Traveling with friends - WWYD re: change in plans?

[karenj2]

Ok - here's the short version of what I need help with: We are traveling to WDW tomorrow with friends we've never traveled with. When we started planning this trip in October of last year, they asked me to do the planning because I'm the "expert". I made dining reservations as soon as I was able, and got CRT for dinner on our first night. YESTERDAY, when we were talking with our friends, making final meet up plans (they're flying out of a different airport to save $), the wife says - "I don't think we want to go to the park the first day; it's really not making good use of the park ticket." Today they confirmed that they'd rather stay at the pool hotel all day tomorrow then go to the parks. (We got early flights out so that we could maximize our park day on Saturday - they're getting in around 9:50, we're getting in at 10:50.)

I'm torn - I like our tradition of going to MK first, and we won't be going there until Tuesday now (that was originally going to be a resting day), but if we cancelled our CRT table it could be good for us because we're on the Dining Plan, and were over TS credits anyway because of some other restaurants that they wanted to do. Our daughter (and theirs) is almost 2 - she isn't gaga over princesses yet, but she does know about them. (Her fave is Donald Duck.)

Other quick things: We've got an "extra" park day that we could use on Tuesday, so for us it's not a matter of either/or. And, we're staying at PopCentury. (And, we're going back NEXT year with my sisters, cousin & their SOs & kids.)

[cy1229]

Well, this is just my opinion, but bear with me -

If you made plans, and now, last-minute they want to change them, let them change the plans for themselves, and you continue doing what you had planned to do. If you want to cancel your ADR, do so before the deadline so you're not charged, go to the MK with your daughter, have fun, get a burger at Pecos Bill's or a sandwich at Tomorrowland Terrace for dinner, then go back a little earlier and meet up with your friends at the pool. Then continue on with your plans as scheduled the rest of the week except for Tuesday. Let them go to MK with their daughter, and you can go with them, or you guys can go shop at DTD or go to Typhoon Lagoon (if it's reopened after its annual refurb) or play mini golf or something. It's great to travel with friends, but you don't have to do EVERYTHING together. They might like a little "just them" time for their family, just as you might want it for you and yours at some point.

How to tell your friends? Something like "I understand you want to just relax at the hotel pool when you get there, all that traveling can be tiring. We're going to go ahead and go to the park as planned, and we'll meet you after dinner and can do something fun together. Sound good?"

Good luck. And if they really pitch a fit (which a good friend shouldn't, but you know) then you can always accommodate their wishes and make a mental note to not travel with them again.

[Amy]

I think cy1229 summed it up pretty well. If you have the ticket days, you might as well continue your tradition of going to the MK on your first day. Arriving at 10:50 will give you plenty of time to enjoy the park. Especially with a almost 2 year old.
Sounds like you might want to cancel the reservations since you are over your TS credit limit anyhow. If she is only 2, and her favorite is Donald Duck, you will get just as much excitement on her face or maybe more, when you introduce her to Donald. The princesses will still be there in a year or two, and chances are she will be much more into them then.
Have fun!

[Soarin08]

Caryn hit the nail on the head.... I like what she says and I agree with her.

[DemonOfMusic]

Yeah, you already have the park ticket, just use it. It's continuing a tradition, and 10:50 is when I usually arrive and I do an entire day's worth of things I want to do in Epcot, so it's definitely getting a day's worth of things in. If your guests are really dead-set on staying back and swimming, let them, but it's definitely their loss.

[cy1229]

Caryn hit the nail on the head.... I like what she says and I agree with her.

I'll send you that check on Monday.

[cousininmiami]

I love my friends and I love my family but when it comes to Disney vacations, get out of my way!!! It's basically my way or the highway for me, and being that I am the family "expert" (or Disney nut as I am probably called) , everyone always follows my lead. However, if someone doesn't then its no problem we catch up later and separate. Its for sure like my Disney shopping style, 'take no prisoners'! (see other posts, tee-hee)!!!

[Amy]

Its for sure like my Disney shopping style, 'take no prisoners'! (see other posts, tee-hee)!!!

I would love to go shopping with you someday!

[rphillips14]

That's why we do not travel with other family's and feel all that obligation. Let them do what they want to do and you all do what you want to do.

[Amy]

That's why we do not travel with other family's and feel all that obligation. Let them do what they want to do and you all do what you want to do.

It is hard when you are with a group. That's why I was pleasantly surprised with the Mayhem Maurauders Meet-up of a few years ago. I was expecting to have a great time meeting everyone, but I didn't figure we would take in many attractions. Everyone was great though with a few members offering to run in advance and get FP while the rest of us made our way thru the crowds. And everyone was great about F1gment using her ECV. Little parts of the group went here, others went there, people peeled off for ressies and whatnot. I would totally travel with any of them again
Now, traveling with my family, or even some of my dear friends that aren't Disney nuts? I would have to seriously consider that

[rphillips14]

I think you made an excellent point about the Disney nuts. Many people just don't love/understand Disney like we do and I wouldn't be a fun travel partner if the other party was not as crazy about Disney. My wife and I could probably enjoy meeting up with a group such as the MM but we couldn't do that with our small children. For us, our children more or less dictate travel/tempo in the parks therefore we usually don't go with other families or groups.

[Amy]

I think you made an excellent point about the Disney nuts. Many people just don't love/understand Disney like we do and I wouldn't be a fun travel partner if the other party was not as crazy about Disney. My wife and I could probably enjoy meeting up with a group such as the MM but we couldn't do that with our small children. For us, our children more or less dictate travel/tempo in the parks therefore we usually don't go with other families or groups.

There weren't any children at the first meet-up, but I know NaCler had two of his children at one of the mini-meets. I don't know how much they all did as a group, but I would imagine if you had other children in the same age range, it might be fun for them to hang out. It would definitely keep them more entertained while waiting in the queues. I know my niece had a blast playing with another little girl, who was the daughter of my sister-in-law, at the zoo a while back. They were like best friends even though they had only met that morning. Again, you would be part of the peel-off and do your own thing, and then meet-up later sort of gathering. Disney is good for that

[DemonOfMusic]

I feel like trying to do Disney with people who weren't as into it as I was would be painful! I'm with you guys!

[Len90]

I love my friends and I love my family but when it comes to Disney vacations, get out of my way!!! It's basically my way or the highway for me, and being that I am the family "expert" (or Disney nut as I am probably called) , everyone always follows my lead. However, if someone doesn't then its no problem we catch up later and separate. Its for sure like my Disney shopping style, 'take no prisoners'! (see other posts, tee-hee)!!!

That is pretty much what I am like with Disney.

Karen: They called you the "expert" and it was yours to plan. If they are unhappy and want to stay back at the pool they can be more than free to do that. You continue on with your family's tradition and let them meet up with you later on.

[Belle1082]

It is a tough call, but I'm with everyone saying that you should just go to the park like you had planned. I have traveled with large groups of people who all have different ideas in mind when on a disney vacation. The best thing you can do is be honest and say that you had planned on going, so you will still go. But reaffirm how excited you will be when everyone is together. These kinds of trips can be complicated with larger groups - the best thing you can do is do whatever you want to do so you have no regrets and most people will understand if you just let them know. Don't EVER feel bad about wanting to spend as much time in the parks as you possibly can!