Should I Bring My Family To DIS-Con 2...

[luvdsny]

...or should I come solo?

This question has been posed to me 6 times since returning from DIS-Con. The most recent being this evening. So I am bringing this discussion to the DIS-Con Convention Board---in great hopes of discussing the pros and cons of bringing a family or coming solo.

I want to keep this NICE , but I also think that it's important to be honest about your feelings so that DIS'ers who are weighing this option will have some helpful info. to use.

I'm pretty sure everyone knows how I feel , but I will chime in a little later in the discussion.

Okay.....so, how do YOU feel?

 

[Snowwark]

Oh I can't be first Tia!! LOL

I'll wait until others have posted, then give my take on it.

Kim

 

[NancyIL]

I was at DIS-CON with my DH and kids, as well as the in-laws, but I was the only one in the family attending the convention. We were at WDW 3 days before it officially started, but I still felt guilty every time I said I was meeting my DIS friends. I stayed out late every night once the convention started, and had to tiptoe back to bed so I wouldn't wake the family. I will definitely be solo in 2002!

 

[DaisyDebbie]

I came to Dis-Con with my Mom and 2 kids. It was fun but I was limited in my movement. I wanted to do the Thrill ride tour but it's hard with an 8 yo who is afraid of most of them and a 5 yo who really just wanted to be at the pool. I did manage to go out 2 nights but then felt bad that my Mom was in the room with the kids, she really didn't care.

I think for Dis-Con II, I will maybe just come with dh and leave the kids home.

Although, Tia, is was fun watching Fantasmic with you and my children for the first time.

 

[luvdsny]

Okay, Okay. Apparently noone wants to be FIRST! LOL

I'll put my .02 in......but expect me to come back later on as well.

Originally I was going to bring my DH, our 2 kids, and my mother. And we were all going to partake in the convention events. My mother was going to watch the kids at night so we could go out and do some 'grown-up' things also. Well my mother backed out early-on (w/o telling me first I might add. ) claiming that it was just too close to Christmas for her to be away from home. Oh well. So then it was going to be just our family of 4...but then came the tragic events of 9-11. From this point on, we just weren't sure what to do. And a lot of you know how I struggled (and boy did I struggle with this!) with whether or not to attend DIS-Con or not. After weighing in the 9-11 events...AND...the layoffs at my DH's workplace...we decided that taking a family vacation to WDW during DIS-Con just wasn't in our best interest. So we cancelled. this decision about killed me! Our family did some neat stuff with the money we saved by not going....but the 'neat stuff' didn't cure my "I'm not going to DIS-Con Depression", so DH strongly encouraged (he's The BEST! ) me to go to DIS-Con...are you ready for this?...SOLO!.

This was a bitter/sweet offer. Yay! I get to go to DIS-Con...but I was going to miss my kids. I had never been away from them that long. This was a scary decision for me to make. Another 'issue' was my 10 y/o DD. She was soooo excited about going. And she was going to be with one of her best friends, Mackenzie (Judy from Boise's DD). They were going to ride ALL of the rides together. So I almost decided to bring her...and leave DH and DS at home. But as time went on.....and as The Commandos got serious about their ITINERARIES (I love this word ), I realized that it would be difficult to keep up with everyone with a 10 y/o 'in tow', so to speak. She would have been 'good to go' all day, but by night fall she would be dead*ss tired and would probably want to go back to the room. Nope. No way. I knew that I wouldn't be able to fully enjoy ALL the pleasures of WDW that DIS-Con had in store for me. I knew that my DD would get easily bored as I 'chatted' with my DIS friends. I knew that once we went to the Magic Kingdom she wouldn't want to leave. She doesn't care for the other parks as much. I don't think I can put into words how I came to this decision.....but I decided to go SOLO.

