Memories or value?

[cjparker0110]

My parents are celebrating their 60th anniversary at WDW next year. They are trying to coordinate a huge family trip which is awesome and will be my first time going since I've been married with kids. They are planning to go in April (anniversary is in January) and, more specifically, are planning to go the week immediately following Easter which I understand is extremely busy. We were totally planning to go with them but am not sure if I want to navigate WDW with 4 kids (6,5,3, 18 months at the time) and make those great family memories, or if we should just wait a couple of weeks and go on our own to enjoy the park when it's a little "slower" so there is more value and less headache. I'm really torn here because I love the idea of spending time with my family, but I just can't imagine trying to navigate the parks with strollers on such a busy week. What do you guys think?

 

[dizzyinwdw]

I would go no matter the crowds. Family time is precious in our book and if April is when everyone can get together I vote do it. If you plan out your touring you should do ok. It sounds like if you have a huge family going you might have extra helpers for your kids. Have a great time!

 

[cgattis]

My parents are celebrating their 60th anniversary at WDW next year. They are trying to coordinate a huge family trip which is awesome and will be my first time going since I've been married with kids. They are planning to go in April (anniversary is in January) and, more specifically, are planning to go the week immediately following Easter which I understand is extremely busy. We were totally planning to go with them but am not sure if I want to navigate WDW with 4 kids (6,5,3, 18 months at the time) and make those great family memories, or if we should just wait a couple of weeks and go on our own to enjoy the park when it's a little "slower" so there is more value and less headache. I'm really torn here because I love the idea of spending time with my family, but I just can't imagine trying to navigate the parks with strollers on such a busy week. What do you guys think?

I lost my only brother in 2004, my dad in 2007, and my mom this Christmas. If I could make that choice, I'd choose celebrating with my folks in a heartbeat. You'll still get to do plenty and if it's the first trip, the kids won't know what they're missing.

 

[dachsie]

I agree with above poster. Besides, family can help with the 4 kids

 

[mickeygirl78]

Disney is always busy even at the "slow" time. Go when your family is going, that is what makes it magical. If you plan your FP and park touring right, it will be fine. What makes Disney the most magical is the people you share it with. As the other posters have mentioned, it will be nice to have the others there to help with the kids.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would definitely go and celebrate with my parents. But is there a reason why your parents have planned the trip in one of the busier weeks?

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I agree with what others have said but just wanted to add that all 4 of your kids are too young to ride by themselves so you'd have logistics issues on some of the rides if you don't have other adults around.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

60 years! Wow! And at wdw? Those are amazing memories you'll be missing. I'm such a sentimental fool that I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I only hope my parents are together as long, and that my family can celebrate in such a way. It seems to me that by waiting until April they are trying to accomodate everyone? They need you to be there. You and your family are what those 60 years together are all about, after all. WDW is a celebration of life and family, everything good in this world. Go and celebrate a lifetime of family memories, and make some new ones that will still be in your heart long after mom and dad are gone.

 

[Mikie]

I can't agree strongly enough with the family memories crowd!! I HATE crowds and always try to avoid them, but for this, I'd totally adjust expectations and do it. My extended family went Oct '14, which was a 45th anniversary for my parents. I had my 3 kids (7, 9, 13) and brother with his kids (4, 2.5) so it was a "kids' paced" trip. It was SO magical at the time to share my beloved WDW with grandparents & grandkids, my dad was a total kid again, and we had a blast. We knew it was wonderful even before my dad became ill and passed away last Christmas, but certainly now I can say I'm infinitely grateful we had that experience and the fabulous photos to commemorate it!

 

[Mikie]

Adding on, just regarding logistics - grandparents and little ones often make great partners when it comes to breaks and naps if you've got a large group, it can be challenging to try to move everywhere together, so you can certainly plan apart time for various sub-groups, making sure your parents get some personal time with each sub-group and coordinating a few meals, shows or activities where the entire group is together for sure.

I see from your signature that you've been plenty of times and that you're considering AofA next time - if the family all stays at the same resort, it's even easier to get some together time and some apart. (Although my family trip had the anniversary couple at the Grand Floridian and the rest of us at Pop/AofA and that worked just fine too!). Looks like you can go with the flow and know that you've seen a lot of WDW already with, presumably, more visits in the future. I think you'll enjoy a group trip if you can get your mind around it just being a very different trip.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We celebrated my mom's 85th birthday in WDW in 2004 in December, her birthday is Dec 22. One of my sons could not make it because his wife was ready to give birth, first great grandchild was born that Dec 24!

So, we did not have our whole family, it was still a great celebration. That branch of the family really had no choice....we celebrated mom's birthday , they celebrated the birth of their first child!!

It is really up to you, do you want to be there? For you, your parents are not celebrating on their real date. That's their choice. You can be with them on the exact date, and go when it is convenient for your family, or go when everyone is there.

