We were just contacted by friends in orlando and offered use of their condo from 10/10-10/15 while they are away. We have not been able to take a real vacation in years so we are thrilled! Down side, my mother in law who lives in Jacksonville invited herself along. She is in her 70's and pretty active but flakey and stubborn so if we do not have a set in stone plan she will spend the whole week dragging her feet and throwing us off course. I don't intend to sound mean but this trip was supposed to be for our two kids, 4 and 11 and it is not a sit around and catch up and visit trip. We take those several times a year to see her or fly her up to come to see us which is exactly WHY we never get to take real vacations... I have no doubt that we will end up paying for everything and we are on a budget so I need to know the best plan for maximum Disney park fun. She is not coming until the 11 and our friends with the condo also gave us some passes to mickeys halloween party on the 10th so I intended to spend a full day at Magic kingdom on the 10th. Will that be to much for a 4 year old? With her arrival on the 11 we will lose that entire day so then we just have 12,13,14 for the other parks and I really wanted at least one more 1/2 day at magic Kingdom... Has anyone got any suggestions on which parks would be the best to do half days at? I have always loved Epcot but others have mentioned that it's not as kid friendly as MGM or animal kingdom... Ideas, thoughts, & suggestions are greatly appreciated!
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Need planning help ASAP!!!
- Thread starter Aby yates
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PrincessVic
Member
Am sorry to hear about the "issues" you may have with your mother in law, I do hope it doesn't have too much impact on your break.
With regards your 4 year old, I will say a whole day in the park, and then the party will be a lot. But if you are happy to use a stroller, then I say no worries. Last year my daughter was 4 1/2 when we went, and was the first year without a stroller. We did hire one for New Years Eve as we too had been in the park all day, and staying until late in the night, and using that did really help. She just curled up and went to sleep when it was too much for her. But if you start at the park early, and the condo isn't too far away, another option would be to head home for an hour or 2 before the party to just take some time out and chill.
Really do hope you have a fantastic time
With regards your 4 year old, I will say a whole day in the park, and then the party will be a lot. But if you are happy to use a stroller, then I say no worries. Last year my daughter was 4 1/2 when we went, and was the first year without a stroller. We did hire one for New Years Eve as we too had been in the park all day, and staying until late in the night, and using that did really help. She just curled up and went to sleep when it was too much for her. But if you start at the park early, and the condo isn't too far away, another option would be to head home for an hour or 2 before the party to just take some time out and chill.
Really do hope you have a fantastic time
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Nemo14
Well-Known Member
Seriously, tell your MIL that this is a much-needed family vacation, and remind her that you will be seeing her again soon with pictures and stories to tell. She may be more understanding than you think - after all, she had a MIL once herself!
Have a great vacation!
Have a great vacation!
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jrab0616
Well-Known Member
What does you husband think about MIL inviting herself along? I would consider having him talk to her about it and tell her this trip is just for the four of you.
If that's not an option, I would consider taking a rest on the 10th. Got back to your condo, take a nap, change into costumes for the party and good back to enjoy the party. I promise you'll enjoy it so much more!
As for 1/2 day parks, I consider AK a 1/2 day park. If you get there when it opens, you can get a lot done quickly. There a a lot more activities for kids at this park though, so you may want to stay longer.
I know as a kid, EPCOT was always my least favorite park, so with the little one, I would probably pick the other two parks over this one.
Definitely spend as much time as possible in MK! Both the kids will love this park!
If that's not an option, I would consider taking a rest on the 10th. Got back to your condo, take a nap, change into costumes for the party and good back to enjoy the party. I promise you'll enjoy it so much more!
As for 1/2 day parks, I consider AK a 1/2 day park. If you get there when it opens, you can get a lot done quickly. There a a lot more activities for kids at this park though, so you may want to stay longer.
I know as a kid, EPCOT was always my least favorite park, so with the little one, I would probably pick the other two parks over this one.
Definitely spend as much time as possible in MK! Both the kids will love this park!
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Jacquellie
Member
Hmmm tricky. I sympathise. IMHO there's an easy way and a hard way to deal with this. Hard way will require some amateur psychoanalysis on your part beforehand - but could reap lasting results. Try FOWTWAGITT: Find out what they want and give it to them. I mean emotionally. On a deep level, what is it your MIL wants? Recognition? Significance? Her behaviour sounds difficult, like something is driving it, for example fear of being forgotten. Once you figure this out, all it could take is a single sentence to make her easier to work with, for example: "You're a wonderful mother and grandma you know - we've got lots of plans for us all to do stuff together in the future." It could stop her being so panicked about eating a piece of your vacation.
The "easy" way is to deal with the behaviour, not the cause. I'd ask her what she really wants to do on this trip, perhaps she has a favourite restaurant. Make a timetable (so beloved of us wdw forum folk) of your plans and add in her wants. Ask the rest of the family too, especially kids, and fill up the timetable by picking from each person's list in rotation, so it's apparently fair. Add only activities, not downtime for sitting about drinking tea - that can be achieved by opting out of the activity. So for example, while you're all timetabled for Kilimanjaro Safari, she can either come with or opt out. Fill up the timetable, don't leave any gaps.
There can't be any arguments if you've given her the chance to have an imput into what you all do.
Good luck, I'd love to hear back how it's going. xx
The "easy" way is to deal with the behaviour, not the cause. I'd ask her what she really wants to do on this trip, perhaps she has a favourite restaurant. Make a timetable (so beloved of us wdw forum folk) of your plans and add in her wants. Ask the rest of the family too, especially kids, and fill up the timetable by picking from each person's list in rotation, so it's apparently fair. Add only activities, not downtime for sitting about drinking tea - that can be achieved by opting out of the activity. So for example, while you're all timetabled for Kilimanjaro Safari, she can either come with or opt out. Fill up the timetable, don't leave any gaps.
There can't be any arguments if you've given her the chance to have an imput into what you all do.
Good luck, I'd love to hear back how it's going. xx
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