Have you ever had to drag a family member to WDW kicking and screaming?

[molly2004]

So DH and I are taking the twins to WDW in January; they will be almost 3. We invited DH's parents with whom the boys are very, very close. DMIL is thrilled at the invitation and wants to go. She wants to see the joy in their eyes. DFIL won't have anything to do with the trip. In fact, he is seriously against going. Why? "Just not my idea of fun."

So we basically said that DMIL is still welcome to come with us. DFIL is giving her serious guilt trips for leaving him at home...all alone....while she goes galavanting around Disney. They are of the generation where DW is not allowed to pee without DH's permission....okay, that's extreme, but it almost seems like it. She won't go without him; she'd feel guilty for leaving him home, and he'd hate us for taking her from him.

So would you try to drag DFIL along, so that DMIL can bask in the warm FL sunshine with her beloved grandchildren? Or would you just forget about it? I wish this wouldn't bother me so much, but it just breaks my heart that DMIL can't see the kids go nuts when they see DIsney.

 

[antree]

Have you tried taking it with a different approach? Tell him he can relax around the pool, go golfing, rent a boat and go out on the lake, see a movie, eat at many different restaurants or even stroll along the Boardwalk. Where will you be staying, have you thought about renting points from a DVC member so you can get a Hotel with a Balcony, he can just relax and enjoy the nice weather. My Dad wants to go back to Disney but he will only go if he can have a Balcony, luckily we own DVC. There are many things he can do if the thought of walking the parks is scaring him away. I hope this helps.


Maria

 

[bedgraynexl]

I agree with the above sentiment. There is so much to do at WDW other than Magic Kingdom. My parents are kind of the same why "why do you want to spend a vacation there?" Maybe if you show them the planning video or website you'll get a more favorable reaction. Plus don't forget about the power your children have, especially if they are close to their grandparents. If he is still grumbling, then forget about him and leave him at home. He is an adult and he made his choice.

Regardless have a magical time!

 

[mrFDNY]

Hi all,
On the flip side,dw had to drag me out of wdw kicking and screaming to leave to go home.

 

[molly2004]

Thanks for your replies. I've tried to slip into our conversations the 4* restaurants, the deluxe accommodations, the jazz clubs on the boardwalk (we're renting points to stay at the BWV). Nothin'. He won't believe me! The power of the children doesn't do squat. I couldn't believe it. He's a miserable grump and wants DMIL to be miserable with him. I don't think he enjoys being happy, but that's another issue.

I haven't pulled out the picture of the resort yet, not the WDW special on FoodTV. Maybe I'll just print out some resort pictures to show DMIL and plan our ADRs when he's in the room. Perhaps I'll get a better reaction there.

I just wonder if it's even worth dragging him along for DMIL's sake. Any success stories out there?

Oh, well. Thanks for your support!

 

[molly2004]

Hi all,
On the flip side,dw had to drag me out of wdw kicking and screaming to leave to go home.

that's what I"m hoping will happen!

 

[dbarker]

Get lots of pics. Men are "visual". They have to see it to believe it. Leave lots of pics w/ MIL to leave around for him to "accidentally" see. At this point, he is NOT going to admit he is interested (male ego) if he does become interested.

Find out what he is interested in doing (golf, ESPN club, boating, fishing, camping....the list does not end). Then find lots of pics of what WDW has to offer in those areas. Most non-Disney people don't realize WDW has more to offer than the theme parks.

Also, talk about your plans (other than the parks) w/ MIL where FIL can hear. Don't actually include him (until he wants to be included) in the conversation, just make sure he can hear it. Talk about all the different excursions you *can* take while there and the different restaurant experiences. Maybe something will spark his interest.

If MIL wants to go bad enough, she probably knows which of his buttons to push in order to get him to cooperate. She has dealt w/ him all these years. I'm sure she knows how to handle him best. Just be sure and give her all the materials she need to work with.

If anything does work, and he does decide to go, realize that he probably won't seem to be less grumpy about it (something about that male ego and saving face).

Good luck.

 

[daisyduck123]

For me, there would be no dilemma....I'd leave both at home.

When Grandma sees your pics when you return, she may decide to go next time. But I definitely wouldn't want to drag Grandpa along.

 

[goofy4mykids]

My Mom draged my dad when I was young. He is the BIGGEST GRUMP!!!!
every year my dad would drive us to my grandpa's (we live in NJ) stay a day or two drive home and come back in a few weeks to pick us up. One year my mom told him he was going to The Magic Kingdom . All my dad did was sit and stew he felt is was a waste of money - he had work to do, he dosent like that stuff. etc......
We stayed off site, and had the time of of our lives to this day my dad talks about that trip. Being that he is an owner oper. ( truck driver) and it is hard to take time off of work, he has not been back.(PLUS HE IS STILL A GRUMP AND SAYS ONCE IS ENOUGH) He has never seen epoct, mgm or AK. I plan to give dad a vacation to the world when he Decides to retire. Well all of us kids will, me, my older brother and younger sister (who he calles his "MOUSE") Born 9 months after our first "family trip to the world"

I do not expect him to say THANKYOU He will look at the tickets and Growl.
But I will tell him to look at his Grandkids and tell them he is not going....
That would never happen...They turn him to mush....Then I will watch him walk in to the world and let the PIXIE DUST WORK ITS MAGIC....

