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

[podsnel]

Oh....I'm so sad for you that it's going to get WORSE!!! It's funny about that formal pic when you walk into CM's- the first time, we all did it, it was our first night and I really love that photo- it is framed in my great room. When we went this last time, we all bypassed that portion of the evening- I guess we didn't want to stand on line, and we already had the perfect pic so it was ok. I hope you have a nice pic from other years!

Are you a Southern Living rep? I brought my girl Joan (wannabeadismom) over here this morning to ooh and ahhh over your daughter's party (we looked together while we were on the phone!) and it occured to me that you have alot of SL stuff- and you are REALLY REALLY good at using it!! So...are you?

 

[kaysmommie]

Well your first night is certainly not all you dreamed of. But I know the rest of the trip has to get better . You did such an awesome job planning this trip. Waiting to hear more .

 

[Charlefours]

love the flower headband in Katie's hair. for having your room requests honored! I wish your trip had gone as magical as you wished. Thank you for telling your story despite the disappointing outcome.

 

[luvMickey72]

signing on, my husband is also a disney resister! I can usually bribe him, though, by going across the country to baseball games and then every few years to Disney : ) So, sorry about your dinner : (

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Caught up, finally! Loved hearing about your last minute packing as that is totally me. No last night relaxing here either. Sometimes I just want to get in the car and go because then I know there is no turning back and I can stop thinking about the packing and what I may have forgot. I'm always thinking I forgot something as I'm driving.

So sorry about the disappointment at Chef Mickey's. I can totally understand and appreciate that you are willing to share both the good and the bad with us.

You know, your TR is helping me to realize that my "dream" of having Erik come to WDW and actually enjoy it with me may not be realistic. I've got trips planned in my head that are totally geared towards things I think he will like, but in the back of my head I feel like I'd be setting myself up for disaster. I think I'll stick to trips with just Sam and I (or girls trips!) until he actually asks to go with us!

Actually, I just got off the phone with Erik and he told me he was talking to a co-worker who is a Disney nut. The friend was telling him that she and her husband were taking three trips to WDW this year and he just couldn't understand that. He did tell me that he'd like to go again in December though, so I guess that's a good sign.

 

[disneycruising]

I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

I guess I am lucky, to have a DH that loves Disney as much as me. I can not imagine what it would be like if my DH didn't like Disney.

 

[jenniferkeala808]

Oh my! I've missed sooo many updates! I'm here now to catch up!!

Loving the pics from katie's birthday party! You're a wonderful host!! So beautiful! Awww what a cute gift for katie!! Such a cute card!! So sorry to hear your day was a little hectic but I'm glad you folks finally were on your way! That was a great idea to stop at the Poly and then take the monorail over. Makes a lot of sense!! I'm so glad your requests were honored! that's always a plus especially if it's a view of the castle!! so sorry to hear about your first Dismeet...that's always a bummer because it's always so exciting to think you'll finally get to meet in person! Awww, I'm so sorry your companions left you at the table!! and it gets worse?! Oh no...

 

[TinyDancer]

Just got caught up. Sorry to hear your first dinner didn't go so well.

I do look forward to seeing what your DC will wear the rest of the trip, because I love me some J&J as well!!

 

[MickeyLuvrLauren]

Great trip report so far! It's too bad the kids didn't want to see Mickey their last trip...hopefully they'll see him again before the end of the trip?

 

[mickeyphile]

Hi Trish,

I had replied to your thread yesterday but just as I got done typing and entered "submit" the boards went down. Oh well. Just wanted to let you know that I am following along and can totally relate. When I read about your experience at Chef Mickey's I felt sad -- both for you and for myself because it reminded me of a very non-magical moment we had at CR once. I hope you are finding it helpful to know that there are others here who share the same sort of sadness at not being able to share the magic with their spouse.

Believe it or not, even though yours is not the typical upbeat TR with tons of magical moments, I am so eager to read more. So I hope that you update us soon.

 

[cdotla]

That's too bad! My heart is aching a little at reading that it gets worse

Yes, I really wish I could say that things picked up after dinner, but instead, the trip took a nosedive.

