Taking 40+ gay man on first trip to Disney

[Yenfid]

Okay, we have decided to go to Disney World in October of 2010. I know over a year away, but we need to save money to do this.

Anyway, I have a few questions. I have been there many times. My last visit was back in 2004, and I know things have changed, but I am taking with me my Partner. He is a 40+ gay man who has never been to Disney and is not a big Disney fan. What would you suggest I show him and rides to take him on so he enjoys himself? He is a thrill ride person and does not like spiny rides. I know we will hit the Mt's at the Magic Kingdom, Star Tours, Toy Story Mania, R n R, and Tower at the Studios, Test Track and maybe Space at Epcot, and Dino, and the Mt at AK, but what else should we do? Yes I plan on taking him on HM and JC and Buzz and all the 3-d Movies.

I am just trying to make this as enjoyable for him as it is for me with out killing him on all of Disney at once. He did say he wants to do a character breakfast. In fact the Character meet and greet seems to be the only thing that he seems interested in. I guess it's the photo op he is excited about, oh and he wants to see the fireworks of Wishes and Illuminations.

I know I rambled so any help would be great. We are planning to stay at a value resort, All Star Music. We are not sports fans and movies just might be too much for him.

Thanks :shrug:

 

[DisneyChik17]

He seems to be pretty open about things, from what you say.

I would suggest that on your first day in the park, go to MK. Book the Crystal Palace character breakfast with Pooh & friends. I really think that this will set a good tone for the trip. If you book it for before the park opens will will get a semi-private viewing of the castle and Main St. He will love it!

I cannot wait to hear about your trip, in the planning stages and once it happens. I know it will be magical!

 

[kitten2299]

It sounds like you have the perfect plan! I would suggest that if you think hes getting Disney overkill plan to have a nice romantic dinner at Coral Reef or another place that you really like. Just go at his pace if he seems to of had enough suggest walking around some of the resorts. No matter what I am sure you two will have a wonderful trip!

 

[urbanvegan]

I have always found that time at Epcot is a good way to break first timers in. There is a lot to explore and enjoy without being too "amusement park-y" and it just kind of has a different pace than the rest of the parks. The dining can't be beat! Definitely do your character meal somewhere else though. I think Chef Mickey's might be a great choice, since all the characters there are well-known and it's nice to have out-of-the-parks dining experiences.

Have a great trip! :wave:

 

[Shimmer73083]

I am in to the Character Meet and Greets, too. My GF and I love Disney. She wasn't so sure about it at first though either.

Have you checked out Pop Century as a possible place for you to stay? It has all kinds of icons from the last few decades and we really enjoy the blast from the past. He may enjoy that, plus, Pop Century has its own bus to the parks. I believe the other Value resorts share stops.

Definitely do Crystal Palace - the food is good, if you go early enough, you get in the MK earlier, and it's a nice overall experience.

My GF and I also loved the California Grill in the Contemporary and the Brown Derby in DHS for other food recommendations.

Other attractions - try out a few shows like Fantasmic, the America show in the Epcot pavilion, and Mickey's Philarmagic show in MK. Soarin' is a must for us everytime (no characters are in this attraction so it's not so cheesy) and also the Norway ride in Epcot.

Mostly, enjoy your time their together and just take in the sights and sounds and scenery of Disney. I got my GF hooked and we are going back for the fourth time in September!!! She's a thrill ride person, too.

 

[maelstrom]

Well, first of all, I reckon him being gay will have no effect on the outcome of your trip, lol.

People ask questions like this all the time, and you know what, I think the best thing to do is just bring the person to WDW, show them around, and let them experience it for themselves. You can't tell someone how emotional Wishes or Spectro Magic is; they have to see it for themselves and learn it on their own.

I can't wait to show my fiance around WDW someday. He hasn't been there since he was a little kid, and he's not a huge Disney fan, but I'm hoping that my love of it will rub off on him and he'll start to understand why it's such an important place to me. Then, maybe, he won't make fun of me in the car when Spectro Magic comes on and I tear up.

 

[sleepybear]

I was worried about this five years ago when I practically dragged my boyfriend to WDW with me. I shouldn't have been. He loved it and now likes to go every year, although he's nowhere near the Disney fanatic I am. So, based on my experience, here are some suggestions:

-- If you can afford it, try to stay at a Deluxe resort. We love returning from a day in the parks to a larger room with a balcony and a lounge and a nice restaurant. I recommend Animal Kingdom Lodge, because the decor and the animals just give it that much more of a "wow" factor.

-- And speaking of resorts, don't be afraid to eat at a resort even if you're not staying there. Jiko and Artist Point are two of our favorites. They're relaxing and classy without being stuffy.

-- Go to Downtown Disney. Shop, eat, take in a movie or even La Nouba.

-- Be sure to take him on attractions that can't be found at any other theme park, like the safari at AK and Soarin' at Epcot. He'll see quickly see that a Disney park isn't like other parks.

-- Since you'll be going in Oct., definitely sample the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. We did it on my boyfriend's first trip and it impressed the heck out of him.

-- Finally, don't worry so much. If he's open to a character breakfast (you still can't get my boyfriend within twenty feet of a character) then he'll be open to other experiences.

 

[Yenfid]

Thanks for everyones comments. I am just worried he will hate all the stuff I love. The stupid lame stuff. Winnie the Pooh ride, and SW and CBJ and stuff like that.

And let's just say the happy music of disney is not his choice of Music. Epcot does hold a chance for him. The different countries and the shopping and the different feel of the park.

