What Attractions Do Men Enjoy?

[DCSingle]

Planning a May trip for the extended family. Group will include the grandparents (late fifties), Mom, Dad and Aunt (thirtysomethings), a 3 1/2 and 13 month old. Plan to vist MK and MGM with two non-park days. On one of the non-park days men will golf and women will water park. The females of the group love all things Disney and will no doubt have fun no matter what we do, but am concerned about keeping Grandpa and Dad happy at MK and MGM and on the other non-park day.

Any suggestions about what 36 and 57 year old males might particularly enjoy? Neither are very susceptible to Disney magic, can't stand waiting and don't enjoy swimming. Don't mean to sound negative, I'm sure we'll all enjoy the trip, just looking for a few suggestions on what might be especially fun for the men. Thanks!

 

[GlennandAnn]

Hi, DCSingle, and welcome to the DIS!

There are a few suggestions for the men in your party. Do they like golf? There is plenty of golf at WDW. Or fishing? They could book fishing trips at WDW too. What about eating? There is a lot of food around WDW!

Ann

 

[cmonroe]

They don't like the magic and don't like swimming.... I'm sure there's something to do, but that's a tuffy! How about starting with what their interests are? Then we may be able to point you to something.

 

[WDWguru]

I don't know what their interest level is, or your budget, but you might consider the Richard Petty racing experience! I can't think of many men who wouldn't enjoy that.

Don't forget little things, like ducking into SciFi Dine-In or the 50s PrimeTime Cafe at MGM... grandpa might especially appreciate those. Even if you don't eat there, it might be fun to peek in and see the cars or to have a drink at "dad's bar" at the diner. If they're into rides, DH loves ToT and RnR, and of course Star Tours. At MK his favorites are BTMRR and Splash.

If all else fails, find the Jasmine meet-and-greet area and find them a nice bench.

 

[whjoyjr]

Who happens to love Disney, I'll share...

First off, it's not Disney, but the joy and hapiness we share as a family that makes me get up, make the PS arrangements for Cindy's and Illuminations.

I enjoy watching my kids experience new things at Disney, meeting characters, riding rides, eating out.

My suggestion, have the men take the kids to the parks as a "special" day, just them.

Ride Tomorrowland Speedway
Ride in the front of a monorail
Do Buzz Lightyear
Visit the "Partners" statue and talk about their lives...
Go fishing on Bay Lake
Rent a pontoon boat and cruise around for an hour or 2.
Go to the Hall of Presidents and talk about the history of our nation, and what role you played...
Go to American Adventure and talk about the sacrifices made by those who came before us...
Watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly.

Make a memory that your child / grandchild can look fondly back on when you are gone. Then they can share the story of when you took them to WDW when they take their children to WDW...

 

[Nebsky]

Golf is HUGE!!!
Im a 33yr old male and if I could afford it, I would golf every day there.

Petty Driving would be fun, but thats even more than a couple rounds of golf.

If I had to choose for those two ages a park for them to go to....It would be Epcot.

 

[FatCow]

Top Disney Attraction loop at WDW resort hosted by Krista

 

[Bill From PA]

I do enjoy the rides at the advanced age of 53, but when not doing them I enjoy a cold one at Big River Brew Co. and ESPN Club, both at the BoardWalk, or a little Pub Crawl at Epcot, starting out right below!

Bill From PA

 

[Kimberle]

My dh loves to rent the water mice!

 

[Leigha]

ESPN Club!

 

[cworld]

Disneyquest!

 

[Deb & Bill]

How about Wide World of Sports? Maybe there will be some minor league games being played about that time.

Anyway, don't write them off so quickly. We took my MIL and FIL a few years ago. This man was a high level executive (retired) accountant. We were sure that he was not going to have any fun at all. He really surprised me!. He wanted to get going every morning to hit the parks. He and my MIL had a wonderful time.

If you are Catholic, your family members might want to drop by the Shrine for a visit.

If you are staying on site, hit the Extra Magic Hour in the AM to avoid standing in line very often.

And try to get them to a Princess breakfast somewhere. Grown men love to see these delicate little princesses.

