When to tell my family??

[aggielawyer]

I guess I'd call myself a semi-lurker around here. I post a little but not a lot. I know that there are several people on here that know all about solo trips, so I thought I'd get y'all's input on when to tell my family that I've booked a solo trip. Some background: I'm a 35 year old single woman, very close to my family but the tease me mercilessly about my love of WDW. The whole family went in Dec and had a blast. However, I was *that person who sent everyone emails about getting ADRs and making a schedule of what to hit when. I didn't hear the end of it, though I do think they were grateful. We had such a large group (8 people) that it would have been difficult if there hadn't been some sort of plan.

Anyway, after we got back, I started thinking about going by myself. I've booked a trip for the end of September, and everything is paid for including the airline tickets. I've told the people that I work with, but haven't said anything to my family, for 2 reasons. First, I don't want to hear all the teasing between now and September. Second, I know my sister will try to go with me. Normally, I'd be ok with that, and even now I go back and forth over whether I should invite her, but I really think I want to go alone. But I have a hard time keeping the secret and can't figure out when would be the best time to say anything. I will need help getting to the airport, so I figure it will have to be at least a couple of days before my trip.

I generally don't keep secrets from my family, so I guess that is part of the reason this is bugging me. Thoughts?

 

[Floydian]

My first instinct is to take a cab to the airport, and tell them after you arrive in Orlando.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

My first instinct is to take a cab to the airport, and tell them after you arrive in Orlando.

That's probably what I would do When my family went to WDW last year, we didn't tell anyone else until we were there - mostly for the same reasons as. A lot of our family members always say that we are wasting money and we've been there so often that it must get boring - they just don't understand . I wouldn't feel obligated to tell anyone - it's your life and if you want to spend time at Disney, then go for it!! If you really want to tell them so they can take you to the airport, then I would tell them a day or two before you leave. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!!

 

[drandolph]

Just say that you want to increase your independence by learning how to travel on your own upon occasion, then tell them about your trip and how you're using it as kind of a fun training mission. Since the point of your trip is independence, if your sister asks/tries/coerces you to go, that is part of your training too - to learn how to politely refuse and stick with your decision in the face of pressure. You will feel much better than trying to hide it, and once you get back you can share your trip, bring back gifts, and then plan your next vacaction there with your sister and others.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Another thing to consider is letting her know less than a week from the trip. She would have a difficult time to get the time off (especially for a week) with almost no notice and it is impossible to get a discount air fare less than a week from the travel date. Looking at your ticker I would estimate Sunday September 7 as your travel day. Best bet is Friday the 25th, after she gets off work.

And would she be prepared to pay for her air fare, tickets, and half the cost of the room at that time?

 

[jelloarms]

Take a cab to the airport and don't tell them about the trip until you've already returned home.

 

[buena vista]

I think you said it yourself - you don't like keeping secrets from your family. So my advice is, don't. If you really want to take a solo trip, you should do just that. There's nothing wrong with that. There's also nothing wrong with not inviting your sister or anyone else to come along. This is your trip and you get to choose how you want to spend that time. Not inviting her doesn't mean you don't love her or want to spend time with her - it just means you want to travel alone. They're your family and (presumably) they love you without condition. I don't see how a solo trip to WDW will change any of that.

As for coming out of the Disney closet, so-to-speak, and their teasing, etc., you're already out so keeping it quiet from everyone really doesn't serve much of a purpose except to give them something else to tease you about when they eventually find out you've planned this trip. If they do tease you about it, try to remember that it says more about them than it does about you.

I hope this helps. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

 

[aggielawyer]

Thanks for all the input. I will probably tell them when something comes up. I almost said something a couple of weeks ago, but chickened out. The hardest part will probably be standing up to my sister. She is an extrovert and won't understand--AT ALL--my desire to travel alone. I look at this as a warm-up trip for the other solo travel that I want to do to Europe and beyond. Its not that I really want to be alone, but I'm tired of putting off trips that I want to take for someone else to be available.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thanks for all the input. I will probably tell them when something comes up. I almost said something a couple of weeks ago, but chickened out. The hardest part will probably be standing up to my sister. She is an extrovert and won't understand--AT ALL--my desire to travel alone. I look at this as a warm-up trip for the other solo travel that I want to do to Europe and beyond. Its not that I really want to be alone, but I'm tired of putting off trips that I want to take for someone else to be available.

You will have a wonderful time!

Honestly, I love going with my DD (22) but I truly enjoy my solo trips Although it can seem a bit intimidating the first time... and yes, this includes having to "explain" yourself to people ... if you are anything like the rest of us soloists, you will be hooked You can do what you want when you want or just sit like a lump by the pool... nothing recharges my burnt out batteries better!

BTW, I leave this weekend for a solo at OKW and I can't wait! My family and friends know better than to even question me now when I say I have a date with the mouse!

 

[nurse.darcy]

Thanks for all the input. I will probably tell them when something comes up. I almost said something a couple of weeks ago, but chickened out. The hardest part will probably be standing up to my sister. She is an extrovert and won't understand--AT ALL--my desire to travel alone. I look at this as a warm-up trip for the other solo travel that I want to do to Europe and beyond. Its not that I really want to be alone, but I'm tired of putting off trips that I want to take for someone else to be available.

I guess I gotta agree with Buena Vista on this. If you don't normally hide things, then you need to tell them just to get it off your mind. That way you move forward with your trip planning with a clear concious. One thing I would do though is take your sister aside by herself and tell her what your plans are and why you want to go solo. Tell her you love her and love doing things with her but you need to branch out on your own as at some point in time you two won't be able to take trips together cause life gets in the way. WDW is a familiar destination so its an easy first solo. If she loves you (which I am sure she does) she will understand totally. As for the teasing part, trust me as someone who knows, if they didn't tease you about something you would probably think they didn't love you.

 

[black562]

So, I was just curious how this turned out? Hopefully everything will go ok and you'll have a great time at WDW.

Cheers!!!

 

[aggielawyer]

So, I was just curious how this turned out? Hopefully everything will go ok and you'll have a great time at WDW.

Cheers!!!

It's funny that you posted this today. I hadn't said anything, but today at lunch I was at the mall with my brother, SIL, and nephew. We wandered into the Disney store, and I told them. They were a little surprised that I was going on my own, but other than that didn't really say anything. My brother is one of the ones that loves to tease the most, so I'm still waiting for it to begin. We'll see.

I didn't tell them to keep it a secret from the rest of the family, but I'll mention it in the next couple of days if they don't beat me to it.

 

[sanapunk]

It's funny that you say this, because I'm having the same dilemma! I'm scared to tell my parents that I'm going on a solo trip during free dining, because they will try to convince me not to go. I told my brother and he just rolls his eyes, he's used to my disney obsession though.