Helping a non-diser get in the mood (Updated!)

[TXTurtles]

My DH is not a Disney fanatic. He's not even much of a fan. As far as he's concerned WDW is just another amusement park (HIS terms, not mine!), albeit a very large one. He did the standard band trip in high school and his family's gone down twice, both in August, both without any planning. Just woke up around 10, decided which park to hit, never saw the fastpass machines ... and now his family hates it, says it was all long lines and high prices. typical horror stories. He did like Epcot and Animal Kingdom, even if they skipped most rides at most places (either didn't know they existed or lines too long). We're going to WDW (and only WDW) in two months and I'd love some ideas on how to "prep" him. I was raised as a Disney Nut, first trip at just a month old, so this "not getting" Disney is totally foreign to me. So, ideas? Former non-disney nuts testimonies?

(sigh) I asked him what his favorite Disney character was. He said Shrek.

 

[marsh0013]

i don't have any first hand experience, but i would say try to get him involved in the planning. show him menus, have him help you pick at least where to eat. do you have the disney planning dvd? you can go to the disney website and they'll send it to you. that might be fun to watch.

probably you'll really get him into it once he sees how different it is with you once you get there. like how you'll have plans, will get to ride rides, and have good ADR's too.

good luck!

 

[CU82]

You are not alone! I (and only I) have started planning our trip for next year. DH says he'll go ... but only if I don't talk about it while planning it. He's never been and thinks it is only a place for kids.

Best of luck.

 

[Forevryoung]

I'm in the same boat as you- except DBF has NEVER gone

He won't get involved in any planning because "I know best". I try to run things by him and I never get a straight answer. The only thing is that he wants to go to Margaritaville (at Citywalk) for dinner one night- so I told him a car was a must (he would rather not rent the car).

Here's to hoping I'm planning this right

 

[ChisJo]

My BF is not really into the whole Disney thing either, so I am just doing all the planning and telling him he has a say, but if he doesn't give me one, then I'll just go ahead. The other day, I showed him the Disney planning DVD, and he seemed more interested, but not to the point of helping me plan. I personally believe that BF won't like Disney as much as Universal. I know you say that you want him to be really into Disney, but if he really likes Shrek, would you be able to give up one day to go to Universal, for his sake? I personally LOVE universal studios and wouldn't miss a trip there when I go to Orlando - in fact, I truly believe that my BF will like it WAY more, and when I talk about the two parks, he always seems more interested in Universal (he has never been to either). Just a thought.

 

[TXTurtles]

Thanks! Yeah, I think he's just a Universal boy at heart. I've never been and really want to - it looks neat and DH makes the rides at IOA sound fantastic. He loves the whole battle between good and evil that you get at Psidon's adventure and which really doesn't come up so much at Disney. We are doing Fantasmic and I think he'll love it. Unfortunately this trip is Disney only b/c we're going with my parents and they've already bought tics for us - and it's a short enough stay that we're going to be rushed as is. I just wish there were some way to somehow transfer all my warm-fuzzies related to Main Street and Fantasyland into his brain. Like I said, at least he already likes Epcot and Animal Kingdom, mostly because he really likes the atmosphere. So I guess that's a good start ...

And ChisJo, that kitten you're cuddling is just too cute for words.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

Those that like Universal (and we do too), should also enjoy the amount of attractions that break down. We went for 3 days and 8 attractions broke down while we waited in line.

The worst part was on 3 of those attractions, we were less than 10 people away from getting on the ride after approximately an hours wait on each. They didn't even give you a "fast pass" to come back later and not have to wait in line. So we took bets after a while on whether or not we would actually make it on the attraction we were waiting in line for.

 

[ChisJo]

Those that like Universal (and we do too), should also enjoy the amount of attractions that break down. We went for 3 days and 8 attractions broke down while we waited in line.

The worst part was on 3 of those attractions, we were less than 10 people away from getting on the ride after approximately an hours wait on each. They didn't even give you a "fast pass" to come back later and not have to wait in line. So we took bets after a while on whether or not we would actually make it on the attraction we were waiting in line for.

I've never had anything break down on us at USO or IOA - refurbishments yes, but no break downs. That being said, I have been on Test Track, and Haunted Mansion in WDW when they broke down, and Splash mountain and Mission: Space were both down when I was there last. Rides break down, and that's ok....but they do break down in both parks. And personally, I would rather be on a ride that's safe than a ride that isn't, so if a breakdown happens, and they need to fix it, while at least I won't get injured on it while I'm there.

