Trip with inlaws-Wrap up and Resort Question

[jmkst58]

Day 7 (April 27, 2002) Daytona Beach

I had thought that we were going back early today so I had never planned to go to the parks, but I had promised DH that we would stop at the Flea Market in Daytona on our way home. His best friend and wife wanted to travel with us and hang out on the beach for awhile. Who am I to turn down precious extra time in Florida (especially on the beach)? We lingered for quite awhile. McKenzie did have a lot of fun in the "wa-wa (her word for water)", building sandcastles, and throwing sand in her hair. We gave his friends the 2 park hoppers with 1 day left (left by the inlaws who shopped too much to use them) and then we went to the flea market. We did not get out of there until 4:00 PM! There would have been time for a morning visit to a park...wahhhhhh

Anyway....the ride back was again uneventful. We arrived safely home at 8:00 Sun. morning with 2 tired parents but one spunky well rested toddler. WHEEEEWWWWW. When’s the next trip?




Thoughts for next time

I want to stay at a monorail resort half of the trip and a cheaper one the other half. Any suggestions?
Want to do Buzz, POC, and take more “slow, quality” time at MK and try to eat at the Castle, Harbor House and/or Pecos Bill’s.
Would like to try out more restaurants around the world (perhaps eat at Coral Reef again). Would also like to try the Garden Grill Ice Cream Social.
I want to see Millionaire and the Great Movie Ride plus FANTASMIC. Wouldn’t mind eating at 50’s Prime Time.
I would be interested in more of the shows at AK (Lion King, Tarzan, Flights of Wonder)
Definitely need to see WestSide and DisneyQuest.
McKenzie should be more interested in more character interaction next time too, so that should be fun.


Thanks for letting me ramble. Despite the heat and grouchiness of us and others, plus some hotel fiascos.......I still had a FABULOUS time. I might think twice before taking my poor daughter through so much craziness again, but I can't help craving another trip. Maybe in winter? Maybe just my husband and I? Not sure......but I sure do miss Disney already!!!!

Thanks again for reading and all your help preparing!

 

[HunnyPots]

that you need a return trip with JUST your daughter!
Leave those in-laws, and whoever else that doesn't want to go to the parks, at home and they can go to Wal-Mart to their hearts content!

 

[jmkst58]

hehehe..........

I would agree with that 100%. Great idea.

Thanks so much!

 

[jennymouse]

I vote for leaving the inlaws at home next time too! I've been wanting my parents to go with us to WDW for a "family" trip for a while now. But after reading so many people experience with a large group, I tend to think it's best to keep it small. If it can be agreed that everyone does thier own thing, that's fine, but trying to keep everyone happy would be too hard.

Loved reading all your reports! Thanks for sharing!

 

[jmkst58]

I completely agree with you too, jennymouse. It was soooo hard to keep everyone happy. I tried to do my own thing and it actually made more problems because I think that it hurt their feelings. I think they thought that meant that I didn't want to spend time with them. Actually, I was just trying to have the vacation that I would like. It probably would've helped to talk about it ahead of time, but I'm SURE that it still would've been hard either way. Lesson learned!!!

 

[erica_mutterer]

thanks for sharring......its hard going with a group...been there done that.....going back for more though....we do the planning and whoever wants to join us can...who ever doesn't...well, thats ok too....what makes it easiest is SEPERATE ROOMS!!!!! and staying on sight.....Last trip we went with my parents...love them dearly and we had a ball but that was partially because we all decided to do our own thing and meet up for either breakfast...dinner or someting....actually ended up spending a lot of time together but in spurts...one day me and my daughter spent 2 hrs alone together at the magic kingdom (age 4) riding splash mountain over and over and over and it was some of the most special time together...my husband had alone time at the Contemporary with my son.......

You had asked about suggestions for staying on sight.... this works well for us...

1/2 stay at All stars at Annual Pass rate or disney club discount
1/2 stay at a delux at annual pass or disney club discount rate (contemporary is our favorite) the monerale resorts with strollers makes all the difference in the world!

thanks again for sharing your trip!

 

[jmkst58]

Thanks so much for the tips.

I will definitely consider your suggested resorts. Is transportation to the parks hard from All Stars?

 

[snuggles]

I agree that you need a trip with just your dd and your hubby. We did the family thing once and while we had a good time, we were always having to worry that someone was not having fun. Weve stayed in All Star Music 3 times and it does take a little longer to get from the All Stars to the parks but its not that bad to me. Thanks for sharing your trip.

 

[Nanajo1]

We do a big family trip every other year. On the second trip we learned make a flexible plan and let everyone do as much or as little as they wanted. We usually had one meal a day together. It was great.
Even though there were things you didn't get to do this trip you have a head start on planning your next trip!
I enjoyed reading your reports. Thanks for posting.