Taking "non-believers" to WDW - any ideas?

[disneyfanfl]

My wife and I (along with our extended family) have been regular passholders and take our 3 year old DD all the time. We have pleaded and pleaded for my wife's parents to come with us and they have never. They went on their honeymoon so many decades ago and don't understand all that the World has become.

We received some complimentary one-day park hoppers and thought it was the perfect way to force them to go - free tickets! We will be there on 4/17 and have one day to hit three parks(leaving out AK) and show them the magic of Disney.

We know all about the attractions and plan to take them on many our daughter enjoys so much (use the grandkid as bait) so they can see her enjoy it. Also, some "adult" attractions. Just wondering if my Dis friends had any ideas for my "anti-Disney" in-laws?!

(My plan is MK 8-1, travel to MGM 1-2, MGM 2-5, travel to EPCOT 5-6, EPCOT 6-9)

 

[Kallison]

I can't believe grandparents would not want to see their 3 year old grandchild enjoy Disney. I'll be so thankful when I'm a grandparent one day if my kids invite me along. People just don't know what they are missing.

 

[pennyplanner]

Plan, plan, plan. If you are the guide with a plan, you have more of a chance of things going well. I am not suggesting commando-style touring, but just knowing what you will do first, second, third, etc.

Have you thought about dining that might appeal to them? Since you are trying to pack in so much, I am guessing you will be doing counter service.

My DH is NOT a Disney fan but he does manage to get in the spirit of things when we have a touring plan. Think of someone who professes to HATE Disney and then stands at attention and salutes Buzz every single time as we enter Buzz Lightyear in MK!

Are they young-minded grandparents? You have planned quite a day hitting three parks!

Wishing you a Disneyesque Day to convert those non-believers!

--penny

 

[d96j97]

Ever since I got married and my DH and I spent our honeymoon at WDW, I try to get everyone who hasn't been there...to go!!!

I don't think that there is any way to feel the magic unless you have been there. You can watch the Travel Channel, rent videos, order the WDW video but there is just nothing like being there.

We went with my DH's parents a couple years ago (both ~70yrs.) and they couldn't believe how the world had changed. The last time they were there was when MK was the only park. They had an incredible time watching our children (ages 3 & %) at the time. Trust me...get them there...and they will believe.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[mitros]

I have always found it hard to believe, but there are folks that actually DO NOT like WDW. And if they don't like it, they don't like it! I'm not really sure if there is anything in between really liking WDW and really not caring for it at all. MY MiL hates it, my Mother does not care for it, a number of my friends and aquaintences have been there once and have no intention of returning. And there are people who have no interest in the place at all.....go figure.

 

[gingermommy94]

There is such a thing as non-believers

Actually I think your DD will do all the work "transforming" them. Once they see the look on her little face, it'll all make sense to them.

Good luck and have a wonderful time!

 

[spectromagic]

i went with a couple of friends who were "non believers" and i wish everyone on this board could have seen there faces during WISHES and SPECTROMAGIC. something about fireworks and parades seemed to bring the magic to them. they were just staring in amazement. me and my best friend (both annual pass holders) looked at each other and said "weve brought them to our side" haha. make sure you dont miss these shows they really seem to work.

 

[McCall]

I don't think that dragging them frantically between three parks in one day is going to do much to help your cause.

 

[Kaitysmom]

You might have your DD plan the day for them, with them. If they take part in the planning processs, they might have more fun. I have taken non-Disney relatives before and you can't make them enjoy themselves unless they want to. Going from park to park is tiring and time consuming - and kind of stressful I think. You might want to reconsider your plans and take it a little slower. I know how it feels to want to share everything, but it might backfire on you.

 

[karemore]

If you want to change their minds, I'd say pick one park and spend the day there.

Two at the most.

Three parks in one day is going to give them the impression that WDW is nothing but monorail and bus rides......

Give them a chance to get comfortable.