 

[Morgstar]

TXTurtles, fear not. I am a DBF who has been completely converted to Disney by my obbsessed DGF.
My DGF worked in the Disney store in the UK for 3 years before taking a break after university to do the international programme at EPCOT, she is Disney MAD and i mean mad. I, on the other, am rugby nuts (the game that american football is loosley based on) a real 'mans man' and usually spend my holidays following our team around the world to places like Dubai and South Africa. If it didnt once live and roam some field somewhere i wont eat it! I drink beer and lots of it and soaps are not allowed on TV when there is any sort of sport on.
I am an only child and my parents did take me to DL as a youngster and then WDW when i was 11. I vaguley remeber the trips but wasnt overly impressed. (i think my parents took me because they felt we were 'missing out' if we didnt go, in all honesty even my mother would rather be watching sport)

To keep the peace last June i agreed to go to WDW with DGF in Nov, joinning her family (who go every year religiously) for one week and then ten days to ourselves. I didnt have high hopes for the holiday and was only really doing it to earn some brownie points so she wouldnt moan when i decided to let her know about my next rugby trip.

We spent 16 days in orlando (taking in WDW, universal and the surroundings areas) and i am now a complete convert.

If your DH doesnt want to get involved or excited, play it cool. I was a miserable git before we went, i didnt care where we went, where we ate, i didnt care what we did on my birthday (11/12) or what park we went to on what day. I was completely uninterested and even remeber saying, 'im only going because i know how much it means to you'.
What a shock i had when we got there. Disney (and orlando as a whole) isnt just a place for families or adults that had led a some what strange, sheltered life, it was an area that can appeal to everyone!!I am now Disney mad we are planning two trips a year for the forseeable future and even rugby tours are on hold to fund our Disney fun.

Trust me let your DH act cool and not care, wait until he gets there and experiences the fun. I would suggest that you encorporate some adult activities like PI, Boardwalk and some great restaurants, that was at least half the fun for me. You mention that your trip is a short one and that is the only thing that i think may dampen his transformation from sceptic to Disney Convert! My DGF had plenty of time to show what the world has to offer and it certainly paid off for her!

ENJOY

 

[TXTurtles]

Thanks for the testimonia, Morgstar! That reminds me that we have to schedule some time out for Disney Quest - DH is a total game geek (I've got a bit of it myself, gotta admit) and would probably be happy if we spent the whole trip there. I'm really hoping that the combination of low crowds (well, low as they get anymore) + fastpass + an experienced guide + great food + stop-n-smell-the-roses attitude makes it a good trip for him. Hey, maybe someday he'll have his own screen name here.

 

[NH_Bubba]

I'm in the same boat as you- except DBF has NEVER gone

He won't get involved in any planning because "I know best". I try to run things by him and I never get a straight answer. The only thing is that he wants to go to Margaritaville (at Citywalk) for dinner one night- so I told him a car was a must (he would rather not rent the car).

Here's to hoping I'm planning this right

If your only going to City Walk the one night look into the buses that run from Down Town Disney or see what the rates are for a single day car rental. If the Resorts don't have them if you go to Down Town Disney you can walk over to the Hilton they have Alamo or Groveners has Budget. Better than wasting the money on a rental car at the airport just to leave it in the parking lot.

 

[DeterminedOne]

My sister and her family went to Disney as part of an event for her work. She wasn't even excited abou it. She knows how many times we've been to Disney and how much we love it but I couln't get her buy in. But then I suggested she read The Unofficial Guide. It was just what she needed to get excited. The book helped her to make sense of and compartmentalize all that Disney has to offer.

 

[AnninIowa]

IMO, I wouldn't even try to get him excited beforehand. Instead, do the planning, get the reservations, know what each day will be like. Then have him follow you along. Maybe after he's done a few rides with minimal wait and had some good food he'll perk up and realize it's a great place after all! I don't even try to get my dad involved in planning. He has no interest and is confused by the whole thing. So I figure everything out and he goes along with it....and ends up having a great time because he doesn't have to "think"!!

 

[pfalcioni]

I agree with AnnInIowa, my DH was not a DisFreak - I did all the planning, made sure I knew everything possible about all the rides, and made certain to use TourGuideMike to maximize our low-crowd times in-park.

As a result, he LOVES DW and DL, and really looks forward to our vacations there. And he's got motion sickness BAD - so I consider that a real feat!

I still do all the planning, and have all the info, but he does get that warm & goofy look on his face when I whisper 'we're going to DW in ___ days!'

