Dads, need your WDW advice!

[Lidian]

We'll be visiting WDW 4/24 - 5/1. Hubby is less than thrilled (sadly), but will do anything to make sure the kids have a great time! (Daughter 8, son 4.)

I'd like to make sure hubby has a great time as well - but need some suggestions!

We'll be staying at Caribbean Beach, have 4 MYW with WPFM addon. We'll visit each park once, as well as the two waterparks and DisneyQuest.

Hubby doesn't enjoy "thrill" rides, so the roller coasters and such are for us girls only. I know he'll enjoy the water parks and lounging around the hotel, but would love to get him active and having fun in the parks.

What kind of shows or rides would you guys recommend for a dad who needs to find his inner-child? (The only closure announced at this time is Muppet*Vision 3D.)

Thanks all so much for your suggestions! The kids will have a great vacation, no matter what. But vacations are for dad's too!

 

[billybobblockhead]

I dreaded our first vacation to WDW too. More the crowds than anything. Now, I'm the one most excited when we plan a trip. Just let him see for himself. Sometimes all it takes is seeing the family having a great time for dad to also have a great time.

 

[davis65]

my husband was acting the same way.(this is our first trip also) he kept saying that he was just going to make us happy, but that he wasn't really as excited as we were. everytime I even talked to him about a favorite Disney character he would just say I don't really have one. The kids and I decided to "trick" dad. The kids asked him to rent a movie. They wanted to watch a disney movie that he and I watched as kids. I asked hubby to play along and go with me and we would pick out our favorite disney movie. DH kept saying that he didn't have one. Well, we went to the video store and he saw the Goofy movie. When he grabbed it I asked him why he chose that one since he was older when it came out. He said, "because it reminds me of goof troop, and I used to watch that all the time as a kid." when we watched it I saw his eyes light up. This was how I figured that Goofy was his favorite. Then the kids saw Disney Scene it and begged Dh to get it. We brought it home and played parents against kids. My husband had alot of fun and started really enjoying himself. Then the kids and I came up with the idea of ordering something Goofy to have sent to the room. I ordered it, and the kids kept giving dad hints that he had a surprise. this helped a little. I finally told him that I really wanted him to just look at the site and pick something that he could act excited about so that the kids thought dad was excited too!! (the kids did practice their sad faces and told DH, "Dad we want to do something fun with you too, what do you want to do?" I hate doing this but we wanted to get dad excited) He sat down and started going through the site. he saw the 3D shows and became excited. he said that he didn't realize that there were things like that at Disney. Now he is acting like a little kid with us, he said that he can't wait to see his surprise and go to the shows. I don't hear the "I'm only going for you guys line" Of course he realized that the kids and I worked together and "tricked" him, but he thanked us for helping him see the fun that he is going to have, and for helping him find his childhood memories. We also let him pick his favorite food and made sure to reserve an ADR where he would get it. That away something is dad's choice.

 

[Kuffam]

We'll be visiting WDW 4/24 - 5/1. Hubby is less than thrilled (sadly), but will do anything to make sure the kids have a great time! (Daughter 8, son 4.)

I'd like to make sure hubby has a great time as well - but need some suggestions!

We'll be staying at Caribbean Beach, have 4 MYW with WPFM addon. We'll visit each park once, as well as the two waterparks and DisneyQuest.

Hubby doesn't enjoy "thrill" rides, so the roller coasters and such are for us girls only. I know he'll enjoy the water parks and lounging around the hotel, but would love to get him active and having fun in the parks.

What kind of shows or rides would you guys recommend for a dad who needs to find his inner-child? (The only closure announced at this time is Muppet*Vision 3D.)

Thanks all so much for your suggestions! The kids will have a great vacation, no matter what. But vacations are for dad's too!

What does DH like to do that is non-Disney related (golf, cars, sports)? Odds are you could something that is similar at the parks or in the resorts. However only the person can find their own inner-child- you can only show him that it is ok to have one .

 

[tzolkin]

One word... naps!

