I am lucky that my family are all Walt Disney World fans and enjoy going on vacation to the parks. Some adults who want to vacation there often have a challenge getting their loved ones on board with a vacation they view as overpriced or for young children.
The DIS has the DISboards, which is an online forum for discussions about everything Disney. One recent DISboards conversation brought up this discussion as username @cjlong88 asked, “How do you convince someone to visit WDW with you?”
‘Convincing’ is a strong word that implies forcing or pressuring someone to do something they do not want to do, and once doing it, they will most probably be unhappy that they did it. Our poster in the thread makes it clear this is not the intent. Their loved one, he is certain, will love Walt Disney World; it is just that this person isn’t familiar with it, has no frame of reference for it, and was simply unaware of all that it has to offer. Let’s help him out!
Our wonderful community in the Disney trip planning forums made several suggestions and the overall recommendations were less to ‘convince’ and more to ‘show’ someone who hasn’t been to Walt Disney World all that it has to offer.
There are ways to introduce someone to the Walt Disney World experience so that they will not only consider going with you, but will also love the new experience.
Find the Right Match
Together, you can find the right fit. Matching what that person ‘loves’ and reflecting it Disney-style may be the right combination. Food is always a common link to matching a foodie with Walt Disney World, especially if there is a festival on property during the visit. In the future, if your loved one is an avid runner, perhaps once runDisney events reopen (currently they are being offered virtually), these weekends may peak their interest. This person may enjoy swimming, so matching a resort pool or a Walt Disney World water park experience might be a great thing. Food, sport, and music are all great opportunities for someone to get on board with a new love of Disney vacations.
Safety and Health
Someone who has never been to Walt Disney World may be interested to know their health and safety protocols. The information regarding hand sanitizer availability, mask wearing policies and physical distancing markers set into place might provide the knowledge that your loved one needs to know in order to join you on your vacation.
Walt Disney World experiences offer lots to do outside in the fresh air, which can include outdoor eating, strolling, rest breaks and swim and recreation.
The Online Experience
Many of the recommendations by our community friends suggested finding online sources to get the interest ball rolling. The DIS and their YouTube channels are great sources of information to get all of the motivation and excitement going! Watching videos showing what Walt Disney World is all about with our DIS Unplugged friends is a great starting point. Planning together bonds the experience even more.
Non-Park Options
It may be helpful to offer opportunities outside the bubble of Disney park walls. Consider a split trip to Universal Studios if that is a theming experience they would enjoy. Florida beaches, Orlando golf, Disney Springs, and other local offerings can be part of the experience.
Convincing someone to join you on a Walt Disney World vacation may not sound like something worthwhile, but sometimes someone you want to go with just needs more information, or a different viewpoint than what they thought it was. A great guide, plus you and your Dreams Unlimited Travel agent, can work together to show this loved one what magic lies ahead. Together, it will be a great success. Good luck!