Is there anything at Disney that would appeal to a grandpa?

[Anonymous]

My step father has been floating the idea of hosting a family vacation next year. In the past, we've done cruises or an all-inclusive in Mexico. With three young kids, those destinations are less appealing right now for me (seasickness, water GI problems, plane rides). I would love to convince him that Disney World would be a great destination for everyone (grandpa, a couple 20-somethings, and parents of young kids). He's a bit of a curmudgeon and frankly turned off by the whole idea of Disney characters, kiddie rides, etc. But surely there are elements of a Disney World trip that might appeal to him too? I'm thinking Epcot, or Animal Kingdom? Any suggestions welcome! I only visited once as a child so not at all an expert on the offerings. (I did suggest Aulani as I read that it didn't feel "too Disney" but he thinks the flights are too long.)

[Anonymous]

I hate Disney. I hate the marketing machine, the Disney-fying of stories, the Disney kids they crank out, all of it.

I took my DD when she was almost 11, because I thought she deserved to see it before she wouldn't believe in the magic. And although I was thrown off by the lack of homeless people or poor people (no busking), I kind of ... enjoyed myself.

If Grandpa can walk a lot okay, he'll enjoy seeing the enjoyment on his grandkids faces.

[Anonymous]

You sound a little greedy.

There's a pretty big price difference between a cruise or AI in Mexico and Disney. And I'm not sure the 20-somethings would love Disney.

I took my kids to Mexico last year. We didn't stay in an AI (which cater more to American tourists), and we ate local food. None of us got sick.

Go to Mexico with your family, and you and your DH save to do Disney with your kids.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely go to Mexico over Disney.

Suggest Aruba. It is safe and so family friendly, plenty of stuff to do. Rent cars and go see the nature park. Everyone will love it. Also Customs in Aruba so easy to get back home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound a little greedy.

There's a pretty big price difference between a cruise or AI in Mexico and Disney. And I'm not sure the 20-somethings would love Disney.

I took my kids to Mexico last year. We didn't stay in an AI (which cater more to American tourists), and we ate local food. None of us got sick.

Go to Mexico with your family, and you and your DH save to do Disney with your kids.

Ha. Yes, I'm very appreciative of his generous offer. My sister (with young kids, too) has refused Mexico and cruises so it's not on the table even if I acquiesced. And having personally dealt with the Mexico water issue even at nice AI resorts, I'm not interested in risking it and having to take care of crying, sick kids. So Mexico is out this year. From what I've read here, there aren't too many great non-Mexico AIs as alternatives so I was hoping to make Disney work (since that is probably where we would go on our own anyway).

[Anonymous]

My parents celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary at Disney. Most of their time was spent at Epcot. (It was a family trip so the kids did the princess stuff while grandparents did some of their own things.) We traveled during Epcot's Flower and Garden festival, and my mother had a great time visiting the various events, learning about color, etc.

My parents loved staying at the Boardwalk. Not sure if that would be too pricey. ???

[Anonymous]

Disney can be a bit physically demanding. Lots of walking and standing.

We like Disney. But I'd say the biggest appeal is watching the kids have fun.

If I were going with a senior family member I'd limit it to November through March and stay someplace onsight with easy transit to the parks. that way they could come and go more easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Disney can be a bit physically demanding. Lots of walking and standing.

We like Disney. But I'd say the biggest appeal is watching the kids have fun.

If I were going with a senior family member I'd limit it to November through March and stay someplace onsight with easy transit to the parks. that way they could come and go more easily.

He doesn't really have any physical limitations as far as walking goes but I could definitely see him ready to go back and take a nap in the afternoons so good tip to stay on-grounds. Were you thinking Nov-Mar for crowd reasons? Or temp? Would it still be warm enough to use the outdoor pools then?

[Anonymous]

The twenty somethings do not want to go to disneyworld and neither does grandpa.

Stop being selfish. Pay for a trip to Disney yourself for just your immediate family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The twenty somethings do not want to go to disneyworld and neither does grandpa.

Stop being selfish. Pay for a trip to Disney yourself for just your immediate family

Aren't you helpful? Yes, we will be taking an immediate family trip to Disney if this doesn't suit everyone. But that still leaves the question of finding a destination that grandpa plus 2 twenty something's plus 2 young families (5 kids under 7) would all enjoy. Not an easy task. Cruises and Mexico out. Feel free to propose alternatives.

[Anonymous]

My dad and step mom took a trip to Disney and loved it. Spent most of the time at Epcot. I was shocked, this is not a man I thought would enjoy that sort of thing at all. They stayed at the beach club resort. They liked tomorrow land and the various country exhibits, I don't know if they went on any rides.

We went to Disney with DH's parents and they had a blast seeing the kids faces light up meeting Mickey. My FIL doesn't like rides, but most of the rides appropriate for little kids are so tame even he enjoyed himself. The main draw for them was watching the kids have a blast.

[Anonymous]

We went to Disney with my ILs when the kids were young. They (the grandparents) loved it. I went with my grandparents as a preteen. DH and I were just there by ourselves for a weekend and it was plenty of fun for a few days.

Depends how old he is of course. Grandpa can range from 50s-90s. I'm 50s and am not so infirmed just yet that I can't walk around the park and do some cool rides.

[Anonymous]

I like Disney, but I'd hate to do it with a large group. Trying to manage meals and who wants to ride what with so many people is just a pain in the butt. Much easier for you guys to just go by yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Disney can be a bit physically demanding. Lots of walking and standing.

We like Disney. But I'd say the biggest appeal is watching the kids have fun.

If I were going with a senior family member I'd limit it to November through March and stay someplace onsight with easy transit to the parks. that way they could come and go more easily.

He doesn't really have any physical limitations as far as walking goes but I could definitely see him ready to go back and take a nap in the afternoons so good tip to stay on-grounds. Were you thinking Nov-Mar for crowd reasons? Or temp? Would it still be warm enough to use the outdoor pools then?

Nov-march was a temp suggestion. I believe all the onsight pools are heated. We were fine swimming in early December. January would be more iffy. The heat is oppressive, but people work around it. Take a lot of breaks.


Crowd calendars can be found online. Lower crowds and nice weather make it much more pleasant.

We stayed at wilderness lodge for a few days once. Nice vibe. Less chaotic. If I were a curmudgeonly older man I'd probably pick that or animal kingdom lodge. BUt AK is a haul from most parks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The twenty somethings do not want to go to disneyworld and neither does grandpa.

Stop being selfish. Pay for a trip to Disney yourself for just your immediate family

Aren't you helpful? Yes, we will be taking an immediate family trip to Disney if this doesn't suit everyone. But that still leaves the question of finding a destination that grandpa plus 2 twenty something's plus 2 young families (5 kids under 7) would all enjoy. Not an easy task. Cruises and Mexico out. Feel free to propose alternatives.

Cayman Islands
Aruba
Any island in the Caribbean

Europe

Any nice resort on the planet