How do you transform a non-believer(of Disney)?

Since1976

Well-Known Member
In my experience, most people enjoy discovering things on their own rather than having others dictate what they might like.

So, I recommend letting the non-believer choose what they want to do, either based on what they see in a guide book or planning video, or even when they first look at the guidemap when they enter the park.
 

tink81

New Member
I have a co-worker whom I am trying to woo into taking his family. For some reason he is just dead set against anything Disney. I think if he went with his kids he would really enjoy it, but then he would have been proven wrong and NO ONE likes to be proven wrong. I say just go to WDW, plan the best vacation you can and hope for the best. If he doesn't enjoy himself, then there is nothing you can do for him. I hope everything works out for you, I was nervous the first time I took my BF, but he seemed to have a great time and we are going back for the 3rd time in Sept.

Suggestion: Does your man like to play golf? BF is playing twice while we are down there and he is really excited about that. Maybe you could play together? I, personally, will be at the pool while BF is on the golf course :animwink:
 

Figment76

Member
In my experience, most people enjoy discovering things on their own rather than having others dictate what they might like.

So, I recommend letting the non-believer choose what they want to do, either based on what they see in a guide book or planning video, or even when they first look at the guidemap when they enter the park.

Very true, Since1976. My plan, once we got there, included pointing stuff out, explaining what it is, and letting him decide if it sounds like something he'd want to do.

tink81: Wasn't sure if your comment was directed at me or OP, but thanks for the good wishes and the idea about the golf. He doesn't play golf, but we're both bikers, so maybe we'll rent a surrey bike since we're staying at BWV. I've got quite a few ideas stored away.
 

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
1: Try to go in the off-season, so there's less people, shorter lines, less stress.

2: Plan the hell out of it, but don't include him on anything, and don't act like you've planned all that much. Make your agenda seem like you're wandering and you just keep finding stuff you want to do. And if you are able to go off-season, you'll get a lot done in the course of the day and it won't look like you're rushing, either. First day my now-fiancee and I went to the MK, we got there bright and early for the rope-drop, expecting it to be a madhouse. But hey, it was late August, most schools were back in session. We rode every ride we wanted to ride (some of them 2x) and a few we didn't plan on riding, within 5 hours, and that was taking time to smell the roses and eat some snacks.

3: If he seems to take interest in anything in the parks, try to do more stuff like that.

4: Make plenty of dinner reservations. If you wind up not using them, no big deal, but this way you can always say "There's this one place I always wanted to eat." Then when you get there, distract him while you confirm with the host(ess) your reservations, so he doesn't know you planned it.

5: If you know about things that interest him that aren't theme park related, but can be done at WDW, set them up. Whether he'd like to ride bikes, play mini golf, REAL golf, parasailing, horse-drawn carriage rides, music, improv comedy, there are plenty of things to do at WDW that could also be done at most regular resorts as well. Don't inundate him with Mickey Mouse right off the bat.

6: At the end of the trip, let him know that you did, indeed, plan out a large chunk of the trip, so he knows to hold on to you.

7: If all else fails, pack some ridiculously hot lingerie for when you get back to your room. If that doesn't make him happy, you're with the wroooong cat, kitten!
 

Disneian

Member
Original Poster
Some great sound advice!!

Thank you for the great advice. I believe I am going to take a little bit from everybody!
 

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
So - I use fire and it bombs. Yodi goes with duct tape and its comedy gold?

Tough room....:lol: :lol: :lol:

I laughed at Yoda's too....
You got to know your audience. For my own personal taste I would have gone a little more "Clockwork Orange".:lookaroun
 

Grim Grinner

New Member
I had a friend who thought very little of Disney, although he enjoyed a decent thrill park now and again. He was a very meticulous individual who would rather build worlds than live in them.

First I took him to Six Flags Great America. Afterall, he needed a comparison- so under the guise of stress relief we enjoyed the coasters- but not the atmosphere.

