MK for a "stick in the mud"?

[Shugardrawers]

Usually I go to WDW with girlfriends who live and breathe pixie dust. A couple years ago I took Dh for his first time. He enjoyed most of our time there...except MK. Let's just say my Dh is not in touch with his inner child. He found the whole park very juvenile and commercialistic, which, ok it is, but that's the beauty of the place. Not going there is not an option since it's my absolute favorite and even he isn't so stubborn he'd think skipping it is fair. So the compromise seems to be finding the more grown up things to show him there. He admits he liked Mickey's Philharmagic but hated the rest of Fantasyland and he kind of enjoyed Tomorrowland. We'll be there the 2nd week of September. Any ideas for a more "adult" itinerary?

 

[Keneke]

Perhaps he'd be interested in one of those Imagineer tours in the MK, I forget what it is called. No man can resist the lure of the how-its-done.

I'd also try doing the Haunted Mansion, if he tends to favor somber moods in any way. Yes, it's as kooky as the rest of the park, but perhaps a bit of darkness will, um, lighten his mood.

Everyone seems to yawn at the Hall of Presidents, but it's a great history lesson. If he's a political or patriotic sort, this is a good place to go.

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has minimally cuteness, though still nicely themed. Unless he's some sort of macho man who demands a scary coaster, it's a fun ride.

And of course, searching for Hidden Mickeys is always fun to do for anyone.

It's true that the Studios has the better rides and is less "cute", but there's still some good non-sappy times to be had at the MK.

 

[darlak]

I love MK and believe that I am in touch with my inner child, but Fantasyland isn't my favorite either. We no longer have small children; my youngest is 14. We still go to WDW twice a year on average though and MK is usually still a two-day park for us. Of course we do go at a somewhat slower pace these days at the advanced old age of almost 50.

In Adventureland...we still enjoy climbing the steps to the Swiss Family Treehouse if it isn't too hot. Makes DH and I feel proud that we're still able to do it! Then there's Pirates and we always grab a Dole Whip Float and take it onto the Jungle Cruise with us.

Frontierland is one of my favorite sections. Our must-do's there are Splash Mountain (we're old enough to remember Song of the South). BTMR and again, if the weather is pleasant, we usually go out to Tom Sawyer Island.

In Liberty Square we always do the Haunted Mansion and then grab the best (if not the only!) sweet tea in all of WDW at Columbia Harbour House. He might enjoy Liberty Square Riverboat. We used to do it almost every trip, but then my DD pointed out that unpleasant smell we always commented on was the smell of feet! We usually skip it now since I tend to agree with her. I usually also skip the Hall of Presidents, but it's for personal reasons. I'll just say that I find it to be offensive to Southerners and leave it at that. If he's never done it, I would recommend it.

In Fantasyland, PhilharMagic is also the only attraction I really like. We usually do IASM world too though, just because it feels like we should.

We generally skip Toontown altogether.

Tomorrowland is another favorite of mine. There our must-do's are Space Mountain, the TTA (several times), CoP (at least twice), Buzz's Space Ranger Spin, which we've just recently learned to love, and the Indy Speedway. I didn't personally care for Monsters Laugh Floor, but again, I would suggest he try it once.

MK isn't as much about thrills for me as it is about nostalgia. My suggestion would be to follow his lead there and allow enough time not to be rushed. I refuse to believe that anyone can't find their inner child there if they want to.

Hope you have a great time helping him look for his inner child!

 

[Shugardrawers]

He's got an inner child somewhere, he just doesn't come out to play very often. He just might enjoy Hall of Presidents and the Riverboats/Tom Sawyer Isand. I haven't done either in ages!

I hadn't thought about a tour I took the KTTK tour once and while I loved it he'd probably find it too long for his taste. Is the Imagineer tour different? I just have to keep reminding myself I don't have to do everything this trip with him. I am extremely blessed in that we are in a position for me to go twice a year and it's only due to his hard work since I haven't worked full time in over 4 years (due to my illness). I think I can tailor this particular trip to his tastes and save the kiddie stuff for the TnT meet.

