How to make a non believer like Disney?

[lonegungal17]

Thanks to some free tickets I'm going to be taking my new boyfriend to Disneyland Paris in June. He's never been to a park and thinks it's all for kids. He does enjoy the films, his favorite being Tangled, but doesn't get why adults would want to visit Disney without children. I'm also worried he won't like the "adult" rides as he doesn't like roller coasters. Any advice on how to make him see the Disney magic?

Mel

 

[tinks_1989]

This is sounds like my DH on our first trip together! I still dont think he LOVES Disney he loves that I love it and the joy it brings us especially now as a family. But he has been to WDW 3 times and are just about to go on our 5th DLP trip together! Bribe him with food and a good drink that is what I do as the say the way to mans heart his threw his stomach! lol!

 

[SleepingX3Beauty]

I'd try to catch as many parades and shows as possible. Even as a non Disney fan he is bound to love Dreams and the fireworks. Further I'd try to get some nice dining in to your trip. There are a lot of good restaurants on offer and they do say the love of a man goes trough it's stomach.
Character interaction could be nice to yet he probably won't be willing to go stand in line for this. So maybe a dinner at café mickey or something like that?
My BF is not much of a fan neither yet loves pirates of the caribbean, big thunder mountain, space mountain, rock & roller coaster and tower of terror. So I'm quite lucky that he likes attractions a bit, 'cause he's not driving the whole end for just Mickey mouse like I would.

Oh and watch some of the Disney movies before you go, usually gets my BF in to the Disney spirit. Does he like Star Wars? 'Cause that could help with Star Tours and stuff. And we saw Chewbacca once outside of that attraction. Or if he's a Michael jackson fan he might like the 4D movie.

Point is, everybody likes something about Disney, you just have to find out what. Maybe Pirates of the caribbean or Indiana Jones or something?

 

[DLPDreams]

Agree that even a hardened non Disney fan will be blown away by Dreams (just fingers x they have the fireworks bit on in June as we go then too!). Just the technical side of it blows me away - Disney do fireworks like no-one else imo. It's the whole build up/musical composition etc.

Also, if your budget will stretch why not do a meal at Inventions - that way you get the character interaction and he gets a nice buffet meal. Or, if you aren't bothered about characters, why not try Walts or Blue Lagoon (both places I want to go to but haven't yet as I don't feel they are right for my girls to eat at).

Agree about Pirates - also what about the Tower of Terror - if he doesn't like coasters, it's certainly not one of those .

In my house the girls (me included) are the Disney nuts (yes, I have brainwashed my children ), my DH isn't a huge fan although he does like it and doesn't need his arm twisted to make a trip. He does however, get blown away by the whole detail in the parks - I think before our first trip together he had imagined cardboard cut out houses like you get at some other 'theme' parks. That alone often appeals to a man (as well as the stomach thing!)

 

[smallpig]

Like DLPDreams my boyfriend was converted by the detail and quality of the parks- having only been to the likes of chessington before! Star Tours went down well, so did ToT,

and IndianaJones. but now he's converted!

 

[Rosie]

It depends is your BF spontaneous or does he like to make plans?
If he's a planner get him involved in an itinerary for your trip.

Adults are well catered for IMO. If you have time do a guided tour of the Disneyland Park - its great and you then get reserved seating for the parade. If you are short of time do the covered walkway wander to show your BF how well planned the park is.

Walts is the best restaurant for escaping the hustle and bustle and the train around the park can be fun too if you're not a coaster fan.

The shows are world class - particularly Cinemagique so do all of them.

Have a really fun time and let him see how easy it is to leave cares behind for a while.

 

[susant63]

I took DH th DLP for his 30th, befor our daughter was born. He was the same.

he thoroughly enjoyed it and isn't a roller coaster fan either. We did things like star tours, the car stunt show in the studio park, the back lot tour, as well as pirates OTC.

We also made the most of the Disney village - we had really nice meals - one in the steakhouse (can't remember what it's called off the top of my head) and we even went to the nightclub one night.

We've been twice with our daughter - in 2009 and most recent at new year just past.

HTH
Susan

You'll convert hom no problem!

 

[jennytablina]

What's his interests? Does he like food, does he enjoy musicals or enjoy disney films generally?

The restaurant threads might be a good way to get his attention, Disney make some good food, and present them even better for the masses of food porn threads dedicated to each park XD if he's a foodie that might hook him : )

DLP is a hard one to win people over with. I'ld maybe go to Studios first and get Animagique out the way, as it's so weird yet wonderful! (I seem to recall this was actually my first attraction in DLP ever, might be wrong, but we normally go do it first hah)

I'm guessing you'll want to avoid Fantasyland and the more kiddie rides at first. I'ld try the following

Haunted Mansion (it's creepy and certainly NOT kiddie)
Thunder Mesa (it's a rollercoaster but it's one of the mildest - he should be fine on this one, all it has is a few small drops)
Pirates of the Caribbean (again, certainly not kiddie like your b/f might expect)
Buzz Lightyear's Lazer Blast (it's a shooter, with high scores, if he's a gamer he'll be hooked pretty quick)

Optionally try Indiana Jones and Space Mountain, though be warned those are a bit rougher, not as harsh as some UK rollercoasters but do some upside down business.

If you really want to shatter the kiddie ride idea, convince him to ride "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" or "Pinnochio" and enjoy the results ; ) - if that fails, take him to the dragon under the castle.

 

[Happy Tappy]

If he doesn't like coasters, there's still lots he can do. Buzz, Star Tours, Pirates, Tea Cups, Autopia, Phantom Manor, Cinemagique, Lights Motors Action should all appeal.

I'm a male Disney fan and can tell you that if you want to keep him interested, avoid the parades and characters. They just don't appeal to most men. I enjoy Fantilussion and love the fireworks but find the daytime parades very boring. I only watched them because my girlfriend enjoys them.

I always felt awkward at character interactions. They're there for kids to enjoy.

Now that I have kids, I love watching the parades and seeing characters because they enjoy it so much.

 

[MazdaUK]

I think the atmosphere will help. And as others have said, good food is always useful - to mix food with characters why not do the Inventions buffet at Disneyland Hotel? Good food, all you can eat and the characters come to you

Second doing shows - we always put shows above rides (especially as I'm no coaster fan) cinemagique is amazing and (almost) worth the entry on its own IMHO!

 

[zavandor]

I have never liked coasters, but I love all at Disneyland! It's theming that makes them so special. Show him Big Thunder Mountains from outside, tell him how it's beautiful inside, that you'll feel like inside a true mine. After he'll see how magical can be a coaster in Disneyland, he'll be sold to try them all!
If he really does not like too much adrenaline, just avoid Space Mountains and Rock & Roller Coaster, but drag him to the Tower of Terror, it's not too much intense, but the atmosphere and the storyboard cannot be beaten.