Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 Soo I am traveling to LA this weekend to visit my best friend from high school. We are both in our early 20s. As you can assume i'm borderline obsessed with Disneyland...she not so much! So I guess I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on entertaining and non-Disney fanatic?? I pretty much begged her to go so I should make sure she has a good time at least. Haha. Any ideas for entertaining a non-interested girl in her early 20s?? Anyone been in a similar situation?? Thanks for your help!!!
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 Hahaha while that is a very good idea and I pondered it...she recently got a dui so I thought maybe it would be better to stay away from that scene all together.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss JMHO, it's better to let her discover the magic for herself. I mean, go ahead and take her, and work up a nice touring plan for the day, but don't beat her over the head with Disney geek factoids and other such stuff.
Originally Posted By pecos bill If a person cant have a good time somewhere around the Disney Resort, their mindset about the place must be incredibly negative. I would rather go alone than tour with someone like that. You cant make a person have a good time, just go, have fun and hope she has fun with you.
Originally Posted By juicer I would take it real easy - Make sure you go on Pirate's, Mansion and Splash - then ask her if there is anything she might want to do or see and do it - Go to DCA and go on Sourin, It's Tough to be a Bug, Ca Sceamin and TOT - Have a nice lunch somewhere like Blue Bayou or Storytellers and call it a day - And let her know if she is starting to get a "Disney Overload" to make sure she verbalizes that and you would find a quiet place to chill (like the Cove Bar) - You can't force someone to like Disney - So like I said - take it real easy and have a fun!
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer ilovemickey, we Disney personalities seem to feel that the magic of DL is meant to be shared and we want others to share our love of the park. For some, it's love at first sight and for others it may be more gradual. The general consensus seems to be to let your friend discover DL at her own speed, make the visit pleasant without "pushing" and just have a good time. You two are already good friends so you know you'll have fun together and maybe she'll associate a little of that fun with the park. The only thing I might add is, TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!! They're a great reminder of the fun you'll have and might make your friend look forward to her next visit.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Don't exhaust her. Don't go commando trying to squeeze in everything possible. Stick to the greatest hits and a comfortable touring speed. Try to minimize the time spent in large crowds or ridiculously long lines. This may not be your day to visit the new subs. If it's too crowded to be comfortable wherever you're at, go someplace else. Save that stamina for later with the fireworks and fantasmic. Don't worry about being there first thing in the morning - take your sweet time. Some people (like me) can get off to a bad start if they're rushed and stressed too early in the day. For my tastes, you'd be better off choosing a weekday, and arriving around mid-day. This will make it easier to enjoy the evening hours - which is always a better time in the parks. First priority would be to collect your FPs for 'space mountain' - for later. You'll be glad you did. Then hit a few biggies at DL. Try and pick up more FPs along the way for later - specifically for 'splash'. But keep an eye on the clock with plans to head over to DCA for the last showing of 'aladdin'. This provides a nice long sit-down break in air conditioning. On your way to 'aladdin', stop by and pick up some 'soarin' FPs for later - you'll be glad you did. After aladdin, you've got several good choices. Many many people make a beeline to TOT after getting out of aladdin. Resist the temptation and choose either to stroll through the animation exhibit, or - if you hustle - you can head back down to sunshine plaza and catch BPB. THEN - after letting TOT absorb all those post 'aladdin' guests - head back and visit. Your FPs for 'soarin' should be ripe by now. You probably already know that you can ignore the second timestamp on the FP - as long as you're arriving after the posted start time, it doesn't matter when. And no joke - a cocktail or two couldn't hurt. By now it's well into late afternoon, and taking some time to pause and refresh can be very impactful on how the evening goes. Not too much because you've got a few important hours yet to go. Pick up some FPs for 'screamin', then sit on the deck at the cove bar and stare at it, anticipating your next big ride. Fireworks strategy. Brace yourself - and your friend. Firmly set the expectation ahead of time that they'll be a fair amount of standing around in crowd conditions, but that it's worth it - and that large scale spectacle is what disney does best. You can chicken out and watch from the MS train station platform, which is often easier and less crowded, but try for the hub. If the castle is positioned at '12 o'clock high', try and position yourself about 1:30 - in front of the matterhorn promenade. This is important for two reasons - you can see the effects on the matterhorn and castle, but more importantly you're well positioned for getting OUT of the crowds as soon as possible. When the show's over, immediately move towards the matterhorn - it's the least popular direction and you'll be spawning upstream for a bit, but you'll break free sooner this way. You'll hsve to wait by the castle restrooms for awhile before they give the all-clear. Perfect spot for a potty break. Then when they re-open fantasyland, walk all the way around the back to the big thunder trail, and enter frontierland this way - again, the least populated way. Position yourself for 'fantasmic' and enjoy. When you're done with F!, you should still have FPs for splash and space mountains, and you can end your day with a flourish. Have a wonderful time. There's nothing I love to do more than play tourguide for newbies. But it's also a heady responsibility you've taken on. We're leaving you in charge to CONVERT HER! Good luck soldier.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl I would attempt to show the person the really impressive rides, so even if the "magic" doesn't get to them, the sheer complexity of the experience will. Because they aren't lifelong Disney fans, the simpler favorites (Fantasyland rides, etc) should be saved for after you find out that they really like the place. Manage their expectations, explain why Peter Pan is so much simpler a ride then Pirates. Everything else I could think of has been mentioned. Good luck.
