How do you convince friends that WDW would be a great vacation?

[EmptyNester]

Hi!

We're new DVC owners. Got bumped to OKW in February because of a problem with our reservation at POR - came home and immediately purchased an OKW resale!

We've invited another couple to join us for a week next Feb (2003). These are very good friends; we enjoy one another's company. In fact, we've vacationed together many times (We take an annual trek to Bar Harbor - Acadia National Park)

They were very excited at first. Now they seem to be hesitating (my dh thinks it's because we would be providing their accommodations). Neither one has been to WDW before.

Has anyone else ever had this problem? Did you succeed in convincing your invitees to go? How??

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Sharon

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by EmptyNester
Hi!

They were very excited at first. Now they seem to be hesitating (my dh thinks it's because we would be providing their accommodations). Neither one has been to WDW before.

Has anyone else ever had this problem? Did you succeed in convincing your invitees to go? How??

Thanks in advance for your help!

-Sharon

I say don't spread the word how great it is! There are too man y people in the parks as it is! LOL! Just kidding! Maybe if you let them see the tape!

 

[Melynny]

We have invited several families to go with us and we have primed the excitement by showing them the complimentary videos.. even haveing one sent to thier home as a suprise.. also purchasing them a "Birnbaum's Official guide" for them.. disneydollars for birthdays and gifts...rolls of pennies and a penny press book for kids. I have also made copies of the floor plans to ensure that they would have their own space..Ultimately, if they are not as enthused as you are.. maybe they have re-evaluated their situation have decided that maybe they can't afford the passes, transportation or even food and have not built up enough gumption to tell you they have changed their mind.. I'd just ask them why they don't seem very excited? If they don't want to go.. you surely don't want them to...

 

[Patabel]

It is also possible they have mentioned this trip to others who have never been to WDW and heard not-so-enthusiastic replies. I hear negative all the time when I tell people we are going to "see Mickey"again, and the negative is almost always from people who have never been there. So, your friends might just be second guessing themselves.

Besides the other suggestions listed above, there is also a Birnbaum's guide for Adults, as well as other adult guides to WDW, that might help them get excited about a truly great vacation experience!

 

[crisi]

Believe it or not, WDW isn't everyone's cup of tea! One of my friends has gone and would never go again....too commericial for him, too much money.

We go back and forth about if we should bring my in laws some time. We think my mother in law would be overwhelmed, confused, and when she put it all together, think it was an incredible waste of resources. Then she'd wonder why you'd go to Epcot instead of going to Europe.

Talk to them about their reservations. They may be concerned about you paying for their room. They may be concerned about the additional expense beyond the room (theme park tickets aren't cheap). They may have the impression that all there is to Disney is Flying Dumbo, that its just for kids, or that its a bunch of rollercoasters. Or maybe something completely unrelated is going on and being reflected in hesitation about the trip.

 

[DeeP]

I agree they may have talked to other people who told them negative things about WDW and they were never even there. I had a friend tell me that he did not like WDW, it was just for kids, a waste of money, etc. When I asked him when he had been there he said they were not ever actually in the parks they drove to the parking lot and saw all the people and just knew they would not like WDW!! They never even entered a park and had judged that WDW was not for them!!!!

 

[Granny]

Sharon....not to be too obvious, but since they are good friends, why don't you just ask them? Something like "We're really looking forward to spending time with you in WDW, but you seem a little hesitant. Do you have any concerns?"

I mean, we're all just guessing as to why they're sending out these vibes! It could be something completely different.

Now, having said all that, I know several people who have gone to WDW and come home basically declaring that they have "done their duty" to take their kids to WDW and will never go back. Think about it....if you think that the characters and theming are no more than a backdrop to a very nice theme park....well, I guess it would be hard to get enthused about WDW. Most of us DVCers have seen the "extra value" that Disney brings, as well as the emotional ties that we have from years of Disney movies, the Wonderful World of Color on TV and even the Mousketeers. That doesn't make these other people bad or wrong....just makes them different with different priorities.

Okay, I'm getting off the soapbox now.......who's next?

 

[lsutigger]

Maybe list or suggest all of the fun things for adults to do such as play golf, tennis, fish, sail, etc. Make sure they know that they don't have to spend all the time in the parks. suggest things you may enjoy doing around your resort, like cook a nice meal in the room, or all the great places to eat. Ask what they would like to do. The video is a great idea.
Good luck

 

[ReneeQ]

It took me years of bad trips to reach this point. I have realized that not everyone sees Disney as I do. I try to convince them by dragging them along how great it is, and have had some awful vacations. "Everything costs too much, we don't want to get up that early, that show looks to boring to go to, why would I want to wait in this long line for just a ride" are just a few of the things I have heard.

The problem is I love Disney so much and I think if I can just get them there, they will "feel the magic" and love it to. It doesn't always work.

Everyone I know knows what a Disney fanatic I am and knows I can answer most any question. If they REALLY want to go to Disney, they have to come to ME. I have friends that want to go there on their family vacation and I'm more than happy to plan their trip. I love planning trips, anyone's trip, I don't have to be going. If it's closer friends or family and they want to go WITH me to Disney, I plan the trip, print them up the agenda of what I'LL be doing when and they're welcome to join me, or venture out on their own during the day. We don't have to spend every second together.

Boy, this sounds bad, doesn't it? It's just that I've been burned too many times and spent too many Disney vacations using up my vacation time from work and spending my hard earned dollars thinking "I really wish they weren't here, I wish I was here alone."

I'm not saying your friends are like this. But if they really don't seem to want to go, find out why. It just might make or break your vacation.

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't have this problem with my friends...most of them would jump at the chance to go to WDW.

If your friends don't want to go...TAKE ME!!!!!!!

 

[EmptyNester]

for your insight!

