Thursday's Tip

It's hard to imagine or even conceive it, but did you know that there are some people out there who do not love Walt Disney World? Believe it or not, my husband wasn't always the WDW fan that he is today. He wasn't exactly anti-Disney, but if you would have told him when we first married that we'd be going to WDW every year (sometimes twice a year) in the not-so-distant future, he would have certainly questioned your sanity. And yet, that is pretty much our situation today.

Our Thurday's Tip is all about making it easier for those who are not Disney fans to come on over to our way of thinking. Sure, you could call it manipulation, but I prefer to think of it as helping them see what they've been missing in the equation. Because, really, I believe that almost anyone would enjoy Walt Disney World, given the proper circumstances. How can they not? Most of the time, when someone says they hate Disney, it's because they hate some aspect of it: crowds, cost, whiny children, the heat...but not the totality of it.

So, the tip: help your loved one find their own "happy place" at Walt Disney World. Here are a few ways:

• If crowds are the issue, go during Value Season when crowds are light. (Fortunately, this also usually tends to be the cheapest time to go and often the coolest, tackling the financial and heat complaints too.) I highly recommend the Crowd Calendar on TouringPlans.com, which helps you decide which Park will be least crowded on any particular day. Also, choose one of the smaller Resorts, such as Port Orleans French Quarter, for your stay. Starting your day with less of a crowd in the morning will set the tone for a more relaxed, less claustrophobic day.


• Is it about the money? Fortunately, you've come to the right place, as saving money is one of my top priorities at WDW and anywhere else. Never, ever pay full price. Ever. Scan my site for tips on savings, and always be on the lookout for new discounts when planning. Create a savings statement to show your reluctant traveler how much you are saving--when she sees what you would have paid vs. what you did pay, she will be overjoyed!


• Find out what he loves, and find a way to connect it to WDW. Is he a NASCAR fan, like my husband? Point out that Disney has its own speedway and offers unique driving experiences to guests. Does she enjoy shopping? There are gift shops in every Resort, after nearly every attraction at the Parks, and all throughout Downtown Disney (not to mention the outlet malls in Orlando). If he's an outdoorsman, tell him about the options for fishing, archery, and horseback riding at Ft. Wilderness. She might enjoy the spa services offered at several WDW Resorts. There really is something for just about anybody...you just have to know where to look.


• Show him/her some Disney "propaganda." Before you go, watch some of those great Travel Channel Disney specials (most are on Netflix). They're pretty interesting and will draw in even the most reluctant observer. And you might even find your excitement rubbing off onto those around you.


• Use the old "it's for the children" line. It definitely worked with my husband...and eventually won him over. He'll be the first to tell you that a Disney vacation is the most fun we have as a family. Sure, he enjoys it himself. But he especially loves seeing how happy it makes his girls. And that makes him happy.


• Go alone...or at least threaten to. OK, this one might be a little manipulative. But if your spouse is the only holdout, why not take the kids yourself? I'm not suggesting you create a rift in your marriage, but if your spouse genuinely doesn't want to go, maybe he or she won't mind you going. And when you come back with great stories and photos, maybe that will entice him or her to go with you next time. Or, if you're lucky, the mere idea that you might consider going without him or her will be enough to convince your spouse to go.


• If you do convince your non-Disney-loving family member to go, be sure to take a day off from touring the Parks in the middle of your vacation. Relax...do some shopping...swim (most of the Resorts have a "quiet pool" for adults only, if that's appealing to them)...or get off Disney property if that helps. Being immersed in the "magic" is overwhelming to some personalities. If that fits your situation, allow for some non-Disney activities.

Maybe it won't work. Maybe you'll never win them over. But it's worth a shot, right? Walt Disney World isn't going to be everyone's favorite vacation (gasp!), but it's a vacation that almost everyone can enjoy--even if it's "once in a lifetime."