 

[lighteningqueen]

)nce he gets there he won't want to miss anything,not a thing..... Even Pooh we are 54 and love it all and have only been 2 times. Didn't think hubby would get into it as much as I but he did and we don't miss anything... well except Dumbo, feel kinda silly without a kid but Pooh is a must no matter what. How many days are you staying?? Tusker is the best for Breakfast and has the whole bunch Mickey Minnie Donald Daisey Pluto and Goofey. Great pictures there as well and it is in Animal Kingdom. Loved 1900 Park faire for Break and Crystal as well but by far a guy would love Tuskers..Best food for Breakfast of 5 places we went last Dec. Have fun planning it is obsessive...

 

[Yenfid]

I love the planning stage of the trip. It is sooo exciting. We are planning for 5 nights and 6 days. Hope to arrive early and leave late. I also know a morning at a water park is a must. My fav is Blizz Beach. I just hope 6 days is enough. The one thing I want to do is see Cinderelle's Wishing Well. I've been there 6 times and have never seen it. And I am thinking of staying at either All Star Music or Pop Century. I wish I had the $$$$ to stay at Port Orleans, French Quarter. I love that Hotel. We will see where the money is at January and what I can afford.

 

[Atomicmickey]

The WDWToday podcast had an episode on this book:

http://www.queensinthekingdom.com/

It's all about WDW from a gay and lesbian point of view.
On the show, they pointed out that there are several details
and events, and trivia, that are of different interests to
GLBT folks, and this book helps to highlight those.

Look up the episode if you can as well, the authors are
really enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I'd expect their
book to be both informative and entertaining, but I haven't
read it.

Good luck!

 

[Uncle Lupe]

A gay man at Disney? That will never work. :ROFLOL:

 

[lighteningqueen]

Your not being very nice Uncle Lupe. they are very nice people and it bothers me not at all. But, are you sure about the water parks??? It will not leave much time for the parks. We had 7 days the first time and didn't do half of what was there then we did 8 or 9 last time and still didn't get to do alot. Maybe one day 2 water parks???? Also we stayed at Music and Loved it. We had the suites as there were 5 of us then. This time we are going for POP first time I want the 50's section... LOVe the 50's very anxious to go... Did you know tht you can book it with Disney and pay it out whenever you have mooney a bit at a time and then have it paid for 45 days before arriving. If it wern't for that we couldn't go. Saving is like yea right something always comes up and there goes that cash. this way out of site... We are staying at POP for 9 nights and our bill is $838.00 I think that is very fair and then we will add the dining plan in later and tickets...

 

[Disney Soldier]

The WDWToday podcast had an episode on this book:

http://www.queensinthekingdom.com/

It's all about WDW from a gay and lesbian point of view.
On the show, they pointed out that there are several details
and events, and trivia, that are of different interests to
GLBT folks, and this book helps to highlight those.

Look up the episode if you can as well, the authors are
really enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I'd expect their
book to be both informative and entertaining, but I haven't
read it.

Good luck!

I am not trying to argue the gay thing with this response, that's your choice if you choose. How is it that gays can have a different "view" of Disney?

Anyway, back to the OP. I was wanting to ask, why don't you go to AK? Is that not a park that you like? It's an easy day and you end early enough if you choose you can go to another park or a great dinner after. A couple of thrill rides, the safari, and some good shows.

 

[foreverbelle]

When I took my husband to Disney for our honeymoon back in 06' he was anti Disney. I was so nervous about actually taking him there because I didn't exactly know if he would love it as much as I would. I started out in Epcot, because I figured it would show him the 'grownup' side of Disney. I also took him to the non traditional stuff of Disney, the shows, the little things. I got him into the whole Hidden Mickey thing....

and before I knew it, it was just a much of a fan as I was.

I am sure that no matter what you do, your partner will enjoy your effort and will have a fabulous time with you.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

My post was to be funny, why would being gay make a difference? Not that there is anything wrong with that. Notice the ":ROFLOL:" in my post.

Here is some info before this thread is locked. If you like the meet and greets I have read that the ones at EPCOT can be a better idea. See more characters and smaller crowds.

 

[Atomicmickey]

I am not trying to argue the gay thing with this response, that's your choice if you choose. How is it that gays can have a different "view" of Disney?

Well, if I remember from the podcast, they brought up a few details that they thought would be more appealing to a gay point of view. For the life of me, I can't remember a one of them.:shrug: I'd have to go back and listen again, but it made sense to me at the time, lol.

I guess there's enough stuff to write a whole book about--I haven't read it, but the people who had on the podcast thought it was a fresh and funny
look at the parks.

Just tryin' to help!

 

[Yenfid]

I have taken no offense to anything said.

We are doing all of the parks, and i would like to do a water park in the morning one day. If not then just the pool at the hotel. We might add a 7th day. We can not book until December since this is for next year, 2010. As for liking or not liking AK, that is not the point. I like everything Disney, but out of the 4 parks it is my lease favorite. It has things I like but I have a hard time making a day of it. I am usually there half a day.

I know seeing gay people in the park is not a big deal and believe me we are not people who flaunt it and push it in people's faces either. Though we do have our moments, but then so does everyone else. I have seen married men wearing princess light up crowns as they walk through the park with there kids and wife.

Disney is the only place I know where a Fairy and a Queen can walk down the street together. And I am talking about the Evil Fairy Maleficent and the Evil Queen from Snow White. :lol:

That was a joke.

 

[Disney Soldier]

I remember taking my wife for the first time in 95. We did all the typical stuff and she enjoyed it so much we just kept going back.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I'd say if you're taking more than 40 men anywhere, gay or straight, you should just call a travel agent.