Since we haven't actually talked about any of the trip details yet, we're probably jumping the gun and making this more of an issue than it really is. But it IS nice to hear other peoples' perspectives. Our friends will be visiting us in a couple of weeks and we'll talk to them then.

I've already loaned them my Birnbaum's "WDW without Kids" guide and I plan to email them a copy of the floor plan - (great idea Melynny!) and.....we've gone on, and, on, and on...about the great time we had in February. We'll just wait and hope for the best, whatever that may be...

I'm sorry to hear that some of you have had bad experiences bringing friends and/or relatives. But, thanks for that warning...in the future, we'll be VEERRYY careful who we invite! lol!

- Sharon

 

[jmminarik]

<VENT>
We're going through something similar to this now. We're taking my inlaws down in Dec, before the older niece and nephew get to old to see WDW as kids...but the trip includes my SIL and her two kids, by BIL, his wifeypoo and their daughter, MIL, FIL, and possibly SIL's possible SO and _his_ kid. 10 or 12 of us all together.

Our problem is two fold. First, they've never been, and being from the middle of nowhere Iowa, its not as if there's a bazillion Disney fans living in town to talk up Disney. I honestly think they think WDW is like going to a Six Flaggs park. Just show up and get in bumper cars and ferris wheels. While we have tried to 'show off' WDW to them, and left them 3 or 4 guidebooks and lots of website links, I don't think they've done one lick of preplanning on their own. Hard to get people excited if they're too lazy to bother trying.

The second issue is trying to get them to comprehend that their big expense after airfare is food (we're buying tickets and providing rooms)...and that they need to understand that eating in the parks, especially sit down, will be about 6Xs what their little home town dinner charges.

Maybe its just my tactics, but my SIL accused us of 'Ruining her vacation by running it like a business trip'. All we want to know is if they want to eat out, and if so, take a look at the restaurants.

-Joe
"At $6000.00 (for us) and counting, dang straight I'm planning it!"
</VENT>

 

[EmptyNester]

jmminarik said:

and being from the middle of nowhere Iowa

Thanks, Joe, this made me laugh! Borned and raised in "the middle of nowhere, NORTHERN MAINE", I can relate!

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by Granny
Sharon....not to be too obvious, but since they are good friends, why don't you just ask them? Something like "We're really looking forward to spending time with you in WDW, but you seem a little hesitant. Do you have any concerns?"

I agree with Granny, just ask in conversation. They may have questions and just got some wrong or confusing answers. But like we all know, once you get thrown pixie dust......

 

[crisi]

Joe,

You've pointed out another reason why WDW isn't for everyone.

I've talked to a lot of people who have gone down once and had a lousy time.

They showed up at the MK at 10:30 left at 2:00 and complain about the crowds and the cost.

They decide to go to Epcot for dinner, they heard it was great, but Chef's of France was all booked up - never thought to get a dinner reservation at a theme park!

They never look at a map, never plan their days, and then complain about how they never even found the Haunted Mansion.

Disney, especially for first time visitors, takes planning. It isn't a "sit on the beach" vacation - you need to get up pretty early (or stay up late), and walk a lot of the parks are your thing. You should have some clue to how the parks are laid out, so you don't miss something you are interested in. If you think vacations should be taken by the seat of the pants or think they should be oh-so-relaxing, Disney may not be your cup of tea.

 

[Merilyn]

We just got back in May and took a couple with us who had never been. Beth wanted to go, but her husband didn't. He always thought of an amusement park as a childs place. Lots of rides and kids and noise. If you have never been you think of Six Flags when you think of a park. We gave them the Birnbaums book of Disney and Beth talked him into it. He was so surprised at how much he liked it and how little he saw in the 4 days, that they are planning another trip. It is not an amusement park, it is an exciting place with lots to see and do. Maybe a Disney book will work for you. This couple is 50 years old. If they found the Magic, I am sure your friends will too. As far as the reason, if it is the fact that you are providing the place to stay, they could take you out for meals some while there. Ours friends bought us all dinner one night and bought groceries while there. I hope you can talk them into it. GOOD LUCK

 

[madcoco]

Some of our friends think we are nuts for going so often so we gave up.If they can't see the light uh MAGIC, then so be it..But why do they always want to see our videos and pics?LOL

 

[JSjoquist]

I have had some similar experiences as well.

We had a special trip planned a few years back where we were meeting friends of ours at the world. Our kids all play together here at home and we thought it would be great to plan trips to WDW without the kids realizing we were going to be there at the same time. Unfortunately my sister found out and planned a trip of her own at the same time as a surprise to us. Couldn't understand that we had already planned our days and purchased park tickets for WDW and didn't plan on going to non WDW parks that trip. Oh well I think she has finally gotten over it LOL

Also people I work with give me a hard time about all the trips we take to Disney, yet when they heard I bought into DVC, now they are asking about how it works and asking about if I can set them up for rooms when they go. Funny how that works, isn't it ????

Anyway, as to having people go with you, we also are taking my In-Laws this December, I am slightly nervous about it, but if they still like me after 18 years, I don't think 6 days at the happiest place on earth will change that. We plan on having a very rough plan of what we'll do and tell them they are welcome to join us or go on their own and have fun. We'll see what happens!!!

 

[Bugeye]

I agree with everything, however, Disney Doll had the best approach. Take me instead

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by JSjoquist
I have had some similar experiences as well.

[snip]

We plan on having a very rough plan of what we'll do and tell them they are welcome to join us or go on their own and have fun. We'll see what happens!!!

Which is our general game plan...we're recommending whihc parks to go on which days, that they take the afternoon break and leave the park for a few hours, and a 1 day break just before the middle of the week.

Wifey-poo has always said the best thing about moving east was leaving mom 1200 miles away.

-Joe