Traveling with another party

[bubbasmom99]

We are visiting in May with my inlaws. Since I am a plan-a-holic, I am starting to worry about our visit. My ILs have limited funds. We are covering the accomodations, the transportation, and buying the connections vouchers for the meals (about 8 or 9 meals).

My DH and I have a list of restaurants that we want to visit again, but several are the expensive ones. We are unable to pay for these meals for all of us, but do not want to obligate them to pay for a meal they really can't afford.

How do you handle this? It would be awkward to split up for every expensive meal, since we are doing almost everything else together.

I love my inlaws, but they are kinda ducking the subject of affordability. I can't get a straight answer out of them. If they would just tell me what they can afford, I can totally plan around it!

I actually work in investments, but they have yet to take my advice on anything financial....

 

[kaylajr]

we traveled with another family when we explored disney in 2000

we were great friends at the start of the trip and by the end we were so sick of each other

some "scheduled" time apart is a VERY good thing (wish we had done it )and would allow you to eat where yu want

who knows they may find something to do that wouldn't interrest you

i think it is Great that you are giving them the oppurtunity to go with you by helping with the $$$.

 

[cleo]

I would plan for your family and if the in laws won't give you an idea of what they can afford, give them the list of where you're eating (with a price range for entrees) and let them decide if they want to join you or if they want to split up for the meal. It's much easier to let them make the decision while you stick to the plan your family will most enjoy.

Have fun!

 

[Pumbaa_]

DEfinately plan some time apart. We have gone to WDW with my parents a few times. The key to our success is down time. I love my parents dearly, but I cannot be with them 24/7. My DH and I plan on some alone time and some family time.

My parents are happy to go wherever we go. So before we go, we plan on what and when we will be together and when we will do separate things. This works well for us. We get to go to the happiest place on earth and share it with my parents and I get to be at the same place with my DH. It works for us!

 

[mad4themouse]

It sounds as if your in-laws may be embarassed or just plain uncomfortable discussing money matters.

Print out the menus for the places you intend to dine at. Make sure that the printouts include the prices but don't mention cost at all.

Simply state that these are the restaurants you plan to eat in. They can always decline to join you by saying that it the menu does not appeal to them or that it doesn't agree with a doctor-ordered diet that they are following.

This gives them the opportunity to beg off without stating that it's going to cost them more than they can afford. Everyone saves face and no one needs to be embarassed by talking about money.

I also agree with the other posters regarding down time. Too much togetherness could really ruin the trip for everyone.

 

[keithomas]

We went with my brother-in-law's family last June. We were two families of four. They camped at FW and we stayed at WL. My kids were 6 and 3-1/2. Theirs were 11 and 8. We definitely had different food budgets, but never really had too many problems. I planned the trip for all of us basically, and built in "options" for each family to choose whether to stay together or split. Since their kids are a little older we knew there would be different interests. (although my younger two are the thrill ride kids!)

The only meals that I planned ahead for were CRT and a Fantasmic dinner package. (planned it, and booked when we arrived) All other meals were usually planned a day ahead as we saw fit. We ended up doing restaurants like Biergarten (their choice), 50s PT (together choice), ESPN (together), and a lot of counter service lunches/snacks. We did Chef Mickeys with only my four for some time apart and budget reasons for them.

The trip worked great, but my biggest advice when planning for a group (especially if you are family and plan to remain sane and civil) is to plan ahead but be VERY flexible.