Need Help Convincing SIL & Family To Come w/Us

[smkiya]

My SIL has never taken her children on vacation. In fact I think she has only ever taken one vacation in her adult life, and that was before she had kids. She is a single mom with 3 kids (ages 6, 11, 13). My DH, DD, and DS will be headed to Disney to celebrate my daughters 5th birthday on October 13th. We're staying from October 12th-19th. My SIL's birthday is October 16th and my DH is October 20th, so we could actually really do some celebrating. I have reserved a townhouse that would very comfortably accommodate us all (I even put their names on the rental agreement as guests just in case). This weekend DH told his mom that we were going and SIL's kids overheard. When I called my SIL today to invite her along she said the kids have been bugging her since they found out we were going on Saturday. She asked me how much she would need, and this being my first trip to Disney I couldn't tell her. This is where I need help. She will not have to pay for accommodations. I figured about $850 for 4 - 6 day disney base tickets. We'll have a kitchen so can pack snacks, have breakfast, and one or two dinners at the house. I absolutely want to do 3 character meals (choosing between Chef Mickey, Hoopdi doo revue, cinderella castle, cinderellas gala feast, or backyard barbecue). We will be driving straight through, but taking separate cars so she will have to pay for gas, tolls, etc. In your experiences about how much money do you think she will need?

 

[Micka Mouse]

I'm sorry that I can't help with how much it would cost (although I'd guess around $1500+ for tickets, food, gas, tolls, souveniers), I wanted to say what an awesome thing you are doing for your SIL and her children ! I hope she takes you up on the offer and you have a great time!!!

 

[floydfamily4]

I think it is a wonderful thing as well! Here are my thoughts about the $$. First, remind her that she does not have to do all of the character meals you are doing. Matter of fact you could indicate that you want her to have some time with just the kids and you the same...you don't want her to feel like she has to be with you all the time, etc. to take the pressure off. OR you could invite her to join you at 1 of the meals. They are expensive. 2nd tickets - I go to mapleleaftickets and reserveorlando and undercovertourist to see who has the best price on tickets. I found reserveorlando had 5 day park hopper for 219.54 so not sure how many days you'll need but that can give you a starting point. For food I read in one of the guide books that you could reasonably do $50 a day for adults. However since you can do a filling breakfast in house and then do a light lunch and a "real" dinner at the park you might be able to do even less. Go to allears.net and look under dining. They have actual menus which has really helped me figure out my $$ for food. As for gas, tolls, etc. AAA could help you figure that out if you are a member. I remember taking my little brother (we're 15 years apart) to disney for mine and his first trip. We stayed in kissimmee, did not do any character meals, were on a very tight budget but had a great time. The memories are still very vivid for him and it was totally worth it. Now I am taking my twins in the fall, and because I am a SAHM I am still on a tight (not as tight but still tight) budget but now I have the resources of this board to plan. I am anticipating a great time. It is doable!!!
Anyhoo, gotta run but good luck!

Dawn

 

[smkiya]

Thanks for the great responses. It's a great idea to have us go our separate ways to do things on our own. Two families spending ALL of their time together for a week could get pretty old pretty fast. I kind of wanted to do the Cinderella meal with just my family. I will definately search the discount sites too.

 

[mlynn]

Here is a website to help with Gas http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/TripGasprice.aspx' Pack alot of food for the ride.
We spent about $100 at Chef Mickey for 2 adults and 2 kids. So I agree with the others is she doesn't ahve to all the Char.Meals with you.

I forgot a book called I Drive 95 helped with tolls and where is the best places to stop for potty breaks

 

[mjmoon]

I think it all depends on the financial situation for your SIL as well. Being a single mother of three is probably pretty hard on a budget without the stress of squeezing $1500 on a vacation.

Perhaps her reluctance is more about her not having the money to spend on gas and tickets and time off work?

I do think it's great you guys are wanting them to join you and you're helping with accommodations and such.. I hope she is able to take you up on the offer.

 

[Darcy03231]

When we went in August 2007 I invited my sister and her family to join us. They're a family of 5 (2 adults, 1 teen, 1 tween & a toddler). Due to her financial circumstances we ate almost all of our meals at the house I rented and only snacked in the parks. We flew down (she had free frequent flyer tickets she accumulated from a previous job for all 5 of them) and we both rented a car (my mom paid for half of hers) and we were there for two weeks. As best she can recall she paid:

Theme park tickets = $1,100
Food for the rental house (we split this) = $150
Gas for the rental car = $100
Parking = $150
Food/drinks in the parks = $200 - $300
Souvenirs = $100 or less

All of her children had their own birthday/Christmas money to buy souvenirs with. Also, I bought a bunch of stuff at the Disney store before I left and brought it with me. All of the kids got something from "Tinkerbelle" each day. Deck of cards, pens, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bren's Mom]

All of her children had their own birthday/Christmas money to buy souvenirs with. Also, I bought a bunch of stuff at the Disney store before I left and brought it with me. All of the kids got something from "Tinkerbelle" each day. Deck of cards, pens, etc.

Hope this helps.

Buying stuff in advance (I got a stuff Mickey for my ds and lots of Mickey, Pooh, Incredibles, even Power Rangers stuff at the dollar stores over a few months) is a GREAT way to save $$$$ on souvenirs. I wrapped the gifts in Mickey paper and left one on the bed with the Mousekeeping envelope as we walked out each day (I was always the last one in the room). They always left the gift on the pillow with a towel animal and ds was in awe that Mickey would do this for him! I also put some of the goodies in our plane bag; that helped to pass the time in the air. (Or car for you and SIL.)

 

[smkiya]

Great ideas! I am a nurse and they are offering mad overtime at my hospital. Over the next 2.5 weeks I was planning on doing enough OT to pay for townhouse and my families park passes by April 10th for our October trip. If I feel up to it I may do an extra day or 2 to pay for SIL park tickets, or for at least 2 of them (depends on how I feel... I'm 7 months pregnant). I will be going on maternity leave in May and won't return to work until August, so I want to make sure Disney is paid for (with OT money we weren't counting on, i.e. if we weren't going I wouldn't be doing it) before I go out so I won't stress. I was going to buy gift cards to the Disney Store for the girls' (13, 11) birthdays this summer that they can use to buy souvenirs; Disney gift cards can be used in the parks in some stores. I love the idea of the Disney gifts on the bed, especially for DD who will be 5 and my nephew who will be 6. I really want them to come, but we are also on a budget, especially because of my maternity leave. Thanks for the fuel link, I was just about to google it so I can set a vacation budget to figure out how much $$$ I need.

 

[tlh0726]

Depending on who normally buys the girls birthday presents maybe a group of people could go together and contribute towards or actually purchase their passes for their birthday present.