I know that there are several grown ups on the board that still do Disney with their parents. I think this is fantastic and I hope that I still get to do Disney with my kids after they "leave the nest". I'm curious though, who's in charge? Was it easy to make that transition from being "the kid" to being adults traveling together? Do you have any advice for people with kids that are almost adults on how to keep each trip special?
While my family loves WDW, I'm the only true FANATIC, so its been a relatively easy transition to me making all of the plans. When planning I usually give everyone a few different choices and let the majority rule. For example, our upcoming trip in October its me, my parents, my brother, sister in-law, niece and nephew. I knew we wanted to stay at a moderate resort, so I printed out details and pictures of several different moderates and let the family vote. Fortunately everyone liked POFQ (which was secretly my first pick). Then with ADRs, I thought it would be fun if we each picked at table service restaurant. I chose Kona Cafe, my folks picked 50's Primetime Cafe, my brother and sister in-law wanted Wolfgang Pucks, and my niece and nephew wanted a character breakfast (ultimately we chose Tusker house). Even though I'm planning (i.e. picking what days at what parks), and putting a schedule together, I want everybody to feel like they have a say!
When we go with my parents, since they go in April/May as well... they let us be in charge. We pick our ADR's, where we want to go for the parks, sometimes lunch (if were all together). I love my parents to be honest. Even as a kid, I got to be in charge of what we did.
I took a trip with my mom a few years ago, and then a trip with my dad more recently. They were great trips. There were differences in our theme park touring, but you'll have that when traveling with anyone, unless your lucky and go with someone who has the exact same likes as you. I like long trips and to be at the parks for rope drop, stay a few hours, and then go back to our resort for a break, and then go back to the parks at night. And food is part of the trip for me.
When I went with my mom, we were fortunate enough to be able to go during Food and Wine, and Epcot is my mom's favorite park too, so we spent a lot of time there. And she liked trying the different restaurants. But she would rather sleep in, and go to the parks around lunch time and not bother with breaks. That wasn't really an issue though, since after the first couple of days, (this was a nice long 11 day trip,) I would just go to the parks for RD, tour solo, and we'd meet at lunch time, and we'd do more restful things in the afternoons, like the shows.
When I went with my dad, he was always up and ready for rope drop, as waking up at 7:00 AM is sleeping in for him. (He was actually shocked that I woke up at 7:00 AM every day since I like to sleep as late as possible when I can at home.) He however, was very go, go, go, the entire day, with no breaks or down time. He also didn't like to repeat attractions, and thought once was enough for everything. Where I could do certain things several times in one day. He also didn't want to waste park time eating, so it was all CS that trip, except for our AK day when I went to DTD alone one night, (since it's "just shopping" there,) and had a nice dinner at Fulton's. Actually one day of that trip I wanted to eat at Captain Cook's, and that drove him crazy cause I had us leave MK, to go take the monorail, and I went on about how the monorail was like an attraction, but he sees it only as a mode of transportation, and then he refused to even eat anything out of stubbornness. He also wanted to skip Epcot completely, but I insisted we had to spend one day there. My dad was also anti-park hopping, I rarely want to spend a full day in the same park with no breaks.
Then there was some drama with sharing a room. I don't live with either of my parents anymore. I think I was still living at home when I went with my mom, but I can't remember for sure, but my mom and I started having space and organizing issues. I think that was due in part to it being a longer trip, since we had more stuff. But at least we were mostly on the same sleep schedule. With my dad it was the opposite, space wasn't an issue, though he likes to go to bed early, so we'd get home from the parks, I'd go for a swim or something, and I'd come back and he'd be out. And that wasn't late night swims that was 8:00 or 9:00 in the evening, but I felt that I had to be extra quiet and couldn't even turn on the TV or anything. Plus with the counter space, I basically turn the sink area into a Bath and Body Works, not an issue with my mom, since she likes my stuff and I don't mind sharing, but my dad had to ask me at least once a day why I needed to bring my entire collection with me. (Which it wasn't, not by a long shot, he has obviously never seen my bathroom closet, lol!)
But as far as it being a parent - kid trip, and feeling like vacations I took when I was little, it didn't. I don't think either one of us was in charge exactly. I did all the planning and booking the resorts and stuff, but that was it.
We are planning a trip for next March with my mother-in-law. I don't think either one of us will be "in charge." We are planning the restaurants and the resort because she wants to go where the grandkids will be happiest. She has COPD so she will tour the park much slower than we do, but that's fine we can take breaks in the afternoon and swim while she refills her oxygen tank and rests. She has had a lot of changes in the last year so we are just trying to bring a smile to her face and make her think of good things.
