Have you told your friends?

[WDWorld2003]

I have a good friend in another state who is going to Disney with her DH and DD 7 and are staying at an offsite condo. She called me to get some advice on buying tickets, etc. as she knows we have gone a few times . She's just amazed we like it there as we are pretty much national park type people.

She said they are only going to AK and MK. Friends have told her they wouldn't like Epcot with a young child. Also, her brother made his one and only trip to WDW last year with his family and will not go again - too hot, too crowded and just didn't suit him. I just hate to see them approach it with such a negative attitude - they are just going for their daughter.

They are not going to go to any night shows. They may go to a couple of restaurants I recommended and Cirque. They'll be there during the Food & Wine and also MVSHP but have no interest (I've never been and would love it). They are going to Sea World and to the ocean one day which they will love.

It was all I could do to bite my tongue. I hope they love it but they will be missing out on so much if they don't go to the parades or shows but what can you do? She really didn't want advice. I didn't dare tell her we owned a timeshare on property - she would really think we went off the deep end!!! In fact, most people we know would think we went off the deep end.

Anyone else feel that way? Only a couple of people in our family know and they really don't get it. It's not that I really care what they think it's just I don't want them to spoil it for us. We enjoy it and that's what counts. I just sometimes wish I could share our enthusiasm with others without them thinking we were out of our minds (maybe we are).

 

[NARM Forever]

Well, I came for my first trip this year "for the children", I said it would be the one and only time. How wrong you can be!! Here I am, two months later, a DVC owner and having so much fun planning and dreaming of my next trip to Disney. I very quickly learned, through DIS and through some people's reaction, that you are very selective about who you tell about the DVC and when to just keep quiet when someone spouts their ignorance.

I found that reading some of the books really helped me to plan but not overplan our trip and enjoy it to the fullest extent. Just tell your friends to keep an open mind and enjoy everything that Disney has to offer.

The magic is sure to get to them. If not, they are just MOBs

 

[JimMIA]

Let's change the question and see where it leads us.

What's your favorite national park? What is your favorite emotion about that park? And what initiates that emotion?

 

[WDWorld2003]

I just feel I would not have to defend DVC if it was in a National Park or almost anywhere else. Because it is in Disney many people tend to have a negative view.

 

[Granny]

She said they are only going to AK and MK. Friends have told her they wouldn't like Epcot with a young child. Also, her brother made his one and only trip to WDW last year with his family and will not go again - too hot, too crowded and just didn't suit him. I just hate to see them approach it with such a negative attitude - they are just going for their daughter.

For many people, a trip to WDW is something to endure, and allows them to put a checkmark next to the "take the kids to WDW" item on their Good Parenting list. That's okay, it's really not for everyone. To some, the words "theme park" are like fingernails on a chalkboard.

It's not that I really care what they think it's just I don't want them to spoil it for us.

Not sure how they could spoil it for you, unless you have a really bad moment and invite them to go with you sometime!

 

[Sammie]

I think advice is best when asked for and not when given without the asking.

I think regardless of what one's passion is, tolerance of others is always in line.

Just as I would not care to spend my vacation camping, others love it. I don't expect them to love my Disney vacations and I don't push it on them.

If they ask for help I share and they can use what parts they feel fit them and their plans. I would never presume to know what makes someone else have a great time.

 

[Nadine&Scott]

A lot of the people we tell don't "get it" either, some just have a blank stare. Sometimes we think we have gone off the deep end too. We have even considered applying for jobs as Chip and Dale so we could live at disney. Most people that we share that with think we say Chippendale "the male dancers" and that really makes them think we have "lost it".

Scott & Nadine

 

[Granny]

I think advice is best when asked for and not when given without the asking.

I think regardless of what one's passion is, tolerance of others is always in line.

Just as I would not care to spend my vacation camping, others love it. I don't expect them to love my Disney vacations and I don't push it on them.

If they ask for help I share and they can use what parts they feel fit them and their plans. I would never presume to know what makes someone else have a great time.

Very well put, Sammie.

 

[WDWorld2003]

As far as spoiling it for us it was a poor choice of words. I guess I just don't want to have to defend our choice - I just want to enjoy it for what it is.

The thing is she did ask my advice but had already made up her mind and kind of had a comeback for why they did not want to do something for everything I suggested.

You all make very good points about advice - I was just a little surprised at the negative attitude my friend had (and that others have about Disney).

Maybe Mickey will change their minds! I've forgotten that years ago I was a naysayer and they had to drag me kicking and screaming but I did it for the kids . I don't expect them to have the same enthusiasm I do, I just thought they would have an open mind. Maybe in a couple of years I will feel the same way they do!

 

[cdmickey]

I think you need to wait till they have their trip and see what happens. Even if it's "not for them", I believe their eyes may be more open to why it "rings your bell".

 

[WDWorld2003]

? - Narm, what is an MOB?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I feel your pain... I have a good friend at work who took his DW and DD to WDW last year. First time for all. He asked for and I provided tons of info and advice where to stay, when to go, what to do, when to do things, and so on. I was thorough, and very excited for them.