Originally Posted By 8 ilovemickey 8 Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I am going to attempt a mix between suggesting some good major rides and letting her lead the way! I only hope that in my own excitement I notice how she is doing! Thanks again!
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer ilovemickey, we'll be looking forward to your trip report. Good Luck!!
Originally Posted By joeysmommy ilovemickey- I agree, don't throw too much Disney trivia at her....I know it's hard but non-Disney people just don't care. Definitely take her on all the thrill rides you can, as long as there isn't too long of a wait. Have some yummy DL snacks (Dole Whip, Mickey ice cream, fudge etc). See the fireworks and parade. I turned my SIL into a lover of DL, so it can be done. This year's trip is sure to turn her into a full on Disney fanatic. It helps to let her in on the planning process. She is more excited about some of the things we're doing on this trip because she "thought of it" ; )
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I echo that last thought. The first "anti-Disney" people I showed the park to were determined not to like it, and I thought I could make them like it by doing what I thought was a really smart touring schedule, catching all the big rides with minimal waits, putting in a mix of "smaller attractions..." Yes, they were determined not to like it, and yet I think I made things worse by not letting THEM choose what they wanted to see. The next "anti-Disney" person I showed DL, I gave him an old guidebook I had, told him about a couple of websites, etc. That meant a). he was kind of excited about a couple of things, even being "anti-Disney;" and b). even the things he didn't up caring for were things HE chose to see, so he kind of "owned" the choice. He still relied on me for advice on best time of day to see things, when to get FP's, etc., but he essentially set the itinerary, and he would up quite enjoying it.
Originally Posted By jodiefra Two years ago we went to DLR with my sister's family. She and I are Disney addicts but her husband was a cynical first-timer. He ended up loving it with only a few exceptions, so here are my thoughts: -make your priorities to do what your friend likes to do first. Go with the general things, not just Disney. For example if it's thrill rides, hit those. If it's great food, find that. If it's music / theater, go for that. This should start the attitude off right. You may also have her check out the Disneyland web site ahead of time if she's in the mood; she could make her own "favorites" of things that look good before you guys go. -avoid massive crowds unless it's something your friend has specifically requested. example: we took my brother-in-law on some rides during the first showing of Fantasmic because the lines were low, but coming out of Pirates we got stuck in the Fantasmic crowd and it basically ruined the night for him. We were whacked by strollers, squished, etc. We addicts understand the give and take of crowds and heat, but a new person may only remember the bad stuff. -If possible, take time to do things that aren't stereotypical Disney activities. For example the tour of the tortilla factory at DCA or hit a fancy restaurant or have a drink somewhere with a great view of the people. I don't know if they still do Davy Crockett's canoes around the island or not, but those were always fun and different too. -Try to catch a parade if possible and end the day with fireworks or Fantasmic. I have yet to see better parades anywhere in the world, and it's hard not to be impressed with choreographed fireworks or Fantasmic. -If you can afford it, do something extra special. We got preferred seating for Fantasmic by the river one night, and my brother-in-law got to experience some great Disney service and an amazing show while avoiding the masses and too much standing. Most important, don't try to force it. If people have a bad attitude, they will find things to complain about no matter what. If you let them make their own judgments and steer them toward the things you think they'll enjoy, it will be a blast. Enjoy!
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I agree with everyone here saying to let your friend chose the pace, and things to do. You can suggest things, but let her lead the way. You can also point out that if she's on "Disney overload", maybe you could go out to Downtown Disney and shop for a bit, or grab lunch. That way, the parks aren't too overwhelming. I go with friends who need breaks like that. I can go all day, but some just can't. Also, I would avoid standing anywhere in the sun too long. I think that makes it worse if they're hot, and cranky. So, maybe take a moment to find a quiet spot to sit down. Tell her about the Disneyland Railroad and take a round trip to cool off and take a rest.
Originally Posted By RaiderMouse Call me cruel but give her a big breakfast,lots of soda and make Tower her first ride hehehehehe
Originally Posted By wonderingalice <<Take her over to the Cove Bar in DCA and get her hammered>> I second that commotion! ;-) After the Cove, everything she does will be perceived as loads of fun (even Heimlich's Chew Chew ;-)... though you might want to hit California Screamin' BEFORE getting plowed.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Oops... I didn't see your mention of the DUI (knoxie always gets me going - bad dog! ;-) Forget what I said... But you could get her sugared-up, too... Lots of visits to the Penny Arcade candy counters... *L*
Originally Posted By knoxvelour alice...I always liked to consider myself the little devil on one's shoulder
