Tell me about your experiences taking first-timers to Disney

[Flyerfan]

We want to take DH's parents to WDW. They are both 60ish, have never been there and they really don't travel at all. My concern is that they won't like it and they will spend all their time in the room. What experiences have you had taking family or friends who've never been there? The good AND the bad.

 

[magicaldisney]

I'm subscribing...we have the exact same situation with taking my parents this year and I'm so afraid they won't like it at all. Can't wait to hear what others say.

 

[Alexander]

Yup--taking FIL, MIL, BIL, SIL, and DN this December. None have been to WDW since 1970 somthing. We visit four times a year! They are all looking to me to lead them around by the nose! Here are our plans:

Three villas at SSR (one for each family)
Arrive on Saturday afternoon: Dinner at Chef Mickey's
Sunday: MK, Dinner at Crystal Palace
Monday: AK, Donald's Breakfast at Tusker House, Dinner at Boma
Tuesday: Day-off, DTD, Swimming, Etc. Dinner at Hoop-Dee-Do
Wednesday: Epcot, Dinner at Coral Reef
Thursday: MGM, Dinner at Sci-Fi
Friday: File for divorce from DH's family!

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

We want to take DH's parents to WDW. They are both 60ish, have never been there and they really don't travel at all. My concern is that they won't like it and they will spend all their time in the room. What experiences have you had taking family or friends who've never been there? The good AND the bad.

We went with my DH's mom and step dad for 8 nights. They live in FL and have been to Disney, but only a few times, with the last visit about 10 years ago. They are in mid 60's. They loved the meals (we were on free dining). They did not want to ride any rides. MIL enjoyed the shows, FIL did not enjoy parks very much at all (thought he was going to kill me every time I stopped for photpass pics!). Seems like they preferred a couple hours at the park in the morning, and some days a couple hours in the evening. They loved relaxing by the pool under a covered table with cool drink and relaxing and talking. Eight nights was too long for them (although they said that they wanted to stay the whole time we were there!). We pretty much figured out that we had to "ditch them" every once in a while to hit the parks.

My advice is to not expect too much. If they feel that part of their vacation is relaxing in the room and you don't want to, give them a hug on your way out the door, and tell them you'll see them a little later! We did an itinerary, which they liked having. There were a lot of spots called "open" on our itinerary, and they knew in advance they had to figure out what they wanted to do together as a couple. Since your inlaws have never been to WDW, maybe buy them the Passporter guide book.

How many nights is your vacation? I wish I could have convinced my in-laws to maybe just come for the first 3 or 4 nights. I truly feel like they were "done" by then.

But, ya never know! Maybe your inlaws will want to see and do it all !!

Either way, (IMO) you will have a feel for how they will be within about 24-48 hours of your trip.

Best of luck!
-mary

 

[photobob]

I really think it depends on the people. There are those that can find negative in anything and everything, and if they are that kind of people I would say don't bother.

If you think that they would enjoy it then by all means take them. You may have to go at a pace that would be better for them, or let them stay back at the resort and rest while others head back to the park. Be very flexible, I've found that travelling with others requires patience.

 

[dvcdisney]

A few years ago, we took my inlaws. They haven't been back for 25 years, so they were like first timers.

I believe it was fun for them, but I think with our experience we thought that they were able to keep up with our plans. We wanted to show them everything new (which seem to be practically everything, they couldn't remember anything - it has been 25 years). But I think they would have preferred to miss a lot of it and just take their time.

I agree, it would depend on the people. I think the best thing to do is go over your plan and see what they want to do and what they would like to skip and then plan from there. We have taken family a few more times after that and it was much better to do our own thing and meet them for dinner or lunch or some special event.

 

[Disney_Daddy]

We brought my wife's parents and her grandmother last September. We all live close, so they drove to Orlando for 1 night/1 park and my immediate family was there for the whole week.

We had dinner at Cape May on Sunday night. My FIL is still talking about the clam chowder, "It was the best clam chowder I've ever tasted!!"

On Monday we went to AK. They had a ball. My kids DD8 and DS6 had fun too while pointing things out and sitting next to "grammy" at the shows.

My wife's grandmother is about 81 and she used an ECV. The ECV made her feel like she was 60 again because she was able to keep up and just enjoy everything without the knee pain she would normally have from normal movements.

This year they are staying with us for two nights and bringing my wife's grandmothers from both sides of the family. We are staying at VWL and they are looking forward to seeing MK for the first time in 30 years.

I wonder if I could arrange a drag race down main street between the two grandmothers and their ECV's?

