Reserves about traveling with family?

[mummabear]

I would go. Travelling with anyone you don't normally can create stressful/annoying circumstances I don't think the 19 month old is going to be a particular problem, in fact it is quite magical travelling to Disney with kids that age. However they do have their down sides so expect a melt down or two even from the best kid with the best planning and don't stress, not your kid not your problem to deal with.
I also recommend that you all chat before hand about everyones expectations, easier to sort things out beforehand then get in a fight.

 

[ChattaAlley]

How exactly could they ruin your trip? You would have to allow them to do that and then it would become your problem. It is ok that they are strict and have different ways of doing things with their child. Not everyone is the same. Just tell them ahead of time how you like to "do" Disney. Explain to them how easy it is to go back and forth to the resort via the Disney transportation (that is if you are staying on property) and let them do their thing.

I traveled with my sis-n-law and brother when my nephew was 14 months old and they had to go back to the room regularly for naps and such and they did so alone.

Enjoy the time with your family and don't over speculate the "what if's". Have fun!!

 

[KristinU]

If you are a "Disney Freak" and go a lot, I can't really see why you would be that upset about not being able to tour exactly the way you like. Maybe if it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip... But you probably go a lot. Isn't it okay for this trip to be a little different, a little slower, because you get to share it with your family?

We go to WDW and DL a lot and a few times we have gone with big family groups or with my parents. Those trips are a bit different and come with frustrations ("Get mooooving, people.") But they also supply unique memories that are only possible when you get a group like that together. I like both kinds of trips. It is okay to me that they are different.

This, totally this. OP, I think you need to take off your "MY vacation" hat for this one and put on your "awesome auntie, vacation planner extraordinaire" hat. Your nephew will only have his first trip once, and you get to be part of that! That can be pretty magical...not what you normally anticipate from your version of Disney magic, but magical nonetheless.

I think this can be a fun trip if you manage your own expectations as well as lay out some expectations for everyone else.

We've traveled with family and also with friends. Recently we've traveled with friends who hadn't been since childhood, that was a lot of fun! To see things anew through their eyes was a treat, but I certainly had to change my mindset from what I normally expect when it is just my immediate family or just DH and I as a couple. If you can go in with completely different expectations it can be a ball! But if you go into it expecting everyone to do what you always do, it can be a big drag.

Something that helps a lot for me is to lay out a planned schedule, have it written in a spreadsheet or powerpoint, and share with everyone before and during the trip. Kind of like "this is what I have planned, you can join or you can do your own thing, and feel free to meet up later if you feel like it".

This also might be a fun opportunity for you to "borrow" your nephew and try out parenting for an hour or two while you let his parents have some alone time. At that age he may enjoy looking at the ducks or finding a flower or something...the little things that you might not even notice on your regular trips. They focus on the funniest things at that age, and that's awesome! If you manage your expectations and keep an open mind, it could be a super great experience for all of you!

 

[warrenz1963]

How you feel about spending time with your family is valid and okay and should be the deciding factor. The free trip is tempting but I wouldn't go. WDW vacations can be stressful even under the best circumstances, especially if there are existing tensions; they will only get worse with the stress of the trip. Pixie Dust doesn't fix everything, at least not in my experience. Sounds like you already don't want to go, I would trust that intuition.

 

[dreiwhit]

IMHO, I would go, but I would plan on doing what I want to do. If your brother/sil/nephew can't or don't want to do what you want to do, fine. Just meet up for meal, or something like that.

 

[Tucker24]

Definitely keep in mind that most kids are more fresh and happy in the morning. They also usually wake up pretty early. The bus ride to and from Coronado can be very difficult and long with a young tuckered out child. We did it with two toddlers and after that trip we have always stayed on the monorail. It's also a quick trip meaning two days in the park plus party. Go and have fun just know that it won't be the most carefree trip with a young one

 

[mom2rtk]

It is one thing to agree to something in advance of a trip and another to agree and then try to change the rules upon arrival because you agreed but really did not mean it.

That would be my biggest concern in trying to plan something like this. Just because they agree to it ahead of time doesn't mean they would do that once they got there. Only the OP knows if she thinks her family would do that.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The key to extended family trips, imo, is not being married to the idea of the entire group being together the entire time. If the parents want to take your nephew back to the hotel and nap. even after they know how long it will take, let them. You don't have to go back with them. You stay, and arrange to meet up with them later.

That said, for US... I'd rather not spend my vacation negotiating potentially uncomfortable territory with family that I already know I don't get along with well under normal circumstances. Not worth it to me. We've tried it and decided not to do that again.

 

[Nancyg56]

That would be my biggest concern in trying to plan something like this. Just because they agree to it ahead of time doesn't mean they would do that once they got there. Only the OP knows if she thinks her family would do that.

Or if the OP would agree and then resent the agreement. Extended family trips can be most difficult on veteran Disney people, IMO.

 

[GreatLakes]

The key to traveling with any group beyond your immediate family (spouse and kids) is to not try to do everything as a group. If one person wants to go take a nap let them. If half of the group wants to stop for a sit down meal and the other half doesn't split up.

The one time I went with a large group of friends to WDW we didn't even see each other some days beyond the beginning and end of the day at the hotel.

 

[85glht]

Yes...but I would lay it out for he family, tell it like it is, napping in strollers will happen, if you head back to the resort, it doesn't mean we will. Meet up for meals and go from there.

Perfect! WDW is a big place and you don't need to be tethered to each other 24/7. Keep everyone in the loop about plans.... Explain WHY you planned things out the way you did, they may or may not understand but that is their problem. If things do go wrong and they complain, then tell them that they can do ALL the planning next time they go BY THEMSELVES.

BTW, if you go, good luck and have fun!