IL's want to take the kids to WDW

[aubriee]

I'm a GM who takes her GD to WDW. The memories we've created there are precious to us both. I can not imagine my ex-D-I-L or my elder son ever telling me I couldn't take her. I also have a 20 month old GS. My other D-I-L and I were talking the other day about how old he should be before I take him for his first trip to WDW. I'm thinking four years old and she's thinking six. However, I know that when the time is right he'll be taking a trip to WDW, just me and him to create our own precious memories. My GD (his cousin) has already said she wants to go with us, but I've told her no, that that time will be for just me and Logan, just like our trips were about her and me. There's too much of an age difference for me to take both of my GK together, but I'd sure like to. Your in laws may not do WDW the same way you would, but I guarantee your kids will have their own precious memories of their time at WDW with just Grandma and Grandpa to spoil them. (For example my GD loves Pimeval Whirl at AK. Her dad hates it. Last January I rode it eight times in a row, because my GD wanted to. We also did the Tea Cups repeatedly. At Disney Quest she designed her own roller coaster and we rode them seven times straight. All things her parents would never do. We had ice cream one night at Beaches and Cream for dinner. She loved it, survived it, and still talks about the great times we had. At home I'd never let her have ice cream for dinner, but we did it, just because it felt naughty.) Don't cheat your kids out of those memories. Their GP won't be around forever, give them a chance for some alone time and let your in laws spoil them in their own way. Let your in laws see WDW through a child's eyes.

I might add I took my GD by myself, with no other adult to help and we did fine. I've also taken her for a week to San Antonio (to stay on the Riverwalk, Fiesta Texas, Sea World, SA Children's museum, and SA zoo) and we had a ball. She normally checks in with her parents by cell phone every couple of days, but it's more to reassure them, than because she misses them.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Aubriee-

I think it's great that you get to spend time with your grandkids alone traveling. They are very lucky to have such a great Grandma.

The only thing here is that you are obviously in pretty good health. I wouldn't care if my kids toured something in a different way than I did and I think ice cream for dinner sounds wonderful! (I'm pretty layed back- they're only kids once after all!)- I just think that from what the OP was saying that it would be too much physically for them and while the kids would enjoy spending time with the grandparents, it would be very hard for them to properly look after them. That would be my main issue. It seems that the OP has asked them to come on many trips and they don't want to and make an excuse, but now they want to go and exclude the parents. I would be a little hurt by that personally. -BUT- even though I would push my hurt aside to do what is best for my kids I wouldn't let them go if I didn't think grandma and grandpa could keep up with them. There are alot of crowded places that you will be in while traveling- the airport, bus areas, the theme parks themselves. I would not be comfortable with that. Truthfully- I would worry about them even watching them at their home for a few days if I didn't think they could be on top of things because of their health. Of course I would feel much better about that then traveling. I think that having grandparents is a wonderful thing and I am so lucky that my kids have 2 sets that love them more than anything (you should see all the spoiling they do!). I just think that even though in theory something sounds wonderful you have to weigh the pros and cons. I don't know in detail the OP's situation but if she feels that the kids will not be properly - and by properly I mean safely- looked after then she has to base her decision on that. Of course no grandparent would let their grandkid get hurt on purpose and kids can get hurt with their parents just as easily, but will the grandparent be able to be as attentive as Mom and Dad on a 24/7 basis? Sorry this is so long. This is a hard decision and not every situation is the same. I hope that whatever decision you make that everyone has a great time!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Since it is not the kids first trip to WDW, I would let them go.

 

[dsnymomof4]

There are certainly a lot of things to consider here. It sounds like you may be a little resentful of the ILs for not going the previous times you asked them. But maybe the reason they want to go now is so that they can experience Disney with their grandchildren their way and not just be "along for the ride" so to speak. I can totally understand your being nervous about them travelling without you - that would be a hard one for me. But then I also agree with Aubriee's comment about not wanting her DS or DDIL to tell her she couldn't take her GD to Disney - that would really be depriving both of them of a good time. I also agree with Mickeyfan2 in that it would be different if it was their first trip to Disney - of course you would want to be there to watch them experience Disney for the first time. But since they're Disney veterans, I think it would be neat for them to actually show the GPs some of the things they love about Disney. Of course I don't know your children, but I would think at their ages, they really wouldn't be that hard to keep track of. Their not toddlers who are going to be wandering around all over the place. They are old enough to understand that this time at Disney will be different and probably at a much slower pace. If they would be staying on-site, they would probably enjoy their breaks back at the hotel just as much as the fast pace of the parks. Like I said, it's a lot to consider, and honestly, I don't know what I would do in your place. Maybe talk to DH about it and talk to ILs about it and express your concerns before you make a decision. Good luck to you and have a great trip with DH!

