To not want to go on holiday with in laws

[chazbomb]

In short. In laws have offered a slightly subsidised Disney trip, not sure I can stick 2 weeks with them though. Would love to go with my boys and dH, but also divorced brother in law and 2 nieces they want to stay in a villa together could get a bit cosy after 2 weeks. This holiday will still cost more than the one we have planned for next year. Don't want to sound totally ungrateful.... But love my time with my little family in the Summer!

I was also hugely amused but the "donate to charity" thing. I'd love to read that poster's PIL's threads on "Dilnet"!

Haha @ the charity suggestion. What a ridiculous idea!

I don't know, villas in Orlando are pretty far away from anything. They're usually in their own gated community or development, far out from any shops or main streets where you might be able to knock about or have something to eat, or even catch a bus to somewhere more exciting. Unless you're prepared to leave them off and collect them from whatever activity they're planning on doing, "leaving the girls to it" isn't a realistic option.

Having said that, I think if you get two hire cars then you could solve a lot of problems. Lay down the law when you book it, say you're going to be doing your own thing for 50% of the time or something. Maybe book a few days just the four of you down in Key West or Clearwater so there's a definite "break" where the two groups aren't forced together.

"Lay down the law when you book it, say you're going to be doing your own thing for 50% of the time or something."

Or even talk about it politely and reasonably? Just a though............

if both grandparents are there with dh, you can have some days by the pool to yourself while they do all things mouse. You don't have to play happy families all day . Older two can do things by themselves, esp. if you're in a resort and can babysit for a couple of evenings.

Any chance you could compromise on the 2 week thing? Maybe one week of villa hell with inlaws, then you and DCs go down the coast and spend a family week together? You can then all get the flight back together. Florida has some many lovely places it'd be a shame to spend 2 weeks in bloody Orlando!

Or maybe you could fly out later? A week at Disney is plenty.

Thanks for the replys. We are going to speak to pil this weekend and see what's what and how much it will all be. I think my MIL would have a dicky fit if I suggested not going and donating the money to charity!!!??

"Maybe one week of villa hell with inlaws,"

Where on earth have you got the idea that it will be "villa hell"? Was it just the mention of in laws?

I was just being sarcastic Hak. And projecting a little bit.

That's also my issue that the thought of 2 weeks legging it round theme parks isn't that appealing. I like the sound of a week at the parks then a week on the beach somewhere just the 5 of us.

Not sure why you'd be looking after the teenagers, they are old enough to be holidaying by themselves.

2weeks in Disney is too long. Do a week there and a week away from all the plastic tourist crap, that would make it a lot cheaper too.

Or could you consider Disneyland Paris, then everyone would be able to afford it and you could spend the money on amazing accommodation. Instead of flights?

Orlandovillas.com has lots of big villas and john and Roger make it a well run and trusted site.
Each villa belongs to an owner not an agency or big company.

I would get one villa ( cheaper ) a five bed villa with three or four baths will be quite adequate , maybe even a four by three and two cars. Parents can take the big girls and you can be as a family. OV do car hire and park tickets as well. With another car you can then bring smaller children home when it gets too hot at least you will have your own pool.

In all honesty though the two months I never visited in we're July and August, too hot and two wet much better going in may or October holidays.

Avoid Easter you really will pay top dollar for your villa and yes summer too.

Stop being a misery guts over it. Those big girls will help with the little ones and they will be quite safe in the park on their own as you will go at a much slower pace. Our little ones wanted to spend most time at the cat in the hat land in isles of adventure and the bigger ones will probably prefer the hulk spiderman or Harry potter.

For, I wish someone would help us out with a holiday. Our jaunts are astronomical.

I'm a bit of a Disneyworld/Orlando fan obsessive - I would suggest a hotel rather than a villa as lots of villas are a bit isolated, whereas if you're at an international drive/Kissimee hotel, you can go for a stroll or the teens can. I-Drive would be best i think, as they could head out to Ripley's/wet+wild without you.
I second the idea of two smaller cars, so you're not stuck to anyone else's schedule. And one week at Orlando split either side of a 'middle of the holiday' break to the beach would be fab! So many gorgeous beaches within an hour or so.

We usually go the last two weeks of August which I find hot, but manageable so long as you plan time in the shade (easy at many of the parks - eg whilst watching the Lion King at Animal Kingdom or over lunch). The American kids are back to school too, so queues aren't bad.

If you think that this might be the only opportunity to take the kids then I think you have to go. If I were you, I would step back from thinking or talking about it and would just go with the flow. There might be a few crappy bits but overall I bet the positives would outweigh the negatives.
If you have the mindset that it's for your kids then you might be able to rid yourself of some of the agnst.

Let everyone else do the organising and sit back and relax.
Trying to do bits of the holiday on your own will be awkward. However, asking for a few days when you buzz off on your own is doable.

I've had the same type of situation with DHs family and I am definitely happier if I 'unclench'. (As much as possible.... No ones perfect! )

What Whaddyawant said - I think that's really great advice. The kids will love it (I would hate it, but wouldn't stop my kids going if they got the chance). I also find that often if you are not particularly looking forward to something you often end up enjoying it more than if you had really bigged it up in the first place. it will be great to have the older cousins there - they'll probably take the kids on some rides so you can have a sit down!

Yabu

Disney is amazing and costs a fortune if you had to pay it all. But maybe only go for a week. Although you won't manage to do everything in a week.

You could hire your own car and bugger off when and where you want.

There are loads of big rides which little ones can't go on, so let the older ones go off with meeting times/place.

Also buy the queue jump thing (I can't remember what its called), but its brilliant.

When you say subsidised what do you mean? Are GPs just paying for the villa or are they also chipping in for flight and ticket costs? If they're not then to be honest accomodation is a tiny fraction of the cost as it's cheap out there.

Having said that your DCs will love it - we took DS age 8 and he had an absolute ball. You don't need to go to a park every day. The older DCs will want to do different things and in fact different parks - they'll probably be more into water parks and Universal rather than Disney so if you do decide to go I'd point out that you'd need to do what works for your own family.

You could also escape for a few days in the middle and go to the coast somewhere.

Hang on, so DSS is 15 too? Hardly a child either and can spend time with his similar aged cousins doing their own thing (within reason). That leaves you looking after 2 young children - your own. Not a great hardship IMO.

If you don't fancy it, say that but don't make obstacles that aren't there.

God no I would not do that. It's quite a stressful holiday anyway and doing it with PILS sounds like a step too far if the idea of two weeks with them is freaking you out.

Just say no.

Don't do it. Say no. no.

The three older should be sent off by themselves, they'll have a blast! Just arrange a rendezvous time for meals or get two cheap 'burner' phones (one for you, one for them) to keep in touch.

Is there any chance you could stay onsite? Transportation is a breeze, no car needed as long as you aren't going anywhere other than Disney. I agree that a hotel may be better. At least that way there will be separation at bedtime. PiLs and granddaughters in one room, you and your little family in another. Or check out the Cabins at Ft Wilderness, they have a kitchen which helps with food costs. Maybe 2 cabins would get you the privacy you'd like plus be less crowded than hotel rooms.

I've been to Disneyland over 150 times, grew up 30 minutes away. I still go once to twice a year although I now live 7 hours away. My now grown children have been multiple times, also. I'm going to Disney World in April. It's an experience no child should miss (if the parents can either afford it or have grandparents to facilitate it). I know it may not be a perfect or completely stress free trip for you, but it will create memories for your children and nieces that they will never forget.

Can you book two weeks overlapping so you get a week with family and a week on your own?

How did your chat with the ILs go at the weekend chazbomb?