Activities for the Less than Excited

[Rainforest_Elf]

So, we're right at the planning portion of our trip. Our room is booked, we're just about to settle on flights and purchase those, we're making mock up itineraries. We're excited to be going and I don't know how we can make it over the next 4 months! haha!

I'm going to Disneyland with two of my dearest friends in the world, whom I adore. One of them (his name is Matt) is just as much excited as I am (maybe even more so!!) and the other (called Tim) is kinda go-with the flow, happy he's going but doesn't really have anything specific he wants to do/see/eat at/shop at. He's content and to let me and my other friend do all the planning. NOT a big deal, we're glad to do it. However, the friend who doesn't want to plan anything, has also made it known that he doesn't want to get "Disney'ed out." Meaning, Matt and I could spend probably 4-5 days at the DLR plus a day at Universal Studios, and Tim is going to be raising eyebrows with the 3 days we're staying in the DLR. He thinks he'll get bored.

let me show you a quick mock up of our travel plans. We're arriving the first full week in October.

Monday, we fly in, early afternoon. We check in to hotel, relax, maybe swim a bit. Do some shopping, have dinner, then come back to the hotel. Too excited to sleep, but we'll try anyway
Tuesday- Disneyland
Wednesday- DCA
Thursday- Universal Studios
Friday- Disneyland/Check out of hotel, fly home.

With this rough outline, Tim is thinking with the "relaxing" we're doing on Monday is going to make our trip seem too long. he'd prefer if we fly in LATE at night so we can minimize the "disney-ing" of our trip. Pfffaww.

So my question is this...

For the adult traveler, a single male, aside from the EPSN eatery in downtown disney, what activites can we do/see around the DLR to entertain someone who isn't excited about the Disney experience?

 

[amyamya]

OK first, we are going the exact week as you guys and have a VERY similar itinerary with the exception of Universal (has the fire affected your trip any?). Anyhoo, I have been to DLR with a lot guys who claimed not be that in to it, and once they are there and submerged in Disney they loosen up and have a good time. Start pointing out random Disney facts, hidden mickeys, watch for the talking trash can, or have him sit at the Cove Bar in DCA. He will have a good time there, I promise. I went a ton when I was in college in So Cal and we dragged friends and boyfriends who were in no way as Disney-crazy as us. If he is really sick of the Disney thing he could catch a movie, hang out at Compass Books, or people watch and listen to the entertainment. Have fun planning, maybe we will see you there!

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

OK first, we are going the exact week as you guys and have a VERY similar itinerary with the exception of Universal (has the fire affected your trip any?).

Well, it's affected our trip in that I am SO disspointed in that I will now never see the Back to the Future set. That was probably the thing I was looking forward to most, aside from the Jurassic Park ride. So that's not so cool. As far as I've been reading, the tour is still working, they've just re-routed it, so I don't think things will be too bad. I do worry that maybe they'll gouge the prices while they try and rebuild or something like that. We'll see.

Thank you for the tips! I'm hoping that once we're there, he opens up a bit and gets as excited as we are, and if not, I'll send him to a book store or a movie while Matt and I spin on the teacups a bazillion times

How amusing that we're going the same week! Maybe we will cross paths! =)

 

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

Well, my husband (aka "Grumpy") was not at all psyched to be going on the family trip to DL we took the summer of '06. He was dragged along grudgingly because I am SO darn persuasive. You can probably guess that he had an excellent time, gushed about our trip for weeks afterward to anyone whom would listen (and a few poor unfortunates who didn't really want to ) and is really looking forward to our return trip in March. This time around our two oldest kids will be big enough/willing enough to ride some of the "bigger" rides, and my DH spends all his time telling them how much fun they will have. My long-winded point is that even some of those who don't expect to have a great time are pleasantly surprised.....

 

[tink2dw]

It seems some people just don't get into the planning. But do have fun when at the parks. Let him be, don't gush over your plans. Just have your alternet plan. But be prepared to include him if he does enjoy the Disney Parks.

