Why do we even try to take other people??

[appleorchard]

Like so many people have said, we love taking people to Disney. The looks on their faces, the wow factor. And we love to spend time with our grandchildren, and (obviously) will agree to just about anything to get it.

I don't blame my kids in the least for canceling, I was more ticked at my sister for suggesting we shouldn't take my mother! I'm over it now though--life's too short. If mom can't go, we'll have a 2 BR MK view all to ourselves for 3 whole days! Could be worse, right?

 

[JasonDVC]

...I wish we were in the situation as some of you all and able to invite family (even with the problems). I'd love to be in MK with about 10 family members around us having fun .

You know what...it's not all it's cracked up to be. Everyone has their own idea of "what we should do next" and it can get annoying.

I find the best way to do it is to say "Hey, we are going. Anyone who would like to join us is more than welcome." Then do your own thing and let them do their own thing. Make a dinner plan and/or 1-2 rides to do together and that's about it. Let them enjoy the parks their way. You'll find it much more relaxing.

 

[DenLo]

I find the best way to do it is to say "Hey, we are going. Anyone who would like to join us is more than welcome." Then do your own thing and let them do their own thing. Make a dinner plan and/or 1-2 rides to do together and that's about it. Let them enjoy the parks their way. You'll find it much more relaxing.

We found that it was best to do it that way. Even for ADR's. One of us would make our own and tell the others if they want join us we have reservations at this restaurant at such and such a time. I think during our four days, three of those days we all met for one meal. We always asked if the CM's could place us either together or nearby and they always were able to set us together. Sometimes we all started out a park together, but once inside usually went our own ways. However, we did have a really great time one morning at MK. It was an early opening and we did several rides together as we could do a quick walk on. Even got all 11 of us on the Teacups for a couple of rides in a row. We actually got a (Photopass) group photo in front of the castle--proof that we were all there!

 

[Cee]

It's the old cliche, "Holidays with family are always a trip.....a trip to the liquor store!"

 

[dianeschlicht]

In spite of all these issues related with inviting family and friends, DW and myself would love to be in that situation. Unfortunately my family doesn't "understand" Disney. The think it's ridiculous that two grown 50-60 year old adults keep going back time after time to the same place. It doesn't matter that my DB goes to the same beach place a couple of times a year and plays golf. That's an "adult" vacation while going to WDW is for children. On my wife's side she really doesn't have a whole lot of family we could invite. We have been down to WDW with friends before but they are also DVC members and go as often as we go, so it's not the same. And at the speed DS35 and DD30 are going regarding getting married and having children, it doesn't look like we'll ever have grandchildren to take. So in spite of all the problems, I wish we were in the situation as some of you all and able to invite family (even with the problems). I'd love to be in MK with about 10 family members around us having fun .

Wow, there IS someone else in our shoes! I could have written that same paragraph, except in our case it's two 60-somethings and one grown child is 40 and the other 34 with no prospects of grandchildren. Maybe that's why we like Disney so much?

 

[Crystal_27]

Awwww, I hope that you can get it straightened out to make everyone happy!

My DD's brother and his family have actually asked if they could join us for a portion of our December, 2010 trip, and I have exactly the same fears as you described. I want to give everyone a perfect trip, but in the "real" world, that just doens't ever seem to happen when you're dealing with extended family. Still, I can hopefully get close and make everyone happy.

 

[EllaM]

Gee, I feel bad for you appleorchard. Family rarely does what you expect/want them to do, especially siblings. I've had my own publicized woes with my sibs.

But to play Devil's Advocate here, isn't this really your mom and sis' problem? Your mom accepted an invite not realizing that she already had another one. And they have been to Disney once this year.

We've invited people many times over on our timeshare weeks. With Disney were were playing "spare the points" but other timeshares it didn't matter more than the week. Most of the time we have no takers, but we've also been able to bring several newbies in a "life changing" event. That's always fun but also always a lot of obligation. You end up playing tour guide or travel agent and feel crushed when they aren't wowwed by the events you find for them.

 

[appleorchard]

Well, here's the update. Mom is free to come with us because sis's daughter isn't coming out at all for Christmas. So the second bedroom won't go to waste! Now I"m looking excited to the trip again--all this back and forth kinda takes the fun out of planning.
I'm sorry for my sister, though--she feels terrible.

 

[EllaM]

I'm sorry for my sister, though--she feels terrible.

Invite her along then? (Unless I missed the reason why she can't come.)

One of the best things about the holidays is getting together with your family. One of the worst is being sorely disappointed by them.

 

[appleorchard]

Invite her along then? (Unless I missed the reason why she can't come.)

One of the best things about the holidays is getting together with your family. One of the worst is being sorely disappointed by them.

My sister's going to Disney with her daguther in early December--she's disapppointed her daughter isn't coming to her house for Christmas. But oh, are you ever right about the holidays.

 

[hellerjw]

Spoil yourself and enjoy the extra room!

We had relatives back out of our trip earlier this month for medical reasons and the 4 of us thoroughly enjoyed our 2BR villa at Kidani. Now we have the problem of not wanting to go back to "slumming it" in a 1BR when its just us again

 

[loveysbydesign]

I'll go in their place!

 

[mom3sonstt]

So far my kids are too young to have to invite them to join us - we just tell them we are going (they are 16, 19 & 20).