We did a several hour break each day our first trip and all took a nap. When we were planning our second trip every time Disney was mentioned, DH would just stare off dreamily and say "all those naps..." (The poor man was only getting about 3 hours of sleep each night at home because he was working full time plus call and going to college full time so the naps were well deserved and needed.)


Honestly, my DH now loves Disney. When we were planning our first trip he was happy to go on vacation, but really was just going to Disney because the kids and I wanted to. The first day we were there he started talking about our "next" trip.

We do morning EMH almost every day we're there. At rope drop, DH takes off with one stroller while I'm weaving around people and am practically at a run with the other one to keep up with him.

Some of the attractions that he really enjoys are fairly unexpected. Last trip he saw the Little Mermaid show with our two pre-schoolers while older DD and I did TOT and got FPs for RnR. DH has put that on our "must see" list for next time. He also really loves a lot of the attraction, like "it's a small world" and Pooh, just because he likes to watch our kid's reactions. The Tea Cups are hilarious -- I hold the camera and snap pictures of the kids' faces while DH spins the cup.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue dinner show at Fort Wilderness! Adult beverages (draft Bud Light, wine, sangria) are included in the price and the corny slapstick humor (often revolving around potty humor) appeals to the little boy in every grown man... lots of laughs for the whole family!

http://allears.net/din/hddcom.htm

 

[eeyorefan74]

My DH loved DisneyQuest. It has lots of old school arcade games like Pacman, plus virtual reality stuff. We all had a great time, and could have stayed longer. He also loves eating at the various restaurants, and yes, naps are a necessity. He's a roller coaster fan, so he enjoys Rockin Roller Coaster and several of the others. Your DH might like the stunt show at DS, too.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

As a dad, I'd suggest meat and alcohol.

Maybe the Indiana Jones stunt show, or Star Tours (I don't consider that a thrill ride)?

And you can always find a way to sneak in a little , if you know what I mean.

 

[Kies99]

As a dad, I'd suggest meat and alcohol.

Drink around Epcot! Not to get drunk or anything, but I find it relaxing to be able to walk around with a beer in my hand!

 

[DisneyDadC]

We'll be visiting WDW 4/24 - 5/1. Hubby is less than thrilled (sadly), but will do anything to make sure the kids have a great time! (Daughter 8, son 4.)

I'd like to make sure hubby has a great time as well - but need some suggestions!

We'll be staying at Caribbean Beach, have 4 MYW with WPFM addon. We'll visit each park once, as well as the two waterparks and DisneyQuest.

Hubby doesn't enjoy "thrill" rides, so the roller coasters and such are for us girls only. I know he'll enjoy the water parks and lounging around the hotel, but would love to get him active and having fun in the parks.

What kind of shows or rides would you guys recommend for a dad who needs to find his inner-child? (The only closure announced at this time is Muppet*Vision 3D.)

Thanks all so much for your suggestions! The kids will have a great vacation, no matter what. But vacations are for dad's too!

You will be surprised once he starts this vacation,and gets to see the smiles on the kids faces he will enjoy himself. Everyone has an inner-child in them,all he has to do is know its ok to let it out. Once he sees the excitement in the kids,he will become one himself ( its the magic of the Mouse)
If need be, send him over to the Dis Dads club thread and he will see there are alot of "inner-children" out there.I know myself that these trips can be priceless and that there is no one or two things that you can do to have fun.But just by being there with the kids,an seeing the trip through their eyes is enough for anyone to have fun

 

[Disney Fool]

