How do you manage

[Kerri10]

traveling with another family that is on a different schedule. We're planning on going to WDW with my BIL & SIL and they're daughter. We have one son and at the time we go, my niece will be 5 and my son will be almost 5. They are consistenly always late. I don't want to spend my whole trip waiting around for them. For people that travel with others on different schedules, how do you handle it?

 

[Bob P]

Hi,

We often go with a group of nine, and my best advice to you is: split up from time to time!

You don't need to spend every minute together, especially if you can already feel your blood pressure rising worrying about standing around waiting for them.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

my sister, bil, and their two sons are going with us to disney. She is ALWAYS late and drives my husband insane! My sister and I are very close, and she is very excited about going and I can't tell her she can't go with us. But at the same time, I don't want my husband irritated on our vacation. We only go every 3 or 4 years, so I don't want it ruined!! My sister is also a clinger, at 39, she still asks me to go to the bathroom with her when we are at a restaurant, mall, etc.

I am hoping we can split up once in awhile with out any hard feelings too...

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Decide on which parks you are going to in advance. I would let your sister know how important it is for your family to be there for park opening. You will go on ahead so they can take their time in the morning and she can call you to meet up once they arrive.

 

[hollyb]

This is one thing my easy going fun loving DH will not budge on. NO vacations with family. Granted if we are going to someones lake house then ok. But not where we are on a time frame and have spent alot of money. It makes him insane!!!! Yes he loves his family but not enough to spend a vacation with.

 

[KristiKelly]

I would buy some of some walkie talkies or take your cell phones. Tell BIL/SIL what time you will be leaving in the mornings and if they want to come at a later time, just give you a call so you can meet up in the parks.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

This is one thing my easy going fun loving DH will not budge on. NO vacations with family. Granted if we are going to someones lake house then ok. But not where we are on a time frame and have spent alot of money. It makes him insane!!!! Yes he loves his family but not enough to spend a vacation with.

He has a good plan working

 

[Kerri10]

I would buy some of some walkie talkies or take your cell phones. Tell BIL/SIL what time you will be leaving in the mornings and if they want to come at a later time, just give you a call so you can meet up in the parks.

That sounds like a great idea. Thanks!

 

[Karnak]

I would plan to split into two groups while touring the parks. However, it might be nice if y'all planned to get together for some of the meals. Set times to meet, For example, I'll meet y'all for lunch at noon at the Flame Tree. Should work fine.

Enjoy.

 

[DisFlan]

We've traveled with "late" family, and splitting up worked well for us. Do what you want during the day and meet back up later in the day to swim or have dinner together.

If they insist on going to parks with you, tell them that you WILL be leaving at a certain time. If they aren't ready, they can meet you somewhere in a park later. This worked well for us - no one has to either stand around and wait OR feel rushed.

Good luck!


DisFlan

 

[Rella Bella]

You're going to have a great time... and you've gotten some great advice so far.

We got in trouble thinking we all had to do everything together...
problem is then no one can decide what to do next.
So:
-Be very clear before you go that you will have time that is just your family... and that you know they'll want to too. Besides your son will want to do things that won't interest your neice and vice-versa.
-The cell phones are a must.
-Have a pretty specific touring plan, so if they have to catch up you can give them an idea where you'll be when. This will also help prevent the "what should we do next" syndrome.
-When you meet for sit down meals tell them you have to meet for your AR's no later than 15 minutes before the time... (this is what Disney recommends anyway) hopefully then they'll be there by the time.

Have a magical time!

 

[catherines_mama]

When you meet for sit down meals tell them you have to meet for your AR's no later than 15 minutes before the time... (this is what Disney recommends anyway) hopefully then they'll be there by the time.

Have a magical time!

A MUST.. also you can always tell them the ADR is for 6:00 when its really for 6:15. This will assure they are ontime.. even if they are late.

All the previous posters have covered what i'd say.. so just go and have a great time

 

[Kae]

Also try to have some pre-planning with them. Get them a book so they can help pick out places to eat, have everyone pick 1 must do at each park that way you can kinda gauge everyones interests. And they might be hoping that you understand that they want their own family time too.

Kae

 

[magnumaid]

Also try to have some pre-planning with them. Get them a book so they can help pick out places to eat, have everyone pick 1 must do at each park that way you can kinda gauge everyones interests. And they might be hoping that you understand that they want their own family time too.

Kae

We've done this before traveling to Disney with family and it works out great. Make a statement that you all have your own expectations of what this vacation should be. Tell them you want everyone to get the vacation of THEIR dreams and if that means doing their own thing, that's OK.
I haven't had anyone disagree with me yet.

 

[DVCLiz]

All good suggestions - and the cell phones are a MUST. I would get irritated if I had to stand around in the lobby waiting for someone else when I could be getting in line for the bus. So I would tell them you won't wait if they are late, but will go on ahead and they can call you to meet when they get to the park. Also, MAKE SURE they understand what an ADR is and STRESS that the party will not be seated until EVERYONE is present. I wouldn't have the nerve to be late enough to make someone miss a highly anticipated reservation!!

 

[traviesojmt]

I would buy some of some walkie talkies or take your cell phones. Tell BIL/SIL what time you will be leaving in the mornings and if they want to come at a later time, just give you a call so you can meet up in the parks.

This was to be my suggestion as well. The best time to visit the parks is first thing in the morning. You don't want to get stuck getting to park after it has been open several hours. I would just tell them what time you are leaving and what park you will be at. Let them know when they are ready to meet, just give you a call. Hope it works out for you. The only people that my DH even considered taking on vacation with us is my parents. They like to keep the same schedule as we do. Other than that, we don't go to WDW with anyone else.

 

[bopper]

As the others have said, tell them your plans and they can come along or not. Let them know that you will be at the bus stop at X o'clock to get their for park opening. You will be starting in Fantasyland (or whereever). Your cell number is XXX-XXX-XXXX and they can call you if they don't make it to the park when you do. Talk to them ahead of time about which days you are going to which parks, and discuss dining reservations. Give them the list of reservations...if they don't show up within 15 min. of the reservation, tell the restaurant your party will be smaller.

 

[daisyduck123]

I don't wait for people who are consistently late like that.

I would not plan to meet them even one morning before park opening (if you want to be there for opening). They will make you late.

Agree on your park for each morning. Then say "Ok, call us on our cell phone when you are about 10 minutes from the park".