Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
Katie, instead of e-mailing me a copy of your book would you just adopt me into your family? I'm really nice and my kids aren't too bad either. Put us down for two connecting rooms...
T&B
Well, you'd have to talk to my parents-in-law about that! You see, I talked everyone into the trip so was told "well, you picked it, you plan it! besides, you go so often you know everything about it!" So plan it I did, with a hidden agenda! If they have a fabulous time, they'll want to do it again!! Heh, heh! Best part...when it's whole family trips like that, my in-laws pick up the tab!!
So to guarantee the fabulous time I made sure every need was met and had lots of surprises for them. The paid for the rooms, yes, but I put together the gift baskets as my personal "welcome to my happy place" gift. Guaranteed my own pixie dust, I guess you could say!!

Everyone was so pleased with them, as they were all different, specifically planned for each person, and with a Disney bent they thought was cool, even though noone else is a Disney nut like me and DH. Made sure they had lots of information so they could plan their days. Emailed them tips/tricks/menus ahead of time to review. Sent them a package of maps with our itenerary 2 weeks prior so they could familiarize themselves with the place and get an idea of what they were in for. Picked out new/different restaurants for this crowd that were sure to please/impress. Used every discount I could to help save them money, even buying a Disney Dining Experience membership to save on our meals (so glad we're still FL residents!) Packed our hospitality suite with snacks, brought Christmas decorations so everyone would be in the spirit, and spent most of my time being "cruise director" rather than hitting my favorites. Which was ok, since my stated goal was to make them have such a good time that the whole-family trip becomes an annual event! (Of course planning to make every 2nd or 3rd one a trip to Disney!)

It worked! They had such a good time they all went in on a Mickey watch they presented to me at our good-bye dinner! And, I'm now planning a week at the beach for 18 this summer! And was designated family trip planner for life

(Yay! Lots of headaches, yes, but I also get to guarantee we do stuff I like!) They actually said "If you'll plan it, we'll pay for it!" Woo hoo!!!!!! That's all I needed to hear!
Of course, my DH now thinks I like my computer more than him, as I do tend to obsess over the details....but he had a good time, too, so he's not too jealous! And we're hoping to take ourselves and our 2 kids, and maybe half the group (his parents, brother, SIL, niece & nephew) back in the fall! Probably not a freebie, though (darn!) but still wanting to go!
Katie