Help me get family excited!

[j_rgonz]

I need help. We are leaving in a few weeks for a multi family trip to WDW and DCL... My parents are taking my family, DH, DS7, DD 2, and my sister. Her husband will meet us in FL for the weekend. Here's the probem. My kids and I are going out of our skin excited!!! No one else is! And my parents picked the destianation! My sister has no children, has never been to WDW and doesn't understand why adults with out children would be interested in vacationing ther. Her husband is not such the family man and I'm sure is not excited to go to WDW and doubly not excited to spend time with my sister's family.

I'm looking for ways to get them excited. Although going should be enough, they should be supper excited about spending time as a family. My mother is ill and I'm sure this will be the only trip of it's kind. My sister doesn't spend a super lot of time with my kids and they just adore her so they are begging to even sleep in her room to spend time with her.

I've suggested that they all come over and we talk about what days we want to go to which parks, what types of resturants we want to eat at, when we'll meet (my family is getting there the day before everyone else) when we will meet my cousin who lives in FL, etc. We have the guidebook to Disney for kids and it suggests having a Disney party before you leave to plan your trip. I've mentioned it to both my parents and my sister and they don't seem to care to make any plans.

Does anyone have any suggestions besides just making our own plans and let them either join us or figure it out on their own???
Thanks!

 

[gbanshee]

When travelling in a group, we have found that some people just are not as "into it" as we are. I wold make whatever plans you want and if they want to join in, fine. If not meet up later. Like they say-you can lead a horse to water!

 

[JuneCleaver]

Sounds like my inlaws! I would make plans, offer them to the non planners of the group, and if they don't want to participate..fine!

That's what cell phones are for...you can hook up later in the day!

Everyone has a different style of vacationing...don't let theirs get in the way of your fun!

June

 

[marjie8230]

totally plan you own vacation and let them enjoy with you or on their own. One thing you should do is log onto the disney website and check out the exciting stuff you want to try. THE WATER PARKS ARE THE COOLEST THING EVER, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS WITH YOU. You can check out the various rides and brainstorm together on what they each want to do. Don't expect them to get into it like you, though. Talk sincerely to your mom about what she would like to do because you definitely want to make it special for her. Maybe a mother-daughter tea for the two of you, or some special time alone. Also, try to get your sister to commit to spending some alone time with your kids, as a special favor to you and your husband, as well as for the kids. If you get a commitment from them, you can then focus on blossoming that anticipation level in them. You may want to plan a special family meal (character breakfast, lunch at le cellier... whatever) so that you can all get together during the day and hook up. The lunch vouchers that you buy aer a great value if the parties in your group are good at sharing. We would use an adult and a child voucher for the 4 of us (2 adults and 2 kids) and then just order an extra drink or two.

I hope some of this helps.

 

[j_rgonz]

What are lunch vouchers and where do you buy them?

My parents and sister are supposed to come over this week to at least iron out some of the details since we're going a day before the rest of them.

THanks for all the advise!
Jeanne

 

[smola09's mom]

One more thought. Maybe you could make your planning session somewhat of a bon voyage party. You could watch the planning video, make a cake and possibly make favors that include things like bottled water and travel size woolite and toiletries. Maybe this would spark some excitement.

 

[Max]

I'd say just you do the planning and let them be surprised. Have you made you ADR's yet?

 

[j_rgonz]

The only one I've made is for breakfast at chef Mickey's. It took months for them to decide if they wanted to join us or not. Part of why I want to meet with them is to see if they plan on meeting all/none/some meals toghether, where they'd like to eat, etc.

I have also heard lots of good things about Whispering Canyon. Any other suggestons?

Thanks for all the tips! They are coming Wed. and I'm going to try and make some fun little things.

 

[Max]

When are you going, because now with the Disney Dining Meal Plan, all the good rest. get booked up at least 60-90 days in advance. I booked all of are dining, at least all dinners and some lunches at least 3months ago, even then it was tough to get a good time. (Ohana,Whispering Canyon, Hoop De Doo Revue, Cindi's Table, Chefs De France and Le Cellier in Canada. It's not like it use to be 10 yrs. ago when you could just show-up especially with a large party.

 

[Max]

as far as your family getting excited. With Disney, I almost wish, I had someone else to plan the trip. It might be more magical for them because WDW is so impressive. If they don't know what to expect, they will be in awh!

 

[Max]

Also, If you haven't been to Disney in Feb. What to wear can sometimes be an issue. Last Feb. It got down in the 50's after dark and in the early am. Then 80 around mid-day.