Help! Boyfriend Doesn't "Get" Disney.

[Kellylynn3]

Hello, I'm new to disboards.com but I'm anxious to hear everyone's advice. My boyfriend and I ( we're both 19) are planning a trip to WDW in August. I'm beyond excited, it will be my second trip, first time staying on site. (Also I believe I was around 9 or 10 the first time). My boyfriend has never been. As I mentioned before I am overly excited counting down the days till our departure (August 11th). My boyfriend is excited that I'm excited but is more so going along with the trip to please me. Any ideas how to get him pumped up for the trip. I don't think he gets just how amazing WDW is and that it's not just another theme park. Please I need ideas.

 

[summerlandjeff]

This might be foolish but... how about just letting it hit him when he gets there?

You know the "I never knew Disney was like this !" thing that you always hear from Disney sceptics. They always say "what's so big about an amusement park ", then they can't wait to go back next year to try all the things they missed.

Or... try getting the guides (PassPorter, Birnbaum's, etc.) and have him go through them to plan the trip! I'm sure at 19, he is into thrill rides and what is more thrilling than Mission Space, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest.....

Enjoy!

 

[Kellylynn3]

This might be foolish but... how about just letting it hit him when he gets there?

You know the "I never knew Disney was like this !" thing that you always hear from Disney sceptics. They always say "what's so big about an amusement park ", then they can't wait to go back next year to try all the things they missed.

Or... try getting the guides (PassPorter, Birnbaum's, etc.) and have him go through them to plan the trip! I'm sure at 19, he is into thrill rides and what is more thrilling than Mission Space, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest.....

Enjoy!

I've been watching all the Travel Channel shows with him and he does seem excited about the thrills, especially Mission Space. However, I'm a little weary of Mission Space because of stories I've heard from my mother and grandmother (who love thrill rides btw). Has anyone been on the less intense version?

 

[Crystal824]

the less intense verison is still kinda intense. However, it didn't give me that feeling that I couldn't breathe because someone was sitting on my chest. To me, nothing in the effect of the ride was really lost. I have been on the regular verison a couple of times.

 

[KayLuvsMickey]

Just be excited, then when he gets there show him the things you love about Disney and I'm sure he will fall in love too!

If not, there is always girl's weekend trips!

 

[Kellylynn3]

the less intense verison is still kinda intense. However, it didn't give me that feeling that I couldn't breathe because someone was sitting on my chest. To me, nothing in the effect of the ride was really lost. I have been on the regular verison a couple of times.

one of the main problems my mom said she had with it was that she felt like she couldn't breath. Also my mom and I can both tend to be claustrophobic but it depends on the situations. Is the spinning sensation the more intense version offers what can give off the "not being able to breath" feeling?

 

[pilferk]

I rode the "intense" version of Mission:space just to say I did it.

From now on, I'll stick to the less intense version (which is still pretty thrilling).

I'll echo the sentiment of another poster in this thread: You get all the special effects from the ride and none of the "Oh my god, there's a VW Bug on my chest and I think my head might explode" feelings of the more intense ride.

I'm a thrill ride junkie...roller coasters, spinning rides, drop rides...you name it. That's one of the reasons I did the higher intensity version of Mission:Space. I can now say, after having done it, I prefer the less intense version.

 

[kjs1976]

DH had never been to WDW until our honeymoon. It took me a while to convince him to go there instead of hawaii or somewhere else. Now I think he's a bigger Disney-holic than me! On our first trip he was more excited about meeting characters than anything else!!!

I agree with other posters....wait until he gets there, then he'll get it! We also had a friend of the family who though he was going to one big messy carnival at WDW and then was blown away by how nice and exciting WDW was.

 

[Cherbear013]

I had the same problem with my boyfriend last year. He came up with the idea that for my birthday he was going to pay for us to go to Disney for four days. He had not been to WDW since he was around 12 (he's now 30) so I think he was interested to see what had changed. I have not been there for about 5 years. He was more or less doing it to make me happy - love him! He ended up really liking the thrill rides (Test Track, Mission Space, Space Mountain) and the 3D movies. We also went to dinner at California Grill one night and he got to have his sushi! Overall he ended having a lot of fun...needless t say mym om is coming with me on this years b-day trip!

