First WDW trip - NO RIDES?!?!?

[Cinderelly78]

Hey everyone! Super excited to announce that after five years, I have finally talked the boyfriend into a Disney trip! Going for a week at the end of September- YAY!

I have been three times before, but he has never gone to WDW. In fact, this is actually his very first vacation EVER. The good news is that, having been a few times, I have some idea of what I am doing. With that being said, a lot has changed since my last trip so here I am, looking for tips and advice!

A few bits of info:

He won't ride the rides. Flat out REFUSES. Something about a lack of control... although maybe the water mice/jet skis might be an option since he controls it himself.

He's not much of a walker. I understand that he's just going to have to do it, since that's the main way to get around, but I am expecting a few complaints and blisters.

Golf is out for both of us- he is horrible at it and I don't like it enough to make it part of our awesome vacation.

We have no children, and while we have nothing against kids, we aren't going to be looking for the character meet and greets, kid's play areas, etc.

We will be staying on property, and have no plans to leave it until we have to. There's no desire to see anything other than WDW and the airport.

Water parks are also out since they are mainly ride based, and we are looking for a nice, calm, adult style Disney vacation. The pool at the hotel will be exactly what we are looking for.

So my questions, to anyone kind enough to answer, are these:

Are there lots of non-ride based things to do? Any suggestions will be helpful, since when I went in the past, we got to the rides as fast as possible.

Even though HE won't ride the rides, there's no way I am missing out on Expedition Everest. I've been waiting for that since it opened. Is there something he can do nearby while I'm in line - games, food, shows etc?

Does anyone know of spots in each of the parks where you can take a quiet moment to cool down, relax, rest for a couple of minutes?

We LOVE live music - are there any "can't miss" acts or shows we just HAVE to see?

Is there anything resembling a comedy club? I noticed they closed down the one at Downtown Disney (That should tell you how long it's been since I've been there and I thought they were great.

Where should we go and what should we do if it rains? Is Animal Kingdom any good in the rain? I know how strangely hot that particular park gets, and if it's raining or cool, that might be the perfect time to go - but only if the animals stay out.

And- critically important for him - does Disney serve Budweiser? My drinks have to come with an umbrella, and I never paid any attention to their beer selection. He's a Budweiser kind of guy.

Basically we are looking for an adult, relaxing Disney vacation. Any input would be very much appreciated. Feel free to ask any questions - thanks for reading and responding to my post!

 

[f19810]

The animal kingdom has the lion king show and finding nemo. Both are very good and worth seeing. There is also flights of wonder which is a bird show that gets good reviews. I haven't seen it yet. There are also several trails to wonder and look at the animals.
The studios has beauty has a few shows also. There is the broadway style beauty and the beast, indiana jones stunt show and the car stunt show may still be going on. There is also the muppets 3-d (fun even if you are not a muppet fan) and the little mermaid show. There are also street performers in all of the parks.
Epcot has several shows in the world showcase. There is a british invasion group in england and bands in canada and morocco. There is a comic server in france (balancing act) and a drum show in japan. China has gymnastics and a musical show. England and maybe italy has a comic theater troop. Future world has the jamminators. They use trash cans, ladders and tools as percussion instruments. There is also turtle talk with crush and the 3-d movie in the imagination pavilion. I forgot to mention the movies in canada, china and france. The american pavilion has a show and the voices of liberty. Actually, epcot has alot of things for non riders.
The magic kingdom has my favorite 3-d movie, the hall of presidents, the country bear jamboree and the tiki room for non riders. There are also performers like the barbershop quartet, the piano player and casey's and a sax group or something like that.
All of the parks except epcot have parades and the one in the animal kingdom is worth seeing since it is very different.

Hope that helps and have fun!

 

[kbelle8995]

As the previous poster stated that there are lots of things for non riders to do. You can watch the streetmosphere people on main street. Go see the British band in the UK pavillion.

As for the beer. I have seen Budweiser mentioned on some of the menus. I saw them on Deb's Allears.net which is pretty trustworthy. Just keep in mind that he will not be able to get that beer in the Magic Kingdom, it's a dry park.

There are lots of great relaxing lounges in many of the hotels. Epcot is lined in benches especially World Showcase.

