Have You Done a Family Trip (Children/Grandchildren)to WDW?

[RickNJane]

We've done several family trips, starting with having my parents share a 2BR with us while our young-adult son stayed in a studio by himself, back in the early 2000s.

We later had a trip in a grand villa at BWV with 12 - our two kids (adults by then), one son-in-law, a granddaughter, my dad, my sister, and my brother-in-law. My dad, DS, and DBiL actually slept offsite in a different timeshare, but they were listed on our reservation so they had room keys and could access parking as well as other onsite benefits, which helped us stay together when we wanted - and split up when we wanted as well.

In December 2020 we brought DD and DSiL as well as DS and DDiL along with DGD and two stepDGSs, in two BWV 2BRs. We had booked the trip in January, before Covid started, and all the way through the year we were concerned about whether it would or wouldn't happen. Happily, it did, and we had a wonderful time. Due to our fast-fingered children, we scored Boarding Groups for Rise of the Resistance on two days!

And we just completed another week in a GV at BWV, with DD, DSiL, a different DGD, and DS and DBiL. Again DS and DBiL stayed offsite but were listed as guests on our reservation. The timing of last week's trip was set by DD running the WDW Marathon. Otherwise we might have waited until DGD was older - she's only 20 months now and much preferred running around on the Village Green or dancing at the parties in Epcot to riding rides!

But every trip has been very special in its own way, and DH and I are so very happy that we've been fortunate to experience them. Our DVC ownership made them all possible!

We started slightly differently. We always took MIL with us and our 2 DD. (I never knew my FIL as he passed long before). This way MIL could watch the kids while DW and I went out for the evening. Fast forward to today. We take our DD, SIL, and 2 DGDs. I don't know where we went wrong, but our youngest just does not enjoy Disney or any crowded place for that matter. However now we spring for 2 BR villa and rental car, but DD and SIL pay everything else for their family. We do buy groceries and pay for some meals, but they insist on paying their own way. Now we are the ones watching the grandkids in the evenings. Our first trip with the DGDs was December 2023. The youngest was 4 at the time and her sister was 7. They walked everywhere. No stroller. No Complaining about walking. They still remember everything and asks often to go back. Our next family trip is November 2025. It will be interesting to see how the grandkids remember things from the last trip. Grandma and I look forward to our future trips even more than the kids. Seeing Disney through their eyes makes it like experiencing it for the first time.

PS. @CarolynFH We also have been BWV owners since 1996. Welcome Home!

 

[mickeymom629]

You can see by my signature that we've had many trips. We bought DVC in 1999 when we had 4 little kids so I wouldn't have to book adjoining rooms. My kids are grown and 3 are married and we have 3 grandkids (8, 8 and 5). We took everyone in 2017 when the older grandkids were 1, then again in January 2022 and October 2023. DH and I treat for the place to stay - DVC and maybe a night or 2 in a value resort. Everyone is responsible for their own tickets, transportation and food, though we go grocery shopping to stock the fridge and I pay for that. We have treated everyone to a character meal during the trip. The last trip, we didn't do any sit-down restaurants and we treated for 2 days of Genie+ for everyone. We plan to go later this year. We usually travel to Disney (from MD) separately but, in January 2022, I rented a large van to hold everyone so that we could get there covid-free together. Some flew back, lol.
The grandkids love going together and it's a nice family time. We try to do as much as possible together but not everyone likes the same rides, so we do split up a little. I try to make a general game plan. Every trip has it's good and not so good. I just always pray for us to stay healthy and for the weather to be decent so we can return with fun memories!

 

[Minniedap]

We started our Disney family trips in 2001. At that time my only two granddaughters were 18 months and 3 months old. We went yearly until 2020 and now go every other year. My husband does not do Disney except for maybe 3 trips years ago. This year our family trip consists of 11, daughter and son-in-law, son and daughter-in-law, five granddaughter's ages 25,24,18,8, 5 and my oldest granddaughter's husband. Also joining us this year will be a family of friends which consist of 7.

 

[jtopp]

8 of us this past january. Seeing your grandchildren experience disney like your children before them makes the best trip imaginable. Every moment full of joyful memories that will never be forgotten, until our next trip.

 

[pwdebbie]

I'm planning a family trip with my son and his family in December. My dil had only one request -- "I heard there is a place where you can see animals from your balcony." So AK it will be, at least for a few days, then switch to maybe an Epcot resort. It will be me, my son, dil, 16yo and 8yo grandsons. A friend who has DVC at AK told me I want to request a lock off so I get my own room, they get a room, the boys can sleep in their room or in the living room. I plan to book with the bounce-back offer I'm expecting after my trip in April with my two adult daughters. Any suggestions are welcome. (Tomorrow I will go back and read the 20 posts I don't have time for tonight.)

