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

[Patinmn]

I want you to know how very thoughtful and introspective everyone has been in their responses. I know this was probably a diffucult thing to discuss publicly and everyone has been so honest and sincere with their responses.

 

[luvdsny]

Steve, you mentioned being a 'tour guide', and I think I remember NancyIL kind of struggling with that same dilema. Nancy I remember you going back and forth....LOL Wasn't that a roller coaster ride?

 

[Tinkerbel129]

My husband (who is not on the boards,yet) and son (Dean - Buzz_Lightyear) had agreat time and are looking forward to it this coming December. I wasn't sure how they would react to doing this but, when I finally got home, they asked "Can we do the next one". Sonow we are waiting for the details to be released for this year.

As for Vicky and Sam, I knew I could get them laughing. Vicky, you are going to do it next trip right,

 

[NancyIL]

I already posted, but I want to add a comment or two. Our family vacation was already set for the week after Thanksgiving when the DIS-Con dates were announced. My DH didn't want to spend the money for everyone to be part of the convention, so only I registered. Our family grew, as first my in-laws and then my sister and brother-in-law and their 2 kids decided to join us. At one point I even cancelled my convention registration, at my DH's request - to spend the majority of my time with the family. After regaining my sanity, I re-registered for DIS-Con, and I've never regretted being part of the most WONDERFUL gathering of friends! I really wish I had been there solo so I could've participated in more mini-meets. As it was - I did the best I could to balance daytime hours with my family and evenings with DISers.

 

[luvdsny]

Hi Tink. I was hoping you were out there. I remember Vicky thinking that Dean was kind of cute.

Nancy, I remember seeing you at most--if not all--the night events.

I am starting to think that the age of your children is going to make a huge difference! Duh! But it seems that the people who had older children were able to participate more, while some DIS'ers with younger kids found it a bit more challenging. Interesting.

 

[janette]

I also brought the family and regretted it at times. They demanded attention and I'd rather have gone to all the meets and spend time with other DISer's

My 10yo DD was able to go on her own on the thrill ride tour and had a great time. She also spent a day with Gerri and her girls while my 7yo rested one afternoon. Geri - when she was with me my Kate could also be clinging and whiny. She just doesn't do that to other people. Maybe next time we should swap children - they seem to do so much better for someone else.

I'm not sure I'll bring the family next time. They had to miss school and would again so that is a drawback. I'm thinking I'll talk to DH and if he will agree that he will be responsible for them I'd consider bringing them again. DH will also be on his own, I'd like for them to be there I just want the freedom of going when and where I want.

I do think that more children meets would have helped. It wouldn't need to be ride meets but just a playground time, pool time or something. My kids loved meeting all their new friends. They also did best when they had someone to spend time with. My girls made lots of friends as DaisyDebbie, Debbie from San A. , Gerri and Emmy and others can attest too. If we planned something where the kids could play safely and we could do our visiting I think that would have helped with the non-solo attendees.

 

[disneycub]

I didn't hear nothing 'bout no memo going out saying we commandos were going to settle down. Certainly not Ms. Tia, who at last check, was already starting her itinerary. Ahem...

That being said, only 7 more days till I can book my flights for November/December.

 

[luvdsny]

Hi Janette. I know that I met you, but unfortunately we didn't really spend any time together. In fact, this year I missed quite a few people. I think I will add to my 'resolutions' list to mingle more.

And Steve...you always make me giggle. I did say a tad.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Dave and I went to chinese an hour ago, and I took part of dinner talking to him about maybe inviting one of his sister's and her 2 children to DCII. That way there would be a group of people for he and Kinz to hang with if I was at DC events. I know his family appreciates some alone time with him anyways. We know we will be spending Thanksgiving in CA where his family lives.....we could just fly out of LAX together

Of course we still might just go to DL instead...or me solo...or another nuclear family trip.......I'm sure to have months of rambling to entertain you

 

[dvc_bwv]

If I had it to do over again I think I'd go solo (of just DH and I), but there was no choice in the matter this time. We had already had our vacation scheduled and had asked my DS (Preston) to join us beofre DIS Con was announced. My DH and I were excited about it and when I asked my DS he said yes, but......when it came down to it we only attending the scheduled DIS Con things and didn't do any of the mini meets, which I would have loved to do.

