Maybe I am overreacting...PLEASE HELP

[Christi 2002]

Myself, DH and 3 DS's (10, 8, 4) are planning our dream vacation from June 8- 16 staying at CR. My Dad who lives 1200 miles from us and we don't see very often announced that himself and his girlfriend will be joining us, which we are all very excited about. The potential problem.....they are not staying onsite even though I have tried repeatedly to get them to (at this point there is no availability at the CR anymore.) I feel that for "down time" at the resort, swimming (since they can't use our pool) and just meeting up in general will be a HUGE production. Someone tell me I am wrong and to lighten up a little please! I am afraid we will spend to much time not relaxing and they won't be able to relax with us for a "nap". UGH! It is kind of upsetting since we don't see him often. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Christi

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Why can't they use your pool if they are with you? In all the pool hopping discussions I have never heard this. If your family is at CR and Grandpa goes to the pool with them, that should be fine.
Robin M.

 

[simonmunro]

I don't want to make you feel worse but I think their would be some inconvienience. You said it's your dream vacation so this may be out of the question but is it important enough to you to change ressies from just your room at cb to maybe two rooms at por or cbr? You could pay the difference in what they are paying offsite. You might want to look at the newest cbr pics somebody posted just a couple days ago, it should still be on the top few resort pages and says something like "cbr pictures up". They were stunning and I'm considering cbr soon just from those pics. I hate to think of you all driving on and offsite trying to meet up. Best of luck, I don't think you're making too big a deal of it but maybe you'll get some better solutions.

 

[LoriZH]

ahhh lighten up, you're going to Disney

Actually we stayed at CR and my inlaws stayed off site and it was NO problem at all! They came over to the pool with us and when we took the kids up for naps either my dh would hang with them at the pool or they would go have lunch somewhere by themselves, it really was no problem, especially if you have cell phones, that way you can keep in touch at all times to meet up.

Go have fun and relax, just let them know that you need some down time in the afternoon and I'm sure they can find something to do in Disney World by themselves for a few hours

 

[confal1]

Hi honey, now first of all, don't worry. Always remember that it is YOUR family's DREAM vacation. We have also gone to Disney and had other family members staying at a different hotel. Your best bet, since you are the one with the small children I say you are the one who makes the plans. Go about your own business. Say things like " We are going to the M.K. at 9 a.m. if you guys are here great and if not then we will call you when we get back". Make sure to also give them the reason for leaving at times that you do i.e. " we are leaving for the M.K. at 9 am because the kids are up at 6:30 and need to be on the go by 9 because they will nap at around 1" It will all work out. PLEASE don't let your vacation that I am sure you saved for a long time be ruined or stressed out because of someone else. It will be fine. Good luck. Make sure to let us know how it goes.

 

[dalepool]

This works great for my family----Because we love to have family visit---at our home in Washington ( great summers) or at our condo on Waikiki Beach ( they have great winters). I make sure they know our daily schedule- with timing as close as possible----( this would be your trip schedule)---- Then I let everyone meet--eat--sleep--party--what ever---when they feel like it. It might be that grandpa might want to take the kids by himself. Not knowing any of you I still think this can work out to be one of the most memorable vacations for you and your children. Have lots of fun----If it's not life threating---in the long run it will work out. I'll be there in Dec. PattyN

 

[susy]

Just returned from a trip with my inlaws. Everything was fine. We stayed at CBR in 2 connecting rooms and they just went along with our plans. the only thing that happened was that my MIL didn't tell us about pain and swelling in her foot (of all places) until the morning we left. You can imagine. It turned out she has a blood clot!


In your situation, here are some ideas based on my experience.

Email them (or mail them) a detailed copy of your itinerary. What I suggest is spending the mornings apart. This will work in both your favors. You won't be slowed down in getting the kids to the parks early and getting your priority rides done and they won't have to wake up at the crack of down, inhale breakfast and rush to meet you. I know I would be MAD if I rode the monorail from my hotel and then had to "wait" for people to show up! I would meet up with them at your hotel around a designated time (maybe lunch) each day (see if they are allowed to park there).
They could go in the pool and rest with you guys , then on to dinner and evening activities. They should at least look into the AS or DD hotels. I would also plan an evening out with your hubby and let them babysit.

It seems like leaving them out of your mornings is cruel, but remember that my trip was only 3days/2 nights!!!!