 

[The Mayor]

8 of us this past january. Seeing your grandchildren experience disney like your children before them makes the best trip imaginable. Every moment full of joyful memories that will never be forgotten, until our next trip.

So, so true!! We're going again with them in August and just hearing their excitement talking about the trip is awesome.

 

[morrik5]

We have taken the whole immediate family (7 of us) including hubby, me, our two grown kids, son-in-law and 2 grandchildren to Disney multiple times. We stay at Fort Wilderness where hubby, son and I stay in our motorhome and we rent a trailer for our daughter and her family to stay next to us. They fly in. With the separate accommodations if siblings get sick of being with each other too long (our daughter and son lol) they can retire to their own spaces.

The last time we went was just when COVID rules and testing ended (while we were there) and as usual, with everything planned out because of park reservations and Park Hopper everyone enjoyed themselves 99.9% of the time. The only stress which ended up being moot was trying to find a place for the flyers to get their COVID test before returning home. Luckily that mandate was lifted the day before they flew home.

Can't wait to repeat the adventure but timing and schedules is now more of an issue than ever before and our usual post-Easter/pre-summer vacation is no longer do-able.

Enjoy the family while you can as soon they won't want to join you.

 

[Boopuff]

We started going with our two kids many years ago. We'd go every other year. First daughter got married, then the next now grandkids. When the family started growing, we decided the best course of action was to buy DVC. Best decision ever. We're now 10 strong, love going all together and we stay in a GV. We love it. Boys golf, girls hang out... and we all have a blast.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

We made our first really big family trip in 2008. Ten days, ten people, four generations, ages from 3 to 89! We stayed offsite, in a 5 bedroom villa. Having 5 bathrooms and wonderful common space, including a private pool and spa, gave us both privacy and togetherness. My 89 yr old mother was delighted to share a room with her 3 yr old great-granddaughter. They’d usually turn in together and giggle long after the light went out.

It was my 89 yr old mother’s first ever trip to WDW, and first time driving an ECV. She took to that ECV like a pro, and loved it. She did find driving in heavy crowds after dark to be a bit intimidating. DH & I would slip the ECV into neutral and just push it together, he could easily steer with one hand. Alternately, she’d walk and one of us would ride.

It was a totally magical trip. Our grandchildren (3, 3, and 4 yrs) had a blast. We did use strollers when moving purposefully, and let them spend as much time as they wanted in play areas. Splash pads were their favourite. Each one had a lunch box full of healthy and fun snacks. They could munch at will when in their strollers. Able bodied adults outnumber the children 2:1 so parents of the young’uns always had the support of us doting grandparents. It pretty much eliminated any stress.

We learned that we needed to have sweaters for our oldest and youngest. Restaurant and attraction a/c could chill both of them quickly. Refillable popcorn buckets were great! We’d have breakfast in our villa every day, letting the kids swim while we got food ready. It was one of their favourite routines. We had life jackets for them so they could jump in and swim safely.

Since that date, we have returned to WDW with family many times. Those are our very favourite vacations. We still love vacation rentals, and our last trip was Nov 2024, with those “kids” now 19 & 20 yrs old.

We took my mother to Disneyland for her 94th birthday!

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

We are in the middle of that group. My in-laws have taken all of us...their kids, kid's spouses and grandchildren to Disney a few times.

In our case, to be honest, the trips are always awkward. I have a MIL who is still jealous and competitive (where I am concerned) after 28 years or marriage. She also treats our daughter differently than she does her daughter's children, because of her feelings towards me.

They typically go off and do their own thing, separate from our family. They invite us along, but really do not spend the trip with us.

Overall, we appreciate that they take us, but if your family dynamic is anything like that, I might suggest against it.

 

[RickNJane]

We are in the middle of that group. My in-laws have taken all of us...their kids, kid's spouses and grandchildren to Disney a few times.

In our case, to be honest, the trips are always awkward. I have a MIL who is still jealous and competitive (where I am concerned) after 28 years or marriage. She also treats our daughter differently than she does her daughter's children, because of her feelings towards me.

They typically go off and do their own thing, separate from our family. They invite us along, but really do not spend the trip with us.

Overall, we appreciate that they take us, but if your family dynamic is anything like that, I might suggest against it.

Wow, so sorry about your experience. For us, watching the Grandkids and the parents experience Disney is what really captures the magic. My SIL was not a big fan until we took the family last year. He is now a total convert! I could not imagine not experiencing it all with them and through their eyes. Your In Laws are really missing out.