When our group, the two of us and our respective wives- headed down to WDW I made sure to made the trip as magical as possible.

My friends epiphany came when the two of us sat down in front of the Swiss Family Treehouse, Dole Whips in hand (the wives were in the restroom). While enjoying the perfect dessert, I explained to him that we were actually on the 2nd level of the park. I talked about the infrastructure, the tiny details.

Throughout the day, I would show him the Hidden Mickeys, and explain some of the more subtler jokes and secrets.

Compared to Six Flags, WDW shone brighter than any star. Once we got back home to Illinois, he ended up getting a bunch of movies, and planned another trip in short order.
 

comics101

Well-Known Member
There are those who are determined to dislike Disney and those that are just not familiar (in the unconverted ranks). For those that want to dis it, I don't waste my time trying to "convert" them...let them wallow in their ignorance. For those that just don't know WDW, as others have said, take it slow, start the vacation light on the parks and more into other resort activities. Ease in, leaving a visit to MK until later, so that they see it is just a bit more than "the castle".

There is more than enough great dining, there is golf, massage, boating, parasailing, fishing. Then you can go into shows like Cirque and in park shows with everything from Off Kilter, Mo Rockin, Mulch, Sweat and Shears for some good rock music, British Invasion is they enjoy the Beatles, to acrobats, living statues, Streetmosphere actors and the like.

Then you can start to introduce the parks proper and follow where their interest directs. Again, you can't try to jam it all in, just give a taste.

Sorry to revive a thread from the dead, but what if the person who is determined to hate Disney ruins your trip every year. It's gotten really anoying and kind of sad
 

Since1976

Well-Known Member
I never even thought there were Disney party poopers until one night while leaving Magic Kingdom, ca. 1990. The tram operator guiding us through the parking lot was making Jungle Cruise-style bad jokes as we went through each character section. A woman sitting near my family rolled her eyes in an annoyed sort of way after everything the operator said, finally mumbling "He's soooo funny."

Yeah, she may have just been having a bad day, but it was the one moment of negativity I had observed in several Disney vacations. It was then that I realized that WDW may not be everybody's thing.

Since then, I've learned not to get defensive about people's negative feelings about Disney -- unless, of course, they get in the way of my having fun.
 

petersenjp

Well-Known Member
How to transform the non believer

Like most people have already stated, you need to mold the trip to both of your likes. You need to show him that Disney is just not made for 5 year olds, it can cater to all ages. My wife was very sceptical at first, so I took her to places she would enjoy first. Once that was done, she was a little more open minded to other attractions. From there, she becamse one of us....:wave:
 

AutumnKlassic

New Member
Pay for the whole trip

My boyfriend didn't want to go, he said it was for LITTLE KIDS. So I paid for the whole trip including most of the spending money and by the time we were on the plane he was talking about our next trip. This time hes paying for everything!
 

ellen

New Member
:xmas:
Stemming from the : Does you spouse love Disney thread:

How do you transform a non-believer(of Disney) into a Disneyaholic?

For instance: my fiance is not a huge fan of WDW and has only been to WDW once - and only to MK and Epcot. How can I tailor our trip to maximize his enjoyment? How can I turn him into a Disneyaholic?
 

ellen

New Member
Hi I think MGM is best for adults super park and never too crowed. The great movie ride, tower of terror, star wars and loads more. hope he enjoys
 

Frenort21

Member
I am so happy I am not alone my fiance also thinks it is for little kids. However he did surprise me a couple of weeks ago by telling me we were going in Feb. I am in charge of planning the trip which is fine that is one of my favorite things to do when going to the world. We only have two days to actually visit parks so we are going to do MGM for Star Wars and Epcot (told him he could have a drink from each country). He is still in the mindset it is for children, but hopefully the magic will envelop him as he enters the gates. He is a gamer so also throwing in Disney Quest. Fingers crossed maybe we can win him over.
 

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