Need Tips for having a non-Disney fan along

[Mom&RN]

Help! For the first time EVER my non-DH is coming to Disney with my DS and me. We'll be going after the holidays in January 2013 so at least there won't be any crowds and we'll have our car so he can "opt out" whenever he wants but I'm looking for tips on planning. How can I manage hooking up for meals and some stuff but not all??? My DS and I are big on the rides and though I know there are some things my husband will like to do there won't be a lot... Help!! Would love to hear from others that go without non-Disney people in their party. Thanks!

 

[txnana]

My first visit with a disgruntled DH who told me we are not going to waste a whole day there. We will do a bit and be out by noon! He had never been to anything like this before and I had to drag him out kicking and screaming when they closed at 2AM and we had to return for the next three days, so I hope you get surprised like I was.

 

[Mom&RN]

Thank you txnana! I hope so too....

 

[Nomad70]

Thank goodness my dh loves Disney too, BUT, our 13 year old son does not. But, he said he is willing to go with us next year (instead of staying with gma and gpa). We are just going to incorporate things like shows and water parks into the mix. We have never done the water parks down there with the kids, so this time we will. He loves those, so that will help. I haven't really started hardcore planning for that just yet since I am still waiting for DH's and my Anniversary vacation in September. lol

Oh, after reading txnana's post, it reminded me that DH wasn't exactly "thrilled" with the idea of going to Disney the first time (as a family) either. But, he did because he'd just come home from a year in Iraq and wanted to do something with the family. He has since LOVED going to Disney. lol

 

[Mom&RN]

Thank you Nomad70 - I'm thinnking about having my hubby go do stuff away from Disney in the morning while my son and I head to the parks to do the thrill rides and then we can meet up in the afternoon for things my husband might enjoy. For sure we'll hook up at supper because he will love the restaurants. Thankfully he is happy to putter about by himself so he won't be grumpy that we want to go hit the rides everyday. I'm just nervous about planning the logistics of it all!

 

[ToddyLu]

Make some tee times if he golfs, get some tickets for the movie theater in DTD (AMC I think). My DH loves taking pictures so he gets a day alone to do that--thank goodness being with him taking pictures all day makes me want to double my Wellbutrin. He has recently gotten into guns so my gun loving DH and BIL will rent them one day at a range in Orlando in October when we go. MIL and I will head to the Vera outlet.

There is the ESPN place behind Epcot, Jelly Rolls, boating and fishing, trying out the different bars in the resorts. I love the one just off the lobby at WL.

He can always take a book and read it while watching all the activity and monorails in the CR concourse.

There is a large mall-Florida Mall I believe. They have an M&M World and Apple store in there. Chocolates go with apples, right

Get him a Pass Porter and let him look throught it so he gets an idea of what there is to do.

My DH is as masculine as they come (so is his Brother) and they LOVE WDW.

 

[ZoZo]

Thank you Nomad70 - I'm thinnking about having my hubby go do stuff away from Disney in the morning while my son and I head to the parks to do the thrill rides and then we can meet up in the afternoon for things my husband might enjoy. For sure we'll hook up at supper because he will love the restaurants. Thankfully he is happy to putter about by himself so he won't be grumpy that we want to go hit the rides everyday. I'm just nervous about planning the logistics of it all!

Cell phones are a lifesaver when it comes to meeting up again after someone has gone off on his/her own. You can make a loose plan, then call or text each other about when and where to meet up.

Note that texting might work better than calling sometimes, especially when you're at noisy attractions or shows, or if you're in a building that doesn't have great cell phone service (like the Land pavilion at Soarin' -- I can never get my cell phone to work in that building!).

Plus, if you're going to make ADRs because you're meeting up with hubby at dinner, make sure that you make all of your reservations for three people. It's not a big deal to swtich at the last minute from three people down to two, but might be more difficult to add someone at the last minute (go from two to three people).

Whatever you do, have a great time!

 

[Naima1922]

My husband and I went to WDW in April. Although I absolutely LOVE WDW, my husband LOATHED the trip. He hated for us to even DISCUSS it! He became slightly excited prior to the trip because he would have a break from work. I was really nervous because I have had 6 trips in the past, and I KNEW that it would be slammed packed during that time of year (a week prior to Easter).

To prepare, I tried to find activities that he would like (grown-up stuff) in each park. He really likes movies and historical attractions, and sometimes he enjoys thrill rides. The cool thing about Disney World is that there are plenty of activities for adults in each park. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he actually LOVED Magic Kingdom...he was straight up giddy on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and he really enjoyed the Hall of Presidents. His ultimate favorite place was Hollywood Studios! He ended up enjoying some things in each park, though. He enjoyed it so much that we will be returning this fall for the Food and Wine Festival!

So basically, if you try to find some of his interests in each park, you should be good to go!

 

[canopynut66]

years ago my sister and Mother went with me and my DBL was never going to go to Disney so we let him stay home and pout. so the next year we all started planing and he said OK he going to "try" it.. well now our 65th trip will be Oct 28 to Nov 8 and we can't get rid of him. help please!!!!!!