I do have 2 older step-sons, both have gone on one trip with us. The younger step-son went with us about 7 years ago with his wife, toddler and infant. We had a 2BR at OKW so my 3 kids slept in the living room. It was extremely crowded and we will never do it again!

The older step son, his wife and kids went another time, but got his own lodging (Port Orleans). I didn't go on that trip since I had just started a new job. But the 4 of them and my DH and my 3 boys all tried to stay together in the parks - but my step-son and his wife are smokers and couldn't miss a smoke break, and the two grandkids are addicted to bathroom breaks. My kids were very frustrated with the slow pace.

Before we joined DVC we took my parents. We each had our own rooms at Carribean. We spent the first 3 days together doing each of the parks (this was pre-AK) and the rest of the trip doing our own thing. That was a great trip and we have tried to get them to go back. I think Dad would like to, but Mom says Dad can't get around very well (he could get a scooter). I think Mom doesn't want to go and blames it on Dad.

We went in August as a family and DH & I are going back in Nov. I just called mom this week to see if my two younger boys can crash at her place while we are gone (I'm afraid they wouldn't wake themselves up in time to catch the bus for school). I told her where we are going and she said "Weren't you just there?" She doesn't get it! I can imagine what she will say when I call her in a few more weeks to tell her we are going back again in Dec!!

 

[ILuvMulan]

We found that it was best to do it that way. Even for ADR's. One of us would make our own and tell the others if they want join us we have reservations at this restaurant at such and such a time. I think during our four days, three of those days we all met for one meal. We always asked if the CM's could place us either together or nearby and they always were able to set us together. Sometimes we all started out a park together, but once inside usually went our own ways. However, we did have a really great time one morning at MK. It was an early opening and we did several rides together as we could do a quick walk on. Even got all 11 of us on the Teacups for a couple of rides in a row. We actually got a (Photopass) group photo in front of the castle--proof that we were all there!

We had the same kind of idea on our trip last June. BIL and his family went with us. Because it was our 3rd trip and their first, and also the age differences in our children, we opted for a "no parks" trip for our family. We had 2 meal reservations together and then the rest of the time we all did our own thing. There was plenty of family time and pool time together at the resort. We all had a blast.

However, we have tried unsuccessfully to have friends or family join us for our trip next year. I have already made our ADR's so now it will be just us. We will try again later next year. In the mean time the five of us will have a great time at in a 2BV at AKL with the savannah view!

 

[Sammie]

I'm so tired of working around everyone else's convoluted plans--I have enough convolution of my own!

You stated the problem with inviting others, even family. We have enough trouble getting ourselves there without involving others.

We don't do it, at least if I have to change our plans I don't have to factor anyone else into the mix. It is just too difficult.

The more people involved, the more likely you are to have conflicts. And that is even before you arrive.

 

[DVCGeek]

I've made reservations for my parents using DPs @ SSR earlier this year and they worked out fine. This coming Feb. is the first DVC trip we'll be taking with others; my parents on joining us on the 1st (separate studio @ BLT) and my DW's parents are coming on the 2nd (studio @ VWL). I've made ADRs already and booked tours; sometimes just DW & myself, sometimes for 4, one for all 6, and my FIL & I are doing the Steam Trains tour just the two of us since no one else was interested (He's a train buff and I like trying new things @ Disney in general, especially anything backstage!). Hopefully it will all go well. Everyone already has discounted (and therefore STEEP penalties for changes) airfare, so that should help reduce the likelyhood of no-show issues. And not sharing a room ought to help as well...

My ex and I once went to WDW with my late aunt, but shared a room @ All Star Music. Didn't care for that; not enough personal space! Another year we drove down with another couple and a large family was traveling in a separate van with us. We ended up staying in adjoining rooms in ASMu; it was OK but I'm told my intricate planning and OCD started getting on everyone else's nerves. But, I learned to NOT try and do everything as a large group so that shouldn't be much of an issue this time around!

 

[nickspace]

We have cash reservations for a 1 bedroom and a couple 2 bedrooms for December. We are in our own unit and the rest of the family is split between the other units. I figure that way we have our own space and because everyones reservations are in their own name keeping the reservations is something they will have to deal with. Hopefully that will work out.

 

[clutter]

To answer your question. Because we're nutz. We keep watching those stupid Disney dvd's and commercials and in our fantasy it's our families that are running happily into Mickeys arms. Bites us in the you know what every time. LOL.

I've got a sister who can't commit to a trip to Walmart, much less a trip to the world.
Family, gotta love 'em

And it makes the holidays so easy to plan, too. (I've got 2 sisters like that, and my parent's plans depend on them.)

 

[BUDDYBEAR]

We have the same thing what,s new

 

[BroganMc]

My sister's going to Disney with her daguther in early December--she's disapppointed her daughter isn't coming to her house for Christmas. But oh, are you ever right about the holidays.

I see. Is it the same daughter (going to Disney but not coming for Christmas)? If so, I expect sis will get over it. After all, it's all about expectations.

Sis may need a pick me up that weekend. Joining you guys should be perfect.

If it's at all possible, have your families setup Skype on their computers. Then you can at least make a video call to each other in Disney and share a bit of time "virtually". I've done that on past trips and visited with my nieces and nephews after school (and before parades). With your MK view BLT room, you could share a bit of the pre-fireworks celebration with them. (Bring a cable and hook it up to the LCD in the living room.)