My GF Didn't Experience Magic at WDW!

[tigger29]

So i've been a lurker for a while and now i've decided to post...

I've been a huge fan of WDW for years and years. I just found out yesterday that my gf of 3+ years doesn't really want to go to WDW because she "isn't into it" and "didn't think it was so magical" the 2 times she was there (when she was in HS and College). :veryconfu

WHAT!?!?!?!?!??!?! How can I date such a non-Disney fan?!?!?! OK, too late. I am. So for those of you who were (or are) with non-WDW fans, how did you help your significant other experience the magic? Any thoughts?

 

[napnet]

Dump her!! :lol: nah, i converted my wife by making all the trips magical (going during special events, etc) and now she loves it almost as much as me

 

[tigger29]

hahahahahhahahaha! Nah, I crazy for her! :hammer:

What kind of "special" things do you do there?

 

[SpectroMan]

If she really cares for you and obviously she does because you have been with her for 3 years, she would be willing to go and put up with you craziness in WDW to see you happy.

Maybe all it will take is that. If you take her and she sees how amazing it is and looks at it through your eyes, she might begin to fall in love with WDW too.

 

[tigger29]

I hope so. I just wanted to know if there were things people did to enhance the magic for those who don't experience it.

And she told me that she'll go with me if I want to go. She just isn't excited about it.....

 

[nibblesandbits]

Before this last trip, my fiance didn't "hate" Disney, but he didn't see what all the fuss was about. He wasn't even really excited to go, but decided to go there with me because he knew I loved it so much.

But then he went on his frist trip with me, a certified Disney freak and loved it. I think that it really helps going with someone who knows the ins and outs of Disney. Who knows all the secrets and such. My fiance and I had such a blast just being together and having fun together. We pretended like we were little kids.

My advice is to take things slow. Don't try to do everything. Just do things that excite the both of you. Or do things that you have never done before. I had never been to the waterparks before, so we went to BB for the first time together and had a blast.

Hopefully, things will turn out well. I wish you luck. I know what it's like to watch somebody who really had no desire for Disney, turn into someone who loves it.

 

[AliciaLuvzDizne]

Just being there with someone you love makes it more magical.
Even standing in line is fun, because we make it that way.

Try something new that neither of you have ever done before, eat at a new restaurant or something. Go to a character meal...I had never done that before March... it was a lot of fun!!

 

[Monty]

"Excited" is always different for different people. I realize this isn't "romance"-based, but I'm taking my son for his fifth Disney experience, I'm excited and really looking forward to it:sohappy:, he's sort of "ho-hum" [at best:snore:]. But from experience, while he's there he's having as much fun as I am. He gets excited when we go, but before and after he's just vaguely intertested. If we discuss his memories of being there though, he gets excited and remembers specific rides or experiences with clarity and enjoys the discussion. Maybe your GF is similar? She may just lose the "magic" when she leaves.

Another possibility is she went with people who wanted to do different things or move at a different pace than she did. That can diminish the magic sometimes too. Maybe plan a trip with her and discuss what she would like to do and set the pace to meet her needs? Ask what she did enjoy on her two trips and look for trends in what she liked and concentrate your planning along those lines [intersperse some of the things you like too! You need your share of magic].

 

[tigger29]

Good points! But I got to ask....what's a huggle? (off topic, I know...but since I started the topic then maybe i have the liberty to do so)

 

[Master Yoda]

Dump her.

I spent nearly a decade trying to convert a non-Disney fan. I wound up marrying my best friend who already was a Disney fan and I have never been happier.

 

[tigger29]

oh no. no dump girlfriend. girlfriend nice. girlfriend pretty. me likes girlfriend.

the funny thing is that she is a HUGE Donald Duck fan. I like the advice given and I think the way to do it is to plan with her and do things together.

Just what in the world is a Huggle?

 

[crazygirley]

I think this happens to a lot of us, and it is indeed someting that can be fixed.

Last January, my BF took his first trip to WDW with me. He wasn't all that excited, and didn't understand what all the fuss was about. When we got there, things were taken slowly. And slowly, he warmed up. The first thing he got really into were the pins. He HAD to get a lanyard, and LOVED to look at the pins. At one point, I had walked out of a store, and he was still looking at pins. He was all over the World Showcase, liked the rides and NEVER complained once! He seemed to be having a good time with the place.

We are going again in January. Something seems to be changing in him.

The other day, when there was like, a whole day of shows on WDW on the Travel Channel - he watched them all... without me.

He HAS (has, has, has...) to find the Herbie Lovebug pin when we go down there. And I know he will search until he finds it.

