Bringing Grandparents Along to Disney
Don’t forget the back-up.
This idea was not original to me, I’ll just lay that out on the table right away. My daughter was 3, I was at a lunch with some fellow stay at home moms, and one of them was talking about their recent trip to Disney World.
Thinking back, this very likely started that first seed. Not the seed to “bring grandparents along with you to Disney” … the seed to even GO to Disney! That seed which rapidly grew inside me to become the, I’ll admit it, obsession of vacationing at Disney which I now have today.
She had 4 kids. I only had 1. “Yes, it was fun … but I’ll tell ya this much. Don’t forget the backup.” Backup? “Bring at least one set of grandparents with you. You won’t believe what a difference it makes.”
Granted, this came from a woman with four children. An exercise in parenting chaos that the likes of me can’t even comprehend. Side note: you people out there with three or more kids – my hat’s off to you! You are crazy. Bless your little hearts. But I digress…
“Hmmm …” I think to myself. “A Disney World trip, now that I have a child to bring along, and introduce the magic to…” I like it.
Growing up, my parents had taken me twice on that pilgrimage. As a grown up, this had left me with a general warm, fuzzy feeling inside at the memory.
Fast forward a few weeks, the economy tanks, and Disney runs an amazing special offer: Buy 4, Get 3 Free (this meant a package including hotel room, park tickets, and even the Disney Dining Plan – 3 additional days FREE!). Coincidentally, my parent’s 40th Anniversary was coming up.
Now you know, when the planets align so perfectly like that – you don’t really even have much say in the matter. You have to go!
So I make the call to my mom. I thought it may be a tough sell, since my dad’s retirement account had taken a corresponding hit, and they were now looking at him having to work much longer than expected.
I decide to ease in gracefully. “I know you guys are kinda broke right now, but would you be able to meet us at Disney World for a week?”
After she got done giggling for 5 minutes straight (Did she think I was kidding?), the seed started to be planted in her, too.
They met us. First let me say, we’ve all traveled a fair amount, and lived in various parts of the country throughout the years. In other words, we do “get out”. But I kid you not: it was the best trip of every one of our lives!
Granted, it can be challenging sometimes to be around your parents (what IS that, anyway?). But it was perfect. In every way. Plop an extended family into the Happiest Place On Earth, and what do you expect, right?
But seriously, that is the first plus: if you’ve had thoughts of taking a trip together, but were hesitant at the possible tension level that may occur at times during the vacation – give visiting the Mouse together a try.
For such a vacation to be a success, you’d need a variety of things to experience, so that everyone had something they could enjoy. Check.
And you’d need a happy, laid-back atmosphere so that no one took it too seriously whether the group headed to Tomorrowland first or Adventureland first. Check.
That’s what the whole Walt Disney World Resort fosters … it’s a big, fat No Worries Fun Fest!
So how did it all shake down …?
You can read my Top 4 Reasons to Bring Grandparents to Disney in Part II!
*o* *o* *o*
NOTE: This post was originally written on my previous Blogger blog, that I just realized was not imported over for some mysterious reason? Hence the re-posting them here…
Comments (9)
Bringing Grandparents Along to Disney – Part II – Colorado Mountain Mom | Colorado Mountain Mom
April 12, 2012 at 7:04 pm
[…] you missed Part I of this story, you can read it here: Bringing Grandparents Along to Disney Share […]
Steve Burns
April 12, 2012 at 7:21 pm
As a single-child family, we often wonder how families with more than one child make it – at least we have our son outnumbered! 🙂 Never have been to WDW with my parents, at least with them in the role of grandparents. Maybe one of these days…
COMtnMom
April 12, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Well, if they are hesitant or don’t think it would be up their alley … have them give me a call, and I’ll help convince them how much fun they’ll have! ;-D
disneykatrina
April 12, 2012 at 7:47 pm
My mom comes with us at least once a year. She doesn’t usually go as many park days as we do – but it’s a lot of fun with her there. And this year, my girls are staying in her room and DH and I get a room of our own!! 🙂
COMtnMom
April 12, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Now THERE’s a great idea! Disney + Grandkids get to have a sleepover… sounds like a win-win to me. 🙂
Lottie F.
April 12, 2012 at 10:23 pm
My parents went with us for DD’s first birthday in 2010. Neither of them had ever been. Now, I wouldn’t dream of planning a trip without them. They are even planning a 25th anniversary Disney cruise for all of the children and grandchildren next spring. Got ’em hooked and we love the “backup” even if we’ve only had one child to take with us.
COMtnMom
April 12, 2012 at 10:26 pm
I agree so wholeheartedly! Isn’t it awesome that all ages can have such a good time there?
Wow… a cruise together would be amazing. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, Lotti!
Ultimate Blog Party 2012 – Colorado Mountain Mom | Colorado Mountain Mom
April 13, 2012 at 2:02 am
[…] why staying at a Disney Resort is so fabulous and can even save you money, and whether you should bring a set of grandparents along on the […]
Melissa
April 14, 2012 at 3:12 am
You know, we visit every year and I’m starting to think it would be nice to bring the grandparents with us one trip. They both don’t get the magic of Disney but I think once they got there and saw excited we all were, they would get excited. You’ve got the seed planted in my mind now! 😉 It won’t work for our trip in 3 weeks {squee!} but maybe next year!