UPDATE pg. 2.. Oh my! What happened to my trip???

[C.Ann]

Started off I was going to WDW alone..

Then my friend from southern Florida decided she would drive up and do Disney with me..

Then DMRick decided that I had "twisted her arm" sufficiently enough that she and he DH added on another trip at a time they normally wouldn't even consider going..

Then by some miracle I convinced my son-in-law to let my DD and granddaughter come with me..

Then last night - at midnight - my son-in-law hands me his credit card and tells me to book him a flight too! He wants to come along!

Then this morning, my DD's in-laws hand me their credit card, ask me to purchase MVMCP tickets and park hoppers for them because they're going to drive their new motor home down there and will already be in Orlando by the time our flight gets there on November 30th..

Somehow my "solo" trip has turned into an unofficial "Magical Gathering" !!!!!

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It's CRAZY - but oddly enough, I'm "okay" with it.. Son-in-law said this is MY vacation so I get to "call the shots" - and he's even going to talk to his Mom about some issues that bugged me the last time.. He has promised he will NOT be grumpy about anything and sat down with me and worked up a very reasonable (and personally I think too generous) spending money budget for DD and DGD.. (That was a real sore spot the last time around..) He's VERY excited about the trip and has even been reading the guidebook all day - something he wouldn't even LOOK at in 2001..

I'm hoping there won't be any issues with the in-laws, but you know what? This is their only grandchild too and with the MVMCP being so special, it being the Christmas season and all, I feel like they SHOULD be there to see the excitement in our DGD's eyes..

So call me crazy, but I'm going for it.. So many people who love my DGD - able to see the magic through a 6 yr. old eyes - how could I ever say "no" to that?

Watch out Mickey - the whole gang is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disney4us2002]

Wow, I actually have tears in my eyes. That is such a sweet thing for your dgd. You will all have a fantastic time. I have been begging my dh's family to come with us but they soooo hate crowds and we're there over the 'actual' day (12/25). Remember to plan stuff together but also apart!

What a great trip you're planning.

 

[2bemarried]

C Ann that is wonderful!!! So glad to hear that things are looking up for you at the moment and that you'll all be able to share in the Disney magic together.

 

[FINFAN]

O.K. C.Ann...if you're up for the challenge...all of us here are gonna cheer you on! I can see the budget increasing based on food alone....simply because you will now be trying to accomodate more tastes and inrterests. Even tho your DSIL has agreed this is "your trip"...we already know you take everyones feelings into account. SO....before things drive you too , I would tell all the realistic costs, and then add 200 to it per traveler! I know that sounds extreme...or one time when we had several various members traveling together, we agreed to a "fun bucks" kitty...each week each person added $10 apiece to the kitty, and we agreed there would be no argueing or finger pointing when it was being spent. It was used for those 'let's eat here instead" places that were gonna break the budget...as long as it was being used for an event/meal that we were all present for/partaking in....no one was allowed to just say "I" this or "I" that...then they were on their own. I have a feeling the MVMCP will add a little to the tab now...instead of you maybe doing for your DD and DGD, there will be more people, great souvees offered, but I agree, how wonderful for your DGD to have all that love and WDW!
Now...start taking extra vitamins and purchasing extra film...you're gonna need it!

Pam

 

[FroggyinArk]

way to go C Ann, am glad its turning out to be a god event. i agree add the 200 to best guess, and instead of film,, take along a good digital cam and your laptop,, then upload the shots nightly to image station or some such storage that way they cannot be lost

 

[minniecarousel]

I for one, think you're up to the challenge. It looks like you have your priorities straight. And to think, you were kinda bummed about a solo trip not that long ago! You are all going to have a grand time!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by FINFAN
O.K. C.Ann...if you're up for the challenge...all of us here are gonna cheer you on! I can see the budget increasing based on food alone....simply because you will now be trying to accomodate more tastes and inrterests. Even tho your DSIL has agreed this is "your trip"...we already know you take everyones feelings into account. SO....before things drive you too , I would tell all the realistic costs, and then add 200 to it per traveler! I know that sounds extreme...or one time when we had several various members traveling together, we agreed to a "fun bucks" kitty...each week each person added $10 apiece to the kitty, and we agreed there would be no argueing or finger pointing when it was being spent. It was used for those 'let's eat here instead" places that were gonna break the budget...as long as it was being used for an event/meal that we were all present for/partaking in....no one was allowed to just say "I" this or "I" that...then they were on their own. I have a feeling the MVMCP will add a little to the tab now...instead of you maybe doing for your DD and DGD, there will be more people, great souvees offered, but I agree, how wonderful for your DGD to have all that love and WDW!
Now...start taking extra vitamins and purchasing extra film...you're gonna need it!

