Going with The Family...HELP!

[Honeystar120608]

Ok so story goes... we are single income family, but with some saving were able to get to DW last Dec with our 2 preschoolers. We LOVED it. Nobody believed that we would actually be going.
My mother who has never really saved for anything in her life, is on board to go this December. IM SO EXCITED! BUT! my step Dad is the truck driver big beer belly kind of guy who has never flewn and never been down south. On top of it all, my 14 yr old sister is a total tom boy and thinks 'disney in so not cool'. I want this trip to be the best it can be for everybody. SO I need your help!!!!!

So far I have budgeted for it all (we have already started saving out of every pay!) Contemporary, Dlx DP (Step dad and sister will enjoy this Im sure), Navigator Limo to pick us up at hotel, and reg limo to bring us back to airport, of course I have the flights and what not...oh and a cruise for the Epcot fireworks.
SO... I know we will need time away for them to do what they want and for us to do what we want. My step father will love just being with his grandkids, but Im wondering about the crowds and how they will handle it. We never got stressed out with 2 small kids, Disney gives you lots to look at and do while waiting.
What else can I do?????? We aren't telling my stepdad or sister. I've asked my sister if she'd come with us to help babysit (get it in her head now ) and I said it was time out of school so she said heck yeah! They would never want to spend this much money on a vacation, which is why Mom wants to book it and say too bad, it's paid for you are coming. lol Also, they would never believe Mom would save money, it's just not in her nature. But she gives it to me to put into a savings accnt where she can't get to it.

So, what else can I do? Im a planner, but apparently nobody really wants a schedule. But, I'd need to have a bit of one. So we know where we are going what days, ADRs for dining, and when would be the best times to seperate and suggestions on what we can all do while seperated (and together!)

I want to have a package for everyone of Disney Stuff. My sister is NOT girlie at all. The only thing I can tell that she is into that is DIsney is Nightmare before Chirstmas, and I would think POTC. Just because they dont look girlie kwim?

Ok I think that is all I can think of... Help and suggestions would be GREAT!!!

Oh, I would also love to make them tshirts that are funny for Disney World. "Albert County invade Disney World" They are from the country and take pride in their county. lol

Im getting excited just thinking about it all!!!

 

[Honeystar120608]

I also just wanted to say that it means more than the world to me to be going on a vacation with my Mom. She's never had a luxurious lifestyle and I can't wait to pamper her as much as I can! She is my best friend and I want this to be all it can be for her. I just want to share Disney World with her so much, she is going to have a great time. She is a happy person who is full of life. I want to give her tshirts and lanyards and have a whole big basket of stuff for her! Are there mother daughter disney characters I can use? I want to buy her a funny Disney Hat when down there...she thinks they are halarious. She was a single Mom raising me and gave me all that she could...I just REALLY want to do this for her!!!!! She deserves it!

 

[dancin Disney style]

It all sounds fantastic!!!!

A few things jump out at me though. You are entitled to use the DME, so hiring a limo is not neccessary. Also, have you done the DDP before? The regular plan is a lot of food. You mentioned the DxDDP, it's an outragous amount of food and it also will take away a lot of your time in a day going to TS meals.

The crowds really depend on what when in December you are going. At the beginning of the month it will be fine but if you are spending Xmas there it will be packed. The 2 weeks that surround Xmas are the busiest of the entire year.

I don't know if you have a DS near you but if you do you can start know and pre-purchase some items to make baskets for you family. The DS store has great sales. If you have one close by keep an eye on it. I always buy t-shirts and things to put in our suitcases as a surprise for the kids.....although it's not much of a surprise anymore because they expect it now.

 

[NikP]

I suggest you plan everything down to the days in the parks and attractions you would enjoy. When you are there you can tell them do you want to stand in lines all day, or do you want to follow me.

Since you have you children I would make the most out of your mornings, and head back to the resort after lunch for a rest. Maybe suggest to your Mom and family that they come along, or enjoy sometime apart. You could then meet up at dinner somewhere.

I wouldn't suggest splitting up with them until a couple of days into the trip, until they get a feel for the place. It can be intimidating to some.

Also make sure you tell your Mom before you go, that you would like to split up for some family time when you are down there. This way she will not get hurt feeling when you are there if you suggest it.

