Lots of Characters, Lots of Firsts but Lots of Drama: Why We Say NEVER AGAIN!! 3/21

[annmarieda]

Interesting that you skipped online check in. We're thinking about doing the same, since I've heard that it's difficult to change the room location that you get if you do online check in, and I have my heart set on staying in the 90s at Pop. Seems like it worked out for you!

Don't know if this helps you, but we stayed at Pop last month. I did online check in. Upon arrival, we asked for a different section than what we were assigned. They had us moved in a matter of minutes. Still though, the online check in... it almost seems that everyone is doing it so the line is longer. We had to check in at the regular line anyway.

 

[Charlefours]

Sounds like you got your share of grief upon arrival between your DMA & dad. Good for your DH taking your side

I can't wait to read your DD's reaction to walking down Main St. & seeing the castle for the first time

Was this your first time staying at CSR? We've only stayed there once but were in the Casita's. At first I was bummed out (I wanted the ranchos too) but the Casita's were so pretty to walk among at night with the lights & fountains running. We really liked our stay there but it was a long walk over to the themed pool & we didn't have a car. I hope you have lots of pictures to share, I don't think we had the time or energy to properly check out the ranchos section.

We are good about sticking up for each othe.

It was our first time staying at CSR. We stayed at POFQ on our one other trip. We did not get to really check out the other sections either when we were there.

 

[Charlefours]

Subscribing. Love the report so far...it brings back memories of when I planned a trip for my "loving" family in 2003 (party of 13). We had similar drama. You just can't please everyone all the time

to my TR! You are definitely right about not being able to please everyone. We gave up that idea quickly.

 

[Charlefours]

I started traditional scrapbooking when my son was 6 months old and feel in love with it...I had a Creative Memory consultant that had once a month crop night and ever 6 months an all day crop..then we moved packed all the my supplies and then a year later we had to move again and all my supplies are still in boxes so I turned into digital scrapbooking to keep up or just to special events.

What type of scrapbooking to you do?

I just enjoyed reading your update. We are staying at CSR for first time and can't wait to read more about it.

I am a traditional scrapbooker with the desire to start doing more digital. I guess I am more of a hybrid at this point but I have so much supplies built up, it will be awhile before I switch completely (if I do).

Thanks! I'm glad you are enjoying it.

 

[Charlefours]

Great updates...just read through them all!
I couldn't even imagine going on vacation w/a ton of family members! lol

Your resort looks really neat!

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks Heather.

 

[Charlefours]

no you are not being too honest...I was pulling your leg ...when I was telling it like it was about my parents joining along I felt sometimes I was too honest, you are doing great!

I love your chart, really put my posters to shame great job!
my mom rolled her eyes when I hung it up on their door; and still asked everyday what the plan was

the room looks so inviting and it appears so peaceful a place to rest in between park hopping!

oh good, I don't want to scare everyone away or feel like I am just complaining the whole time.

Thanks! I love the chart. I definitely will keep making one each trip we go on, as long as we have things somewhat planned out.

The room was great! The size was good for having three adults and Lily. We could leave our stroller up the whole time, we did not have to collapse it each night.

 

[Charlefours]

Hey Stephanie,
Reading your report I can feel your pain! It brings back memories of our first Grand Gathering after which Wayne and I declared NEVER to do it again!! Well, a few trips later as you know it IS happening again! However, Like you I am sure, I took away from our disaster lot's of tips to make this trip a more memorable and still enjoyable trip with hopefully little drama.... how you ask!? For starters the people that kind of caused most of the "drama" are not and were not invited. They know Disney isnt for them so it wasnt like we had to hurt peoples feelings or anything! Who we do have going is just Wayne and his brothers and their kids.... I think I can see myself getting annoyed with people always asking me what is next or what to do (because I, like you, have given each person a spreadsheet with all the info) or if people dont show up for dinners after I planned them 180 days before the trip when everyone said "we will do whatever you do... just sign us up!" On our first GG trip nothing was planned which was an issue so on this trip every dinner is reserved and a few breakfasts, as well as where we are going each day.... other than that, people are on their own! I can see how even the planning can be an issue for a grand gathering! LOL I guess we cant win either way!! Another thing I want to differently is that we planned for this to be a GG for the first 4 days, then we have 3 days with just us and our beloved MK!!!

Sorry for the long story!! I am in a chatty mood and have been around only cranky kinds all day! But, I can't wait to hear more!! I appreciate your honesty and hope to get some more tips from your experience which I hope I can apply to our trip! Oh and I LOVE the pictures of Lilian. (Her feet are adorable!!) No, I am not a weird foot person either but I also love Myles feet and have since he was a baby.... I forget what its call but the top of Myles foot has always been high and his feet have always been little so the combo of the two makes for some cute baby feet!! I would post a pic I took of Myles and Owen's feet I took when Owen was born, but I dont want to start feet pictures on your trip report!!

You're fine Nickie! I hope I can offer up some tips but I'm not sure what you'll be looking for as far as tips go.

 

[Charlefours]

Uh oh! These past two updates don't bode well for the rest of the trip. It's tough to try and move large numbers of people. You did a great job planning. I hope you didn't get too much grief. Makes for an entertaining trip report though

Thanks Jenny. I hope you will stick it out with me, I hate for it seem that all I am going to do is complain the whole TR. That would not be enjoyable.

