Help, advice need for hubbie's first steps into DW

[disneysmiles]

How would you like be to introduced to Disney world for the first time? I need some help here.

Ok here are the facts:
Hubby= Disney virgin- no idea why disney is AMAZING
Me= LOVE Disney, but haven't been in 4 years, I'm a little rusty. 1st time planning vacation myself, always gone with family.
Married 2 years both in 20s no kids
Going for 6 days at the end of May- celebrate anniversary/my graduation
Planning on Staying at BC
Not sure if will drive 14 hours or fly in

Tentative arrival times: Can do either
Saturday night- (won't be on property if come in this night)
Sunday morning- check into BC

Obviously we will be tired when we first come in weather we fly or not. What park should I take him to first? Or should we just relax at BC for the 1st day and watch fireworks that night? If so, what fireworks show would you recommend? Or should we do Downtown Disney? Or should we try to make a rope drop on Sunday morning for the Epcot/Magic Kingdom/Animal Kingdom? or something else?

I guess what I'm trying to ask is what would be the most fun yet practical way to introduce my cute husband to Disney World?

I know you all are full of great ideas!

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I think it would be nice to go to Epcot first, by way of the monorail that goes through the park before letting you off. I love the view from that ride and feel energized each time. Then you could see Illuminations.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

This is so funny because I was in your exact same situation 3 years ago. I had been to WDW so many times with my family, DH (DBF at the time) had NEVER been and this was the first trip that I was planning myself. I was so worried that he wouldn't like it and that I would be the annoying "don't you love this!" pain in the neck girlfriend.

I actually planned this first trip very specifically. I made sure we hit all the things I knew he'd enjoy as well as make sure I had a plan for each night. Don't worry about asking him what he wants to do because he just doens't know!! I told DH where we were going and he was along for the ride! This trip was may more "commando" than any trip we've taken since.

The first day we did MK all day, even through Wishes. (I have a picture of DH sitting waiting for Spectro, half sleeping, shoes off but still smiling!)

We hit all the parks, made sure there was a pool afternoon and a DTD shopping afternoon. I also had an event planned for each night, either one of the fireworks shows or Pleasure Island (clubs were still open), JellyRolls and the Poly Luau.

Anyway, the point is, have a lot planned and if you don't get to some things, that's ok. Just try to hit the major things that any disney goer should see. Hopefully, if your DH is anything like mine, he will fall in love with WDW and be as obsessed as you are!! Then for future trips you can do all the things you DIDN'T get to do on this trip!! I would save the segway tours and lunches with imagineers for the second trip! (That's exactly what we did!)

Oh, and Epcot, spend a lot of time in WS, especially if you're staying at the BC and like to eat and drink!

 

[CdnCarrie]

I would check out one of the crowd calendars - TGM or the Unofficial Guide. I would never randomly pick a park unless you like big crowds and standing in lines.

 

[SydneyFalco]

It's hard to do this without a clearer picture of hubby. It's also hard to do because nostalgia is such a big part of why I enjoy WDW and it's difficult to guess what an adult "virgin" would make of, say, Magic Kingdom.

If you really do a recuperation day first, then it's noooooo contest. Walk him into the World Showcase around sunset, have a res waiting at one of the pavilion restaurants, then watch Illuminations. If he doesn't like this sort of start to Disney, he's going to be immune to anything.

If you're starting out in a morning, however, then it comes down to what kinda fellow hubby is and what park he matches.

If hubby's a kid at heart or likes vintage-y things (and is not allergic to children), I'd say get him to MK pronto. Let him acclimate, then get him on the coolest old fashioned attraction they have: say, Pirates or Haunted Mansion

If he's more laid back, definitely walk him into the World Showcase, seeing as you're staying at the BC. If he's a foodie, feed him up on a nice breakfast first and take your time.

If he's a thrill seeker, then do one of the new parks first: AK or DHS

Lastly, I definitely would not introduce anybody to Disney via Downtown Disney. That's the only sure thing I can offer, though obviously I'm speaking from a personal position. Shopping, chain restaurants and movie theatres don't scream "special Disney magic" to me.

 

[RMulieri]

Just don't make the same mistake I did..I was so excited an anxious to show DH the wonders of WDW, that I planned every single second so we wouldn't miss anything.I planned the heck out of the trip.The result , not only did DH not get what it was all about, he HATED everything about it.As a result he would not go back with me for 8 yrs ( I did solo trips).

 

[SydneyFalco]

Kids are a lot easier. I just remembered these people trying to convince their five year old (I really don't know, I'm childless--he could've been anywhere from two to fifteen, but I'm guessing five) that the shuttle transportation at the Orlando airport did not actually constitute a "Disneyland" (sic) ride.

The kid was in absolute heaven at the time. Talk about your easy audience.

 

[ShannonMB]

Whatever you do, make sure he knows that Disney is not all about big rides. As a 20's year old man, I imagine he's been to an amusement park or 2 in his life, and he might like the big rides. I took my 40 year old Disney virgin DH a couple years ago, and even though I WARNED him ahead of time, he kept asking "Where are the big rides???"

We did WDW kid-style for my little DD (6 at the time), and he really did not care for it at all. Now we go without him, and I will probably take him back *someday* when we can do grown-up Disney -- eating and drinking around the World, skipping IASW, probably sleeping in and missing rope drop most of the time. Still catching my favorite rides, but skipping most of the parades and other stuff my DD and I just love.

As much as DH didn't care for our trip, he did say that Fantasmic! brought a tear of joy to his eye, so you might want to show him that!

Best of luck, and I hope he is just FULL of magic when you come home!