The Inlaws: It's ALREADY started

[alamode]

As some of you know, I just sent in my $$ and contracts for our first DVC purchase this week, and am planning a trip with myself, my three kids and my in laws for next May's Star Wars weekend.

I told them that I was paying for the hotel, and since my father in law works at Air Canada, he can get cheap flights.

Yesterday at my son's baseball game, my father in law states, "Well, I'm going to rent a car, because it takes what, a day or two to see Disneyworld? And as for food, I don't want burgers and fries every day, so we'll need to find a good restaurant nearby."

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tmgandolph]

When dealing with family vacations, I remember that "we" are all going on vacation but it becomes "you/he/she" when problems arise. For example your in-law states "we" need to find a good restaurant...the real answer is "he/she" needs. split the group into two those who need X and those who need Y at any given time. No one will ever agree on where to eat, what to see, what to do, so split up when necessary. You will anyway, once one group is in line for 45 minutes or after the first hour shopping. It just happens - Riders go in one direction and shoppers another; or those who want burgers & a quick meal, one way and those who want a leisurely sit down meal another.
Cut the ties early and just meet up at certain times - easily done with cell phones.

 

[conciergekelly]

My MIL is the same way. She lives very close to Disney. It is really hard to say no. She knows every early bird special there is or worse yet, she wants us to eat at her house. I just blame it on the kids. The "kids" had their heart set on this restaurant or a certain park. Most of the time it works. I feel your pain.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I agree with tmgandolph above. One reason we like to cruise with extended family and friends is many days, we get together for the dinner only. We use the time to talk about the different tours we were on and what we've planned for the next day. We had 4 "groups" on a 2 week tour of Europe and after we all made our shore excursion purchases there was only 1 that we all had. The Edinburgh Tattoo, which was excellent!

Even our first all family/friends DVC birthday party for DM with 14 people covering 5 nights, we were all together only once, for the Candlelight Processional and dinner. It was a great experience, and all of us would do it again!

Have fun and try to concentrate on the positives. You're together for a celebration, not an illness or a funeral.

Bobbi

 

[alamode]

The main problem I have is that they have no idea about Disneyworld. Thinking you can see the whole place in a day? Only burgers and fries in the park?

I don't mind letting them go their seperate ways, but they will want to drag the kids along, away from Disney. The kids LOVE it there, heck, they will be 10, 6 and 6. Do you REALLY think they'll enjoy Gatorland (one of my FIL suggestions for a day trip) more than Disneyworld? Please.

 

[Starr W.]

The main problem I have is that they have no idea about Disneyworld. Thinking you can see the whole place in a day? Only burgers and fries in the park?

I don't mind letting them go their seperate ways, but they will want to drag the kids along, away from Disney. The kids LOVE it there, heck, they will be 10, 6 and 6. Do you REALLY think they'll enjoy Gatorland (one of my FIL suggestions for a day trip) more than Disneyworld? Please.

That's the main reason why we do not take others with us. Sister thinks she might want to come on my what was supposed to be birthday solo trip. BWV Dreamin can ask how the cat got out of the bag on that one.

She has no clue about the amount of walking, and I know she wilt sometime mid morning. Told her then you can get on a bus BY YOURSELF and go back to your room.

Waiting for a deal for her on a room, she's too much of a waffler to use my points(as I would have to borrow). No doubt I'd be left with points in holding.

.

 

[Inkmahm]

The main problem I have is that they have no idea about Disneyworld. Thinking you can see the whole place in a day? Only burgers and fries in the park?

I don't mind letting them go their seperate ways, but they will want to drag the kids along, away from Disney. The kids LOVE it there, heck, they will be 10, 6 and 6. Do you REALLY think they'll enjoy Gatorland (one of my FIL suggestions for a day trip) more than Disneyworld? Please.

Let your ILs rent a car and go to Gatorland if that is what they prefer to do. Don't make the kids go with them though.

I took my dad to Florida twice in the early 2000's. His favorite part of both trips was the one day I drove him to see what Florida outside of WDW looked like and we went to see the ocean. He died soon after that second trip and I was so glad that he had enjoyed himself in Florida, seeing what he really wanted to see. While we were driving to the coast, I dropped my sister and niece off at Blizzard Beach where they had a great time that day, too!

 

[bobbiwoz]

The main problem I have is that they have no idea about Disneyworld. Thinking you can see the whole place in a day? Only burgers and fries in the park?

I don't mind letting them go their seperate ways, but they will want to drag the kids along, away from Disney. The kids LOVE it there, heck, they will be 10, 6 and 6. Do you REALLY think they'll enjoy Gatorland (one of my FIL suggestions for a day trip) more than Disneyworld? Please.

You invited them, they are helping you go! Please talk to them and discuss your expectations, fears, whatever. If what you get here is more war stories and ways that it didn't work, I don't think that's very helpful.

Bobbi

PS. I think that Gatorland is something to see. When there was a major fire there a few years ago there was a rally to save the attraction. My mantra to my family was always "there's more to Florida than Disneyworld." OK, I was not necessarily talking about Gatorland, but we did it and had a great time there. I also took them with something called Sponge-a-rama in Tarpon Springs, they still raz me about that! There are beautiful rollling hills and state parks.

 

[Chuck S]

You know, scheduling a day away from the Disney parks, if you have a fairly long vacation, is IMO a pretty good idea. Gatorland is a classic "old" tourist attraction. The kind rarely seen anymore, but that make great memories.

While I love Disney and grew up near Disneyland, I am thankful than I can remember the defunct Gator and Ostrich attraction that used to be near Knott's Berry Farm, and that I can remember the "old" Knott's Berry Farm, when it was still run by the Knott family, before Cedar Fair/Cedar Point took over and made into a coaster thrill park.

