How to convert a non Disney - Need some advice

[Terkina]

I'm planning on going to Walt Disney World with my friend who is not that much in to Disney.

My friend is going with me mostly because I really want to. I hope I can get my friend to understand why Disney is a so great place when he finally can experience it all for him self.


I wonder if there are any thing we should do so that my friend might get the Disney feeling and enjoy the park more? Are there things we must do to make his first experience a good and magical one?

 

[ancestry]

Well, first off I would suggest that you have realistic expectations. Meaning, not everyone falls in love with Disney. I know many people who think it is a miserable vacation spot - crowded, hot, don't get the theming, etc. So first and foremost go into this realizing that he may never become a Disney lover. You know that whole saying.....plan for the worst and hope for the best.

That being said, what I would suggest is to find out the things that makes your friend happy.

Does he enjoy eating/good meals? If so, then make food a large focus of your Disney trip.

Does he like other activities? Swimming? Boating? If so be sure to include these in your trip.

Is he interested in history or logisitcs? Then do a behind the scenes tour.

How well does he handle crowds? My husband has a serious problem with crowds so I learned how to navigate the park to avoid crowds. I used to following touring plans and now have traveled so much that I have my own in my head. If crowds bother your friend then make sure you have a good touring plan and avoid the really crowded things like the parades (unless he loves parades). I learned to take my husband onto the rides when the parades are happening to avoid the crowds.

Focusing the trips on things that the hubby likes has turned him into a Disney lover but a lot his happiness is due to my efforts and knowing what my husband likes and doesn't like and then customizing the trips accordingly.

 

[minnie mum]

You could ask him to take a look at the WDW website so he could explore things at his own pace. Let him see where he will be staying and what he might be doing (the different parks). I wouldn't try to bog him down with too many details-if he's not really enthusiastic about it in the first place, this might just turn him off even more.

I think the best thing you can do for him is to make sure that YOU are really organized and have done all the planning ahead of time. Get those ADRs (choosing restaurants might be something you could do together). Check out the crowd calendars and have the park touring plans ready.

Then when you actually get to the parks, you will have your plan and you can both just relax and let the magic happen.

 

[Terkina]

Thank you both for your replies
I know that I may never be able to get him to love Disney and that's ok. I just want to make the trip as nice as possible for my friend.

He really likes history so a behind the scene tour sounds like a good idea.

We are not only going to Walt Disney World. Our plan is to go to Disney first for one week. Then drive around in the US to see some of the country. My friend has never been to the USA before.

I will get "The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World" book so we both can have a look in it to plan our visit.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Can you give us a little more background on your friend such as what his hobbies are, what he likes or his interest. That way we can make suggestions on what activities to do to make his experience a great one.

 

[Terkina]

He likes history and movies a specially western. He doesn't like to just sit around. What I mean is that he like things happening. He likes to explore places. He loves to read ALL kinds of stuff.

I'm thinking that maybe it's a good idea to go to Hollywood Studios the first day. That or Epcot.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would do DHS first. and start with this attraction.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios/attractions/great-movie-ride/

I think this would be a good place to get his feet wet. Then there are other things at DHS I think he would like. Maybe the two of you should look over the info about the park online to give him an idea of what to expect before he gets there and has it all thrown at him all at once.

As I think of other things i will post them

 

[minnie mum]

By all means do DHS first if that is what interests you most. But I STRONGLY urge you to do the Great Movie ride later in the morning or early afternoon. You really need some kind of touring plan if you want to hit all the headliners; especially Toy Story Mania, Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror and Star Tours. The GMR is a really nice ride, and I always make a point of doing it, but it is better to do the headliners first, or at least get fastpasses before seeing the rest.

 

[Terkina]

Thanks again for your tips. I will have a plan and I'm writing down every attraction that you should take a FP for. If it's one thing both my friend and I like it is to be prepared

 

[thehowells]

first and formost, go at thier pace, don't try to "cram the magic" into them
people either get disney or they don't, there are not many people who are on the fence about it, epcot would be great for the first day, because of the world showcase and it's great food, and culture aspect

 

[Terkina]

Thanks for the tips

 

[minnie mum]

I totally agree with thehowells. You can't force 'the magic'. You have to let it happen. The best way to encourage this, and avoid 'cramming it down their throat' is to relax. Go with a good plan, then enjoy the process.

Stop and smell the roses (man am I ever full of cliches today). As you go from attraction to attraction look around you and notice all the details. Sit on a bench and enjoy a snack and people watch.

Take the time to enjoy the amenities that your resort provides. Linger a little over a meal. Make it a true vacation, and not an extended commando operation.

 

[akhenaten]

Thank you both for your replies
Then drive around in the US to see some of the country. My friend has never been to the USA before.
.

Just a question... how many days do you plan on driving around the US and where do you hope to visit?

 

[Terkina]

Just a question... how many days do you plan on driving around the US and where do you hope to visit?

We are thinking of drinving around for 3 weeks. We are not sure where to drive yet, but one thouht was to drive from Orlando to Los Angels and stop by New Orleans. Any suggestion on what we should see while in the US are welcomme

 

[akhenaten]

We are thinking of drinving around for 3 weeks. We are not sure where to drive yet, but one thouht was to drive from Orlando to Los Angels and stop by New Orleans. Any suggestion on what we should see while in the US are welcomme

Nice! that is a good amount of time .... I have never done the southern route...
will you fly home from LA??

 

[Terkina]

Yes we will fly home from Los Angeles. It's possible to end our journy in another city and fly home from there

Nothing is planned yet. It's all still under research

 

[akhenaten]

Yes we will fly home from Los Angeles. It's possible to end our journy in another city and fly home from there

Nothing is planned yet. It's all still under research

Have fun planning!!

 

[Mrs. Bob Loblaw]

My husband was not a Disney fan before me. When I talked about the parks, he'd wonder why anyone goes on a ride more than once... ever in their lives, let alone more than once in a trip!

Luckily, he is now a Disney convert. Not nearly as much as me, but I concentrated on dining (deluxe dining is the way to my hubby's heart), taking afternoon breaks, working in at least one sports related activity each trip (like a game at espn), and enjoying everything at a more relaxed pace. Commando would have ruined it for him, so it's a great compromise and keeps us both happy.