Disneyland Magic for Adults Suggestions

[JustAKid]

I have only been to DL once before in my life, but can't remember much about it other then the magical feeling I got. I was so surprised that all of these characters I'd seen on the TV were now REAL, right in front of me, and they gave me hugs like we were bestest friends. I remember feeling as if this place was built especially for me, I remember feeling like I was home.

Next summer my family will be going and I KNOW my children will feel the magic that I felt, so I don't worry much about them, but I do worry about DH. He has never been before and I worry that he won't understand the magic that is happening. I'm afraid he'll look at Mickey Mouse with our children and think "wow, the guy in there must be SO hot!"

So, my question to all you adult DISers is what is the most magical thing in the park for you? How do you keep the magic alive? The child-like innocence on the surface? How can I make this trip more magical for an adult?

 

[marcemc]

I have only been to DL once before in my life, but can't remember much about it other then the magical feeling I got. I was so surprised that all of these characters I'd seen on the TV were now REAL, right in front of me, and they gave me hugs like we were bestest friends. I remember feeling as if this place was built especially for me, I remember feeling like I was home.

Next summer my family will be going and I KNOW my children will feel the magic that I felt, so I don't worry much about them, but I do worry about DH. He has never been before and I worry that he won't understand the magic that is happening. I'm afraid he'll look at Mickey Mouse with our children and think "wow, the guy in there must be SO hot!"

So, my question to all you adult DISers is what is the most magical thing in the park for you? How do you keep the magic alive? The child-like innocence on the surface? How can I make this trip more magical for an adult?

First of all you do have what I call the "Disney Gene". I'm so happy for you! You are going to have a magical vacation, I can only imagine how excited your kids are!!!

I think the most important thing is that this is a family deal. Once your hubby sees how happy you and the kids are he'll just join in. There is nothing more magical than seeing Disney through your children's eyes.

Make sure you steal a moment or two for just the two of you. I love to have our picture taken in front of the castle or near by the lake. Walk holding hands, share an ice cream, after all Disney is a very romantic place as well.

And yes, the characters are your bestest friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ashpinoza]

lol im tryng to figure the same thing out! im a dis vet but it will be DH first time. i know our son will LOVE it, I CANT explain that magical feeling. honestly i think it should just naturaly come over a person. if it doesnt i dont think you can make it by doing something. i think something that may help alot is going when xmas decore is up, i think it realllllly adds to the magic. i think that it will come natural though and in the event that it doesnt, try fireworks or fantasmic lol. if that doesnt make it magical i dont think it ever will be for them. but i am not sure if you can be at disney and not fell magic around you!

 

[Pamb]

When I took my DH for the first time last year he thought I was crazy to be so excited. We had so much fun that he suggested we go back for our anniversary this year! Yipee!! He has the bug now too!

Before we went I made sure my family was familiar with the Disney movies that have rides. One of my favorite is "Mr. Toad" so I watched the video with them and we still pretend we still do his imitation of a "motor car" often. I also pointed out the amazing history about DL and how each land was different. We had fun looking at the bathrooms, garbage cans, plants, etc.

I think for him seeing the children (and me) so happy was also a big key. I hope when it is just the two of us in October it can be magic too.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

I think I felt the Disney Magic more than ever as an adult when I took my children for the first time. I had been a few times as a kid, but going as a parent was a whole new kind of magic. The looks on their faces are priceless. I really think you're husband will be thinking more about how Mickey is making your child smile, rather than thinking about how hot the person is inside the costume.

Disneyland is one of the few places left that you're allowed to be a kid again. You leave the whole outside world at the gates. All you have to do is enjoy yourself and your family. You can wear goofy hats, eat ice cream and just be amazed at the fireworks.

Make sure you get your DH and kids a first time visitor button to wear. You may have some more interaction with CM's that way and it may help make your family feel even more special.

 

[IBLarsen]

I just wanted to chime in and let you know my experience with my DH. We went last year for the first time for our family. Something I was SO very excited about, he couldn't understand how I could be so excited just planning! Our kids were 3 and 5 last year. I thought for sure that DH would not be happy there. He would be done with the crowds after a few hours, tired of walking. I just really didn't think it would be his thing, but he wanted to do it for the kids. He ended up loving it so much! He was a much more laid back person at DL! Before we even left he wanted to talk about when we could go back. So you may be suprised at the effect of the Disney Magic, just in itself!

 

[MyMonkies]

I agree with the others in that it comes alive again thru the kids. I hadn't been in a long time but seeing the magic thru my kids eyes again brought it all back for me

Something I found moving was seeing my little girls holding hands running towards the castle at night when it was all lit up. For me, I now find magic in moments like that.

 

[2wildchildzmom]

My husband hates "amusement parks" so it was a tough sale to get him to WDW four years ago. BUT once he got there he understood Disney is no amusement park. The kicker for him was watching the fireworks above the castle, just like Sunday nights watching The Wonderful World of Disney, he even teared up! Now he is just as excited about our second family trip as I am!

 

[alvernon90]

It may sound cynical compared to what others in this thread are saying, but I don't think you can count on your husband being overcome by the magic of Disney. People here are a special breed, but most adults don't feel that magic at all, and they aren't impressed by people in costumes even if the kids are.

So here are some down and dirty tips for helping your husband enjoy the vacation on the off chance that he is immune to pixie dust.

1. Try as hard as possible to hide how much things cost. Have him save seats at a table while you buy the meals and snacks, keep him out of the souvenir stores, etc. A Disney skeptic can become a Disney hater when he realizes how much he is paying for all of the quote-unquote "magic."

2. Emphasize what a great time the kids are having. Your husband doesn't have to love Mickey Mouse to appreciate that your kids do.

3. Gently point out the things that make it an above-average amusement park. Comment on how clean the sidewalks are. Point out theming details. Marvel at the gorgeous E-ticket rides.

4. When in DCA, provide beer!

5. Be sure he gets his favorite foods at some point during the trip.

6. Go to ESPN Zone for the upstairs arcade and downstairs TVs (and beer).

7. Do NOT get on his case about his failure to feel the magic. If he doesn't, let it go.

8. Lower your expectations. If your husband goes the entire trip without complaining about what a cheesy rip-off the place is, you're doing better than a lot of people who visit DLR every day.

That's some hard truth for you right there!

 

[Crazy4Pooh]

We have no children but I've been as Disney fan forever. I took the DH and was hoping he would love it as much as I do. Thank goodness he does and now plans most of our trips. The fireworks did it for him too.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm afraid he'll look at Mickey Mouse with our children and think "wow, the guy in there must be SO hot!"

Eh, that's me. except it's not a guy...notice how *small* Mickey is And still...super-fan. Just not of characters. Or crowds. Or long lines. etc etc.

So if DH complains about certain things...don't let it bother you! He's his own person and it's totally possible to have a fabulous time AND notice the things like "wow those ceiling tiles in IASW are really dusty" and "man, the queue for Space is really getting ratty", or even take a picture of the peeling paint on a shop on Main Street (I did make my son pose, but it was really a pic of the paint). Heck, the micechat people are that kind of fan!!!!

So just don't let it get to you. Actually that's one of the wonderful things about solo trips for me...I can just enoy what I enjoy, notice the nitpicky things, and not have hubby worrying that I'm noticing TOO much of those things, while I wonder if HE is having a good time. And I've tried to take the carefree feeling of those solo trips into the family trips (just realized that!), and our trips are getting better and better.