Those adults that have gone with their parents...

[carissanboys]

In March we went to Disney for the first time and my parents joined us. They came along just for the heck of it (and they live in Maine so the idea of some sunshine was a plus), but they really weren't that excited about being at Disney. To all of our surprise, my parents absolutely loved it! I found myself getting more enjoyment out of watching them have a good time than I did watching my boys.

We told them we were planning another trip in January and they immediately said, "Count us in!" Last time they only stayed for 4 out of our 7 nights, but this time they're staying 6 nights just like us.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? My parents are creatures of habit and haven't seen much of the world. They thanked me for "pushing" them to get off their behinds and go to Disney.

 

[hebbynan]

We had the exact same experience. We took my parents with us for their first time back in 2000. We only had one DS who was 10 months at that time. We stayed at Shades of Green because my Dad was in the military. My parents loved it!! They would come out of one attraction and we literally had to run to keep up with them to the next! Their absolute favorite was Epcot. In fact, my parents are going with us again this October and we're taking my in-laws as well (this will be their very first trip!!). We can't wait. My DFIL likes to act all rough and tough, but deep down he's just a big kid. I can't wait to watch him in the parks!!

 

[kmjmom]

We took an all girl trip three years ago with my sister, daughter, Mom and me! It was Mom's first stay at Disney and she had a blast. I agree it was fun watching the excitement and pleasure on her face. It made the trip even more special. We're hoping to plan another visit with her in the near future!

 

[spiceycat]

my grandmother started us on WDW - she would take us each summer for a week and we stayed at the Polyn. She did that until she died.

It was great!!! since then I have taken my mother a bunch. Now she is just too old to travel. She stopped loving it about a year ago. Now even to visit my brother he lives about 2 to 3 hours away - is too much for her.

at her house she is fine. but any other places and she just gets really upset.

so appreciate it while you can.

 

[Makdyn]

I went with my mom last year. We were not planning on going back until 2008. But she heard of the free dinning and told me to book it. I guess she like it too!!!

 

[Rapunzel]

My mom and I did Disneyland from 1991-1998 every summer.

She'll be with us on our trip this October. My brother and Sister-in-law are coming along as well.

 

[Taqwus]

Brought the parents and my grandmother last time and hoping to bring them again next time

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Years ago I did a mother daughter trip with my mom. It was probably 20 years ago. We stayed off site and had a great time. I remember eating in France, Morocco, Italy and Mexico.

Two years ago I met my parents in Florida and we spent 4 days touring the parks. We stayed at Coronado Springs. My parents moved a little slower but we still had a great time.

 

[Golden Rose]

My mom went with us last time we went, late in 2004, and really enjoyed it. She had been before, when I was young, and didn't remember particularly liking it, but when she came with us on the "adult" trip I had planned, she really enjoyed it. We ate at a lot of signature dining restaurants and spent a fair amount of time in Epcot (Mom's favorite), as well as leaving lots of time for her to relax at the pool.

She's going again with us and our now 2 year old DS in September, and assuming that goes well, we're planning another (short) trip for next May. We've talked a little about getting a DVC membership down the road for the three of us if DS turns out to be a big WDW fan.

 

[KimD]

Same way with my parents. My mom and step dad went with us to DLR a couple of years ago and it was SO MUCH FUN watching them. It was different than watching my kids. With them it was about the magic and seeing things thru a kids eyes...which I absoultely loved and just melted my heart (those dang happy tears came up more than I care to admit).

When we went with my parents it was different. They just LOVED it and had the best time. It was a hoot watching them on rides and being "amazed" at everything. This time it was tears from laughing so dang hard, especially watching them on The Tower of Terror....I still crack up thinking about it.

We went to WDW in April and my mom actually said that during our trip my step dad had plane tickets pulled up and kept telling her "look, all I have to do is hit purchase and we could join them!". I couldn't believe it. Now we're all going together in May of '08! I can't wait to show them WDW. They have no idea what they're in for!

 

[daisyduck123]

We spent 9 nights in WDW this past May with my parents & DH's parents.
Everyone loved it & had a great time.

Now both sets of grandparents have mentioned wanting to come with us for our Christmas trip Dec. 20-26, but we've talked them out of it. DH & I want it to be just us & DD12 & DS9.

 

[emma'smom]

We took my parents last March. My DF always had an interest in Disney and they both love spending time with their grandchildren. However, my DM had just had knee surgery and can't get around as well anymore. I know she just assumed she would spend most of her time in the villa and/or sitting on benches while everyone did rides. She is also diabetic and just assumed she would "make do" with what she could find.