 

[jade1]

The animal kingdom has the lion king show and finding nemo. Both are very good and worth seeing. There is also flights of wonder which is a bird show that gets good reviews. I haven't seen it yet. There are also several trails to wonder and look at the animals.
The studios has beauty has a few shows also. There is the broadway style beauty and the beast, indiana jones stunt show and the car stunt show may still be going on. There is also the muppets 3-d (fun even if you are not a muppet fan) and the little mermaid show. There are also street performers in all of the parks.
Epcot has several shows in the world showcase. There is a british invasion group in england and bands in canada and morocco. There is a comic server in france (balancing act) and a drum show in japan. China has gymnastics and a musical show. England and maybe italy has a comic theater troop. Future world has the jamminators. They use trash cans, ladders and tools as percussion instruments. There is also turtle talk with crush and the 3-d movie in the imagination pavilion. I forgot to mention the movies in canada, china and france. The american pavilion has a show and the voices of liberty. Actually, epcot has alot of things for non riders.
The magic kingdom has my favorite 3-d movie, the hall of presidents, the country bear jamboree and the tiki room for non riders. There are also performers like the barbershop quartet, the piano player and casey's and a sax group or something like that.
All of the parks except epcot have parades and the one in the animal kingdom is worth seeing since it is very different.

Hope that helps and have fun!

Good list, unless I missed it-AK Tough to be a bug in the Tree of Life, DHS_Walts Dream movie, MK-Philharmagic is the 3D movie mentioned.

Fantasmic, Wishes, Illuminations.

 

[HWY20RIDE4MYSON]

Ive done alot of things after a few beers i said id never do...... Maybe he'll ride some rides after a few LOL

 

[kandb]

I have a bit of a "control issue" about riding rides. I get anxiety if I feel like I can't get off a ride (this is probably what he has). I am OK because I know the rides have exits and I "could" leave if I really wanted to. Even if I get stuck on a ride, I know there is a "way out". Whatever you do, don't ride the monorail. Our last trip I got stuck on it and we were stopped, high in mid air and I really felt uncomfortable, thankfully it was only for 10 minutes but still, I did not like the feeling. There are alot of other things to do, who knows maybe he will try a ride.

 

[jade1]

Sounds like an EPCOT resort would be perfect-is that the case? Jellyrolls paino bar is very fun, ESPN club for a late night bev, walk into EPCOT for dinner/drinks/Illuminations with not that far of a walk with no waiting at all.

 

[Senator Tressel]

Do you by any chance have a fear of automatic flushing toilets?

 

[goofyernmost]

Sounds to me like you would be much happier at a Sandals Resort. Why spend all that money at Disney and then not do anything.

 

[shesleuth]

Would be helpful to know which resort you all will be staying in ... it is a good baseline to figure out what's around you.

There are many things to do at Disney without getting on the rides ~ I'm not a fan of waiting in lines and have learned there is much to see, do and experience IF you just slow down, relax and take time to look around.

Animal Kingdom has many shows ... all of them are great and very entertaining. The safari ride is pretty tame as you are just an observer as it drives through to look at the animals ... there is the story line but it is tame also b/c they do not want to startle the animals. There are many places to just watch the animals and interact with cast members who are stationed close by to tell you about what's there. Recommend meandering through the front of AK ... there is lots to see. Since you have a desire to do Expedition Everest, I'd recommend you hit AK early in the morning and make a beeline for Asia ... you can get a FassPass and then jump in line. The wait most likely will be short if you are first thing in the morning. One caveat ... there are some rides I just am not interested in doing but I hang out with the group in line and when I get to the front, I tell the cast members I need the exit as I will not be riding. They direct me to where I can meet up with my group as they get off. If you have grabbed a FP, you can score a second ride shortly after your first. They do sell Budweiser in AK and I think in EPCOT. Not going to find any "adult" beverages in MK and I am not sure about the Studios. Regarding rain at AK ... ponchos. The animals stay out in the rain.

We really like EPCOT to just pal around ... lots to see and explore. Always finding new stuff as we stroll around the world. So many great shows. Something in each world showcase as well ... we like strolling through the stores as well (a great way to get out of the weather and chill; we have fun trying on hats and taking pix of outrageously prices stuff ... seriously do people have money to burn?).

MK ... the morning opening the Kingdom show is great. Ride on the train ... lots of things to read in the train station. Love talking with cast members ... especially those who like talking as well. We also love getting lots of pictures from the Photo Pass photographers ... it is FREE and I think we must get LOTS of pictures done, often at the same location but different times of the day/trip. Sometimes we buy pictures, sometimes not but always fun to look back at the pictures. Some photographers are GREAT and will take you aside to get special shots ... that happened to us at the Castle. Our favorite pictures ... we ended up getting those put on coffee mugs that we use every day. In MK, there is a "comedy" show ... Monsters Inc Laugh Floor ... it is aimed at the kids but our family LOVES it and will visit several times throughout our visit. It is just clean, kid friendly fun ... and it is COOL inside. Enchanted Tiki Room is a great show as well. Others of interest would be Carousel of Progress, Tomorrowland® Transit Authority PeopleMover and Main Street Vehicles (a great way to get up and down Main Street without walking).