A "down" day at a smaller park spent with family can be a great lasting memory, in addition to Disney.

As far as driving around off-site to eat, tell your FIL that you appeaciate the thought, but that Disney isn't all burgers & fries, and that the time/convenience factor will likely keep you at or near Disney for meals.

But again, if you will be there a week (or more) a down day in the middle would actually be a nice break. We try to do one "local" attraction at least every other trip, and with the economy, we don't know how long those local attractions will actually survive i their classic form. Spendid China was a lovely little park and it's gone, Cypress Gardens is basically gutted..and it was one of the best known Florida attractins for years. I'd let my kids see these while they can, even if they seem "dated" by today's Theme Park standards.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Personally I think you need to sit down and discuss the trip with your in-laws. Let them know what you expect out of this vacation and be open to their suggestions. But also let them know that it take more than 1-2 days to experience WDW and yes; maybe a side trip would be nice but for those who really want to go. Pull out some old Park Maps (now I know we all have some of those stashed somewhere) and actually show them what is covered. Let them know about all the wonderful restaurants WDW has to offer and that it's not just "burgers and fries".

It's not easy; trust me. Been there; done that! But discussing all this NOW in the long run will probably save the vacation!! Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[tmgandolph]

Dont forget SeaWorld and Universal (better coasters).

I dont think he understands the shear size of each park and how it will take a park a day to see it all. Then throw in downtown Disney and maybe blizzard beach or disney quest (never been myself) and you can eat up some time.
Personally I would do the main 4 parks , maybe the combo of blizzard beach / downtown disney and check out something off disney for a good change of pace!

 

[ssawka]

The main problem I have is that they have no idea about Disneyworld. Thinking you can see the whole place in a day? Only burgers and fries in the park?

I don't mind letting them go their seperate ways, but they will want to drag the kids along, away from Disney. The kids LOVE it there, heck, they will be 10, 6 and 6. Do you REALLY think they'll enjoy Gatorland (one of my FIL suggestions for a day trip) more than Disneyworld? Please.

Are you involving your in-laws in the planning? Do you know which TS restaurants you want to go to? Maybe it would help to show him the descriptions of the restaurants. Are your in-laws readers? Maybe it would help to give them a tour book so they can get an idea of how vast and diverse WDW is. If they don't like to read, maybe a travel video would be better.

 

[pklein09]

Are you involving your in-laws in the planning? Do you know which TS restaurants you want to go to? Maybe it would help to show him the descriptions of the restaurants. Are your in-laws readers? Maybe it would help to give them a tour book so they can get an idea of how vast and diverse WDW is. If they don't like to read, maybe a travel video would be better.

That was my thought exactly. Give them a tour book (I can think of 2 off the top of my head I recommend on a regular basis). Do they use the internet? Deb's site is fantastic, especially for menus.

Have a fantastic trip, and try not to let the planning get the best of you.

 

[DVC Grammy]

ITA with those who recommend giving them a tour book.
The Birnbaum one geared to adults only would give your ILs a good overview of WDW (including restaurants) without dwelling on the kid-oriented rides and foods.

 

[flechette]

Passporter guidebook frequently (yearly?) has old copies that they sell for $5 or less - I generally stock up on 4-5 books to pass out to co-workers and family (or I did when I was employed). It really helps get the size of the place thru thicker skulls....

Also point out that most bookstores have multiple shelves filled with Disney guide books, where as most cities have 2-3 books to their name, there's just that much to do~

Good Luck!

 

[Mtnman44]

I'll just add my agreement on scheduling a "rest day". Of course, a rest day can be a lot more than rest. For us, we normally sleep in and do some kind of non-theme park activity. It is great for resting the feet and the mind. When with a larger group, it works well as "free time" where no one feels obligated to follow someone else's schedule. Some want Sea World, some want the ocean, some want Gatorland, KSC, etc.

At first it felt weird to not schedule anything for a whole day, the vacation clock(and meter) are running after all. But man, it is sure nice to have that rest day in the middle of the week. Makes all the other days better too.

 

[La2kw]

Cut them loose. Buy your own airline tickets and let them stay wherever they want and drive wherever they want. It's either that, or put up with them. I would never go on a WDW vacation with inlaws, nor would I subject DW to traveling with her inlaws. Vacation time is too precious to us.

 

[muscarello4]

After 3 or 4 "in-law" vacations...we now have a rule. A LAW, really. No more vacationing with in-laws. It was okay, but not fun. We work hard to take our vacations and want to enjoy them our way, not worrying about what picky in-laws want. Really consider whether it is worth it or not. It's alot of money to have just an okay time.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[rmonty02]

In planning your vacation leave some things open that they can choose to do. You can tell them that you're pre-planning "some" (you know it's all) the activities and would like to know a thing or two they would like to do. For example, "We are going to be in Epcot on the Tuesday of our trip and I'm trying to decide which restaurant to eat at, which one would you prefer, here's a book?" Or leave one morning open where they choose what to do and say "I'm leaving open the morning of third day of our trip,is there something you guys would like to do?"

This way they see you are planning everything out, they get a say on certain things you're comfortable with leaving up to them. And if they don't give you any input before hand then, oh well too bad so sad, go ahead and follow your plans.

 

[Greysword]

The Unofficial Guide Book does make for great bathroom reading...I'm just saying, most guys need that entertainment and it would feed your DFIL in bites he can digest.

Another thing you could do is more sinister; have the kids talk about their favorite things to do and give grandma/grandpa the scope of things instead of you.

Good luck, either way. We are about to take the plunge as well early next year!