 

[SamSam]

years ago my sister and Mother went with me and my DBL was never going to go to Disney so we let him stay home and pout. so the next year we all started planing and he said OK he going to "try" it.. well now our 65th trip will be Oct 28 to Nov 8 and we can't get rid of him. help please!!!!!!

 

[Mom&RN]

Make some tee times if he golfs, get some tickets for the movie theater in DTD (AMC I think). My DH loves taking pictures so he gets a day alone to do that--thank goodness being with him taking pictures all day makes me want to double my Wellbutrin. He has recently gotten into guns so my gun loving DH and BIL will rent them one day at a range in Orlando in October when we go. MIL and I will head to the Vera outlet.

There is the ESPN place behind Epcot, Jelly Rolls, boating and fishing, trying out the different bars in the resorts. I love the one just off the lobby at WL.

He can always take a book and read it while watching all the activity and monorails in the CR concourse.

There is a large mall-Florida Mall I believe. They have an M&M World and Apple store in there. Chocolates go with apples, right

Get him a Pass Porter and let him look throught it so he gets an idea of what there is to do.

My DH is as masculine as they come (so is his Brother) and they LOVE WDW.

Oh, that makes me feel better that your DH (Non-DH?) finds plenty to do. I'm thinking my husband will spend a lot of time off property cruising around and it sounds like you DH and BIL found some "manly" things to do - my hubby is also a man's man so thats great! I also think he will enjoy trying out the bars, he's not a big drinker but I think it will be a more "adult" thing for him to do.

Cell phones are a lifesaver when it comes to meeting up again after someone has gone off on his/her own. You can make a loose plan, then call or text each other about when and where to meet up.

Note that texting might work better than calling sometimes, especially when you're at noisy attractions or shows, or if you're in a building that doesn't have great cell phone service (like the Land pavilion at Soarin' -- I can never get my cell phone to work in that building!).

Plus, if you're going to make ADRs because you're meeting up with hubby at dinner, make sure that you make all of your reservations for three people. It's not a big deal to swtich at the last minute from three people down to two, but might be more difficult to add someone at the last minute (go from two to three people).

Whatever you do, have a great time!

Thanks for the tip on the ADRs, I was planning on making them all for 3 and I was concerned that my hubby may "opt out" but when I was talking to him the other day he was excited about the restaurants (well maybe excited is too strong a word ) Now if I can just teach him to text consistently before we go! I'm an obsessive planner so I think that is why this is stressing me out so much. I think I need to just let go and realize that he will find his own things to do and I just need to plan meals at times that it will be easier for him to hook up with us

My husband and I went to WDW in April. Although I absolutely LOVE WDW, my husband LOATHED the trip. He hated for us to even DISCUSS it! He became slightly excited prior to the trip because he would have a break from work. I was really nervous because I have had 6 trips in the past, and I KNEW that it would be slammed packed during that time of year (a week prior to Easter).

To prepare, I tried to find activities that he would like (grown-up stuff) in each park. He really likes movies and historical attractions, and sometimes he enjoys thrill rides. The cool thing about Disney World is that there are plenty of activities for adults in each park. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he actually LOVED Magic Kingdom...he was straight up giddy on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and he really enjoyed the Hall of Presidents. His ultimate favorite place was Hollywood Studios! He ended up enjoying some things in each park, though. He enjoyed it so much that we will be returning this fall for the Food and Wine Festival!

So basically, if you try to find some of his interests in each park, you should be good to go!

My husband really likes history as well and is very interested in the way things work. I was planning on doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour as this is something my son has always wanted to do (but was too young on previous trips) and I think this would really interest my husband.

years ago my sister and Mother went with me and my DBL was never going to go to Disney so we let him stay home and pout. so the next year we all started planing and he said OK he going to "try" it.. well now our 65th trip will be Oct 28 to Nov 8 and we can't get rid of him. help please!!!!!!

Thank you all for the great tips and the reassurance. I have gotten so used to going just myself and DS and we are both park geurillas (sp?) We just love to go, go, go. I think this trip will be different for sure but I am really excited that my husband is coming so I think I need to go into it with a different attitude - we'll have some time to go, go, go and will need to spend some time at a "slower" pace which is more my non-DH style. I graduate from grad school in Dec and will be a Nurse Practitioner so this is my celebration trip. It has been a long journey with endless hard work and my husband is coming along to be supportive and help with the celebration

Oh, by the way does anyone know a good outfit to go on an airboat ride? This is something that my husband told me he wants to do while we're there and I think it would be a fun activity for the whole family.

 

[TavieP]

Oy - this is why I won't take my (hipster, 22-year-old) boyfriend along. He's SUCH a snob about all things Disney, and I'd rather not have him rain on my trip.

My Dad, on the other hand, 74 years old, has been dragged down to WDW at least 25 times, complaining every time, but when he gets there he ALWAYS has fun. YMMV!

