Travelling to Universal Studios with friends

[BagOLaughs]

Hi all my lovely universal friends. Sorry its been so long since I last posted but I was hoping to pick your knowledgeable brains. This isn't a question about a specific event or park but more about what your thoughts are about travelling with friends/non family members.

Firstly, my personal reasons for going to Universal Studios/Orlando area year after year are:

• Its a massive amount of fun and I love the fact that I've almost got 24 hours of entertainment at my fingertips (for a price of course)
• I enjoy planning these vacations and keeping up to date with goings on in USO and Orlando.
• I enjoy spending time with my husband. Just us, in a warm climate in a wonderful resort.

So my conundrum is a friend of both my husband and I, has mentioned that it would be fun if we all went to Orlando together and shes interested in HHN too. She is a friend of both of us, so there is no issue with anyone feeling awkward. I am however concerned whether it would work. With cost of flying from the UK to Orlando any holiday is going to be a minimum of $2000 each for a week so its something I have to consider seriously. We've never been around each other for a whole week all in one go. We're all going to a music festival this June so that will be a good way to test the waters.

The pro's I think would be

• It would be fun to see the park through new eyes. She's never been before to any parks on such a massive scale so it would be fun to experience it all again with her.
• She's fun to hang around with and I don't get to spend that much time with her as it is. Going on holiday would be a nice way to unwind and catch up.

The con's are a bit longer but some might not actually be such a big deal

• We might get sick of each other after a week. We probably would look at getting a one bedroom suite to share but maybe two rooms with interconnecting doors might be better (but more expensive). I know we can do activities independent of each other to get some time apart but some of the appeal of holidays for me is going away with just my Husband. So we can take some time away from the rat race of life.
• I'm a massive control freak. Not the best personality trait to have, I know, but I would have to give up some control of the planning and that for me is part of the fun of a Orlando holiday.
• She is a little introverted and often makes comments about how I'm 'weird' and 'crazy' for taking pictures with characters and wearing my lanyards at the parks. I still do all these things regardless of what others say but if she commented on holiday it would probably bug me and maybe hurt my feelings a little.

So that's my first post. Quite long winded! I know it sounds like I'm a total hermit and in some ways that's true. I love all my friends and to socialise but I also like my own/husbands company and being on vacation means I can just be myself for a week.

Have you ever been on holiday with friends? How does it change the dynamic? Did you enjoy it? Would you do it again (and why)? Would you never do it again (and why)?

 

[Felicis]

Oooh, that last con would totally put me off. I would want to enjoy that park my way. I don't know that it would be fun hanging with her, if she is going to want you to theme park differently to how you want to. You don't want to end up resenting her when she is commenting and rolling her eyes at your choices. Y

 

[schumigirl]

Nice to see you again Rachel.........youse been missed!

Well, I have a whole load of friends.........some closer than others......but, we always agreed never, ever would we go to Orlando with any of them......even ones I'm closer with than my family!

We like to do our own thing without anyone else's opinion. Our trip is totally and probably selfishly our time. We meet folks when we're there, but that takes up a couple of hours. We love that........but to be responsible for someone the whole time........which you probably would be as she's on her own I believe........nope.

I go for weekends and overnights with friends......and we went to Dubai, Switzerland and various trips to Germany in the past with friends.......short visits.

But Orlando is a whole different beast. Again, I might sound selfish, but that's our family time and I don't want to share that with anyone else.....

There's a few issues that could possibly cause friction there........I went on a trip once to a very expensive Spa with a couple of friends......I thought it was worth every penny.....they didn't. And still mention it. Don't see them much now........

After a long winded post......my answer is no, I wouldn't do it.

 

[BagOLaughs]

Oooh, that last con would totally put me off. I would want to enjoy that park my way. I don't know that it would be fun hanging with her, if she is going to want you to theme park differently to how you want to. You don't want to end up resenting her when she is commenting and rolling her eyes at your choices. Y

I'm glad its not just me Felicis that find those sort of comments unnecessary. Thanks for your thoughts.

Nice to see you again Rachel.........youse been missed!

Well, I have a whole load of friends.........some closer than others......but, we always agreed never, ever would we go to Orlando with any of them......even ones I'm closer with than my family!

We like to do our own thing without anyone else's opinion. Our trip is totally and probably selfishly our time. We meet folks when we're there, but that takes up a couple of hours. We love that........but to be responsible for someone the whole time........which you probably would be as she's on her own I believe........nope.

I go for weekends and overnights with friends......and we went to Dubai, Switzerland and various trips to Germany in the past with friends.......short visits.

But Orlando is a whole different beast. Again, I might sound selfish, but that's our family time and I don't want to share that with anyone else.....

There's a few issues that could possibly cause friction there........I went on a trip once to a very expensive Spa with a couple of friends......I thought it was worth every penny.....they didn't. And still mention it. Don't see them much now........

After a long winded post......my answer is no, I wouldn't do it.

Hi Schumi, yes its been a while, I don't even have a good reason for not posting. Just got into the rhythm of work/sleep and was off Disboards for a while.

