OMG - he invited a complete stranger!!!

[PearlySwan]

Are you planning any Downtown Disney time during your trip? If so, that would probably be the easiest place to meet up with someone.

^^^That's a great suggestion as well. If OP and her family could meet up with the college friend at Downtown Disney it's a 'win-win' for all. No tickets are needed to enter parks either. What a great idea!

 

[cat_herder]

I do understand where you are coming from. Vacations are a rare thing around here and your children will have no interest in the friend. But I think for the sake of future happiness for all you had best meet his friend.

1) You don't want it to seem like you are jealous (even if you might be).
2) And you don't want to give him ammo for some future fight.
3) I say grin and bare it for a couple of hours anyway. Who knows you might really like the friend.

Your children are sure to want to be on the go all the time and after a couple of hours suggest that you run with the kids and they can stay& relax. However, if they insist on going with you, just let them. You can always laughingly tell him he owes you in the future.

Dianne

 

[RabFlmom]

I feel that it is odd he invited his old friend without even talking to the OP first. This is family trip with special meaning not only is it OP's birthday trip but the first vacation as a blended family.

I don't know how long ago the BF and collge friend were in college but for me when I happened to be going to a funeral in the state where 2 of my college roommates lived, 30 years after we graduated, I left the wake an hour earlier than the rest of my family and went to meet up with my old friends. My family understood. It was important for us to see each other after all these years.
Even though you may not see your high school and college friends often it is almost like you have never been apart and you are still the best of friends even though you are catching up on the lifetime you have had apart. They know you as no one else has known you-even your family.

Since the friend also knows his daughter, I think it is important that you do do the get together. Obviously they are still in contact with her on a regular basis for him to have arranged for a meeting with you at Disney. He wants her to meet the love of his life and wants her to love you and your kids too. I think it is a very good sign that he feels comfortable enough to try to make this happen. Some BFs or husbands might feel they have to do this on the sneeky side because of jealousy etc. . You might be surprised and really like her too . 4 days of Disney is plenty of time to give a few hours to his friend. Depends on when you are going, but parks close early if there in the winter months etc Why not meet up after the parks close if you don't want to share time with her during the day?

 

[Needafix]

RabFLmom - you are absolutely right and I couldn't agree with you more. I'm guessing with all the posts (many more than I ever expected) you didn't read all of my responses. My op was simply meant as a lighthearted "Can you believe how non-Disney people think" kind of post where I did want suggestions on possible meeting places - that's it.

He truly is a wonderful man and not for a second do I believe there was any other intention in his invitation than to catch up with a dear friend and showing off his daughter and me. He has known and been in regular contact with her for over 30 years - I've known him for 2! (I found out they did know each other before college, I just heard stories that happened during college).

Do I wish it wasn't at Disney - yeah, it's not ideal for reasons I mentioned, but like I said in an earlier post - At this moment, my biggest problem is the man I love wants to show me off and at worst I might lose an hour of Disney time. Hmmmm...... From where I've come from to now - LIFE IS WONDERFUL and I look forward to meeting her. After so many great posts, not only will I be doing this for him, but you're right - maybe I will make a new friend. YaY for me!!!

 

[Jachred]

RabFLmom - you are absolutely right and I couldn't agree with you more. I'm guessing with all the posts (many more than I ever expected) you didn't read all of my responses. My op was simply meant as a lighthearted "Can you believe how non-Disney people think" kind of post where I did want suggestions on possible meeting places - that's it.

He truly is a wonderful man and not for a second do I believe there was any other intention in his invitation than to catch up with a dear friend and showing off his daughter and me. He has known and been in regular contact with her for over 30 years - I've known him for 2! (I found out they did know each other before college, I just heard stories that happened during college).

Do I wish it wasn't at Disney - yeah, it's not ideal for reasons I mentioned, but like I said in an earlier post - At this moment, my biggest problem is the man I love wants to show me off and at worst I might lose an hour of Disney time. Hmmmm...... From where I've come from to now - LIFE IS WONDERFUL and I look forward to meeting her. After so many great posts, not only will I be doing this for him, but you're right - maybe I will make a new friend. YaY for me!!!

Crazy how people always turns someones problem into them, glad you are getting it worked out..

But I will have to tell ya, my GF who _LOVES_ the princesses and I are going on our first WDW vacation together.. We are going for 8 days 7 nights, and I explained to her, we wouldn't be able to see everything.... She still doesn't believe me. The way it worked out, we could've toured Universal, or stayed at WDW for 3 extra days OR go visit her grandmother who she might not see for another year or two if she don't this trip... (Same price). While not the short 4 day trip, you have, I am going to suck it up for her.

But honestly I think 1/2 the "My man better not do that" posts on here are from women who's husbands read the board and its some kinda training for them....