Help Explaining Disney World to a newbie!

[DISNUT21]

Let me explain the back story regarding my situation before asking for your help. I recently had sinus surgery and a septoplasty, and since having the surgery, I have been MISERABLE to say the very least, because I have been riddled with so many complications. Now, finally, I am beginning to feel better, so I began to plan a WDW vacation on the fly… for December, just in time for the Christmas season at the world. I feel as though I really deserve it!
Well two days ago, I started planning by checking my brothers college schedule to ensure he would be home to come with me, that test failed because he is at school until the 22nd! So then, I thought about asking a close friend of mine, but for some reason, my mother got involved and said take your cousin! She has never been before, and would love to go. I thought about it and got excited, first I thought, we are most def. not the same personality type, but it is Disney World and she’s never been!
Well… having so much time on my hands, I managed to book MVMCP tickets, a Magic Your Way with Deluxe Dining package, and all of our ADR’s for this trip. Now… my aunt tells me YESTERDAY after I made final payment on the package, and purchased airline tickets that my cousin is “very excited to go to out bar and club hopping every day with me while we are in WDW”. First of all Pleasure Island has been closed for about a year, second of all… I am going to WDW to have fun, not spend my vacation in bars. Although I am 24, I have had my time to go bar hopping during vacations ie. Cancun, South Padre Island and Amsterdam for Spring Break, and this is a WDW vacation, one that I want to remain low key.
My question to pose forth to you is how to bring up this kind of conversation to my cousin? Should I perhaps go about it by mentioning it or by giving an overview of what WDW is? Please help, I really appreciate it!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Even if your cousin has never been before, I'm sure she knows Disney isn't the place to go for bars and club hopping. It's not Vegas.

I would simply call your cousin and just say "Hey, wanna hear what I planned for our trip?" Tell her about the MVMCP, the ADR's, what park you plan to do on what day, ect...if she really plans on club hopping the whole time she'll ask about clubs/bars.

 

[DISNUT21]

Thats exactly the way I was thinking about discussing it with her! Thank you so much for solidifying my decision!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

WaltD4Me has a great idea. You planned the trip.

 

[topolino]

If she still wants to hit some bars, and you want to accommodate her, there are plenty of places you can hit without ruining the integrity of a Disney vacation. Drink around the world at WS, Big River, Raglan Rd., Paradiso 37, etc.

But I agree, give her a run down of what you have planned and subtly let her know that a WDW vacation is much better than a nonstop binge. I'm sure you guys will have a great time.

 

[BriarRosie]

If she still wants to hit some bars, and you want to accommodate her, there are plenty of places you can hit without ruining the integrity of a Disney vacation. Drink around the world at WS, Big River, Raglan Rd., Paradiso 37, etc.

But I agree, give her a run down of what you have planned and subtly let her know that a WDW vacation is much better than a nonstop binge. I'm sure you guys will have a great time.

Good idea about the bar alternatives mentioned. I'd throw in La Cava del Tequila, and Jellyrolls piano bar (cover charge $10). The only place she'd feel like she'd be bar hopping the way she imagines it would be at Universal Citywalk, probably, but that's not convenient to go to from WDW property without paying a lot for a taxi.

 

[kaligal]

I always go with the honest and simple approach. People who don't do this are always amazed at how easy it is.

I'd say, "I talked to Aunt Millie and she said you're looking forward to bar hopping. I'm not really into that. I don't want to go bar-hopping a lot. One night would be about all I want." (If it were me, I'd take her to CityWalk for that night.)

Then I'd wait for her to say something.

You don't have to lie. You don't have to handle it with kid gloves. Get it out in the open and work through it. Either she'll beg off the trip or go out alone or decide that she'd like to do your thing your way.

But if she doesn't feel like eating at all those ADRs, you have to accept that, too.

You really shouldn't have planned the whole thing without her input and she really shouldn't be planning it without yours.

The two of you should be planning together, since that's the way you're vacationing.

 

[DISNUT21]

I agree that those options are good... in fact... I had planned for us to go to some of them. But being that we live on the Jersey Shore and have many bars/clubs near us, I think she wants that kind of atmosphere. Which please do not get me wrong is fun, I partake in going to those places on a weekly basis, however, on my Disney vacations that is a different story.

I had told her I would plan everything but her response was very null... in fact it was a whatever kind of response... I knew then and there I should come up with an excuse for not going with her, but even if I would go my aunt and mother are too close and it will cause a bit of a ruckus.

As far as going off site, I am completely against it, specifically being that this trip is already costing quite a bit. And, I told her on multiple occasions that PI has been closed for quite a while. But, I will have to wait til this weekend to discuss the issues with her. Hopefully she will call off the trip, and I will go with friends during christmas/new years week.

And, I mean in terms of all the ADR's... It is during free dining, and we are on the deluxe dining plan. In terms of eating at adequate locations, during normal dining times, I feel as though it is a complete necessity. I have gone to WDW with close friends, including my girlfriend, and they know the type A personality type I am, that it always ends up being a good trip, I just am afraid that this personality clash won't lead for the best trip. We will just see how it plays out.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Icky situation!! If she does decide to go, you might be able to get away with just a Jellyrolls trip or two. (FYI I am a Jellyrolls NUT so I would go every night if I could find a way to NOT appear to be a pianoman stalker!) But anyway, the last I knew Tuesday nights were CM night? If she is hoping for the crowded, meeting people, kind of night, you might be able to indulge her for one night ...