Pam

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Well - this is the way it's going down.. At this point I will still be paying for DD and DGD - all but food and spending money - it's a combo birthday/Christmas gift for both of them..

Friend from Florida is paying for all of her own stuff, spending/food money and half of the hotel room I'll be sharing with her..

SIL is paying for everything for himself (plus the additional hotel room that is now needed), rental car for all of us, as well as spending money and food for himself, DD and DGD..

In-laws are paying all of their own expenses for everything - and can well afford it..

Depending on how many "side jobs" SIL can get done between now and then (he does construction/home remodeling work in addition to his regular job and already has a number of them scheduled) he said he will try to pick up some of the expenses that I was going to pay for DD and DGD..

So if anything, my cost will stay the same - or actually drop some..

Aside from a character meal or two, we will all eat wherever and whenever we want to - keeping in contact in the parks via cell phones if we split up - and the same will go for shows that certain people want to see and others don't - rides some want to do and others don't - evening activities, etc.. We tried the "everyone together doing everything at the same time" bit in 2001 and it didn't work, so everyone is in agreement for the new plans..

Of course there will be things that we all will definitely do as a group - parades, Wishes, and things of that nature - but otherwise it won't be everyone on the exact same schedule..

I think if we all go into it with a POSITIVE attitude it will be fine..

All that matters is we're ALL going to Disney World and we're going to experience the magic of Christmas there through the eyes of a precious 6 yr. old..
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We're going to Disney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Serena]

I am so incredibly happy for you.

 

[Otimon]

Have the best time ever! We'll be looking forward to your visit.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Great News C.Ann!!!!!!

Have a magical trip!

 

[Pooh93]

All that matters is we're ALL going to Disney World and we're going to experience the magic of Christmas there through the eyes of a precious 6 yr. old

I think you just hit the nail on the head! You will have a fabulous time! I am very happy for you!!

 

[MsDisney23]

C. Ann, What time should I look for you to pick me up? Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Awwww! That sounds like a really good time! I am tickled for you!

Michelle

 

[powellrj]

adding a little PD to an already wonderful trip planned!!!! Have a great time!!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Weel, If its turned into a Magical gathering,I will be ready fotr you to pick me up LOL.
I am so happy for you.I hope it goes Perfectly.Have a Magical trip.

Misty

 

[bjgrazi]

How wonderful, have a great time!

 

[treesinger]

Prayers are like rain, sometimes when it rains, it pours. I'm so happy for you!

 

[DMRick]

Then this morning, my DD's in-laws hand me their credit card, ask me to purchase MVMCP tickets and park hoppers for them because they're going to drive their new motor home down there and will already be in Orlando by the time our flight gets there on November 30th..

After all the stuff I now know about your dd in-laws..I don't think I'll be seeing you at Dis LOL! She was so rude to you on the phone (and other times), that I'd prob have to cut out my tongue to not say anything to her. IMO it may be HER granddaughter too, but she should have made her own plans for special times and fun. She's way too controlling IMO for me to want to vacation with her. {{shudder}}
Your poor daughter can't get a break from her : (

 

[HollyJoy]

LOL!! You know what they say, The more the merrier! LOL

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by DMRick
After all the stuff I now know about your dd in-laws..I don't think I'll be seeing you at Dis LOL! She was so rude to you on the phone (and other times), that I'd prob have to cut out my tongue to not say anything to her. IMO it may be HER granddaughter too, but she should have made her own plans for special times and fun. She's way too controlling IMO for me to want to vacation with her. {{shudder}}
Your poor daughter can't get a break from her : (

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LOL... No problems DMRick.. She & her DH won't be doing "that" kind of stuff with us.. They're staying at Ft. Wilderness and already have quite a few "solo" plans.. We'll be together for the parades and Wishes, but other than that there will be no "togetherness" - not even for meals (except a possible Character Meal)..

The one I really have to worry about (just kidding, of course) is my friend from Florida.. Her and my DD are already making plans of doing this and that together that I'm not interested in.. LOL