Turn that frown upside down!

[Sukismum]

Hi Everyone,
I'm a newbie here looking for some advice.
I have just booked a two week trip for September this year. My husband, 9 year old daughter and myself are all Disney crazy and have visited numerous times. My mum and my new step-father have decided to tag along on our trip. Unfortunately new step-father is a bit of a grump and has already written the holiday off before we've even left the UK. Does anyone here have any suggestions of things we can do/places to eat/experiences etc. to try and make him fall in love with Disneyworld as much as we did!

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year to you all.
Emma

 

[JIMINYCR]

Like the saying goes... You can't make someone love you... and unfortunately you can't make someone fall in love with WDW. The best you can do is expose him to the things you think he will like most. If you know he enjoys certain types of foods, make your ADR's at places he will enjoy the menu items. If he likes certain types of entertainment and rides, make sure he gets to do them. Try planning your day with things he might enjoy, you could go over guide books with him so he can pick out certain things himself. But at some point you'll see if its working on him and if it isn't don't let it spoil your time with your families enjoyment. Having a grouch on vacation with you can easily spoil your time. Separate yourselves from him if you have to so you can save your time and your relationship with him. Maybe even have a talk with your mother now and discuss what part she can play to help you if he starts getting soured on the trip. Good luck, its not easy dealing with a grouch.

 

[nickys]

There's another thread about a similar problem with a BIL I think, which may have some ideas you could use.

My advice would be to make sure you schedule some time for both parties to have time apart, so you can do what you want to do without the grouch ruining it for you. I would try to avoid planning each day to the hour, allow lots of down time for those that want it. By all means show them each park the first time, but then maybe schedule a second day at each one where you meet up for a meal but have some time "to redo whatever each person wants to do" i.e.: get rid of the grouch. Hopefully he won't be a grouch by then anyway.

Would a behind the scenes tour help, maybe he'd be interested in the history of MK, or have a guide to World Showcase or Future World. Escort hop perhaps and see some of the resorts like GF and Poly. It'll also be Halloween time (it starts in August at WDW), so the party could be fun.

Also find out why they are tagging along - is it your mum's first trip too (so thinking you'll lead them by the hand every minute of the day) or does she want help to enthuse him too? Or both? What does he like, what do they like doing together? Food, golf, shopping, water sports, lying by the pool with drinks ....... ? Are you staying onsite or off? Will they have a car to use themselves?

Once you have some answers it may be easier to plan. Or share the answers here and we can help too!

 

[Sukismum]

Thanks so much guys,
I'm not expecting him to be skipping down Main Street holding hands with Mickey (as amusing as that would be to see) but his attitude toward the whole thing is very negative. My mum hasn't been since 2003 so She's desperate to go back. She won't be a problem.
Grouch is really into photography so I'm sure he will get some good snaps. Especially as we are staying at AK Lodge. I Will definitely look into the tours and book some good restaurants. Failing all of that, we will send him off on a pub crawl around Epcot and accidentally lose him for a few days.

 

[slipperalwaysfits]

I agree with the above suggestions, tailor some Dining Ressies to his interests/liking. If he likes wine, sign them up for the wine tasting at AKL. Also, if he's interested in photography, maybe encourage him to be the official photographer on this trip and say you want to see the world through His eyes. I'd be curious what pics he takes then. Good luck!

 

[ItsJustMeAgain]

I did the same thing with my partners parents a year or so ago now. His mum was excited but the dad hates crowds, hates plans, hates being rushed, doesn't really care for disney and isn't into rides...so I feel your pain. He came back loving it and now wants to go back for his next big birthday (also from UK so don't get to go as regularly as we might like).

I feel the trick is not in trying to get him to love all things disney but letting him be suprised by what disney is. For my partners dad he had a certain expectation of what a disney park would be that was causing all the skepticism but once he got there and saw that it's not a garish disneyfest but a well themed and visually stunning world, that expectation was shattered. The rides weren't all grim nausea inducing coasters but a range of experiences from safari to time travel. There was nostalgia in a place he had never been. He might not love the same things you do but I'm sure he will find something he does love.

As others have said, give him time to enjoy it and focus on what he likes e.g. photography and what not, and you will be fine. My only other advice, as always on every post I have replied to, don't over plan and make it feel like your frog marching him around a park, feeling rushed and on a tight schedule never feels pleasant and leaves no room for spontaneity, even if it is efficient.