They both made fun of us (warmly, but they did) for going to WDW so often (as in "Who goes to Disney from Ohio like it is just a backyard playground? In my day, Disney was a once or twice in a lifetime experience!". Well, my mom was always way ahead of us with her scooter (which she was able to use to go on most rides) and she ate like a queen. The chefs made special dishes for her and gave her personalized tours of buffets to advise her about the best dishes to have with her diabetes. They loved the Beach Club and, by the end, they were talking about "next time".

We do travel with some fairly often (just not to Disney), but now that they are willing to do "resorts", I think we'll make plans to take them along more often. They have recently retired, so they are free when we can swing the extra costs!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

My in-laws invited themselves on our trip last year. We didn't want to go with anyone else, but we didn't want to hurt their feelings. Of course, my Mom was upset (jealous about that). I would never want to vacation with my parents, though. They squabble too much (and in public too). The time spent with the in-laws would have been okay (not great), but they were kind of magic stealers, so to speak. I so looked forward to sharing new experiences with my DDs, and my MIL kept taking that away from me, and I was upset/sad. At times we had to do what they wanted and skip things we wanted to do. They also undermined our authority at times. DH and I fought a little too b/c of these things, which wasn't fun. We'd like to go alone next time, but they are hinting at coming again. We're not sure how to get out of it w/o being sneaky and keeping it a secret.

You're so lucky if you actually ENJOY going with sets of parents. You're life is much easier.

 

[tchrrx]

My parents went with us for our first trip last year. They loved it & have already asked to go with us again. We took a trip alone this year. In '09 we're going with my in-laws. Of course, now my parents & siblings want to come too. We're either going to have to increase our DVC points or convince other family members to buy in too!

 

[nmartin]

I am so glad to hear this. We invited my mother to go along with us and our 2 sons 4 and 6yrs). She has helped us alot over the years with babysitting and we wanted to thank her. She is 72yrs and although she agreed to come along she really is not looking forward to it. Now I am worried she won't be able to keep up and/or be to exhausted and overwelled to enjoy it. I really hope that my mother will enjoy the trip as much as your parents.

 

[tweedlemom]

We went for 5 days last September and my in-laws met up with us (Me, DH, DS4 and DS3) for 1 day. It was a blast! Next Sept. '08 we are going again, but this time the in-laws and my parents are coming too, for the 7 days, 6 nights! We're not worried because our parents get along great together and it will be nice for my parents (never been to Disney) to tour with the in-laws (seasoned veterans) while everyone enjoys the magic of Disney with their grandkids!

 

[Tink&Belle's Mom]

We took my parents on our second trip in 2001. While my dad did enjoy a good amusement park in his younger days, I did not really expect him to enjoy WDW as much as he did (silly me!) He was talking to my mom about saving for the next trip almost as soon as he got home! (at that point he was 73 years, first trip ever) My parents have been with us two more times since then. We definitely set a slower pace with them, but that is not always a bad thing. We are taking the in-laws for their first time in September, and I hope they enjoy it even half as much as my parents. I was really shocked when they agreed to go.

 

[kerry34]

My mom has come along on all of my trips. She isnt big on alot of rides...but she just loves to watch my kids having fun and my kids love having her there as well.

 

[elan]

We took my mom on her first trip in 2002. Our next trip will be her 5th trip with us. She loves wdw and we love having her with us. The kids love having their only living gp with them.

Last year my db's family joined us. They were plannng a trip back even before us!

 

[mom2aredhead]

My parents adore my son and absolutely live spending time with him. They are the same way about my niece that lives in GA (as much as they can from 1000+ miles away) - We had considered doing a big "family trip" to the world with my sis and my parents in Dec (lower crowds, cooler weather). Then we (me and sis) really sat down and thought about what we were getting ourselves into.
My father to this day likes to brag about how he got through our childhoods without ever having to go to Disney. (Our 1 childhood trip was with my Mom and Grandma). On top of that, he has a very strange schedule (born out of delivering bread for 30+ years) so even now that he's retired, he's still up before the sun (5:00 is late for him) but falling asleep mid-afternoon. He is miserable if he does not nap and eat on said schedule - literally worse than a baby. Add to that he's one of those "This is a free country I should be able to smoke wherever I want" people, and I just don't think it would make for much family fun.
As a kind of "trial run" we went to the Boardwalk on the Jersey Shore for a day - walked around, put my son on some rides, had lunch...let's just say they're not ready. Dad was always looking for a shady bench to sit down (ummm...maybe don't chain smoke when it's 90+ degrees outside and you won't be so tired and winded??) and Mom (beginning her breast cancer battle) just can't physically handle it right now.
It's kind of sad because WDW is our "happy place" and I would love to share that with them, but I just don't think it's going to happen.