Help! Tips for taking non Disney fans...

[december14disney]

Well. Technically they don't hate Disney.

For Marathon Weekend 2010 my fiance and I invited my parents. Not only did I want them there to see me run this race (its a REALLY big deal for me) but I wanted them there for our first time at Kidani. Its our "home". My fiance and I "bought" it together and its our first time staying there that weekend. I booked a 1 bedroom Savanah view and everything.

Well...granted my parents actually COME ..I'm getting nervous because they arent super Disney fans and they haven't been since I was 7. Well. I take that back. I bet my mom would be a Disney GEEK if my Dad let her!

So ideas? Tips? Restaurants to take them at? Restaurants to NOT? What to do and what NOT to do? I think we'll be there Thursday 1/7/10 to Monday 1/11/10.

Thanks!

 

[gk90]

Here's an article on adult-oriented "fine dining" at WDW. You may have to log in to the nytimes site to access it but it's a free login.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/06/27/travel/escapes/27disney.html

Good luck! I used to be a non-Disney fan and now I'm hooked!

 

[nin7474]

My GF is taking me 6/5-6/9 POFQ for my early B-day present and she's not a big fan of WDW.
So i'll have to be really convincing it's a AWESOME PLACE!!

 

[eliza61]

One word of advice. Don't try to project your emotions onto your non disney lover. Some folks just are not into it as much as we are and that is perfectly cool. I would start mom and dad off at a day at EPCOT. Don't stress running from ride to ride. If you know they are strollers, now is not the time to go "commando".

 

[Sandy321]

Congrats on the Marathon! DH and I will be there too!!

I so know what you mean - I finally decided it was time to take my parents - and my dad is so not into Disney - but he is into Nascar and sports - so I planned our days for maximum appeal. Mom wanted to eat in the castle with DD - done! Dad, not so much - done! I scheduled him to do the Richard Petty Driving Experience! Mom and dad had some park tickets - so they didnt want to buy and go to the parks each day - done - I scheduled Ohana, Wolf Gang Puck's, Cali Grill and just worked around what they would like! (oh, we did have the Free Dining, so that was another plus for dad! lol) When we went to EPCOT dad was parked at ESPN zone - he LOVED that!!

I also made a 3 ring binder filled with pictures of the resort we were staying at, and menus of the places we were going to etc - Mom loved it, dad was happy that mom was happy! And since I scheduled dad early in the week for his RPDE - it rained - so he ended up going 4 days and got at least one lap in the first 3 days - and the full experience on the last day -

he now LOVES Disney! It was his best vacation ever!! Of course for me, it was the most stressfull - I wanted so bad for my parents to love it - that my plans were "perfect" - that dh had to take me back for a trip less stressfull!! (honestly my mom kept wandering off, and wouldnt answer her phone! Dad would get mad - I'd park him at a CS place and get him a beer and go search for mom - she was always in a store!! lol)

The first time we did the marathon, I did the half but wanted to cheer dh on at MK so went to get on the bus - and I missed the bus - but I met somebody's parents and we shared a cab! So my advice for Marathon weekend would be to hang out at the WISH comp/ forum here on the Dis! or even go to disneyrunning.com for help with the routes and places to watch, busses to catch etc... We had a great time - and dh met up with people while I ran the half - he really had a good time, instead of being alone...

For restaurants what do your parents like? Are they adventurous? I'm sure they'll find something at Boma that they'll love - and just sitting by the pool, or in the rockers watching the animals at AKL will be relaxing...

If they enjoy an adult beverage from time to time - make sure you do the Grey Goose Slush, or the Italy Rosa Regale Champagne... I'd do either Cali Grill or Yachtsman Steakhouse or if they havent done a Tepan Edo style Japanese, they may enjoy that - if they are "down to earth" people watchers Biergarten may be fun - I also wouldnt zone in on a lot of rides, but definately Soarin and Spaceship Earth my parents enjoyed (and of course dad loved Test track LOL) We only did MK one day, (and it was mom's and dd birthdays) - but they were "dusted" the singing quartet sang Happy Birthday - again I tried to do non commando things, CoP, the Blue line in tomorrowland, those relaxing things that they could people watch, HM and Pirates are good rides with fast loading, short lines...

Its so the things that you cant plan - like my parents didnt want to do Wishes - too big of crowds, I did a Fantasmid Dinner Pkg, but my parents didnt stay for Fantasmic - again, it was late, the crowds... so like a PP poster said, you have to think of their needs, likes, and try not to project onto them - in the end, my parents loved it - but I doubt if I could ever repeat some of the unexpected things... (people in line would sing happy birthday, a little girl wanting to pin trade with my mom - and she was happy, but confused "I dont want to give up my pins!! lol They thought she was a CM! You might not want to get them name badges!! LOL)

 

[vascubaguy]

You definitely don't want to go commando-style. One of the big complaints I hear from people who dislike going to Disney is the lines (and the prices of course). If they want to ride anything, take advantage of the FastPasses. Go to the shows. Take them to see La Nouba. Definitely explore the AKL and the Savannahs.

I think the chaos of all the people can overwhelm many, and a lot of people do not get to see the relaxing side of things.

 

[NorweJenNY]

Think of what these non-Disney fans (can't believe such a term must exist) like themselves... how do they vacation generally?

Do they like to lounge? Enjoy fine dining? Enjoy live entertainment of any particular type? Are they more likely to enjoy modern type settings, rustic woods locations, tropical destinations? Hope you see where I'm going with this...

Some people view WDW as a fun place for families with kids but may like more excitement... if that's the case, skip Fantasyland, but do enjoy the three mountains of MK, and the thrills of RRC & ToT in DHS, etc.

