They're leaving Friday, staying offsite, no MDE, no FP+, no knowledge...how bad?

[Wendybird55]

Just curious as to what you think of this...

My SIL and family are leaving this Friday for WDW (they are driving from NJ).
They are staying offsite at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. They got AAA park tickets. My SIL insists the shuttle from BC is free (I've heard otherwise on boards) and that they got free parking pass from AAA (thought it was for better parking area). But who am I to argue...

My husband spoke with her today and asked if she set up her MDE and FP+ especially since my 2 nieces want very much to meet Ana and Elsa. She said no and is not sure if she'll have time as she's rushing around. Not sure if she knows what MDE or FP+ is.

Now mind you, my SIL is supposedly a Disney Travel expert - she actually advertises to friends she can book their trips and one of her friends has been a Disney travel agent for years.

Oh, and they are going to Universal for 1 day (got a 2-park one-day ticket) mostly for Harry Potter as my niece just read the first book and wants to see it.

So...knowing that next week will be busy and crowded due to the fact it's Easter Break for most public schools and some of my SIL's facts are off and chances are she will need to use kiosks if she wants FP+ (unless she sets up account in next day or 2)...how "productive" do you think this trip will be?

It kills me in that I know I can help them with certain things or give them useful information, but they "know better". So I keep my mouth shut. Now, they are not big "ride" people...so they won't be wanting to go on many of the "headliners", but still I'm sure there are some rides / shows they want to enjoy. I don't know...just thinking out loud and wondering what anyone out there thinks.

I hope they have a great time - especially my nieces. I gave them their Easter basket early - they include Disney gift card, shiny pennies and quarters for penny press, pins for trading, Frozen DVD to watch in car on way down plus, park maps, and other trinkets and activities for long car ride down.

 

[ArwenMarie]

If they don't care about rides, they'll be fine I guess?

Could she even get A&E at this point with prebooking?

 

[jenninaustin]

Just curious as to what you think of this...

My SIL and family are leaving this Friday for WDW (they are driving from NJ).
They are staying offsite at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. They got AAA park tickets. My SIL insists the shuttle from BC is free (I've heard otherwise on boards) and that they got free parking pass from AAA (thought it was for better parking area). But who am I to argue...

My husband spoke with her today and asked if she set up her MDE and FP+ especially since my 2 nieces want very much to meet Ana and Elsa. She said no and is not sure if she'll have time as she's rushing around. Not sure if she knows what MDE or FP+ is.

Now mind you, my SIL is supposedly a Disney Travel expert - she actually advertises to friends she can book their trips and one of her friends has been a Disney travel agent for years.

Oh, and they are going to Universal for 1 day (got a 2-park one-day ticket) mostly for Harry Potter as my niece just read the first book and wants to see it.

So...knowing that next week will be busy and crowded due to the fact it's Easter Break for most public schools and some of my SIL's facts are off and chances are she will need to use kiosks if she wants FP+ (unless she sets up account in next day or 2)...how "productive" do you think this trip will be?

It kills me in that I know I can help them with certain things or give them useful information, but they "know better". So I keep my mouth shut. Now, they are not big "ride" people...so they won't be wanting to go on many of the "headliners", but still I'm sure there are some rides / shows they want to enjoy. I don't know...just thinking out loud and wondering what anyone out there thinks.

I hope they have a great time - especially my nieces. I gave them their Easter basket early - they include Disney gift card, shiny pennies and quarters for penny press, pins for trading, Frozen DVD to watch in car on way down plus, park maps, and other trinkets and activities for long car ride down.

what amazing easter baskets for your nieces! you are a great aunt. I don't have a lot of advice but I do have empathy. I have a couple of friends who are going soon - one who is trying to get it (but seems to maybe be missing a few key points although it's probably not her fault...it's tough to be a mom of young kids!) and one who will be, I'm afraid, in for a shock.

But you do what you can and it's always politically treacherous to give unsolicited advice to relatives. BELIEVE ME I KNOW.

 

[momof2n2]

When I hear stuff like this I just say, "Have a blast!" And be all positive. Sometimes it doesn't help to "help."

 

[lisski76]

If they don't care about rides, they'll be fine I guess?

Could she even get A&E at this point with prebooking?

Depends on how long there trip is....They don't move to MK till the 20th for fast pass and Epcot doesn't offer fast pass for Anna & Elsa.

