Introducing a fellow adult to Disney for the first time - suggestions?

[cdd89]

Having caught the Disney bug at age 24 in September 2013, I've made 8 trips since then across 4 resorts. It was Walt Disney World which got me hooked (and I only went since I was in the area and it seems to be 'part of the itinerary'...). Anyway, I've made lots of solo trips and have a very good idea and routine of what I like to do. My Disney-obsessed cousin (who despite being an adult has never visited, pretty much for the same reason I hadn't - our parents never liked the idea of it) has been getting increasingly keen to come along so we're (loosely) planning to go together to Disneyland Paris in November, as part of a weekend trip I was planning for myself anyway.

I have a few questions:

1) Do you think it's "bad" that her first experience would be at, what many people perceive to be, an inferior resort? (I'm worrying whether she'll be as captivated as I was at WDW).

2) I personally don't get much benefit from staying on-site (I've done it both ways about equally, and don't find it worth the extra cash - I like the hotel theming but I can visit that any time I like, and I'm not the sort to want to go to the room in the middle of the day). However - do you think I should splash out for the extra given it's her first time trip? How important is staying on-site to others? Would you recommend I ask her if she'd like to, or is that a stupid question for someone who's not seen it?

3) In a similar vein, how involved do you think I should get her in planning the rest of the trip? She doesn't seem to be that interested in planning, but I'm not sure if that's because that wouldn't be her style, or because she doesn't know that Disney is a place that richly rewards planning. Do you think I should ask qusetions like "how much time would you like to spend watching shows, parades, doing attractions, just exploring, character interactions, and doing dining"? Or are these dumb questions that someone who's never seen it before would have no ability to answer?

4) Given that I've visited loads of times before (this is just a quick addiction-fix for me), and she's tagging along on a pre-planned trip, do you think it's bad that she's only getting about 1.7 days there (early departure on the second day) - should a first Disney trip be longer? Perhaps being short on time is good in case she doesn't like it, but, realistically, what are the chances of that The other thing I noticed is that Phantom Manor (DLP's version of Haunted Mansion) and Laser Blast (DLP's version of Astro Blasters) are closed for refurbishment... I did both those attractions on my first visit and loved them; again, I can easily live without them, but would you say this is a deal-breaker for a first time visit?

5) How hard would you "press" FastPass? When I visit, I like to push it pretty hard - making sure I never don't have an active fastpass ticket if possible for example, and planning the order back from that most likely to run out - but would this be offputting to a newbie?

6) How much emphasis would you put on arriving earlier to get a better view of fireworks, etc? I seem to tend to vary it (usually, I am too busy with other stuff and accept the compromise, but last time I arrived an hour in advance (the weather was quite nice too) and the experience - both the show and, ironically, the excitement of waiting - was fantastic).

7) Obviously, November is cold in Europe, and I'd be lying if I said this didn't (in my opinion) diminish the magic just a little. Big deal for a first-timer, or not?

Sorry if this sounds like I'm over-complicated things (feel free to tell me if I *am*!), but obviously I'm rather keen that she has as close to the perfect experience as possible. (This isn't totally selfless... if she gets addicted too, guess who's going to have a lot more Disney visits? )

Thanks for your suggestions!!!

Chris

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Hi, I've been many times to WDW and Disneyland, but never to Disneyland Paris, so I can't specifically comment on that aspect.

The Disney company has vacation videos intended for first-time visitors, to give them an overview of what is available. I'd suggest you have your cousin watch one of those, and THEN ask her questions about what she'd like to do.

Many of your questions depend on a person's individual preferences, and since most of us don't know your cousin, we don't know what hers would be. Lots of us, especially on the DIS, love to plan every little detail of a trip, months or more in advance. There are other folks who enjoy a more spontaneous approach. Sometimes it's hard for people at opposite ends of this spectrum to enjoy a Disney vacation together.

You mentioned that your cousin didn't seem interested in the planning. If she still feels that way after watching the video, or if she is not willing to watch the video, she may be more of a spontaneous type of person. If so, your best bet is to seek a middle ground between planning and spontaneity. Pre-plan some things but leave times when she can choose in the moment what she would like to do. (I realize that the Disney company is making this approach more and more difficult.)

On the other hand, if she does watch the video, she may be able to answer your questions better after that.

Lastly, I understand that you're hoping for your cousin to become your travel buddy for future Disney trips. It would be great if that works out, but if you try too hard to get that to happen, it will put pressure on this trip and make it harder for you both to enjoy the trip and each other's company. So, look at this as something to try, see if you can move even a tiny bit towards the easygoing end of the spectrum (which will make you more appealing as a travel companion), and decide in advance that if you and your cousin don't end up doing future Disney trips together, you can look for other people who will be more compatible with your Disney travel style. There are lots of people here on the DIS looking for Disney travel buddies, so you do have many options!

I hope that helps!

 

[PrincessHi]

I can't answer all your questions but I will say that it was DLP that got me hooked last year so personally I don't think that's an issue. I feel quite defensive of it but that may be because I've not visited WDW yet - I'm going next year for the first time

 

[cdd89]

Very good point about the video - I'll have to try and find one for Paris as if anyone will do a good job at presenting Disney to a first timer, it's Disney. I totally agree with your point about not pushing it too hard - I think it's pretty likely (we loved Lotte World in Seoul and that's a pale imitation of Disney - and it was listening to parades that got her keen on a DLP visit!), but ultimately if it doesn't appeal for whatever reason I won't be too disappointed.

I can't answer all your questions but I will say that it was DLP that got me hooked last year so personally I don't think that's an issue. I feel quite defensive of it but that may be because I've not visited WDW yet - I'm going next year for the first time

That's PRECISELY what I wanted to hear! I was a bit concerned that the only reason I was able to "buy in" to the magic of DLP was because I'd tasted WDW - which clearly isn't at all the case. I truly love them equally now, but the online consensus (especially outside Disboards, on non-specialist sites like Tripadvisor etc) seems pretty negative toward Paris.

Thanks very much for the responses!

 

[SueDonym3]

The good- DLP is an easy day trip that does not require the immersion that WDW does. So if your companion is not into it- easy to adjust plans. The bad: it is not WDW and there is nothing quite like WDW...but it will be a good intro and way to see if your cousin can handle the real thing, have a great trip!

 

[bryanb]

I know that Orlando is warm and humid for most of the year, so many people have come to associate oppressive heat as part of the fun of Disney. But to me Disney Parks are even more magical during the holidays when the air is brisk.

After seeing pictures of Disneyland Paris in the snow, I think it would be really beautiful. I'd love to enjoy that someday!

Regarding pushing too hard on Fastpasses, I definitely agree with the others not to put too much pressure on this trip. I'd keep your feelers out to gauge the mood of your group, and be prepared to adjust (or even abandon) all of your plans according to how they're feeling.