What should I do?

[minnie64]

Okay Guys I have a trip comming up soon with my close friends, two of which are a couple who know nothing about Disney. I have a feeling they are going to be a total pain in my neck..
" So what park are we going to?"
"Were only going to a park one day right?"
" How much does the zoo cost, and where do I sign up to swim with the dolphins?"
" Why are you asking us where we want to eat? Don't make reservations ahead we'll just walk in"

Ahhh! I'm going crazy, no matter what I say they don't understand how Disney works.. I mean sheesh one park! for one day! in Disney?!

Has anyone else had this problem? How do I handle this without ruining my trip!

 

[AshaNeOmah]

I've faced this and have a pretty forward solution. I tell my group that Disney is tons of fun if done correctly. If they go with me they will have one of the best times they have ever had on vacation. I can basically guarantee that. But it come with stipulations...

Disney is not short. 4 days is the bare minimum. If I cannot take a new person for at least 4 days I tell them to hold off until they can plan more time. Trying to stuff too many things in for a new person in 2 days usually leads to a bad experience.

Disney is not a cheap vacation. A beach trip is a cheap vacation. I insist on one reserved table service restaurant in each park. I can deal with the occasional counter service and may add a walk up to a table service if we can. Ticket prices are ticket prices. Disney can set them and we choose to pay them. If it is too expensive for a 4 day minimum then this trip is not for you.

I lead the trip. Please tell me everything you want to do and we will work it in. I will not leave anything out that is really worth seeing. It may not be our next stop, though. Follow me and you will see everything you want and a number of things you had no idea existed. If you don't like my schedule, though, you are free to go and do things on your own. We can schedule a time to meet back up. There will be no hard feelings.

I make these two points very clear to anyone who desires to travel with me. It earned me the title "Dictator Disney" on a few trips but everyone who goes has a great time. Your responsibility is to make sure you have planned well and actually know what you are doing. Being on these boards is the best start there is for planning a great tip. If these stipulations are met and they understand those conditions you will have a good trip!

 

[CatsMeow]

Our first trip to WDW was in 1981 and it was pretty simple - one theme park, one shopping plaza, one "zoo" (Discovery Island). In some ways, it has been easier for us because we have grown along with Disney and have been able to adjust easier. I can imagine folks just contemplating a visit being overwhelmed! :veryconfu

28 years later, it has become much more complicated (in a good way, IMHO, but still complicated). When we purchased a membership in the DVC, we had free park tickets for several years as an incentive. That was great! But it expired in 2000 and folks still think we are getting into the park on Mr. Disney's dime! :ROFLOLon't we wish.....

I tell anyone who is planning a WDW trip to take a look at some of the websites devoted to WDW - there are tons, some better than others, but you can learn something from any of them. The Unofficial Guides are great, too, but the size of them can be a little daunting! Disney is just too big to take on without something of a plan even if it is as simple as MK - Monday; EC- Tuesday, etc. Folks would not think of traveling to Europe without figuring out which sights they want to visit.....WDW is not that different in that you need to know the lay of the land to make decisions and to make the most of your hard-earned vacation dollars.

 

[JustPlainBill]

Sometimes there's nothing you can do, I have friends and family that remain ignorant on the subject, no matter how much I try to educate them. If your friends like to read, try and push them to read the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, www.touringplans.com, I found the book to be a great resource as well as a refresher in case you haven't been back to "the World" in awhile.

 

[minnie64]

Thanks guys, I'm pretty much a "disney dictator" as well. I think that they'll just have to be in Disney for themselves and then they can finally see what its all about. I don't want to force anything on them but sometimes its hard not to err:fork:

 

[Lucky]

With large groups I strongly advise splitting up for part of each day. You'll have time to give them your expertise and advice but they will still be able to selectively ignore it if they want, without driving you crazy and dragging you along to the loser attractions.

 

[petersenjp]

When traveling with Disney Newbies, I always have to put on my "tour guide" hat. I just have to keep thinking I am the Disney expert in the group, and they are learning through me!!!

 

[DisneyChik17]

Oh my, this is why my friends will probably NEVER go to WDW with me. :lol: We were planning our Spring Break one year and everyone wanted to go somewhere different, I come into it with a printout for everyone there with park hours, costs, dining expenses, hotel options, different arrival and departure dates... the works. I think I scared them because I was such a commander. I think that's how you should be though, "Dictator Disney" if you will.

Never going until now could certainly be overwhelming. I would just gently let them know that you are a veteran of park-going and that you really do feel that you have a great plan for them to have a fun vacation. If you approach it the right way, it should go over well.

 

[Lucky]

Some people like to figure it out for themselves, even if it means making some mistakes. I stick to the big things in giving advice - like making ADRs as far in advance as possible - but don't try to tell people what attractions or restaurants they'll like or not like. Tastes are different. Some people seem to like Ellen's Energy Adventure. I'll let people know it takes a long time, but I won't tell them they won't like it.

 

[AshaNeOmah]

Some people like to figure it out for themselves, even if it means making some mistakes. I stick to the big things in giving advice - like making ADRs as far in advance as possible - but don't try to tell people what attractions or restaurants they'll like or not like. Tastes are different. Some people seem to like Ellen's Energy Adventure. I'll let people know it takes a long time, but I won't tell them they won't like it.

Lucky is correct in this. I don't tell people what the should or should not do. We do mostly everything when I plan a trip for new guests. Ellen's Energy Adventure, Sounds Dangerous, Primeval Whirl, and Country Bear Jamboree (My examples of mediocre attractions) are visited by groups who go with me.

