Just back, Never Again!

[jkmmah]

No, not "never again" to Disney. That would be just plain wrong. What I mean never again to is traveling with my parents, in their motor home, trying to plan the days to get them to best feel the magic and suit their interests. It just didn't work. So, never again to that. Here's why...

I was hoping Mom and Dad would go their own way in the parks with guidance from me on what they'd be most interested in. They didn't like that idea. They wanted to stay together, but wanted to take afternoon breaks that lasted 4 hours during which time my girls and I could've been doing OUR thing. Not kosher with Mom and Dad. Plus, they just don't GET Disney the way we do. They don't feel the magic, or even try to. To them it's just an amusement park for kids and therefore, boring. To be around people like that, well, it puts a damper on our whole excitement.

Also, part of what we love about Disney is the food. We love trying out the restaurants, visiting our favorites and discovering new stuff. Mom and Dad are more about saving money than eating. So everyday they wanted to return to the motor home to have lunch, and eat up several hours of our days with travel time back and forth to Fort Wilderness, plus the naps that irritated the heck out of me! Don't even get me started on 3 adults and 3 children in one motorhome for 6 nights!

So, I've made a vow. No more taking extended family with us on future Disney trips. No way. I've lived, and now I've learned. We'll wait for dh to return from Iraq and then go as our little family again--full of pixie dust and MAGIC!

On the bright side, an irritating, frustrating, un-magical trip to Disney is still better than no trip, right?

 

[EvilinaDM101]

If you say so . . . . Just kiddin! I've tried that trip and thought I was going to DIE. Yes it's family but come on!! When they want to stop, they want to leave early, they don't want to follow the plan. Oh yes here come the horrible memories now . . . .I feel your pain.

Shonnel

 

[3Mousketeers]

We'll be hoping for your DH's safe & quick return from Iraq. Maybe this trip will make your next trip with your DH seem all the more magical!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Wow! What a trip. I would never attempt to go with my parents or any other family members outside our home. I took an aunt and uncle with us onetime, and it was terrible! I learned that lesson a long time ago, it's so much better with just you, hubby, and kids going!

 

[john2u]

I also feel your pain. We went last Feb. with our other family members ( 8 of them) and it was a nightmare. The in laws were fighting the entire time on the trip which made me my DW and DD4 very nervous the entire trip. I am all about being with the family, but from now on we will be going to DW by ourselves from now on

Come on October!!

john

 

[Kuzco]

It always seems like taking new or non-Disney people on a trip is always a big risk - especially when they are family members! It seems to either be lots of fun or not much fun at all. Better luck on your next trip!

 

[bytheblood]

We are going with my in-laws in June. I am really thinking that they will go off and do their own thing from time to time. Man, I sure hope so.

 

[WDWLVR]

I know where you are coming from. We brought my in-laws for a week in October '03 in a two bedroom suite at Boardwalk. The only day we had fun was the day they left us to go to the casino boat in Cocoa Beach.

They wanted every day planned and then would complain that they didn't like the plan.

So now we go to Disney and when we want to give them a nice gift we give them 5 nights down at Vero Beach. They are must happier on a beach vacation and we are much happier traveling without them.

 

[BoPeep]

Okay, this is my very first post but I just had to respond. We (me, husband, & 2 kids) have gone with my parents the only 2 times we've been to Disney. I hate to sound mean but it's horrible. My parents complain about everything we do, yet they want to follow us around & do what we do, then they complain about it. It just really takes the fun out of it. And what you said about eating & trying new things sounds just like us, but my parents complain about it, yet they insist on eating with us, then they complain about it.
They're already planning on inviting themselves on our next trip in September. I'm hoping I'll develop a backbone before then.

 

[mist_e_rose2002]

aww man, sorry you had a rough time. That is one reason I am taking my DS and going by ourselves. We'll have a cell phone in case the fam has to get a hold of me for an emergency.

I think it will be paradise, no work, no parents, no nieces and nephews for 9 WHOLE DAYS!!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

This is why I go solo instead of taking someone who may or may not like WDW. They say they will, but the last thing you want is someone complaining for 10 days that they are bord or the trips stinks.

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

I sort of feel your pain! I went with my mom for my birthday in 02, and ALL the time, she would complain about how expensive things are! I was working up until the day of the trip, and didn't get a chance to get any travellers checks for myself, so I was at the mercy of my mom, GRRRRR!! To top it off, I had booked a PS breakfast with Pooh and friends for my birthday, and when she got the bill, yup, complain, complain, complain!! Never again! I'm headed back for my 40th in 3 years, and going with my best friend as a celebration of both of us hitting 40 (she's 2 months and a day before me), no more mother!!!! I've had to travel with her in the past and it ain't no fun!!

Jules

 

[S. C.]

Okay, this is my very first post but I just had to respond. We (me, husband, & 2 kids) have gone with my parents the only 2 times we've been to Disney. I hate to sound mean but it's horrible. My parents complain about everything we do, yet they want to follow us around & do what we do, then they complain about it. It just really takes the fun out of it. And what you said about eating & trying new things sounds just like us, but my parents complain about it, yet they insist on eating with us, then they complain about it.
They're already planning on inviting themselves on our next trip in September. I'm hoping I'll develop a backbone before then.

WELCOME TO THE DIS: If you take us we will go our own way & let you have your space... we PROMISE! We also love WDW & have our fav restaurants & love to try new ones. SOOOO we should get along great.

