OMG - he invited a complete stranger!!!

[Needafix]

Non-Disney fans just don't get it!!! Today BF informed me that a college friend is coming to meet us one day during out trip. Good one I thought, but he's serious!!!!! Is he out of his mind!?!?!

We only have 4 days. He said, "Yeah, we have 4 days, what else are we going to do for 4 days? You said we'd have down time in the middle of the afternoons." (Anyone have a Disney dictionary so he can look up the definition of downtime in Disney! )

This trip is the boys and I first vacation in years, it's our first vacation as a combined family, it's MY BDAY, it's only 4 days!!! No offense to her, but I have zero desire to meet someone from his college days - while I'm at Disney. I'd have trouble if it was a close family member. Am I wrong????

He said she's the one willing to drive 2 hours each way just to meet me. I said then she'd better bring her sneakers, buy a ticket and keep up or all she'll see of me is a blur.

He's always been so good to me and my boys, I'd hate to say no to him ever, but this is crossing the line. Again, am I wrong!?!?!?

I love him to death and I think his ignorance is endearing, but that's the best he's getting out of me right now.

 

[ancestry]

Sorry! Have you tried explaining to him how you feel? Maybe if you gently explained your feelings he would understand and "uninvite" the friend.

 

[The Hendies]

Oh dear, tough one! Any chance you can do a little TS meal with them and then you and the kiddies break away to give them chance to reminisce? We are meeting a family that I work with for an afternoon/evening, but we all know each other, and we are all on the same page...Disney Page!!!

 

[karliebug]

Maybe you could just meet her for dinner. You have to eat,right? I understand exactly how you feel. Or maybe you could meet her for breakfast some morning at a local restaraunt before the parks open?

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Are you planning any ADRs? If so, maybe she can join in on one at one of the resorts and meet you all there.

 

[Needafix]

We aren't doing ADR's, since the kids don't want to be held back. The only one was Kimono's for my b-day. Can't say I really wanted a stranger for my b-day dinner. I'm thinking I'm going to mention meeting us for drinks one day, then after 1 or 2, I'll excuse myself with the excuse that I'm giving them time to catch up.

 

[Allison]

I think you are wrong. This is his vacation also and if he has the opportunity to see an old friend, he should be able to do it. If they want to meet you, you should also be gracious about it and take time to meet her. I think people get so worked up about being at a certain place at a certain time and doing a certain amount of things when at Disney that they forget the whole point is to have fun and enjoy spending time together.

 

[PearlySwan]

I think you are wrong. This is his vacation also and if he has the opportunity to see an old friend, he should be able to do it. If they want to meet you, you should also be gracious about it and take time to meet her. I think people get so worked up about being at a certain place at a certain time and doing a certain amount of things when at Disney that they forget the whole point is to have fun and enjoy spending time together.

^^^ I would generally agree with you, except the OP clearly stated this is their first blended family vacation and her boys first vacation in years. They have limited time at the parks (only 4 days). Furthermore, it's not as if they are slowing down the touring at WDW to spend time together as a new family, but to spend time with someone who isn't part of their family, albeit a friend of her BF but still not part of the nucleous of this new combined family.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To OP, if it's absolutely not possible to univite this college friend, then do a TS at a hotel the day she arrives. For example, on your MK day book something at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary, Ohana's at the Polynesian, or 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian. That way the friend gets a taste of Disney (pun intended), with Disney characters and all and she isn't locked into going to the theme parks with you. She may choose not to spend the money for the park admission and simply be content to meet with your BF, you, and your respective children. Hope it all works out for you.

 

[Needafix]

Allison, I hear what you're saying and normally would agree, but Pearly Swan is correct. This trip is about the 5 of us and is very special to me. This is a woman I have never met and probably never will again. If I were spending a week at a beach, I'd have no problem with her sharing some quality time with my family, but I don't believe this is the right time or place. I get little enough time with my children as it is and my oldest will be going off to college soon.

That being said, please know that I totally see the humor in all of this and how Disney totally takes over your life. That's why I chose Disney. I'm sitting here filled with joy because at this moment, this is my biggest problem in life.

Keep your suggestions coming! I'm loving the breakfast idea.

 

[larryz]

Not appropriate, in my book, for a bunch of reasons I've edited out, and you're within your rights to call him on it.