 

[Schmeck]

Talk to you MIL when FIL is not present - ask her to tell you right now if she will go without him. If she wavers, don't take her.

My mom has been on 3 trips to WDW with us, all great times with lots of fun memories. My dad would never go, he hates to fly, hates Florida, etc... So we go without him. He enjoys taking care of our dog (the granddog, he calls him) while we are gone!

 

[jennymouse]

Yep, my 81yo dad didn't want to go with me 3 years ago but he did. Now, he's totally Disneyfied! He had a ball and talked it up with my aunt & uncle so they went with us the next time. Now they all are Disneyfied and we're going again in February! Dad's taken over my Unoffical Guide and I'm getting him some books about Disney for Father's Day.

 

[molly2004]

Wow! thanks for your responses! I'm going to take it slowly (after all, I do have about 7 months). I'll try convincing him with all the other things to do.

Thanks again!

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

Talk to you MIL when FIL is not present - ask her to tell you right now if she will go without him. If she wavers, don't take her.

My mom has been on 3 trips to WDW with us, all great times with lots of fun memories. My dad would never go, he hates to fly, hates Florida, etc... So we go without him. He enjoys taking care of our dog (the granddog, he calls him) while we are gone!

I am with you 100% we just got back from Key West with my mother and our 5 month old and WOW what a great time we had...my dad stayed home with our dog and he had a vacation of his own. He just isnt a big flyer these days but HAS SAID when we go to Disney he will drive down with my mom to see our little one enjoy the magic.

 

[scanne]

Well, I wouldn't say we dragged my dad kicking and screaming, but he certainly wasn't "thrilled" about a Disney vacation in the summer heat.

But NOW, he is a changed man. A true convert, if you will.

We had gone to Disney when I graduated college - just me, mom and dad. Dad couldn't see spending a lot of $$$ on the room, so we stayed at All Star Music.

That was in 1996.
In 1997 I met my future husband.
He and I went to Disney in June 1998 and stayed at Coronado Springs. (Moving up the resort ladder one rung at a time).

Fast forward to 2000 - future husband BECOMES husband and we honeymoon in WDW at the Grand Floridian. I totally fall for this resort, head over heels!

2001 - DH and I go back to WDW for our 1 year anniversary, this time at the Polynesian. We buy annual passes.

December 2001 - My parents' 30th wedding anniversary. We decide to all go to Disney.
We do a split stay between the AKL and the GF. Happy anniversary mom and dad! Dad seems to like this Disney thing a bit more than in 1996.

Fast forward to August 2002 - we have a BABY BOY! My dad is a grandfather - and a CHANGED man! Where has this affectionate, doting, warm and loving man been my whole life?!?!

Now it's August 2003 - we decide to take DS to WDW for the first time. Disney offers the buy 4 get 7 deal. We stay at the WL.

MY DAD FALLS IN LOVE WITH THE WL!!!

2004 - I take a group of students to WDW to perform in Disney's Magic Music Days. What?! My dad says he wants to go along? (DH, DS and my mom already were planning on going - Dad shocks us at the last minute telling us he "has" to go, too!)

July 2004 - our daughter is born. My dad melts like butter over a flame.

October 2004 - What's that you say? I'm on maternity leave? We can go to WDW in October for Halloween? Dad wants to go to? And he wants to stay at the WL??
We're THERE!!!

August 2005 - A trip for 10 days to the Polynesian - dad is all over that!

July 2006 - we were going to take a break. Dad offers to PAY for our trip. He wants to stay at the WL. I suggest a mod to save $$$, he INSISTS on WL or nothing. Ok dad, whatever you say. 40 days and we're there!

I was talking to my mom last week about planning (lightly) our trip for 2007 (since we have AP's, we're definitley going). Mom says dad wants to stay at a monorail resort - let's do the Polynesian again. And heck, let's stay concierge. What?! Yes - CON-CI-ERGE! Woo hoo!

So, the moral of this story? My dad, who used to dislike Disney, is not only a convert, but insists on deluxe accommodations now when he really started out as a value guy.

Life can be really interesting - this is one of those tales!

 

[DaisyD]

Why would you take him? Leave him home! MIL doesn't have to travel with him does she? I leave my DH home because he just doesn't get my WDW obsession and that is just fine with both of us. I wouldn't think twice about telling your DFIL to stay home. If MIL feels that guilty then I would leave them both at home. Tell your MIL that it is never too late for a divorce! I couldn't stand a DH that did that. Good riddens! LOL!

 

[poohfriend]

you need to let your MIL make the decision. No matter what generation she's from, she needs to decide if this is one of those occassions she wants to use her clout our own guilt-trip ability with her husband.

If you really want them to go, tell them so and give them the parameters (what you're paying for, what they'd have to pay for) and let them make the decision without your interference. If your mil decides to go without fil, it won't be because you talked her into it. I'd also outline in the parameters that not everyone has to do everything and that there will be plenty of time to "do your own thing." Traveling with extended family can be trying even when everyone wants to be there.

Having fil attend with you sounds like it will take a good disposition. I'm confident that being at Disney will help you tolerate his moods and give you the strength to leave him alone on occassion.

My biggest advice here is not fret and let what will be -- be. Hoping it becomes the vacation of your dreams!