 

[Micca]

I'm a male right between the ages of your two guys, but I love everything about WDW. I will ride on Small World, go in the Snow White ride, all of it...but PLEASE don't put me on the Tomorrowland speedway. That thing stanks

 

[TDC Nala]

Ariel, Jasmine and the maid at the Adventurers Club.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Don't forget the rides. My DH, at the "advanced" age of 50, almost 51, YIKES!!!, loves TOT, it's his favorite and I think he'd ride it over and over again. In fact DH and DS like Fantasmic, only for the reason that they can ride RNR and TOT over and over with no lines while the rest of the world is watching the show. But then he also did Top Thrill Dragster with DS last summer at Cedar Point. (at the advanced age of 50!!! LOL) They waited extra so they could ride the front row!!! YIKES!!!

At Magic Kingdom his favorite (and mine) is Splash Mountain. He also just loves doing stuff with us and puts up with my "nostalgia". I agree with Deb & Bill, they might surprise you, especially with grandchildren around, how special!!!

He also liked the Big River Grille and Brewing Co. in December and we always stop in at the ESPN Club each time, DS's and DH like that. In December we were able to catch 1/2 of the Green Bay Packer game. (We tried to stretch our lunch out as long as possible!!) They always seem to have something interesting for the guys going on there.

He's not a real "emotionally magic" person, but loves Disney and we always seem to "fill" the hours together and have tons of fun doing it. BTW, my MIL did TOT at age 80 and had a blast!!!

 

[Harambe]

The luau at the Poly! Lots of lovely hula dancers (and some hunky fire dancers for you!), decent food, and tropical drinks all in a wonderful relaxing setting.

 

[CarolMN]

My DH (58) especially enjoys:

JellyRolls (dueling piano bar on the Boardwalk),

Comedy Club and Adventurers' Club on Pleasure Island,

Buzz Lightyear

all the 3/4D shows (Muppets, It's Tough to Be a Bug, Honey I Shrunk the Audience & probably Mickey's Philharmagic when he sees it)

Illuminations (and probably WISHES, when he sees it)

Safari at AK

Many of the live shows such as Lion King & Indiana Jones stunt spectacular. Really liked Hunchback (but that's gone , now, darn)

mini-golf anywhere

ESPN

Off Kilter and British invasion (bands that play in Canada and England - EPCOT, WORLD Showcase)

many of the live entertainment acts in EPCOT such as acrobats in China, drummers in Japan, etc.

Lots of things. If they don't have good time, it will be their own fault!!!!!

 

[Eeyore2003]

For some reason I thought of your post last night and realized that the "guys" in our two parties for our next trip are about the same age. My brother is 36 and my DH is 50. (well, I guess he's a little younger than your Dad ) Anyway, I really never thought that they would really even want to do anything other than what we're all doing.

Did "they" express the opinion that they'd be bored??? You do already have a "boy/girl" day where you'll each being doing something special for the "sexes".

I'd just plan a little somthing in the day for each of you. Like make lunch the ESPN Club one day. That's what I usually do. Personally, I might be wrong, but you sound like a very nice family, and I'll bet the most fun you're all going to have is watching the antics and reactions of those two little ones. I KNOW that's what "I'M" most excited about for my next trip, is doing this with my neice and nephew!!!

As for the lines. Take suggestions from the wonderful people here on the boards. It's invaluable. Don't stand in the long lines. You certainly don't want the two little ones to only remember long lines and heat.

That's exactly what happens. I've been there and done that, and if mine were that little again, I'd just enjoy the little things with them and not worry about big rides etc. Characters, jumping fountains to run through, just the magical atmosphere, get in some rides early before lines and then use FP and plan to get in only what you have time for without lines.

Make your priority list including something for everyone, but mostly stuff for the kids. It will make not only the men happy, but your two little ones too. And you already said the ladies will be happy no matter what you do. Personally, I think the ladies would be most happy without whiny kids and men!!! LOL

We also went when we were in our 30's and in-laws in early 60's and we all did everything together and had a blast!!! There was one exception, on the last day, we had reservations at Cindy's and my FIL and MIL decided to eat a second time at the Diamond Horseshoe in MK, while we ate at the castle. They loved the show the first time we saw it and wanted to do it again, especially my FIL.

They really might surprise you. One mistake I tend to make ALLOT when we take other people with us, is worrying and fretting so much about THEIR time at Disney World, that I forget to have a great time myself. I'm already doing that for July and you've reminded me that I gotta calm down and have fun too. Thanks, there's allot of good suggestions here of things you could fit into your day for them, ask them if they'd like to do any of them. I'll bet you all would enjoy them too.

 

[hockey mom]

Areils grotto for autographs and pictures. My DH always volunteers to take the kids here....I wonder why?

 

[edcrbnsoul]

Standing at the bottom of the Humunga Cowabunga at typhoon Lagoon :happy2: