Why do people think they can criticize your vacation choices?

[jdkdorn]

We went to brunch with my FIL yesterday and we were talking about our upcoming four day trip, so excited becasue it is the first time my nephews and BIL will be at WDW, and he proceeds to tell us how stupid the vacation is and that we could do so much better. How my other BIL & SIL are in Panama and they only spent $1600 due to a last minute deal. They do not have kids, are semi-retired and can do last minute deals. We must put in our vacation time a year in advance, we do have a child still at home and Disney makes us happy. I explained to him that when the kids are out of the house we will probably trade out a litte more and try different places but for now we are happy with Disney World and enjoy spending time there. This weekend trip cost us $450 round trip airfare for 3, already have annual passes and the room was paid for 13 years ago. So including food and anything we buy the whole trip will be less than $1000 for 3 of us. I stopped even talking to him as he went on and on about how he would never go back it was a waste, we took him and my MIL to Disney World the year before she passed away, nice to know it was a waste. I have decided to not talk about our trips in front of my husbands family anymore because they just don't understand.

Thanks you for letting me vent

Judy

 

[bobbiwoz]

One DS and wife would rather do just about anything rather than join us in any Disney resort including VB. For the most part I do not mention our vacations with either of our DSs. With one DS it has always been like this, with the other it's an unpleasant evolution. We share our enthusiasm with like minded folks.

 

[cheryl.UK]

We share our enthusiasm with like minded folks.

Likewise. Everyone we have taken with us loves it and most totally understand why we keep going back but not all, that's their loss. We will keep going until they tell us we can't fly anymore cos we are too old.

 

[a742246]

One DS and wife would rather do just about anything rather than join us in any Disney resort including VB. For the most part I do not mention our vacations with either of our DSs. With one DS it has always been like this, with the other it's an unpleasant evolution. We share our enthusiasm with like minded folks.

It is funny you wrote this I have then same problem with one of my sons, and I do not mention our vacations with them, neither!

 

[Fastpassminus]

My MIL and FIL came with us last trip. FIL tried to suck every ounce of magic out of the trip for us. He referred to Mickey as " That RAT" in front of my son ( who was 2 at the time.) Refused to wear matching shirts with the rest of the family for pictures AND told several cast members Walt would be ashamed of them, over small things like running out of salad dressing or busses being late. He caused one lady working at the Turtle Pond Snack Shack to cry.

Needless to say he is more grumpy than dopey and we won't be going back with him.

 

[com_op_2000]

What I tell people is:
Whoever pays the piper calls the music.
If your family wants you to go on a vacation and they are willing to pay for it, go and have a great time on them. If you are paying for the trip you go where and when you choose to go.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My MIL and FIL came with us last trip. FIL tried to suck every ounce of magic out of the trip for us. He referred to Mickey as " That RAT" in front of my son ( who was 2 at the time.) Refused to wear matching shirts with the rest of the family for pictures AND told several cast members Walt would be ashamed of them, over small things like running out of salad dressing or busses being late. He caused one lady working at the Turtle Pond Snack Shack to cry.

Needless to say he is more grumpy than dopey and we won't be going back with him.

To all who have to deal with grumpy relatives and general public grouches.

 

[bumbershoot]

We don't talk about our trips with anyone, really. I just don't see the point of doing so.

 

[Julylady]

I would recommend you not discuss your plans in front of your FIL in the future. However, if in the future a opportunity came up to tell him that he really hurt your feelings with his comments about your previous trip, I would not hesitate to take it.

I travel to Disney several times a year. If someone asks me why I go there so often, I tell them. If they offer an opinion about it, I basically tell them its non of their business. I don't do it in a mean way though. There are ways to get the point across without being rude. I have found that once you do that, they won't bring it up again.

 

[Splashboat]

We don't talk about Disney either but that didn't stop one of my daughter's friend's mother from blurting out in a group of people (while pointing at me)
"Disney is all they do!"
They were talking about a vacation to Bermuda someone was taking and this mom felt the need to announce it.

