touring as a group

[poohfriend77]

We always suspected it, but DH and I now officially know we are not cut out to visit WDW as part of a grand gathering or other large group. We went to the zoo with two other families yesterday, and I thought DH was going to lose his mind. It took forever to do anything, and someone always had to go potty, get a snack, etc. We had the oldest kids (6 and 4) and were the only ones without a stroller. I'd forgotten how much those can slow you down, getting kids in and out to look at each animal. The main point of our day was to visit friends, not see every animal there, so we still had a wonderful time. But as we left, DH said "We're never going to Disney with another family!" So we definitely have newfound respect for those of you who do, and still manage to keep a smile on your face.

 

[EthansMom]

Several years ago, we went to WDW with the ILs (13 o us total). The three of us spent over 2 hours a day just waiting for others in our party (to use the bathroom, getting ready in the morning, go back to the room for something forgotten, etc..). Two hours each day we could have spent enjoying ourselves!

We are now VERY particular about the kinds of trips we'll take with others and whom we'll travel with. My Mom and Stepdad are great for WDW... they like many of the same kinds of things as us, are happy to go on their own if we want to do different things, and are generally just "go with the flow" regarding plans I've made for our group. OTO, I prefer to go on cruises with some of my ILs... we just meet up for dinner and mostly go our separate ways during most days. And then there are some family members we'll never travel with again....

 

[Ava]

I hear you! I love my father dearly, but now that I am an adult I will never go on vacation with him. He is very set in his ways and even him coming to visit us is stressful. I prefer to just go visit him; it makes for a more enjoyable visit for everyone. I think in order to vacation well with another family you all need to have similar styles/schedules and be on the same page.

 

[janloz]

We went to WDW in Dec for DS's 11th bday with our family of 4, MIL/FIL/SIL and my mom. NEVER AGAIN!!!! MIL has many health issues and required a scooter at each of the parks in order to get around. It took an additional 15-30minutes when we arrived at the park to get it and then the same when leaving the park. Plus each day she and FIL would go back to hotel for a nap and would guilt our kids into going back with them. Plus they never wanted to stay out past 9pm and DH didn't want to make them feel bad so we all had to return to the hotel. I planned the trip for almost 18 months and all they did was complain about how much food was included on the deluxe dining plan, how hot or cold it was, how long a walk it was from the bus stop to the main gates, how crowded it was, etc....

 

[Ava]

janloz, your ILs sound like my dad - complain complain complain! Drives me nuts. Especially when he complains about things that none of us has any control over, like the weather or how crowded a place is. At least I (and he) already know he hates WDW so he'll never ask to go there with us - the MK is like h*ll to him - hot, crowded, and NO BEER!

 

[janloz]

janloz, your ILs sound like my dad - complain complain complain! Drives me nuts. Especially when he complains about things that none of us has any control over, like the weather or how crowded a place is. At least I (and he) already know he hates WDW so he'll never ask to go there with us - the MK is like h*ll to him - hot, crowded, and NO BEER!

unfortunately, they have already found out that we are planning to go in Sept 2010 and are hinting they want to go with us. I told DH that I would be more then happy to give them the name of our TA but that I would not do the planning for them again. Since we are going for MY bday I would hope they would respect the fact that we want to take a vacation with just the 4 of us especially since we have rented a house at the beach with them every summer for the past 10 years. I guess this is my purgatory time on earth.