 

[Charlefours]

Great updates. Did you share a room with your Dad? I think he and DGM are my top 2 picks for the "drama King and Queen" Good for you for sticking to the plan. Ranchos looked nice. I hope you are headed to MK!!

We did end up sharing a room with my Dad. At first, him and DBIL were going to share. When DFIL and DMIL decided they were going to go, they wanted DBIL in their room to help with the cost so my Dad ended up in our room.

Maybe I should throw a poll up to see how is most likely to take the title.

 

[Charlefours]

Hehe... lots of this sounds like dealing with my mom trying to finalize plans for our trip this coming January. ACK! She's really passive-aggressive about everything, and tries to get between my sister and I as we try to plan together. Grrr...

Your daughter does have exceptionally cute feet.

I had a bit of that happening on this trip, multiple times so beware!!

Thanks!

 

[Charlefours]

Woah, I missed a few days and a few pages here...so I'm a little late but just wanted to say I love the treat bags for your dd! My mother used to do that for us when we were traveling and I just remember how much I loved it.

As someone who often travels to WDW with my in laws, all I can say is....I appreciate your honest report and ....I understand.

Thank you! The treat bags were great fun for Lily but for us to put together too.

Thanks for the understanding!! We had a great time but at the same time, I want to be honest. There are some who could travel with their parents or in laws and have no issues but this type of trip presents challenge.

 

[Charlefours]

Yay on the upgrade! The room looks beautiful, love the colors!

We've never gone with a large group but we have traveled with my DSis and her family. Guess she referred to me as the "vacation nazi" to other family members after our trip. Doesn't bother me though especially if it means we get to go on our trips with just us.

Good for DH sticking up for you with you dad, sounds like some of these 'adults' needed to be reminded that this was Lilian's birthday trip not their trip.

We really enjoyed CSR Anne Marie! Vacation Nazi That could be a compliment, depending on how you take it! There are some people who are just not meant to travel together I think.

Love DH! He is a good man, great husband and wonderful father! I am very blessed.

 

[Charlefours]

I can already tell this is going to be a bumpy ride! We went with my IL's last year, and although we had a wonderful trip, we had some bumps and some drama as any bigger group would. It made for a GREAT TR though, so I'm loving yours so far!

Thanks Karen! We knew it would be bumpy, but some potholes were not foreseen.

 

[Charlefours]

Stephanie,

I just read both of your latest updates. Your dad did the same thing that Joe does when we get to the room....grabs the remote! Drives me nuts! I think I put it in my last TR, but last year, when we stayed at CSR, on our LAST night at Disney, guess who watched the Steelers game and guess who sulked outside by herself?:rolleyes

I would have gone nuts being asked about MNSSHP tickets over and over again and knowing me, I would have probably thrown them at her the 100th time she asked.

thanks for reading Sophia! I love college football, it was NOT my priority however as soon as we came in through the door.

Oh the tickets drove me up a wall.

 

[Charlefours]

DGM is starting to drive me crazy....I dont know how you dealt with her. That was so nice of angela to send you a gift. What a great TA. I cant wait to hear lily's first impression of MK.

She is a wonderful person, just can be difficult. Angela is wonderful!!

 

[-Hope-]

Whew, finally all caught up!

I don't think it sounds mean at all that you had to ask your dad to try to forget about the drama with your brother- my DFIL can be the same way and what starts out as something I can be compassionate and understanding about just quickly gets old.

I love that you admit to your own drama moments! We all have them and it can be tough to own up to so good for you for being honest!

I can't wait to find out if you finally made it to MK (I betting you did ).

Oh, and we had a few moments of drama on our trip too and in my mind I just kept reminding myself that although we were in a different place we were still all ourselves and even Disney magic can't smooth out ALL the bumps.

ETA: I forgot to mention that I started my TR, the link is in my sig.

 

[canoe86]

Drama Incident 4

As you can imagine, at this point all I wanted to do was get things unloaded so we can go to MK!! Lilian had asked many times if we were going to go to Disney today and we reassured her we were, we need to unload the van first. What does my Dad do?


He finds the stupid TV remote to turn on the TV. I told him we did not drive all this way to sit in the room today. He glared at me and I said fine, you can stay here but we are heading off. He threw the remote down and went out in a huff.

Wow. Beyond the fact I would never do this to a parent, the question becomes, does everyone staying in your room forfeit their rights to free choice?

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Your daughter is so cute. When my son was a baby I used to take pictures of his fingers and toes and then I decided to take pictures of them as he grows... I think my son has cute toe too...my husband thought it was strange when I used to do that but now that our son is 5...he thinks it cool b/c when he looks at the baby picture and now.
I do a birthday album of my son (the day he was born and his handprint from the hospital, and ever birthday I take pictures and have his hand prints and foot prints).
Can't wait to read more....

 

[wlwilliams9]

Wow. Beyond the fact I would never do this to a parent, the question becomes, does everyone staying in your room forfeit their rights to free choice?

I don't think your snide remarks are called for!

In no way did Stephanie say anything disrespectful to her Dad. She wanted to get to the MK before they closed early so her daughter, who this whole vacation was planned for, could see it for the very first time.

Have you ever heard the expression, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"?

 

[longing2Batdisney]

I don't think your snide remarks are called for!

In no way did Stephanie say anything disrespectful to her Dad. She wanted to get to the MK before they closed early so her daughter, who this whole vacation was planned for, could see it for the very first time.

Have you ever heard the expression, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"?

Thank you! Wendy
I was thinking the same thing when I read the comment