I wouldn't stress too much about it yet. Just wait until you get there and the Disney magic will take over!

 

[lborne]

I say you see what he thinks when he gets home. Reading about it and watching the travel channel can not show the true magic of just being there. Now, if you get home and he says it was no big deal, or that he doesn't really want to go again, it is time to dump him and move on. Just kidding, sort of.

 

[srwarden1928]

DW had never been to Disney, doesnt particularly like theme parks, hates thrill rides, & took YEARS to talk her into Disney. i admit i didnt try as hard as some here would have. She loved it. She rode Soarin, Test Track, green Mission Space, Star Tours & loved them. The only rides she didnt like were BTRR & Dinosaur. She didnt ride the other roller coasters. She started talking about next time before we got out of Florida. Shes thinking about riding TOT next time for the theming & Splash Mountain. Of course the reason she didnt ride Splash was that she didnt want to get wet that early in the morning.

A Disney novice MAY love it as much or more than you do once they see Disney is NOT just another theme park.

 

[Kellylynn3]

I'm starting to think that I want to have something delivered to our room for our arrival from Disney florist but I don't like many of their pre-made arrangements. Has anyone ever had anything custom made for them. I'm thinking something with a sorceror mickey theme as my boyfriend is convinced he's going to steal mickey's giant hat from MGM.

 

[Devil_Dog99]

As you can see by my sig, DW and I have been to WDW many many times. Each year I have to remind myself that she does not get excited until AFTER we get there. Me? I am on the DIS boards now trying to plan this December. She thinks I am nuts wanting to know where we will be eating dinner six months out.

But every year, sometime within the first few hours of being there, she will squeeze my hand and say she is happy to be there.

So I would not fret over it - I have a feeling you two will have a zip-a-dee-doo-dah time!!!

 

[zulemara]

I was in the same situation with my boyfriend, so I planned an engagement photograph session on our first day, gave him a ring in front of the partners statue, at at Victoria and Albert's, went on a Wishes Fireworks cruse, and ate at several restaurants. I also worked 3 jobs for the better part of a year to afford it and not everyone can do that. My advice is to just let him feed off your excitement. When he gets there and begins to experience how Disney blows everyone out of the water in almost every aspect, he will understand.

 

[tinkerbell/pixie]

Try memoriesbybetsy. She does great baskets. You can pick and choose what you want in the basket for him.

 

[kent285]

Our family went to WDW this past Christmas and Dd (20) brought her boyfriend (20). His first time and he Loved it! Now they keep talking about their "next" trip. I envy you, there is nothing more fun than taking a Disney Virgin to WDW. Have a great time!

 

[Jletendre]

Not sure what your BF is like, but if he's like any other guy these are things that are cool:

The big attraction thrill rides
Disney Quest - a video gamers dream
Circque and dinner downtown disney

Too bad your not old enough yet for Pleasure Island as that is even more fun, but there's always your NEXT trip!

Sometimes you just need to be there and let the magic happen. I bet seeing how happy it makes you will have an effect on you. Relax and just have a nice time.

 

[marypoppinswannabe]

Our family went to WDW this past Christmas and Dd (20) brought her boyfriend (20). His first time and he Loved it! Now they keep talking about their "next" trip. I envy you, there is nothing more fun than taking a Disney Virgin to WDW. Have a great time!

I know what you mean there. My next trip is with some friends who have never gone before. I am so excited to have this experience.

 

[Forevryoung]

I was in the same boat in Jan. Exactly the same boat. I planned the trip for 8 months, obsessed about it down to the last detail. DBF never got it.

I planned the trip with him in mind- he hates rides. He loves food. He hates walking (yea yea). He likes naps... We took things at his pace. I knew I would be back again.

He had a "good time" if you ask him now. He understands why I love the place but would never choose to go back. It's not his type of vacation. I knew that, I just wanted to share it with him (we are no longer dating but are best friends).

His favorite rides: Liberty Square River Boat, El Rio Del Tiempo, Killamanjaro Safari

His favorite evening: Le Cellier (best meal!) and Illuminations on the last night

 

[DisneyMagick2008]

...he hates rides.

How could anybody hate rides ?