my husband was acting the same way.(this is our first trip also) he kept saying that he was just going to make us happy, but that he wasn't really as excited as we were. everytime I even talked to him about a favorite Disney character he would just say I don't really have one. The kids and I decided to "trick" dad. The kids asked him to rent a movie. They wanted to watch a disney movie that he and I watched as kids. I asked hubby to play along and go with me and we would pick out our favorite disney movie. DH kept saying that he didn't have one. Well, we went to the video store and he saw the Goofy movie. When he grabbed it I asked him why he chose that one since he was older when it came out. He said, "because it reminds me of goof troop, and I used to watch that all the time as a kid." when we watched it I saw his eyes light up. This was how I figured that Goofy was his favorite. Then the kids saw Disney Scene it and begged Dh to get it. We brought it home and played parents against kids. My husband had alot of fun and started really enjoying himself. Then the kids and I came up with the idea of ordering something Goofy to have sent to the room. I ordered it, and the kids kept giving dad hints that he had a surprise. this helped a little. I finally told him that I really wanted him to just look at the site and pick something that he could act excited about so that the kids thought dad was excited too!! (the kids did practice their sad faces and told DH, "Dad we want to do something fun with you too, what do you want to do?" I hate doing this but we wanted to get dad excited) He sat down and started going through the site. he saw the 3D shows and became excited. he said that he didn't realize that there were things like that at Disney. Now he is acting like a little kid with us, he said that he can't wait to see his surprise and go to the shows. I don't hear the "I'm only going for you guys line" Of course he realized that the kids and I worked together and "tricked" him, but he thanked us for helping him see the fun that he is going to have, and for helping him find his childhood memories. We also let him pick his favorite food and made sure to reserve an ADR where he would get it. That away something is dad's choice.

You guys have missed your calling in the Diplomatic Corps!!!

 

[Britgirlus]

My husband went to Disney last year, for the first time, at the age of 53 - he only went because I had persuaded him that we really had to take our son when he turned 5 - he went with NO expectations of enjoying himself, just thought it was something he had to do and get over with
We are going back this May - he needed NO persuasion AT all, and cannot wait. Next year, we'll have to skip - we'll be going to England for a wedding - but he has already said that we'll have to go back in 2012 If your husband is anything like mine, he won't need any of the extras to make him love the place

 

[Coconuts]

Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue dinner show at Fort Wilderness! Adult beverages (draft Bud Light, wine, sangria) are included in the price and the corny slapstick humor (often revolving around potty humor) appeals to the little boy in every grown man... lots of laughs for the whole family!

http://allears.net/din/hddcom.htm

As a dad, I'd suggest meat and alcohol. ...

Drink around Epcot! Not to get drunk or anything, but I find it relaxing to be able to walk around with a beer in my hand!

First of all, welcome to the Disboards!

Don't get disheartened. My DH didn't even want to go on our first family trip to WDW, but now I've turned him to the dark side. Now he loves talking about WDW, and gets excited when we talk about planning trips.

He loves HDDR. It has unlimited ribs, fried chicken, and pitchers of beer and sangria. The show is a hoot too.

He also loves to "drink around the world" at Epcot's World Showcase. He tries beers from different countries. He can't really do more than 3 or 4 countries anymore, due to age and children.

Now he would really be in heaven if he could get in a round of golf too. That is an option on your WPF&M ticket.

Good luck and have a fun trip.

 

[Disney Commando]

I see that a few of my fellow Dis Dads were already on here, so with the risk of catching alittle mockery, bear with me it's alittle crazy but might work

Get family in a room together,tell husband you want him to listen to a song that discribes him to the family, tell him words can be changed to past or future events. Play "I Write The Songs" by Barry Manilow, the 2nd verse could be the tear jerker. At the end give him a group hug tell him he's the best Dad ever for taking you to Disney. Hopefully this will break him out of the shell, and will have a renewed vigor & entususiasm for the trip

If he rebounds make sure he gets to help in some of the planning of things you guys want to do.

The way I look at it is Disney is a place that you can be a kid again and nobody looks at you strange, being a grown up is way over rated

If he comes around send him over to the Dis Dads we will guide him in the right direction

 

[unclescrooge_0707]

If I remember, you said Caribean beach? there are hammocks there, and my parents LOVED the bar there. Typhoon Lagoon's wave pool is reason enough for me to travel to WDW. As a DAD, I did enjoy doing stuff with my boys. (With the exception of Country Bears Jamboree in MK. Missus can do that.) The Epcot "once around the world" passport is lots of fun to try when you're on your own, but there are TONS of photo opportunities (if he likes taking pictures) . Safari at Animail Kingdom isn't a thrill ride. Disney Hollywood Stvdios(sic) has the backlot tour, which has lots of photo ops, and then the Finding Nemo live show at Animal Kingdom really was a great show. Finally, the fireworks! Not a thrill ride, but WAY thrilling! Parades, Illumi-nations, FANTASMIC!, there is plenty for dads to do, either with or without their munchkins.