Some people just aren't into Mickey and Goofy everywhere and would prefer more adult relaxation... if that's the case, perhaps a day at the spa, a GF Tea Party, a round of golf, and/or meandering around the different countries in Epcot's WS, might be more their speed.

I think that you'll know your non-Disney family and friends best, but if you can be more specific regarding what their likes/dislikes are, then perhaps us here on the boards can give you some better suggestions.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

My parents came with us once and I don't know why. Anyway they seemed to like the boat rides the best. Have them ride the boat in the 7 seas lagoon and there are others around WDW.

 

[december14disney]

Thanks for the responses!

I consider my parents super fun. But they ARE my parents.
They are younger and very active so I'm not worried about that. They are into cruising and love all those dining activities and do the fun excursions like sea-racers and stuff. I think my Dad might like the Richard Petty thing. Hes into sports. My mom loves shopping and is a bit prissy...

The both seem to enjoy seafood but I'll need a steak somewhere in there for me.

I really think my mom would LOVE the American Idol experience and the Beatles cover at Epcot. Do they play in January?
My Dad would probably love Test Track. I think they would both love Soarin'. As much as I am making them stay AKV...I actually think AK would be the park they like the least.

Maybe golf for my fiance and Dad?

How are the crowds Marathon weekend??

I'm already nervous!

 

[NorweJenNY]

Thanks for the responses!

I consider my parents super fun. But they ARE my parents.
They are younger and very active so I'm not worried about that. They are into cruising and love all those dining activities and do the fun excursions like sea-racers and stuff. I think my Dad might like the Richard Petty thing. Hes into sports. My mom loves shopping and is a bit prissy...

Nice... glad to hear they are not boring, do-nothing type of people... there's definitely potential here...

Great ideas for your dad... maybe he'd like the ESPN Club on the Boardwalk, as someone else has posted. Sounds like he'll enjoy a lot of the attractions in the parks too... maybe RRC & TT if he likes speed... and add a little other excitement too... Safari, EE, Dinosaur at AK... might he also enjoy the new hot air balloon ride in DTD?

As for your mom, sounds like she actually might like the Tea Party at the GF & browsing through shops in the World Showcase and in Downtown Disney...

I really think my mom would LOVE the American Idol experience and the Beatles cover at Epcot. Do they plan in January?
My Dad would probably love Test Track. I think they would both love Soarin'. As much as I am making them stay AKV...I actually think AK would be the park they like the least.

If your mom likes those types of performances, she also might like seeing Off Kilter... they perform in the same general area of the Beatles near the UK and Canada.

Yes, I already thought your dad would like TT. We're on the same page!

Just for the record, I think Soarin' is the most thrilling-yet-calm ride that can be enjoyed by the broadest audience. It is so unique... you really can't get such a feel any other place! A must for the whole family!

Maybe golf for my fiance and Dad?

Male bonding! Take your mom to the Tea Party when they do golf... unless you two enjoy that too.

How are the crowds Marathon weekend??

Crowd levels 5-6 on a scale of 1 to 10 during Marathon weekend. Not bad at all! (If you had been planning on visiting WDW 1-2 weeks before that... massively crowded!)

I'm already nervous!

Don't be nervous! Vacations are meant to be fun and care-free! You'll all have a magical time!

 

[DWGal210]

OP, I give a nice resonding "Yes!" to the comments of the other posters.

Last June, my sister and I went with my brother and his wife. My brother had been twice before (once when we were in high school and then again when his company did the Disney Institute) and his wife had never been. They pretty much left it up to me since I was the planning obsessed but I wanted to make sure it was planned but not over planned, and to me that's the key.

We made some ADRs but I didn't really plan a park each day; what we ended up doing was letting them lead the way touring-wise, and they gauged how we spent our time. My thought was "I've been here before, I'm coming back, I'll let them see what THEY want to see." What we ended up doing was mostly going to the parks in the morning, then spending the afternoon at the pool and going somewhere to eat dinner. We all had a great time and it was stress free!

I do like the idea of your fiance and Dad going of and doing some male bonding and you and your mom shopping or doing a tea party or something - that sounds like a lot of fun!

And you never know....you may just covert them by the end of your trip!

 

[Sandy321]

AT AK you should just plan a half day - do EE and Safari and maybe the Lion King show (my mom loved the shows) Then either head to the boardwalk for ESPN Zone or hang out at the pool at your resort...

I think they should really enjoy EPCOT World Showcase...

and I'll second the Golf + Tea Party idea -

It can be crowded marathon weekend - but honestly its nothing compared to summer crowds, or Spring Break Crowds! Mostly before the marathon you'll be too "in the zone" (or like me trying to forget the whole thing!) We did walk around boardwalk after we got our packet - (that place was a complete zoo! REAL crowded!)

Maybe you can watch one of the travel channel specials - when they came on I'd call mom and have her watch it, then we talked about what they may like to do!!

Its a fun week that's for sure! Loved walking around Epcot with my medal - Off Kilter and the Beatle band definately were playing in '08! and it wasnt hot outside watching them!

 

[NorweJenNY]

It can be crowded marathon weekend - but honestly its nothing compared to summer crowds, or Spring Break Crowds! Mostly before the marathon you'll be too "in the zone" (or like me trying to forget the whole thing!) We did walk around boardwalk after we got our packet - (that place was a complete zoo! REAL crowded!)

I'm guessing crowds may be more concentrated in particular areas for marathon weekend, but as for overall, I really think it won't be bad...

We were there for just before New Year's through Marathon Weekend one year, and we could see a significant difference in crowd levels between New Year's & Marathon Weekend.

The "experts" say that Marathon Weekend is a 5-6 (and is roughly the same throughout January), while they say summer season is mostly 8-9, until you get to later in August. (For perspective, Christmas through New Year's Eve is listed as 10 on the crowd level scale.)

I hope that puts you at ease a bit...