Converting a skeptic to the magic!

[Linc82]

(RP from Tips board.. hoping this is a better spot )
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?

 

[Accident]

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?

I think you should approach this a little different. He hated it younger, but is trying it again for the kids. You need to make sure he is not dragged around unhappy with an impossible plan and you focus on the "doing it for the kids" part. Nothing makes a parent happier than their kids happy. It's only 2 days but take this easy, don't go rope to close without a break away from the park to rest. Maybe a late lunch at your or another monorail resort will hit the spot, he'll see the resort/vacation/non park side of disney. I'd probably avoid any character meals with him or even going to more than maybe 1 more disney themed resturant. He's doing it for the kids, dinner at a disney theme, not a before open character meal. Make it disney and non-disney at the same time. 2 days sounds perfect for this situation with a nice cruise afterwards.. Warm him up, see your kids happy and hopefully there will be a next trip he's looking forward to.

To answer your specific question, my daughter really happy is what made me fail in love with the parks. It had nothing to do with disney, it was disney's effect on her. What I love about disney now is how much of WDW has nothing to do with disney or the parks.. It's like 1000 vacations in 1 and you can change your mind and your just a bus ride away to the next experience!

 

[com_op_2000]

Agree with the PP, go in the morning but not at RD, take a mid-day break at the resort, and then if you feel like it and the kids are not enjoying the pool too much go back tot he parks in the evening.
Try to do at least one something each day the DH will thoroughly enjoy
Since it is only two days at the parks then the cruise, make sure the cruise is extremely relaxing, as it always is for me. It is good that you scheduled the cruise after the parks.

 

[gzmtlock]

Agree with much from PPs. . .but I would do rope drop. Our first trip, DH *thought* he was "doing Disney for the kids." When he experienced how much you can get done in the first couple hours after the park opens, then cut out of the crowds when they start to get thick - he was sold. (It is important to note that we are also naturally early risers, so there was no "do I have to get up now?" stress.)

And when I say "sold," I mean it literally. We are now DVC owners.

 

[georgina]

I would keep in mind that not everyone will love WDW. My DH went along for 6 trips with the family (all planned by me). I took a separate trip with each DD when they turned 14, (DS did not want to go when he turned 14). We did a big family trip in 2006 but as the kids were getting older, we did not all go again until 2013. I have done a couple of solo trips now and one with just DH last year to do the Christmas stuff. He goes along, but he can take it or leave it. I'm OK with that, he is a scuba diver and I have no interest in that. I am still the biggest WDW fan in the family, the kids have mostly moved on to other trips. It's just not for everyone.

 

[Travis B]

My advice would be not to let it happen naturally and not to push the issue. A PP mentioned doing something he would like everyday, and I think that's a great idea. If he likes a drink, make sure he gets one. Have great meals. Enjoy your resort and have a relaxing time. Don't force him to commando tour. Perhaps he will be able to see through the eyes of the kids and it will wake his inner child a bit. Understand that it may take time. This short trip could be a great introduction to all that Disney has to offer - he probably won't fall in love in two days - but he may agree to return for a longer trip in the future and start to feel the love then. Also, as PPs have said, you need to be prepared for the possibility that he just may not be into it, and that that it OK. My biggest advice would be to just let it happen, rather than trying to force it.

 

[BagOLaughs]

Avoid commando touring but other than that I'd just say do Disney right.

Hit some of the classic rides, eat some good food, have a rest in the middle of the day and chill out with some adult beverages at night.

Don't forget to have some relaxation on your trip too.

 

[BudgieMama]

Don't put too much pressure on it. My husband accompanied me last year, for our first visits. I was keen to make it the first of many, he was very set that we would be "once and done"... lovely Dissers advised me to get on with the planning, not stress him too much, and just let him experience it and enjoy it himself... I did, he did, and on the flight home, he agreed to returning in 4 years (2018)... we're now booked to go back next summer.

I made sure I gave him space to say "I'm done, I'm going back to the hotel now". If I was done, I went too, if I wasn't, I let him go, finished what I was doing and then went back to join him. It meant we weren't stressed out during the day (I realise that is easier without kids!) and took breaks when we needed it. Enjoy!