planning trip w/ another family

[t-beri]

My family (DH, DS9 and DD2) go to WDW every halloween w/ my inlaws. I am well, neurotic. So I like to have an itinerary. Whether we actually follow it or not is not so much the point as having a plan for seeing what we want in the alloted time. If we change directions, say it's too cold or rainy for the campfire so we go to a show instead, I don't mind. Also, I like to do activities. I hate standing around waiting for everyone to agree on what we're doing. SO I always thouroughly plan our trips. This year my sons b/f and his mom along with my mil's b/f her hubby, 2 children and their significant others, will be joining us. These are all diz vets-no newbies. and there is the special occasion of it being MIL's B/F's b-day. I of course would like to plan our time. however I hate to be tought of as pushy or well, neurotic. I have found out in the past that if you have a plan then rather than tell you that they'd rather play it by ear some people will follow your plan and be miserable. I don't really know my MIL's friends children very well so just calling them up seems a little weird to me. I'm like the geeky one who wants matching dis. shirts and themed costumes (we have decided on 20's -30's era gangsters and flappers0 so if you're there halloween weekend and see about 15 ppl dressed up like al capone it'll be us!)
ANyway, I guess I just wanted some diz nut's opinions on whether I should talk to ppl and try to get everyone on the same page before the trip or just let it play out once we get to WDW.
TIA
...t.

 

[mericletwins]

My family (DH, DS9 and DD2) go to WDW every halloween w/ my inlaws. I am well, neurotic. So I like to have an itinerary. Whether we actually follow it or not is not so much the point as having a plan for seeing what we want in the alloted time. If we change directions, say it's too cold or rainy for the campfire so we go to a show instead, I don't mind. Also, I like to do activities. I hate standing around waiting for everyone to agree on what we're doing. SO I always thouroughly plan our trips. This year my sons b/f and his mom along with my mil's b/f her hubby, 2 children and their significant others, will be joining us. These are all diz vets-no newbies. and there is the special occasion of it being MIL's B/F's b-day. I of course would like to plan our time. however I hate to be tought of as pushy or well, neurotic. I have found out in the past that if you have a plan then rather than tell you that they'd rather play it by ear some people will follow your plan and be miserable. I don't really know my MIL's friends children very well so just calling them up seems a little weird to me. I'm like the geeky one who wants matching dis. shirts and themed costumes (we have decided on 20's -30's era gangsters and flappers0 so if you're there halloween weekend and see about 15 ppl dressed up like al capone it'll be us!)
ANyway, I guess I just wanted some diz nut's opinions on whether I should talk to ppl and try to get everyone on the same page before the trip or just let it play out once we get to WDW.
TIA
...t.

With that many peopel that aren't that well known to each other, I would want a "planning meeting". Maybe there you can decide what things you want to do together, like a few ADR's. Plan that and then the rest of the time every one can play it by ear. Put it right up front that you like to have everything planned out, but by no means do you expect every one else to follow your plan. I am the opposite of you and we are going this Easter with a "planner". I don't care at all that she want sto have everything planned. I just don't want to have to go along nor do I want them to get mad because they think we all have to be together and will forced to relax at the pool with us in the afternoon. (they are commando, we are NOT.) I think as long as everyone's thoughts and expectations are made clear well BEFORE the trip, then all will be fine. Just get together and plan some things in common where you can all meet up and the rest leave unscheduled as a group, but schedule it for you.

I hope that made sense.

 

[t-beri]

Yeah, I know, talking to them sounds obvious but I really don't know them and having my MIL do it is a bit of an issue (i' have mentioned I'm a control freak, right?) I suppose I'll think of some clever poll or something to e-mail everyone. Just to be clear, I love free time and pool time ....I just like it to be penciled in.