I know if I pushed it or hyped it too much before we went the first time, he would have pushed back. It was nearly impossible for me to be bursting with excitement and not just explode with it every time we talked. I had to let him come to me with questions.

Of course, everyone is different, you know your own DH, so I'm sure you're going to figure out the right way to work it.

 

[Forevryoung]

If your only going to City Walk the one night look into the buses that run from Down Town Disney or see what the rates are for a single day car rental. If the Resorts don't have them if you go to Down Town Disney you can walk over to the Hilton they have Alamo or Groveners has Budget. Better than wasting the money on a rental car at the airport just to leave it in the parking lot.

Thanks for the advice but I would rather have the car- and DBF will be happier in the long run. I HATE (and I know he will hate) leaving the parks by bus at the end of the night, I don't want to have to take a cab to restaurants (AKL, Poly, Boardwalk) thus spending more money. I prefer the flexability

If someone could reassure me that I would never wait more than 10 minutes for a bus (staying at Coronado Springs at the beginning of Jan) and that Magical Express would be perfectly "magical" than it wouldn't be worth the $144 for the car rental.

 

[kimsuenew]

I solely planned trip #1 (2007). My son is helping plan #2. My hubby is like whatever... you figure it out and I will be there! I know that when we get there, he will have fun, he just has no desire to help plan and that is ok! I bet your husband will end up enjoying himself while there. My husband did tell me that two years in a row at WDW was enough, 2009 will have to be a change. Just between you and I... I am thinking Disneyland, that's a change, right?

 

[tfc3rid]

My DGF is definintely not a fan of WDW. Before we dated I went to WDW for a week plus every year. As a DVC member, we go about twice a year but for a 3 day weekend and we NEVER go the parks... She doesn't like the whole 'immerse yourself in the fantasy' aspect of it and feels terrible for the families that spend a fortune to go there...

I so want to go to the parks again... I've never been on Everest or Soarin... It's the only part of her I wish I could change...

 

[pfalcioni]

(sigh) I asked him what his favorite Disney character was. He said Shrek.

Oh gosh - I missed this when I read your post the first time. Soooo funny!

 

[pfalcioni]

I so want to go to the parks again... I've never been on Everest or Soarin... It's the only part of her I wish I could change...

Wow, to be that close and never go. I truly respect your fortitude - but I think your DGF is maybe a little selfish - couldn't she see some way to enjoy herself for at least a few hours in the afternoons or mornings while you go play the Disney way?

I understand she doesn't feel the magic - some folks brains just aren't wired that way - same as not laughing at certain jokes, or not loving music. But it doesn't mean that they can't understand that others aren't the same!

 

[TXTurtles]

Oh gosh - I missed this when I read your post the first time. Soooo funny!

The worst was that I thought he was joking - he was kinda getting annoyed with how much I was going on about the trip - so I said, "no, really" and ... well, things went downhill from there.

He's learning, though.

I've been watching what I can of the old Magical World of Disney stuff on youtube and he'll wander over and watch part of it on his own accord and even suggest stuff to search for. He's also getting curious because the MK that I talk about and the one he remembers are so different.

From what he remembers his family got there fairly early (they were staying at the Contemporary so easy trip) and rode Space Mountain and loved it and then headed over to Splash. And that's where the whole thing crashed. His dad and brother both hate lines with a full-blown passion and they thought the 1 1/2 hour line they ran into was terribly deceptive - they kept thinking every turn would get them to the ride and instead it was more lines. And I'm not sure if they just didn't see the wait time when they entered or didn't believe it ... either way, by the time they finally got on they were all in horrible moods, hated the ride just on principle, and refused to try most of the other rides in case they got "trapped" again. I think they left after lunch, doing the proverbial shaking of the dust off their feet, and never went back. So it wasn't the most magical of days for him at the MK. He thinks he went on HM but that's the ONLY other thing he did at MK. The other parks were better experiences (they did enjoy - though not love - Epcot WS and AK) they still avoided all the rides.
At this point I'm letting him lead the conversation for when he wants to talk about it and only bringing it up when I have a question I know he'll be ok with answering - usually it's along the lines of "which of these three restaurants do you want to go to?" He's always up for talking about food.

We're planning on hitting DQ (which I know will be a huge hit) and maybe a club if we have the option on our tics (I'm not buying so I'm not sure) and touring as many resorts as we can. Oddly enough we both prefer that over clubs so, well, might as well do it! And maybe wander a few trails at WL. We'll see! Thanks for the help! I'll keep you posted on his reforms.