Advice for Doing WDW w/non-Disney-lovers? - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I am glad they are coming with you to celebrate that says alot right there. I am blessed my mom loves disney and we will be taking our second trip soon . Just the 2 of us. My Mom is 70 but has a ton of energy. We have taken a few disney scoffers . We find that we planned losely, around things they were interested, and definitely see fireworks at EPCOT and MK. Even if you have to see them at a distance. The shows were another big hit even Mickey's philharmagic. Nice sit down meals at California Grill is a good way to see fireworks and have a great meal. We also have tried several adult things such as drinks/ dessert around the world at EP world showcase. I usually avoid the parks on the weekends unless there is something we really want to do or it's our last day. I think the more they see how much you love it they will get excited too. Have so much fun !!
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To see Wishes without the crowds head over to the Poly and sit on the beach. My understanding is that they pipe the Wishes music over the hotel"s speakers and the view is great. This is how we plan on seeing it when we go in August. Have fun!!!!
Okay. Great idea. Going to look into doing that...sitting on the beach at Poly to see Wishes. I've never even been over there once so that will be an adventure in itself. Both Friday and Saturday are Grad nites. So Sunday is the only night we can see Wishes and I'm sure it'll be extra-mobbed which my mom will hate. The Poly option sounds perfect!
For Wishes, how about having dinner at The Poly- Kona Cafe, time it so you are finishing a little before Wishes, and go down to the Poly beach to watch. they pipe in the music, and you can sit on some beach lounge chairs to watch. We stayed at the Poly last Jan, and really enjoyed watching from the beach. Also the Electric Water Parade.
My absolute favorite thing is Wishes and with my mom not liking crowds I'm wondering how we could do that....I couldn't get an ADR at the Garden Grill FYI...any ideas?
If you want a nice sit-down meal while being able to see Wishes; i.e. no crowds, a quieter atmosphere, etc., you'll want to get an ADR at California Grill on top of the Contemporary. . .the Garden Grill is an indoor resturant at Epcot. (If I'm understanding what you meant above. . .)
Just wanted to clarify that for you before you got a terrible surprise!
Anywho, if you do go this route (over the Polynesian, etc.), check to see when Wishes will be scheduled the date you think you want to see them at dinner and then try to get an ADR about an 1 to 1.5 hours beforehand. That way you can enjoy an appetizer, a nice drink, some conversation, etc. and not feel rushed or accidently miss the show!
If they don't like crowds for Wishes, what about trying the dessert party? I haven't done this but it seems to be getting great reviews!
My dad and brother are not Disney people and they came to our wedding at WDW last year. Of course, they loved the wedding and my dad was crazy about WS at Epcot! We had dinner at Biergarten and I got to waltz to German music with him. This was very special for us.
I'd suggest Downtown Disney which is more about clubbing and shopping than rides and traditional Disney things although it may be a bit much in terms of noise and bright lights for your mom if either triggers migraines for her.
As for theme parks, Hollywood Studios doesn't seem terribly Disney-ish to me (which is why I'm not all that fond of it...gimme the MK and acting like a little kid any day!) The Muppet show there is very cute and reminiscent of The Muppet Show that used to be on tv.
I'd focus on things at the GF to start with. The shops there are very nice. You might also book the afternoon tea at the Garden View Cafe, too. That's a wonderful way to be "girly" and while away two or three hours.
Hopping on the monorail and going around to the Contemporary and Poly, touring those and hitting their shops might be a good way to ease them into the fact that WDW isn't all little kid stuff.
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Hmmmm....I did just hear about the dessert party I'll have to look into that. Although I did just finally snag an ADR for Kona Cafe for Sunday night so that will be my fall back.
Maybe just by seeing the joy that WDW brings to you, your momma and dsis will come to love Disney as much as you do! What an awesome birthday present for you - it's sweet that they want to spend it with you in your favorite place in the world even if it's not their favorite place! Have a wonderful, happy, magical birthday trip!
I agree! Hopefully your happiness and joy will spread to them. Hope you have a fabulous trip!!!!!!!
Hey, if you all love Wishes, but your mom hates crowds, you could do the Wishes Dessert party . It is on a patio in in tomorrowland with tons of desserts and reserved seating and from what I understand, no large crowds. I have not done it yet, and plan to go to a dessert party during my May trip, I have read that Tink flies right over your head when she flies out of the catle during Wishes. I think it is about $18.00 per person and is by phone reservations only. Have fun. My mom is also kinda "anti-Disney". She took me once for 3 hours on July 4th on a Saturday. Yes, I am sure that was torture.. But she just doesn't know what she is missing. Would love to see Disney with my mom.. so enjoy the memories!
My mom had never had any interest in going to WDW which drove me nuts because that meant that I was 32 years old before I finally got to go! However five years ago, I signed up to do the WDW 1/2 Marathon. I was supposed to do the race with a friend, but she bailed on me at the last moment. So I asked my mom to go with me instead. We had the BEST time! I took her to all of my favorite rides and made ADR's at my favorite restaurants. She saw the "world" through my eyes and she finally could see what my DD and I found so special about WDW. She has always wanted to return, so she and I are heading down for another trip in June. This time around she expressed more interest in the planning process. So we are going back to some of the restaurants that she really enjoyed.
I would just go with the flow and not stress yourself out trying to please your mom and sister. They probably will most enjoy the time you spend together regardless of what you end up doing. I hope you have a fun trip!
Yeah, I'm trying to not stress out too much. And hope that my enthusiasm will be contagious. We usually have a great time when we travel together so I'm hoping this won't be an excption.
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(If I'm understanding what you meant above. . .)
I guess I'll keep trying. I can't get one at Kona Cafe at this point either. 
I'll keep trying them both. Thanks!!!
Bring duct tape and leave them in the room if they give you any grief 
I agree! Hopefully your happiness and joy will spread to them. Hope you have a fabulous trip!!!!!!!
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