Hang out at the resort...

[SusanMomOf2]

I just had a close look at our budget, and my husband who is in Iraq said I was probably spending too much. (God bless him... he also said that it's ok, whatever we want is fine with him.) But in the end, $3,400 is too much for our family to spend at this time. I somehow sliced a whole $1,000 off our trip, yay! I'm just kind of upset for one reason, but it's nothing to put a damper on my trip: my parents are probably coming, and I can't afford to bring them to the parks every day. I am SURE they'll understand. They're retired, my mom is disabled, and they're not up for much action. The main reason they're going is so I'll have an escort (DH is in Iraq) and some help with my 2 daughters. I just don't feel right about going to the parks every day and eating all this great food while my parents are at the resort. They don't have to go to Orlando, I assure them, but I'd love for them to go, I also assure them, and will it be ok if they go but just hang out most of the time? Maybe they need to assure me that it's ok? I will be able to afford to take them to 1 (MAYBE 2) parks... I was thinkng since they've been to Magic Kingdom, maybe we could do Epcot? What do you all think? thanks for letting me vent a little of my situation. Oh, and what are some FREE or inexpensive things they could do outside the parks? Should they go to other resorts for some fun or head to Downtown Disney?

Thanks!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

First of all, A great big hats off to your DH

I would ask your parent what their idea of fun would be for this trip. I know day upon day of park hopping isn't my parents idea of fun. They would much rather spend a vacation soaking up the sun, poolside. DTD is a good way to spend a day away from the parks also. If you are going during the Holidays, then you could also "resort hop" and check out all the special Christmas decor.

I understand about your budget. That would be too much for us to spend too. I have a feeling your parents will understand.

 

[widallas]

Just imagine if it were your kid, in your situation....what would you do a s a parent? Same thing your parents are doing. They want to spend time with and be with you and your family; the rest, as in going to parks, is just gravy as they say. AND, if they're like my parents, they'd be more stressed at the thought of me spending money on them and would rather hang out and spoil everyone when they get back. Have a great trip!!!

 

[eliza61]

Hey momof2,
Let your parents be the guide. When my parents came with us they were more than happy to send us off to the parks alone.
1. They didn't want to get up early.
2. While they are active seniors, walking a theme park is serious exercise. They were happy to blow us off and head back to the resort.
3. They mainly wanted to spend time with their grandkids.
Good luck and have a great time!

 

[bctripp]

Take them to Animal Kingdom and Epcot, although there is a lot of walking at Epcot. You may be right, they may want to relax some of the days you are there. We cut out the water parks from our trip to save money, and spent more time at the pool to make up for it. Ask them what they prefer, have it planned out before you leave. Hope your trip goes well,

 

[missymagic]

I would talk to them and be honest. As them what they would like to do..and plan from there. You can always meet them for dinner at night and have breakfast together in the morning.

As mentioned earlier depending on the time of year you go depends on what there is to see. During the holidays always plenty of decorations to look at everywhere. You can meet up at night and go to Contemporary or Poly to watch fireworks from beach. Downtown has fun shops to check out. Maybe go miniature golfing.

I know SSR offers activities at there community center

 

[pbharris4]

I would let them be the guide as well. We took my in laws a few years ago and they were just content hanging out at the resort and swimming or watching tv or just walking around at their own pace. (I think they were overwhelmed with how big WDW has gotten since 1975 which was their last visit!) They'd go back to the room (we had a 2 bdrm villa-so they had their own space) after a few hrs in the park. They would eat dinner with us though. I felt bad because I felt like they didn't have a good time, but that's what they wanted to do so. On the other hand, if it were MY parents..they'd want to do everything and anything! So it depends on their vacationing style. They may be fine with just 1 or 2 parks. That's all we usually do a year..it can be tiring. Have a great trip!

 

[dzneelvr]

God Bless your DH...our prayers are with him
Looking at your family pix, I would believe your kids are young enough to enjoy a couple days doing nothing but exploring the resort, swimming in the pool, looking around the gift shop, etc. I remember when our DS and DD were little--they HATED to leave the resort pool!
Downtown Disney is free and really neat to look around in all of the shops; don't bother with the water parks--your resort pool is so much less hassle than packing up and busing to a water park with 50 things in your hands. I'd give a call to the military resort and ask them about side trips or special deals they may offer. Get a park pass to AK, MK, and repeat MK if the kids don't get to do all they want. Save MGM and EPCOT for another trip. Don't bother with the Park Hopper: rarely will you have enough energy to hop around to various parks in one day. Purchase items at home and bring them along for the kids to enjoy without the added expense: night glow items, snacks, costumes (Walmart had Cinderella, Jasmine, and Dash costumes on sale for 75% off today) they can wear around, stuffed Disney animals you can "surprise" them with every few days, etc. Most of all: HAVE FUN and enjoy your wonderful family no matter what you choose

 

[loralie]

I also want to give a big thank you to your DH


Some fun free or inexpensive things to do at WDW:

DTD
Visit the Boardwalk
Chip and Dales Campfire and outdoor movie and Fort Wilderness
Go for a ride on the monorail and look at all the resorts
Search for hidden Mickeys
collect the pressed pennies


I know there are more things to do and see. Check out Mousesavers website and you will get plenty of ideas.

Good luck and have fun


Loralie

 

[HeatherC]

Lots of great ideas here. To be honest, we go to Disney a lot and I have to say that some of our best times are hanging out together at the resort/pool area.

Orlando is also such a great place, that there is lots of free things to do that seem like "activities". Here's a few that I can think of.

1. Go walk around Celebration and get an ice cream. There are pretty little shops in a pretty town. Nice for a cheap afternoon.

2. Take the kids and your parents to Fort Wilderness. The grounds are beautiful and there is even a little petting zoo. Plus if you want to eat out, the Trails End Buffeteria is the best deal going in Disney.

3. Walk around the Boardwalk area one late afternoon or evening. It is lit up beautifully and there is always free entertainment to keep things interesting.

4. Visit Downtown Disney....the shops and Lego place should keep everyone busy for quite a while. Plus it's a great place to people watch. Most times we don't even really spend too much money there.

5. Go to the Poly one evening and have a drink then walk down to the beach and watch the electrical light pageant and fireworks. This way you get to see Wishes and not pay a dime if you don't want to.

6. Check out some of the nature preserves nearby for a picnic and walk and a different perspective on Orlando.

7. If you are a "Science Museum" member, you may qualify for free admission to the Orlando Science Museum which is supposed to be great.

8. If you are an American Express Membership Rewards member, check out redeeming points for gift cards, car rentals and my fave...free tickets to Sea World!!!

9. Check out www.restaurant.com for gift certificates to area eateries at a big discount.

10. Check out www.mousesavers.com for the latest deals and codes to save you money.

Hope some of the ideas are helpful.

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

Heather C