~*~And this was The BEST decision for all of us.~*~

I was able to get up with the chickens and stay up with the owls.
I only visited the restrooms when I had go.
I was able to Go, Go, Go all day without having to go back to the room for a nap or swim.
I was able to be spontaneous.
I was able to 'chat' with fellow DIS'ers without someone impatiently waiting for me.
I was able to go into Jellyrolls, Kimono's, The Adventurer's Club, etc. without getting a sitter. (not that I would have ever done that. It's just not our thing. Nothing against anyone who does do this.....we just don't. )
I was able to catch rides with people easily.
And here is the biggy.....I didn't have to cut up anyone's food. j/k

Now, I would love for my DH to come with me next year, but I would never leave my kids with my mother that long. That would be too hard on my mom---and especially the kids. LOL
Also, DH says that he doesn't think either of us would have as much fun if he came along. He's probably right.

Okay, so these were MY reasons why MY solo trip suited me so well.

Now who wants to chime in?

 

[luvdsny]

Debbie, I distinctly remember your son making the sweetest little comments and 'oohs' and 'ahhs' during Fantasmic. That truely was wonderful.

And I will add that seeing Shannon's (bashful64) kids made me miss my own sometimes.

And I will also add that seeing Katelyn (CDoobee's DD) and Mackenzie (Judy from Boise's DD) have such a good time with their mom's made me a little sad. Maile and I could have had fun too......but not as much fun! if you tell her, I'll deny it!

 

[mnbrowns]

Wow Tia, that's pretty close to our story.
The whole family was slotted to come, including my parents who were more than willing to stay with the kids for all the late night events. Well, they ended up backing out. Then 9/11, and I was already somewhat afraid to fly. I was unemployed and finances became an issue... Well, dear DH just decided we all needed a vacation no matter what. So there we were. I was very pleased to have my family with me to experience DIS Con and finally meet all these great people I'd become "aquainted" with, but from now on, SOLO. We did have an incredible time, but I was too exhausted to attend more than 1 late nighter. And I was a zombie at that.

 

[Barb]

I knew I was going solo right from the start. While we have a great time at WDW as a family, I knew this was something I wanted to do without worrying about leaving them behind for any reason. I would have been too torn between the two groups. They wouldn't have liked the late nights and early mornings at all. I would have felt very guilty leaving them in the room to go to Jellyrolls or Kimonos. We DIS-Con'ers packed a lot into our time together. As a family, we tend to not "party so hardy"! LOL I think Tia's list said it best. I think it also depends on how much into the whole WDW experience your family is. My family loves it, but they're not Disney addicted like I am. They don't get silly on the rides (well, sometimes they do) and they don't get misty eyed at the parades. They like the characters, but don't go out of their way to get a picture. Bottom line for me is that I don't think it would work out well if they all came with me. I'm better off alone on this trip.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I would bring my family to DisCon in a heartbeat.. They are joiners and if they choose not to participate, there is plenty for them to do there. I know my husband had a great time and when my daughter showed up, she did as well.. of course, it is your choice whether you feel they will mix in or not.

 

[luvdsny]

Marsha, I did notice that Tom was quite the trooper. I think that is so nice. And it's helpful if your kids are grown--less responsibility

I also want to add that if there had been more activities planned for younger kids (perhaps ages 3-10) ((and I know, trust me I do, that Janette and others tried their best to do this)) that might have helped. I think it depends on how much of a DISney fanatic your s/o or spouse is....and it depends on how old your kids are.

I certainly do NOT want to discourage people from bringing their families....I mean that is what WDW is for afterall , but in my case, it would have been a lot more straining on me to tear myself between my young kids and my DIS friends.

Shannon and Jody, do you guys have an opinion about this?

 

[Mom2Em]

Now, I am quite confused. I would love to go to DISCON II but my family and mother is a must!! WE have been planning this trip for 2 years so they can not be left out. It may be best for us if it is forgone until some time in the future when I (or DH and I) can travel alone because I cannot imagine ever going to WDW without my DD who loves it almost as much as I do.

