Invited to WDW w/family. Crazy to say no? Please help!

[harleyquinn]

DH's aunt, uncle and cousin invited me to go with them to WDW in about a month. I have to pay my way, so it's not free or anything.

Why I want to say yes:
I really, really want to go to WDW in October to go to MNNSHP and to ride HM since I missed it in August. DH is a teacher, so October is out of the question with him for like the next 30 years, lol. This may be my only chance to go in October. I want to go to the Adventurer's Club to see the special stuff they do. I'd love to give our cousin a great first Disney experience.

Why I'm leaning towards no:
I was just there in August. Being there without DH just feels wrong to me. We can afford it, but I feel weird spending that much money without DH (even though he's totally fine with me going). I think I'll feel a little weird staying with them. They're staying in a Fort Wilderness cabin, so there is plenty of space. DUncle wants no planning whatsoever which will drive me insane (I'm very much a have a plan type person). I don't want to enfringe on their first family trip.

Can you all help me work through this decision?
Thanks!

 

[RumpleMom]

I'm wondering how old the cousin is?

Are you going to be an extra pair of hands for taking care of a little one or is he/she a teen and you would be a companion for running around the parks when the "old folks" have slowed down for the evening?

You want to go to Adventurer's Club, would everyone be going or do you think you would get some time to yourself?

Think about what a day at a park would be like. Would you be happy being together 24/7?

 

[harleyquinn]

I'm wondering how old the cousin is?

Are you going to be an extra pair of hands for taking care of a little one or is he/she a teen and you would be a companion for running around the parks when the "old folks" have slowed down for the evening?

You want to go to Adventurer's Club, would everyone be going or do you think you would get some time to yourself?

Think about what a day at a park would be like. Would you be happy being together 24/7?

Great questions!!

She is 13, so I would be the cool cousin hanging out with her and 'babysitting' so the folks could go out a couple nights on there own.

The AC would just be me. I have some DIS friends who will be there at the same time and I was hoping to meet up with them so I won't be alone.

Park touring is a big concern in a way, but not really in another. DUncle wants no planning, which probably means late mornings (which I just don't do, I'm a TGMer, dang it!). It'll be annoying, but I was just there in August, so I'm not too concerned with not seeing stuff and we'll be there for 8 days, so it shouldn't be a big deal. I know once we get to the parks, they'll probably just follow my lead. Plus I love my cousin and I know we'll have a blast going off on our own if we want.

 

[MissionMouse]

... I don't want to enfringe on their first family trip...

I think this is not an ideal situation, based upon the fact you are posting. Also it is their first time with no planning allowed. You will pay your way, maybe babysitting...late starts...etc...just doesn't sound like a great opportunity from my perspective.

 

[harleyquinn]

I think this is not an ideal situation, based upon the fact you are posting. Also it is their first time with no planning allowed. You will pay your way, maybe babysitting...late starts...etc...just doesn't sound like a great opportunity from my perspective.

Thanks!

I think I really need some "Don't do it!" posts! lol

I just talked to DH and I really think he doesn't want me to go. He's telling me it's okay, because I want to, but he doesn't want me to spend the money.

I think if it was a shorter trip and less expensive, it would be a no brainer. Or if I hadn't just spent a bunch of money there last month, you know?

I think it's pretty funny how in one post, I'm all like, "Yay, I should go!" and then the next I'm like, "This is a bad idea." lol

 

[MissionMouse]

It is also with relatives, so the consequences that could come about during the trip could be long lasting.

My thought is you posted because you want to go, but something is making you feel uncomfortable about the trip. I think it is all the little behind the scence strings: full cost, no planning, wing-it, late starts, babysitting, etc..

 

[Marthasor]

8 days is a long time to spend with relatives in that close of quarters - at least I think so!! I think I would thank them for the invite, but politely decline. I personally couldn't stand being at WDW without my DH for 8 days! I would miss him so much and would keep thinking about everything I wish he was seeing with me. If it were a shorter trip, maybe, but I wouldn't go.

 

[harleyquinn]

8 days is a long time to spend with relatives in that close of quarters - at least I think so!! I think I would thank them for the invite, but politely decline. I personally couldn't stand being at WDW without my DH for 8 days! I would miss him so much and would keep thinking about everything I wish he was seeing with me. If it were a shorter trip, maybe, but I wouldn't go.

That's what I keep thinking. Do I really want to experience my first MNSSHP without DH? I know it would just about drive me nuts to not see him for that long. And I keep picturing myself in the cabin and thinking about how weird it would be to be in such close quarters like that.

And MM ITA, there is definitely something telling me not to go, no matter how much I want to just say yes.