 

[DizBub]

Been there, done that.

Why do people who like to do nothing but lay on a beach think that WDW is a waste of time? My sister spends thousands to fly to someplace tropical to do this every year. They also own a nice 3 bedroom condo on a lake in Missouri and pay an outrageous association fee every month. No one questions their choices, not even me. I'm glad they can do what they do and are happy with it.

I'm tired of defending my choices. It's nobody's business where other people spend their time and money. We do what makes us happy.

 

[sharona]

OP - You're FIL sounds like what my DD would call a "fun sponge".

@Fastpassminus my ex FIL was a real jerk too but sounds like you got the winner.

 

[BellsFam]

Argh... I hate talking to my MOM about it and she likes Disney!

She calls me obsessive because I simply made FP and dining reservations, she says "that's ridiculous that you need to do that"... And HOUNDS me about it every chance she gets! Then makes snide comments like "what crazy restaurant did you book today that you know you're gonna be hungry for in 2 months!!!"

It drives me INSANE!

MIL just doesn't get it either, I've yet to reveal anything about price or costs, I don't want to hear it from her either!

 

[BellsFam]

My MIL and FIL came with us last trip. FIL tried to suck every ounce of magic out of the trip for us. He referred to Mickey as " That RAT" in front of my son ( who was 2 at the time.) Refused to wear matching shirts with the rest of the family for pictures AND told several cast members Walt would be ashamed of them, over small things like running out of salad dressing or busses being late. He caused one lady working at the Turtle Pond Snack Shack to cry.

Needless to say he is more grumpy than dopey and we won't be going back with him.

This sounds like Moms BF! Oh it's awful!!! "Where are those rats that everyone spends their life savings to meet!"

 

[keishashadow]

OP - You're FIL sounds like what my DD would call a "fun sponge".

@Fastpassminus my ex FIL was a real jerk too but sounds like you got the winner.

lol need to remember that one!

OP - jmho but never worth taking 'the bait' from inlaws. Take the high road, consider the source & let it go, knowing you will be having a great time.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Yeah, my Bro and SIL are like this. They think we're nuts....(secretly I think she is jealous because my brother never would go as often as us). I have a friend at work who sees my FB check ins when I arrive and always comments with "AGAIN!" But her expression is ALWAYS jealousy. She admits it. Has asked me a lot about DVC but they are Poly people......and unwilling to spend the money with the current pricing. I'll admit, I wouldn't buy in at that price......and if I didn't travel as often, I wouldn't want the prospect of saving money at the expense of the long term commitment.

Others are hit or miss.... I try to only talk with likeminded folk or people who at least get that we are fans, and they don't have to be.

 

[smjj]

You are not alone and we have also been there and still are. We just do not make a big deal about it to certain family and friends but do not shy away from telling others also. They have their likes and we have ours. Truth be told their vacations when they tell us about them are boring to us but we smile politely and move the conversation along...smjj

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There is always someone who loves to do that. And it is usually someone who goes to the same beach or ski slope year after year after year.

 

[corpcomp]

While family knows we go to WDW every year. We never tell them we own at DVC. Ivefound that if they know, they want to use our place e so they stay for free. We only have enough points for about 8 nights in a 1BR and we use it for ourselves.
Going down in two weeks joining our DS 19 for Spring Break. They fact that he still loves it and wants a professional internship there in Computer Science is priceless.. Rest of the famiy will not spend money on a decent vacation.

 

[Nolamom3]

We hear the same thing. I think it's similar to the fact that people believe it's okay to comment on how many kids we have (4). "Are they all yours?" "Are yall done yet?" "Trying for a basketball team?" "Do you know what causes that yet?"

My motto is live and let live. We have 4 kids and we're extremely happy and lucky to have them. We also like to take them to WDW for vacation as often as life allows! People can get over it!