I understand all the points you make above and feel the same. I personally don't see it as selfish. Surely we're all entitled for a chance to get away. Thanks for your points, its helped me think it over.

 

[macraven]

You need to check in back home as homies have missed youse Rachel ....

If I went with a friend. We would have separate quarters

Everyone needs private down time during the day and especially at bedtime

It would be great doing the park with your friend and you all would have a great time

But for wind down time, easier to have separate quarters

It will keep the friendship strong

 

[jagafen]

We've only done a trip with friends once, at WDW. We stayed in the same hotel, and did half days together in the parks. They had girls, we have a boy, so they were more princess oriented than we were. It worked out fine between us because we were all on the same page, and didn't expect to spend 24/7 together doing the same thing. We had a few dinners together, threw the kids into kid's club so we could have an adult evening. It worked out. I don't know if I could go with someone whose expectation was all together, all the time. We only get to take a FL vacation about every 3-5 years or so...I don't really want to share that family time with anyone else either.

To be honest, I don't tell even my family about my vacation plans anymore. We have a few relatives in FL, and a few relatives within driving distance of Orlando (but in other states). I'm tired of being told that I need to go see so and so when I'm on MY vacation, or having Auntie Bea ask if she can drive down and spend some time with us. DH and I work very hard to afford nice vacations, and quite honestly, I don't see him roughly 50% of the year due to his teaching and coaching schedule that monopolizes his "free time" from November to early June. Family time is family time. Period.

What are her expectations of the amount of time you'll be together?

 

[BagOLaughs]

You need to check in back home as homies have missed youse Rachel ....

If I went with a friend. We would have separate quarters

Everyone needs private down time during the day and especially at bedtime

It would be great doing the park with your friend and you all would have a great time

But for wind down time, easier to have separate quarters

It will keep the friendship stong

Hey Macraven, I'll pop by when i finish work. Nice to hear from you Thanks for the thoughts. Having separate rooms would be useful and looking at it, its not that much more expensive.

We've only done a trip with friends once, at WDW. We stayed in the same hotel, and did half days together in the parks. They had girls, we have a boy, so they were more princess oriented than we were. It worked out fine between us because we were all on the same page, and didn't expect to spend 24/7 together doing the same thing. We had a few dinners together, threw the kids into kid's club so we could have an adult evening. It worked out. I don't know if I could go with someone whose expectation was all together, all the time. We only get to take a FL vacation about every 3-5 years or so...I don't really want to share that family time with anyone else either.

To be honest, I don't tell even my family about my vacation plans anymore. We have a few relatives in FL, and a few relatives within driving distance of Orlando (but in other states). I'm tired of being told that I need to go see so and so when I'm on MY vacation, or having Auntie Bea ask if she can drive down and spend some time with us. DH and I work very hard to afford nice vacations, and quite honestly, I don't see him roughly 50% of the year due to his teaching and coaching schedule that monopolizes his "free time" from November to early June. Family time is family time. Period.

What are her expectations of the amount of time you'll be together?

jagafen, I hear you about the auntie wanting to gate crash (with the best intentions of course). So far as my friend goes, it would be just us and her, so we'd have to eat together. She wouldn't want to eat on her own. I could imagine her wanting to stay by the pool some days so we can go off to the parks. Thanks for your points.

 

[wagman67]

I would just sidestep this and go just with your husband. You know what you want to do in Orlando, and you know how fun it is to you and you probably think it will be just as fun and exciting to her and you want her to experience it...it's just not going to happen, sorry. Not trying to rain on a parade, but, been there...done that (I am sure I have a t-shirt or two).

If it were just you and your friend, I would say go for it...been on several vacations with a single friend and never had a bad experience. You know you have nuances and it's just the two of you working them out. You and your husband know each other's nuances, but both will have to adjust to your friend's and that can be easier said than done.

But, then again, you might all have the best time ever.

 

[janicept]

I wasn't really clear if you would be going with her or not going at all. If cost is not an issue I would look at renting separate (and not necessarily ajoining) rooms or at minimum a condo with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There are not really vacation rentals near Universal because most communities up there don't allow them. There are many near Disney which is normally 15 to 20 minute drive so you would need to rent a car. I heard what you were saying about your friend not understanding about some of the things you like to so on vacation but it would be importance to make sure you want to do most of the same things. Like for me I would never take my one friend or my Mother-in-law to an amusement park because they wouldn't like to ride roller coasters and that's the main reason I go.

My husband would never agree to go on vacation with someone that was not family. Even family he doesn't invite down even though we stay in a 3 BR condo.

 

[BagOLaughs]

I would just sidestep this and go just with your husband. You know what you want to do in Orlando, and you know how fun it is to you and you probably think it will be just as fun and exciting to her and you want her to experience it...it's just not going to happen, sorry. Not trying to rain on a parade, but, been there...done that (I am sure I have a t-shirt or two).

If it were just you and your friend, I would say go for it...been on several vacations with a single friend and never had a bad experience. You know you have nuances and it's just the two of you working them out. You and your husband know each other's nuances, but both will have to adjust to your friend's and that can be easier said than done.

But, then again, you might all have the best time ever.

