Ever taken anyone to WDW who hated it?

[Simba's Mom]

And did they kind of make you enjoy it less? I'm concerned this is going to happen with my mother. For some reason, which I don't know why now, she invited herself on my upcoming trip (that was going to be solo). Now she tells me she doesn't want to do character meals, hasn't seen any Disney movies since the "real old ones-Snow White, Sleeping Beauty". She did see "Finding Nemo", which she thought was "stupid". She doesn't want to do POTC or HM (Hello, aren't those WDW classics?) And she said she doesn't care about FOTLK, Philharmagic, or ITTBAB. So I just visualize her spending the entire vacation in WS and the hotel. Anyone else travel with non-Disney companions? How did you enjoy vacations after that?

 

[goofy4tink]

Oh my, poor you!! So much for doing your own thing. Ah well. I would just tell mom that these are the things I have planned. She can join or not. But maybe she should give each thing a try before she poo-poo's it. Has she been to WDW before? Or is she like my older kids..thinks it's just for kids and is like a big amusement park, with no redeeming qualities.

We did go with another family once. I thought it was going to be my dh who was going to be the big ole party pooper. He had never been before and just couldn't figure out what the big deal was. But, he didn't want to miss out since the other dad was going. But, it was the other dad who was almost sullen the whole time. Finally he came out with this statement..."You know, we keep getting up early, just to stand in a line, so that we can be the first ones to stand in another line. I don't get it...WDW is a plastic non-reality place, engineered to separate you and your money. Let's sit by the pool and have a few cold drinks today and not go to the parks!!" His wife was mortified. It only got worse. He just never got with it, so to speak. In fact, the other mom, her dd and myself and my dd will be going in 18 months, when the girls turn 13. I even tried asking the dads along but she freaked out, saying there was no way she was going to WDW with him, ever again!! So, my poor dh is staying home, since he doesn't want to make the other dad look bad!!

I say, give mom a chance to redeem herself. She might even enjoy it!!

 

[ncbyrne]

We went ONCE with my b-i-l and his wife. We did everything we could in advance to let them know the exact way we "do" WDW. We planned to go our separate ways during the day and to meet up in the evenings most nights for dinner. Yeah, well that didn't even work on day 1! They said they didn't know what to do, so they'd just tag along with us. They frowned at just about everything - and hated the rides I loved (RnR, Test Track, Space Mountain) and almost had apoplexy when they heard me scream on RnR! They didn't want to spend the $ on sit down restaurants and finding rest rooms became the thing to do! HELLO? Never again. However.....a b-i-l is not the same as Mom, and if my mother had ever wanted me to take her to WDW, I would have, in a heart beat. I'm sure I would have had to give in to her wishes on lots of occasions and the trip would be a compromise. But hey, you may not always have her around (my mother died in 1993) and you don't want regrets, only good memories for years to come. WDW will still be there for your next solo trip.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

We took my DD's boyfriend (they were 18 at the time) No one in the family liked him before the trip. By the time the trip ended, even my DD didn't like him. He just didn't get it.

 

[Tine731]

We took my DD's boyfriend (they were 18 at the time) No one in the family liked him before the trip. By the time the trip ended, even my DD didn't like him. He just didn't get it.

I can relate to that....I took my boyfriend. He hated it WDW and ended up making me cry....can you believe that. I was sooo upset that he made me cry at the happiest place on earth. As soon as we left the airport and headed home I broke up with him and never looked back. You DO NOT make me cry at Disney and think you can get away with it!

 

[mking624]

I can't say he hated it, but my grandfather didn't care for it too much (he went in 2001). He was very sensitive to the heat and it made him physically ill a lot (he had cancer and was going through treatments so that didn't help at all). He stayed in his room almost the entire week. The only time he came out was to treat me & my husband and some other family members out to lunch at DTD and walk around for a bit. He was there for my aunt & uncle's vow renewal (the only other time he went out), otherwise he wouldn't have gone. He didn't make anything bad for us, and didn't complain one time, but I felt horrible knowing that we were out all having fun and he had to stay in his hotel room with the exception of a couple of hours out each day. Looking back on it now, I wish I would have spent some time each day in that room with him (he passed away last year).

 

[disneytyme]

I feel your pain. My DH does not like WDW either and I love it to infinity and behond He can't stand to hear me talk about it and after our first trip I vowed to never go to WDW with him again. The last two years I have taken my DM and little sister and we have a great time. Well, we started plannin a trip for this October an all of a sudden everyone wants to jump on our Disney bandwagon. My DF, DB, DB's girlfriend, and even my "bahumbug to Disney" DH all want to tag along. I am so worried they are all going to rain on our parade.