 

[Vivianne]

It may be just me but driving 2 hours each way to meet a person while they're on an expensive vacation like Disney with children is not reasonable to me. I could see it if you were just 2 adults.

Can't you set up another time to visit with this friend? Or maybe add an extra day at the end for visitation. It would be much better all around. I've been married 20+ yrs and as great as both of you can be, the word no will come around at some point.

 

[Allison]

That being said, please know that I totally see the humor in all of this and how Disney totally takes over your life. That's why I chose Disney. I'm sitting here filled with joy because at this moment, this is my biggest problem in life.

Great attitude. I thnk having a meal together when you guys are taking a break would be a good idea or drinks like you said.

 

[jenrose66]

Not only do I have a problem that he's inviting someone to a disney trip...I also have issue with the fact that it's a female friend from college....what's up with that?

I have family in Florida but we don't meet during Disney trips. We go to Disney to enjoy ourselves at Disney...no extra baggage

 

[fla4fun]

The worst thing about inviting someone to "meet you at Disney" is the time you waste waiting around for them. Either they aren't punctual, or they are punctual and get caught in traffic or something.

I would agree with the general consensus - this trip is not the time to be doing a catch up visit with anyone. Either add an extra day, or make plans for another trip - but let this one be about what it's already about.

 

[Echo queen]

Funny, no one cuts into my wdw time. My friends sister wants to meet up with her while we are there, she emailed me yesterday to say I would need to drive to Tampa to have lunch with her lol yeah right. My nephew will also be in Orlando, he will have to meet me in mk. We will be at csr for 9 days, I don't think I can work friends and family in lol.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

Is she planning on going to a park with you? If so, I'd start establishing a relationship now over e-mail..."I'm so excited to get to meet you blah blah blah", then during your casual e-mails mention that everyone will have a wonderful time in the parks, but she better be prepared to do some serious touring due to your limited vacation time. This way she should get the hint that you are limited in time and either 1. Decide to meet for only a quick meal or 2. Step up to the plate and go Disney style!!!! (I hope she doesn't crash the party and bring someone with her!!!) Either way don't let it ruin your trip. If she and BF are enjoying chating, then casually say "Hey, while you guys are talking, we're going to do...". They shouldn't have a problem with that. Have fun!!!!!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I think MinniesYooHoo has a great idea. I know from being married for 12 years that when hubby makes arrangements they tend to get messed up! Take it into your own hands and get her email address! Tell him it's best if you girls work out the intinerary! Maybe she will then realize this is a family vacation and may decide not to intrude. Or perhaps, you guys will work out a nice way to meet up. On a short 4 day trip...she better be prepared to meet me at the food court at 7 am! Or possibly at the pool around 2:30!

 

[pyrxtc]

I think it's rude of him to invite a female college friend to your birthday vacation. Inviting anyone should always be discussed before hand and exact arrangements of when and where should be figured out too.

 

[disnut8]

Is she planning on going to a park with you? If so, I'd start establishing a relationship now over e-mail..."I'm so excited to get to meet you blah blah blah", then during your casual e-mails mention that everyone will have a wonderful time in the parks, but she better be prepared to do some serious touring due to your limited vacation time. This way she should get the hint that you are limited in time and either 1. Decide to meet for only a quick meal or 2. Step up to the plate and go Disney style!!!! (I hope she doesn't crash the party and bring someone with her!!!) Either way don't let it ruin your trip. If she and BF are enjoying chating, then casually say "Hey, while you guys are talking, we're going to do...". They shouldn't have a problem with that. Have fun!!!!!!

This is the most senseable thing I've heard in a long time. Great compromise on everyone's part. YOU take the first step and I'll bet everything goes just fine. It sounds like she just wants to meet you. They are college friends (and come on, males can have female college friends) and to me, she just wants to meet the person who has made her friend happy. What is so wrong with meeting someone like that? It doesn't have to be all day long. Just an hour or two. For your boyfriend. Who obviously means a lot to you and your sons.

 

[bwilcox]

Can't your friend take time out to meet his old friend while you and your children continue on with your normal Disney plans? Why do you have to meet the stranger? I think you should let your friend know he is welcome to spend time with his old friend while you and your family spends time at Disney, which is what the vacation is about for you. That way everyone can be happy.