Help me deal with an impossible family member!!

[megan4777]

We're taking our first family trip this fall with my parents.
The problem is that my father has never been before and keeps comparing prices to Vegas (where they usually vacation). HELLLOOOOO two entirely different places!!
I've tried to sit him down and show him menus and ticket prices but he keeps getting info from "so and so" who of course is paying 2x what I know we'll pay.
It doesn't help that I'm pregnant and not quite as patient as usual so I'd love any advice to keep from shoving DD's stuffed Mickey down his throat.

 

[the kabuki]

Vegas? , Who wants to go to Vegas?
We took our entire family one year, all 15 of us, and never again!! FIL & MIL complained the entire time, everything cost too much, foods' no good, too expensive, too much walking, too hot , too cold, etc. Made it sound like it was the worst vac. they ever took. Couple of weeks later, I'm talking to one of their good friends, and she's telling me how much they enjoyed their trip, they couldn't stop talking about it to her. Go figure. Some people just love to complain. Ignore it.

 

[herprettiness]

I don't quite understand your question. Is he upset that it is costing more then vegas? Who is paying? Unlike the Disney ads, I know there are certain members of my Family that I would never take to Disney. It might be a most magical place, but it can't fix existing difficult family relationships.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We love Vegas, but you can't go and do, all the shows, and attactions without paying out the wazooo. Every attraction, and ride in Vegas is at an added cost. Even with coupons, and deals, it's expensive.

I go to Vegas at least every other year, often every year. The food is not as cheap as it used to be. ANd the cheap stuff--- look out!

The hotel, and admission seem high, at WDW, when compared, but Vegas, would cost more in the long run, to entertain kids, plus it is not as convient. Those trips up, and down the strip ar loooonnnnnng. ]

DH, and I save Vegas for ourselves, (without kids). We can be entertained by walking up/down the strip, and people watching. The kids would hate that.

As for your Dad, is he the kind of person, that whines, and moans, but then enjoys it once he's there? Hopefully he will soften a bit, when he sees everyone having a great time. Maybe ease him into the more expensive meals, and try the cheaper ones first.

Family trips, can be rough in my opinion. I find that I'm always trying to please my Mom, and do what she wants to do. If my Mom, goes to WDW, it will only be for a few days during our stay. That way the tension won't ruin the entire trip. Is that possible with you, to have them join you, a bit later in the trip?

 

[eeyore kelly]

I would give him written (printed) information about prices, menus, activities you are planning. I would also put the "regular" price and your discount price.

 

[annabelle]

I'm a bit guilty of doing the same thing... we're also going to be traveling with extended family to WDW this year...but are regular vacations are usually to mexico (mayan riviera near cancun).

The prices come out cheaper going to the Mexico beaches at an all-inclusive resort... sometimes you can find deals that are around $600-$800 a person. That includes round trip airfare, transfers from the airport, beautiful resort on the beach, all you can eat and drink, water sports, nightly shows - all for ONE week.

I think it would be hard for 2 people to go to WDW for $700 a person (for air, transfers, resort, food, drink and entertainment for 7 days).

But I keep reminding myself it's apples and oranges... 2 totally different experiences... and the purpose of our trip to WDW is for our family to spend time with one another and for the grandparents to enjoy the grandkids. I know we'll have a blast at Disney... and have memories for a life time with our family there. That's what matters... not the dollars and cents.

 

[ktink]

I'm trying to talk my parents into coming with my family this Sept and they've talked about the cost of WDW. This coming from 2 people who just spent 18 days in Australia! I think WDW for 7 days is no comparison in cost. They think they're too old and that they would be too hot. Their ages are 50 & 48!

 

[toystorymom]

I don't have any advice but I just had to laugh because wow, do I feel your pain. My parents go to Vegas every year, but in 04 we asked them if they wanted to take a family trip to Disney for Christmas. They skipped Vegas, and my parents, brother, DH, myself and our 3 boys went to Disney. As soon as we checkin in my dad asked, "where are the slot machines?" and on it went from there. Not so much about the money but about the hotel, the weather, etc. Don't get me wrong, they had fun but for them, it's just not their first destination choice. By the way, they already booked Vegas for this July. We're thinking of heading back to the World with the boys!

