Need some advice from the ladies...

[DepCor0311]

Okay...DGF and I are headed to WDW on 09/24. We are both pretty excited about the trip (OK..I am over the top excited, she is moderately excited).
Here is my dilemma..I have been to WDW many times in the past with...other women. My DGF is a wonderful woman, and not really the jealous type, but I guess it just rubs her wrong that I have been there with others. She obviously agreed to go, but I think she is concerned that it is not going to be special for US.
So, my question, fellow Disers, is what are some ways I can make her feel as special as I know she is, on this trip?
(Other than the obvious of not saying things like "Oh, so and so and I went here and we loved it!")

 

[sunny_]

I was the dgf in a situation like yours. My dh (dbf at the time) had gone to Disney his whole life and of course had gone with other girlfriends. I was not pleased about that - not unpleased but I felt like he'd be reminded of his other trips all the time. Here are some things that helped...

1. Obviously not mentioning the trips with the girlfriends.
2. Trying some NEW things you've never done with anyone before. We ate at new restaurants, went on new rides, and tried different dinner shows. You can try a tour you have'nt tried or something like that. As you know Disney is chock-full of things to do. I felt more special experiencing things at Disney (his favorite place) for the first time with him!

Good luck! I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[fizz13]

Hmmm, if it was me boyfriend taking me, I would want to share an experience that was totally unique to him and me, that i was special enough for him to save it for. There are things like an ADR to a restaurant that you haven't been to, like California Grill, now that would make my heart melt or a speciality Wishes/ Illuminations Cruise, but you might be on a budget and these are all high cost things.

What about making her a romance scavenger hunt, including the wishing well and rose garden, Cinderella's fountain, a doom buggy ride together? What about a hammock at the Poly to watch the fireworks?

If you're staying onsite, what about getting the WDW florist to give you a hand, have single roses delivered or a special arrangement waiting when you arrive? If its a deluxe, get a special food delivery waiting for you like chocolate covered strawberries?

I think the best way to make her feel special is to remember she is new to WDW, take it at her pace, don't bombard her with a touring plan and let her take it all in. Point out the detail around you but without giving her a lesson, introduce her to characters if you think shes the cuddly loving type and make the magic come alive for her.

Hope I've helped and good luck. I can tell it will be special already because you've thought enough about her to ask this question in the first place, have a wonderful time together,

 

[PrincessMo]

Hi there!

Just be natural. Make sure she knows you are having the time of your life there and it is because of her but don't go so overboard that she thinks you are only doing it to keep her happy instead of you genuinely feeling that way. If that makes sense.

I would take her to some nice dinners....maybe surprise her with something like a carriage ride. Maybe get something made with your names and trip date on it that you can put out in the house as a reminder of your 1st trip together forever! My thoughts would be one of those cariacatures maybe or you could also get those mickey head ornaments made at dtd with your names and date on them. Make sure you get lots of pics taken together and be sure to put them out when you get home.

I have a feeling everything will be just fine.

Have A Magical Day!

 

[DepCor0311]

Good stuff so far...Thanks!
We are staying on site (WL), budget is not too much of an issue.

 

[AnninIowa]

Is she "the one"...or will you be taking a different girl next year? If so, just make sure you don't overdo it with this one as you'll really have to top yourself next time!

Seriously, if she is the one, then I think a special gift basket or flowers waiting in the room for her would be nice, plus a romantic dinner at someplace YOU'VE never been to. The major rule: don't mention ANY ex-girlfriends!! Girls can act like it doesn't bother them, but in truth it does hurt to be reminded that your man was with someone else.

 

[Martha7]

Don't they still have the carriage rides that depart from the WL? That would be something that your girlfriend would love, especially if you haven't taken one with any past girlfriends. (If you have, just keep mum about it!) Have a wonderful trip!

 

[DepCor0311]

Is she "the one"...or will you be taking a different girl next year?

OUCH!

 

[the Fidge]

Ok you are really getting sound advice! If this is the ONE, then you want her to feel as unique as your love for her is! How you do that is by NOT mentioning previous trips or women! By reminding her that this trip is very special because of her! Prior to leaving I would let her know that you have made plans that you have never done with anyone else so as to alay any aprehensions she may have.Stay somewhere you have not before. Carriage rides and other things are great but be aware she may think this is a routine with you and the ladies so it is very important to let her know how you have never done these things with anyone else and always had hoped to do them with that special one! How about a proposal tied in! She will never worry again lol!!!

J8ust so long as you never got engaged to any lady beofre at Disney!! Now thats a way to make it entirely different!!!

 

[GrandFloridian4]

Trying new things is a wonderful idea. Make sure to mention (without overdoing it) how much you're enjoying trying new things that you've never done before. Even better, get together as much info. on things to do that you think she may be interested in - there's a lot being suggested here, but even rides & shows - & let her help in the planning. Then, she will know, before even going, that it is something new to you & you're looking forward to doing it with her as much as she is with you.

