The in-laws didn't catch the Disney bug.

[solstice621]

...good for YOU! BTW ~ MY favorite princess is Belle...

Awww...Belle is my daughter's favorite too. We did get to see her twice this time - in MK & Epcot. My favorite is Princess Aurora

 

[tlbwriter]

Is there anything they do spend money on? If so, you might use that to help them understand why you're willing to spend money on WDW. "You know how having a new car every two years makes you happy? How much you enjoy driving a new car? Well, WDW is our new car." But I wouldn't bother unless they're continuing to complain about the cost or otherwise bug you about "wasting" money.

 

[DisneyMim]

Please don't worry about it. Some people are wonderful and you love them, but they are just not traveling companions. It sounds like this is how your in-laws are. I wouldn't go on another vacation with them. We have some family members (who shall remain nameless) that I would never travel with again. I was the same as you, I felt I that I didn't do some things I really wanted to do, and did things with them that I did not want. I finally realized that, although, we love each other very much and have a good time together for SOME things, traveling is not one of them. Not everyone is alike and not everyone likes the same things. Look at it this way, you were bound to go with them at some point. So you went and now you know what they are like. You don't have to do it again. Start planning your next trip and do it YOUR way!!

Enjoy The Magic!!

 

[eliza61]

Why do we get upset when every one doesn't love disney the way we do?

Do you (general) love every thing about your relatives?

My dh and sons love skiing. I loathe, hate and despise the cold weather and trying to entice me with stories of ski lodges still doesn't make me want to go.

No worries, Dh and sons take an annual "male bonding trip" and mom gets some serious bonding time with the king of Prussia mall! win/win scenerio.

I just don't understand this obsession we have with making everyone feel like we do? My In-laws are not big disney nuts, they go for a few days mainly to be with the grandkids but basically they may go to the parks for 1 day, mainly they catch up with us at dinner and/or go swimming with boys at the resort.

know what, I'm totally cool with that. Now complaining is never aloud. So I would have a problem with that but again I ask, why do you expect every one to love disney.

Op, I'm going to post this as a question, hope you don't mind.

 

[solstice621]

So I would have a problem with that but again I ask, why do you expect every one to love disney.

I didn't expect them to love it. I knew it could go either way. What I didn't expect was all the money talk - since I had prepped them way in advance.

I don't need them to love Disney or even like it. WE love it and I know we will be going back (already planning the next trip!) I'm just sad so much time was spent stressing over $$$. It made it all a bit less enjoyable.

 

[eliza61]

I didn't expect them to love it. I knew it could go either way. What I didn't expect was all the money talk - since I had prepped them way in advance.

I don't need them to love Disney or even like it. WE love it and I know we will be going back (already planning the next trip!) I'm just sad so much time was spent stressing over $$$. It made it all a bit less enjoyable.

Sorry you asked in your original post "why oh why am I letting them get to me"? So to me that infers that you did expect them to at least like it.

I totally agree, we have a "no whining" rule on any guest we take on vacation. If you agree to go with us, we expect everyone to be gracious even if things are not your cup of tea.

 

[DisneyScraps]

I feel for you the same thing happened to me with my ex MIL. She is married to a ESPN executive so the discounts are amazing. She didn't complain about the cost but she just didn't get it. That shocked me she was with my 2 year old daughter who was in awe of everything.

I kept trying to explain to her that Disney is more than the parks, it's restaurants, spas, golf, tours. She didn't care.

They have never been back.

Since then my DD and I have been 16 times. She is missing all those smiles.

Lisa

 

[Magic Mom]

In fact, I don't think they "get it" at all. I wasn't sure where to post this, so I figured this would be the best place. We just got back from a trip to WDW last week. We have been many times, but this was my inlaws first trip there in 20 years or so. We thought they would love seeing their grandchildren enjoy WDW. Unfortunately, they just didn't get it. I think all they saw were dollar signs. So many comments were made about the money that is spent at WDW, not just by us, but everyone who goes there. We had 4 ADR's scheduled and they made me cancel 2 of them (including dinner with the Princesses!), then backed out at the last minute of another one because they didn't want to spend the money. Now, I totally get the $$ aspect. It is a lot to spend. But we are frugal in ALL other areas of our lives. We NEVER go out to eat, live on a budget, I rarely go shopping for DH or I, and we are not big spenders. Our WDW trips are our big events of the year. We have discounted AP's through DVC, which is 2 months away from being paid off, and 85% of our meals while in WDW are eaten in our room.

