OMG - he invited a complete stranger!!!

[Needafix]

Thanks everyone. For those of you concerned b/c it's a female - that is a non-issue but thanks for the concern.

Minniehoo - I agree - I think this will fall apart before it gets off the ground. It usually does, so I'll let it unfold. If it doesn't, I have no problem with them catching up as long as I can make my escape. Maybe a good thing b/c he likes his leisurely pace while I'm about as hyper as they come.

About it being my b-day, I can guarantee he totally forgot about that aspect of the trip. My guess is it was a casual comment ,he mentioned we got the kids a trip to Disney for Christmas and one of them quickly mentioned "Oh we should meet up so you can meet everyone." Those things hardly ever actually happen, but I wanted to be prepared. With all the great suggestions, now I am.

It's Disney - Life is Good!!!

Disnut8 - Thank you for those comments. I couldn't agree more. I seriously didn't mean this to be anything but a light-hearted - Is he kidding me - kind of post and hopefully get some suggestions, which I did.

 

[DebbieB]

I think you are overreacting. It's not like he invited her for the entire trip. So she meets up with you one afternoon. I would not let her change your plans. Continue with what you planned, she can join if she wants or can spend some time catching up with your boyfriend separately.

 

[Micca]

Tell him your thoughts/feelings and see what happens. Maybe he can uninvite her, or at least minimize the impact on your plans. He at least needs to be aware of your feelings about this if you're going to have a future together.

 

[PearlySwan]

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.

^^^ Except this would necessitate the two parties split up at some point which could be a bit awkward. The college friend is driving down so as to meet the OP and the family. As soon as OP says, "Well it was nice meeting you," then turns to BF and says "Hon why don't I take the kids to MK while you catch up with your friend?" College friend might think: "OMG! she'd prefer to go to the parks than spend time with us!" Also, OP's BF has a daughter whom the college friend wants to see too. If OP says she's going to the parks you betcha the kid will want to split and go with OP and her sons rather than spend time with daddy and his college friend. Sorry, but nobody can compete with Mickey and the gang!

If I were in OP's shoes this is what I'd do. Contact BF's college friend (via email and/or phone), and set up the time/place to meet. Here are the possibilities:

1. If BF's college friend can only drive down on one of the four days the family is touring WDW, they can make an early morning breakfast ressie at one of the monorail hotels before MK park opens. Still there will be the awkward split after the early morning meal. Alternatively, if the college friend doesn't arrive in Orlando until later in the day, they can make a late dinner ressie at a place like California Grill in the Contemporary, or Ohana at the Polynesian, so as to allow everyone to see Wishes fireworks from the resorts. This of course would work only if the family doesn't mind not being in the park for Wishes. This might be a better alternative between the two meals though, because the split probably won't happen until everyone is ready for sleep.

2. If the college friend arrives smack in the middle of the day, OP and her family could use that as an opportunity to retreat to their hotel/resort to spend some time by the pool with college friend for a midday break. However, this option will necessitate the inevitable split between the parties as OP and the children will want to go back to the parks later in the afternoon/evening. Again, bringing up the awkward moment mentioned above.

3. Best case scenario: The college friend will arrive a day before and/or after OP tours WDW parks. That way they can spend a leisurely morning and/or afternoon/evening relaxing beside the hotel's pool without the awkwardness of parties having to split up to tour the parks. That would even allow for a nice character meal at one of the WDW resorts and even extend the magic for one additional morning and/or afternoon/evening.

4. Absolute Ideal Best Cast Scenario: College friend will realize she is intruding on a family vacation time and agree to meet the family at a different time and/or place.

I wouldn't let this monkey wrench ruin my plans if I were her. I do hope it all works out for OP and her family.

 

[gigi1313]

here's my suggestion... have the friend meet you at MK, book the dessert party for all of you, enjoy the fireworks while bf/friend catch up...

 

[DebbieB]

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.

Part of building a relationship with someone is meeting the people who are important to them. The boyfriend must want his college friend to meet her and the family. The friend lives 2 hours from WDW, she's willing to drive there and take the time to meet them. It's not like he wants to drive there. That would really be an imposition. The title of this thread is "he invited a complete stranger". She's not a stranger to him, she's an old friend.

So you meet her and she either tags along with your plans or they take time to catch up separately and you meet up later. With cellphones, there's no need to wait around for someone.

 

[mommy2allgirls]

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.

 

[PearlySwan]

here's my suggestion... have the friend meet you at MK, book the dessert party for all of you, enjoy the fireworks while bf/friend catch up...

^^^ Awesome idea if this event were to be extended through 2010 when OP is traveling to WDW again.

Right now the Dessert Wishes Party is only running through the 29th of this month.
As per wdwinfo.com: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm#wishes
and disunplugged: http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/06/24/disney-debuts-magic-kingdom-wishes-dessert-party/

If the event were to be extended through 2010, I would consider this as a great alternative to the other suggestions made earlier.

 

[TisBit]

I look at this from two perspectives, this is a group vacation, he has a say in what he wants from this vacation too, and if catching up with an old friend is part of that, the OP should be sensitive to his feelings/wants too. It like a husband that wants to play golf, just accept it and work it into your plans.

