How to not sound like a control freak - UPDATED POST 44

[Mulan82]

How about trying to plan a WDW trip with someone else who is just as much a planner/control freak as you are!

That is NOT fun at all....

 

[ty93850]

Im a big freak about planning and trying to get the most out of our vacation, with out driving everybody nuts. I bought the ugtd last time and we went by the plans that they gave in the back my Girls DW and 2 DD would roll there eyes at me and then they would gigle and laugh. But in the end they loved the plans and we had fun I relaxed a little on the schedule. But as far as advice I would tell them to go buy a guide book which everone you like and let them read some pages and they will see how much there is to do at MK let alone the other 3 parks. If you hit everything in MK alone it would take up 3 or 4 hard long days. So a good plan goes a long long long way. There are so many neat little things that are free with just a little planning you can make your trip so much more fun.

 

[BrerRabbit_fan]

Even though they were told countless times that they were under NO OBLIGATION to stay with us and follow our schedule, MIL & SIL refused to go off on their own. They are beyond Type B - they're probably Type F or G. I had gathered all sorts of information for them before the trip, letting them know about the heat, what to expect with the crowds, what type of shoes to wear, etc. And it wasn't just handing them a big stack of paper that they had to sort through. I put it in a fun "newsletter" form with big font, very easy to read. And nothing overwhelming, just wanted to make sure they knew it wasn't going to be comparable to a trip to our local amusement park. But they were well-informed that DH, DS, and I would not be getting to the parks at 11 and then sitting on a bench for an hour deciding what to do next.

Long story short, they refused to read anything, they refused to hear anything, they just kept saying "we'll just do what you do". Multiple warnings that our schedule wouldn't really work for them. Why don't we do our thing and y'all do your thing, and we'll all meet for dinner and fireworks/Illuminations/Fantasmic, etc.? Nope. Didn't want to hear it.

Long story short, while I wouldn't call the trip a disaster, it was close. They absolutely refused to split up, but wanted us to follow their pace.
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I could have written this post. This was exactly my trip. I am not taking any type B people with me ever again. I still had fun but the trip was not magical.

 

[mamamac]

I thought I would update you about how the Disney meeting went.

First, my FIL did not show up, he just HAD to play golf. Whatever.

Second, my neighbor is so happy that I am this organized. She said if she was doing it that there would be a timeline instructing us where to be minute by minute. I was so relieved when she said this. She is glad that someone is just as OCD as her.

Third, my MIL, we told her she needs to go get tennis shoes in the next week or so and start breaking them in. She still thinks that she will be fine on her feet all day, she seemed offended when I told her that if she gets tired, she can just take a cab home.

Fourth, my neighbors husband, he is a thrill seeker. He said if the lines are short, he will do them, otherwise he is there for the kids and it's their time. I explained the fast pass thing and he said "Ok, maybe I will get those for just a few rides". Perfect - he understands.

Fifth, they loved the little handout I had. It had all the ride info that would be appropriate for the kids at each park, ADR's with reservations numbers, flight info, car rental info, ticket prices, crowd schedule, and a map to Cocoa Beach. They were all very receptive of it and was happy to see that I was just a little excited about the whole thing.

And last but not least, we leave in 66 days, but really, I'm not excited. Not at all.














Is it May 14th yet?

 

[luckytobeme88]

I like to call myself "the savior of what would've been a totally disastrous WDW vacation".

 

[mmcguire]

Third, my MIL, we told her she needs to go get tennis shoes in the next week or so and start breaking them in. She still thinks that she will be fine on her feet all day, she seemed offended when I told her that if she gets tired, she can just take a cab home.

Just my $.02, but speaking from experience, PLEASE get this seemingly small detail ironed out before you go!

My parents stayed w/us at Windsor Palms a couple years ago and we had only 1 vehicle. Before the trip, they swore to take a cab back if they wanted to leave before us. Once we got there, it was an entirely different story. Our last night, we were at the Pirate & Princess party, and my dad decided he was ready to leave around 8:00 -- 4 hours before the party ended. Taking a cab was no longer even mentioned. I stayed at MK with the kids, and my poor DH drove them back to the house, and didn't get back to MK until after 10 PM. Had there not been a delay due to the weather, he would have missed the parade and fireworks entirely. Not how we wanted to end our trip.

 

[btcrane]

GREAT! I'm happy to here that the "meeting" went so well!!! I do agree with the PP, reiterate that everyone can leave when they need to (by taking a cab if necessary), that EVERYONE is on vacation and all should have a fun time and be considerate of everyone else. Make it a blanket statement so your MIL doesn't feel singled out.