Need some advice from the ladies...

[Jackmonkey]

Go at this with the philosophy that WDW is your happy place, and the fact that your past trips there were for your enjoyment. WDW is a part of your life, and naturaly you want to share that part of your life with her. Trying new things and making this a unique experience and all is good, but if it becomes obvious that you are trying to be different that will backfire. Your best bet to just have fun, act normal, and enjoy each others company like you always do.

Of course, I am a guy, and as such I have a very limited and often incorrect understanding of the inner workings of the female of the species...

 

[ainmama2001]

Call the WDW Florist and have a nice special Disney arrangement in the room for when you arrive.

 

[DepCor0311]

Of course, I am a guy, and as such I have a very limited and often incorrect understanding of the inner workings of the female of the species...

Jackmonkey, thats why I posed the question in the first place.

 

[disneymom2twins]

My .02...

I am not a "mushy" woman either. I would treat her almost like you would treat a kid. Skip the flowers and stuff, but hide a prize each day for her like you would a little kid. Maybe a stuffed animal, a box of mickey chocolate, or more expensive like a pair of earrings or a disney watch or snowglobe. My thought is I want to have something to keep - flowers die.

I agree with the PPs about carriage rides, etc - very cute and romantic, but not over the top. For me, things like buying the ride pictures, is something I am too cheap to do, but a gesture that may give her great memories of the trip, and something you may be able to show the grandkids one day LOL!! Get something personalized - like a christmas ornament from DTD with your names and anniversary date.

For me - simple, yet thoughful, and not too cliche.

Either way - enjoy your trip!!

 

[disneymama73]

I wouldn't worry so much. I went with my ex-husband and then with my 2nd (and current) DH. Just don't mention the previous women and what you did or where you went. Have fun and make new memories! I hope you have a great trip! :

 

[mrsltg]

I don't know... I'll NEVER set foot in New Orleans because DH took a previous gf there to "romance" her....

Though others have mentioned it, it cannot be said enough... DO NOT MENTION THE OTHER WOMEN! Pretend they never existed. Do not seem like such a WDW veteran that you know where everything is. Do not say, "are you sure you don't want xxx? Beth really loved it!" Don't even stay in a hotel you've stayed in before.....

hehehe.... I know someone who went on both of her honeymoons at WDW. That's just weird...

 

[Roo2]

Well, I am a romantic, so these might not be her style (or yours), but here's a few ideas I would love:
-Watch Illuminations from a patio bench below the bridge from England to France (maybe surprise her with glow in the dark jewelry from the dollar store), then slowly stroll around the WS, from France around to Mexico, stopping to peek into windows, side streets,etc. You will have the place to yourself, and at least an hour before CM's start to ask you to leave. Do not atempt this on an EMH night.
-If your trip is for 5 days or more, take a day off from the parks midway, just for romance, and let her pick what she would like to do. Maybe sleep in, order room service for a splurge, go shopping at DTD and a nice dinner there or see Cirque, if that is what she likes to do, or relax at the pool all afternoon, have a nice dinner at Artist Point or the Contemporary (and pre-order a white chocolate slipper dessert for her), then take the boat over to MK right when the fireworks start (you may have to talk to a boat driver to time this perfectly). Cuddle on the beach with hot cocoa back at WL for EWP (if it's still going), and warm up in the hot tub afterwards!
-Go for an evening stroll around the Boardwalk and over to the Yacht and Beach Club to let her pick a pearl- let her choose something to have it set in, as a memento of your trip. Maybe have dinner at the Yachtsman or the Blue Zoo at the Dolphin (no kids at this restaurant= a little more romance). Splurge for a taxi ride home, to end on a relaxed note!
-Ask for a private car at the Sci-Fi restaurant, and make out during the movie!
-Plan together to try and get a ride photo that catches you kissing, and buy it
-Take the boat ride from DTD to POR after dark, stroll around the grounds, ride back and check out the DTD clubs.
Most importantly, let her know this is her trip, that you want it to be relaxing and fun for her, and you want to let her make the choices of what you will do together. And then throw in a few surprises along the way! If your special plans collide with hers, tell her you have "something special" planned for her to celebrate however many months you have been together, and ask to do her plan the next night.
Have a great time, and please write a trip report when you get back!

 

[the Fidge]

OK then I retract all I said if she is going to be girlfirend until you find another !!!! Nevermind then just be YOU! Just bare in mind some of your exs might have had a great time and you may bump into them too!!!!

Anyway no girl wants to think of being the one until you find one better!!!

I suggest you take our married lady here she is already married doesn't care who you've been there with before!!! She is fine with being one WDW visitor!! Romance is not an issue for her either!!! Just think of all the work you will save yourself !

 

[sconnell]

I'll add my $.02! lol. You've really got some great stuff.

I'd say, watch what she is enjoying, watch what she is excited about, especially, watch what she is looking at in the stores or store windows. Watch to see if her eyes light us when she sees ______ or if she lingers near __________. If she says something about how nice something is, but way to expensive, she may be saying that it's way to expensive to spend on herself. I know that I'd love DH to suprise me with something special that had been admiring, just because he was paying attention! lol.

ETA: I really like the prize a day thing. And the photos from photopass or rides.

 

[Figment's friends]

I would make sure you mention all your friends on the DIS boards so she knows you asked for advice on planning. IT shows that you really made an effort for HER. Asking for advice on planning and finding special things to do with her shows how much she means to you. I hope you have a fantastic trip. (Maybe mentioning something you think she might like to do for the NEXT trip you take together will help as well...)