I'm starting to get excited about this years trip, we will be taking GS (8) for his first ever disney trip & GS (12) for his 4th disney trip. The soarin ride sounds great. Now I have to figure out where we want to stay, how long & when, & what tickets to buy.

 

[EvilinaDM101]

We are getting married in Oct at WDW and all the family and friends will be together . . . and they all want to go with us to the parks Oh dear! How do you please 35 different people?!?! I wonder if someone will ever find a way or write a book about "Doing Disney with a BIG group . . p.s. some are family members" Also the "Magical Gatherings" . . . ummm when it's extended family that you see maybe once or twice a year (Crazy Aunts, uncles and cousins) for some reason it's not really that magical. Disney = Magical, Gathering=not always magical.

And yes I have a CRAZY extended family. The in-laws are a blast too. (insert sarcasm here)

Shonnel

WELCOME Bobeep

 

[tiberius]

I commend you for your efforts with your parents. I tried a similar trip with my mother and my daughters a few years ago. We spent some time together and some time apart. All in all, it worked out for us.

I think the worst part of your story is that your parents just might have been able to feel some of that magic if they had done it your way at least part of the time.

We are trying a family reunion trip next December/January. I will definitely insist that we do not feel like we need to spend the whole trip together.

 

[treehugger]

We went in September 03 with my sisters their spouses and their 6 children! Ugh, I can finally think about that trip without getting a migrane! One BIL (46) had a meltdown (using language reserved for R rated films) in Frontierland because the cart was not opened yet to sell coffee! It was our first day (the kids first time) and he started to walk towards the exit to leave! What a jerk! Another time was when all of us were meeting at CP for breakfast and we waited and waited and waited for 30 minutes past our PS just to find out one of the kids (11) was tired and didn't want to get up! When we were finally seated my sister told my neice to apologize and what does my neice do? Stands in the corner, by the buffet no less, and starts hysterically crying! Imagine the scene when Pooh started to lead the Happy Birthday Parade with all the happy children and they snake by her-well that was kinda funny! There's more, but I can only allow myself to remember this horrible trip in small painful increments! Never ever ever ever (you get my drift) again.

 

[Mich Mouse]

Evilina,

It is not easy planning a wedding and a vacation for a large group at the same time..... I was married at WDW in August 2000, with thirty guests from New York in attendance. We had a magical time.....So different than the typical Long Island wedding (Those of you from L.I. know exactly what I mean) We celebrated with our guests at the wedding, and at breakfast the next day, but we did not make "mass plans" for the group. I thought that trying to tour with thirty five might be stressful. Maybe someone could offer you some tips about touring with such a large group. I know it is done, we see tour groups all the time at WDW. Why not get some wedding T shirts made up for your group? At least you will be able to identify each other!

Good Luck Planning, and Congratulations on your upocoming Wedding!

 

[EvilinaDM101]

Evilina,

It is not easy planning a wedding and a vacation for a large group at the same time..... I was married at WDW in August 2000, with thirty guests from New York in attendance. We had a magical time.....So different than the typical Long Island wedding (Those of you from L.I. know exactly what I mean) We celebrated with our guests at the wedding, and at breakfast the next day, but we did not make "mass plans" for the group. I thought that trying to tour with thirty five might be stressful. Maybe someone could offer you some tips about touring with such a large group. I know it is done, we see tour groups all the time at WDW. Why not get some wedding T shirts made up for your group? At least you will be able to identify each other!

Good Luck Planning, and Congratulations on your upocoming Wedding!

Thanks Mich Mouse!!

I've actually ordered shirt for my bridal party. Ummm the identifing each other is not the problem!! Just trying to keep sane or I'll turn into a thanks again!

 

[Daisy'sMom]

I can sympathize with everyone who has tried to plan a vacation for several generations only to have it flop. I am addicted to planning so you can imagine how stressed I can get if the plan isn't followed. Thus far our vacations have really only been to Dollywood so the planning has not been as extensive as the planning I'm doing for Disney. I want to be sure my husband's niece10 and nephew8 have the best possible time, but I don't want to wear out my DMIL53 and DFIL55. I think my biggest fear is sensory overload. My in-laws are notorious for saying "look at that, look at that, look at that." Those poor kids see everything and nothing all at one time. Wish me luck!

 

[Disney Spaz]

I feel your pain. I have had several nightmare trips myself. First trip ever, July 1997, with DS's, my ex-husbands family showed up as a "suprise" for us. They changed our PS and had a room right near ours so every time we tried to leave the room they heard us and came out. Also they told us not to use Disney transportation and instead insisted on driving us, 7 people in a minivan with no A/C in July. Needless to say we suffered. Now I am remarried to a wonderful man with yet again a difficult family, ofcourse mine is too. My DH and I both have older mothers who are heavy set and have multiple medical issues. Both have been not to discretly hinting about us taking them on our next trip. No offense intended but niether one of these woman can walk very far yet both flat out refuse to rent wheelchairs or scooters. (We tried at our local Six Flags and had to leave after both mothers sat down at the closest bench to the entrance and said they needed to rest for half an hour.) I don't know what to do and to make things worse my father has come with us on several trips without a problem and without either mother knowing it. Ofcourse now DF has begun inviting himself on our trips without checking with us. We have a March trip scheduled and just the other day he told us he may decide to come with us. How do you say no to close family? If they were cousins or friends or distant relatives it wouldn't be so bad but uggggh parents what can you do?