I'm so sorry that your trip wasn't exactly how you thought it would be. You're not alone in having a spouse who doesn't want to go to WDW. I've been twice in the last two years and my DH won't go with me. But it's okay, I just take the kids and go and have a great time.

While obviously I would have loved to have "converted" DH on this trip, like you, I have had (and will continue to have) plenty of wonderful trips to WDW with the kids. Maybe one day when we are in our 80's and I am looking back over my scrapbooks and recounting all the wonderful memories I had with the kids without him he will realize what he has missed.

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that they left you sitting there all alone for the bill. At least your traveling down was good! Great idea about getting off at the Poly and taking the monorail over to the CR. My Mom and I actually rented a car at the MK car care station right at the MK parking entrance (by the Hess station). I had no idea it was even there and it worked out great for what we needed. We were still able to use ME but had the car for going back and forth to the conference we were there to attend.

I hate to hear how it got worse. I hope Katie's stomach was ok.

Sara

Yeah...sitting there by myself at the table waiting for the bill while Mickey and Minnie were literally just about to reach our table was not a trip highlight.

But honestly at that point, with 10 more days in WDW ahead of us, it didn't get me too down. As soon as I paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant it was behind me. I chalked it up to travel exhaustion and assumed that it was going to be a blip, not a trend for the trip. Little did I know!

As for getting off at the Poly - yeah, I thought that was pretty clever! At first the driver was hesitant to "let" me get off. Obviously he didn't want to have to unload 50 bags to get ours out, only to have to reload them. However, I knew that our bags were at the front, and sure enough when he opened the CR compartment they were literally right there.

But...if I was to do it again, I would remember to advise the bus driver at the airport so our bags would be placed in the Poly slot, as opposed to the CR one. Either that or I would take the bags with us onto the bus.

Oh no! I think you can tell that Katie's not feeling well in the Pluto pic. I sure hope you can turn these folks around!

Try as I might, I wasn't able to do so that night!

UGH!!! That is the worst! I am sorry your night started so badly...I am hoping that Katie's stomach is not what gives you trouble I am dying to know what happens next...

Update coming soon. But you are getting very hot!!!!

Boy! Bad start....I can't believe that your family didn't want to stay to see the Fab 5! I can't see how it can get any worse from here....

Neither could I...but it did!

Oh no, sorry to hear that things didn't start out well, and even sorrier to hear that the night doesn't get better. Hope the good eventually outshines the bad!

Fortunately we still had many wonderful memories and experiences on the trip. Even involving DH! However, the whole trip was somewhat of a rollercoaster between ups and downs. Moment to moment I never quite knew what I was going to be faced with.

Oh dear, the night gets worse? But you are in WDW. And how cool is seeing the castle from your bed??? That can make any day end on a high note.... right??

Hey Christine...you said it! There is not too much that will keep me down in WDW! I sucked every moment of joy and happiness out of the trip that I could!

Aww, I'm sorry to hear that you only managed to see Pluto. Your plan sounded like a perfect first night in Disney to me! I hope Katie started to feel better.

I loved our plans too! I certainly would have preferred if everything went according to plan that night, but then again, I was still sleeping in my favourite room on property, with my favourite view of WDW, in my favourite place on earth. So life was still good!

Subbing in. I, too, had a DH that was not into Disney AT ALL. We went for the first time in 2008 and that would have been enough for him. But, we got a surprise when my daughter's dance class was invited to dance at Disney last year. If it weren't for that fact, he definitely would not have went. I don't think he will ever go again. He just doesn't like crowds, although it was not crowded at all both times we went. Well, we are now soon getting divorced, and what am I doing? Going back and forth whether or not my daughter and I should make a trip to Disney in August (w/free dining!)! I'm having a very hard time convincing myself not to go. We both love Disney and I would love to have a mother/daughter trip. But, I'm trying to figure out if the finances are justified. I know what MY answer is, lol, but I really need to put things into perspective.