 

[DixieDreamer]

I made the decision for DIS CON II to go solo. I knew based on the itinerary and reports from DIS CON I that although DD would probably be okay - DH would be "antsy" at the convention events. He is not a DISer and would try hard to be patient... but it is not his thing. DD would have fun at most of the events (and being a DISer would love to meet people)... but the spontaneity and ability to attend the more adult functions would be lost if she were along. I travel alone alot for my business - so solo travel does not put me off at all. I would love to share with DD - but I think I will get more out of the experience solo. Because I have already made this decision - and because our spring trip is mostly the DCL Cruise (only 2 days at WDW) - I booked a 7 day June trip for just DD and I ("girls only") - so that she and I get to share time together doing what we love. I hope this makes my decision to go solo to DIS CON II easier to take for her.

 

[luvdsny]

Jan, don't worry. I think I can make this make sense for you. Since you already plan on being at WDW---for your family vacation---I think you'll be fine. You already know in your head and your heart what your family will be able to handle....so you'll be able to make your plans accordingly. The 'official' convention events--in and of themselves--were very family-oriented! No doubt about this! And I must admit that I wish my family could have been there for some of the special events that Linda put together; such as the Fantasmic Dessert Party, the Illuminatins Dessert party, the Character Breakfast, and the ToT event. All ages were able to enjoy every bit of the 'official' convention events. The only time it got tricky is during some of the mini-meets....and especially during the late-night meets. Jan, if you want to do a family vacation to WDW and do the convention to get a great deal on some spectacular events--AND--meet some fellow DIS'ers...you'll be just fine!

I don't know if you lurked on this board last year while the Commandos were planning....but if you were, you might have been scared off by our itineraries. We have tamed our ways a tad and plan on taking it a little slower next year.

 

[disneycub]

Well, on a slightly different bend.....I've always taken someone with me to WDW (on me I might add), mostly friends, my ex, etc. So I was a bit nervous about going to DIS-Con solo. But there's only so much you can do when you're "tied" to somebody. I have a tendency to play "tour guide" and make sure that the other person sees everything they want to see and has a good time, mostly at the expense of what I really wanted to do.

So at this point in my life (subject to change, however ), I plan on doing all the DIS-Cons solo. I can get up when I want, stay up late (or go to bed early), and do the things I want to do. Which is mostly be with my new friends and enjoy WDW with other fanatics.

 

[DumboOrBust]

Originally posted by luvdsny


I don't know if you lurked on this board last year while the Commandos were planning....but if you were, you might have been scared off by our itineraries. We have tamed our ways a tad and plan on taking it a little slower next year.

<font face="comic sans ms"> What? Why wasn't I informed of this. Was there a memo? I'm outraged at--Oh, wait. I want to take it easier next year. Nevermind. </font>

 

[luvdsny]

Dayna! You goof! Didn't you get the memo?

 

[Mom2Em]

Thanks for your reassurance... I was a little scared. I am very excited about meeting people that I have corresponded with for awhile now, but I am also concerned about including my family. I was not on here last year because I knew it was not an option to go, which is probably good because I would still be in hiding!

 

[fostrmom2mny]

OK, you all know that I brought my girls. Ages 17 and 13 .

I will comment only briefly about the 13 year olds experience with us as she had a BIG problem with complaining, whinnying and she just has the knack to bring a person down. Nothing seems to ever satisfy her. There were times that she had a really good time (like the time that was spent with Katlin during the evening of our resort hopping and at the ASMovies pool , and when Janette's daughter, Katie joined us for part of our day at Magic Kingdom, and at the pin meets; she became quite a trader I think and everyone was so nice and patient with her) After we returned home, however, she complained that there were ONLY four or five parks and that there wasn't near as many rides as what was advertised in the WDW trip planning video. She didn't act or tell anyone that she had fun (This was a BIG disappointment to me!!) Note that Sam has a social disorder and a child without this disorder cannot fairly be compared to our experience.

