Tips on doing WDW with friends?

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

So the last time I did WDW with a friend was like, 8 years ago. Since then, I only go with my parents, extended family, or solo. I am the “planner” of the group, so I make reservations, purchasing tickets/hotels, literally everything. So basically everyone in my group doesn’t have to lift a finger.

I was supposed to do a solo trip next April, but my friends showed interest, so I figured why not make it a friend trip. But, my friends haven’t been to Disney as much as me. Maybe once or twice in their lifetime.

I think the biggest hurdle is money. Disney is an expensive vacation destination. I’m a budget Disney goer; but it’s still a lot. I could probably make it a little cheaper, but I like doing table service and stuff like that, instead of just eating chicken and fries everyday. I’m worried that they’ll want to do it “cheap” but Disney just isn’t cheap anymore. I made a spreadsheet with all the costs so maybe that will help?

I also am worried about the way I do parks. I get up at the crack of dawn, rope drop, and stay till park close. I take breaks midday. I just really like to maximize my time. Park tickets are insanely expensive, so I want to get my money’s worth. But I worry that my way of doing things it too intense for the less frequent park goer.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I get what you're saying but if you're going to Disney with people who don't go often or don't have interest in rope dropping and running 24/7, you need to gauge their interest in what they want to do and just have a frank discussion to see what they think. If they aren't into how you normally tour the parks, I'd say you need to slow it down. Or maybe you all plan some separate outings, maybe they sleep in and you go solo early but to expect people to keep your pace, may be asking a lot. Just the sheer amount of walking involved at disney can keep someone sidelined if they're not up to it.

To be honest, we used to be go go go all the time and we don't do that anymore. Some of that is by default given my kids are teens so asking them to be out the door at 7am on vacation is an uphill battle. But we're out an about most of the day and we don't rope drop anymore and we definitely don't run like nuts and we prefer it a lot more, so you may find you enjoy a slower pace. We still get a lot done but have decided we prefer to go at our own pace.

As far as food, depending on what you like to eat and the park, you can find fairly decent QS options and may be you compromise and do one TS meal/day. If cost comes up, maybe stay away from the pricer meals or AYCTE since those are usually priced high. You might be surprised by your friends and they may want to run like you do. But your best bet is to ask them now so you know what to expect.

 

[2Lunds]

If you think their budget/strategy is going to be vastly different than yours, be sure to plan some solo time for yourself. You might consider booking table-service for brunch and rope-dropping on your own, then meet up with them around 10/11 and have QS lunch together. Or plan to take off on your own for a later ADR for dinner, and close down the park.

We've done a pair of trips now with others - one with my family, and one with a coworker and their extended family. The most important part with diverse groups is to understand that you just cannot do EVERYTHING together.

Your plan to outline costs is a good one - it's always smart to go into something prepared, and I don't think first-timers are even remotely prepared for how overwhelming WDW can be, both planning-wise and cost-wise.

Now, having said that - my first trip back as an adult was in 2015 and I had nothing planned (was in Orlando for a conference). I followed my seasoned co-worker around for a day and a half in the parks, no Fast-Passes, no dining reservations, and I had an amazing time anyway. I didn't know what I was missing out on, so I just soaked up the atmosphere as it was. QS pretzel for dinner and Reflections was amazing

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

I get what you're saying but if you're going to Disney with people who don't go often or don't have interest in rope dropping and running 24/7, you need to gauge their interest in what they want to do and just have a frank discussion to see what they think. If they aren't into how you normally tour the parks, I'd say you need to slow it down. Or maybe you all plan some separate outings, maybe they sleep in and you go solo early but to expect people to keep your pace, may be asking a lot. Just the sheer amount of walking involved at disney can keep someone sidelined if they're not up to it.

To be honest, we used to be go go go all the time and we don't do that anymore. Some of that is by default given my kids are teens so asking them to be out the door at 7am on vacation is an uphill battle. But we're out an about most of the day and we don't rope drop anymore and we definitely don't run like nuts and we prefer it a lot more, so you may find you enjoy a slower pace. We still get a lot done but have decided we prefer to go at our own pace.

As far as food, depending on what you like to eat and the park, you can find fairly decent QS options and may be you compromise and do one TS meal/day. If cost comes up, maybe stay away from the pricer meals or AYCTE since those are usually priced high. You might be surprised by your friends and they may want to run like you do. But your best bet is to ask them now so you know what to expect.

So I’m totally cool with having solo outings, prefer it actually, but I’ve had situations where I wanted to do that and the rest of the group was like “we’re supposed to be spending time together!!!” I know that not everyone can keep up with me always, so I’d rather do my own thing, than either slow down my own pace or expect other people to keep up with it.