Oddly enough, I was convinced (and so was he) that he'd LOVE Epcot more than any of the others. Turned out he was completely enthralled with AK and just found Epcot ok I actually saw him out of the corner of my eye clapping his hands and bobbing his head to the parade music Juvenile indeed

 

[JillianLeigh]

So glad you posted about this. I was going to post something similar until I stumbled upon this.

I am preparing to be in a similar boat as you. This November I'm taking my bf of 2 years to Disney. He hasn't been since he was little, but much like you and your friends I live and breathe Disney magic.

I was talking to him about how he never really gets excited about anything, and how he was gonna feel about going to WDW. His exact word were "I'm sure I'll have fun, but I'm not going to be jumping and skipping around like a 4 year old." After he said that I thought in my head, "well that's half the fun!"

Anyone have any tips on how I can make the trip a fun one for him? We're staying at ALK, and will be park hopping for 4 days.

Thanks!!

 

[spiceycat]

here is a list of tours

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

do the
steam trains
keys to kingdom
undiscovered future world
wild by design

 

[Keneke]

undiscovered future world

Is there any more detail of where that tour might take you? I know all about the history, though.

 

[Andrea]

just joining... my husband does not want to go to mk at all. In fact he was paying for my sister and I to go for the whole week so he didnt have to go to mk... but guess what she cant go so he is now going with me.

He is kinda bummed at going to the mk

 

[fortheboys]

My parents will be accompanying us on their upcoming trip, and my Dad isn't real "hyped" about anything Disney. He's mostly going for my mom, and to see my kids reactions. My parents have never been really been to any of the parks, they were in Epcot for 1/2 a day once, but it was years and years ago and it didn't leave much of an impression on him (baa-humbug). I'm a bit concerned that he will be a bummer on the trip, as he is one of those very "practical" people. He doesn't "do" thrill rides (neither do I), and he's not big on characters (of course...) I was thinking about having him do the train tour, and they are going to La Noumba, but as for the bulk of the days, I can see him being CRANKY, and a real downer for the rest of the family.....I understand your concerns and fustrations - it can bring down the group atmostphere when one person just isn't into it....

 

[DisneyDeeva]

My best advice if you're going with someone who isn't really thrilled about one park or another....

Get the Park Hopper option and break up the day. For example, don't stay at the MK all day. Get there early, tour one of the lands. Then, hop on the monorail and head over to one of the MK Resort restaurants for a nice lunch with cocktails. Then monorail over to Epcot for a bit of touring and maybe a nice dinner. Finally, go back to the MK for the evening fireworks, parade and some more attractions.

This way someone doesn't have to "suffer" for an entire day. By hitting the highlights in short spurts, they may find something they enjoy about each park. Make sure to use a touring plan, always try to incorporate FastPass and avoid the heat of the day (makes even me grumpy eventually).

Also, I've done many of the backstage tours. And, unless, he's a real Disney fan, I'm not sure I would recommend one of the tours like Key's to the Kingdom as it's all about Disney and the four principles of the Magic - safety, show, efficiency and courtesy. It's four hours of mostly walking (rain or shine, hot or cold). If he likes trains, the Steam Engine Tour is good but is starts really early in the morning.

 

[tednvon]

If you do MK, do Hall of Presidents and sit right in front row where you can the incredible animatronics of the presidents. If he's interested, go back a second time and watch all the presidents who are not being featured or speaking...they nod to each other, tap their fingers, cross legs, it is absolutely fascinating to watch the detail on these figures.

Same at the American Adventure in Epcot...front row and watch the incredible animatronics and detail on all the characters.

At MK, Pirates of the Carribean is fun...again great animatronics.

Then take him to dinner or lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern for comfort food and surprise him with a picture with Goofy!!!

Enjoy...Ted

 

[Taja]

If he's really against MK, go solo that day and meet up for dinner. Perhaps he would join you for Spectro and Wishes, as well.

What about the Richard Petty Driving Experience? Would he enjoy that? Golf? Fishing? Sleeping in and vegging out by the pool for the day? The tours are terrific, BTW. I haven't done the Segway tours (equilibrium issues), but the walking ones are great!

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I had this problem and I divorced his ***

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