My 17 year old is a quieter child that is VERY easy going, she'll go along with most things (except TOT, couldn't get her talked into that one, but she found commrodery with a few other nonTOT souls while she bravely waited in the waiting area found at the end of the ride. Both of my girls, Tia and Barb were really Great cheerleaders cheering folks on** Again and Again Vicky was even pin trading with CM's before the end of DIS CON. The joy that I got from watching her come out of her shell, and bond with some of the DIS CON commandos was very good for my soul and it is part of my best memories for DIS CON.

We took part in all of the Convention only events, and a couple of dinning meets, and had a blast with other Dissers when we met up with them, but the rest of the time, we sort of went our own way and did our own things.

I will not be bringing Sam again unless things change with her disposition. Vicky I'll bring again in a heart beat! My 13 year old son (that stayed home last time), insists that he wants to come next trip, (but he'll be 15 then so I don't know if he'll want to come by then. He stated that he didn't want to do the convention thing, but I know him, he'd fit right in and have a BLAST!! There is nothing he wouldn't ride or do! He even bungied this past summer at our local amusement park I know that he would have really enjoyed a thrill ride tour with teens. I've told him about meeting Dean (Tinkerbel129's 14 yr old son) They have much in common except their size (I still think that Dean is being raised on some kind of radioactive growth stimulater) (That is being said with the greatest of respect, Dean seemed to be a very nice, mannerly young man!)

Now for my feelings. Sam was a bring down, for my trip, set that aside and I had a really nice time. I really enjoyed meeting all of my new DIS friends, but I have to admit that I have had the "post DIS CON blues" that has left me wishing I had spent more time doing more things with my DIS CON buddies. I have so much admiration for you guys! I wish that I had attended some of the adult stuff.

About needing more for the kids to do, Yes, Jeanette tried to set up a kids only tour, which I volunteered to host and chaperone, (Would have LOVED this for myself, and to have given other adults time to be with other Dissers w/o worrying or feeling guilty about their children) but we just didn't have enough children of similar ages this trip to do this.

I would highly suggest this be an option for DIS CON II!! I think there will be more in attendance and there would be more kids to make up the tour. It would be good for the kids to have SAFE time away from their parents, learn something new and exciting, and give the adults time to hang out and do some mini meets and chat with their DIS Con buddies without feeling guilty in doing so. It would work out better if it was toward the last part of Dis Con, to give the kids the chance to meet other kids and be more comfortable in doing this. IMHO

I now that I have posted this very LONG boring post, I'd love to go solo, but I also enjoyed the best of both worlds by attending all of the CONVENTION only events and then going out on our own too. And the scavenger hunt with my girls as our team was SOOOoooo much fun!! I just wish we would have started working on it when it was handed out, instead of waiting till the last day to join in all the fun
Gerri

 

[Judy from Boise]

Time for me !
I admit, I wanted Tia to bring her family because it would be perfect for the Hubbies to do fun stuff with the kids, while we were at the adult late night things . Also our DD's have a fantasy to be at WDW together . But I totally understand her reasoning and admit she did have a better time without them.

Given the choice, I too would go solo ! But it is never going to happen ! So, it worked out pretty well to do a family trip with some DIS breakout moments. Yes, I am jealous all the times that I missed out......but we do have some great family memories too

As I can see the DIS con events stretching into the future for eons , perhaps to be fair it could alternate every other year is solo ?

Also how hard would it be to organise some late night kids stuff on the big nights out ( Jelly rolls, DATW ) ? Could we arrange a child care type event through convention services ???? On the cruise ship they do character sleepovers !

 

[luvdsny]

Gerri, I noticed that for the most part you and your girls did your own thing....popping in here and there for a few of the mini meets...but mostly sticking to the convention events. I could tell that that worked best for you guys. I still remember Vicky and Samantha hanging onto me for dear life as someone (I think it was Dean's mom...but I don't really recall) was tugging at them to try ToT just once. I felt like a savior that night. I never really noticed Sam's discontent, but I did notice that Vicky was having a good time.

Judy, I think you might have something there. I wonder if Linda will see this and inquire about 'child services' through the convention folks. It would be nice to have somewhere SAFE for them stay while the grown-ups did a little 'whoopin' it up' LOL