Also, don't avoid things that you've done previously with someone else if you love it or think she will love it. That way, you can make your own, new memories with her.

 

[flortlebap]

Is she "the one"...or will you be taking a different girl next year? If so, just make sure you don't overdo it with this one as you'll really have to top yourself next time!

Damn... you beat me to it!

Next girlfriend - pretend you've never been to Disney. It's probably easier that way

 

[pickles]

Just curious if you are a virg*n if not you have been with ladies before and she doesn't seem to mind that, so she can just get over it, she got over the other issue just fine.
It is special because it is you and her..the others obviously weren't good enough for a return trip ,if she seems bothered you could always mention that...course like the one poster said..she may consider whether she will be coming back for a 2nd trip or if you will have a new girl by then

BTW if you are looking for a volunteer girl for your next trip my hand is in the air (Ssshhh don't tell my hubby)
I promise I won't worry about your trips with the other girls

 

[disneychickforever]

is this the girl you want to spend the rest of your life with? If so, I think a Disney Proposal would be just perfect.....jmo, even though I know it was mentioned by the Fidge......I really think its a good idea, but don't do it if you aren't thinking of marriage at this time........

 

[DepCor0311]

BTW if you are looking for a volunteer girl for your next trip my hand is in the air (Ssshhh don't tell my hubby)

SHAMELESS!!!!

Hey girls...Lets lighten up on the marriage issue! But I am pretty sure I will be with this one for a very long time.

 

[Lesley]

My first thought when I saw the suggestions about flowers and special dinners and everything was that if I were the girlfriend in the situation I'd probably be thinking "Oh, yeah, so this is his routine when he brings a girlfriend...." Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but I know when dh brought me flowers on our first date I was thinking "oh geez, trying a bit hard..."

I think it would be best to just act as if its all new to you too. Pretend to not remember *anything* (but don't necessarily comment on it, unless she does...as in "is this ride fun?" and you can respond "I don't really remember") If she gets the impression that your previous trips were not memorable in any way she'll likely to be bugged by it a lot less. Or she'll see right through you and appreciate the effort. Then when you get back you can make it clear that THIS trip was very memorable.

I certainly appreciate that my dh seems to have little to no recollection of Puerto Rico....a place he went with a previous girlfriend (though when I grilled him about it, he gave me the impression that she ran off drinking with a bunch of guys and left him behind...so it may not entirely be an act.) And that was over 16 years ago....

 

[disneychickforever]

okay, well if marriage isn't on the mind, what about one of those romantic cruises on a yacht? Disney has it's own private yacht, which takes you out of Seven Seas Lagoon, and you can rent it out for a night on your trip.

I think it might help us if you tell us what kind of girl she is....that way we can give suggestions close to both of your personalities (mainly hers though, sorry hun ) and can have an easier time telling you what she might like to do.....

 

[Madi100]

Well, I think it will make a difference if you've talked about that stuff with her before. Have you said, "When Sally and I went to WDW we loved this restaurant?" If so, then avoid that restaurant. Also, she knows you've been there. Plan to do some of your favorites, but make the memories with her, don't remind her of your old ones. And, by that, I'd go as far as not to even mention that it's your favorite. You can know where to go without saying that you have to do that because it's a favorite.

Now, if this is the 20th girl you've taken to WDW, she has reason to be worried.

 

[DepCor0311]

Okay...at disneychickforever's request:

We are both in our late 30s...She is a no-nonsense type of girl. Very street smart, but still very feminine. She sees right through any blatant attempt to be mushy, but appriciates the effort. A Disney fan in her own right. She prefers spontenaity to structured planning, but understands we need to plan ADRS if we want to eat more than burgers. We have DL annual passports so her DL likes and dislikes may tell you about her:
Likes:
POTC
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear SRS
Soarin'
SHOPPING
Dislikes:
ToT
Most Shows.

 

[liveforthemagic]

She sounds wonderful! Are we SURE we don't want to pop the question?

If she likes spontaneity, maybe you could have a special gift delivered to your table during your ADR, a red rose, a piece of jewelry or knick knack that she admired during the day and that you secretly purchased and handed to your waiter....I know I'd dig that! That way you add something unexpected to what she already knew was a scheduled event.

Or how about a little note left on her pillow one night telling her how much you are enjoying seeing the world with her...

I think the trick is not to mush and gush all over this lady--cause she sounds too smart for that. For most of us girls, one or two sweet and genuine gestures will suffice----and never underestimate the power of holding her hand!

 

[PixiePop]

I think that you shouldn't try to hard to make it so "Special". Just be yourself and let things happen spontaneously. Some of the most magical moments are magical, because it was so spontaneous.