Why oh why then am I letting them get to me? We are back and now I feel guilty and feel like I need to explain myself again to them (about why/how much money we spend). I know I should just let it go. It 's just unfortunate that the money issue had to put a damper on my memories from the trip.

Sigh.

Maybe they "get it" but they just don't like it. I think spending a week on a horse ranch in Montana sounds divine, but you may think it sounds horrid. Do you just not get it, or are our tastes just different.

I know it's blasphemy, but some people just don't like Disney. And that's OK...it means more magic for all of us.

 

[IdesOmarch]

I don't get this either. Go on vacation and to disney or universal and spend the entire time complaining about the $$$? Its like duh, yeah its expensive, are there any other types of vacations that aren't expensive? I mean I know disney and universal both nickel and dime you to death, but its just part of it. No sense in complaining about it. Nice things cost money?

Its the same thing with my parents, they don't ever go anywhere or EVER go on a vacation because of money issues. Money issues that are non-existent. They could travel and go on cruises or whatever, they are not rich, but all things considering have plenty of money. But yet they would rather just stay home all the time? Just don't get it. You can't take the money with you. That's what its for is for spending. It doesn't do any good if the money just sits there.

 

[ohlas]

Im sorry I know how you feel i would love to share the disney kid exp with mil but i would never take her she would drive me crazy over everything, but the cost lol.

I just have to share this story of my mom and dad and disney 2001 with my 2 sisters, my husband, my 3 kids (12/10/7yrs old) so yes that is 9 people we all get along and love disney.

Growning up poor wasnt fun but my parents always made day trips to disney with packed snacks etc. atleast once year when we visited grandparents that live in fl. Not one bad memory from all those trips.

Back to 2001 trip my sister made resv for royal table and was going to pay well my dad snagged the waitess and told her to give him the check. Meal was fun food was ok lol. He got the check my mother always grabs checks and does the math for tip before my dad can get his wallet out she is just nosey that way, lol.,but this time he put his hand over hers before she could grab it had his credit card already out and said pat this is what credit cards where made for. he let her turn the check over she said in a hushed voice thats 2 of my car payments turned sheet white. she had a really hard time enjoy the rest of the night at her favorite place in the world.

To this day i still hear about the 511 and some change dinner.

The point was my mother really loves disney and watching the kids run and lol but the 511 killed the fun for her it was too much. So dont let the fun suckers ruin your fun over money and dont ever invite them on vacation with you ever never ever again.

 

[kimmar067]

I know it's blasphemy, but some people just don't like Disney. And that's OK...it means more magic for all of us.

...oooh boy, mebbe now I'll FINALLY get a good spot at the parade....

 

[momof1princess]

OP, i know how you feel. DH, DD and i LOVE wdw, and DH is dying to take his mom and dad. however, they were both raised in very frugal families, and even though we are pretty frugal ourselves, like you and your family, we treat ourselves at WDW too, and i KNOW my DILs would complain about what everything costs the entire time. they would go along with what we wanted to do, but there would be no end to the complaints, especially from DFIL.

 

[arminnie]

I've taken lots of guests over the years to WDW over the years. I'd say for older grandparent age people some like it and some don't. Lots of crowds and heat and long walks can make some unable to really find and appreciate the unique creativity of Disney.

Even here people enjoy different things. Some include more thrill rides, other more shows. Look at all that is offered. Everything is there.

As for the money, frugal/cheap thing - don't you kind of have a clue before you go what their values are? If I go with someone very, very cheap then I plan things that are cheap. Even if I made sandwiches to take in the park.

I don't really enjoy the spa services because they cost about 2-3 times more than it does at home. No special treat for me to do it at Disney vs home. It just cuts into my time for other Disney things I prefer. Others love going to the spa there.

The only problem I would have with the parents is the whining. But when confronted by whiners you have to decide to just ignore them or try to get them to shut up. Just cringing and resenting everything they say doesn't work.

 

[solstice621]

OP, i know how you feel. DH, DD and i LOVE wdw, and DH is dying to take his mom and dad. however, they were both raised in very frugal families, and even though we are pretty frugal ourselves, like you and your family, we treat ourselves at WDW too, and i KNOW my DILs would complain about what everything costs the entire time. they would go along with what we wanted to do, but there would be no end to the complaints, especially from DFIL.