Well... Some people are just doomed to have a bad time. My friend had already decided this trip was going to be like "taking a bullet for the family". They ignored my "when to go" advice and chose EASTER WEEK! Then they waited until 1 month before the trip to make ressies. Of course there are no rooms available anywhere. They ended up in a Holiday Inn offsite. I suggested they take the auto train, which they did, but they chose to ride in coach instead of getting a sleeper (this is like riding on a bus for 15 hours with 300 other people). Doomed I tell you!

The trip ended up as expected "they won't be going back there again, it's not worth the money". Oh well, I tried. It didn't spoil my feelings for WDW/DVC, but it did spoil the fun and excitement of sharing the MAGIC.

 

[conciergekelly]

I have done the same thing. I don't know why I take it upon myself to make sure others are having a magical time at Disney. But I do.

Last Easter a friend asked for advice and I gave them all that I had. ...make dinner resevations before you go...go early to parks...don't break your back trying to see everything... yada yada yada. They didn't and had a very bad time.

We took the daughter of that family in July and did it our way. It gave me great joy to hear her talking every night of the trip to her parents on the phone. "Mom, we ate at a cool place, Jiko and I tried goat cheese and duck spring rolls....We rode Expediton Everest 6 times in a row.... we went to Epcot and it was really not boring...did you know you can rent boats here?.... I like the way they do Disney"

So don't blame yourself if the don't have a great time. You did all that you could. I guess it isn't for everyone.

 

[TEK224]

My sister went to WDW once with her family. She has an off-site timeshare and stayed there. When she got back, all she did was complain about how hot it was, the long lines, etc. She is not a theme park person. Of course she went in June after the kids got out of school.

So, I'm taking her, my other Dsis and my Mom to WDW. We leave Sun., staying at BWV (BW view). Hoping for it to be a relaxing, fun trip and give both my sisters a different perspective on WDW. My Mom does get it

 

[NARM Forever]

? - Narm, what is an MOB?

Ahhh, MOB = Miserable Old .... You can fill in the B word. My version (I'm a Brit) is certainly tamer than my Canadian husband

Armed with some basic information and the right attitude, I really can't see how anyone can fail have a great holiday at Disney unless they really don't want to.

I'm sure we all have these stories but I did meet a couple in the elevator at WL. They told me the husband had come to Disney 'kicking and screaming' but after a tour scuba-diving in the tanks at Epcot, he was bowled over. They were both positively glowing

 

[paults]

I have a good friend in another state who is going to Disney with her DH and DD 7 and are staying at an offsite condo. She called me to get some advice on buying tickets, etc. as she knows we have gone a few times . She's just amazed we like it there as we are pretty much national park type people.

She said they are only going to AK and MK. Friends have told her they wouldn't like Epcot with a young child. Also, her brother made his one and only trip to WDW last year with his family and will not go again - too hot, too crowded and just didn't suit him. I just hate to see them approach it with such a negative attitude - they are just going for their daughter.

They are not going to go to any night shows. They may go to a couple of restaurants I recommended and Cirque. They'll be there during the Food & Wine and also MVSHP but have no interest (I've never been and would love it). They are going to Sea World and to the ocean one day which they will love.

It was all I could do to bite my tongue. I hope they love it but they will be missing out on so much if they don't go to the parades or shows but what can you do? She really didn't want advice. I didn't dare tell her we owned a timeshare on property - she would really think we went off the deep end!!! In fact, most people we know would think we went off the deep end.

Anyone else feel that way? Only a couple of people in our family know and they really don't get it. It's not that I really care what they think it's just I don't want them to spoil it for us. We enjoy it and that's what counts. I just sometimes wish I could share our enthusiasm with others without them thinking we were out of our minds (maybe we are).

how long they going for?

lets see 1-- staying off-site that's OK
2--brother already gave her some downers
3--only AK/MK and no Epcot
4--no nt shows-does this mean no fireworks,parades,etc
5--SEAWORLD one day but not Disney
6-- beach one day but not Disney

not much time in Disney itself. I wouldn't expect a good report from them when they get back.

while the beach and seaworld are good they are not Disney. I hope the have at least a 9 nt stay there.

 

[WDWorld2003]

NARM - Thanks for the clarification (I should have known that ). I do hope they come back with an appreciation of the parks. My friend was there 20+ years ago and liked it but seems to have lost that spark.

They are only going for a week. As far as I know they don't plan on any night shows and probably just one of the daytime parades at MK or AK.

I'm always amazed by people who spend a lot to go on vacation and don't research it. They think because they spent money it will just happen (especially at Disney). We research everything we're going to spend money on from redoing the kitchen to buying a $200 camera.

It's just hard not to share my enthusiasm but you're all right - it may not be their thing. It might be like me and NASCAR or football

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have just e-mailed the thread regarding a CM blog regarding the Year of a Million Dreams
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1235902

I wanted my friends to be aware of the promotion that was going on. My friend will be going with her next 2 granchildren. She and her hubby make the trip every so many years when they have 2 grandchildren who have turned 5. This friend often asks me about WDW and takes my advice to heart.

I try not to overdo it. That is very hard. I spend a good portion of any day thinking about DVC.

Bobbi

 

[conciergekelly]

I try not to overdo it. That is very hard. I spend a good portion of any day thinking about DVC.Bobbi

Glad to know I am not the only one. I just have to stop at the computer whenever I walk by. Can you say obsession.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

As a rule, I don't bother sharing the joy with anyone in real life! Nobody seems to appreciate my enthusiasm !