That's a good point I hadn't considered, if it were just me and her then the dynamic would be totally different but with three of us it might be odd.

My husband seems really eager to go with her. I'm playing the 'bad guy' in this decision because I could see it going so badly. But like you say... it could go well too.

I wasn't really clear if you would be going with her or not going at all. If cost is not an issue I would look at renting separate (and not necessarily ajoining) rooms or at minimum a condo with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There are not really vacation rentals near Universal because most communities up there don't allow them. There are many near Disney which is normally 15 to 20 minute drive so you would need to rent a car. I heard what you were saying about your friend not understanding about some of the things you like to so on vacation but it would be importance to make sure you want to do most of the same things. Like for me I would never take my one friend or my Mother-in-law to an amusement park because they wouldn't like to ride roller coasters and that's the main reason I go.

My husband would never agree to go on vacation with someone that was not family. Even family he doesn't invite down even though we stay in a 3 BR condo.

I thought I'd been clear but we are only in the 'what if' stages. Nothing has been planned or agreed. As I said she mentioned it in passing conversation, "I'd really be interested in coming to Orlando with you and your DH ". That sort of thing.

I get your last point but im lucky in that respect. She like theme parks, horror and likes Harry Potter a lot too. So universal would he a good fit which is why I broached the subject here. Most people in the universal forums have similar reasons for going to the parks as I do.

My husband really wants to go as a group but I'm still not convinced.

 

[macraven]

Another thought about your question since friend is a newbie to the darkside

Have her go to the website and read descriptions of all rides and activities in The parks

Have her make a list of things she will not do

Then plan the days around spending time apart for the period, you and your love will do the rides friend is taking a pass on

There will be times the three of youse won't be joined to the hip

And your friend can do things in the park on her own for a time period

But if this would not work, she can be the bag holder while the two of you do rides

 

[tinkerbell1112]

I've traveled to DL with friends only - but we're all Disney nuts. it was a BLAST. Being with friends as opposed to only family made the experience completely different. BUT I normally travel with kids, and it sounds like you don't. So my vacations are always very kid driven.

Friends of ours made the same passing comment to my husband and me about 3 months ago and we've just begun the planning for Orlando. They have 3 kids we have 2. Our husbands get along great, kids get along great. so I guess I don't have any comments about traveling with friends and husbands yet. But to me traveling with my husband and a friend without a husband might be strange for my husband, though it sounds like not yours. We've thought about getting a suite but think 2 rooms is certainly a plus. These friends have also been before so they have certain expectations and things they'd want to do as well, so it's more of a joining of two loves than introducing someone to something which is also a completely different experience. Do you want to introduce her or do you think it'd distract you from your enjoyment?

Agree with others that if this was something you were ALREADY planning and she is going to join you that is different than if you are planning a trip just to go with her. And splitting up during part of the day is something you would want to do. Having an honest conversation before traveling would also be something I would advise. Maybe convince her of the FUN in wearing lanyards and pins and meeting characters. how going there is your chance to be a big kid! And how this is something YOU love and if she respects your love then she should either join in or just keep quiet.

It's a tough decision. We've traveled with family and I think maybe that's even harder.

good luck

 

[ChipDale]

Our experience has been that we've met friends in Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Separate hotel rooms (or even separate hotels), dined a few times with them, toured some on our own, toured some with them, basically each party doing what they want to do. Going on a vacation with another party can be a friendship killer or it can make the friendship stronger. It sounds like you really know what you want and as long as you lay down your "ground rules" for your friend and she agrees, it could work. Sharing a room would be a deal-breaker for me though - I agree with macraven "Everyone needs private down time during the day and especially at bedtime". Good luck with your decision!

 

[kbelle8995]

I've traveled with Relatives and friends and I think regardless of where you go. There are some rules that help while traveling.

1). What is the everyone's priorities? For Example Harry Potter area or not. What are their must dos
2). Understand that you don't have to always move as a group and that's okay. I've had vacation when someone wants to sleep in and lay by the pool and someone else wants to go to the park. So the person who wants to go to the park or the other can just lay by the pool gets the vacation time that they want. We keep a flexibilty.
3). Keep communication open and don't assume.

I think that previous posters are right and a separate room would be great if you can manage it.

 

[kbelle8995]

[Double post

 

[schumigirl]

I've traveled with Relatives and friends and I think regardless of where you go. There are some rules that help while traveling.

1). What is the everyone's priorities? For Example Harry Potter area or not. What are their must dos
2). Understand that you don't have to always move as a group and that's okay. I've had vacation when someone wants to sleep in and lay by the pool and someone else wants to go to the park. So the person who wants to go to the park or the other can just lay by the pool gets the vacation time that they want. We keep a flexibilty.
3). Keep communication open and don't assume.

I think that previous posters are right and a separate room would be great if you can manage it.

Excellent advice.........communication is key.

We once went away to a cottage for a week with friends in an area known for walking.......we don't hill walk.......ever!! So before we went we agreed we would do our own thing during the day.......they into the hills, regardless of weather and we went and had fun! Their kids were desperate to come with us.......lol......we went out for dinner every night together and enjoyed the evenings.

But it worked as we all knew what was happening.