 

[WDWmom08]

We just went on our 1st family WDW vacation in May. My Mom (60), Dad (64) and myself went and hadn't been since the late 80's along with my DH and DD - 3 1/2 - had never been. We also took my brother and his GF. We all stayed in 2 connecting rooms at the GF. It was a blast! I think the key was taking that afternoon break following lunch every day. The DDP was a huge hit; my Mom and Dad kept saying we've never eaten this well at WDW. They were used to Pecos Bill for every meal. But my DH is a true convert now. The whole time I was planning the trip he kept saying 'I just don't get it. I've been to King's Dominion and Six Flags (he grew up in VA) it's a theme park. What's the big deal.' Well they put that bounceback deal for 40% off in our room and by day 3 he was saying 'I really think we need to look into this'. If the deal would have been good for more than 7 months out I think we would have jumped on it but who can afford Disney (except DVC'ers) every 6 months? Anyway since we got the 'I miss you' post card in the mail a week after we returned home we are now looking into DVC.

 

[ChelleinNC]

We want to take DH's parents to WDW. They are both 60ish, have never been there and they really don't travel at all. My concern is that they won't like it and they will spend all their time in the room. What experiences have you had taking family or friends who've never been there? The good AND the bad.

We took my Dad & Stepmom last December. They had each been there once/twice before, but the last time my Dad was at WDW it was 1987 He really couldn't understand why we kept going back until we took him

If you want to know how it went, check out "I survived a week with my Dad" trip report link in my signature.
Short version: We got them a studio at SSR and we had a 1BR at BWV (space/privacy is a very good thing!) They were completely amazed at what WDW is now, had a wonderful time with their grandkids; went on a few rides that they were physically able to; loved all of the Christmas stuff (especially Candlelight Proc.) They spent most of the day with us the 1st couple of days and as they got braver, they explored on their own and did their own thing meeting us later. All in all it was a fantastic trip and they are still talking about

 

[BroganMc]

You'd think that my dad and I would be the non-adventurous ones the family would take. But despite my disability and his 76 years, we get along famously with the aid of our personal powered vehicles. (He uses an ECV and I have a souped up powerchair.)

We do Disney at least twice a year for a couple weeks. We have the APs and have done the commando touring on NYE till 4am at MK. In short, we tire out all our younger, healthier guests.

Now we've taken complete Disney virgins and those with some experience. We've had control freaks, whiney terrified youngsters and daredevils. How the trip goes and what itinerary you make depends entirely on your guest's personality. We usually give ourselves wrap-around time to detox in Disney without the guest. Keeps the blood pressure down when your guest doesn't behave the way you envisioned and/or you have to sacrifice on your plans to make them happy.

With the "slow pace" guests we usually concentrate on only a few things we know they'll like. If dining and scenery is their thing then we take them to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom (or just AKL/AKV if walking is a huge issue). We may also take them to Magic Kingdom one evening just to get a feel for "Disney" and take in a fireworks and evening parade. MGM/DHS can be good for "slow pace" guests as long as you stick to the shows: Beauty & the Beast, Indy Jones, Backlot Tour with museum, Animation Studio. The car stunt show is fun but very loud. It can be overwhelming.

Whiney, scared kids tend to do well in Animal Kingdom. The animals have a calming effect and are not overwhelming. Avoid the 3D shows and thrill rides.

Best thing I did for my sister's family was to give her a kidless day on her anniversary. I took her boys to AK and she and her husband went to EPCOT for F&W. We all had our own fun.

Of the two solo adult newbies I've taken, perhaps the most fun is had when you have someone who's willing to trust your guidance and eager to try anything. Took my cousin last year for NYE and he was game for anything. Even parks at 3-4am. But we also only went for 3 days. Even I had trouble doing the commando touring for that long. When I took another friend a year before we did 7 days and I tried to show him everything. Lots of commando touring, very little rest, and we were all exhausted. I learned not to take too big a bite the next times.

For the grand gathering I'm planning next year, my dad and I will do our own itinerary and be flexible to stragglers. The 15 people going with us have been to Disney before, though not all as much. We have to resist the temptation to show them everything. I know if we try it'll just lead to confusion and fights.

 

[wdwnut]

Hi: I usually give the "invitees" a Birnbaum's guide book and ask them to look it over. After they've leafed through, they can ask questions and make a list of their "must do/ want to do" items. We've taken people ranging in age from about 10-70 yo. With any of the teen and up people, we allow some apart time to keep us all happy. Wish us luck, we've got a group of 18 going in October; although my wonderful dil has made 3 adrs for us.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

I am taking the inlaws in January for a 6 night OKW GV stay. The hubby and I have decided that the key to this will be LEISURE! Take our time, it will be the first time for the kids too (6,4,2). So we will not be "Commandos" this time. We can always go back on our own in a couple of years, this one is for the Grandparents and Grandkids. They will never forget it!!