Lots of shows also in the Studios ... lots of things to see. We took time just leisurely strolling without a rush to get from ride A to ride B.

If you have a Verizon phone get the Disney app ... it tells you what is happening where in each park

Our favorite thing to do though is to visit other resorts while we are there ... we've been known to show up at the Front Desk and ask for a tour of the facility for a "future visit." At the Poly, we were escorted through AMAZING accommodations including all the suites ... never going to be able to stay in some of those rooms but it was great, we were treated like visiting royalty and had fun.

Personally love watching WISHES fireworks from Poly beach at least one evening during our stay. We cuddle up on beach chairs (grabbing a bunch of towels from the pool area on the way) and watch the fireworks. They pipe in the music. Not as awesome as seeing it in the park but it is a LOT less crowded.

At the AKL and Kadani Village, we enjoy watching the animals from the various areas around the resorts.

 

[Hannathy]

Sounds to me like you would be much happier at a Sandals Resort. Why spend all that money at Disney and then not do anything.

exactly!!

What does he qualify as a ride? does he count COP as a ride? you are sitting in an auditorium and move to different scenes, or does he only mean things like RNC?

I just don't get why go to Disney and not do Disney.

 

[Cinderelly78]

Do you by any chance have a fear of automatic flushing toilets?

Ha, no, that's not me. Flushing toilet phobia was an interesting post, and I feel for the girl, but it wasn't me

 

[katrina1122]

When I took DH for his 1st trip to wdw he insited he wasn't a parade person and could care less about character meals/waiting for autographs. I said we were doing some anyway and he just grumbled.

We checked into Pop and we hadn't even made it to our room yet and he saw the autograph books and wanted ot buy one. We ended standing line for all the characters (no kids) and he cried during Wishes.

Once your bf gets there he just may change his mind.

 

[Cinderelly78]

Sounds to me like you would be much happier at a Sandals Resort. Why spend all that money at Disney and then not do anything.

Disney is better than Sandals - also, the room rental is a gift from someone in the DVC so...

And to the poster that asked if it was ALL rides - it's not. Just coasters, drops like the Tower of Terror - Thrill ride types. Calmer rides like Pirates, the Monorail, the Jungle Cruise... these will be a piece of cake. Typing that out made me realize my post title was misleading, sorry all!

He just told me he would be willing to do the Richard Petty driving thing because he would have control of it. So it's really a control issue more than anything else.

 

[Senator Tressel]

Disney is better than Sandals - also, the room rental is a gift from someone in the DVC so...

And to the poster that asked if it was ALL rides - it's not. Just coasters, drops like the Tower of Terror - Thrill ride types. Calmer rides like Pirates, the Monorail, the Jungle Cruise... these will be a piece of cake. Typing that out made me realize my post title was misleading, sorry all!

He just told me he would be willing to do the Richard Petty driving thing because he would have control of it. So it's really a control issue more than anything else.

Well this is completely different. You had us thinking he was some psychopath who couldn't handle Winnie The Pooh.

 

[Cinderelly78]

Thank you shesleuth - awesome post and lots of info!

 

[Cinderelly78]

Well this is completely different. You had us thinking he was some psychopath who couldn't handle Winnie The Pooh.

Lmbo, Winnie the Pooh, maybe. Teacups? No.

 

[mike the canuck]

Disney is better than Sandals - also, the room rental is a gift from someone in the DVC so...

And to the poster that asked if it was ALL rides - it's not. Just coasters, drops like the Tower of Terror - Thrill ride types. Calmer rides like Pirates, the Monorail, the Jungle Cruise... these will be a piece of cake. Typing that out made me realize my post title was misleading, sorry all!

He just told me he would be willing to do the Richard Petty driving thing because he would have control of it. So it's really a control issue more than anything else.

You should get "The Unofficial Guide To Disney." It has very good descriptions of all the attractions. As well as some sort of thrill rating for each. I think this would be very helpful for you to find out which attractions would be enjoyable.

 

[reiella]

With Exp. Everest, there's not a whole lot nearby, I'd suggest him going through the queue with you at least, because the queue itself is pretty nifty, and just taking the chicken out.

How does he manage motion simulators [thinking of Star Tours here]? And related to that note, you may be able to manage TSM due to it being a mix.

Another thought for a potential gateway-ride is Sum of all Thrills in Innoventions/Epcot. Obviously run it by him first and see what he thinks, but you get to more or less 'design' the roller coaster you ride [in a robotic arm]. But it may sate his control desire.

 

[Hannathy]

Lmbo, Winnie the Pooh, maybe. Teacups? No.

You control the teacups yourself so he can't pull that excuse on teacups.