 

[Planogirl]

If they would just get to the park at rope drop then they might be able to get a lot done. I hope that they will do so.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I would wish them a great trip while thinking this reminds me of a post that long ago that I do not want to name. hope they have a great trip

 

[SteveMouse]

Let it go!

 

[Wendybird55]

They will be home the 19th or 20th...so will have to see A&E at Norway...hope they know that.

They have one character breakfast at Cape May...I would have suggested Norway to get in park before it opens. That is one of my favorite strategies...early breakfast in park. We enjoy breakfast on vacation, especially DS, so I usually book an early breakfast at CP, H&V and TH - it's amazing how much we get done in those early park hours after a nice breakfast..plus ther ecan be some fun surprises like riding the carousel with Lady Tremaine and her daughters!

 

[AppleSister1]

I think a lot of us on these boards have had similar experiences. I've learned to just smile and say "Have fun!" when they are unreceptive. The sad thing is it's even more complicated now then it was before! And most folks are appalled when I suggest Rope Drop.

That said, I've offered to help many people, and those who genuinely want my help and have listened to me have uniformly thanked me for making their trip awesome! So sometimes it pays off.

 

[Miss Monorail 1971]

We are kind of dealing with a similar issue. We (me DH DD Mom and Dad) are going with brother sil niece nephew and sil parents. Wow that's a lot. I am a planner by nature with everything not just Disney. Brother and sil are totally opposite. So I just sent her an email and explained magic bands fp+ and politely said if we want to do some things together we will need to plan a little. So for two hrs we navigated MDE and got all linked and dining ressies made. So grateful for these boards or we would have never figured it out. I was surprised but glad she did this. Btw we added three days to the beginning of the trip for just us so we can go commando and get to our favorites, that way we can relax while touring with the others. We shall see how it goes.

 

[minmate]

You are an awesome auntie! Those are amazing Easter Baskets! Sounds like you've done what you can. I suppose I would be glad it wasn't the whole group all planning on going together. That would be hard for me, to try to coordinate with others who "don't get" our family's touring style and desire to maximize tips learned from places like the Dis. Wish them well and hope for pixie dust, I guess!

 

[sarkell]

You are an awesome auntie! Those are amazing Easter Baskets! Sounds like you've done what you can. I suppose I would be glad it wasn't the whole group all planning on going together. That would be hard for me, to try to coordinate with others who "don't get" our family's touring style and desire to maximize tips learned from places like the Dis. Wish them well and hope for pixie dust, I guess!

You know it's just some style my parents did this wandered we still had plenty of fun so as long as it's enjoyable. I've planned out our trip very well my mom thinks I'm crazy but oh well.

 

[Wendybird55]

Yes I definitely agree to just let it be there's no reason to make anything of it...after all we all have a right to spend our vacations they way we want to...in fact I never brought up MDE or FP+ or anything else with them since my SIL is a Disney travel expert .I figure she knows what she needs to or at least has access to the information she needs.

It's just more thinking out loud to others who understand.

 

[rwdavis2]

Tell them to have fun and to call you if they have any problems or questions.

 

[minmate]

You know it's just some style my parents did this wandered we still had plenty of fun so as long as it's enjoyable. I've planned out our trip very well my mom thinks I'm crazy but oh well.

I agree... As long as it's enjoyable, how people choose to tour is up to them and there's plenty of options. It's when people go together with different ideas if what they want to do, it can be tricky. For example, my son is fine standing in a line for an hour as long as it moves every few minutes. He struggles big time with the waiting in one spot though, like at RD and for parades. He likes to keep moving so it makes him hyper to stand in one spot in a crowd.

 

[momofmaz]

Our first trip to WDW we didn't use a single fast pass. We had a blast still. It not always about getting on every ride and attraction, being there is 80% of the fun. It looks like she planned what she wanted to, a character breakfast. I am sure she knows her children and what works for them. Relax, let them do their thing. They will have fun, ITS DISNEY!!!!

 

[lillygator]

Bonnet Creek is awesome and on property. We never use their transportation but I believe they went back to it being free for on site guests.

 

[mmafan]

sometimes the less you know the more fun you have.......and all that matters is the kids are out of school and in DISNEY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Marthasor]

I wouldn't stress over it. It's their trip and this is how they have chosen to take it. Everyone has different styles of touring WDW.