How I Survived 11 Days at WDW with a Disney-Resistant Husband **2/20 THE END **

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Trish
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
It's our "Last" Trip to Disney, so we're going DELUXE!!!

This is for all the girls (and guys) whose spouse doesn't share an unending love of all things Disney.

Before this trip, I wasn't quite ready to admit that I fell into this category.

DH had already accompanied me and the kids on past trips to Walt Disney World in 2007 and 2008, but wasn't exactly clamouring to return. However, I had chalked this up to the fact that he had never stayed on Walt Disney World property. I kept clinging to the hope and belief that once he had "properly" experienced Walt Disney World, magic and pixie dust would invade his heart and turn him into a true Disney lover like me.

Well, there is not going to be any suspense here. Despite what should have been 11 fantastically wonderful days in Walt Disney World, DH's status as a Disney Resister remains intact.

Over the course of 11 days, 3 deluxe resorts, 4 parks and 28 meals in Walt Disney World it slowly became apparent that I was not winning the war. Somewhere along the way I waved the white flag and surrendered any notion that I could ever turn DH into a true Disney fan...you know, the one (like me) who has to have their next trip booked before they leave the parks.

While we still had a great time, unfortunately our entire trip wasn't full of magical experiences like those recounted on my past two trip reports. For anyone who can relate to my story even a tiny bit, perhaps this account of "the good, the bad and the ugly" of our trip will strike a chord. And for everyone who has a spouse who does share their love of the Mouse, perhaps this will make you appreciate them just a little bit more!;)

So, without further delay, here's the cast of characters in a photo taken on our last trip involving the entire family in May 2008.

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The primary planner of the trip, if you haven't guessed, was me, Trish. I am the seasoned WDW veteran of the family, having travelled to WDW countless times while growing up, starting with my first trip in 1977 at 4 years old.

Since May of 2007, when my husband and I took our 1st family trip with the kids (then ages 2 and 4), I have been back 7 times for various trips, including family vacations, business trips and trips with girlfriends. Plus, I also took my first ever trip to Disneyland in September last year!

DH, Chris (aka Disney Resister), was introduced to WDW late in life when I took him to the Parks for his first trip in 1998 for the opening of Animal Kingdom. Since then, he has been back only 3 other times for trips with our kids in 2007 and 2008, and of course our latest trip in May 2010.

Next up is Katie, who turned 7 the day before we left, and who has already been to WDW 5 times.

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Finally, we have Declan, age 4, who just made his 3rd trip to WDW.

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Also along for the ride was my mother-in-law Carol, who just made her first ever visit to Walt Disney World. Her last visit to a Disney Park was almost 40 years ago when she took a family trip to Disneyland. We were also briefly joined by my sister-in-law and her 2 boys, aged 15 and 17.

So if you can stomach some good times (and bad), some ups (and some downs), some highs (and some lows), I would love it if you would join me in recounting our latest experiences at Walt Disney World!


UP NEXT: The Back Story on why this was to be our "Last" Trip

 
Table of Contents (with links!)

1. It's Our Last Trip to Disney, so we're going DELUXE!!!

2. The Back Story on why this was to be our "Last" Trip

DAY 1

3. We're on our Way!!!

4. Away We Go...

5. Arrival Dinner at Chef Mickey's

6. 1st Nite at Disney...CR Tower, Magic Kingom View Room for Wishes....What could possibly go Wrong???

DAY 2

7. We're Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street, U.S.A.!!!

8. Doing the Dumbo Dash...

9. A Family Milestone: Someone hits 44 Inches

10. Goodbye Contemporary

11. Hello Beach Club!

12. A Taste of the Good Life...at the Beach Club and Stormalong Bay!

13. Dinner at Brown Derby and Fantasmic!

DAY 3

14. Day 3 and off to Animal Kingdom!

15. The Kids Meet the Yeti!

16. Checking In...again...at the Beach Club Villas

17. Mickey's Backyard BBQ

Interrupting This TR for a Big Announcement...This Won't be Our "Last" Trip!!!


DAY 4

18. Meeting More Family & Princess Breakfast at Akerhaus

19. Our Day at the Beach in Tampa and Honeymoon Island - Part One


20. Our Day at the Beach in Tampa and Honeymoon Island - Part Two


DAY 5


21. Touring Hollywood Studios - Part One


22. Touring Hollywood Studios - Part Two


23. Lunch in Canada...at Le Cellier!


24. Backstory to our Photo Session with the Roots


25. Photo Session with the Roots - Part 1


26. Photo Session with the Roots - Part 2


27. Dinner in France and Illuminations


DAY 6


28. Another Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom



29. Adventures with Pirates & Tiki Birds


30. Dining at the Plaza


31. There's A SNAKE in the Pool??!!!


32. Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table

33. The Best Wishes Viewing Spot for Tinkerbell!!!


DAY 7

34. Birthday Breakfast at the Cape May Cafe


34. Someone takes a First Flight on Soarin'


35.Cinco de Mayo DisMeet!


36.Exploring World Showcase


36.Birthday Dinner at Jiko


DAY 8

37.Lazy Morning in the Lazy River & Lunch at Coral Reef

38.Picking a Pearl in Japan

39.Dinner at California Grill


DAY 9

40.Last Day at the Beach Club


41.Building a Light Saber


42.Dinner at Narcoossee's


DAY 10

43.Goodbye Beach Club...Hello Poly!


44.Last Night at the Polynesian


DAY 11

45.Our Last Morning at the Poly


46.Downtown Disney and House of Blues Gospel Brunch


47.Souvenirs


48.Final Thoughts

 
Hey Trish! I was wondering where your TR was. I'm hoping that I get to be first to sub in!
 


Can't wait to hear about your trip. We went 2 years ago and had a ball. Going again in a few months. I always have been having the fear of this trip not living up to the last one. Would love to hear your reviews on the resorts. But my one question --- Where did you get the AG mickey ears????
 


Can't wait to hear more about your trip! My dh HATES Disney,can't you believe it? I am planning one big family trip next year, so maybe he'll like it more if he does it right. If he still doesn't like it,that's fine, we just go without him. I am a teacher, so I get a lot more time off.
 
Hey Trish! I'm here - you know I can relate to be married to a Disney Resister. :sad1: I'm strapped in and ready for the ride through the good, the bad and the ugly!
 
My DH doesn't like to switch resorts (split stays) once we check in we
stay at the same resort the whole trip (8 nights). I see in your intro you stayed at 3 different Deluxes in 11 days and thought that might be a reason he was not happy.
I know my DH wouldn't have been (he likes to relax on vacation and packing up and moving is not relaxing).
Just a thought.
 
Well, this sounds similar to my situation, so I'm in! :) I've dragged my DH to Disney 3 times in the past 3 years and am planning our 4th trip (2nd this year) for November, and I've been told by him that's IT for the next 2 years!!!! :scared1: He likes Disney, but he is nowhere near my level, you might say I'm a little obsessed...:rolleyes1
 
Hi, Trish!! I'm here-- so glad you decided to do this and hope it is therapeutic for you!
 
IT HAPPENS!! Mine is not a fan either. It really does make things tough!! No vacation goes without its stressful moments, though. We've all been there! Looking forward to reading your report.
 

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