 

[DonnaDuck]

Been there, done that...

In November, we took our first Disney sea/land cruise. My Mom went with us. She LOVED the cruise. She tells everyone how much fun she had. I know that she would go on a cruise everyday if she had someone to go with her. We created a monster. LOL

However...she didn't care for WDW. Me, being such a Disney fan and her nicknaming me DonnaDuck as a child...how did I come out of this woman? LOL

My Mom has lung problems. And not being able to walk and having to ride in a wheelchair the whole time made it miserable for her. We are going back in January. I invited her to go, but she doesn't want to. I will miss her...but I am excited about our little family trip back to the world!!

 

[Bracho]

Only once and never again... My aunt had just gotten re-married and somehow they got invited by another family member down with us on vacation... no problem. By the second day her new husband was so over everything going on it was starting to rub off on the rest of the group and on me. So I took them both aside and told them that I loved them both but that as of the next day, it would be better if they went there way and we went our... I wasn't there to have my vacation spoiled just because he wasn't having a good time. My aunt wasn't to happy about it but he looked relieved. We had dinner and a drink together that night and the next morning we started our vacation over without them. It was the best thing for everyone involved and my aunt thanked me a few months later.

Just for the record, he is still a real pain and doesn't like much of anything... LOL it was the first time I had ever met anyone that was anti-Mickey...

 

[magicgirl]

Your mothe may suprise you.

We have a lovely elderly friend who house sits for us when we go away. She looks after the dogs and the horses and we come home to find the house has been cleaned from top to bottom. Lovely as she is she is very opionated. After our 3rd trip to Florida she went on and on about why did we keep going back and what could we possibly see in Disney.

We told her that we were going to take her on holiday to Spain, a short cheap holiday desternation from us in the UK. We told her that we would change her money etc and all she needed was he passport. I am sure that we could have got her on the plane before she realised that we were going to Florida. When we told her her comment was that it was a long way to go for a week.

We had a few minor problems during the week mainly due to her commenting on other people in a loud voice that carried. As for Disney---she loved it all and wanted to do all the rides. Several times we waited for her becouse we wern't as keen on some.

When we came home she kept on about how much she had enjoyed it and when we started to book our next big family trip she assumed that she was coming as well. She did come and again had a fantastic time. She was 78 then and we all wished that we had her energy.

 

[StephenKay]

Hi there,

In 2002, as members of DVC we had asked my DS and 2 nephews, aged 8&9 if they wanted a "trip of a life time" in WDW a 2bdr villa at the Beach Club and then the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge for 2 weeks in July 03. All was set my sister saved like mad, as the airfares cost thousands for her and the boys but everything was going along fine. At this point I should say that we had taken one of my nephews before in 98 and he had a great time and his brother had been separately with his father, so it was only my sister who did not knowwhat to expect. Well they arrived at Orlando, bushed. So we went to the parks the following day. MGM was the park, RnR the ride. They came off looking white and scared and refused to do many of the rides in the next 2 weeks. The vacation degenerated into 2 families not speaking, sometimes, the boys had to be "forced" onto baby rides. However on the ToT, the last ride we did, they loved it. Go figure!!

I think it proved many things, think before inviting people to your happy place. Although I almost did it again, I was going to invite them, but my wife reminded me of the last time.

This years vacation is with friends, but we have it sorted, they are disney addicts, love rides etc. Although I want my own space on vacation to enjoy WDW inthe way we as a family do.

PS, My newphews are now called the "WOOSSIE BOYS" by my daughter aged 10, who does every ride over and over again.

 

[karynnix]

We made the mistake of taking my brother's fiancee with us the last time. She complained about EVERY penny that they had to spend. She didn't like any of our "cheesy" activities (meaning Magic Kingdom and Sea World). She didn't like camping (we stayed at the KOA campground in Kissimmee in the cabins). By the end of the trip, we were ready to leave her in Orlando. She still talks about that trip and what BAD MOODS all of us were in and how she had such a great time. We are going back June 4-10 and needless to say, she's going with us AGAIN. If you see a group of people beating up on a "poor defenseless red-head" in Magic Kingdom or Epcot, please just look the other way!

 

[DISFANS3]

Took the inlaws to WDW one time, never again, Sleep till noon people. From now on it will be just us. I will call it the No Friends-No Family-No Phones trip.. WDW LOVER here. Next trip 14 days..... Time to pack the bags....

