How to navigate planning for vacation with adult children?

[NYCgrrl]

There are so many of you that you’ll probably need 3 rooms- have you considered renting DVC instead? Nice way to have a bit of space at a lower cost. You can also have family meals together by getting a unit with a kitchen if you like. I imagine BC/YC offer them but if not check across the lake at BW.
Have fun!

 

[bcbmommy]

Do it! You definitely need a pre-trip to do some research before the big family trip We have done club level at Poly and YC, but not Beach. I’ve also heard good things about Boardwalk club level, but have not stayed there.

Yes, that's exactly what I said to my husband! 3 days at Disney for research!

 

[bcbmommy]

There are so many of you that you’ll probably need 3 rooms- have you considered renting DVC instead? Nice way to have a bit of space at a lower cost. You can also have family meals together by getting a unit with a kitchen if you like. I imagine BC/YC offer them but if not check across the lake at BW.
Have fun!

I've wanted to learn more about renting points. We've stayed at a BC villa before, but we didn't use points. Who is good to go through for that?

 

[mjkacmom]

I've wanted to learn more about renting points. We've stayed at a BC villa before, but we didn't use points. Who is good to go through for that?

We rented privately to save money, trolled this board. https://www.disboards.com/forums/dvc-rent-transfer.29/
There are also companies you can rent through.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

I've wanted to learn more about renting points. We've stayed at a BC villa before, but we didn't use points. Who is good to go through for that?

I’ve used David’s in the past, before I bought my own DVC. It was easy and the customer service was good.

 

[eliseisawkward]

How old is grandchild and what is their temperament? I have a 3 yo and my biggest piece of advice is to keep expectations low and really let them lead. We’ve done big all out family trips, but a 3 yo is a very different beast. We planned lots of rest, pool time, mid day nap breaks. We got a park hopper for added flexibility (MK morning, back to Beach Club for a nap and Epcot evening was amazing! I’ve started a trip report and the link is in my signature if you’re interested!) my 3 yo is super chill, and we had zero meltdowns because we really just did whatever she wanted to do. You wanna walk through the Moana water garden two times in a row? Sure!

With our big family trip we alll went to the same park each day (MK day1, AK day2, etc) and did our own thing except for a handful of FP or dining options that we did all together. It was fun to split up occasionally, but then meet back up later to sit and eat or ride the safari together. My brother would take his kids back to rest while those of us who didn’t have kids yet went rope drop to close and exhausted ourselves in the best way!

 

[bcbmommy]

How old is grandchild and what is their temperament? I have a 3 yo and my biggest piece of advice is to keep expectations low and really let them lead. We’ve done big all out family trips, but a 3 yo is a very different beast. We planned lots of rest, pool time, mid day nap breaks. We got a park hopper for added flexibility (MK morning, back to Beach Club for a nap and Epcot evening was amazing! I’ve started a trip report and the link is in my signature if you’re interested!) my 3 yo is super chill, and we had zero meltdowns because we really just did whatever she wanted to do. You wanna walk through the Moana water garden two times in a row? Sure!

With our big family trip we alll went to the same park each day (MK day1, AK day2, etc) and did our own thing except for a handful of FP or dining options that we did all together. It was fun to split up occasionally, but then meet back up later to sit and eat or ride the safari together. My brother would take his kids back to rest while those of us who didn’t have kids yet went rope drop to close and exhausted ourselves in the best way!

After talking to my adult kids, this sounds like what we'll do too. Heading to the same parks each morning, but having flexibility to go on our own if we want. My granddaughter is 2 and is not chill, lol. I think we'll have to take turns with her, and will definitely have to keep her scheduled naps.

I'm still trying to figure this all out, and I need to get with it. Trying to decide if I want to work with a travel planner this time or do it on my own as I've always done.

 

[eliseisawkward]

I’m currently trying to think of a way to pitch a family trip to my parents… and I think using a TA might be the way to go. Last time my sister did most of the planning, but I think it might easier to have someone else do that this time around. Especially because it doesn’t cost extra!

