How to keep husband happy at WDW?

[Jacquellie]

My husband doesn't want to go to disney. He's too serious and political - he's somehow against it because it's big business and fake. He has never been. he sees pics and i know he just sees mickey mouse and thinks its all just for kids. I ADORE Disney and am desperate to go back. I think it's really romantic and imagine us with our wee baby girl at AKL, relaxing, eating and having fun. Anyone got advice for pleasing a grumpy old stick in the mud? I actually think his problems are deep seated - I think he's somehow afraid of letting go and also guilty because no one he knows can afford to do something so fancy. We can't really, we live in Scotland, but I'm saving up like mad.

 

[SMS55]

Sorry, rookie question again (most acronyms I can work out, and been looking for a list somewhere, but when I can't I ask for help!) What's EMH and rope drop?

EMH= extra magic hours. Disney resort guests can enjoy extended hours at certain parks on certain days. Sometimes a park will open an hour early or be open up to 3 hours later. All guests are allowed to be in the park but only Disney resort guests can ride. You need your room key to get on the rides.
Rope drop is just another way of saying opening. When the park opens at 9:00, if you're there at 9 you're there for rope drop.

 

[Jacquellie]

Let me know how it works out for you, I could use a few tips! I'm 33 and my boyfriend of 7 months who is 37 says, "Disney is stupid and it isn't his cup of tea." He knows that I LOVE Disney and he knew that I LOVED Disney before we started dating, did he think that once we started dating I'd like completely forget that Walt Disney World existed? WRONG! I'll invite him to come with us but if he doesn't want to go it's his loss, I'll go with my parents because they love Disney as much as I do! I just don't understand though how you can say that you don't like something if you've NEVER been there and I just wish he would give it a chance. He doesn't really express any interest to ever go anywhere which kind of worries me a little because I've been going on vacations every year since I was a little kid so it's normal for me. Well, enough about my problems, good luck to you and I hope you get your husband to enjoy Disney as much as you do!

Grrrrr, I'm so feeling your frustration! Exactly! Why do people say 'Disney isn't my cup of tea' when they put not one ounce of curiosity into finding out anything about it? But you know, in a way that can work in our favour (I hope) because they will get there and be totally amazed at how it's so much more than they thought. I'm heavily relying on the surprise factor to sweep them off their feet!

 

[Jacquellie]

EMH= extra magic hours. Disney resort guests can enjoy extended hours at certain parks on certain days. Sometimes a park will open an hour early or be open up to 3 hours later. All guests are allowed to be in the park but only Disney resort guests can ride. You need your room key to get on the rides.
Rope drop is just another way of saying opening. When the park opens at 9:00, if you're there at 9 you're there for rope drop.

Oh cool, like that rope drop phrase, sounds commando! ta x

 

[Jacquellie]

Since I'm familiar with both places, I will go out on a limb here and say that your husband, based on his likes/dislikes, will enjoy himself much more in Detroit than at Disney World.

You're probably right. You know where he wants to go? The battlefields of The Somme. See? Serious. What's a girl to do? Both our great grandads died there - mine in his kilt. I've looked into it for him and while I understand the need to pay respect, I think it's a sombre choice for a family holiday. We got married two months ago and before we did I told him how important WDW is to me - even considered writing it into the vows that we could go at least every five years. I think he's starting to realise how happy it makes me. But yeah, Detroit might be the middle ground between WDW and The Somme.

 

[KingStefan]

Oh cool, like that rope drop phrase, sounds commando! ta x

Though it is different at each park, and changes from time to time, at park opening there is literally a rope. The guests are allowed into the park some time before the official opening time, but only up to the rope. There is usually a ceremony of some kind - quite entertaining in many cases - and then the rope is "dropped" (actually pulled to the side so nobody trips - but it's called dropping by analogy).

sometimes a "land" opens up a bit later than the general park. There is rope drop for this as well. Sometimes with a flourish, but not as big a ceremony as the park opening.

Sometimes there is a line of case members (CMs) holding the rope, and they walk along a path back to a popular area or attraction. This is often done if there have been incidents of people running dangerously back to an area or attraction in an attempt to be the first of among the first to arrive. This often creates a sort of stampede situation, or at lease a dangerous race of sorts, and the walk with the rope is a way of avoiding the danger and therefore avoiding injury.

The experience at rope drop varies by park. However, I would definitely plan on making the opening ceremony for the Magic Kingdom. It is charming and very entertaining. I can't remember how long in advance of opening time that it starts or what time to recommend arriving. The days where MK has morning EMH, the opening differs, or may be skipped, so plan on going to MK opening on a day that doesn't have morning EMH. I seem to remember planning on arriving 45 minutes or so early, with the opening ceremony beginning about 20 minutes before rope drop. I'm not sure about the times - maybe another poster can help, or you can ask your travel agent or a disney reservation agent or someone to be sure.