Before my father had his stroke and FIL became paralyzed we had a fantastic grand gathering trip in 2008. I think it's great that you got to go with your parents. Disney is for all ages.
Dee 
Working to pay for my next Disney vacations:
June 2013 quick stay at AKL, then DCL b2b on the Dream Bahamas, June 30th BWI, Oct. 11-20,2013 HKDL and Tokyo DL/DS, June 2014 DCL -Fantasy Western Caribbean, and September 2014 DCL - Magic Southern Caribbean -My Birthday Cruise!!
Who's in charge?!! Me of course 
LOL
In all honesty though, I'm the planner and get input from them on what they want to do/join in with and plan around that. My parents are park lovers like us, whereas Hubby's parents like to spend more downtime, so we try to space the park days so they are getting a mixture rather than just all of their rest days together and all of their park days together.
I am the one on the disney fourms and the one 'in the know' with everything, so everyone is cool to leave me to plan as I will always try to get the most out of our trip.
We have the same stamina for our park days, we dont rush to get there for rope drop - it just wouldn't happen in our house! We go about 10/11am and stay till late. My mum is now wheelchair bound so she can keep going longer than anyone as she's just sitting down all day (this is what she says anyway!), I am worried for my dad on our next trip though (if they can come-fingers crossed) as he needs 2 new knees 
they will be done on our return. He will need ot take it much easier, he isnt one for complaining though so it will take a lot before he will tell us that he's in pain, will try to plan lots of stops and rests around the parks.
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/last-minute-bargain-trip-may-2013 TR May 2013
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/sys-big-30-trip-report Oct 2012 TR with a cruise!
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/holiday-budget-ish TR on a budget May - June 2011
http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/game-all-family TR Sept - Oct 2010
Scrappy and I are the only really true Disney Lovers in our families. The kids like Disney and we took them all two years ago. Scrappy planned everything, but we all had separate rooms and told everyone, if they wanted to do something else, have at it! Now our parents , well , they don't see the "Love for Disney" at all. So we just take our friends Tom & Del anytime they can come, because we infected them with the Disney addiction and they like to do what ever we do!
Who's going to WDW or DL this year ? / Your most artistic Disney photo's /My Disney Fix /
Tikiman Pages / Mrhubs Disney FaceBook Page
My mom and I love Disney equally, so it's always a joint venture.
When you go with multi generations, do you split up, do different things, or try and stay together?
The kids and I have been doing great on this trip. I'm trying to be more laid back and respect their ages rather than making all of the decisions on my own. My more "grown up" kids, Tori & Kirk (who are 17 & 19) have had the freedom to go do what they want.
Tori is a sweetie though and won't leave me alone because my fibromyalgia has been pretty bad on this trip so far. I'm absolutely falling into the disabled category this week and have needed much more care than I like to admit. She and I travel together pretty well. I think we have many fun trips in the future.
Katie is still an actual kid (12, almost 13) and I've given her some freedoms, but not a whole lot. She's driving me crazy and even told her brother that she's being difficult on purpose. I'm doing my best to be the laid back Mom. I think I've figured out which one that I can count on in my old age. LOL!
For about 20 years we made family trips to Disney twice a year with all the kids and grandkids. We always went to Ft.Wilderness. As soon as the grand kids were old enough to Know their campsite address, to tell a bus driver, everybody was on their own. Everyone did what they wanted to do and go where they wanted to go. Disney, we found and believe, is a safe place. No ONE was ever in charge. Of course if the grandkids got hungry they better find their parent because the parent had the money. Never was any problems.
pix is all 3 of our family motor homes.
Joe
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For about 20 years we made family trips to Disney twice a year with all the kids and grandkids. We always went to Ft.Wilderness. As soon as the grand kids were old enough to Know their campsite address, to tell a bus driver, everybody was on their own. Everyone did what they wanted to do and go where they wanted to go. Disney, we found and believe, is a safe place. No ONE was ever in charge. Of course if the grandkids got hungry they better find their parent because the parent had the money. Never was any problems.
pix is all 3 of our family motor homes.
Joe
What was the largest group you went with, people-wise, Joe?
subvetss wrote:For about 20 years we made family trips to Disney twice a year with all the kids and grandkids. We always went to Ft.Wilderness. As soon as the grand kids were old enough to Know their campsite address, to tell a bus driver, everybody was on their own. Everyone did what they wanted to do and go where they wanted to go. Disney, we found and believe, is a safe place. No ONE was ever in charge. Of course if the grandkids got hungry they better find their parent because the parent had the money. Never was any problems.
pix is all 3 of our family motor homes.
