Convincing the non-believers

[blueroses]

My very good-natured husband is content with visiting WDW once a year, but draws the line with more than that. Since I really want to go to F&W this fall I'm trying to talk a girlfriend into going with me. The trouble is, her only experience with Disney is trips to Disneyland with her family in the 70s Suffice it to say, she thinks no adult would ever want to go to WDW.

Has anyone taken a non-believer on a trip? Did they have a good time? How did you talk them into going in the first place? I don't necessarily feel like everyone needs to be a WDW addict like me, but I really think the resort is a great vacation destination even if you don't have children.

So far I have pushed:

• The F&W Festival itself - it's a unique opportunity.
• Staying at the Swan/Dolphin and enjoying the Mandara Spa.
• The interesting CMs you get to meet representing their countries at Epcot.
• Shopping. Shopping. Shopping.

What else am I missing?

 

[Becky_Boop]

My sister- she will not leave her computer. She absolutely hated being away from her computer for a week, so we tried doing things that she liked- going to Rose & Crown Pub, Tomorrowland Arcade, and doing whatever she wanted. This year, I'm planning on bribing her with $50.

She pretty much hated the trip and acts like we ruined her vacation. But that's my sister. If your sister even thinks that she might like to go, it WILL be much different.

Tell your friend about the wonderful restaurants at Disney World. Gourmet, if you ask me. Downtown Disney is good, too. There's a lot of stuff to do there. I don't know what your friend likes, so point out the things she'd like there (besides shopping). Also, figure out what rides and attractions she'd like at the parks, and market those to her.

Good luck!

 

[blue_eyes5212]

I work with a few people who don't understand why adults would want to go without children!! In fact, one of them said something to me the other day that I just don't understand. She said "You know you are going to have to go somewhere else for vacation sometime right??" Does anyone know what she means?? I just don't know what she is talking about!!

 

[Hoopfamily]

I'll let you know. We're taking my outlaws along with us this year and they think we'll be in and out of the parks with nothing to do by day 3. Not everyone gets the scope.

 

[disnut8]

Tell her to contact me. I'm 43, my husband is 45, we live 7-1/2 hours from Disney World and we go for weekend trips whenever possible. Not long weekend trips. 24 hours trips. I have trip reports for each one of them.

I'm getting geared up for the next one which is the opening weekend for the Food & Wine Festival. To enjoy the festival and to see Survivor (the band, not the TV show). The last trip was Memorial Day and we'd be going back sooner except we're going to be grandparents again.

Yes, adults can certainly enjoy Disney World without kids. We even did the Disney cruise without kids with my in-laws who are in their 70s. They loved it.

Maybe you can say "Disney World is for kids of all ages"?

 

[DebIreland]

Buy her a copy of The Unofficial Guide - the minute she sees just how big that book is alone, she'll realise that WDW is a huge place with a ton of things to do!! Put post-its on the pages about the resorts, World Showcase, shopping, thrill rides, extra activities like boating or the illuminations cruise, night clubs etc. etc. Before we went on our 1st trip, when I read just a few pages of that book, I knew there was a lot more to WDW than I had previously thought!! Good luck!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

My step father was a non believer. He is 53 and had never gone,couldn't understand why went every year and what the big deal was. My mom, his wife, always comes with my family and we had gone many times growing up while she was still married to my dad. Well my step father was sick of hearing all about it and not understanding what the fascination was that he ended up coming with my family and his daughter's family. He only stayed 3 days, but he at least got to experience some of the things. He went to MK, MGM and Epcot. I love him to death, but he ia macho type of guy. Harmless, but tough around the edges. Well for someone so tough, his fav ride was Splash Mountain. He got a kick out of the Brer Rabbit story. I laughed and laughed. I think he is pretty much set on WDW for now, but at least he went to see what it was all about.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Take me instead ... well, I can't run a marathon but I can walk fast ... and shop ...

Although this fall I have already talked DH into another trip ...

Hopefully you will be able to convince your GF to go. I will be honest ... for a long time I always thought WDW was more for kids too ... oh how wrong could I have been! If you can just GET HER there, she will be hooked. Good luck. I wish I had more real advice!!

 

[LoriMistress]

I think you should show her a vacation planning video that WDW mails out for free. I think if you sit her down and show her all of the things that that WDW has to offer I think she might reconsider. Also, showing her shows from the Travel Channel, Food Network, etc.