Please Help me Make this Magic Happen...

[capecodprincess]

Hi All!! I have a kind of unique (at least I think it is ) situation and I'm hoping that all of you could give me some ideas.

So here's the story. When I was with my ex our relationship was all Disney. We were both DIS board members (I've since opened a new account) and we both went to WDW together at least once per year sometimes too. Any time a Disney movie was released in theaters we were there opening day. Our love of Disney was the best part of the relationship.

Well, I now have a new husband who I love more then anything. I have been avoiding everything Disney to try to seperate myself from my old life, but I can't anymore. Disney is part of me and it is something I can't hide. He knows about my love for Disney and has suggested that we go this year to WDW for my birthday and our 2nd anniversary (1st week of Dec.). The problem is, he doesn't "get it". He has only been in this country 5 years and grew up in a 3rd world country with no television let alone Disney, so he doesn't have the nostalgic connection to Disney that almost all of us.

Any way, short story long....

I want to make this trip to WDW, his first trip, absolutely amazing. I'm thinking I will do DxDP because he has never enjoyed any kind of "fine dining" so it would be fun to let him just "go crazy" with eating and not feel guilty. (He still sort of has a 3rd world mentality about the value of money and food.) But we are still on sort of a budget, I just don't want to blow a million dollars. So I am trying to be what would be a better experience to really wow him. My toss up right now is a 10 day in a value or mod. (if mod I'd prob choose CSR b/c I like the 2 qns instead of 2 dbls) or a 5 day in a delx (either poly or AKL). And I want some ideas for special "extras" that you all might be able to think of. I really want this trip to suck him in so that its easier for me to be obsessed and get back to my regular trips ! I love me some wdw and I just really want and/or need him to feel the same way lol

Thanks in advanced for any ideas. I really appreciate it!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Hi All!! I have a kind of unique (at least I think it is ) situation and I'm hoping that all of you could give me some ideas.

So here's the story. When I was with my ex our relationship was all Disney. We were both DIS board members (I've since opened a new account) and we both went to WDW together at least once per year sometimes too. Any time a Disney movie was released in theaters we were there opening day. Our love of Disney was the best part of the relationship.

Well, I now have a new husband who I love more then anything. I have been avoiding everything Disney to try to seperate myself from my old life, but I can't anymore. Disney is part of me and it is something I can't hide. He knows about my love for Disney and has suggested that we go this year to WDW for my birthday and our 2nd anniversary (1st week of Dec.). The problem is, he doesn't "get it". He has only been in this country 5 years and grew up in a 3rd world country with no television let alone Disney, so he doesn't have the nostalgic connection to Disney that almost all of us.

Any way, short story long....

I want to make this trip to WDW, his first trip, absolutely amazing. I'm thinking I will do DxDP because he has never enjoyed any kind of "fine dining" so it would be fun to let him just "go crazy" with eating and not feel guilty. (He still sort of has a 3rd world mentality about the value of money and food.) But we are still on sort of a budget, I just don't want to blow a million dollars. So I am trying to be what would be a better experience to really wow him. My toss up right now is a 10 day in a value or mod. (if mod I'd prob choose CSR b/c I like the 2 qns instead of 2 dbls) or a 5 day in a delx (either poly or AKL). And I want some ideas for special "extras" that you all might be able to think of. I really want this trip to suck him in so that its easier for me to be obsessed and get back to my regular trips ! I love me some wdw and I just really want and/or need him to feel the same way lol

Thanks in advanced for any ideas. I really appreciate it!

Wow! Congrats on finding happiness! If it were me, I would do CSR b/c it is so romantic, but more budget friendly. My hubby slept under the stars one night in a hammock and he said it was magical. Of course it was b/c he got locked out and I was sick, so he didn't want to wake me up, but even though I protest and tell him he should have woken me, he says it was so great he didn't mind. Maybe DxDP would be good too. Like you said, he is not used to that. I think maybe if you find a gorgeous place to watch fireworks, or maybe do a behind the scenes tour or something, he will really enjoy himself. I have a feeling that no matter what you decide on, he will love it, especially if he sees how happy it makes you to be there again. Magic Kingdom's evening EMH is magical for us. We really fell in love with MK during that time. I hadn't realized how wonderful it is until we did the park late. Like I said, I am sure he will love it. I am in the situation where my hubby and I love WDW, but we have 5 kids, and don't know how to take a trip without them. We are going on a family trip this October, but are going to take our first cruise together in May and stay at WDW for a couple days, both without kids. For the first time ever, I have to think about what adults do at Disney! I am excited though. We are debating between Animal Kingdom Lodge and Port Orleans French Quarter with a river view with DxDP. We enjoy talking about all the fun opportunities to do grown up things together and dress up for our cruise. We are still pretty young, I am 34 and he is 36, so we are super excited to be taking a 15 years late honeymoon! How fun for you to plan this new stage of your life. It will be wonderful, and you will create so many new memories with your husband, so WDW won't have the hold on you in the same way it used to. Congratulations on moving forward!

