Would you visit parks alone on business trip?

[Stan]

In another thread I tell about a photo job for a Contemporary Resort convention exhibitor. My client contact was here alone from far far away, staying in CR for 3? days. She told me the original plan was to bring family, but her DH had a trip to CA so that got scuttled. Would she go to the parks, I asked... no way, my son would kill me.

I've heard the same thing from others in town on business. WIthout the family, they'd probably love to spend an evening and have dinner in EPCOT for example, but... it wouldn't sit well with the folks back in Cleveland.

So, let's assume you're in Orlando on business for at least a few days, and you're either at WDW or reasonably close. You've got family still at home that would love to be in a Disney park just as much as you would. Do you go have fun, or just sit in your room and answer emails from your laptop?

[CleveSJM]

I'm from Cleveland and those people are crazy...

Yes, I would go if I had at least a 1/2 day. If just evenings, then just DTD.

On two recent business trips to Europe, I had open time on the weekend and hit DLRP. Sure the family was jealous but at least they got presents and if we all get over there, I'll know the lay of the land. Same for WDW...

[Crow]

sorry but theres no way i wouldnt go in what w being right there....heck i hollered at my boss for going to Fl 2 hrs away from WDW and not going for a day

[SBETigg]

I would go. My DH wouldn't. I've never been there on business but he has, and he opted for dinner at Spoodles to be close to it but not to pay to go into a park. I urged him to go enjoy, but he said it wouldn't have had any fun without me and it would have made him sad to be on his own.

I would have gone and enjoyed it, not in the same way as being with my family but I couldn't pass up a chance to be there.

[ibrowse17]

I would, and have done this. If I am any where near WDW, I am headed toward the magic

[illini]

Absolutely, no questions asked. It would be too torturous otherwise.

[GrumpyFan]

Tough question. I don't know that I could justify a full price ticket for a half day or less. Also, without my DW, I don't know that I would enjoy it as much.

[DDuck66]

I have spent time at the parks while on company business. I had a AP so I did not have to worry about the cost of admission. Sometimes my DW has even gone with me and she visted the parks while I was at the seminar.

[irish1967]

There is no way I would miss the opportunity to hit the MK - but it would definitely have to be for at least several hours to justify the cost of a one day admission.

I would also be happy resort hopping -

I think I would...

Have a pre-dinner drink at the Contemporary, dinner at the Poly (Kona Cafe is one of my favs!) and dessert outside at the Grand Floridian while watching the fireworks!

Regardless, I would HAVE to experience some of the magic even if I had to keep it a secret from the family back home

[sillyolbear]

I'd absolutely go and would expect my wife to do the same if the tables were reversed.

No doubt someone will know for sure, but don't a number of conventions on property come with a perk of a discounted ticket option?

[mousetrapper]

This was a really difficult question! My DH was in Orlando on business once and I joined him down in WDW for a few days back in 2004 w/o the kids (they had school), and that was really tough! We felt really guilty but I don't think we would think of passing up the opportunity. We even called our kids from inside HM! How cruel was that??

I think a lot depends on your family's reaction...our kids were sad they couldn't go to but totally encouraged us to do it. If they had put up more of a fuss about it, maybe we wouldn't have done it.

The other issue that made this hard to answer is that it's one thing to be with your DH or DW or even a friend or coworker and go into a park, but by yourself? I'd feel strange if I did that, so I really don't know if I actually would do that totally solo.

[Stan]

In my engineering role here in Orlando (not yet full time photography ) I train a bunch of local and out of town folks on some pretty sophisticated computer software. They're here for 2 or 3 days, staying near UCF- about 30 min from WDW. We talk about Disney- most have been there or are planning trips. But I don't think anyone (out of ~100 out of towners?) has ever made the drive for an evening- and admitted it. I don't think I wear them out in training that much- and we run from 830 or 9 AM to 5 PM max.

If these same folks went to Vegas on business, would they not visit a casino? (Granted there's probably one in the lobby of their hotel- so the comparison isn't completely valid.) Would they attend a Broadway show if it were next door? Or are they just a bunch of fuddy duddy stick in the mud engineers? (Come on, fellow engineers, defend yourselves.)

For sure, this INTERCOT group is not a representative sample of the business folks visiting Orlando.

[Madame Leona]

I don't think I could go to the parks without my family unless it had to do with work. I just wouldn't have as much fun without my husband and kids. They make the trip special.

[Kairi_7378]

(Come on, fellow engineers, defend yourselves.)

I am a geotechnical engineer (a branch of civil engineering.) I would defiantly go to the parks if I had 4 or more hours to enjoy them. Otherwise, I would head to DTD and do all of the shopping that I won't subject DH to on a normal trip. I'd probably try to sneak in a trip to Boma as well. The ASCE is having a conference in DTD next year and offers a Keys to the Kingdom tour and I am trying to convince my office to send me.

DH is also an engineer. I don't think he'd go to the parks alone (maybe with other coworkers though). Not because he is a stick in the mud but because he would miss me!

[Dopey's Girl]

I couldn't be that close and not pop in for a visit! I spent some time in the Keys last year, and wanted the plane to let me off when we were over Orlando...even being just a few hundred miles and not getting there was torture. I couldn't be within 20 miles and not stop for some WDW time!

[thrillme]

It would break my heart that my DS wasn't there with me...but just try and keep me away.

I admit I'd sorta love an opportunity to run amuck on my own for a few hours.I'd sorta like the chance to check out some of the stuff I don't do because I know my DS would be bored to tears...like visit each shop in the World Show Case and sniff all the perfumes in Norway.

[IloveDisney71]

If I were that close and could spend at least 1/2 a day, I would be there in a heartbeat! My kids are older and wouldn't hold it against me.

[tinksmom02]

I absolutely would go, if I were there for a convention! Would feel guilty about DD at home, but would do it anyway!

[CleveRocks]

In a literal sense ... been there, done that.

WIthout the family, they'd probably love to spend an evening and have dinner in EPCOT for example, but... it wouldn't sit well with the folks back in Cleveland.

Now you know why I moved away from Cleveland!

[csdavis]

When we went in January there were some newly empty nesters on the boat with us to MK. They did not tell their kids where they had gone- only to FL. Their son called while they were on the boat and heard the whistle in the background! I'd definitely go for the evening!