HELP! Convince my mom that Disney World is fun!

[ColleenS]

For some reason my mom, who's 50, is not really excited about our trip. There are six of us in our party. Her, my dad, me (23) and my two younger sisters (21,13) and younger brother(17) We are going the first week of June.

She doens't do thrill rides but does ride other rides. I keep telling her about all the wonderful things I have planned, but she isn't convinced. She thinks she's going to spend the whole week standing around in the hot weather waiting in line. Yesterday I mentioned AK and she told me she doesn't want to go to a zoo.

So please post your favorite part of Disney World and why my mom should be excited about this trip!
Thanks!

 

[skier_pete]

I assume she has never been. I just took my DMIL, who just turned 60, and she was the same way, not all that excited about the trip, more interested in the fact she was getting to spend a week with her Grand-daughter. She never really knew too much about Disney World. We had showed her the planning video, blah! The only thing I tried to tell was (1) It's not like going to (insert local amusement park here) and (2) It's like nothing you've ever experience before.

By the end of the trip, she was talking...next time this, next time that...she absolutely loved it. She did not try any thrill rides, unless you count Star Tours, which she liked a lot. But she really enjoyed the shows, Fesitval of the Lion King, Little mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, The castle show, the Safari at Animal Kingdom, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Pirates, Small World. She loved Soarin', too.

So, don't worry about getting her too excited, unless she's the really super-uptight type, once she's there with her family having fun she'll fall for it. Just keep good park strategy if you can to minimize waits, long lines can drag a trip down. (I don't think strict touring plans are practical, but getting there right when the park opens, using FPs.) Since she won't go on most of the thrill rides, you shouldn't have to worry too much about long lines anyways.)

And don't forget, she might not be able to take the pace you and your younger siblings set. If her and Dad want to sit and rest a bit while the rest of you hit some of the bigger thrills, don't worry, it doesn't mean she's not having a good time.

YOU'LL ENJOY IT MA!
SkierPete

 

[dbm20th]

I think at 50, assuming she's in good health, she might enjoy some of the thrill rides. For one, they are not extreme but fun. At 50, she may like ToT as she probably has memories of the show. Certainly the mountains at MK would be something she'll like.

But it depends on the person. Does she not like "kid's stuff"? The skip Dumbo, Peter Pan and all that. Instead, take her to the American Adventure, Soarin, the Great Movie Ride, KS. Also, how's her taste in food and drink? If it's like mine, you'll have to pry her out of the World Showcase

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I agree with Skier_pete. We just got back from WDW with Friends and the DH wasn't really thrilled about going. But once we got there we went on the ToT and he was like a little kid----- BOY, This is Great, I love the queque, I love the effects, WOW- Disney goes all out!! In addition, by day 4 he was talking about next time --- I looked at him and said "NEXT TIME????" OMG I converted you!!


Maybe you could set up something special for your mother and father such as dinner at Victoria & Alberts or Dinner at the California Grill (with no kids) or the Hoo Dee Doo Reveu or the Luau--depending on her taste. Or maybe a wishes or illuminations cruise for the whole family. Or maybe a spa treatment!!

No matter what, have a good time!!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

I took my 80 yr old mom last year who had never been and had no idea what to expect, no matter what we hald told her about WDW from all of our trips, pictures. Of course, being 80, she wasn't about to go on Space Mountain or Rock N'Roller Coaster, but she had what she said was one of the best trips of her life. She did practically everything, including Soarin, as long as it wasn't a thrill ride. I did spend a good amount of time planning our days and meals out, and it definitely paid off. Believe it or not, one of her favorite activities was meeting up with the characters and taking pictures with them; they made such a big deal of her. And to think that she thought meeting characters was "silly" before we left for the trip!

I wouldn't worry too much because there is something for everybody at WDW. If you have an inkling of what your mom would like best (shows, the countries at World Showcase, parades, fireworks,), make sure you schedule them in and early in your trip if possible. Your enthusiasm for WDW will surely rub off on her.

And hey, I'm 50 and feel like 10 when I'm at the World! It's just something you just can't help.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

It's magical..It makes you feel like a little kid all over again.Im 13 and when I go to Disney World,I try to forget about my reality of school,friend fights,and tests..At Disney world it isnt weird for you to act like a little kid or get excited over riding DUMBO becuase everyone is like that.

So basicallyit helps you getin touch with the kid part of you.

I hope you guys have a MAGICAL vacation.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you get there on/before June 3rd, go to Epcot to see the Flower Show. The topiaries, and ponds and flower displays are better than Disney's very best at other times of the year. Even on June 3rd there will be a Flower Power concert, and if she' 50, she should recognize the music/artists. This year Peter Noone/Herman Hermits ( I think ) was there the last weekend.

My DMom is 86, soon to be 87, and we were last there in October for my DAunts 80th birthday celebration. DAunt tried Soarin (felt queezy, so gave away her fast pass for the next ride), the rest of the group, 50-87 thoroughly enjoyed Soarin.

I agree that everyone loves a bit of attention from the characters. Eating at Liberty Tree Tavern gave us the best character interaction.

Some of us did the Magic Behind the Steam Train tour. That was great. If she's interested in gardening/vegetables at all, people recently mentioned Behind the Seeds, the tour of the Land Pavillion. Here's a link to that thread.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1290925
Perhaps there will be lines, and doing some special things, can help. My friends and I were in our 50's when we swam, and did something like snorkel in the Seas Epcot Tour...That was something I'd do again.

That new Nemo Show in AK should be on in June, and I wouldn't miss the bird show there.