Yup. This sounds familiar.

 

[hereyago]

That is what duct tape if for

Some people just are the type no matter where you went would gripe.

Years ago, my parents only true vacation and I was about 22. We went to TN, DM did go to Opryland cause we knew people who worked there. but we flew to MCO and DF and I went to Universal and Sea World, DM stayed in the hotel room-like why even come? They went to see my aunt in Sarasota and I went to Epcot and MK by myself for the couple days they were gone, but even then DM wanted to whine.

 

[beaucoup]

Its possible that being older, they are weighing the value of money differently than you might be at a younger age. They are closer to retirement. Have less years to save all that they need. A 3rd or 4th dinner out may not just be worth it to them. Also, they grew up in much simpler times and much simpler vacations, and the whole Disney vacation probably seems very lavish to them. Even a budget Disney vacation.

I knew that my parents would not spend the money, so I paid for them. They had a good time however if my parents had to pay, there is no way they would have done some of the things we did or enjoyed the meals. It was the only large vacation they had ever taken in their entire lives. And it was only a few days.

The older I get, the more I get that. Just seen through different eyes than I did when I was younger.

 

[hereyago]

Its possible that being older, they are weighing the value of money differently than you might be at a younger age. They are closer to retirement. Have less years to save all that they need. A 3rd or 4th dinner out may not just be worth it to them. Also, they grew up in much simpler times and much simpler vacations, and the whole Disney vacation probably seems very lavish to them. Even a budget Disney vacation.

I knew that my parents would not spend the money, so I paid for them. They had a good time however if my parents had to pay, there is no way they would have done some of the things we did or enjoyed the meals.

The older I get, the more I get that. Just seen through different eyes than I did when I was younger.

true, however they don't get to be pushy and insist that the OP cancel the ADR's for everyone.

 

[princesspeach]

I love my family,and my inlaws, but I have learned through trial and error not to take a vacation with them. When you do things with your parents do things they enjoy. Do the things that your family enjoys with just your family.

 

[solstice621]

I love my family,and my inlaws, but I have learned through trial and error not to take a vacation with them. When you do things with your parents do things they enjoy. Do the things that your family enjoys with just your family.

Great advice - I am learning that more and more as time goes on!

 

[bumbershoot]

I didn't expect them to love it. I knew it could go either way. What I didn't expect was all the money talk - since I had prepped them way in advance.

On one hand, while I was at Universal, in WWoHP specifically, I was talking a lot about how amazing their profits must be from all the souvenirs flying off the shelves, just adding up what WE bought (and we aren't big souvenir-buyers, but we couldn't help ourselves there), looking around and seeing all the HP swag on others, how many brooms, how many official robes, etc etc etc.... I wasn't complaining, I was just in absolute awe, and wishing that I were an accountant so I could be Universal's accountant, to see how much WWoHP takes in in just one day.

But I wasn't complaining about it.


And sometimes things can feel shocking once you've done the math. We used DVC points to pay for 4 nights of a 2 bedroom, and hosted 5 family members for the beginning of our WDW trip. We didn't ask for money, we didn't expect money, and 99.99% of our minds didn't WANT money or want them to offer it.

They chose to pay for a breakfast at Crystal Palace to pay us back, which was really sweet. They are relatively local and I know they don't often eat table service meals while there, so this was really neat! CP has the prices posted outside, we were standing there, I know they saw the prices. But when the meal came, my poor cousin couldn't keep the shock off her face as she saw the total for 5 adults and 3 kids. I quietly made sure her husband knew that we would be happy to chip in, which might not have been as gracious as it felt at the time, but I was honest. I've been shocked by a restaurant total before, and it's a horrible feeling.

So it's possible they just started adding things up (does the princess meal have the prices posted outside? could they have seen it at some point?) and it stunned them too much.

true, however they don't get to be pushy and insist that the OP cancel the ADR's for everyone.

Nor should they be *complaining* about it in front of everyone. My husband and I have shorthand for "omg that's way too much", and then we move on. We don't just continued to harp about it in public (except for the Universal thing, but again, that was with a smile on my face, with my lanyard and scarf (nearly $50 of merchandise just on me) around my neck, drinking my butterbeer from the souvenir mug ($10 for the combo)).


I feel for the OP and I also feel for the parents, because maybe they were just stunned and couldn't help themselves.