First question is....are they coming to the parks with you, if not schedule if for a dinner after you would be somewhat done with parks anyway. I have similar feelings when we have family members/friends wanting to meet us at Disney, I have my own schedule and agenda....but I have found it to be a non-issue in the past, it usually works out better than I think it will. My experience is also that FL residents "understand" Disney and willing to do whatever you want, because they can go anytime and they don't want you to miss anything.

Our biggest issue was when we had family that was down at the same time and were only going to the parks one day, with a baby. They didn't understand Disney and the options available to us even with the baby, so instead of just coming to meet us somewhere, they did what they thought was the best thing, needless to say, we didn't stop to go track them down or try to convince them just trust us......

 

[gigi1313]

^^^ Awesome idea if this event were to be extended through 2010 when OP is traveling to WDW again.

Right now the Dessert Wishes Party is only running through the 29th of this month.
As per wdwinfo.com: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm#wishes
and disunplugged: http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/06/24/disney-debuts-magic-kingdom-wishes-dessert-party/

If the event were to be extended through 2010, I would consider this as a great alternative to the other suggestions made earlier.

my inside info told me that it will be continued... it may be closed in jan/feb to install ceiling fans (much needed in august!) and then will resume

 

[Needafix]

gigi - LOVE your idea about the dessert thing in MK - keeping my fingers crossed that they extend it. I'd ever even heard of it, but now I'm looking into it whether or not she joins us.

BF is an amazing man and if this is all he wants you can bet he's going to get it. He's new to this whole Disney thing I have going and finds it quite humorous - he's learning.

Look at all the wonderful suggestions/solutions I got with this post.
She can meet us Sunday for lunch at an Epcot resort or join us later for dessert at MK, OR Monday she can drink/eat around the world with us OR Wed she can meet us for a late b-fast before we leave for the airport. Sounds like everyone will get what they want.

 

[PearlySwan]

my inside info told me that it will be continued... it may be closed in jan/feb to install ceiling fans (much needed in august!) and then will resume

^^^This is a totally awesome alternative for OP her BF, the kids, and the college friend. What a magical way to meet and spend time together!

We've never been to the Wishes Dessert party. I have one question, are park admission tickets needed to attend the Wishes Dessert party? If not, then it might work out perfectly for them, assuming the college friend is not a AP holder or plans on purchasing a park admission ticket during her visit.

 

[Needafix]

Yes, park tickets are needed to enter the park, but at least that gives her an option to join us or not. I have other non-park options also if she didn't want to spend the money. I don't mind her tagging along one evening. I'd prefer she didn't for reasons I mentioned, but I'm certain that if she did, we'd all have fun. I just don't want to be sitting at a dinner table for endless hours when I could be exploring disney.

 

[kaytieeldr]

She can meet us Sunday for lunch at an Epcot resort or join us later for dessert at MK, OR Monday she can drink/eat around the world with us OR Wed she can meet us for a late b-fast before we leave for the airport. Sounds like everyone will get what they want.

And, who knows - you may even find yourself with a new good friend!

 

[DisneyFan620]

Yeah, a meal is a good idea... or just drag her on some rides!!! I say keep your pace going!!

 

[Microcell]

I fiftieth the meal idea!

Struck me as funny, since DH and I are "in the know" now about not having intruders on our vacation, when I asked if he wanted to invite his parents on our next trip because their beloved dog passed so they can finally go places (another thread about dog obsession on another day). He just said "Uh, no.. they would slow us waaayyy down!

 

[PearlySwan]

I fiftieth the meal idea!

Struck me as funny, since DH and I are "in the know" now about not having intruders on our vacation, when I asked if he wanted to invite his parents on our next trip because their beloved dog passed so they can finally go places (another thread about dog obsession on another day). He just said "Uh, no.. they would slow us waaayyy down!

^^^^

 

[danceintherain]

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

Other than that... the other ideas you have are great.
Contacting her directly will probably be the easiest way to make things go smoothly.
My DH is terrible at planning anything, and someone who has never been to Disney probably doesn't understand the vastness of it.
Most people are used to normal amusement parks where the rides are basically the only attractions.

If you contact her directly, then at least you can be sure of her plans. She probably has an idea about when she's going to leave, which should give you a general arrival time. Also, you'll be able to find out how much time she wishes to spend with you, like if she's going to get up early and spend the whole day, or if she's really just thinking about spend a couple hours before returning home.
You could become more familiar with her Disney knowledge by contacting her directly as well.

 

[Planogirl]

I admire your attitude about this. You may find that you really like her and this might just be fun!

 

[ShannonMB]

I also really admire your attitude about this! Honestly, there is no way in heck I'd let DH invite some chick I don't know to tag along on our family vaca -- even for one day, especially without asking me about it first. Of course it is his trip as well, and if he wants to spend some of it reminiscing about the college days, then go right ahead. Meet up with the kids and me when you're done. I'm pretty stingy with my Disney time, I'll admit it! Possibly a meal. Possibly.