I am sooo mad!!!!

[ducklite]

Encourage them to stay at the Swan. The kids will love it. It is gorgeous and has a great pool, not to mention walking in the Epcot resort area. My boys 12 and 7 loved it.

I agree. Our DS like the All Stars the first time we stayed there when he was about eight. Thought it was "OK" at nine. Then we started staying at deluxes and he was a lot happier. Deluxes--especially in the BW area--offer a lot more for older kids. More exciting pools (the value pools are not going to be exciting to older kids) other activities such as bike and boat rentals, etc.

And it will be better to NOT be in the same resort, if you want to spend time apart. Then again if they only want Deluxes, let 'em pay for your rooms there, too.

It sounds to me like the OP would probably be better off NOT at the same resort at her inlaws for a number of reasons.

Point them at some internet sites for menus. Then make some dinner reservations together.

The larger the group trying to tour the parks, the more complicated and disasterous it gets. Each do your own thing most of the day, then get together for a meal or something.

Good luck!

I agree, it sounds like having a few meals together is going to be the best bet.

Anne

 

[Cory's Gal]

I too have a SIL that I do not fancy and there are things that always "irk" me about her. I do love my bro but sometimes there are people that are hard to like in life and my SIL is one of them. I liked the idea of getting the UG as a gift for them and let them decide on what resorts work best for them, etc... and then answer any of her questions. That's still being generous I think, without you having to go above and beyond helping them. Plan a meal together and some park time together but it's always important to have time just for your own family.

 

[Marthasor]

I understand the OP's anger and frustration. IL's are tough. I planned a trip to WDW for my family, MIL and her latest husband in 2005. Long story short, I will never travel with her husband again.

My advice - give your SIL the Unofficial Guide and your detailed travel itinerary - with hotel, park days and TS restaurants included. Let them know they are welcome to join you at any point, but, if they want to eat with you, they need to decide quickly so you can either try to include them in your ADR's (which I think is the MOST planning you should do for them) or they can try make reservations at the same restaurants at the same time themselves. I would let them know the importance of ADR's. I would NOT veer from the itinerary or schedule that I already have mapped out for my family to accomodate them - just let them know when and where we were going to be and invite them to join up if they would like.

Different families/people have different travel styles and it sounds like your family's idea of a nice vacation is very different from you IL's. I would give them some tools and let them make their own decisions as to how they want to spend their time and money.

 

[perdidochas]

Ok, I just need to vent. My DH and DBiL have not been on speaking terms for about 5 months. Well now they are speaking my DsiL had asked Dh if we were still going to WDW. He said yes. So she shows up today and says DBiL wants to take his 3 kids but get there a day before us. And asked if I'd help them plan!! OMG!! NO!! They have always said they'd never go there because of the crowds , etc.. See DH is the little brother and DBiL thinks he the best thing since sliced bread. I guess I know I shouldn't be mad, but I am. They won't stay at POP because he says it looks too cheap. Can you believe him? He wants to stay at Swan. I told them if they are going they should think of the kids. His kids are 6,9 and 10. So I figured All Star sports because they all are into sports. Sorry I just had to vent. Am I being a total witch if I don't help them plan? They know nothing about what they are trying to plan and hey they don't have DIS and I'm not sharing with them,

Order them the planning video, and let them do it.....

 

[pixistix]

I can totally understand her not wanting to plan with DBIL and DSIL because I had my first trip with my (now) DH and his family in 2001. It was difficult because my IL's didn't have the energy levels we and the kids did and they did a lot of complaining about the heat, food prices are too high, etc.
They only went because my DH is in an Alumni band that marched in the MK parade. DH felt bad like he had to make sure they had fun because they came to see him perform.
But family members who aren't used to regular Disney trips, don't really grasp the concept of why planning is so important.
And those of us who are Disney people see Disney in a totally different way than others do.

 

[seashoreCM]

Here's an idea.

Let them lead the trip planning conversation, asking specific question. If you are about to say the word "if" in your answer, stop. Ask them to clarify their question at that spot.

Also they should book their own ADR's under their name.

>>> help her plan or change the dates of your trip.

I don't like that (the second part).

When you are there:

Don't follow them but do let them follow you or split up.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[rhonhod]

Thanks for all the replies. i know people have said to change my dates. I can't. The whole reason for this trip is for our son Gregory, He is having bone surgery on July 1st. He's having both legs broken and reset. So that's not an option for us.

 

[LuvOrlando]

rhonhod, are you feeling any better about the trip?

I'm curious so I'll ask, have you spoken with DH about your desire for 'just us' family time while there?