Going with friends

[graphite1326]

A while back some friends commented that the next time we went to WDW that they would like to go. The time came and we asked them and we went on our trip. Everything went well and we had a good time. However, I spent all my time making sure they had a good time and didn't enjoy it like I usually do. Now, some other friends asked if they could tag along.

I don't know if anyone has had a similar experience and I don't know what to do. Maybe just go ahead and invite them.

 

[copcarguyp71]

I am pretty selfish that way and would worry that our guests would either not go with the flow...or maybe I would be resistant to go with theirs. We did meet up with friends a couple of years ago but we have travelled with these folks several times before and they are awesome travelling companions because we can take or leave each others plans for the day without feeling let down. I guess it all depends on how "needy" you think they will be.

 

[JohnD]

I felt the same as you taking my folks. Yes it was "my" birthday present. But I felt like the one doing all the work. We went during the F&G festival. I thought our lunch would be a leisure stroll around WS trying out the food booths. But it hit noon, and they demanded to know where lunch was. "How about that place?" (Cantina across from Mexico.) "No, too spicy." So, we hot footed it to Norway. "How about these sandwiches?" (Cafe/pastry shop toward the front of the pavillion). Yes, that worked just fine. I'm running around frantically. So much for the leisurely stroll.

On our AK day (it was raining by the way), my parents didn't want to ride the rapids. I okay, I get that. My Dad, remembering this was my birthday trip, offered, "Hey, John, why don't you ride and we wait?". My Mom quickly chimed in that we should keep moving. I held my tongue but stood firm on ridinig Everest while they waited.

I ended up pouring myself out for them deferring to what they wanted to do. Don't get me wrong. I wanted to show them the best WDW had to offer and I was willing to do it. Of course, I was grateful that they paid for the trip, but for the most part the trip really wasn't an enjoyable one.

 

[belledream]

I know the exact feeling that you are describing! I find that going on in my head all the time, not just at Disney. Worrying if they're having fun at a party, a sporting game, etc. It's self-inflicted agony!

Me personally - I don't think I'd ever be able to fully enjoy myself going to Disney with my friends. Most of the reason I enjoy it so much is because of who I'm with - that we both immerse ourselves in the Disney bubble and appreciate the Disney details and sentiments.

But if you invite your friends, I'm sure like you said, you will still have a good time - you just have to go in with the knowledge that it's not going to be your typical Disney trip and it'll be a different kind of fun.

 

[scoobygirl39541]

I'm going with a friend for the first time in Feb and I'm a little nervous about this. I've been going with my family since 2001 and we've developed certain patterns and "must do's" that are unique to us. However, I don't mind letting my friend take the lead this one time since I go quite frequently. Just want them to have the best experience possible!

 

[JohnD]

I'm going with a friend for the first time in Feb and I'm a little nervous about this. I've been going with my family since 2001 and we've developed certain patterns and "must do's" that are unique to us. However, I don't mind letting my friend take the lead this one time since I go quite frequently. Just want them to have the best experience possible!

If you've been enough times just get a feel for what they like to do and schedule your FP+ and ADRs accordingly. Don't uber plan the schedule, though let your friend be the one with the guiding input and you do the details.

 

[zurgandfriend]

I did a family grand gathering a few years ago and it was the only time I didn’t enjoy myself in WDW. It seemed like we spent all of our time gathering everyone together. No one liked the same attractions so there was always a debate as to what to ride. By the third day I would announce to the group “I am riding Big Thunder Mountain if you want to ride it get in line if not see you later.”

 

[NYwdwfan]

We've met friends down there for a few days here and there but did not spend the entire trip together. It worked out really well. I have other friends that are Disney-crazed like we are and we have discussed how we would NOT be able to tour together. For starters, they make a left towards Adventureland their first day and we always go right to the Peoplemover. It just wouldn't work out.

 

[WDWResort]

I went once with family who were visiting for the first time from another country, a very under privileged one, so we took our time and going with their flow didn't bother me so much cause I loved seeing it through their eyes. We took our time and didn't really rush, that was nice.