As of now, I only have 4 table service planned, one per day.

 

[ars0525]

You have to be straight up & say this is how I do Disney vacations. Let them know upfront the costs (not cheap). Let them know you are a commando touring style.

IF they still chose to go WITH you that's on them. Maybe they will go with you, but do their own thing some of the time. Maybe they won't go at all. But you need to be honest from the get go how YOU vacation at Disney so nobody is upset later when the bills some in & the plans are made.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

You have to be straight up & say this is how I do Disney vacations. Let them know upfront the costs (not cheap). Let them know you are a commando touring style.

IF they still chose to go WITH you that's on them. Maybe they will go with you, but do their own thing some of the time. Maybe they won't go at all. But you need to be honest from the get go how YOU vacation at Disney so nobody is upset later when the bills some in & the plans are made.

I have spreadsheet right now that I’m thinking I’ll send them; it has my touring plan, general costs, and dining costs. I’m worried it’ll seem overwhelming but it’s the only way I feel like I can really tell them what going to Disney with me is like. Lol.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you and your fiends ideas of going to WDW are vastly different then maybe reconsider having them along. Or work out a sample touring plan and see what they think. I never think of going to WDW as a relaxing vacation. It's and adventure vacation much like climbing Everest: it takes planning, money, and stamina.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

If you think their budget/strategy is going to be vastly different than yours, be sure to plan some solo time for yourself. You might consider booking table-service for brunch and rope-dropping on your own, then meet up with them around 10/11 and have QS lunch together. Or plan to take off on your own for a later ADR for dinner, and close down the park.

We've done a pair of trips now with others - one with my family, and one with a coworker and their extended family. The most important part with diverse groups is to understand that you just cannot do EVERYTHING together.

Your plan to outline costs is a good one - it's always smart to go into something prepared, and I don't think first-timers are even remotely prepared for how overwhelming WDW can be, both planning-wise and cost-wise.

Now, having said that - my first trip back as an adult was in 2015 and I had nothing planned (was in Orlando for a conference). I followed my seasoned co-worker around for a day and a half in the parks, no Fast-Passes, no dining reservations, and I had an amazing time anyway. I didn't know what I was missing out on, so I just soaked up the atmosphere as it was. QS pretzel for dinner and Reflections was amazing

I think my main thing is that they won’t want to be alone, because really they don’t know much, if anything at all, about Disney! I would be their tour guide essentially.

 

[2Lunds]

I think my main thing is that they won’t want to be alone, because really they don’t know much, if anything at all, about Disney! I would be their tour guide essentially.

If that's the case, then someone needs to adjust their expectations, because you simply cannot get achieve everything with vastly different operating strategies. Would they be ok with getting to the parks on their own, once you explained the bus system? You could arrange to meet up with them at the park entrance, spend the bulk of the day together, then escort them back while you go to dine etc.. on your own.

If they're not open to touring the way you want to, and you're going to feel let down by accommodating them, then you're all basically wasting your time and money taking 25% of the trip you want.. It's probably better to bow out on a group trip if there is no compromise to be arrived at

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

If that's the case, then someone needs to adjust their expectations, because you simply cannot get achieve everything with vastly different operating strategies. Would they be ok with getting to the parks on their own, once you explained the bus system? You could arrange to meet up with them at the park entrance, spend the bulk of the day together, then escort them back while you go to dine etc.. on your own.

If they're not open to touring the way you want to, and you're going to feel let down by accommodating them, then you're all basically wasting your time and money taking 25% of the trip you want.. It's probably better to bow out on a group trip if there is no compromise to be arrived at

I would agree with you. If I had a group of my friends coming to disney that were in unfamiliar territory, I would probably be annoyed that I have to slow down a bit but I would relish in the fact that I could show them all my useless knowledge of wdw lol. I don't think it's fair to leave them on their own and make the group move at my speed when it's supposed to be a friends trip and they don't know where or what they're doing.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I think my main thing is that they won’t want to be alone, because really they don’t know much, if anything at all, about Disney! I would be their tour guide essentially.

If you're the guide, you may need to adjust your park touring style some. Your friends may be all in and want to rope drop and go full throttle so it might work out fine but if they're not into that speed, you may need to adjust some and be ok with that. I've taken my extended family to WDW before and had to adjust the way we visit and at first, it was a big change but we ended up still having a great time. You might be surprised how much you enjoy the different pace. I do think if your group doesn't want to hit Disney full throttle, it would be unfair to push them or leave them solo when they have no familiarity with the parks.

 

[DisneyFive]

I would keep the info basic at first.

1. This is what you should expect it to cost (+/- a few hundred)
2. This is how I tour the parks (open to close with a mid day break)
3. This is how I do meals.