 

[Mom&RN]

Oy - this is why I won't take my (hipster, 22-year-old) boyfriend along. He's SUCH a snob about all things Disney, and I'd rather not have him rain on my trip.

My Dad, on the other hand, 74 years old, has been dragged down to WDW at least 25 times, complaining every time, but when he gets there he ALWAYS has fun. YMMV!

TavieP - this is why he usually doesn't come!! One time he came along to FL with us and went to Epcot one day and actually he really enjoyed Innovations and even went on Soarin, Mission Space and TT BUT he is also a snob about all things Disney.... and who wants their parade rained on, right? However, this time there is no choice - we are tagging our Disney trip onto a family vacation and so we are all in it together. I'm really thinking he will end up spending most of his time off on his own doing non-Disney things but we are staying on property and he wants to eat at the TS meals with us so I am just stressing about the logistics of it all... We'll figure it out and maybe he'll find some Disney magic

 

[cindydare]

Something else he might enjoy is the "Around the world on a Segway" tour at EPCOT. I did it in December and had a blast! There is also a Segway tour at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds.

 

[TavieP]

TavieP - this is why he usually doesn't come!! One time he came along to FL with us and went to Epcot one day and actually he really enjoyed Innovations and even went on Soarin, Mission Space and TT BUT he is also a snob about all things Disney.... and who wants their parade rained on, right? However, this time there is no choice - we are tagging our Disney trip onto a family vacation and so we are all in it together. I'm really thinking he will end up spending most of his time off on his own doing non-Disney things but we are staying on property and he wants to eat at the TS meals with us so I am just stressing about the logistics of it all... We'll figure it out and maybe he'll find some Disney magic

I think that if YOU keep having fun that some will rub off. I think that's what happens with my Dad. He may not "get it", but he'll get that everyone else is having fun. That's infectious.

 

[storabelle]

Some have had great success in pointing out the use of hidden mickey's
all over the property! Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Mom&RN]

Something else he might enjoy is the "Around the world on a Segway" tour at EPCOT. I did it in December and had a blast! There is also a Segway tour at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds.

That is a great idea! We also are planning to do either the Keys to the Kingdom tour or the full blown behind the scenes tour that lasts all day and goes to all four parks. My guy is a handy-man so I know he will like the "how things work" aspect of the tour.

I think that if YOU keep having fun that some will rub off. I think that's what happens with my Dad. He may not "get it", but he'll get that everyone else is having fun. That's infectious.

I'm thinking it will also really help that my now teenage DS loves WDW so much, that will hopefully rub off on my husband as well.

Some have had great success in pointing out the use of hidden mickey's
all over the property! Have a wonderful trip!!!

My son got really into hidden mickeys a couple of trips ago, so that might be something the two of them can do together as well.

Thank you all for the great advice!

 

[Butterbunkins]

When DH and I were dating I tried to convince him he would love WDW as much as my family did. He was not convinced. One year my parents offered to let us use their DVC and it took THEM talking to him for him to say yes. He started to get more of an open mind but still told me that this would probably be his only trip.

Well he fell in love right away! And as soon as we got back he started talking about when we could go again. Then we got engaged and planned a wedding and a few Disney things in the wedding (like the cake topper in my avatar) and honeymooned at Disney. We are going again this year and he’s so excited now. My family sucked him in and now he’s one of us.

Also my brother liked WDW as a kid but like many teenagers reached a certain age and wasn’t into it anymore. My parents go a lot and they invite us on some of their trips. It wasn’t until his late 20s that he gave it another try and now he is back in love with WDW.

I’m sorry that I don’t have advice for you, just some hope that maybe he’ll change his mind once he’s there especially since its first trip!

 

[HollyEpcot]

Wishing you the best of luck! My DH was so anti-Disney before our 1st family trip. And I made myself crazy worrying about it. And now we are planning our 3rd Disne family trip... so it all worked out!

But, just in case-

Do not go Commando while DH is around- save that for the times that he is off on his own.

In addition to Disney Quest, there are other male-type things at DTD- they have boat rentals, etc.

If you are on the meal plan, definitely try to visit some of the higher-end, best table service restaurants.

Don't do ANY character meals with DH (ditto for Character meet & greets)

If the weather will be hot, schedule hotel pool time or visit one of the Disney water parks.

Make sure to spend 1-2 days at Epcot- it is not as overwhelmingly Disney for a newbie

 

[DisLis]

My DH is not as big a fan, but he did find that he likes WDW. Just be aware that sometimes we go so far out of our way to try to make someone else happy that no one is happy in the end. My recommendation is that you do not waste too much energy trying to make the trip different to please him. Plan as you would if he were not along, communicate the plans to him and be flexible if he wants to opt out of some of the activities , return to the hotel early, etc. This is not to say you should not plan something special that you think he would particularly enjoy. Just make sure you are doing all the things you want to do and be willing to go your separate ways at times.