If you have a spouse or partner who just isn’t into Disney the way you are, this blog is for you!
Even though my whole family loved Disney World on our first trip, my husband wasn’t quite as into it as Audrey and I were. It took a few trips (and a little strategy) to get him to drink the POG juice. If you’re new to Disney, make sure to try POG (passionfruit, orange, and guava juice)!
Here are a few tips that helped us:
1. THEY SAY DISNEY IS TOO EXPENSIVE
This is the number one complaint, and let’s be honest—it’s true. A Disney trip can make a New York City vacation look like a good value. But there are definitely ways to cut down the cost.
First, avoid traveling around major holidays if you can. Ticket prices and resort rates are at their highest, and crowds are usually heavy during those times. September tends to be one of the less expensive times to go. Any time school is in session is generally better for both pricing and crowds.
Another tip is to book your stay Sunday through Thursday. Weekend rates are usually higher, so avoiding Friday and Saturday nights can save you money. Oftentimes, when Disney releases promos, they are often for Sun-Thu.
In general, many dates in January, February, August, and September are the most affordable. If you’re looking for the best rates to fit your availability schedule, contact me and I’ll handle the work for you.
You can also visit Disney Parks (disneytravelcenter.com) to start browsing current special offers.
Keep in mind, Disney offers discounts pretty often. Even if you’ve already booked your room or package, you can still apply a discount if one becomes available later. (As a travel agent, I automatically apply any eligible discounts for my clients.)
Another way to save: skip the Park Hopper option. One park per day tickets are more affordable and honestly, more than enough—especially with younger kids. Park hopping is nice, but it’s not a must unless you have a shorter trip.
2. THEY DISLIKE THEME PARKS AND CROWDS
This one is definitely a challenge. One of the best things you can do is go to the parks right when they open (or for Early Entry if staying at a Disney resort), or stay later in the evening. Try to avoid arriving hours after opening or showing up right around lunch. That’s when crowds are at their peak, the sun is hotter, and people start to get cranky. Skip that whole window if you can.
If you’ll be in the parks through the afternoon, plan a nice table service meal for lunch or head back to your resort for a swim and a break. You’ll enjoy the parks way more if you’re not pushing through the heat and crowds at their worst.
Having a good touring plan makes a big difference too. With the right plan, you’ll zig while everyone else zags—and that’s the secret to avoiding the chaos.
3. THEY PREFER A BEACH TRIP
If your partner would rather be at the beach, chances are they like to take it easy on vacation. The good news is, there are several Walt Disney World Resorts with their own sandy beaches, complete with lounge chairs and hammocks. Just keep in mind that swimming in the lakes isn’t allowed.
You can build a sandcastle, play some volleyball, relax in a swing, or just dig your toes into the sand and unwind.
Some great resort options with beach areas include:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If they’re looking for even more water fun, check Disney’s water parks—Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Water park tickets are more affordable than theme park tickets, so adding a water park day can save you some money and give everyone a nice break from the parks. Disney is currently offering a Disney Resort guests perk of complimentary water park admission on your check-in day during all of 2025 and most of 2026.
4. THEY DON’T LIKE THEME PARK FOOD
Disney World actually has some amazing food! Yes, if you stick to the most basic quick service spots, it might not blow you away. But if you do a little research ahead of time, you’ll find some really great options—both quick service and table service. This is where my concierge planning comes into play; I have eaten at nearly every restaurant and can provide reviews and guidance for your trip.
There’s a huge variety now, and if you’re looking for something healthier or a little more adventurous, they’ve got that too. It’s not just burgers and fries anymore! Dining with an allergy? Disney is phenomenal with handling food allergies. Looking for our dining info and reviews? Click here.
5. THEY DON’T LIKE TAKING THE BUS OR TRAM, AND THEY DISLIKE THE CROWDS GETTING TO THE PARKS
I completely get this one—we’ve had our fair share of bus issues too. Here’s a tip that made a huge difference for us: some resorts are actually within walking distance to a park.
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club and Disney’s BoardWalk are just a short walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Trust me, staying at one of these resorts was a total game changer for our family.
Now, they can be pricey because of the location, but a more budget-friendly option in the EPCOT resort area is the Swan or Dolphin hotel. These aren’t Disney-owned, but they offer most of the same perks as a Disney resort and are usually more affordable. Just keep in mind that they do charge a resort fee, which Disney resorts do not.
If you plan to spend a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, take a look at the monorail resorts: Disney’s Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Contemporary. You can now walk to Magic Kingdom from all three, or hop on a boat or the monorail if you prefer.
If you’re looking to save a little but still be close, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a great option. It’s not on the monorail line, but it offers a relaxing boat ride to Magic Kingdom and also has bus service.
6. THEY WOULD RATHER GOLF, DRINK, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAN ENTER THE THEME PARKS
If your partner would rather skip the theme parks altogether, let them! You can take the kids to the parks while they enjoy their own kind of vacation, then meet up later. Everyone gets to enjoy their day, and it’s a total win-win.
If they love to golf, Disney has some great options. There are several courses, and they’ve gotten solid reviews.
https://www.golfwdw.com/
If they’re more into cocktails or relaxing with a drink, Disney has some fantastic lounges and bars—and most are kid-friendly too. Two of our favorites are the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom and BaseLine Tap House in Hollywood Studios.
When Pandora – The World of Avatar first opened in Animal Kingdom, Audrey and I were obsessed. We’d go there morning and night. Edward, however, felt like he’d seen enough after a few visits, so we made a quick detour and dropped him off at the Nomad Lounge (it’s right next to Tiffins on the way to Pandora). He kicked back with some unique drinks and snacks and was happy as can be. When we wrapped up, Audrey and I joined him and had drinks of our own. Everyone was happy!
Walt Disney World also has tons of recreational options beyond the parks. If someone enjoys fishing, boating, bike rentals, arcades, horseback riding, spas, or even just watching a movie under the stars, Disney has something for them too.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/
7. THEY THINK DISNEY HAS GOTTEN BORING, OR THERE IS NOTHING NEW TO DO
After over a decade of Disney trips, I can honestly say no two have ever been the same. Sure, we have our go-to rides and favorite restaurants, but we always find something new to try.
Sometimes it’s a new snack, or a brand new restaurant. We love wandering through a resort we haven’t explored much. Resort hopping has become one of our favorite things to do—and anyone can do it!
The easiest way to visit other resorts is to take Disney transportation from a park to one nearby, since parking at the resorts is typically limited to guests. Another option is to park at Disney Springs and hop on a resort bus from there. Once you arrive, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and activities that make it feel like a whole new experience.
One thing we like to do is pick a theme or focus for each trip. For our upcoming visit, we’re challenging ourselves to try more Quick Service restaurants. Since we planned this trip last minute and most of our favorite Table Service spots were already booked, we figured it would be a fun twist. Having a “trip mission” keeps things interesting and gives us something to look forward to!
8. THEY ABSOLUTELY DON’T WANT TO GO TO DISNEY
If your spouse or partner really doesn’t want to go to Walt Disney World, consider a compromise. Spend a few years doing things they enjoy, then plan a Disney cruise as a family. Disney cruises offer the best of both worlds — all the Disney magic without the stress of a park trip.
Another option is to take the family to Disney while your partner enjoys their own getaway elsewhere.
I hope you found these tips helpful. With a little research and planning, even the biggest Disney skeptics can learn to love Walt Disney World!
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