Looking forward to reading your trip report! It is starting off exactly the way ours did last year.

Oh, I certainly hope you and your daughter end up going this year, especially given the bumps in the road for you this year! If not, you will definitely have to plan a trip in the near future for just the two of you. I know from experience that the trips without the Disney-resister are far more enjoyable!

I really hate to hear that your night did not go as planned and that it could eventually get worse?

I totally know how you were feeling because in 2007 we took my parents, sister, niece, nephew and cousin and they complained about the heat, food, etc. I made reservations at Crystal Palace, ordered a personalized cake and they still complained. Of course my feelings were hurt and DH just took my hand and told me how nice everything turned out. Mind you my parents started me on this obsession because we went to WDW every summer starting in the mid 80s and now they despise the mouse.

Yes, I have learned a very valuable lesson this trip. In future, family or not, I will be far more selective on who I will allow to join me on my precious trips.

 

[cdotla]

Sorry your first meal was a bust, Trish :-(

Thanks!!!

Oh Trish, I'm so sorry your trip got off to such a rocky start. I know how much excitement and anticipation you had leading up to it. Planning each day to make it perfect, I do it too. I can just feel how disappointed you were to not have things turn out as you had envisioned them. And, it gets worse???

Thanks Michelle! While it certainly wasn't the end of the world, it just wasn't what I had envisioned.

Oh I am so sorry that your dinner didn't go well.
I hope Katie wasn't sick all night.

Thanks! Update on the rest of the 1st night coming soon!

Sorry your trip started out bad.

Thank you!

I'm really enjoying your trip report.

I was quite excited about taking our son to his 1st character meal. We saw one character and he melted down. He couldn't understand that he had to wait for them to come to him so we had to leave.

I'm looking forward to reading more.

Aww...too cute! Although heartbreaking! I never thought of it like that though from a child's perspective. We all probably expect that our kids might be scared of the characters for their 1st meeting...however, I am sure many of us don't even think to explain to our kids in advance the "protocol" of character meal visits, do we?

 

[cdotla]

What an incredible bummer. I would have been so disappointed that the kids didn't even want to wait to meet Mickey. If this is foreshadowing of things to come you have every reason to be upset about the trip.

At the time, it actually wasn't much of a big deal to me. Although disappointing, I kept blaming it on exhaustion from the travel. (Even though I was the only one in the family who not only didn't get a full 8 hours of sleep, but actually hadn't slept in 2 days!)

When I saw this thread I knew I had to join. I'm married to a Disney resister as well. I do have to say though my dh would never leave before the characters all came to visit. My kids would not allow it either. So sorry your Chef Mickey's dinner didn't go as planned but I do have to admire you for not letting it get you down. Can't wait to read more.

So I'm joining in your trip report. Hope things got better...

Thanks for joining and for posting!

Looking back now, I actually find the Chef Mickey's experience kind of comical. Me, sitting in Chef Mickey's on the 1st nite of our trip that I had planned for so long and looked forward to for months. All by myself.

Wow! The plans you made sound absolutely wonderful. Sorry your family didn't seem to enjoy it.

Yeah...you are right. Those plans for the 1st night were smokin'! What is wrong with those people anyway???

Wow...I'm sorry about your dinner plans and the reactions you got!

Thank you! On the positive side, I did get to enjoy a mini-cheesecake and cup of coffee in peace by myself after the family left!

Sorry to hear about you being abandoned at the table. I am going to chalk it up to travel exhaustion and hope they all felt sorry later. I really hope they have a change of heart and you all get to watch 'Wishes'. 'Wishes' can make anything better....

Unfortunately, the Wishes plans also got a bit derailed. More on that shortly!

 

[MiaBella05]

joining in

 

[GBShorts]

I'm in for this one too...who can't resist looking at a train wreck?

Kidding.

Hope things don't get worse...even though you're saying they do!

