Playing "Tour Guide"

[Elmo9607]

My family and I are taking a trip to the World this Christmas, and we are taking my best friend with us. This is her first trip there, and I will have to be her tour guide.

I am a little concerned. I have done this before, and it was a DISASTER.

I informed the person what he was in for (being it Christmas time and all), gave him reading material (Unofficial Guide!), reviewed the touring plans with him...basically did the best I could. Everything was fine until we got to the parks, then things unravelled...fast. It was a nightmare.

To this day, I'm not sure what I did wrong! I knew he was tired, so I made sure we got lots of rest time in between attractions, utilized FP, did mid-afternoon breaks, and just kinda took things a little slower than I was used to. That didn't work. The attractions weren't an issue..we just simply skipped the ones we didn't want to do.

I REALLY don't want this to happen again. I enjoy showing people the parks, and I love for them to have a good experience on their first visit. I know my best friend is more laid back and easy going, and will likely have more energy than the other person I was travelling with, but does anyone have any tips they can give me so I can avoid another Disney Disaster?

 

[luvmickey5374]

I guess I would say....DON'T. You can give her all the info before you go if she would like it but once you get to the park, you do your thing and let her do hers. Its difficult trying to make someone see Disney in the light we have shone on it They usually don't take to it that way and then it causes problems. I would ask her how involved she would like for you to be and then cut it in half when you get there and you should be fine. Anytime we have brought someone with us, it turns out not fun because they are never into it like my family and I are. This is how we learned to just let people go off and enjoy it on their own whenever they choose...saves relationships that way. Good luck with it either way

 

[cjb71870]

That just isn't right.... I've been a "Personal Tour Guide" for years with alot of different people/family. And have never had someone that became a problem.... I couldn't even imagine what I would do if someone was. It's either my way, which they trust I know, or "good luck on your own".....I guess..LOL. And, I have had people come who had no desire to see Disney until they came with me and then they became addicted too.... Good Luck!!

 

[dburg30]

My family and I are taking a trip to the World this Christmas, and we are taking my best friend with us. This is her first trip there, and I will have to be her tour guide.

I am a little concerned. I have done this before, and it was a DISASTER.

I informed the person what he was in for (being it Christmas time and all), gave him reading material (Unofficial Guide!), reviewed the touring plans with him...basically did the best I could. Everything was fine until we got to the parks, then things unravelled...fast. It was a nightmare.

To this day, I'm not sure what I did wrong! I knew he was tired, so I made sure we got lots of rest time in between attractions, utilized FP, did mid-afternoon breaks, and just kinda took things a little slower than I was used to. That didn't work. The attractions weren't an issue..we just simply skipped the ones we didn't want to do.

I REALLY don't want this to happen again. I enjoy showing people the parks, and I love for them to have a good experience on their first visit. I know my best friend is more laid back and easy going, and will likely have more energy than the other person I was travelling with, but does anyone have any tips they can give me so I can avoid another Disney Disaster?

You didnt really say what happened to make it a disaster?

 

[disnut8]

OP - quite frankly, you overwhelmed your previous guest. You cannot expect to hand over the thick Unofficial Guide and have them memorize it before a trip. No first timer can ever imagine the sheer size of Disney World. That is the mistake I have made before.

Cut WAY down on the amount of information you give a person before you leave. They don't need to know about the Bubby Relay, do they? What they need to know is about your resort, general info about the parks and VERY brief descriptions about the attractions. Put information into one sheet. I'd do something like one sheet for Magic Kingdom. List the attractions and a one line description of each one. Bold the "must see" things. Then do the same with the other four parks. Your guest only has to refer to one sheet of paper. You will be there in person to provide more information as you are heading to that attraction.

When I was attempting to explain just how big Disney World is to someone, I came up with the idea of relating the size to something they knew well. What shocked me was their hometown was smaller than Disney World! So try that first. Get that into perspective for them.

 

[MannAboutTheWorld]

Don't be a tour guide as much as be a consigliere. If they have any questions, give them the info in short, easy-to-swallow versions. But don't map out everything chapter and verse for anyone.

But one of the nice things about WDW is 100 people can go there and have 100 different vacations. They'll tailor their own experience just by being there.

 

[pat fan]

I, too, am the designated "Tour Guide" and it frightens the crap out of me! All went well last time, so I guess it will this time as well, but it's still scary!

Everyone says "it's just so nice to have you tell us how much money to give you, relay a couple things we HAVE to do and then let you plan the rest and just take us around". Yup, like it's no biggie to plan a 10 day trip for 7 people ranging from 18-72 years of age, with 3 of then leaving 6 days into it. Piece of cake

 

[mpls_mm]

we are getting ready to be tour guides too in a week! I am anxious to hear good advice. We won't make ADRs because MIL is hard to please so I can imagine she won't be in the mood for what I have picked ahead of time. I still think food will be our biggest issue. We are driving down and I have saved all kinds of coupons and discounts on various places to save money, we have 4 to feed and she is one so she can't dictate nice meals at every turn. I am worried about touring and getting to all the stuff she wants to do. Hubby told her to research and make a list of her own can't misses from what she reads about and we will hit those.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I agree, don't overwhelm your best friend with too much info. This past year, DH and I took his parents to Disney for their big 40th anniversary. I planned the whole trip and asked their input for things like what type of food they like or what's the main attractions they want to see most. From that info. I made an itinerary for each day we were at Disney (8 days). I pointed out interesting facts here and there and led them around the parks at a very leisurely pace. We took breaks everyday back at the hotel and I'm glad we did. They totally underestimated how large Disney is and by lunchtime, they were ready for a nap! I told them beforehand but they pooh-poohed me saying that they remember what Disney is like (they hadn't been since the 80's!). Anyhow, long story short, I was exhausted by the end of our vacation but I'd do it again in a heartbeat for them. They were so thankful and happy. On one of our last nights there, my father-in-law thanked me and got all misty eyed which of course made me cry and made all my work worth it.

So, I'd try not to overwhelm your friend and just plan around what you know she likes. If you want to give her a guide book, maybe give her the Complete Guide to Walt Disney World by Julie and Mike Neal. There are tons of glossy pics and it's not heavily detailed like the Unofficial Guide. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[2Tiggies]

I agree with all the posters. Disney is a sensory overload without any extra information. Just being there is a lot to take in the first time. Give your friend some links or recommendations of books etc (not too many) and let her do her own research. You are there to enjoy your trip and so is she. She can ask along the way. Most first timers dont ask too much - they are too busy trying to absorb and experience what is around them.