Best Place to Find the Magic

[Lilo's Mom]

My DH (Bob) and I have made two trips to WDW together, one in 2001 after we got engaged and decided it would be a great idea to take a family vacation and let our teenage children get to know each other better. At the time the kids were 15, 16, & 17, in addition to bringing my soon to be step daughter's 18 year old boyfriend with us as well. In hind-sight I can see that we were asking for trouble...but at the time I swear it sounded like a good idea. Without getting into details, let's say the trip was less than magical.

Next trip in 2002, my DD's HS Marching Band was going to perform at MK on Easter Sunday. I signed up poor unsuspecting Bob and I to chaperone the band trip. Again we were staying off property, with 250 teenagers this time. This trip poor Bob caught a nasty case of the flu and was unable to really enjoy the trip at all.

Fast forward to our honeymoon in 2004, we did two days at Disneyland, during Spring Break...we both had a good time, but we still didn't get the full on "Magical Experience" I wanted him to have. From L.A., we flew to Oahu, were we rented a small house in Kailua. The third night as we were fast asleep in bed, a burgler broke in and stole everything on the dresser in our bedroom. He didn't get much cash, mostly we were using travler checks, but our kids had given us a wedding gift of a beautiful digital camcorder, which had 200 pictures from our wedding, and another 100 of our honeymoon on it...that he got. Needless to say this was not a good trip.

Last year we decided to spend our 1st Anniversary back in Hawaii, this time Maui. Three days there and Bob flipped an ATV down an embankment and fractured his arm bad enough that he needed surgery. Poor guy spent the next four months in physical therapy.

So here we are in 2006, our WDW trip is in 27 days. We are staying at PO Riverside, which is my favorite resort and will be his first time staying on site. I feel I am a Disney Vet since I have 12 trips under my belt, but given that our last four vacations have been more memorable for all that went wrong, instead of what went right, I really want this to be special for him. I am a planner, past Disney trips I am the type of person that makes an itinerary, laminates it and will not let anyone traveling with me stray from the plan. I am trying very hard not to do this for this trip, so other than two dining reservations (Le Cellier and OHana Character Breakfast...we named our new puppy Lilo, so we have to go there!) and one golf reservation, I am going to try and go with the flow.

My question is what would you do to best show someone exactly what is so magical about WDW?

 

[Dopey's Girl]

Well Lilo's Mom,
We just moved from Florida to South Carolina, so let me start with a phrase I have learned well here..."Bless Your Heart!"

I think you're doing just the right thing in NOT planning so much. Let the Pixie dust fall randomly! Sometimes it's the best way. It's just the two of you this time, so stroll leisurely (as much as you can) around the World. I know there are things you'll have to plan to get done, but try to take it easy and enjoy the whole ambiance of disney. To us, it's fun just to walk around and "feel" Disney. there's something about it...every time I feel like a kid.
How many days are you staying this time? You may want to plan more dining experiences if you're staying long...with the dining plan going on, I think things fill up quicker than they used to. And dining can provide some great magic moments. BTW, we loved O'hanas breakfast, though like everything else, you'll get mixed reviews. I'd also try to catch Spectromagic...IMHO the BEST night time activity at the World.
You're going at a great time of year...weather should be nice...I hope this trip finds you both on clound nine!

 

[Quinn222]

Spend some time at the resort, it's really pretty and romatic. Do a carriage ride some evening and ride the boat to and from DTD.
Take time in the parks to just sit and people watch and take in the surroundings. Our first evening at MK we planned on seeing Spectro and Wishes but were just too tired to wait for them. Instead we got on the train and rode it all the way around the park. It made for a lovely start to the trip.

 

[Lilo's Mom]

We are staying six nights this trip. I am blessed to have a DH who really enjoys window shopping and visiting different resorts. I tagged along with him on a business trip to Las Vegas, we hardly gambled, but we did visit every major hotel on the strip!

This trip is timed perfectly for us, because all our kids will be getting out of college for the summer as we are leaving!