It's really a lot of fun - a must-do for us every trip. There is a little musical stage show at the train station rail facing the entrance, then for a finale, the train arrives with all the top disney characters on it waving to the crowd, then a patron, usually a young boy or girl from a family that was selected earlier gets to officially open the park by throwing pixie dust over the railing! Guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes every time. I'd recommend it highly!

 

[KingStefan]

You're probably right. You know where he wants to go? The battlefields of The Somme. See? Serious. What's a girl to do? Both our great grandads died there - mine in his kilt. I've looked into it for him and while I understand the need to pay respect, I think it's a sombre choice for a family holiday. We got married two months ago and before we did I told him how important WDW is to me - even considered writing it into the vows that we could go at least every five years. I think he's starting to realise how happy it makes me. But yeah, Detroit might be the middle ground between WDW and The Somme.

Just in case you don't know, the inside joke here with the yanks is that Detroit has a reputation of being not so nice in the inner city (to put it politely) and the city has just made the news for declaring bankruptcy. It's a record of some kind - first major city in the US ever to do so or something like that - idk, I'd have to look it up. Point is, the poster first mentioning Detroit meant it (specifically downtown Detroit - I'm sure there are nice places and even historically important landmarks) as a counter example of a place that normally one would not want to visit on vacation at this time. I mention this only because it is probably *not* a middle ground between WDW and The Somme. Unless you meant to be facetious.

 

[Jacquellie]

Though it is different at each park, and changes from time to time, at park opening there is literally a rope. The guests are allowed into the park some time before the official opening time, but only up to the rope. There is usually a ceremony of some kind - quite entertaining in many cases - and then the rope is "dropped" (actually pulled to the side so nobody trips - but it's called dropping by analogy).

sometimes a "land" opens up a bit later than the general park. There is rope drop for this as well. Sometimes with a flourish, but not as big a ceremony as the park opening.

Sometimes there is a line of case members (CMs) holding the rope, and they walk along a path back to a popular area or attraction. This is often done if there have been incidents of people running dangerously back to an area or attraction in an attempt to be the first of among the first to arrive. This often creates a sort of stampede situation, or at lease a dangerous race of sorts, and the walk with the rope is a way of avoiding the danger and therefore avoiding injury.

The experience at rope drop varies by park. However, I would definitely plan on making the opening ceremony for the Magic Kingdom. It is charming and very entertaining. I can't remember how long in advance of opening time that it starts or what time to recommend arriving. The days where MK has morning EMH, the opening differs, or may be skipped, so plan on going to MK opening on a day that doesn't have morning EMH. I seem to remember planning on arriving 45 minutes or so early, with the opening ceremony beginning about 20 minutes before rope drop. I'm not sure about the times - maybe another poster can help, or you can ask your travel agent or a disney reservation agent or someone to be sure.

It's really a lot of fun - a must-do for us every trip. There is a little musical stage show at the train station rail facing the entrance, then for a finale, the train arrives with all the top disney characters on it waving to the crowd, then a patron, usually a young boy or girl from a family that was selected earlier gets to officially open the park by throwing pixie dust over the railing! Guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes every time. I'd recommend it highly!

Oh! I had no idea! That sounds lovely! It's really made me change my mind about getting there early! New strategy.... Might even do MK first (I'd planned to ease him into it). Thanks so much! X

 

[Jacquellie]

Just in case you don't know, the inside joke here with the yanks is that Detroit has a reputation of being not so nice in the inner city (to put it politely) and the city has just made the news for declaring bankruptcy. It's a record of some kind - first major city in the US ever to do so or something like that - idk, I'd have to look it up. Point is, the poster first mentioning Detroit meant it (specifically downtown Detroit - I'm sure there are nice places and even historically important landmarks) as a counter example of a place that normally one would not want to visit on vacation at this time. I mention this only because it is probably *not* a middle ground between WDW and The Somme. Unless you meant to be facetious.

Ta - yes, didn't know that about Detroit. All I know is it's motor city - or was. Think I might have confused it with Denver, which I think might be quite cool?

 

[kilcher]

To the OP...

Sometimes I take my son to see movies I don't really want to see. And my wife doesn't either. But like I tell her, it's not for us, it's for HIM. Sometimes we do things just because it makes our kids happy.

For the record, my wife and I do love Disney - Our son just turned 4 and he'll be going for the 4th time in December.

 

[KingStefan]

Ta - yes, didn't know that about Detroit. All I know is it's motor city - or was. Think I might have confused it with Denver, which I think might be quite cool?

Denver is very nice, and is certainly more of a tourist destination than Detroit. Although Denver is thought of by most tourists (IMHO) as being a landing point on the way to the Colorado mountains, hot springs, waterfalls, white-water rafting, scenic trains, grasslands, etc.

Detroit is less of a tourist destination than Denver. But according to travel experts, and Detroit-philes, Detroit is much unfairly maligned (analogous to what they say about English food - kidding!)