We have been with both my parents (October 2007) and my inlaws(September 2008). And let me tell you it was hard to shake them. They wanted to do everything that we did. Finally on our last trip, I said you go do your thing; we are going to do ours. (Although they didn't far to well without us.) My inlaws insisted on going to Blizzard Beach. I told them they didn't have a ticket to get in. We only had 10 day park hoppers, but they thought the cast member would just let them in to look around? They didn't listen to me, so they got stuck at Blizzard beach for the morning. Waiting for a bus to finally come. FYI, buses drop off in the morning to the waterparks but do not pick up.

Good luck to you, and happy planning!!!

 

[Nanajo1]

The Magical Express is great and free!
As far as the DP I would consider getting the Disney Visa card or some other CC and use that exclusively for your meals. I would save the money not spent on the DP to pay it off. The DP is a lot of food and I feel makes you order more than you want. JMO.
When we travel with family I make ADRs for one meal every other day. So they can have alone time but know we will be together to share. This doesn't limit our time together only insures we will have definite family time.

 

[Honeystar120608]

It all sounds fantastic!!!!

A few things jump out at me though. You are entitled to use the DME, so hiring a limo is not neccessary. Also, have you done the DDP before? The regular plan is a lot of food. You mentioned the DxDDP, it's an outragous amount of food and it also will take away a lot of your time in a day going to TS meals.

The crowds really depend on what when in December you are going. At the beginning of the month it will be fine but if you are spending Xmas there it will be packed. The 2 weeks that surround Xmas are the busiest of the entire year.

I don't know if you have a DS near you but if you do you can start know and pre-purchase some items to make baskets for you family. The DS store has great sales. If you have one close by keep an eye on it. I always buy t-shirts and things to put in our suitcases as a surprise for the kids.....although it's not much of a surprise anymore because they expect it now.

Thanks so much! DME we did last Nov. It was fine, not problems with it at all. I wasn't expecting a 50 person line up when we got there to register for the bus and then wait in line for ASmo. BUT that being said, it wasn't that bad. I wanted to do the limo as a surprise for the men, and just to celebrate things a bit for my mother. The extra cost split up into so many pays I think will make it worth while. Plus my kids love 'lemon cars'. Again, since we can split the cost, this is the only time we will do this, any other trips will be DME all the way!

I actually agree with the dlx dp. I know it will be tons of food. We didnt do the dp last time, but always said we would get the basic just to not have to worry over anything. My Mom and step dad and sister are big eaters (unfortunately) and we use food to celebrate everything, so it makes sense she wants that. Plus, she wants my step dad covered in the sense that if he's hungry, he has food and doesnt need to worry about money. It's as all inclusive as she can get basically. If that makes sense. And, again, I doubt we will ever do it again, but worth it to try once I suppose.

I suggest you plan everything down to the days in the parks and attractions you would enjoy. When you are there you can tell them do you want to stand in lines all day, or do you want to follow me.

Since you have you children I would make the most out of your mornings, and head back to the resort after lunch for a rest. Maybe suggest to your Mom and family that they come along, or enjoy sometime apart. You could then meet up at dinner somewhere.

I wouldn't suggest splitting up with them until a couple of days into the trip, until they get a feel for the place. It can be intimidating to some.

Also make sure you tell your Mom before you go, that you would like to split up for some family time when you are down there. This way she will not get hurt feeling when you are there if you suggest it.

We have been with both my parents (October 2007) and my inlaws(September 2008). And let me tell you it was hard to shake them. They wanted to do everything that we did. Finally on our last trip, I said you go do your thing; we are going to do ours. (Although they didn't far to well without us.) My inlaws insisted on going to Blizzard Beach. I told them they didn't have a ticket to get in. We only had 10 day park hoppers, but they thought the cast member would just let them in to look around? They didn't listen to me, so they got stuck at Blizzard beach for the morning. Waiting for a bus to finally come. FYI, buses drop off in the morning to the waterparks but do not pick up.

Good luck to you, and happy planning!!!

Great advice! We wont be doing waterparks...we will only be there 4-5 full days. ANd the kids are a little young still for waterparks. BUT when they are old enough we will definitely go!
I agree, I will plan the parks and meals and mainly what we will do, and suggest what they can do apart from us if they want to.
Naps in the afternoon are a must. If they want to stay in the parks they can, but I doubt they will without us. But we NEEDED those naps. THe kids and us! And my Mom knows this already. I tell her she will NEED to rest..it's required.
ANd as well, we talked about time apart, and she knows this already.