 

[cdotla]

Oh....I'm so sad for you that it's going to get WORSE!!! It's funny about that formal pic when you walk into CM's- the first time, we all did it, it was our first night and I really love that photo- it is framed in my great room. When we went this last time, we all bypassed that portion of the evening- I guess we didn't want to stand on line, and we already had the perfect pic so it was ok. I hope you have a nice pic from other years!

Are you a Southern Living rep? I brought my girl Joan (wannabeadismom) over here this morning to ooh and ahhh over your daughter's party (we looked together while we were on the phone!) and it occured to me that you have alot of SL stuff- and you are REALLY REALLY good at using it!! So...are you?

Actually, we also have a past photo from Chef Mickey's that turned out decent enough. In fact, I think it was the only Disney photo that I ever bought separate from the Photopass CD.

However, this photo was taken in 2007 or 2008, and the kids have changed so much since then. But realistically, unless the photo was super fantastic, I likely would not have purchased it anyway as I find the prices to be way too expensive, especially since I had already pre-purchased the Photopass CD.

What I could not have known at the time though was that this refusal by DH to pose for pictures was going to continue the rest of the trip. Can you believe after pre-purchasing the Photopass CD for $100, DH only agreed to pose for photopass park pictures ONCE during the entire 11 day trip??!! On a 4 day trip, just me and Katie I think we ended up with something like 200 photopass photos.

As for the Paris Party questions...I must confess, I have never even heard of Southern Living. But you now have me intringued. I must do some research on this.

To answer your question, I don't think any of the stuff I used for the party is from Southern Living. I assume you are referring to the serving trays and platters and apothecary jars? If so, most all were purchased at Winners, the Canadian equivalent of Target/TJ Maxx.

Well your first night is certainly not all you dreamed of. But I know the rest of the trip has to get better . You did such an awesome job planning this trip. Waiting to hear more .

Hi Nichole! Great to have you along!!!

love the flower headband in Katie's hair. for having your room requests honored! I wish your trip had gone as magical as you wished. Thank you for telling your story despite the disappointing outcome.

Thank you! Thanks for following!

signing on, my husband is also a disney resister! I can usually bribe him, though, by going across the country to baseball games and then every few years to Disney : ) So, sorry about your dinner : (

Now that sounds like a good quid pro quo. Thanks for posting and Welcome!

Caught up, finally! Loved hearing about your last minute packing as that is totally me. No last night relaxing here either. Sometimes I just want to get in the car and go because then I know there is no turning back and I can stop thinking about the packing and what I may have forgot. I'm always thinking I forgot something as I'm driving.

So sorry about the disappointment at Chef Mickey's. I can totally understand and appreciate that you are willing to share both the good and the bad with us.

You know, your TR is helping me to realize that my "dream" of having Erik come to WDW and actually enjoy it with me may not be realistic. I've got trips planned in my head that are totally geared towards things I think he will like, but in the back of my head I feel like I'd be setting myself up for disaster. I think I'll stick to trips with just Sam and I (or girls trips!) until he actually asks to go with us!

Actually, I just got off the phone with Erik and he told me he was talking to a co-worker who is a Disney nut. The friend was telling him that she and her husband were taking three trips to WDW this year and he just couldn't understand that. He did tell me that he'd like to go again in December though, so I guess that's a good sign.

Yes, Michelle. Sigh....I think we both have to resign ourselves to the fact that our spouses will just never be able to share the Disney magic the way we would like.

I think you are so right about not asking them to come, and waiting until they make that decision themselves. DH said to me on a number of occasions during the trip "You know, you really just should come back again by yourself", and that is what I fully intend to do!

 

[cdotla]

I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

I guess I am lucky, to have a DH that loves Disney as much as me. I can not imagine what it would be like if my DH didn't like Disney.

Yes - you are lucky indeed! Hold onto that guy tightly!

Oh my! I've missed sooo many updates! I'm here now to catch up!!

Loving the pics from katie's birthday party! You're a wonderful host!! So beautiful! Awww what a cute gift for katie!! Such a cute card!! So sorry to hear your day was a little hectic but I'm glad you folks finally were on your way! That was a great idea to stop at the Poly and then take the monorail over. Makes a lot of sense!! I'm so glad your requests were honored! that's always a plus especially if it's a view of the castle!! so sorry to hear about your first Dismeet...that's always a bummer because it's always so exciting to think you'll finally get to meet in person! Awww, I'm so sorry your companions left you at the table!! and it gets worse?! Oh no...

