Multi-Generation Trip

[GrammyJudy]

Any ideas on 3 generations going together? Do you stay together or split up? Who pays for what etc?We did this last year and had issues so I am asking for help.I missed half of what I wanted to see trying to please everyone els. We are going again maybe next year so I am thinking of not inviting the whole crew

 

[Kae]

Did you have a disney meeting before the trip last time? It is a very good idea to do so, that way you can lay it all out before you go.

Splittiing up we did, my dad was not happy about it but in the long run it is nice to break away. If you are stay onproperty?, have you thought about the dining plan? That could help with who pays for what.

Kae

 

[northriver]

We did 3 generations last trip and will be doing the same this trip.

As far as expenses, depends on the financial situation and you need to be prepared to pay for your own families expenses, but be grateful if someon with deeper pockets wants to pay for some things. Communication is important.

Last year we shared a room with my parents, I paid the deposit but my parents then paid for the rest. I paid for my AP, they paid for their tickets and DS's. We flew down on their FF miles.

This year we are going with my sister and family, and my mother. My sister's husband is a big spender, wants to eat at Signature resturants and will order $50 or appitizers each meal, expensive drinks, etc. I'll try to ask for my bill seperately, I'm already really worried about how we will handle that. I'm on a tight budget. Also I don't expect my mother to pay for meals for the whole group, but perhaps my sis and BIL expect she will be footing part of the bill? Mom and I are sharing a room and splitting the cost of that.

As far as touring, my kids are 11 yrs apart. I had a carefully planned minute by minute itinerary where we split up occasionally to accomodate both kids, grandma and grandpa took DD to Dumbo while DS and I rode Space, etc. But mostly, we all stuck together. There were only 5 of us then, the grandparents, myself and my two kids.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We did a 3 generation trip 9/2006 and will again in May.

Last year we each paid completely for our own expenses (resort stay, tickets, food, flight). During that trip my parents bought into DVC and we're staying with them for this trip at SSR. We're paying for everything but our resort stay.

We're all on the dining plan, and I made ADR's for everyone. We are having a dinner without my parents for our anniversary, and my parents are having one dinner without my family. Otherwise, we all eat together.

We generally try to stay together in the parks. The exceptions would be that my parents will not do rollercoasters, nor will my DD2. So, the grandparents hang out with DD2 during that time. Cell phones work so well for communication in the parks. We just let each other know where we are and meet up then. My parents enjoy doing more things at Epcot than my children can do (a lot of walking in that park!). So, we kind of split up for Epcot a bit and met with each other for dinner that evening.

This year we are taking one day out of Disney and heading to the beach. It will be a good break from the parks and my children will see the beach and ocean for the first time. My father really wants to take the kids to NASA, too; we'll see if there is enough time.

One conflict we had last time is wake-up time. My children needed to sleep a little later since we ran them until late each night. My parents were up early and wanted to be at the parks at the rope drop to get the most bang for their bucks. We told them to go on and we usually met up with them around 10:30a.m. They were understanding and my children were much happier.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

I will add:

on our last trip it was MIL, my parents, DH and our three children. This time MIL will not be going (no reason in particular, nothing to do with our last trip).

We all stayed at POP last time. I specifically asked when making the reservations for everyone that we stay in rooms in different buildings. I just thought we might need some space after being together all day/night for a week. This time we'll share a 2 bedroom place at SSR.

 

[hopare]

Every year we do this. My parents give us a few weeks that will be convenient for them. Then my brother, sisters and myself decide which week will work for the majority. My parents rent a 5 bedroom/5 bathroom house 3 miles from the magic kingdom(it has a private pool) We split up the cost of the food, and buy our own passes and rent our own cars. It works out fantastic for us! we are leaving on Saturday...I can't wait!