Good luck!!

 

[Bellefan66]

"But I keep reminding myself it's apples and oranges... 2 totally different experiences... "So true,apples and oranges and 2 VERY different experiences.Me personally,everything you need for a great vacation is right in Disney. Family fun in the parks, adult fun in DTD, great resorts,great weather,and great food. What else is there?

 

[Sherri]

Here is my advice. Tell him that he should enjoy Disney with an open mind and leave the planning to you. And you one day will enjoy Vegas his way and leave the planning to him. It's a compromise. In the end when all said and done it will be a wonderful vacation for all.

 

[vfb2girls]

Wow, I would dearly love it if we were going to Disney instead of Vegas. My husband and myself decided not to do Florida this year and are going to Vegas instead, but honestly I have been so depressed about going, if everything wasn't paid for already I think we would cancel and gone to Florida instead. So we are not making this mistake again next year, our Florida trip is already in the making for next year.

 

[lsteadman]

When I go to Vegas, of course, I spend a lot less! Because the hotel rooms are alot cheaper. But you have to try to walk down the street pass all of those porn handbill/flyer people. Then you have to deal with the timeshare people.

I had to seriuosly snap on one of those timeshare people. They do not understand no...but when I was done he got the point.

Disney is a more family friendly environment where Vegas is a more site seeing environment. I took my daughter to Vegas when she was 7 years old. We spent most of the time visiting all the different hotels, 1/2 day at the Grand Cayon. Was it fun and enjoyable? Yes? Was it Disney World no!

Your father probably enjoys gambling and watching shows more than taking pictures with a Mouse!

Too each its own...you shouldn't let someone else's feeling determine how you live your life. Have fun at Disney and/or at Vegas but you cannot compare them!

 

[crisi]

I just got back from Vegas with my girlfriends.

The hotel was cheap - but it was downtown. You can stay offsite at Disney for cheap too.

Food, well, there was cheap food downtown. On the strip it was comparable to Disney. You can find great deals on cheap food offsite near Disney, too.

Entertainment. Well, looking was free. But it was $15 to see the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, $10 for the Monet exhibit at Bellagio, $30 to ride Star Trek: The Experience. Cirque tickets are $10-20 more expensive in Vegas than at Disney.

What I would do is compare apples to apples for him - at least Red Delicious to MacIntosh....a deluxe Disney hotel to --- New York New York. Cirque at Disney to Cirque in Vegas. Dinner at a sit down restaurant in Mandalay Bay (six people $250) to dinner at California Grill. Rides at the Stratosphere or MGM's amusement park to park admission at Disney.

 

[golfgal]

I would just stop showing him things with prices on them. Make the plans, don't spend much time consulting him and have a good time. My MIL would be the same if we ever went anywhere with them. Her goal would be to try to save as much money as possible while there instead of enjoying the trip, which is why we don't vacation with them. She is one that can't understand that sometimes spending a little more will save you money in the long run.

 

[ladydancer]

All winter long I kept telling my husband we needed to go to someplace warm with water. He wouldn't budge if we weren't going to Vegas.

Don't get me wrong I love Vegas. We are going this Sept.

When my daughter called last week and said her family could afford to go to Disney with there income tax return I told my husband "WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD"! Then my son and his family wants to go too. So I just booked all 11 of us for the last week of April.

In our case it had nothing to do with cost, just the fact he likes Vegas. However the money I'm going to spend @ Disney and the money I spend for Vegas is about the same. Although that really isn't the issue. It is just 2 different experiences. I love them both. One is an adult experience and the other is enjoyable because I love to watch the kids have such a wonderful time. Also I love the rides!

Is there anyone who can talk to him to get him to "let it go". That would really bum me out to have someone continue to do that.

 

[takemetoo]

Whenever my father starts complaining (too crowded, too much $, too corney) we just remind him that he doesn't HAVE to go. If he'd rather not my mom will just share a room with us. He ALWAYS back-peddles and says, "Oh no, I'm coming!" Some people just like to complain. That way it isn't HIS fault if anything goes wrong. Correct his misconceptions to the best of your ablility and then talk with someone who is excited about the trip!