My GF Didn't Experience Magic at WDW!

[nibblesandbits]

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

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

I used to think the same thing until I ventured in there and started reading it.

The huggle thread is a lot of fun! It's just a bunch of people who bond together over the stupid things in life. We are very friendly and we are more than willing to have new people join us! Come check us out!

 

[Legacy]

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?

I'm taking someone who has never been before in a couple of weeks and here are a couple of things I have lined up.

Lunch at BierGarten... however she has family in Germany and would love to go back... so before we go I am blind-folding her and will take it off of when we "land" in Germany.

Dinner at California Grill, timed to coincide with Wishes. Plus, while there I am having some friends set up our hotel room with fake candles and music so we can have a romantic evening of dancing and talking when we are finished.

 

[LaughingGravy]

For our recent trip

I did all of the planning for our recent trip. As it had been years since our last trip, when the extensive planning with ADRs, etc. wasn't necessary, I knew I had to make this an effortless trip for her to have a good time and want to come back. Well, it worked. Every day was planned as far as which park, based on dinner reservations,insuring a relaxing full course meal for the whole family every night. I couldn't have done it without the Dining Plan and the deal from Kingdom Konsultants,by the way. They made it so much easier.
As far as what we did in each park and when aside from dinner, we just took everything in stride without any maniacal park plan each day. I might have wanted to start in tomorrowland, but if she wanted to start in Adventureland, great. Smiles by me. I was still in the MK and we ended up hitting Space Mtn. at a slow time. Bonus!
Now, as soon as funds allow comfortably, we'll be back to do the stuff we didn't get around to.
I'm sure she'll want to be more part of the planning next trip because I didn't complain or brag about my planning, but I know she'll want to have more of a say.
She had a great time to the point that she raves about it to others, which was my goal.

 

[tigsmom]

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

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

A huggle is a virtual hug that we give to our friends here... there are times that its what get you thru your day. :lol:

Its just a bunch of people being crazy and its a lot of fun, stop by and see for yourself.

Now as for the non Disney lover... you can try to convert her or just accept that she isn't as crazy about it as you are. My hubby isn't as crazy for WDW as my girls and I are, but he goes along with us because he likes to see us happy... as long as he get to spend time relaxing on the Gulf beaches, that is. We have a great time (well mostly) as a family there and thats what counts.

Ask her to help plan the trip - get a guide book, visit the planning sites - have her pick the resort and a few restaurants. I'm sure that being there with you and sharing your love of WDW will spark some interest in her, it just may never match yours or maybe it will surpass it! :animwink:

 

[Yellow Shoes]

...and here's another thought.

Separate vacations.

I do a girls' weekend with old high school friends, and my husband (of 25 years) does brothers' weekend with his 4 siblings.

Works out great.

 

[Connor002]

I used to think the same thing until I ventured in there and started reading it.

The huggle thread is a lot of fun! It's just a bunch of people who bond together over the stupid things in life. We are very friendly and we are more than willing to have new people join us! Come check us out!

Yes... always welcome...
New victi... I mean... ah... new hugglers are always welcome. :lookaroun

 

[lebeau]

My wife is a huge Mickey fan. And she also liked a lot of other Disney characters (although she has a burning hatred of all things Pooh).

I never really cared for Disney one way or the other. I always preferred the Looney Toons. I'd been to WDW twice and she'd never been. So, I figured for our honeymoon, I'd take her to WDW.

I wasn't really looking forward to it. Afterall, I'd been as a kid and didn't really think it would suit my adult sensibilities. I was kind of hoping to scoot on over to Universal Studios for a day or two.

Well, I loved WDW. My wife, however, was not overly fond of it. She had a good time, but she burned out and has no real desire to return.

I am hoping that in a few years when we take our daughter for the first time, my wife will see WDW the way I do. But that's a long way off, so I'm not too worried about it right now.

 

[dandaman]

Just what in the world is a Huggle?

Possibly the craziest and most random thread you'll ever see. :lol:

 

[dandaman]

I used to think the same thing until I ventured in there and started reading it.

The huggle thread is a lot of fun! It's just a bunch of people who bond together over the stupid things in life. We are very friendly and we are more than willing to have new people join us! Come check us out!

*in eerie voice* If you dare. :lookaroun

Y'know, this gets me thinking: With everything you can imagine happening in there, is there one true definition of a *huggle* now? :lol:

 

[Sailor Mouse]

In August 2004, my parents and I took my boyfriend with us on a family vacation to WDW. There were some things that we won't ever do again, but some that he thought was really neat.

I would NOT recommend volunteering her for the Pearl Harbor scene in the Backstage tour without telling her first (we did this to BF - he's still rather bitter about it).

Try romancing it up, or doing things that are slightly different. Take a carriage ride at one of the resorts, enjoy the little details that make Disney Disney-like.

Amusingly, my BF didn't like the thrill rides, and much prefers the rides like UoE, SSE, the walking trails in AK, and the 3d Shows. He couldn't see a point in the thrill rides. Perhaps your GF is similar, or the complete opposite?

Try not to talk about it constantly (hard to resist, but just try).

Try compromising, do a vacation of her choice next time, then a WDW one, or something completely different. Maybe a cruise?

 

[tigger29]

Wow. So I leave the computer to go study for a little bit (Darn NYS Bar Exam...) and lo and behold there are a whole bunch of responses. I love it. You guys give great ideas.

I too loved Looney Tunes growing up and still do (well, pre-1980s Looney Tunes) but I love the ambience and experience that is WDW. I hope to take her soon (2006?!?!?!) and to do a lot of what you all told me to do.

And regarding separate vacations...that's how I ended up at WDW in May 2005. Had a great time but this time want to go with her.

And now a GIANT huggle to all of you for responding.

 

[dandaman]

*huggles* :wave:

 

[LouDisney]

Don't give up, there may be hope for her yet
Good luck!

 

[LoriMistress]

Did you try asking her why she didn't have a magical time? Maybe it was the times when she went with an ex and it might bring up some bad memories? Or maybe she was alone during her trip. She was probably with her friends and they were horsing around and didn't really focus in on the magic. When you plan your trip with her just take her to a couple of romantic restraunts and don't rush her or forse her to be into it as you are. She might grow into Disney in time, but she probably won't.

 

[tigger29]

Yeah, I asked her and all she said was that she had a nice time, but she just didn't find it "magical." The first time she went was with a couple of girlfriends and the last time was with an ex-roomie from college (with whom she no longer speaks). so maybe it's because of that last trip.

I hope that I can show her the magic at WDW. She knows i'm obsessed so that could be turning her off also. I'll just keep trying to expose her to the magic and hopefully it will catch on. If not, then maybe I'll date one of the princesses at the Magic Kingdom...

 

[Nicole]

I am venturing out on a limb here but I wonder if high schoolers and college students aren't the hardest to convert?? My kids who are teenagers have a very BTDT attitude toward WDW which I can't believe.

BUT they loved it when they were younger, and I think once they have kids of their own and get past the "sorry, I'm a cool teenager, can't act like this is fun" stage we'll all be able to enjoy the Magic together.

I agree that getting her in on the planning should help your GF if she's into that. My kids do go with me to WDW (I'm a mean mom, I "force" them) and on the trips where they have the most say-so in our plans they seem to enjoy themselves the most. Which is perfectly logical of course.

 

[Connor002]

"sorry, I'm a cool teenager, can't act like this is fun"

You mean Disney isn't "cool?" :lookaroun :lookaroun
I was not made aware of this...:lookaroun

 

[Mr Bill]

I am venturing out on a limb here but I wonder if high schoolers and college students aren't the hardest to convert?? My kids who are teenagers have a very BTDT attitude toward WDW which I can't believe.

BUT they loved it when they were younger, and I think once they have kids of their own and get past the "sorry, I'm a cool teenager, can't act like this is fun" stage we'll all be able to enjoy the Magic together.

I agree that getting her in on the planning should help your GF if she's into that. My kids do go with me to WDW (I'm a mean mom, I "force" them) and on the trips where they have the most say-so in our plans they seem to enjoy themselves the most. Which is perfectly logical of course.

It's annoying how many teens find Disney to be too "kiddy" and immature for their tastes. Half of them are also walking around wearing Nightmare Before Christmas clothing too...

 

[nibblesandbits]

*in eerie voice* If you dare. :lookaroun

Y'know, this gets me thinking: With everything you can imagine happening in there, is there one true definition of a *huggle* now? :lol:

You know, I think you're right Dan...

 

[tigger29]

It's annoying how many teens find Disney to be too "kiddy" and immature for their tastes

Yeah, those "mature" teens don't realize that they are acting immature when they look down on those "kiddy" rides. In all things there must be balance, Daniel-san. Balance between both the "immaturity" and the maturity.

So I spoke to my girl and told her about some of the ideas floated in this thread and she became more interested in going. Or at least less apprehensive about going. She told me that she just wants to travel elsewhere before going back to Disney. I understand that. I too want to see the world. But Disney is a different type of vacation and I am not sure she realizes that. Oh well.