I've brought friends who were in their 60's and had never considered going to WDW, but we offered them lodging in our DVC, and they came, and admitted that they were wowwed! I sent my friends copies of Birnbaum's book Disney for Adults (whatever it's called) to help them before hand. We had 4 days and went to all parks, no hopping. Taking it slow, relaxing and listening to them worked to help them have a great time.

I hope you have a Magical time, and I hope the Dream Team finds you!!!

Bobbi

 

[ColleenS]

Thanks so much to everyone who has replied so far.

I agree that once we get there she'll start to enjoy herself. Its just that the rest of us are so excited. Even my dad is happy to be going and I want her to share in the excitement.

 

[DizzKneeGeek]

Unfortuantely, or maybe fortunately, you can't force somebody to get excited about something like this. Pushing someone to be excited about something can often lead to further and more intense 'non-excited' feelings(I know this from personal experience). The best thing you can do is lay off a bit and let her find her own pace of fun once she arrives.

This my motto on Disney:
Disney is something you either "get" or "don't get". There's not much in between. The people that "don't get" Disney, yet are forced to have "fun" tend to be the ones that cause other guests a good amount of their grief(again, I know this from personal experience).

Just let her be. She'll either have fun or not. Please don't agitate her anymore...like I did my FIL

Edited to add:I sincerely hope she gets to WDW and ends up having the time of her life.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Thanks so much to everyone who has replied so far.

I agree that once we get there she'll start to enjoy herself. Its just that the rest of us are so excited. Even my dad is happy to be going and I want her to share in the excitement.

You know what? Some people just have to see to believe!

When we went on a large family trip, my brother and SIL weren't all that excited about going to Disney either...they were happy to be going to warm weather in Feburary, but they weren't excited about going to Disney...I gave up trying to convince them and lo and behold, they loved it and are planning to go back next year.

I wouldn't worry about it too much AND I wouldn't try to build it up too much!
She'll see for herself, don't worry!

 

[jaskemr]

There is something for everyone!
The parks are so huge, there is no way not to have fun.

Definately not just for Kids.... Heck I went 2 years ago, and want to go back NOW!

It is fun for ALL ages!

Take her on Test Track and Mission Space, once you get those beyond you, she'll be having too much fun to leave.

 

[jaskemr]

A good warm up might be Stiches Great Adventure... and a few 3d/4d adventures like a Bugs Life...

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Have you shown her the New Planning DVD maybe that will help.

We are going the first week of June as well.

My DW is not a big thrill ride person and doesn't like to get up early while on vacation so DD and I just go to the EMH and get on all the big rides and she comes and meets us later.

 

[Cee]

...she needs to realize that with everyone in the family getting older, these
family vacations will become few and far between. She can look at it like
she's standing around in hot weather, or she can join in and enjoy the time
she has with her entire family. I'm 51 myself, and I know what I'm talking
about. Tell her to relax and enjoy it.

 

[steelfish535]

I agree with the DissNeeGeek (sp?)...it's not something you can push them to get excited about. My DH consented to the trip after I hounded him for months about it. We went with my parents and brother and SIL...8 in total. I figured he'd enjoy himself, as he'd not be working, but that might be about it. He's all about relaxing and taking it easy on vacation. We got back October 7, and we're already planning our next TWO disney vacations, both HIS idea! He's now an addict like the rest of us. One night on the boardwalk he actually wanted to go in to get further info on the DVC (my parent's own) for us!
Let her find her own way, and I'm sure she'll enjoy herself! YOU remember to have a good time too!

 

[ButchJohnson]

Maybe you guys should do Universal studios, if you stay on site you don't have to wait in line, and its kinda known to be a little more adult oriented. If she likes movies she would love Uni, just a thought.

 

[bytheblood]

Yeah, she may feel that way now, but she will be planning her next trip before you ever leave.

Don't stress about it too much. She will be addicted before it is over.

 

[bab31]

And don't forget, she might not be able to take the pace you and your younger siblings set. If her and Dad want to sit and rest a bit while the rest of you hit some of the bigger thrills, don't worry, it doesn't mean she's not having a good time.

YOU'LL ENJOY IT MA!
SkierPete[/QUOTE]

I am so glad you are not talking about me! I am 50 but life has been busy moving on! I can keep up with most anyone and you make 50 sound so ....OLD!

 

[skier_pete]

And don't forget, she might not be able to take the pace you and your younger siblings set. If her and Dad want to sit and rest a bit while the rest of you hit some of the bigger thrills, don't worry, it doesn't mean she's not having a good time.

YOU'LL ENJOY IT MA!
SkierPete

I am so glad you are not talking about me! I am 50 but life has been busy moving on! I can keep up with most anyone and you make 50 sound so ....OLD! [/QUOTE]

Oh, bab31, I am not saying 50 is old. I am 37, so not that young, but there is no way I could keep the pace that DW and I did when we were in our twenties. We would go from opening to close each day. NO WAY I would do that now. (And not just because of DD). The OP is indicating the kids are teens to early twenties, and mom might get sick of "Oh, let's run here...let's run there..." after a while.

SkierPete

 

[modernscarlett]

My DH, 42, only consented to go on our Thanksgiving week trip to please me and my DD. No matter how much I convinced him he'd love it, he'd remind me that he hates crowds, isn't that into rides, etc. Let me tell you, he came away completely converted.

He was just so impressed with how well Disney does everything - such a class act. The friendliness of the people, the cleanliness of the parks, and just the magic that is pure Disney. We were planning our next trip two days in to this one!

And just give up on trying to get her excited. I did the same thing. But I made a deal with him that he had to admit it to me the moment he started having fun. That happened on Day 1