Another time I went with another group of family, it sucked. When there are too many people, and no one know what they wanna do cause they don't wanna be that person who makes everyone else's plans, everything goes wrong. We probably spent two to three hours total just trying to figure out what things people wanna do.

However when I go with friends, it's great. We can just speak our minds and find a common ground or just go along with it. Really depends on who you're with, how comfortable you feel with them, and how many people. After experiencing two back to back trips with a group, I'd rather just go with my girlfriend and if one another couple wants to join in, why not. Four people is better than six or eight. Plus making dinner reservations and future plans with that many people sucks.

 

[HappilyEverAfter71]

I've never been with friends but one of my friends keeps saying we should all plan a trip but I'm really nervous about that because 1. Out of all of us, I've been to WDW the most times so I know it a bit better than they do. 2. some of my friends can be pretty flaky and I fear that nobody is going to be able to agree on stuff to do 3. I'm concerned that they won't be able to keep up, which sounds kinda mean maybe. But I've always basically spent the entire day at the parks when I've gone with my family. We get there at rope drop and stay in one park (usually MK) or hop but we don't leave to go back to the hotel until whatever park we're in has closed. I know one of my friends can't even go to Carowinds without complaining about being tired after like 2 hours so it just worries me.

 

[JIMINYCR]

You REALLY have to decide what kind of trip do you want. And how you will experience your park days and meals. Weve gone with friends and had good trips where everything went well and then trips where we felt our Disney time was wasted/ruined by the friends being along. For it to work you really need to be in sync with each other on how you will do things and also plan in to have time alone as well. It takes a lot to save and plan your trip and to come back regretting others were along stinks. For us, we have wised up and decided from now on to just go as a couple or as a family and no more taking chances inviting others along.

 

[Graham9]

I think a lot of useful advice has already been given. For what it's worth, only you can decide what is likely to work for you as only you can assess the situation and don't go with anything you're uncomfortable with.

We had an opportunity to come to the World early next year, on a discount as part of a larger family on my wife's side (This would be their first trip to WDW and are looking to us for pointers and tips), some of whom I don't particularly get on with (especially their rude and brat-ish kids). It would have been a cheap vacation, I wouldn't have to drive etc etc, but I refused to have anything to do with it.

Why? Because when I go away, I want it on my terms (which is usually the same as my wife's). I want to go to have a good time and not have my time and money crimped by the needs of others and having to watch and cater for other people. I know I would hate that and we wouldn't get to see a fraction of what we would normally do because of whiney kids, miserable parents, constant complaining about everything, never wanted to get up early/stay late and doing nothing to really have a good time...apart from moaning about it all. So I said "No!".

Instead, we are coming to the world in just over a year's time, in our own company, planning what we want to do and when. Yes its costing us more and we have to wait longer before we go, but so what? I would rather pay more and do what we want than try to cheap it out and have a really bad time with bad people.

Of course, this is my situation and only my opinion. I don't mean to come off selfish, but I work hard to enable us have a vacation, we have a means by which we know what we want and what to do and I am not going to allow others to totally destroy it, knowing them for what they are. There again, if someone else wants to pay for me to go with them....

 

[bjlc57]

We brought our two son- in -laws.. one who had never been.. and one who was ONE TIME, but really didn't see Disney.. so here was the Plan.. it was 8 days.. my wife asked for the two couples to stay with us the FIRST FOUR DAYS until Noon or so EACH DAY.. after that.. it was YOUR VACATION.. Do your own thing.. but because the couples listened to us.. and followed the touring plans that WE had and Made, and the FP's that we made 90 days in advance.. they ALL GOT TO SEE THE WHOLE PARKS.. each and every ride that THEY WANTED TO SEE.. without exception.. and they seldom waited in line.. but.. then they got to do whatever they wanted to.. my one girl and her husband went back to the room for some time.. and then stayed out ALL NIGHT on Memorial Day weekend and were dancing on main street at 3 am that night.. my other kid, said to us.. You know.. we are on a different vacation then that you are on.. and THAT WAS GREAT.. if you can work in those parameters.. you can go with friends and have a good time.. but if you are going to be tied to each other.. you probably will drown.. .and not see the Disney that you want to see..