In any event, I hope you are able to have a good time and I hope she is able to compromise a bit

 

[WaltD4Me]

I agree that those options are good... in fact... I had planned for us to go to some of them. But being that we live on the Jersey Shore and have many bars/clubs near us, I think she wants that kind of atmosphere. Which please do not get me wrong is fun, I partake in going to those places on a weekly basis, however, on my Disney vacations that is a different story.

I had told her I would plan everything but her response was very null... in fact it was a whatever kind of response... I knew then and there I should come up with an excuse for not going with her, but even if I would go my aunt and mother are too close and it will cause a bit of a ruckus.

As far as going off site, I am completely against it, specifically being that this trip is already costing quite a bit. And, I told her on multiple occasions that PI has been closed for quite a while. But, I will have to wait til this weekend to discuss the issues with her. Hopefully she will call off the trip, and I will go with friends during christmas/new years week.

And, I mean in terms of all the ADR's... It is during free dining, and we are on the deluxe dining plan. In terms of eating at adequate locations, during normal dining times, I feel as though it is a complete necessity. I have gone to WDW with close friends, including my girlfriend, and they know the type A personality type I am, that it always ends up being a good trip, I just am afraid that this personality clash won't lead for the best trip. We will just see how it plays out.

I have two questions.....

1. How close are you and your cousin?

2. Is she paying for her half of the trip?

I'm wondering about #1 because I don't know that I would go to Disney with someone I wasn't that close to or that had completely different interests or expectations. I have a cousin that I only see at Christmas time and family events like weddings and funerals. She's kind of annoying and I can't imagine going to Disney with her and if I did for some reason, I'd be talking to her about it ahead of time because I know her main thing to do on vacation is lay by a pool.

As for #2 if she is paying her share of the vacation, she deserves a little say so, so again, I'd be talking to her about what she might like to do, see or where she'd like to eat. If she didn't show any interest in picking some things, I'd let her know then that I would be picking the restaurants, ect..and if she doesn't want to give any input before the trip you won't be changing stuff once you get there.

 

[DISNUT21]

I have two questions.....

1. How close are you and your cousin?

2. Is she paying for her half of the trip?

I'm wondering about #1 because I don't know that I would go to Disney with someone I wasn't that close to or that had completely different interests or expectations. I have a cousin that I only see at Christmas time and family events like weddings and funerals. She's kind of annoying and I can't imagine going to Disney with her and if I did for some reason, I'd be talking to her about it ahead of time because I know her main thing to do on vacation is lay by a pool.

As for #2 if she is paying her share of the vacation, she deserves a little say so, so again, I'd be talking to her about what she might like to do, see or where she'd like to eat. If she didn't show any interest in picking some things, I'd let her know then that I would be picking the restaurants, ect..and if she doesn't want to give any input before the trip you won't be changing stuff once you get there.

WaltD4Me... We used to be pretty close until she went to school out to Missouri (Washington University) since then we have grown apart. But, we have gone through a lot together, so much so, that I drove her back out to school this August and flew back.
The thing is that I feel as though we have VERY different personality types she is very laid back and I am very type A. I feel as though if we spend the time together it may try to encourage change. Ie. She currently is in school, and works at a hair salon... I work on Wall Street and have all my ducks in a row. My aunt told me through inviting her on this trip, maybe it will be a wake up call for her when she graduates in Dec.
With regard to payment of the trip... She is paying for her half of the base package, I took it upon myself to pay for the upgrade of the hotel to the Wilderness Lodge Concierge from the POR (after hearing pop warner would be at our property) and the upgrade to the deluxe dining plan as well as the airline tickets. I would not have a problem in going to JellyRolls but, going offsite to citywalk and downtown orlando is not my idea of fun, especially when I am in the whole about $2k for this trip alone and want to see everything holiday related in the world.
I will keep you in touch as to what happens, in fact, maybe I should write a trip report.

 

[WaltD4Me]

WaltD4Me... We used to be pretty close until she went to school out to Missouri (Washington University) since then we have grown apart. But, we have gone through a lot together, so much so, that I drove her back out to school this August and flew back.
The thing is that I feel as though we have VERY different personality types she is very laid back and I am very type A. I feel as though if we spend the time together it may try to encourage change. Ie. She currently is in school, and works at a hair salon... I work on Wall Street and have all my ducks in a row. My aunt told me through inviting her on this trip, maybe it will be a wake up call for her when she graduates in Dec.
With regard to payment of the trip... She is paying for her half of the base package, I took it upon myself to pay for the upgrade of the hotel to the Wilderness Lodge Concierge from the POR (after hearing pop warner would be at our property) and the upgrade to the deluxe dining plan as well as the airline tickets. I would not have a problem in going to JellyRolls but, going offsite to citywalk and downtown orlando is not my idea of fun, especially when I am in the whole about $2k for this trip alone and want to see everything holiday related in the world.
I will keep you in touch as to what happens, in fact, maybe I should write a trip report.

Oh my, switching out of POR with Pop Warner being there was a smart move and worth the extra money. We stayed at POFQ with Pop next door at POR one year and that was enough for me.

I honestly don't blame you one bit for not wanting to go to Universal or City Walk. I wouldn't go either. Considering how little your cousin knows about Disney though, will she even know about those options?

That being said, I went on vacation with my brother and SIL once and it was similiar, they are laid back, I am the planner, do-er. I planned and Disney/Sea World part of the trip and left my brother to planning out Kennedy Space Center day. That got botched (long story) but I went with the flow and we still had a great time. Maybe allowing for some seperate time wouldn't be such a bad thing with your cousin. If she wants to hang out at the pool one day, touring Disney on your own is fun. I've gone solo and loved it.

Good luck.......I'll be looking forward to reading your TR.