 

[always_learning]

Okay here are some things if you do go:

Can you say I don't want to be gone 8 days but I can go 4 for example?

Why don't you and your cousin get up at be at some rope drops so she can experience those special times at parks

If you feel tensions rising you can always take a break apart or tour w/ your cousin for an hour or so w/out the rest of the family.


I personally would love a chance to go by "myself" and just spend some me time. Like the AC like you mentioned. How many times will you get the chance in the future to go with a group of family?

 

[disnut8]

I'd go and here's why.

If you've never experienced Disney World totally on your own, this is a great opportunity to do that. Your husband wouldn't be there but you would still have people to share your experiences with. On my solo trips, that's what I find is lacking. Coming back to the room at night and chatting with someone about what I did that day.

As far as your uncle not wanting to do any planning, why should that make a difference to you? Do your own planning and your own thing. You and your cousin might have a blast doing the touring your way. Who knows - she might even enjoy the trip even more if she could be with you. And if no one wants to get up earlier in the mornings with you, just plan to meet up later in the day.

You will only have four adults (considering the cousin is 13) in the cabin. Your aunt and uncle would be in the bedroom in the double bed, your cousin would be in the bunk beds in the same room. There is a door to close back there to the living quarters. You would be in the living area on the Murphy bed. You can easily come and go as you would like. There is more than enough space in a cabin for four adults.

Never be afraid to say that you don't want to do something or that you are doing this and if the rest want to do it with you, they can. You are paying for your own trip, therefore, it should be your own trip. Frankly, your aunt and uncle should feel very lucky if you do take care of your cousin for a few times on the trip.

 

[WDW Lover]

If money ends up being an issue - try to do it as cheaply as possible. Eat breakfast in the cabin, bring snacks into the park, etc. We have done lots of family trips together and everyone usually wants to do separate things... but if you can agree to disagree on some of the days, then come together for just a few of the days, then it can turn out to be lots of fun. Just because your uncle may want to sleep in doesn't mean you have to. Bring your cell phone into the park and enjoy it until they get there. I would encourage your cousin to come with you and maybe decide on a couple of rides that the others don't want to do and you can do them before they even get there. Once they are there, let them do what they want (since they haven't been before), but you should guide them to the areas that you know will become more crowded later... just because there are to be no plans doesn't mean you can't make them get a Fast Pass for Space Mountain when they get there and head over to Splash Mtn. because you know it will get crowded soon (and other things like that). We just took our last trip with some family members and it worked out great. We had no plans (other than what my husband and I secretly had mapped out in our heads), and got Fast Passes when we knew it would be a good time to, and got on the busy rides early, etc. We saw the whole park - including characters, etc. - in one day and it was the crowded summertime! Everyone had a fantastic time and we weren't worn out or anything! The only thing we didn't stick around for was fireworks because the little ones were sleepy (the youngest was 4), so we had to hit the road back to our rooms.

It's fun to go to the parks no matter what you do - you can be the official photographer or something when you go into parks... that gives you something to do as well if you get "bored" with their wanderings through the park.

I have gone to WDW a couple of times without my husband and my husband has done the same without me (my parents live an hour away). It's more fun to go with him, but I definitely have a good time without him. Each experience there has always been fun and it's worth every penny! Sure, I get jealous when my husband gets to go and I don't, and vice versa, but you have to grab an opportunity if presented! Even the campground is a blast! You guys can go to the campfire and do some sing-a-longs with Chip 'n Dale or roast weenies and marshmallows there, too... and watch the "sit-in" movie (like a drive-in but you sit on bleachers) of the night. It's fun!!!!!!

 

[renessa]

I guess my questions are more focused on why you were invited...a baby sitter, because their $ was tight, because they didn't want to plan and knew you were a pro??

If I invited family to stay in my room I wouldn't expect them to pay for the room. When you mention the cost it sounds like you mean you are paying part of their room?? I think that would be too much to ask...would you mind going on my vacation, staying in my room, helping to pay for everything and babysitting too??

 

[Xiarra]

I think this is not an ideal situation, based upon the fact you are posting. Also it is their first time with no planning allowed. You will pay your way, maybe babysitting...late starts...etc...just doesn't sound like a great opportunity from my perspective.

I guess to me that isn't really going with them to Disney... You are paying your own way....

I have to agree with MissionMouse... especially because of the 'babysitting'... it would be different if they were paying your way and part of that was that you would hang out with your cousin so they could have a night or two out....

What if you wanted to go out and they ask you to watch your cousin and you say no... will that cause problems? I just think this seems like a little bit of an awkward situation with how you have described it... but that is just my opinion.