??For those of you who have traveled with 1st timers....

[DisneyJen0504]

We are planning a trip to WDW for next year with atleast one other couple, possibly 2 couples. Only one of them has been to Disney, and that was when she was like 5. Dh and I have been 4 times since 1998 and each visited when we were kids. We are way into getting the best deals for rooms and park passes, taking midday breaks and utilizing extra magic hours. We makes priority seatings and plan what days to do what before we even get on the plane.
For those of you who have traveled with first timers, has this been a struggle? We are a couple in our late twenties traveling with other couples who may not fully understand our love for WDW. They are way into us doing the planning for the group, but I am wondering if anyone has any tips on how best to approach a vacation with newbies? Both in planning for and once we get there.
Thanks!!!

 

[lynetteSC]

I don't have any advice, but wanted to wish you well! We are taking my parent's who have NEVER had a desire to go, but now that it is our ds's bday they want to tag along! I am hoping everything goes well! We are kind of curious about wht will happen, becuase until ds came along, we remember what a time they gave us about always going back to wdw!

 

[Vanryan]

I am doing that deal right now. I have been planning for my family and neighbors who have never been. We are staying 10 days on-site and they are driving up from Largo to spend 2 nights, off-site. They say things innocently enough like, why would anyone ever want a park hopper? Who would really go to more than one park in one day anyway? Or do you really need PS's? (We are going in April )
So anyway, we have been talking for over a month now and today I went over and brought my binder!!!
Anyway, they did some research on-line and are coming around. I am not some crazy commando person, we will have 5 kids between us, so I really am flexible. It's just I don't want to get to the parks and not have a plan for character meals, and I don't want to go on EMH days because they are off-site and aren't park hopping. So I don't want to leave things to chance. Now that they have changed their minds a bit on which character meals they want to do and have called wdw-dine themselves, only to find the PS for a group of 9 are gone, they are coming around! I hope they have a nice time, I am trying to plan enough so we have options once we get there.

 

[julfre]

My only advice is to not over plan. Remember these are not DIsney diehards and will not want to do a commando tour of the park. I planned a trip once for my parents, sister's family and me. I had it all planned out, but threw it out after the first day. Also, allow some time for the diiferent groups to have their own time. Togetherness is great, but sometimes an afternoon where everyone does their own thing keeps everyone happy.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

My only advice is to not over plan. Remember these are not DIsney diehards and will not want to do a commando tour of the park. I planned a trip once for my parents, sister's family and me. I had it all planned out, but threw it out after the first day. Also, allow some time for the diiferent groups to have their own time. Togetherness is great, but sometimes an afternoon where everyone does their own thing keeps everyone happy.

I agree with almost everything, except the advice not to overplan. We know how that works...nothing planned, nothing done. So overplan to your heart's delight, then have a sitdown and discuss the plans and the reasons for them. After that, once you're there, BE FLEXIBLE! Just because you have the plans, doesn't mean they're written in stone. And, I'd say, PLAN for that one afternoon where everyone does their own thing. Remember, you can't do a Cirque du Soleil, Illuminations Cruise, or Hoop-De-Doo without planning it!

 

[the kabuki]

Definetly plan for one day that everyone splits up. While you're there no one will want to suggest even if they're desperate for some alone time for fear of being rude. Just matter of factly tell them-on such and such a day everyone's on their own, we'll meet back up the next morning.

 

[minmate]

Definetly plan for one day that everyone splits up. While you're there no one will want to suggest even if they're desperate for some alone time for fear of being rude. Just matter of factly tell them-on such and such a day everyone's on their own, we'll meet back up the next morning.

Hear, hear! Good idea... About three days into the trip, I'd say that's a good plan... some may want to pick up the pace, others slow it down!!! You could also get an assessment of what kind of food everyone likes... how picky anyone is and times they like to eat... that kind of thing. Then, I would say, make a plan based on how much everyone seems to want to see and do.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've gone with first-timers and I think no matter what you have to have some sort of plan, big or small, but definitely allow for free time. If they are first timers, I can guarantee they have no concept of just how B-I-G Disney World is and you don't want to totally overwhelm them.

Maybe just pick out a few "Must See" things from each park and don't worry about the rest.

And don't be disappointed if the plan is to go to a park one day and your friends just want to stay at the hotel and hang around the pool...just go to the park and have fun and don't worry about what you think they are missing (a mistake I made) Even though your friends say NOW that they want you to do all the planning and they'll do whatever you plan out, that could easily change mid-trip, but don't let it bug you. The point is for everyone to have a good time.

I'm sure you'll have a great time, it's really fun to be the "expert" if you just make up your mind not to let it stress you.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

I am planning our June visit and there are 13 of us! Only four of us have been before, so I have quite a challenge ahead. They are all looking to me to "show them around" if you will. I plan to plan which park we will do each day, but that is it. We are doing three PS's though and those can get sticky. The first one is on the first night, so easy. The other two are mid week and it may come down to some not showing up, as they are off doing other things. It will be hard to make a PS for 13 and then only 7 show up. So, not sure how that will go. I am just going to make sure they all understand what this means and make sure they are willing to just be there, regardless.