Extended family vacations - need ideas/advice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were you in this situation, I would confront them directly probably in an email.

Diana and Rick,

We are thrilled you re joining my family on our vacation. I know you are new to this group so here are some basics for you about how this trip works.

My parents have offered to have you stay in their condo. My mom usually does the grocery shopping for the condo. She will let you know what your half is and you can pay her directly.

Our condos come with transportation to and from all the Disney parks. You will need to rent a car if you want to go other places. You should make your own airport transfer arrangements.

If we eat out together, we get separate checks so everyone is responsible for paying their own way.

Needless to say, you will be responsible for paying for your tickets to the parks you would like to visit. Here is the website to order them XXXXX

If I think of anything else, I will supplement. Going to be a great trip!

This is horrible. Don't do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't make this a learning experience for the old people.

Just pay for everything you need to pay for to make this a terrific memory for the grandkids.

Your husband may very well be a chicke, but on this one, I am with him.

+1 seriously, if you can afford it, just pay for them and enjoy it. It's not like they are strangers off the street, they are your dh's parents.

Most families I know the GRANDPARENTS pay and organize family vacations once in awhile. They don't need stuff, they want to see everyone together, happy, not going to the office so they plan -- and sometimes pay -- for large family vacations. I bet this was in the back of OP's parent's mind when they bought a timeshare.

I could not imagine expecting my adult sons with a young family, wife, both working their @$$es off full-time and having $hitload of current/future expenses to PAY FOR MY leisure tickets, hotel, food, to vacation with them. A family of 4 vacation is already enough to save and budget for.

Just keep this trip to who invited you, don't enlarge it. Different travel and spending styles suk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't make this a learning experience for the old people.

Just pay for everything you need to pay for to make this a terrific memory for the grandkids.

Your husband may very well be a chicke, but on this one, I am with him.

The only "learning experience" you are suggesting is that certain adults, for no real reason, are to have other adults pay for everything they do. In this case it is another set of parents and your own adult kid and his wife. Is that how you define pride and success? Having others pay for your presence, despite having more than enough money and wits?

Something tells me this will be the last vacation invite some people ever get.

Remember those lousy family houseguests you once had who ate you out of house & home, broke all the appliances & dishes, and expected you to do everything for them while you worked, took care of your children, spouse and household? Yeah, they never got invited back for longer than three days either.

[Anonymous]

Man, my only comment is do not do a Disney trip with lots of people without running the numbers. It is outstanding.

$1000 minivan rental
$2000 hotel for four
$700-1000 food for four
$1200 flights for four
$2000 Disney passes for four

It is a special trip for sure, but don't pretend to ignore the costs and budget conversations. That is not fair to anyone or anyone's spouse, parents or pocketbook.

Frankly, each couple should pay for themselves or not go. If camping is more their thing, do that next year together. Don't mess up a costly trip because DH is scared to talk to his own parents. Are they controlling like that?