Thanks!

Yes, I finally found a way to end the tortuous ME bus drive around property from resort to resort...hop off at the 1st stop connected to your hotel by monorail.

I don't know what it is, but those last 10-15 minutes waiting for the bus to travel through 4 resorts before you can get off is completely and totally agonizing. You are so close to your vacation really getting underway, but yet, so far away! At each and every stop I literally want to get up out of my seat and "assist" all the slowpokes off the bus so we can get the show on the road!

So I have learned my impatience demands either a 1st stop resort, car rental, or a creative approach to the disembarking order.

Just got caught up. Sorry to hear your first dinner didn't go so well.

I do look forward to seeing what your DC will wear the rest of the trip, because I love me some J&J as well!!

A-ha...a fellow J&J'er! Yes, I was bit hard by that brand about 5 years ago. Quite a bit of that came with us on this trip!

Great trip report so far! It's too bad the kids didn't want to see Mickey their last trip...hopefully they'll see him again before the end of the trip?

Oh yes! We definitely saw Mickey again.

Hi Trish,

I had replied to your thread yesterday but just as I got done typing and entered "submit" the boards went down. Oh well. Just wanted to let you know that I am following along and can totally relate. When I read about your experience at Chef Mickey's I felt sad -- both for you and for myself because it reminded me of a very non-magical moment we had at CR once. I hope you are finding it helpful to know that there are others here who share the same sort of sadness at not being able to share the magic with their spouse.

Believe it or not, even though yours is not the typical upbeat TR with tons of magical moments, I am so eager to read more. So I hope that you update us soon.

I wish there were less of us in this boat, but then again, I don't know about you, but I find it really helps knowing I am not alone either!

Thanks for reading along! I will have another update shortly!

 

[cdotla]

joining in

Welcome!

I'm in for this one too...who can't resist looking at a train wreck?

Kidding.

Hope things don't get worse...even though you're saying they do!

Welcome aboard my derailing train!

 

[let'sgo]

I can sympathize with you on the photopass. I, too, preordered one and went with DH and DD and there is not one picture with the three of us in it because either he wouldn't pose or she wouldn't pose.

Now he said he's not going to DW again. That's fine. I booked my next trip and I'm going solo! Can't wait.

Oh, and it sounds as if you should do a redo on that trip. After putting up with everyone, take someone who really enjoys Disney or do a solo trip. No one should have to put up with irritable people on a vacation.

 

[cdotla]

1st Nite in Disney....CR Tower, Magic Kingdom View Room for Wishes.... What could possibly go Wrong????

After picking up my family in the waiting area of Chef Mickey's following our lack luster meal, I knew that better times were on the horizon for our first night in Walt Disney World.

Keys in hand, overnight bags rolling behind us, my excitement was building as we made our way to the Tower elevator that would take us to our 11th Floor Magic Kingdom view room.

Last year, Katie & I had been fortunate enough to score an upgrade from our Garden View room to a Magic Kingdom view Tower room on the last night of our stay. I was sold. Disney marketing brillance at its best. While we arrived back in the room that night too late to watch Wishes from the balcony, after Katie went to bed I enjoyed some heavenly downtime out on the balcony, watching and listening to the beauty of the Magic Kingdom into the wee hours of the morning.

This trip, I had visions of the four of us out on the balcony watching Wishes, the kids in their pajamas, and the soundtrack blaring from inside the room. Then, after the kids were in bed, DH and I could enjoy a bottle of red (which I dutifully picked up at the Airport Duty Free on the way down), and Disney Magic could start to invade the heart of my Disney-resistant husband.

Unfortunately, you know what they say of the best laid plans....