Then if they are onboard, great. If not, then reconsider doing the "friend" trip and switch it to solo. You'll probably find out pretty quickly how committed they are when you run the cost by them.

I get it. The cost is very high, so you don't want to diminish what you are used to. It all depends on how much the fun of them being there will potentially outweigh the loss of your WDW vacation style.

Dan

 

[2Lunds]

I just thought of something else -what if you staggered your arrivals in Orlando, so that you were there a few days early (on your own) and got to RD/ADR to your heart's content - THEN you could take a few days to act as more of a guide?

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

If you're the guide, you may need to adjust your park touring style some. Your friends may be all in and want to rope drop and go full throttle so it might work out fine but if they're not into that speed, you may need to adjust some and be ok with that. I've taken my extended family to WDW before and had to adjust the way we visit and at first, it was a big change but we ended up still having a great time. You might be surprised how much you enjoy the different pace. I do think if your group doesn't want to hit Disney full throttle, it would be unfair to push them or leave them solo when they have no familiarity with the parks.

So I actually haven’t been to Disney for over a year, because I went with extended family and I had to slow down, and I hated it. I didn’t get as much done and that was the first time I really felt like I didn’t get my money’s worth. I’ve told them a few times that I go really hard at Disney, and I will say it again, but I’d rather go solo if they can’t keep up.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

So I actually haven’t been to Disney for over a year, because I went with extended family and I had to slow down, and I hated it. I didn’t get as much done and that was the first time I really felt like I didn’t get my money’s worth. I’ve told them a few times that I go really hard at Disney, and I will say it again, but I’d rather go solo if they can’t keep up.

I totally get what you're saying if you know what you like then tell your group and go from there. If they've not been to disney before, the $$ alone will probably scare them off, if it doesn't and they say they're good with hitting the parks hard, you may be good to go and they'll be able to hang but don't be surprised if they actually can't and bail. Hopefully with midday breaks they'll be ok. It's a lot to consider given you're the only one with prior experience. I don't know the make up of your friends, ages, walking abilities, overall health but I'd take that all into consideration. Also, April is a pretty busy time in the parks too so how they feel about crowds may also dictate if I bring them. If you feel like these are potential red flags, you may want just call it now and not even bother if you feel strongly about anything less than open to close is a waste.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

I totally get what you're saying if you know what you like then tell your group and go from there. If they've not been to disney before, the $$ alone will probably scare them off, if it doesn't and they say they're good with hitting the parks hard, you may be good to go and they'll be able to hang but don't be surprised if they actually can't and bail. Hopefully with midday breaks they'll be ok. It's a lot to consider given you're the only one with prior experience. I don't know the make up of your friends, ages, walking abilities, overall health but I'd take that all into consideration. Also, April is a pretty busy time in the parks too so how they feel about crowds may also dictate if I bring them. If you feel like these are potential red flags, you may want just call it now and not even bother if you feel strongly about anything less than open to close is a waste.

I have actually been thinking of rescheduling the trip to May instead, I’ve been that time before last year and it was really pleasant in terms of crowds.

We are all in our 20s, so I’d say we still have some of our youthful childlike energy. Lol. I just know the price point is going to be jarring but I think it’s worth it if we can do a good amount of things. Which is what I have explained and will explain.

 

[sponica]

I went on one friend trip in my early 20s with mixed results. it was fun but the uber planners who went to the parks annually would skip things that they felt they didn't need to do anymore, like the Tiki room (don't be that friend).

Easter is April 9 this year and you still have school districts with vacations through the end of April, so I'd aim for the sweet spot in early to mid May.

Any group trip, the key is transparency in expectations. I

 

[cgattis]

You didn’t mention hotel arrangements, but obviously staying onsite gives you maximum flexibility in the event you do split up. I also like that idea of arriving separately so you can go commando upfront and then be more relaxed with them if you see that’s more their pace. I love going with my kids but I really like my friend trips too, so I hope it works out for you guys!!

 

[sheilafri]

So what is the big deal about not being the friends’ tour guide for the whole trip? I don’t see any issue with leaving them on their own sometimes. As long as you communicate your intentions before the trip, grown ups should be able to handle doing some things on their own. Show them the ropes the first day or two, explain how things might differ from one park to the next, then have them meet you in the parks later in the day if they don’t want to go full tilt. Or have them leave the parks earlier than you do. It gets very old being the tour guide for a complete trip, even if you do have similar touring styles.

 

[Melissa Perez]

Even if your friends agree in theory to tour Disney like you do it's really different once you're actually doing it (especially day 3 and 4 of it!).

I would think that everyone should know/be comfortable that they can get back and forth between parks, dining, etc. You never know when blisters can arise or someone gets an upset stomach!! That's just life!