How many days of LLMP please?

[Nick6300]

As the PP said, focus on everyone having a good time, not seeing everything. When my daughter was 4, we did one day at MK, rope drop to 6 pm. And everyone had a great time. She never saw fireworks from inside a park until she was 10, and the grandparents will probably never stay for fireworks. None of us set foot in AK until she was 11, and we didn’t even ride FOP. Trying to do everything will make everyone miserable. Find out what everyone’s favorite ride or character will be, and prioritize that. The littles are unlikely to make it all day, especially if there is no rest break. And that’s ok.

Thank you for this. I think the pressure I'm feeling is trying to balance the expectation of them experiencing as much as they can as this is a once in a lifetime trip for the fam of 5, my sis in law's. While also not killing them. They have multiple times said they expect to easily see/do everything within 6 days based on reddit posts, likely from more experienced families of 4 who actually move at a normal pace and don't have to do absolutely everything. I've tried to pare expectations but failed. It would be great if there was another trip down the road for them, but they've already said they can't afford it/don't want to return. In terms of maybe they won't know if they hit everything or not, they made lists of all the attractions in order of priority but won't share with me. I've asked if there are at least some things we can skip such as Hall of Pres. and they essentially want to try everything and then after finding out if the kids can't do roller coasters or certain rides, we won't repeat those. Most of us have certain rides we prefer not to ride and typically skip. For us it's Mission Space, Astro Orbiter, MF, some others. We won't be able to do that. While not a huge time crunch to go up Swiss Fam Robison Tree, or Dumbo/Aladdin, Goofini, it could add up. Luckily we currently only have 4 ADRs including Crystal P which could take 2 hrs.

They want to do a lot of character greets with individual/family photos, autographs, all shows/rides at least once. TL on 3 days. And we will likely have some very rainy days in Sept. There's only been once Sept trip where we had virtually no rain for a week w/a hurricane 2 days before clearing out the storms.

 

[Nick6300]

This is the root of your issue. Since they consider you the expert, then give them expert advise -- they cannot see/do everything in one trip (smoothly or otherwise). It's simply not possible. Get them to pick out the highlights in each park that are "must see/do" and consider everything else to be gravy. As the "expert" you need to set those expectations and make it realistic; you are currently trying to get them that "see/do all" experience which is unattainable.

I have tried quite a few times, but I think they don't believe me or think it's just a move to convince them for paying for more LLs or getting up earlier, moving faster at the parks. I have asked for their must dos and then moved to what can they live without. Both no responses. The only list that I've gotten is their list of must do characters, many I've never met since we don't usually do many greets. The 2 families had their flights get changed and the opportunity to change to earlier arrivals without a cost on Sat (2 flights earlier, several flights later on departure day), but they just wanted to accept the auto changed flights.

 

[Nick6300]

I’ve been going to WDW almost yearly since 2006 and have never ever seen RD. I know, I know! You get SO MUCH done! I’m sorry but there isn’t enough coffee in the world to get me up & out at that hour let alone the whole family. And yet I’ve always managed to do & see everything on my list without it.
IMHO you need to seriously downgrade expectations. Pick 3-4 must dos in each park and anything else is gravy. Are they gonna miss stuff? Yup. Are they gonna know what they missed? Probably not unless you tell them!

Let this be their trip then go commando on another trip without them.

I have tried to make this trip centered around my sis in law's family because I would personally RD every day and stay until close, but that's what I personally like. I have a friend who has been going for 50 years and never RDs as well. There was a year where I went every single weekend for 50 weeks, and I still RD every time. We are planning on APs (live in IL) even though we have limited vacation time with our current jobs, just to help me cope with next month's trip being a tour guide. But really, the stark difference between my usual racing around and our pace next month will be good for me since I've recently had 3 surgeries June/July and 5 this year plus a stroke to my motion center left cerebellum. I get dizzy just walking short distances or bending down and getting up, when I used to run marathons. I bought some anti nausea meds just in case I can't handle some rides.

The kids don't do well with long lines and waiting, not unlike others. And initially without many LLMPs, I thought RD is where we could try to fit in a handful of key attractions until 10 am and then slow down and relax more. Until I heard that they wanted to sleep in and still go back for naps. I normally wouldn't have so many MK am's (3), but that's just for 3
of 4 parties to hopefully help with the crowds without LLs.