Since we had rushed through the MK and Epcot last January, after watching the shows about WDW, he has told me at least three times, "I want to spend whole days at the parks." and "Adventureland? There was so much that we didn't see last year." We're even going with his mother, and he is always throwing in little plugs. His mom asked what's in SE, and he went on to tell her about it, adding, "We can go in there... you'll see."

They key is, keep things slow, let them develop their own interests, and let it all blossom. It can happen.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

As a certified (certifiable??) Disney freak, you know lots of things that the average tourist does not.

Point out a few hidden Mickeys and get her excited about looking for them.
Also note the little themeing things that get us so excited--different trash cans, costumes, and food in each land of MK.

Be super-organized so the trip is effortless for her. Make ADRs, be at theaters at just the right time for shows, go to popular rides at unpopular times, etc.

Be ready to bail out of the parks when SHE is ready. Try something else--mini golf, water park, resort touring, etc. (Perhaps the pretty lady would like a midday "nap??")

Absolutely ask her preferences about food, especially if you have the dining plan.

The biggest mistake, IMHO, would be to overly-involver her in the planning. Ask if she wants steak, Italian, or Moroccan food. Don't go into what for her will be boring detail about every restaurant in Epcot.

Surprise her with something. Perhaps a postcard from Donald saying he's looking forward to her visit? Gift baskets are nice, but VERY $$$$, and you have that container to pack--I'm not a big fan of them.

Pictures--lots of pictures.

 

[bigkidz895]

I think this happens to a lot of us, and it is indeed someting that can be fixed.

Last January, my BF took his first trip to WDW with me. He wasn't all that excited, and didn't understand what all the fuss was about. When we got there, things were taken slowly. And slowly, he warmed up. The first thing he got really into were the pins. He HAD to get a lanyard, and LOVED to look at the pins. At one point, I had walked out of a store, and he was still looking at pins. He was all over the World Showcase, liked the rides and NEVER complained once! He seemed to be having a good time with the place.

We are going again in January. Something seems to be changing in him.

The other day, when there was like, a whole day of shows on WDW on the Travel Channel - he watched them all... without me.

He HAS (has, has, has...) to find the Herbie Lovebug pin when we go down there. And I know he will search until he finds it.

Since we had rushed through the MK and Epcot last January, after watching the shows about WDW, he has told me at least three times, "I want to spend whole days at the parks." and "Adventureland? There was so much that we didn't see last year." We're even going with his mother, and he is always throwing in little plugs. His mom asked what's in SE, and he went on to tell her about it, adding, "We can go in there... you'll see."

They key is, keep things slow, let them develop their own interests, and let it all blossom. It can happen.

Good post. I agree - take things slow. Find out what her interests are and structure your visit around what she DOES like about WDW. Definately do something different than when she was in high school and college. Try more grown-up stuff. Most of all - have fun!!!

Merry Christmas, hope this helps.

 

[tigger29]

Seriously, I cannot thank you all enough. These are all great ideas.

I've never posted before today and the helpful and friendly attitudes here are just like being in Disney. Thanks for everything!

 

[Monty]

Just what in the world is a Huggle?

I don't entirely understand the phenomenon, but see this thread:

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=65349

 

[landauh]

My wife does not like Disney like I do and does not see a reason to go to WDW. What we have come up with is a compromise. She likes shopping (I hate shopping) and spending time at the resorts, especially the pool, so we schedule a day for shopping or spending a day at the resort and days for the parks. We have also separated ... I take the kids to the park and she goes shopping.

 

[napnet]

What kind of "special" things do you do there?

Well the MVMCP this year won her over... she now can't wait to go again...

That and we stayed in the Dolphin for a night... talk about bonus points!

 

[NOLADisneyFan]

Ok, you have a very unique position here...you know what she likes....do something that she likes at WDW that has a Disney spin...for instance...she likes gourmet restaurants? Go to Victoria and Albert's.

She likes nature...walking tour and Safari in AK...

She likes coasters....you get the idea...

Don't short yourself...if she loves you, she will be happy you are happy.

Now, for a big DONALD DUCK fan (as am I)...you need to take her to:

Philharmagic

Get her to take her picture with him after the stage shows at the castle and

go to Donald's Breakfastasaurus.

Also, don't forget about DTD...she may enjoy a break from the "in your face" Disney-ness of everywhere else...(That's a pretty good phrase, if I do say so)

But the big thing is to merge her likes...with Disney's take on what she likes...there is something for everyone at WDW..its your job to help her find that something.

Enjoy!

Johnny

 

[DisneyFanLS]

My ex-wife wasn't a Disney fan.....notice I said...EX-wife!!! :lol: :drevil: