What to do if someone doesnt like Disney World?

[Mickey92]

Hey guys,

I have put this topic in here because it involves a bit of planning for a trip to WDW and also when you are in the resort:

A thought occured to me today, what would happen if one member in your group doesnt happen to like Disney World or theme parks in general? And say they are already at WDW, what could/would you do to get them more involved and/or interested in the parks, rides, food, shows... etc (My girlfriend doesnt like WDW even though she hasn't been.. still trying to work that one out )

Looking forward to some tips

Tristan

 

[FireChiefGoofy]

Pin $20 on their shirt, drop them off on I-Drive, and hope for the best!

 

[bethann1970]

We had this happen with my husband on our first trip to Disney. All he did was complain and say how overpriced everything was. He almost ruined the trip for me. I just tried to block it out and he's never gone with us again (even though he's asked to). There's just some people who don't like Disney and never will.

 

[Thumbelina]

Pretty much...

I dont think its the best place for her to go which is super sad cause Disney is one of the best places ever. well i think it is lol
good luck!!!! I cant wait to hear about your trip. im sure you will make it fun for her =)

 

[ASHLAND WDW MAN]

I resisted going for years, my youngest son even started going in 2001 with my brother-in-law and his kids. I wouldn't even look at the pictures, I wanted nothing to do with it. We live within 2 hours of Kings island and I don't like the thrill rides so there was nothing for me at WDW, or so I thought. My wife convinced me to go the summer of 2007 with my 2 boys and my brother-in law and his family (wife, son, daughter). It took a couple of days of skipping rides and just looking around before the magic started to take hold of me. I got my wife up very early one morning and we took off by ourselves and I rode Space Mountain a couple of times and before the trip was over I had rode all of the roller coasters and all other major attractions. I started to read books about the imangineers and the development of WDW. I was hooked and every one made fun of me for talking against it for so many years and now there is no other place that I would want to go on vacation. I am 50 and a disney nut and I don't care what others think when I speak of the magic and wanting to be there.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I wouldnt go on a holiday centred around theme parks with some one who didnt like theme parks.

 

[foreverbelle]

My husband, while I was dating him hated Disney as a whole. The parks, the movies everything. It was so bad he wouldn't even go to the movies with me that Disney had anything to do with. When we got engaged and starting talking honeymoon I brought up Disney and he was skeptical. But I slowly started talking about all the things that Disney has to offer, beyond the parks.

Like-
Spas
Water skiing
Horseback riding
Fine dinning.
the amazing resorts.

This past trip we discovered Animal Kingdom Lodge offers Ceramics and Jewelry making.

I also told him that its location made it possible to go other places outside of the 'World.' We ended up taking a bus to go to Clearwater Beach for the day. If its possible, maybe its something she would like to look into as well.

Slowly he came to see that its not for children only, and we had a great time. So much so that we have gone every year since and he is in love with the place.

While I don't expect everyone to feel the same true love that I do, I try to advice people who are anti Disney and are going-whether its with/for the kids or for their significant others-to keep an open mind. To try and find magic outside of the parks and to realize that no, you aren't going to be the only adult with or without kids there.

 

[Luke82580]

Adult things to do

I have been to Disney several times and actually worked there as well many years ago. I am going again in December and my partner thinks Disney is just for kids. He has been before and likes it but I want to make sure I know all the adult things to do so he will enjoy it more. Also any suggestion on any books/guides themed towards adults would be great!

Thanks

 

[trr1]

well the Best Friends care facility will be opening soon(jk)
get them involved in the planning if you can if that doesnt help there are always tranquilizers

 

[JillC LI]

Once he got more comfortable and at ease, we worked our way to attractions that I knew he could tolerate as long as I let him make fun of them.

I think my DH enjoys making fun of me wanting to go on Dumbo (even though our young children weren't interested in it!) as much as he enjoys anything else about Disney! LOL. I am happy to go along with his teasing as long as it makes him happy to return to Disney!

 

[JustInTime]

Just make them ride It's A Small World over and over. :wave:

 

[mrbghd]

(My girlfriend doesnt like WDW even though she hasn't been.. still trying to work that one out )

Looking forward to some tips

Tristan

DUMP HER!!!! J/K I second or third the notion of showing her unbiased info about all of the fun stuff there is to do and just how different it is! Good Luck

 

[stargrl33]

I think my DH enjoys making fun of me wanting to go on Dumbo (even though our young children weren't interested in it!) as much as he enjoys anything else about Disney! LOL. I am happy to go along with his teasing as long as it makes him happy to return to Disney!

The things we do for love.:ROFLOL:

 

[JohnLocke]

The first thought that comes to mind is what Hollybelle's mother had to say after she had her first little sampling of 'The World' a couple months ago: if someone can go to Walt Disney World and not find something they like it it's because they don't want to. Seriously. I know it's probably not that easy but if I was already there and a member of my group was being a party-pooper and not enjoying themselves I'd show them the bar next to the pool at the resort and leave 'em there. At some point you'd have to cut your losses and move on so that you can enjoy your trip.

KaneMarko, what you said about your girlfriend made me think of our dearest family friends who also really love Disney (but only go every couple years or so). When their daughter got engaged a couple years ago her then very serious boyfriend had only been once before with his family and didn't have a good experience so his feelings about Disney vacationing weren't very positive. Both she and her mother were oober anxious to show him what it was really about. Their first shot at taking him on a proper trip was the week after Easter in 2009. They asked me to help them plan it which totally stressed me out because I knew it was going to be super busy and I was kinda in their corner hoping & praying the fella would find the magic. It almost felt like a prerequisite for this poor guy to successfully become part of the family. :lol: As it turns out, they went and he has forever been enlightened. They said he was like a kid in a candy store. Not only did he find the magic, he found a part of him they said he had forgotten which took the relationship with the daughter to a whole other level. Within a couple months of the trip our Disney noob proposed and they got hitched this past March. Guess where they honeymooned??? :lol: In talking with the daughter she told me that if the guy had gone to WDW and still hated it she would never have married him. In her thinking, the person she felt was "right" for her had to be someone who could "get" Disney. Isn't that something? Could you imagine??? :hammer:

Bamillerpa, the guided fishing excursions are awesome. My hubby has taken our boys 3 times and they've had completely amazing experiences each time.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's a really bad deal breaker. Sure I would take it into consideration along with other things, but I couldn't really imagine marrying someone who hated Disney World.