The Magical Express is great and free!
As far as the DP I would consider getting the Disney Visa card or some other CC and use that exclusively for your meals. I would save the money not spent on the DP to pay it off. The DP is a lot of food and I feel makes you order more than you want. JMO.
When we travel with family I make ADRs for one meal every other day. So they can have alone time but know we will be together to share. This doesn't limit our time together only insures we will have definite family time.

Im Canadian, so I can't get the DIsney Visa card unfortunately, or I would in a heart beat! ANd I do agree about the DP...but at the same time we want some all inclusive to be pigs or at least have the choice to be. I will try it once. The ADR is a very good idea!!! Thank you!!

 

[Honeystar120608]

Just wondering, any suggestions on walkie talkies or ...anything to keep in communication with them? We will always be in the same park, or outside of a park. We won't be getting park hoppers (which someday I will like to have), but it being their first time, and us only being there for 4-5 days, I dont think we'd use them for their full value. But some sort of walkie talkie (again cell phns would cost us a fortune in the states being from Canada). What range of walkie talkies should we have???? Hmmm this keeps sounding like a better idea the more I type!!

 

[encinc]

But some sort of walkie talkie (again cell phns would cost us a fortune in the states being from Canada). What range of walkie talkies should we have???? Hmmm this keeps sounding like a better idea the more I type!!

See the sticky at the top of the page for info re cell phone use for Canadians. We found that it was cheapest to buy a couple of "disposable" cell phones (we bought Verizon, but Tracphone is popular too) to communicate with my parents when we went with them. The bonus - we could use them instead of our calling cards to call home too. I would worry about interference with walkie talkies in such a crowded environment.

 

[dancin Disney style]

See the sticky at the top of the page for info re cell phone use for Canadians. We found that it was cheapest to buy a couple of "disposable" cell phones (we bought Verizon, but Tracphone is popular too) to communicate with my parents when we went with them. The bonus - we could use them instead of our calling cards to call home too. I would worry about interference with walkie talkies in such a crowded environment.

I was going to suggest the same thing. If you have to buy walkies you will need GMRS with at least a 20km range. These will cost you around $75, if you find a deal.

Go with the pre-paid American cellphones. We have a Tracfone and have used it many times. You can get these phones for $10-$15 each and sometimes they include minutes. The Tracfone that I have cost me $19 (but I could have got one for $10) and the minutes are $20 for 60 minutes. Plus, tracfone has bonus codes that will double the minutes for free. The codes are readily available online.

If you are doing the limo from the airport they will include a 30 grocery stop. Use that to get the phones. If you are able to drive over to the US for a day you can pick up the phones then. That's what we did, then I activated them at home and they were ready to roll. Remember, when you activate them get a FL number. Also, you can keep the phones for an future trips and reactivate them as needed.

 

[redrosesix]

Just wondering, any suggestions on walkie talkies or ...anything to keep in communication with them? We will always be in the same park, or outside of a park. We won't be getting park hoppers (which someday I will like to have), but it being their first time, and us only being there for 4-5 days, I dont think we'd use them for their full value. But some sort of walkie talkie (again cell phns would cost us a fortune in the states being from Canada). What range of walkie talkies should we have???? Hmmm this keeps sounding like a better idea the more I type!!

We tried walkie talkies last year in the parks -- ours are quite good and we've used them a lot camping, etc. but they did not work at all well. We pretty much gave up on them.

This year we bought 2 phones from Virgin Mobile US and had them delivered to our resort before we arrived. Not really disposable, but they deactivate when you stop putting airtime on them after a few months. They need to be reactivated and get a new phone # when you use them again. We paid 9.99 and got a 9.99 airtime bonus, no shipping charges, no activation fee, nothing else extra.

 

[Honeystar120608]

I saw a 9.99 phn on their website, but dont see where or if it offers airtime. But I guess I will have to wait and see come Nov. I told my Mom about this and she seemed to think it was a great idea!

Ok so it has been floating in my head, curious about the swimming with dolphins adventure in Epcot (isnt it?) Anybody know anything about this? How much it is?

 

[redrosesix]

I saw a 9.99 phn on their website, but dont see where or if it offers airtime. But I guess I will have to wait and see come Nov. I told my Mom about this and she seemed to think it was a great idea!

The specials on their website change from time to time. You will have to buy closer to your trip and have them sent to your resort, since it is only free shipping in the US. Even if they only have the 9.99 phone with no included airtime, it is far cheaper than roaming charges on Canadian cell phones.

They were so cheap, I also bought one for DD9, just so she would have it in case we got separated. But it came in very handy when she was walking ahead of me to another area of the resort.