If I ever get the chance to go again, I may bring my DH, but I think I'd have more fun solo. Then I wouldn't have to answer to anyone but me and I could do whatever pleased me without worrying about someone enjoying themselves. (I'll find out how this works next week when I go to WDW solo with a group of ladies!!)

Just my 2 cents. The only thing is that as long as it is scheduled for a December time slot I won't be able to attend as I can't take off work in December!!!

 

[Barb]

Steve, that's how I would feel, too. If I had the family with me, I'd be going out of my way to make sure they are having just as good a time as me. That would be taking a lot of emotional energy to do that and for me to have the fun I want to have, too. I would end up way to weary to enjoy the trip. Bill is not a "bar" person, he really hates smokey areas. He wouldn't have had fun at Jellyrolls and I wouldn't have been able to have fun because he wasn't having fun. I'd have spent my time trying to entertain him. He agrees that I should take this trip alone. So we're both ok with the solo thing.
As for the memo...................who said we were slowing down?!?!?!?!
One more thought, (& maybe this is selfish of me) I want to devote all my time to being with my DIS friends. For me, that was the whole idea of this trip.

 

[perfectmatch300]

Well, as most of you can probably guess, I wouldn't consider coming without DH, Barry. Even though he NEVER comes on the DIS unless I call him over to show him something, he loves DIS meets and meeting new people. We also like doing the same kinds of things, so neither of us has to worry about if the other is having a good time, so for us, it works out fine.

I agree with Marsha, I wish Barry would register on the DIS, too. Like Tom, he loves DIS meets and meeting DISers, but I'm always having to explain to him all the little inside jokes that fly around here all the time. I mean, I had a heck of a time explaining to him about the tiaras!

We don't have kids of our own, and at our age aren't going to , so that's not an issue. I really don't know how I'd feel about bringing little kids if I had them, but I imagine I'd miss them terribly, since I really missed my cats while we were there! Barry's 2 DD's from his previous marriage are 24. I would definitely not bring them because they don't like doing the same kinds of things on vacation as we do, & we'd just make each other miserable.

As for slowing down....... Are you feeling OK, Tia?

My final thought on the subject is that you have to look at your own family and decide what works best for all of you, then plan DIS-CON from there.

 

[Smee]

Tia,
It was my first time to WDW without DS in 12 years (and DS and I have been there together over 25 times), and I missed him A LOT while there.
However,
I also had lots of time where that didn't enter into play.
The worst time for me was MVMCP. We had gone a few years ago, and DS LOVED it, so
I missed him a lot during that. As a matter of fact, when I saw that they were telling "Polar Express" by the castle------yeah, I know, it's stupid,but it made me tear up 'cuz I missed DS.
However,
without a doubt, I will go SOLO again to DIS Con! It's been a LOOOOOOONG time since I only had to be concerned about me, myself, and I.......and it was thoroughly enjoyable!!!!!!!!!
By the way as some of you probably already know, my DH is a Disney Grinch (liked it once, no more) so he doesn't enter this equation at all.

SOLO is the way to go for me.

Corinne

 

[bashful64]

I haven't read all the replies (I am smack dab in the middle of year end so I don't have much time to access the boards) so I am sorry if I repeat anything.

I had my DH and three kids aged 7, 5 and 2 with me on the trip. We had a wonderful time but it was really hard to participate "fully" in DIScon with the kids there (if it had been just DH and I then he could have joined in rather than having to watch the kids or done something on his own). I had to try and balance being with the family and being at DIScon. I missed a lot of really fun stuff because I was with my family but didn't want to abandon my family to do all of DIScon. It ended up that I felt guilty on one hand for leaving my family and felt like I missed a lot on the other hand when I heard all the stories of what everyone had done the night before. If I had to do it again I would either go solo or bring someone to watch the kids during the DIScon part of our trip.

 

[CDoobee]

Well, as you know, I had my 10 year old DD, Katelyn, (aka CDoobeeJr.) with me and I wouldn't have had it any other way!! Well, actually, the only thing that would have made it better is if my DH and DS could have come, too! We are ALL big Disney fans!! But, it just wasn't possible for Jared (aka TigCollins--SOCD) to miss school. And since Kevin had to go to Iceland, he couldn't come, either. And it WAS nice to have a mother-daughter trip! I had been to WDW alone with my other DD, alone with my sister, and alone with my DH. Now, it was Katelyn's turn! Someday, I hope to bring Jared on a mother-son trip!

