What to do with Family????

[mom1005]

OK, found out last night my sister and her family are looking to go to WDW, and most likely the same week are there. Normally I guess it would be fine, but this is the kids and my vacation to get away from everyone and everything. She has two little princesses (which drive my son crazy) and a princess my son's age, my kids are older and want to do different things so I don't want their vacation spoiled by hanging the whole time. But yet, on the other hand I think it would be totally great to see the little ones faces with the new experience of the princesses etc.

This would be the first time that the two of us would vacation during the same time. So my question is how do all of you handle it when you vacation with family yet don't really want to spend much time together.

They would be staying at the cabins which is different from us, so that's good. But this would be their first time at WDW and I know I will be asked all sorts of questions/suggestions/planning tips.

If I made plans for all of us at TL one day and perhaps something else, would I be a pain?

Suggestions????

 

[RN4Babies]

I'd tell my sister to be sure to get either The Unofficial Guide or Passporters in the next few days and to start reading it asap. I'd direct her to the boards if she has questions.

Maybe Hoop De Doo would be a fun night for all of you to spend together. There's a wide age gap between my kids, and they both LOVED Hoop.

 

[HGD24]

Maybe plan one day together with the agreement that your sister and her family are on their own the rest of the time. We had family join our trip last Fall. I booked 3 lunches, invited them to those 3 meals and we hung out for a couple of hours afterwards, but then we went our separate ways. It was really nice to see them for a few hours and everyone was happy in the end. They got some time with our DD and we got our family time.

 

[tjbaggott]

I have 4 children of varying ages (two older and two younger). When we all went to Disney world for our first trip 3 years ago, Dh would do the roller coasters with the older ones, while I did rides ect, with the two younger ones at the same time, then we'd meet up right after. MANY rides and shows the older ones enjoyed as much as the younger ones, so we were actually together (all of us) more often than apart. You could always arrange times to meet up and do the shows together but the rides separately ect... The above poster had a great idea with the hoop de doo dinner show for all to enjoy!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I would recommend a few dinners together to touch base/spend time. Maybe also consider the same park on the same day, but not actually touring together.

We also have a "split" family--6 year gap between #2 and #3. We do kiddie stuff in the morning, then one parent takes the two little ones back for rest time while the other parent does more adult rides with the older two. By doing this, the older two are much more relaxed and willing to let themselves enjoy, say, "Winnie the Pooh"--they know their turn is coming, so they can enjoy the delight on the younger kids' faces. Of course, they're all siblings, so that's a little different. My point, though, is that your children might be more tolerant of their cousins in small doses, like a character meal.

Definitely point your sister in the direction of your favorite planning tools. Really, it sounds like her priorities will be different from yours (younger girls versus teen boys). Certainly, find some common ground, but you should both recognize that your children's needs and wants will be quite different.

 

[RF536]

We planed a trip down in 2005 that consisted of both sets of our parents plus my Dsis and her family we scheduled 3 meals together and 1 day and it was great. When we got together everyone had lots to talk about and the kids were excited to see each other and share their adventures. But it also allowed us to tour how we wanted to and to do things our own way.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

We too are going to WDW w/my parents & my sister & her family. We have a completely open understanding (upfront) that although we would love to see each other on vacation - it is what it is.
We are planning on mostly the same parks every day (with a few exceptions). We just said upfront we will meet at the hotel, go to (say MK) a park & we start walking together... If their kids want to look in the store or get an autograph & mine don't - we don't wait, we walk on. We will have phones for lunch - we will call & see if we are anywhere close to each other to meet up, otherwise see you later
It is nice to be together, but at the same time you shouldn't (or they shouldn't) have to wait around & waist 20 min for an autograph that YOU aren't getting.
Be upfront - say hey I have made our plans, these are the parks we are going to on these days. If she plans the same & you head into the park & they want to do something your kids don't - simply say "maybe we will see you later, the kids (or I) want to go over here".
Good luck & have fun!

 

[FLAgirl73]

I like the idea of sharing a few meals together, but touring the parks separately.
I've never actually been in this situation, but I can sympathize with your feelings completely!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I would tell your sister right up front that you will be making your own plans. Don't put yourself in the position of being the tour guide.

Make some plans to get together for a meal or maybe a day at the waterpark.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

OK, found out last night my sister and her family are looking to go to WDW, and most likely the same week are there. Normally I guess it would be fine, but this is the kids and my vacation to get away from everyone and everything. She has two little princesses (which drive my son crazy) and a princess my son's age, my kids are older and want to do different things so I don't want their vacation spoiled by hanging the whole time. But yet, on the other hand I think it would be totally great to see the little ones faces with the new experience of the princesses etc.

This would be the first time that the two of us would vacation during the same time. So my question is how do all of you handle it when you vacation with family yet don't really want to spend much time together.

They would be staying at the cabins which is different from us, so that's good. But this would be their first time at WDW and I know I will be asked all sorts of questions/suggestions/planning tips.

If I made plans for all of us at TL one day and perhaps something else, would I be a pain?

Suggestions????

It sounds like you've been planning for a while so let them know that you've got all of your stuff planned and let them know where you'll be a certain times (maybe meet up at a CS meal to catch up on the days events).

You are under no obligation to plan with them as they decided to go at a later time and you didn't invite them along.

You've got an out with your kids being older as they'll want to do/see attractions that are for the older set.

It wouldn't be "fair" for you to "drag" her younger 0nes along to wait in line while you guys have fun and it's not fair for her to expect yours to wait in line or do the little peole stuff!

Remind her that it would be very tough for you to spend your entire trip together, but would be willing to meet up to go swimming, or catch a meal, or watch fireworks. I think it's difficult to plan a trip when dealing with multiple ages, even moreso when it's within your immediate family, let alone try to coordinate with another!

My SIL pulls that all the time and I know it's tough. But once we plan to do something, I don't mind if we'll be in the same place, but we don't enjoy the same things, so I'm not going to sacrifice my fun time to make them happy, as I know they wouldn't do it for me.

Best of luck with the situation, and I hope it all works out.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Been there. done that. got the t-shirt and emotional scars

We travel with F&F a lot, and typically we plan a meal or two together. We also give them our itinerary so they know where we'll be and when, they can follow it or not, as they wish.

Some people show up and hang out, some don't, it's all good. The meeting for dinner is always fun because everyone gets to recount their stories from the day and share.

If you think she may glom onto you the whole time, don't give her the itinerary, just plan a few meals with her...