 

[Micca]

I used to do the commando thing at the parks. On one trip, I had two co-workers with me who asked why we had to tour with such intensity. I told them "This is what I do. Disney has busses that will take you anywhere on property. You don't have to stick with me." Funny thing is, they hung around with me and never said another word. Maybe they thought they'd miss something

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

For an amusing account of Delswife's trip with the SIL from.."@%!!", take a look at this link. Her 47-page trip report has been catalogued by Zurg. Start with the link titled "Part 1, Getting ready to go and the airport incident 10/2" and be prepared to laugh. I guarantee that you will not be able to stop reading.

It so amazing, that with all the negativity her SIL brought with her to WDW, Delswife was still able to have a great time. After reading her report, I knew that no matter who accompanies me to WDW and no matter how bad their attitude is, it's still possible to enjoy the trip.

 

[rmontgo892]

I have had various friends and family with us at WDW over the years!

It was finally my turn to take my parents. Dad wasn't overly excited. Mom has health issues. They really enjoyed the trip especially the DVC/OKW 2 BR! They have been back several times with us!

That being said, they weren't roller coaster types anymore...or so they thought. Yea, I lied and told Mom Splash Mountain was a cute little ride based on Song of the South. Boy, was she surprised. She screamed I am gonna kill you on the last drop.

They weren't "in" to doing all character meals and all rides so we went our own way during certain times. Can you do this with Mom without hard feelings? Will it change your touring plans to a certain degree? Sure.

In my opinion, the biggest problem can be the relationship before you head to WDW. If you can't be honest and feel comfortable speaking your peace than it can lead to a difficult" time while there. Common sense, no? My DH and I as well as my parents have no problem and take no offense if either wanted to split up and do there own thing!

I also think if it's more like a once in a lifetime trip that can potentially lead to probs. If you know your going back, I think it's fun seeing WDW through others eyes.

It is a different trip when my parents come along but I love having them with me and my family!

Ask Mom for example, if it's gonna bother her when you do HM etc and if waiting for you will be "ok." If she doesn't mind and can appreciate soaking up the atmosphere then maybe this will turn out to be nice fit? Can you tell her that having a Character meal is a must on your trip and how is that gonna work when she's not ineterested? Ask her, Mom, will you be miserable if I do the character meals?

Good luck and happy planning!

 

[Bob NC]

.......and if my mother had ever wanted me to take her to WDW, I would have, in a heart beat. I'm sure I would have had to give in to her wishes on lots of occasions and the trip would be a compromise. But hey, you may not always have her around (my mother died in 1993) and you don't want regrets, only good memories for years to come. WDW will still be there for your next solo trip.

Yeah!

 

[Simba's Mom]

if my mother had ever wanted me to take her to WDW, I would have, in a heart beat. I'm sure I would have had to give in to her wishes on lots of occasions and the trip would be a compromise. But hey, you may not always have her around (my mother died in 1993) and you don't want regrets, only good memories for years to come. WDW will still be there for your next solo trip.

That's what I'm trying to tell myself. She's 72, said she really wanted to go to WDW (although, like I said, I don't know why), and Dad won't go. Glad to see there are plenty of people here who've been in my position and are still WDW fans. Thanks, everyone!
And for the poster who has a reluctant (to say the least) DH, he may surprise you yet! My DH used to be very DIsney-challenged, so for several years, I went without him. Then he asked to go with me one time-saw how excited I was about going, how much fun I had, and I guess he decided "Maybe there's something to this place". Several trips later, he actually looks forward to going and enjoys himself. I just didn't push it, and slowly he came around (although I'm still the much bigger Disney nut!)

 

[cleo]

We met up with my brother and his then-girlfriend and her 11 year old daughter. The only time this woman did not complain was when she was sound asleep, though I wonder if she may have made whining noises then, too.

She hated the rides, hated the park, hated the food, hated the sun, heat, pool, resort........I could go on and on (as she did). It was just miserable. Her poor daughter didn't get to try any of the attractions, other than ITTBAB, which scared the dickens out of her. She held my hand the whole time since her mom thought the attraction was too stupid to even bother trying. Happily, she is now the Former Girlfriend.

If your mother is going to be like that on your trip, why not just tell her you think she'd enjoy a different sort of vacation with you, and could you both go somewhere else sometime soon?

 

[maxaroni]

No but what did surprise me is that when we went in '02, friends of ours went the same week as us (never met up with them) and I couldn't wait to tell her when we came home about our trip. My ds was 9 and their kids were 9 & 11. My ds loved the trip and couldn't wait to go back. Her kids said WDW was OK...it was their 2nd trip and didn't want to go back
She even said...well, our obligation is done. WHAT!