 

[Flora Fan]

Well...I'm going to jump in too.

You mentioned that she was a Disney lover before you met. Perhaps leaving a day for her to arrange. If she doesn't like to plan, then just wake up one morning and give her the idea of doing everything that she loves. This way she can show you all the things about Disney that she really likes to do and see. This puts all of the focus on her and allows the memories to start from her as well.

Let her know how much you enjoyed sharing her favorite things. Use suttle reminders to let her know that you are making memories anew with her.

Have fun and be yourself...you can never go wrong with honesty.

Have a great trip!

 

[krissyh]

OK - advice from a not-mushy, but doesn't speak of exs and doesn't want to hear about exs, strong, independent disney-loving, why-get-married-when-we're-happy-shacking-up, mid 30s woman who doens't care for the shows.

1. Don't mention the "others" - it's like on Lost. We know they're out there, we realize the dangers and even though we are terribly curious, we really just want them to fade into the forest. Shhh. Seeing the list of times you've been, you couldn't have been with different women each time (and if you were, she's clearly ok with it.)

2. Agree that you might want to mention - probably after you arrive and want to do something that - you were on the DIS looking for special things for the two of you to do together.

3. Has she been before? Ask about what she really liked or really wants to do. Ask about a restaurant that she really wants to go to (if you are really lucky, it'll be one you've been to sans previous-chicky). Then, for early in your trip, plan a special (insert your girls name here) _______ Day.
Meals at places she'd like, fast passes first thing for a ride she wants to do, a great place to watch the fireworks - all about HER.
Don't let her know it is coming. Put together an itinerary and give it to her in the morning.

4. Something you've not done before and are dying to do WITH HER. Have you done the Segway Tour? We loved it!

5. If she is wonderful, don't worry too much about the ex-factor and lose yourself in enjoying the magic of the World with her.

Have a great time. And print this thread for the next girl!

 

[BlindTyldak]

I feel like the only person here who isn't an OMG JEALOUS ROMANTIC (not that I read all posts) but . . . if she has a problem with you having been anywhere with prior GF's . . . leave her home. Unless she's never dated before, she has to understand from prior experience that people go places together, and this is one of those places you've been with other people and you might, you know, actually remember those times and it might come up in conversation? Just be yourself, say whatever you would normally say in any situation, and if she doesn't like it, guess whose problem that is.

 

[Micca]

Get her one of those big green hats with Goofy ears.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Get something special that the 2 of you pick out together to remember your trip...a personalized shirt or christmas ornament...picture frame for your Castle photo...

 

[ainmama2001]

I feel like the only person here who isn't an OMG JEALOUS ROMANTIC (not that I read all posts) but . . . if she has a problem with you having been anywhere with prior GF's . . . leave her home. Unless she's never dated before, she has to understand from prior experience that people go places together, and this is one of those places you've been with other people and you might, you know, actually remember those times and it might come up in conversation? Just be yourself, say whatever you would normally say in any situation, and if she doesn't like it, guess whose problem that is.

I have to say, I agree with this wholeheartedly. I'm not saying throw other girls in her face, but she knows she's not dating a priest either. Let's be realistic.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

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.

If she's "the one"...PROPOSE IN WDW! She will definitely know she is special, then. LOL

 

[wdwobsessed]

OK ... as an extremely jealous person who has been married for 16 years I will chime in my 2 cents. (LOL!)

I would just say to focus on her and take it as a new experience as you have never been there with her ... so just enjoy it together and don't worry so much.

I really don't think there is need for all this mushyness unless it's something you really WANT to do and something she will like. (In my case I would be a little skeptical about all the mushyness like you are trying to overcompensate for the fact that you wooed other women at WDW.) Most girls want you to do something from your heart because you want to ... not out of guilt or because you are trying to make us forget that you took someone else the same place you are taking us.

Keep comments straightfoward and non leading to thinking about the other woman thought processes man!!!!

Wrong: "Oooo I really looooved the Winnie the Pooh Ride last time I was here ... let's ride that!"

Her thought: "Did he really love the ride or was he smooching in the honey pot with his former honey and that is why he loved it so much."

Wrong: "I can't wait for our dinner at Artist Point ... it's soooo romantic."

Her thought: "Yeah ... I'm sure it was last time you were here with #@$%!"



OK ... so I am an kinda kidding with that ... but you get my point yes????

DUDE: Forget that you ever took the other women there!

Doing anything other than will only suffice to bring attention to the fact that you have.

Am I making sense? Because I seldom do!!!

Seriously - Just go and have a good time. Don't talk too much about your former experiences there, and focus on her.

Best of luck!

WDWO

 

[DiszyDeanette]

I have to say, I agree with this wholeheartedly. I'm not saying throw other girls in her face, but she knows she's not dating a priest either. Let's be realistic.

Third vote for "if she gets upset about something like this, re-think even taking her". Go, be together, have fun. If you're one of those over-the-top romantic types, do the flowers and carriage ride. If you're not, the Goofy hat and maybe a romantic bass fishing trip will be best. Don't go out of your way to be somebody else to make her happy, it's a complete waste of time.

 

[DepCor0311]

Wow, gals,
I never expected so much great advice! All very true in its own right. I am pretty good at reading people, so I will take the advice of reading her and going with the flow...I am a huge WDW nut, so not saying "Oh my god, we have to do __________, I do it everytime I'm here!" will be hard, but I think that is good advice too.

AND HOW DO YOU ALL KNOW I'M NO PRIEST/SAINT/ANGEL????

Thanks all...keep 'em coming if you got 'em....