 

[Danestress]

I totally understand why your inlaws turned down a trip with you but would like to take your children alone. Since you probably have strong ideas about the way you like to do Disney, they might enjoy a chance to take your kids and do it *their* way.

And if your inlaws are reasonable, competent people with whom your children are safe, and if your children are respectful, wellbehaved children, I would let them.

Maybe someday they will end up saying "you know, our favorite Disney trip ever was the one with our grandparents when we hung out at the pool a lot, did the parks for just a few hours, and had no real agenda."

My first trip to Disney was with a 7 year old. I had no clue. We had no plan, we had no ADR, we didn't even visit any parks besides MK because I had no idea that maybe we should. It was a ball. Unplanned, disorganized, go with the flow. Fun.

 

[snowy76]

I would say let them go. Sure they won't be able to "do Disney" they way I read about on the boards but they will be able to do Disney with their grandparents - how awesome! My mom is very ill and my kids will never have an experience like that with her. I have found memeories of going to my grandmother's by myself when I was younger.

My husband's grandparents took him on trips every year when he was younger. These were my MIL's inlaws. WDW was a frequent destination, so was DL; once they drove cross-country. They are still some of his best memories. I would let them go.

 

[jeepgirl30]

Its a very tough decision and one only you can decide.

When I first read it I thought no however my reasons would be selfish ones! I wouldn't want to miss seeing my kids in Disney. I am so fortunate to have just gotten back from a mother/daughter trip and am now waiting to take DS. No way would their first trip be without me.

However, my GM passed away while I was in college. I still miss her very much. She used to take my cousins on many trips and I was always a bit jealous! They lived with her off and on but always near her. I lived a few hours away so it was different. Plus my parents did take us. We did vacations with my parents and gps but I don't remember going with just them. I did spend one week every summer with her and she took me and my cousins to the fair. Those memories are awesome.

My parents have taken my nephew on a few trips and just took my nephew and DD camping for a few days this summer. She loved it.

When DD and I went to Disney my DS stayed a few of the days with my parents. He thinks he was on his own special vacation! He was with his "best friend". I sure hope he hangs on to that. My father is a wonderful man and was born to be a grandfather. He treasurers all the kids and its great he gets to spend time with them.

My parents just took my nephew to DC for a week while my sis had to work. They had an awesome time.

I could not do Disney with my parents. They do not make any plans and I'd be insane. But I sure hope they take the kids so the kids get to go more than I can afford to take them. I also want them to have as many memories with such loving and good people as my parents.

So, maybe sit down and really think why you are opposing the trip. If you feel it truly is not in the best interest of your children then say no. But if the reasons are more about you and your feelings then perhaps you should reconsider or talk more to DH.

Good luck!

 

[marsha123]

if you think they can keep the kids safe i would let the grandparents take the kids. a lot of memories will be made and the grandparents will not be around forever

 

[madcat]

that is a hard thing to try to decide. a lot of good points have been brought up in these posts. if it were my inlaws I would have a problem with it just because my children dont see them or talk to them all that often. but if your children spend a lot of time with them it might not be such a bad idea. you know how they will be able to tolerate your children as well. if they are patient with them when they visit them, they will prob be ok.

good luck! and have a good trip no matter what you decide or where you go!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I would say no and try to plan a trip with everyone for a later date. First, they sound like they aren't in the best of health. second, I would guess they don't know their way around the area very well if at all. Third, the kids would have to be taken out of school and you wouldn't be there to see that their work was made up while on the trip. Fourth, that's a long way aways for your kids to be from you. I know that it would botter me. Fifth, I don't think you would enjoy yourself on your trip that you had planned first.