 

[capecodprincess]

Thank you very much! It is a really big step to go back to Disney. My first trip to Disney was with my ex, we got engaged there, my family's (mom, dad, sis) first trip was with my ex. We had a lot of great memories. So I am excited for a fun, new adventure to make new memories with the man I love.

As far as EMH at MK. I will never forget my first night ever in the parks, I went to MK for EMH, Wishes was just about to start but I had no clue about it. So we went to BTMR and got on, no line of course b/c everyone is waiting for the fireworks. We were able to ride about 50 times without ever getting off, the whole time watching Wishes every time the train was above ground.

As far as for you and your husband, I thinked I'd go with POFQ. As amazing as AKL is, the savannah view is expensive. POFQ is small and intimate and the last time I was there, there were almost no kids around (I know that sounds terrible since its Disney... but since you are on a trip without your kids for the first time in a long time, it is nice not to have to listen to some other parent yell at junior)... I think they don't stay at POFQ because it is a smaller hotel and the pool isn't as amazing as some of the others.

Do you know if they still do the Wishes dessert party? That was something I've always wanted to do but never have.... Also, does anyone know any Nepali or Indian restaurants close to Downtown Disney? Not sure I can get him to go 10 days without "his" food.

 

[ToddyLu]

I think your trip sounds great and romantic. You could always stay at POFQ (which I have stayed at and loved). Then take him to AKL one evening. There is a drum cafe with children beating drums--and yes, adults can too, ask me how I know.... You can watch the animals with night vision googles. After the drum cafe you can hear one of the CMs from Africa talk about their country and there is also story time outside by the firepit off the main lobby. This would be at Kidani. Some of the resorts show movies around the pool at night.

I was 34 on my first trip to WDW. DH is still deaf in his left ear from me screaming, "It's the real castle, it's the real castle!!!". The bruises to his arm finally went away after me yanking on it, too. All he could do was smile. I had waited what seemed like a lifetime for that trip. Now he has created a monster and we own DVC and are starting to go twice a year.

Just remember WDW can be overwhelming. Take him around at his pace and if he gets tired, just agree and go back with him to the room. My DH loves to take pictures and standing around with him while he does that is excrutiating for me. So he does it alone for one day out of the trip. I am not saying leave him somewhere--just help him see parts of Disney he might like. Maybe it is foreign beer, golf or swimming. Just make time for it, and even if he doesn't "get" Disney he will have had a fantastic vacation.

 

[ToddyLu]

And by ALL MEANS NECESSARY...take him to DHS for Osborn Lights before they turn on...have him look up the street from the town square area near the manger scene.....when they turn on those lights the first time....priceless. I have seen lots of things in my 43 years, but that was one of the top five. You have to see them turn on or it doesn't have the same effect.

Also Devine at AK only comes out several times a day---I don't know why I am explaining these things to a Disney veteran but humor me.

She is my mother's favorite and is one of the reasons she agrees to go with us.

I would also leave a couple of guide books around the house--he may just pick one up and that will peek his interest.

Please tell us how the trip goes.

Oh! And don't forget the First Timers pin.

 

[Alesia]

My only real piece of advice is to try to plan the trip that he will enjoy, not the one that you want him to enjoy.

I think it's really easy for those of us who love WDW to get wrapped up in what the perfect trip should be, and we forget that other people have a different idea of "perfect."

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Thank you very much! It is a really big step to go back to Disney. My first trip to Disney was with my ex, we got engaged there, my family's (mom, dad, sis) first trip was with my ex. We had a lot of great memories. So I am excited for a fun, new adventure to make new memories with the man I love.