As for restaurants, tastes are varied. I am sure to take first timers to 'Ohana, Jiko (or Boma), and a World Showcase restaurant. After that I want to hear the input of my group as long as they have done a little research themselves. If someone wants a day full of counter service I really try to steer away from that, regardless of tastes.

 

[jonnyc]

You will eat when i tell you to eat! You will go on Tower of Terror when i say you can! You will have fun when i tell you to have fun! :fork:

 

[DizneyPryncess]

This happens to me every single March, and it does get really aggravating. DH & I do a family reunion w/his family at a time share in Orlando. There's now over 20 of us. We get there, and they want to go to one park. And to me, it's like - I drove 15 hours for one park?? And nobody has a clue what to do in the park.

I tend to turn into a tour guide too, which probably gets a little annoying to them. But if I don't, we'll just move super slow & be a big clueless group. I've learned that you just have to put your opinions in when you can, but understand in the end that everyone isn't like all of us when it comes to Disney.

Our best solution is to take our own days to do our own Disney stuff. If that's possible on your trip, take a day to yourselves to do a Disney park your own way. It will make it easier to do it their way another day.

 

[sublimesting]

Okay Guys I have a trip comming up soon with my close friends, two of which are a couple who know nothing about Disney. I have a feeling they are going to be a total pain in my neck..
" So what park are we going to?"
"Were only going to a park one day right?"
" How much does the zoo cost, and where do I sign up to swim with the dolphins?"
" Why are you asking us where we want to eat? Don't make reservations ahead we'll just walk in"

Ahhh! I'm going crazy, no matter what I say they don't understand how Disney works.. I mean sheesh one park! for one day! in Disney?!

Has anyone else had this problem? How do I handle this without ruining my trip!

I like the way my DW and I do Disney. If anyone wants to go with us they must be pre-screened and have a suitable level of magic and kid in them. if not, they aren't coming. Also, you willl do what I want to do because I know how to do it. If you do not agree to these terms go back to the hotel room. :wave:

 

[AshaNeOmah]

You will eat when i tell you to eat! You will go on Tower of Terror when i say you can! You will have fun when i tell you to have fun! :fork:

That's pretty much me...

You will eat when i tell you to eat! You will go on Tower of Terror when i say you can! You will have fun since my Disney planning is amazing and awesome! :fork:

Fix'd!

 

[juscet]

Just remember you do not have to spend every waking minute with the group. Just set up some "alone" time where everyone can do their own thing. Or educate them on everything before you go.

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

ditto, ditto, and ditto to everybody. As the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water...:brick:

You said that these are close friends and that they don't understand no matter what you say, so, with taking this into consideration, I'd say let them know where you're going and when (maybe even why) and if they want to tag along, fine. If they don't, they know when they can hook up with you. If they want advice or touring guidance, they know where to turn.

It's your vacation and you enjoy it. :wave:

Big questions - how many Disney people are going? Are you in the minority or are they? Anybody backing you up?

 

[Vernonpush]

You could always let them "fend for themselves" the first day. Once they see that they can not just walk up to a sit-down restaurant, then you can tell them that you've already "planned" the rest of the the trip (which you'd have already done without telling them), and if they would like to join you (to get the most out of everyone's vacation) then, that would be fine (it's probably easier to change an ADR to a smaller party than a larger one:lol.:shrug:

 

[JustPlainBill]

I like the way my DW and I do Disney. If anyone wants to go with us they must be pre-screened and have a suitable level of magic and kid in them. if not, they aren't coming. Also, you willl do what I want to do because I know how to do it. If you do not agree to these terms go back to the hotel room. :wave:

Yes, I agree...I have a cousin who's been to WDW at least as much as I have but really hasn't a clue to this day about anything there. I think she only goes because of her son, and all her friends go and she needs to keep up with the Jones' so to speak. She has asked my wife if we would consider going together with her, her husband and son the next time we go to WDW. When that day comes our answer will certainly be no way! We spent a day at the zoo with them once and it was one of the worst days at the zoo we ever had. It was bad enough they were disorganized and dragging us down with them, but they were stubborn about their own agenda. These kind of people are not what you need on a WDW visit, we get into our own messes on our own without having to times it by 2, 3 or 4 even. Congrats on the pregnancy by the way, referencing your thread!

 

[foreverbelle]

yep. we know people like that. they refuse to do the whole dinner reservations in advanced thing and don't understand it. when they come back they are always like well why didn't any one ever tell us...im like because you didnt listen. my best advice to people to just educate themselves and make sure they are prepared while it may not be cheap, they will ultimately have a great time, at least that is my opinion and my experience.

 

[RussJT]

Let them have a say in the planning. Not everyone will like to do it the way you do it. Even thouse of us who have been to Disney many times have differing opinions on the best way to do it... and wouldn't want someone else forcing their way on us. For example, I know this is different that many here, but my family and I like to do one park each day, and no longer spring for the Park Hoppers because we don't use them. That is our preference.

I agree with the poster who suggested that you let the group know what you plan on doing each day, and if they want to go with you they can, but if they want to do something else let them have that option.

As for ADRs, maybe you should advise them to make a few so that they can experience the sit down restaurants... but maybe some of them would prefer counter services exclusively, and would more enjoy a hot dog from Casey's every day.

Good luck. Hopefully the trip can be enjopyable for you and the rest of your group.