Karen

 

[Chicago526]

I'd only do two parks, MK and Epcot. Spend the morning in MK, have a sit down lunch (I recomend Mexico in Epcot, but that's only because it's MY favorite, go with what you think THEY will like, of course!) and then spend the afternoon/evening in Epcot, have them see IllumiNations for the evening show, I think adults get a biger kick out of that than MK fireworks.

If you try to do three parks, their only impresion will be of the monorail and bus system. And the only thing worse than draging a worn out child thru the parks is draging a worn out ADULT through the parks, especialy when they didn't really want to go in the first place!

But whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[mmeb144]

I like the 2 parks idea, too. But, I'd save MK for last because seeing Wishes is just magical. I liked it better than Illuminations. The other park for the day could be AK, the animals and the Festival of the Lion King are very cool!

Marie

 

[Grumpy92]

I think you are on the right track. Plan sometime that they can enjoy with their granddaughter at MK. You also might want to let them do some things on their own.

EC is a must for them. The Flower & Garden festival starts while you are there and they have all kinds of exhibits and seminars. You might want to look into a tour for them like the architecture and gardens tour at EC. The behind the seeds tour at the land is another.

They may not feel the need for a full day at the Studios. So give them the oppty to visit DTD, do a spa treatment or ride a surray bike. An afternoon tea at the GF and then enjoy the wonderful lobby band in the evening. AKL has wonderful seminars and storytelling in the evening.

You also might think about showing them some of the fine dining restaurants like Cal Grill, Narcoossees, Artist Pt, Jiko, Flying Fish or Yachts St.

Usually I would also suggest the Seniors vacation video that Disney offers for free, but you leave too soon to receive it.

I think they are going to be amazed at the vast array of things wdw now offers. See if you can get them involved a little bit with the planning by giving them a wdw guide, perhaps the Unofficial one.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by McCall
I don't think that dragging them frantically between three parks in one day is going to do much to help your cause.

I agree. That would not be my idea of a good way to introduce non-believers. Make the day fun but somewhat relaxing. Perhaps spend the morning and early afternoon at MK, then take a break, have dinner at one of the hotels perhaps, and then go to EC for Illuminations or MGM for Fantasmic to cap off the nite.

Steve

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

With newbies to the parks you might want to consider lessening the number parks for one day. That is alot even for a veteran. The 17th is a saturday which means MK will be packed. They are calling for very large crowds in April. Like some of the other posters said, consider just two parks or you will spend at least an 1-1/2 or 2 riding the transportation to and from parks. We just came back from DW and we found the parks to be fuller then other years.

 

[BAST]

FYI - I did not think that there were one day hoppers. All one day passes I am aware of do not allow park hopping. Just confirm this before you do your planning.

That said, I think it would be very difficult to do three parks in one day - just the commuting alone with significantly impact your time.

 

[mitros]

Right on both counts. And even with a car, it would be quite difficult to get to three parks in one day and actually be able to accomplish anything.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I agree, three parks in one day is way too much, wastes too much time traveling when you could be enjoying another attraction . . . or two!! They might only remember how exhausting it was shooting from park to park! That is what you don't want I'm sure!!

Maybe first MK and then EPCOT for dinner and Illuminations! Tell them NEXT TIME they can spend a whole day in each of the FOUR parks. If you give them a little taste, you are almost guaranteed that they will be coming back for more!!!

 

[sugermouse]

See illuminations in Epcot at night. Try to bring them to the focal points of the parks, and try to get them into the magical feeling. So visit the castle, spaceship earth, etc. Also, make sure you leave some time to relax, so they take in the magic. Try eating at Japan's restaurant. Its SOOO good!

 

[Micca]

How old are these folks? It seems to me one of the best things about WDW is the feeling that great things from the classic Disney movies come to life. Even the attractions that don't come directly from the movies share a common thread. If they are in an age group where they grew up with Disney classic movies, try to show them the connections.