As far as EMH at MK. I will never forget my first night ever in the parks, I went to MK for EMH, Wishes was just about to start but I had no clue about it. So we went to BTMR and got on, no line of course b/c everyone is waiting for the fireworks. We were able to ride about 50 times without ever getting off, the whole time watching Wishes every time the train was above ground.

As far as for you and your husband, I thinked I'd go with POFQ. As amazing as AKL is, the savannah view is expensive. POFQ is small and intimate and the last time I was there, there were almost no kids around (I know that sounds terrible since its Disney... but since you are on a trip without your kids for the first time in a long time, it is nice not to have to listen to some other parent yell at junior)... I think they don't stay at POFQ because it is a smaller hotel and the pool isn't as amazing as some of the others.

Do you know if they still do the Wishes dessert party? That was something I've always wanted to do but never have.... Also, does anyone know any Nepali or Indian restaurants close to Downtown Disney? Not sure I can get him to go 10 days without "his" food.

We're staying at POFQ this October, so we will be able to experience it firsthand and make our decision. I am leaning more towards that than AK. I told hubby that we have many years to take trips to WDW, so when the kids are a little older we can go and stay at AK. Right now I don't think it is a necessary expense!

I don't know about the wishes dessert party for sure, but I am pretty sure they do it still. I think I read a post on it recently.

I hope you guys have a blast!!!

And by ALL MEANS NECESSARY...take him to DHS for Osborn Lights before they turn on...have him look up the street from the town square area near the manger scene.....when they turn on those lights the first time....priceless. I have seen lots of things in my 43 years, but that was one of the top five. You have to see them turn on or it doesn't have the same effect.

Also Devine at AK only comes out several times a day---I don't know why I am explaining these things to a Disney veteran but humor me.

She is my mother's favorite and is one of the reasons she agrees to go with us.

I would also leave a couple of guide books around the house--he may just pick one up and that will peek his interest.

Please tell us how the trip goes.

Oh! And don't forget the First Timers pin.

Any idea what time they do that? I won't be there around that time till probably next year, but I would like to know as much as I can!

 

[capecodprincess]

My only real piece of advice is to try to plan the trip that he will enjoy, not the one that you want him to enjoy.

I think it's really easy for those of us who love WDW to get wrapped up in what the perfect trip should be, and we forget that other people have a different idea of "perfect."

This is suchhh a great point.... I'm soo easily caught up in well... planning (yes, I am one of those that wakes up at 5 in the morning day ADRs open and books an ADR for break, lunch and dinner, carries a perfectly planned and organized printed and laminated pocketsized copy of my excel spreadsheets with all adr times and res #s just in case... and takes photos of room keys and photo passes the moment they enter my hand)
... So I'm sure that it wouldn't be past me to over plan this one and ruin it since I'm so excited...
Something like... honey, please purchase depends in order to elimate the need to go to a bathroom when you need to go (oh, and you CAN hold it until excactly 11:49am when we pass by the futureland bathrooms )

For the one who recommended own pacing for the hubby, I am a lucky woman in that dept. I'm a "fat", lazy American who considers my trip to Disney my biggest workout of the year. However, he used to have to walk 3 hrs to school and 3 hrs home every day in his country through the mountains and has had to carry loads of rice and entire bamboo trees. So lucky as far as stamina goes, I have tested him on our honeymoon in Miami and rest assured he can endure allllllll the tiredness of Disney and I don't even have to spend my dining plan snack points on a coffee!

Ideas like these are what I'm really looking for though, I was especially a fan of the one about AKL and the Osbourne lights... I remember how beautiful they were when I saw them a few years ago ... and even though I come from a place where it snows all the time, there is something extra magical about it "snowing" right there in Disney

One thing I will say (although I think it gets rid of 2 great hotels), is if possible without ruining some of the goodness, I think I'd like to try to avoid the hotels I stayed at with my ex these being Pop, POFQ, CSR and FW Cabins. Although, I do keep leaning back at POFQ and CSR because I think they are the most romantic mods (hence why I picked them in the first place). What are opinions about CBR anybody stayed there and loved or hated it? I also don't want to over do it with an over themed room like the pirates rooms at CBR... I don't think that the Nemo rooms were done so drastically, am I right?