stages. We have asked the Grandparents (All 4 will be going) if they would like to come along and celebrate with us. (It will be our 10th wedding anniversary)

Any special things I should think about traveling with 3 generations? Anyone been there and done that?

My friends warned me about going on vacation (anywhere) with GPs and it is scaring me a little. IT will be a total of 9 people but I don't think they count my youngest who will only be 2 at the time of the trip.

Was it better staying in one place/suite, in the same hotel or different hotels? His parents have more spending money than mine but they both have more than us so I am thinking of a cheap hotel or get a deal on site with a suite.

I have said about them not having to go with us to ever park we do with the girls and I know my father can't do too much helath wise for too many days.

Any helpful hints I should think about? TIA!

 

[CherylinME]

We did this two years ago and loved it! In fact, we leave this weekend without th GP and I'm still asking them to come. We had my parents, my brother, his wife and 3 kids (1,5,7), me, my DH and 2 kids (.5 and 5) Personally, and this is strickly based on MY family, I would prefer one side on the family to having both sets of parents. (I can't even imagine going with my MIL)

We were off site, in two time share units, 2 bedrooms each. There was plenty of room, graet facilities for the kids, we split up dinner chores, etc.
Before, th GP purchased each set of kids a Disney for Kids book and an UG for the adults. We had a couple of planning dinners with the lists of what everyone wanted to do and our touring plans accordingly. With that many people, you have to do that. As my DH says, it was fun, but you can only move a herd so fast.

At th parks, it worked great for us. My mom loves coasters, my Dad couldn't because of a neck injury and my SIL was preg. So they took the kids on a close ride while DH, DB, DM and I went on the coasters. Also, my parents are all about the grandkids, so they were planning the trip from the point of view of spoiling the kids. Also, you have lots more eyes to watch kids.

Communication will be important. KNowing what everyone wants out of the trip, what they want to do, etc. Those things will help you plan a good trip.

Hope it works out well for you. Personally, I am bummed that my parents aren't coming with us this time.
Cheryl

 

[tink2]

Sent you a pm!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Some things to think about

Will you have transportation? A plus with staying on site will allow family members to get themselves back to the hotel for a rest midday.

If you have a family member with health issues, talk to them about renting an ECV. While they may initially feel strange, it will extend their day significantly. My Mom always gets one when we go to the parks. She has difficulty walking and this way she just zooms along and can last so much longer than walking.

Think about meeting every day for a family meal. When our whole family went, we would tour together in the mornings, have a sitdown lunch and then head off in different directions, some to the pool, some for more parking and some for a rest in the hotel. (we were staying at the BWV and it was nice to hve 2 parks so close)

PLAN! Have family meetings, watch the WDW video (when you order, indicate that there will be grandchildren, the video is more tailored to a grandparent viewpoint). Talk about issues. Make it fun, print things from the boards. Throw out ideas. Will probably be easier to give ideas and talk about then ask what they want to do.

Plan down days or down times. Also, try to plan events for the grandparents. Do they golf? Do they like fine dining? Have them ditch you for an event. Maybe tea for the ladies. Or if one set likes fine dining and one doesn't, they can go their own way. Taxi's work well here getting from hotel to hotel (another plus for staying on site)

Multigeneration trips can be alot of fun, as long as everyone is willing to talk about what type of vacation they are looking for. Think about sharing close space for a week. How does that strike you? For us, while my husband really likes my parents, a week sharing space would have been just too ,uch. So we had our own studio and had visiting rights to the 2 bedroom my parents and brother shared. They were all fine with sharing a 2 br.

Have fun planning!!

 

[PaulaSue]

Thank you for the suggestions and ideas. Now I have to scan the boards to learn the lingo and figure out a few words I am not understanding.

We were going back and forth about on site and off site but I finally just spoke up and said with the transportation issue I want onsite. I chose that so we can come and go as we want since my dad is going to have my minivan some days to do non disney stuff like Kennedy. Plus I want to be spoiled and not have to worry about parking and traffic for a few days.