In light of her birthday, and the fact that she had been the one to select the Contemporary as our first Resort of the trip, we let Katie do the honors of sliding the key through the lock and opening the door to our Room. Of course, you know how finicky those door locks can be. So I think it took 2 or 3 attempts, and perhaps a little help from Dad before we got the door open.

Even though Katie & I knew full well what to expect having stayed here before, this was the first time that either of the guys had stayed at the Contemporary. Heck, it was their first time on staying on Disney property!!! So my anticipation and excitement level was through the roof...I was so anxious to see their reaction, first to the room, and then to our private balcony with the view of the Magic Kingdom that was sure to knock their socks off!!!

Once that door opened, we all burst through the room, smiling and pinching ourselves that we were staying in "THE" coolest hotel ever. Heck, just moments before we walked into our room, a bloody monorail had gone right through the hotel beneath us!!!

Even DH got in on the excitement, as we all danced and jumped around the beautifully sleek room, knowing that it was ours for the night.

After a few moments taking in the coolness of the room, Declan and Katie fought their way to the patio doors to open the sheers to the window. Giddiness and pandamonia broke out as at least 3 of us fought our way through the doors and out onto the balcony to take in the stunning views of the Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, the monorail, and Polynesian and the Grand Floridian. And to breathe in that warm, balmy air so different from the cold, damp weather we had left behind in Canada.

(Photo: CR Fan 4 Life)

(Photo: CR Fan 4 Life)

(Photo: CR Fan 4 Life)

(Photo: CR Fan 4 Life)


After taking in the sights on the balcony, I took a moment to consciously commit to deep memory those feelings of excitement, joy and happiness of standing in that room at that moment, about to embark on a wonderful 11 day stay in Walt Disney World with my family. Then, I quickly started the process of unpacking the two overnight bags we had brought for the trip, putting everything away neatly in drawers, and packing the suitcases away in the closet so the room would continue to look as uncluttered and neat as it did when we first walked in.

By this point, it was almost 9 o'clock, about 1 hour away from the 10pm Wishes fireworks. Katie and I decided that we were going to head down to the giftshop to look around while the guys hung out in the room.

As usual, things were hopping on the Concourse that evening. Many people still waiting to be seated and eating at Chef Mickey's and picking up food and drinks at the Stop and Go counter. Tons of others were milling around, shopping, and enjoying the sights.

Katie & I did a bit of browsing in the giftshops and then picked up two Disney autograph books and Mickey pens for the trip, as well as two landyards for pin trading.

We really loved these autograph books. They had plenty of room for the characters to write as well as a photo insert for photographs to be inserted on each page.

As we were waiting to pay for our purchases, Katie started complaining that her ear was bothering her. By the time we started to make our way back to the room, she was crying, saying her ear was sore, she had an upset stomach, and a headache.

In the drop of a hat, things went from deleriously happy to miserable.

When the elevator let us off on our floor, I had to carry Katie back to our room. She was full-blown, hysterically crying by the time we walked in the room and this would continue for the next 30-40 minutes until she finally cried herself to sleep.

One thing about my daughter: when it comes to pain and sickness, she takes after me. She is a complete wimp. Like me, she can overreact to the extent that you can't really be sure if something is seriously wrong or just run-of-the-mill. But even I was worried about this.

In our family's many trips out of the country (including DH, who is typically out of country 2-3 times a month for work), none of us have ever had to go to a hospital or be seen by a doctor. But on this occasion, I was very close to taking her somewhere. I didn't think it was anything serious, but assumed she likely had an ear infection which might need antibiotics.

Fortunately, she didn't. But we wouldn't know that until the next morning when Katie woke up feeling completely fine. However, all night Chris & I were very unsettled about what might be wrong, whether she would be okay, and what it would mean for the trip.

Although Katie was out cold, Declan, Chris and I did see Wishes without the music soundtrack from the balcony that evening. But it just wasn't the same. Our thoughts and focus were on Katie.

(Photo: CR Fan 4 Life)

Needless to say, our Wolfblass Yellow Label bottle of red did not get consumed that evening. But we packed it up and brought it with us the next day to the Beach Club.


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