 

[disfans]

As far as the pools I don't see a problem as long as they are with you . If you don't already have walkie talkies, I feel as though they are the best way to find each other at the parks. Motorola makes some very good ones. You can link as many as you want together. All you have to do is agree on a park to go to together and have them call when they arrive. Hope it works out. I'm sure it will you will be in Disney.
disfans

 

[pooh6890]

Christi.....too many times my family members have interferred with my vacation plans. Do what you feel is right for your family. I go to Disney a lot and so many times relatives are going to "meet up with us" at certain spots and I have spent too many hours waiting at hotels and parks for them to show up. I love my family but refuse to let them take advantage of me anymore. I think it's perfectly fine to see your dad at your hotel for maybe lunches or pool time. Try to work it out before they arrive so you both know where, when...etc. ahead of time. I would not change my hotel plans either because you will love the CT. It's your vacation and stick to your guns girl!

 

[MinnieGi]

Just this past Nov. we stayed at WL and my parents, sister and her friend stayed off-site. No problem!

We had planned times we would meet up such as for a ps or a whole day at the parks together. Other times we were touring by ourselves and they had their own plans like Discovery Cove and Petty Speedway.

It was really nice being able to catch up with them and enjoy Disney together but also have some time to ourselves for our family vacation.

About the pool - My sister and her friend used the WL pool with us one afternoon. Since they were our guests I thought it would be just fine.

 

[Christi 2002]

Thanks Everyone! I din't realize that they could use our pool, that will make life a little easier. I am emailing our itinerary right now they can join when they like. Thanks for the advice, I know it won't ruin my vacation.
Chrisit

 

[Rneighh]

We were there in Feb and met a family friends college age daughter(she is working at Disney in the college program) everyday at the parks. We usually meet near the entrance of each park at an easy to find location. (in front of fountain at Epcot, etc.) We also had cell phones and called each other if we were running late. It was not a real problem.

Good luck, Renee

 

[mat2672]

Things probably wont be as bad as you fear as long as everyone has an open mind as far as negotiating the little inconveniences. But........unfortunately, we all know that some of us have family members that are very stubborn and close minded and its their way or the highway. In that case, you do what a couple people have already mentioned. You listen to your own words and realize that its "your" dream vacation and that takes priority over everything. Sometimes you can only try to be so flexible for other people. I know for me that nothing would ever interfere with whatever my plans were for making my daughters disney experience the trip of a lifetime. I actually just went thru this experience on my last trip to WL. Sometimes you have to be the "bad" guy.

 

[simonmunro]

I'm sorry, the point went right over my head I think. I thought you wanted, really wanted to be with them 24/7 and thought it would be wasted, precious time driving back and forth. YES, if you want to be with them just some of the time the offsite thing is perfect! It's not hard to meet up somewhere if everyone has an itinerary of the other party. Have a wonderful vacation.

 

[Dizpro]

Originally posted by Christi 2002
Thanks Everyone! I din't realize that they could use our pool, Chrisit

So Resort guests can have visitors at the pool? I didn't know this.

 

[zurgswife]

As far as I'm aware ...pools are for the exclusive use of Resort guests...the only guests that are allowed to pool hop are members of DVC and certain pools are restricted....Now with that said I'm sure there are quite a few people in your same situatioin that invite people to visit them.

Personnelly I think if you have a family member (grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc...) that would like to join you for a few hours at your resort pool the world won't end....I'm sure there are others out there that would feel differntly..

 

[joyful1nh]

As a veteran of travels to WDW with relatives flung all over the place -- one piece of advice:

Communicate your expectations up front. Don't plan on trying to spend every minute together or you'll see little AND get on each others' nerves. Plan some PS with the whole clan, and a couple of activities -- but have some family time to yourself too.

Everyone will have a better vacation that way. The one time we didn't do this I returned home more stressed out than when I left from trying to coordinate 13 people ranging from 3 to 63 with widely varying interests.

 

[opal]

For several years, we would meet my brother and his family for a Disney vacation. 4 kids, oldest two the same age, then four years between the rest, so varying interests. We would go our separate ways to the park of choice in the a.m., meet back at the resort pool in the afternoon, have dinner together and spend the evening together in the parks. Then back to the resort for evening swim before calling it a night. Occasionly we would deviate from this to enjoy a character breakfast together or for early entry before it was cancelled. When the two oldest hit their teens, they would go together to their favorite park and to e-nights.