Time magazine puts it very well: "It's hard to think of the Motor City — a popular symbol of urban decay — as a vacation destination. But somewhere behind its neglected, graffiti-covered skyscrapers are charming reminders of a city that was once among the world's wealthiest. Today, rows of homes and stores that had been abandoned for decades are finally being demolished, making way for lush green spaces that give some sections of the city an odd rural vibe. Several new hotels, restaurants and art galleries have the potential to burnish Detroit's image further and revitalize the downtown area."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1994456,00.html#ixzz2bDIXcfdO

But I think the main point is: Detroit - it ain't Disney!

 

[disneygirl76]

My husband doesn't want to go to disney. He's too serious and political - he's somehow against it because it's big business and fake. He has never been. he sees pics and i know he just sees mickey mouse and thinks its all just for kids. I ADORE Disney and am desperate to go back. I think it's really romantic and imagine us with our wee baby girl at AKL, relaxing, eating and having fun. Anyone got advice for pleasing a grumpy old stick in the mud? I actually think his problems are deep seated - I think he's somehow afraid of letting go and also guilty because no one he knows can afford to do something so fancy. We can't really, we live in Scotland, but I'm saving up like mad.

My DH and I go and its just the two of us. I am lucky b/c he does like Disney. But he does it to humor me b/c he knows how much I adore it. He likes the rides, and I keep him well fed and supplied with drinkipoos as much as I can! I make sure to do something that he wants to do - pick a place to eat, ride a ride he wants, head to the pool if that is what he wants. The magic of Disney will win him over.

 

[tare]

Find something he likes for instance golf, espn etc. I guarantee he will be hooked on disney by the end of the trip.

 

[KingStefan]

Oh! I had no idea! That sounds lovely! It's really made me change my mind about getting there early! New strategy.... Might even do MK first (I'd planned to ease him into it). Thanks so much! X

If you think that sounds lovely, then I would look for a list of WDW "secrets" to discover. There are some around these boards, but the only ones I know of (if I could even find them) are out of date as of four years ago. But the gist of it is to look for things like - outside of the stunt show at studios there is a themed "dig" with a sign that says something like "don't touch this rope" and if you pull it, there is a great crash, and a voice from down a deep-looking hole says something like "ow! who's that up there - did someone pull that rope dagnabit!". Then there is PUSH the talking trash can in tomorrowland and his cousin the talking recycle bin at AK. In one of the train stations at MK in the luggage pick-up there is a wooden leg with a tag on it that says "Smith" (referencing Mary Poppins). If it's working (which it often is not) in an alley off Main Street, there is a window for a dance studio from which you can hear music and tapping. The water fountains over by the Land in Epcot used to talk, but they weren't working last time I was there. Many more. Fun to seek them out. Gotta get a good list, though, and I don't have one at the moment unfortunately; sorry. Maybe someone else can help.

 

[Jacquellie]

If you think that sounds lovely, then I would look for a list of WDW "secrets" to discover. There are some around these boards, but the only ones I know of (if I could even find them) are out of date as of four years ago. But the gist of it is to look for things like - outside of the stunt show at studios there is a themed "dig" with a sign that says something like "don't touch this rope" and if you pull it, there is a great crash, and a voice from down a deep-looking hole says something like "ow! who's that up there - did someone pull that rope dagnabit!". Then there is PUSH the talking trash can in tomorrowland and his cousin the talking recycle bin at AK. In one of the train stations at MK in the luggage pick-up there is a wooden leg with a tag on it that says "Smith" (referencing Mary Poppins). If it's working (which it often is not) in an alley off Main Street, there is a window for a dance studio from which you can hear music and tapping. The water fountains over by the Land in Epcot used to talk, but they weren't working last time I was there. Many more. Fun to seek them out. Gotta get a good list, though, and I don't have one at the moment unfortunately; sorry. Maybe someone else can help.

Oooooooh am LOVING this! That is EXACTLY the sort of thing I most love about Disney. Last time I went I was looking all over for the trash can because that is actually my favourite thing ever at WDW. I really wanted to see my friend be surprised. Ooooooooo! So adore Disney! Yes, I'd love to see a list start on this sort of thing.

 

[KingStefan]

There is a book:
http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Magic-Walt-Disney-World/dp/1605500631
But it is incredibly detailed, published four years ago (and so is out of date) and it's hard to pick out the "cute stuff" out of the "interesting" trivia and history. Still, might be worth a look. There are also some threads here that I found. Will post separately.

 

[KingStefan]

Of course there's a whole forum dedicated to "secrets" but not necessarily the kind I'm talking about here. Some are, though. http://forums.wdwmagic.com/forums/wdw-secrets.59/

 

[KingStefan]

Here are some helpful ones:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/best-secrets-at-disney-help.867426/
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...-hidden-or-fun-things-at-disney-world.847265/
[url]http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/little-known-secrets-of-walt-disney-world.406553/[/URL]
(Please ignore the search function nazis in this last one - post 15 is particularly helpful)
There are more if you look for them. Have fun browsing!