JMO
Bobbi

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Easter falls in the middle of April. That means that you completely miss the March spring break crowds. Yes, it will be crowded the week after Easter, but not as horribly as it will be this year with Easter falling in March. Maybe that will help you in your decision making.

I don't really care for huge family gatherings at WDW. We have done a few, and they can be a mess. If you choose to go, make sure that you know what your parents (and others) expect of you that week. If they expect to spend all of their time with you then you might want to reconsider. Large groups have different interests. This only works well if everyone is comfortable staying out of everyone else's business and letting everyone else do what they want to do.

Know what you are getting into before you go or the only memories that you might have are of fights and drama.

 

[subtchr]

Easter 2017 is April 16, later than the past few years. There are schools that tie their spring break to Easter, either the week before or the week after, but many more that tie it to the end of third quarter, which is usually mid- to late March. It is when Easter falls in March or very early April that the "double whammy" of those spring breaks can coincide. With that not being the case in 2017, I think you'll have a great trip. As others have noted, there is no longer a "slow" time at WDW. Going a few weeks later would be better, but often not noticeably any longer.

Go with your family and have a great trip!

 

[cjparker0110]

Thanks for everyone for the replies. I think we are going to go whenever they choose...we are just hoping they change their minds.

It sounds like if you have a huge family going you might have extra helpers for your kids

Yes...that is a plus. My sister-in-law is actually going to come with us as she is their "favorite" aunt and knows them really well. We thought this would be good since the two youngest ones will probably have a harder time with family that they don't know if we disappear for a ride. But the more the merrier!

But is there a reason why your parents have planned the trip in one of the busier weeks?

They are concerned about my niece and her family because her kids are in school. (We homeschool). She is NOT allowed to take the kids out of school for a family vacation and have it excused. While I understand this concept, at the same time I think it's wrong that parents are losing control of the education of their children. Alas, that is a conversation for another post. The other reason being that my mom wants to do the Flower & Garden Festival for the sake of my wife and niece.

It seems to me that by waiting until April they are trying to accomodate everyone?

One reason for April is because my mom feels it is too cold to go to WDW in January. The reason for that specific week is for my niece so her kids will be out of school. I just talked to my niece last night and it sounds like that week is not going to work for her. The whole trip may get pushed back to the first week of summer vacation.

if the family all stays at the same resort, it's even easier to get some together time and some apart.

We will not all be at the same resort. Everyone else will be at Shades of Green thanks to plenty of military and/or DOD type positions. We have the option to do that but have decided to go for the full WDW experience for the sake of our kids and sanity. Even just the transportation to WDW from the airport will be difficult with that many kids as we would have to rent a large vehicle and somehow get car seats (most companies will only guarantee one or two). Every form of transportation I looked into was expensive considering our budget. And the cost will be about the same for us thanks to a good friend from high school that works at WDW and will book our hotel with his discount!

Thank you again for your advice. I'll keep you posted as I find out for sure when we are going. Either way, we will be at WDW next year! I can't wait to go back!

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Why not use ME from the airport? It's free and you don't have to mess with the car seats. If you need a rental vehicle then I would bring my own car seats. They don't cost anything to check through or gate check or you can use them on the plane if they are approved for aircraft use.

 

[Mousemommy1]

With 4 small children, you will probably really appreciate all of the help that family can offer!!! I would do the big family trip!!

 

[AJA]

Go with your family and enjoy each other. In order to do that (for me!) I would have to let go of any set in stone schedule or must do. Have a game plan but mentally be ok if you all end up at the pool all day instead of riding Peter Pan at Magic Kingdom with your fast pass.

This would be a once in a lifetime type of trip that calls for different planning for a different type of unforgettable visit.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Normally I'd say go another time, but this is a huge milestone & you can't replace family time. If they are having a 60th they aren't young and the number of days you have left to enjoy time with them are finite. I say go with the family and just mentally accept it will be crowded & take your time.

 

[Karin1984]

The memories are your value. If you go alone a few weeks later, it will have value at that very moment, but not in the long run. Ten, twenty years from now, you will more likely remember a family celebration and not an average Disney vacation.

Plus if it was me who was celebrating my 60th anniversary (which is a huge accomplishment) and I heard my child would miss out on this big celebration because he/she prefers low crowds over family quality time, I would get pretty pissed.

You will have to adjust your expectations/regular touring style anyway because you are with a big group. If you are prepared for crowds and knowing you cannot do everything as easy as a few weeks later, it will be easier to handle.

If there are favourite aunts and grandparents to help with the kids, how about trying to keep one night free for a date night and get also some quality time with your partner? With 4 young children that will probably be a challenge in your every day life.

 

[cjparker0110]

Why not use ME from the airport? It's free and you don't have to mess with the car seats.

We are staying at a WDW hotel for that reason. I probably wasn't quite clear in that. Everyone else is staying at Shades of Green which does not get to use ME. So while we could stay with everyone else, we are doing AoA (probably) for ME (as well as some other benefits).