Converting a skeptic to the magic!

[Linc82]

Hello all.. we are on the verge of taking DH to WDW for the "first" time and I need some help!

A bit about DH... he last went to the parks when he was about 13, has horrible memories, and generally has an extremely cynical/skeptical view of Disney today. He hates crowds and is generally super introverted. But lately he's indicated he wants to go with the kids.
A bit about me.. Super planner, faith/trust/pixie dust, the lot. I have taken the kids (now 5 and 7) with grandma multiple times since they were born.

DH and I decided to surprise the kids with a cruise in Jan - we went on a shorter cruise 2 years ago. Since we have to be down there early anyway (flying from Chicago) *I* decided that a perfect initiation to Disney would be a short 2 day WDW trip before the cruise. Light crowds, cooler weather, etc. So I'm surprising him with the park trip. We'll do MK & Epcot and stay at a monorail resort to minimize stress.

Now here's where you come in! I would really love for him to love WDW. So I want to hear from you... what was it that made YOU fall in love with the parks? Any tips or advice for converting a cynic?

 

[kollerbear]

Well--- you know your husband best, but my husband is a total WDW cynic and surprising him with a trip to the parks would NOT be something that he would be happy about. Talking to my DH about the trip beforehand helped me understand what he was interested in doing. Beyond that, I suggest using FP+ very wisely (very little wait in between reservations), avoid the characters (honestly, if he's a cynic, the characters WILL NOT CHARM), and avoid the loud, extremely annoying music that comes with the afternoon parades and castle stage shows. (I find it annoying, DH finds it excruciating.)

Don't expect him to like any particular thing just because it's a classic. My DH's favorite thing to do in the Magic Kingdom, besides "the one with the critters" (i.e. Splash Mountain) is the Frontierland Shooting Arcade and Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. Because he has no sense of nostalgia, do not expect him to enjoy classics like Peter Pan's Flight (made that mistake) just because it's classic Disney. Also, after about 2 hours in the Magic Kingdom, I was about 30% done and he was ready to go back to the hotel. We compromised--I think we got a snack at Columbia Harbor House and did one or two more attractions and then headed out--but do expect to maybe have him want to head out earlier than you'd planned. Maybe plan on lunch back at whatever resort you choose just to build in that down time for him.

I'd maybe also prep your kids that their time with dad might be different than their time with grandma. They might not get to do everything they usually do. Ask them what their TOP must do's are so you have a shortlist.

After two trips with DH, I can say that, when we have kids, I think he'll look forward to going with them. But I just have to accept that WDW will always be my happy place and will never be his. But he can enjoy a pretty resort, some nice meals, and a small dose of the magic. And he also gets a lot of happiness out of seeing how happy it makes me. But he'd also be happy for me to be happy with, say, my sisters. And not him.

 

[Linc82]

Good advice, thank you! You're pretty close in age to us as well (we're 32). My idea of a great day would be going from rope drop to Wishes so I will really have to dial it back on this trip. DD rode Small World 9 times in a row & that would be his personal hell... agree that what we see as nostalgia, he would see as a broken down piece of junk. The kids are small enough that they still believe in the magic/characters and I don't want him to ruin it for them. But I'd like to believe there's a little kid still inside of him somewhere

 

[kollerbear]

Good advice, thank you! You're pretty close in age to us as well (we're 32). My idea of a great day would be going from rope drop to Wishes so I will really have to dial it back on this trip. DD rode Small World 9 times in a row & that would be his personal hell... agree that what we see as nostalgia, he would see as a broken down piece of junk. The kids are small enough that they still believe in the magic/characters and I don't want him to ruin it for them. But I'd like to believe there's a little kid still inside of him somewhere

Thanks!! Yes, we are! We've got a little one (distantly) on the way and I can't wait to take them on their first trip. I watched surprise videos on Youtube for probably about 2 hours last week. You know, there is definitely still a little kid inside of your DH, it just might not come out at the same things that make us excited. My DH had a glimmer of that after the strangest attractions. And seeing it through the eyes of his kids, I'm sure your DH will appreciate it, too. Just don't get too disappointed if it doesn't happen very often.

And, yes, I am the same way! My sisters and I literally did EMH rope drop to the second parade when we were at MVMCP last year. I was so, so tired but it was an awesome day. I could probably also happily ride It's a Small World 9 times in a row, but due to happenstance and refurbs that is something my DH hasn't gotten to experience yet. I like to think that his first time will be through the gleeful, happy eyes of our first child, and that that will lessen the sting.

 

[minnie mum]

My 2¢: don't try to make him like it. You cant. Don't try to oversell it or gush about how wonderful its going to be. That will probably just turn him off. Perhaps gently suggest that exploring the parks WITH THE KIDS, as a family, might be more enjoyable for him. Hell be seeing the parks as a Dad with excited kids this time, not a young boy. It will be (or at least it should be) a completely different experience. Let him discover this for himself, without a lot of promoting or pushing.

There's an old saying- gently, gently catchee monkey. Or... Easy does it.

 

[Mom2Maybabies]

My Husband HATED our first trip. He said he thought it was so far from magical as it could be...we went during a busy time of year, drove and ate cheap. I begged to go again...we went during low crowds of Oct., flew, and had dining plan where we had at least one sit down meal a day. I also told him neat things like about underground tunnels and how they hide most of the parts of roller coaster and other electrical items ect. He loved it and at the end said...I think we should come back every other year! We missed that but we are headed back this Nov. (which would be every 3rd year) GOOD LUCK!

 

[WIcruizer]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you've gone to WDW multiple times with young children without DH? I get it, I went without my DH a couple times in the past. But even if he absolutely hates it, he's missing out on quality time with his children if he never, ever goes with the family. I promise you there are all sorts of vacations, events, concerts, sports leagues that either I or DH have dreaded going to over the years, but isn't that part of being a parent?

Anyhow, to answer your question I think you need to know his interests and match that to what WDW has available. Since all our friends and family know we're Disney nuts, the subject comes up often. As a result I've heard DH skeptics admit they enjoyed certain things. Golf, a nice restaurant or two, ESPN club, a couple of them really loved AK, etc. Number one on the list seems to be the Worlds area at Epcot. Not as crowded, beer at every country...lots of guys enjoy that experience. Finally, since you are a planner, that should help a lot- avoiding lines for the main rides and attractions. Enjoy!