Suggestions for getting DH happy about going to WDW

[airplane]

My parents have offered to treat my hubby and I to 4 days at WDW. My DH is not crazy about going. (I know I can't believe it either).
He actually asked me yesterday if there was a spectator pass. He does not like rides and he hates standing in lines. He feels bad about paying so much for the tkts when he doesn't want to go on the rides.
I have already told him he can sleep in late and just meet me at the parks and I made ressies for him to play golf one day. I tried to get him to look at restaraunt menus but he was not interested. I made ADR's specifically keeping his likes in mind. He is looking forward to going to Jelly Rolls and cruising around EPCOT.
This is the problem: We went 2 years ago w/ my parents and it was his first time, (we are all WDW veterans). We were up early every day and out late every night so he was exhausted which is not his ideal vacation.
SO can you please give me some ideas on how to get him excited for the trip?
TIA

 

[jswalker1981]

I know that I was getting tired of WDW a few years ago, but then one day I was watching a show on it, and they mentioned Hidden Mickeys, and now I am huge WDW fanatic! It opened up my eyes to the details that are in every bit of WDW. When you start to notice the details, it shows that there is more to WDW then just rides and shows. Maybe if he was aware of things like that, it would excite him more. It really depends on how your husband is like.

 

[airplane]

Thank you! That is a great idea and I have that book.

 

[Jynohn]

I used to be in the same boat. My DH didn't HATE Disney, but he didn't really see the big deal about it and used to just tolerate it for my sake. I think the key to him finally enjoying it was when we learned to slow down and not spend our entire vacation running around trying to fit everything in.

We started trying a lot of the sit down restaurants, spending the time for a nice leisurely meal instead of gulping down some chicken strips so we could head on over to the "next" thing. Remember, the key to a man's heart is through his stomach! We also planned days to sit by the pool and relax or to check out some of the other hotels. DH really enjoys fishing, so I signed him up for a fishing excursion, which he loved. Since we've been so often now, we don't feel like we need to go on every ride each trip, and if there's a long line for something, we skip it, knowing that if we miss it this time around, there'll always be the next trip...

Our vacations have become so much more relaxed now, and for the first time, DH actually said to me a few months ago, "why don't you look up airfares and see how expensive it would be to book a quick trip to WDW?" I also caught him listening to the Off Kilter CD I bought him several times because he told me it "reminds me of Disney." And he also asked me when we were going to add more points to our DVC membership! Looks like I have a convert!

 

[missymagic]

Have you ever done any of the tours offered? The underground tunnels and working mechanisms of how MK really runs would work for most men. Just a thought.

 

[scoolover]

It sounds as if you are on the right track in trying to find alternatives for him if he really does not like rides. Letting hin sleep in at Disney -- you must really like him. I wish I could help come up with ideas. I like the utility tour idea because he will learn stuff that you don't know and will want to impress you with his knowledge. Good luck

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Pick up a copy of The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom. And depending on when you're going, The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot is supposed to come out June 1st. You can get both thru Amazon.

The book is full of little details about the park.

Did you know the botanical name of the Swiss Family Treehouse is Disneyodendron eximus (Out -of-the-Ordinary Disney Tree) and that Big Al from the Country Bear Jamboree is a caricature of Imagineer Al Bertino?

 

[MickeynMinnie]

I know that I was getting tired of WDW a few years ago, but then one day I was watching a show on it, and they mentioned Hidden Mickeys, and now I am huge WDW fanatic! It opened up my eyes to the details that are in every bit of WDW. When you start to notice the details, it shows that there is more to WDW then just rides and shows. Maybe if he was aware of things like that, it would excite him more. It really depends on how your husband is like.

We did the Hidden Mickeys too!!!! It makes the time in the lines go bu so much faster!!! i will post pics of the book and some of the hidden mickeys.. to give you an idea of what you are looking for.. when i get home!! !!

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

My DH perks up everytime we are near the R&C pub for a quick "dessert." AKA Black-n-Tan. Silly me, I think dessert is school bread in Norway. We ensure DH gets a few international beers each WDW trip and that helps. Beware the sake in Japan. DH tried to keep up with my dad one year - the repercussions were impressive...

 

[SnackyStacky]

My parents have offered to treat my hubby and I to 4 days at WDW. My DH is not crazy about going. (I know I can't believe it either).
He actually asked me yesterday if there was a spectator pass. He does not like rides and he hates standing in lines. He feels bad about paying so much for the tkts when he doesn't want to go on the rides.
I have already told him he can sleep in late and just meet me at the parks and I made ressies for him to play golf one day. I tried to get him to look at restaraunt menus but he was not interested. I made ADR's specifically keeping his likes in mind. He is looking forward to going to Jelly Rolls and cruising around EPCOT.
This is the problem: We went 2 years ago w/ my parents and it was his first time, (we are all WDW veterans). We were up early every day and out late every night so he was exhausted which is not his ideal vacation.
SO can you please give me some ideas on how to get him excited for the trip?
TIA

Ask him what his ideal vacation is. Then, work that into a Disney Trip. There's really not much that can't be done within Walt Disney World. Just start out by saying "I know you're not too excited about Disney World, so I was just wondering what you'd like to do on you vacation?" And go from there.

I have a feeling other posters are on to something when they say to make sure you just don't run around from park to park. Go slower, and do fewer rides to keep him happy.

 

[AtlMom]

There are lots of things that might get him excited, depending on his interests. Not that he's an alcoholic, but my hubby was certainly excited about the variety of different drinks available in Epcot, etc! If your budget allows, there is always the Richard Petty Speedway for a ride in a race car. Doesn't Downtown Disney have a cigar store?? I know my DH would be excited about that! There's Disneyquest for the computer/video gamers. Oh, and if you can manage it, a side trip to Kennedy Space Center. That was a big highlight for my guys, big and small! My DH also enjoys seeing the different resorts and sampling the restaurants there. Tours are also great. I took him on the "Magic of the Steam Trains" Tour a few years ago, and although it was early in the morning, he still loved it!

 

[Lil ole moi]

My parents have offered to treat my hubby and I to 4 days at WDW. My DH is not crazy about going. (I know I can't believe it either).
He actually asked me yesterday if there was a spectator pass. He does not like rides and he hates standing in lines. He feels bad about paying so much for the tkts when he doesn't want to go on the rides.
I have already told him he can sleep in late and just meet me at the parks and I made ressies for him to play golf one day. I tried to get him to look at restaraunt menus but he was not interested. I made ADR's specifically keeping his likes in mind. He is looking forward to going to Jelly Rolls and cruising around EPCOT.
This is the problem: We went 2 years ago w/ my parents and it was his first time, (we are all WDW veterans). We were up early every day and out late every night so he was exhausted which is not his ideal vacation.
SO can you please give me some ideas on how to get him excited for the trip?
TIA

How about the Segway lesson and tour. You know what they say about "boys and their toys"!

 

[David R]

A segway tour would be a good idea indeed!

Round of golf.
A water park where he can relax.
Pleasure Island at night.
Dinner show (Spirit of Aloha maybe?)

 

[jswalker1981]

There are lots of things that might get him excited, depending on his interests. Not that he's an alcoholic, but my hubby was certainly excited about the variety of different drinks available in Epcot, etc!

Can someone explain this one to me? I am going to Epcot on Saturday with my girlfriend and another couple. I am sure that myself and Dan wouldn't mind doing something like this, as we are going to walk around the world showcase.