I suppose the kid in me is bigger than some, but as a DIS Dad (#418) i'd say that my WDW vacations with my boys have been some of the greatest weeks ever, both for them, and for me. That's why I'm headed back THIS year!

 

[middlepat]

Another DisDad here.

I was thinking of a good list of Disney Big-Toe attractions that might entice your husband so here are a few:

- Biergarten in Germany EPCOT World Showcase: A place to have a beer, enjoy some Oompa music and generally boisterous fun.

- Journey into Imagination EPCOT Future World: This is a great way to ignite the inner child (especially watching your own kids reactions)

- Philharmagic in Fantasyland Magic Kingdom: A great show, with the fab 5 characters (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald & Pluto) and music from a number of the more recent films.


As for the "cheezy" aspect of Disney, I love some of the absolutely cornball dialog that you can get from some rides and shows. If you like this stuff here's that list:

- Jungle Cruise - Only place you can see the backside of water.

- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. - I still love the jokes. (my wife just rolls her eyes)

-Enchanted Tiki Room - For me this is just a classic.

- Its a small world - Its a catchy tune in case you haven't heard it before.

Hope this helps. Dis Dads, don't laugh at my selections too hard.

 

[Cruz91]

Yet another Dis Dad here... I absolutely LOVE everything Disney, so it's not an issue for me. I suspect, however, there may be 'overnight extra magic hours' involving 'special activities or attractions' at the hotel that could improve his mood...

 

[starsweeper]

My DH grew up an hour from WDW and went there often, so he was not thrilled at all about our trip last Feb. He was going because I wanted to take the kids so badly (he also thought they were too young for WDW at 2.5 years). We had a wonderful time until the weather hit highs of 40 (which was too much for my little ones). We left early on our Buy4/Get3Free deal after the 4th day, but DH said he had a great time and we should go again this year.

My tips would be:
1. If you have little ones, build in nap times for mid-day. We left the parks at 12-1pm each day and returned at 4-5pm each afternoon. The kids napped for 1-2 hours, had a snack, and watched some cartoons. Just enough to step back from the over-stimulation of the parks and recharge.
2. If you have little ones, don't try too plan much. Let them be your guide for the day and enjoy what they are attracted to in the parks. For each day, I picked a park and made 2 reservations with 1 meal unplanned. Once we were in the parks, we went in general directions but let the kids stop and do what interested them. Not flaming anyone, but I think a lot of people with little ones try to plan so much and are disappointed when it doesn't work out. We broke ressies and went with the flow if their interest dictated it, for example, and had a great time.

 

[Wherem I Now]

As some of the other Dis Dads have said, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Spending time together and seeing your kids reactions to everything tends to bring out the kid in everybody.

I would suggest looking for activities that will have him interacting with the kids. Disney Quest is a great idea! There are lots of interactive things at EPCOT as well. We enjoy pointing out all of the animals that we see on Kilimanjaro Safari at AK.

And what man can resist the smell of High Octane fuel and burning rubber at Lights, Motors, Action?

Finally, be a little silly at WDW and enjoy yourself. If you make sure that you are having fun with your family he will be having fun too.

Have a great trip!

 

[Lidian]

Thanks all for the great suggestions! (Feel free to keep 'em coming if something else comes to mind!)

After talking to him about the trip more, I did learn that it wasn't thrill rides he wanted to avoid, it was thrill rides with big drops. So that does add in some easy-to-find Dad rides (Mission Space orange team, for instance.)

My biggest issue was him sitting back and not being active on the vacation in the parks. But with your help, and some new info, I think I can plan a good vacation for him! (The kids will have a blast just being there.)

But you have given me some awesome ideas, not only for him, but for myself too! (While dad may not be much for drinking - I think I can handle a nice adult beverage when touring the World!)

Thank you!!!! <3 you all for your suggestions!