 

[amyamya]

Well, it's affected our trip in that I am SO disspointed in that I will now never see the Back to the Future set. That was probably the thing I was looking forward to most, aside from the Jurassic Park ride. So that's not so cool.

Yeah, that town square was really neat to see, used for the Ghost Whisperer, too. Jurassic Park is a great ride, good theming and the drop at the end...!! It's a different experience than DL, but very cool in it's own right.

 

[kaity230]

Just one quick note about your itinerary - regarding planning one full day for DCA. It really makes more sense to start the day out with DL and parkhop (which is only a matter of steps away, literally one minute) over to DCA during the busier afternoon hours. Dividing your time through parkhopping really helps plus if I'm not mistaken a 3 day parkhopper would be much less than 3 single day one park tickets.

 

[honeymom]

I don't know how relaxing at a pool "disneyfies" a trip. If anything, that helps break up the "disneyfication". Even the Disney resorts. They have really nice pool areas.

What type of vacation does your friend like (other than Disney)? Does he like fine dining, clubbing, shopping, hanging out, the beach?

If you have a car, you could check out Newport Beach instead of hanging by the pool.

 

[Leofoenget]

So, we're right at the planning portion of our trip. Our room is booked, we're just about to settle on flights and purchase those, we're making mock up itineraries. We're excited to be going and I don't know how we can make it over the next 4 months! haha!

I'm going to Disneyland with two of my dearest friends in the world, whom I adore. One of them (his name is Matt) is just as much excited as I am (maybe even more so!!) and the other (called Tim) is kinda go-with the flow, happy he's going but doesn't really have anything specific he wants to do/see/eat at/shop at. He's content and to let me and my other friend do all the planning. NOT a big deal, we're glad to do it. However, the friend who doesn't want to plan anything, has also made it known that he doesn't want to get "Disney'ed out." Meaning, Matt and I could spend probably 4-5 days at the DLR plus a day at Universal Studios, and Tim is going to be raising eyebrows with the 3 days we're staying in the DLR. He thinks he'll get bored.

let me show you a quick mock up of our travel plans. We're arriving the first full week in October.

Monday, we fly in, early afternoon. We check in to hotel, relax, maybe swim a bit. Do some shopping, have dinner, then come back to the hotel. Too excited to sleep, but we'll try anyway
Tuesday- Disneyland
Wednesday- DCA
Thursday- Universal Studios
Friday- Disneyland/Check out of hotel, fly home.

With this rough outline, Tim is thinking with the "relaxing" we're doing on Monday is going to make our trip seem too long. he'd prefer if we fly in LATE at night so we can minimize the "disney-ing" of our trip. Pfffaww.

So my question is this...

For the adult traveler, a single male, aside from the EPSN eatery in downtown disney, what activites can we do/see around the DLR to entertain someone who isn't excited about the Disney experience?

Go to a movie, eat at Rainforest Cafe have a drink. Sometimes going in that first day and catching the parade or fireworks or NEMO to "get it out of the way" will save time later. That's what I did. That first day, I went right to NEMO figuring if I had to stand in line for a long time I didnt' car because I was "getting it out of the way first" then I didn't have to think about it the rest of the trip. My sister in law is that way for our Sept trip. We get in real early that first day but she does not want to go right in. I'm like "we are getting in at Noon and you don't want to go into the parks that first day??" Not sure why we left so early that first day if she does not plan on going into the parks but oh well. I have an AP so I guess I can go in alone while she shops or something.

 

[sbakersub]

Downtown Disney is a great way to offset a little too much pixie dust (as long as you avoid the giant Disney store, anyway). My son really enjoyed the musicians that played there. There was a guitar/percussion duo and then a violinist -- the duo outside LaBrea Bakery and the violinist up the mall a ways -- that were both great. Free performances, although they have their CDs for sale. They each did about a 4-hour set on the weekend nights we were there this past week. Not sure if any are there in October, though.