 

[crisi]

Two experiences.

Years ago we took my mother in law and her sister. I made sure to tailor as much of the trip to them as possible - and we did break off for much of the day. I know my mother in law likes to poke through shops and eat good food - and I know she isn't up for riding coasters - so we made a nice sit down dinner reservation each day to meet up with her - spent a few days early in the trip with her showing her the lay of the lands - then sent her and her sister off - they poked through World Showcase at a snail's pace having a wonderful time while my kids took things at kid pace. I was actually surprised at what a good time they had - my mother in law is an old hippie - and I thought the over-commercialization of Disney might be offensive.

Last year we went with another family - chose them because their kids were compatible ages, but it didn't go well. I didn't know them well enough to plan their trip for them, and they were all too happy to just "follow us around" - even after multiple hints to plan and give us a list of what they wanted to do. Until we got there and discovered a big difference between our kid's chronological ages (all within 18 months) and their emotional ages (my nine year old is emotionally older, their seven year old was emotionally much younger. It was also MUCH hotter than they were prepared for, and just bigger and more overwhelming. They didn't whine, but they did spend much of the trip sitting outside attractions while we went in. I felt sorta bad about the whole thing.

We also use Birnbaums for newbies. I think in the future I'll make Birnbaum's "homework" a mandatory part of the invitation.

 

[vascubaguy]

I, too, think it really depends on the people.

Fortunately, the first-timers that went with us had always wanted to go and appreciated that we had been there and could show them the ropes (and get them good deals for getting down there). It was quite a pain trying to pickout ADRs and scheduling times for peoples meals, but I think if they would have had to do that on their own the first time, they probably wouldn't have had a good feeling about all the work that goes into planning a WDW trip. Not the show up and just wing it type of trips they are used to.

Anyway, they loved it.

One suggestion I would have would be to try and plan the trip around a time when something of interest is going on (if possible). The first time we went was the Flower & Garden Fest, but the Food & Wine Fest and Christmas are also some good times that most people would enjoy (especially F&W for the adults).

 

[NSL]

This thread has been so interesting. We are planning our first trip with family in December. We are taking my mom and dad for their first WDW vacation. I think I made the right decision in them only coming for the first 4 days and us having a few more without them. We both have studios at seperate locations. I thought 7 days would be too much for them the first time and I wanted to see if they liked it.

Next summer I am bringing my aunt, her new husband and his son (my son's age). All their first time to WDW. I was going to get a 2br villa but perhaps I would be better getting two studios so we have our own rooms. What would you do?

 

[Flyerfan]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I've gotten a handle on what I would plan. I'm looking at either November or January and it would be DH, myself, MIL,FIL, and possibly BIL, no children. In-laws most likely would not do thrill rides so I'm leaning more towards shows, nice dinners, shopping, some of the tamer attractions. We would all be there for the same amount of time because we'd be driving together, so I'm hoping 6 or 7 nights would be OK. Now, the next step is to pitch it to them. Wish me luck!

 

[javamom]

We have invited my Mom and Stepdad to join us for a Christmas trip in 2009. I have been enticing her with emails with info on fishing excursions for Stepdad and a spa day for the Moms!

My only worry is that they will cancel before the trip and I will have a 2br for nothing.

I think that I will try the Birnbaum's idea too. I am sure that my Mom would read it.

 

[Weluvdisny]

Our first trip inviting friends went great! We had 4 teenage boys total that got along great and we had so much fun!

So our next trip we went with some more friends and their 3 teenagers. This one did not go so well. I gave the family lots of information about the trip, as this was their first time, and they just didn't get Disney. They admitted that they never even read the binder I made for them. They never showed any emotion, good or bad, about anything! We were very hurt when we came home and unfortunately it has affected our friendship.

We are calling our next trip our re-do and the only good thing that came out of this last trip is our for BWV, which we can now call "home".

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Dh and I took both of my sisters and their families in April '07.

Here is the link to the trippie describing this trip...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1436762

The trip had both good and bad moments, but was mostly frustrating. You'll see that in the trippie.

I never finished the report, so I'll just say the scooter broke down, my sister left a day early, and was never happy about her studio room, and left mad. I'm pretty sure that this sister won't be back. I tried. I really tried.

My other sister and her family just got back from their 1st WDW trip without us! They had a great time! I was surprised. ok, shocked that they wanted to go back, and thrilled that they really enjoyed themselves.

 

[jimmytammy]

Our experience with 1st timers is dont overdo it. We want to make sure they see it all and do it all. But in the end, if they enjoy it at their pace, it will be all the more worth it.