JoeWhat was the largest group you went with, people-wise, Joe?
No Brad. In the early 90s we were leaders in a Scout group that went camping about twice a year at Ft. Wilderness group camping area. Even then everyone kind of did their own thing.
Joe
I'm 24 and still travel to WDW with my parents and brother (age 20) and we enjoy every minute of it! Though my dad and I are the primary planners, we all get a say in the planning and we always make a point of doing something each person enjoys!
You've just gave me great inspiration for a blog post as this is something I get asked a lot, especially since I started my new job!
Saloca in Wonderland <--- blog!
We just re-discovered our love for Disney! We took our two boys (ages 20 & 14) in August before both headed back to school. We had the very best family trip EVER! 
We will be doing it again very soon! The boys like to do all the rides and we mapped out every thing. Hubby & I got back and decided we would like to go and do some of the more "boring, grown up stuff" at a slower pace during a cooler time of year. When we mentioned it to my Hubby's parents.........their eyes lite up!! So.....we will be taking our first "in-laws" trip to Disney in December.
Who is in charge? Hubby & I but we all sat down and talked about meals (we are going during the free dining promotion) and came to an agreement on where we would like to go. We left a few places up in the air since we are early lunch & dinner diners. We all agreed that we didn't want to miss the Candlelight Processional so we arranged that day around Epcot. We are all very excited about the trip. 
Kim
When in December are you going? I'm envious - I'd love to go then, but with family obligations, etc. it just isn't possible this year. Grown up trips are great!
Where will you be staying? Anything you are really looking forward to? Have you made any ADR's yet?
Oh, and welcome. 
Diana
Time marches on. Eventually you realize it's doing it across your face.
NSCRGal5, so glad you joined us. you will love the time you spend here with us.
At the end of the game, pawns and kings go back into the same box.
We just re-discovered our love for Disney! We took our two boys (ages 20 & 14) in August before both headed back to school. We had the very best family trip EVER!Who is in charge? Hubby & I but we all sat down and talked about meals (we are going during the free dining promotion) and came to an agreement on where we would like to go. We left a few places up in the air since we are early lunch & dinner diners. We all agreed that we didn't want to miss the Candlelight Processional so we arranged that day around Epcot. We are all very excited about the trip.
Grown-up trips are great, but taking the in-laws, ..... your brave. 
Just kidding! 
We take friends all the time and it's great. Just don't make rock solid rules, if the inlaws want to go venture on themselves, let them go. Never make plans set in stone, (except ADR's) Ha!
Oh and to WDW For Grownups!
Who's going to WDW or DL this year ? / Your most artistic Disney photo's /My Disney Fix /
Tikiman Pages / Mrhubs Disney FaceBook Page
Hello NSCRGal5!
Welcome to the forums, sounds like you have a fun trip planned! Where are you staying and which reastaurnats did you pick to eat at?
NSCRGal5 to the best Disney blog there is. Enjoy your "Grown-Up" Disney trip.
We will be arriving on 12/10 and leaving very early on the 15th. We will be staying at the Pop Century this time around. We are taking advantage of the free dining plan -- although we upgraded it to the Disney Dining Plan. We were happy we could work this out during this time of the year!! 
We have made ADR for each night but still trying to get into a couple places that didn't have availability in our desired time frames. We were able to get some in our preferred time frame closer to our trip this summer so we check on it every couple of days! Thanks for the warm welcome!!
Kim
Thanks to all for the warm welcomes!!!
Kim
NSCRGal5 wrote:We just re-discovered our love for Disney! We took our two boys (ages 20 & 14) in August before both headed back to school. We had the very best family trip EVER!Who is in charge? Hubby & I but we all sat down and talked about meals (we are going during the free dining promotion) and came to an agreement on where we would like to go. We left a few places up in the air since we are early lunch & dinner diners. We all agreed that we didn't want to miss the Candlelight Processional so we arranged that day around Epcot. We are all very excited about the trip.
Grown-up trips are great, but taking the in-laws, ..... your brave.
Oh and
Totally agree! If they want to venture off on their own that is fine with us!
Kim
Restaurants so far: Teppan Edo, Louzzina, Cape May Cafe and Les Chefs de France. We are hoping to get lunch at the new Be Our Guest!
Kim
Welcome to the boards, NSCRGal5! We're happy to have you join us!
You've got some wonderful restaurants lined up, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get to experience the new Be Our Guest restaurant! I heard it's goegeous inside!!