Yes, I missed out on the "adults only" activities, and I'm SURE I would have enjoyed them!! But, I look at it this way. I can do that anytime. I can do that when she is not able to come with me. Or when she's old enough to do her own thing during that time. Or when she's old enough to join in!! I will never again get to take a mother-daughter trip with my 10 year old! Maybe when she's 11, 12, 13, whatever, but never 10 again!! Someday she won't be able to come along. Something will keep her home:school, as in her older brother's case; work, as in her Dad's case; or marriage, as in her older sister's case! (Hi Hil!)

It also helps that she's not a "little" kid. I could leave her in the room alone while I went to the food court to get us breakfast or a snack. (She even went and got our breakfast once!) I could let her go to the restroom on her own. I could go to the restroom on my own while she waited outside. Etc, etc.

I also think that if I had been solo, even though I would have been kept busy, I KNOW I would have been really missing my family! And I would have been really lonely in my room at night. Since 9-11, I just don't think I'd like being alone.

So, in summary, I did not go solo. And I'm glad I didn't!! If my family was not into Disney, or the DIS, I probably would come solo. But since they all love WDW, and are all registered DISers now , I think I'd always have more fun with them along. Now that being said, if the only way I can come this year is solo, I will do it. BUT, I'd prefer to have someone with me!!

 

[Nancy]

If I get to go to DIS CON 2 I'll be going solo. DH just doesn't get the whole DIS thing. My girls would be my top priority and I just don't think I'd have as good a time. My 13 yr old is not a very easy person to travel with, she doesn't deal well with schedules and having to go along with the crowd. My 12 yr old could probably come and fit right in with everyone...she's a big goof and a Disney nut! My almost 9 yr.old would have everyone wantimng earplugs...she never shuts up!!! So as much as if it was a regular trip to DW I would love the whole family with me, when it's DIS stuff I'm better off alone.

 

[luvdsny]

Life is busy.....I need to catch up here. I'll work backwards.

Debbie.....thanks for your input. I had a feeling you would feel that way. I'm just so glad you two came. I know that you struggled with whether or not to come after 9-11 too. I'm glad we were able to support eachother and to help talk eachother into going! It was The Best, wasn't it?

Shannon, I often think about the night we went from MGM to EPCOT (anyone else remember this? Had something to do with hailing a taxi! LOL ) and how sweet your DH was to take all 3 kids back to the room BY HIMSELF so you could come with us girly girls! He was carrying one, had the hand of another, and the 3rd ran off to join us! And you said to your DH, "yoo-hoo, I think you're forgetting someone!" LOL I also remember you at The Fantasyland meet....3 kids, 2 strollers, and a partridge in a pear tree! You just gotta come to DISneyland in Feb.!!!!

Smee......However (LOL) Julie doesn't count as you NOT coming solo. Two grown-ups together is 'kind of being solo'

Nancy, I wouldn't DREAM of you and Barry not being together. In fact, one of you without the other is just 'so'...or is it 'lo'? LOL Two peas in a pod counts as one bean! Plus, like you said, I think Barry really enjoyed everyone's company. He always seemed to be 'yacking it up' with someone!

Norma, your DH seemed to have fun too! Maybe not as much fun but enough fun. I rarely saw Preston, what did you guys do......lock him in the room? I think my DH and I most closely resemble you and Wayne. I think my DH would be fine...and he would keep up just fine also.....but he'd get lost in the 'shop talk' Besides, he is my live-in sitter.

Judy, as you've said before...big crowds aren't really your thing....and not Kinz's either. So I think the way you guys did the convention (or didn't! LOL) was probably perfect for you three. You had a lot of slow morning family time, and yet we got see you at Jellyrolls, DATW, and Kimono's.....I remember thinking that Maile and I would NEVER have gotton up there and sang like you and Kinz! Good for you two.

Barb.......I already knew how you felt. I think we've discussed this a couple of times before. Now will you be considered 'solo' if you come with your sister next year? Something to ponder.

 

[luvdsny]

Hi Nancy. We must have posted at the same time....I missed your post. I can't wait to meet you. I didn't want Barb to miss you too much so we "whoo-hoo'd" every single little 'drop' at WDW during DIS-Con. It was a blast! I can't wait for this year!