 

[pjacobi]

I've recently planned a trip with now adult child and friend that now lives in a different state. We've been having weekly Facetime meetings to plan things out. Everyone got homework to look various items and costs for discussion at the next weekly meeting. Once the plans and dates were selected the meeting continued with show-and-tell of various items or clothing bought for the trip.


-Paul

 

[bcbmommy]

I've recently planned a trip with now adult child and friend that now lives in a different state. We've been having weekly Facetime meetings to plan things out. Everyone got homework to look various items and costs for discussion at the next weekly meeting. Once the plans and dates were selected the meeting continued with show-and-tell of various items or clothing bought for the trip.


-Paul

Love this idea!

 

[bcbmommy]

Well, after thinking this trip might not happen, to having my son and DIL cancel, we're back on! I need to get with the planning! We're leaving in about 5 1/2 weeks, and all I have planned is where we're staying. We've chosen Boardwalk since BC/YC main pool is down, and after reading so many things about the lack of quick service, I'm a little nervous. Not that we would eat at the resort very much, but I do want a place to fill our refillable cups. Is this really a huge issue, or are people just making it a bigger deal than it is?
I've been watching lots of LL videos, so I'm feeling a little better about that, but I do have a question. Once you use your 3 LL choices, can you keep booking new ones? Or do you just get 3, and then have to pay for 3 more? In the videos I've watched they talk about booking another one right after you check in to your first, but do you still just get 3 in total? I'm thinking of only booking LL for a couple of the days, since a couple days we'll try to rope drop and do extra evening hours. In planning which parks you do each day, do you have a method you go by? We were thinking of doing AK for our first day, which is a Sunday. My daughter thought MK would probably be busy that day since it's a weekend. We're going to get park hoppers, so we'll be able to go to a different park if anyone wants to that evening. On Monday, since extra evening hours are in Epcot, should we hit a different park that morning? Maybe MK or HS? I'm starting to think I should've gone with a travel planner to help me decide these things! ha!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Well, after thinking this trip might not happen, to having my son and DIL cancel, we're back on! I need to get with the planning! We're leaving in about 5 1/2 weeks, and all I have planned is where we're staying. We've chosen Boardwalk since BC/YC main pool is down, and after reading so many things about the lack of quick service, I'm a little nervous. Not that we would eat at the resort very much, but I do want a place to fill our refillable cups. Is this really a huge issue, or are people just making it a bigger deal than it is?
I've been watching lots of LL videos, so I'm feeling a little better about that, but I do have a question. Once you use your 3 LL choices, can you keep booking new ones? Or do you just get 3, and then have to pay for 3 more? In the videos I've watched they talk about booking another one right after you check in to your first, but do you still just get 3 in total? I'm thinking of only booking LL for a couple of the days, since a couple days we'll try to rope drop and do extra evening hours. In planning which parks you do each day, do you have a method you go by? We were thinking of doing AK for our first day, which is a Sunday. My daughter thought MK would probably be busy that day since it's a weekend. We're going to get park hoppers, so we'll be able to go to a different park if anyone wants to that evening. On Monday, since extra evening hours are in Epcot, should we hit a different park that morning? Maybe MK or HS? I'm starting to think I should've gone with a travel planner to help me decide these things! ha!

You’ll be fine at BWI; think the refill station is at the lobby level shop and now that the clown isn’t leering at me, both pools are useable .

Can’t say about LL since I haven’t used it yet. I use Touring Plans when going and I need to get all the details right. The fee is reasonable enough.

Have fun and enjoy your time there!

ETA just checked. Soda refills are at Leaping Libations and Boardwalk Deli. See how often I drink soda? Lol.

 

[bcbmommy]

You’ll be fine at BWI; think the refill station is at the lobby level shop and now that the clown isn’t leering at me, both pools are useable .

Can’t say about LL since I haven’t used it yet. I use Touring Plans when going and I need to get all the details right. The fee is reasonable enough.

Have fun and enjoy your time there!

ETA just checked. Soda refills are at Leaping Libations and Boardwalk Deli. See how often I drink soda? Lol.

Thank you for checking that for me!