Advice-how to get Hubby more excited

[mgrace79]

So has anyone encountered this issue with their hubby. I got the ok to plan our first family Vaca to Disneyland for DD bday(will be 5 at time of trip). Hubby was okay with it but the more I "plan" and try to discuss with him he gets annoyed and states he's not looking forward to it. i know he's not a crowd person, hence why we are going the first week of Feb and during the week. I realize it means reduced hours and attractions but thats ok if we get less crowds and an overall more pleasant experience for him. I just wish he could be a little excited and see the joy it is going to bring for DD. I wish i could just go w/out him but i don't want him to miss out on that magic of her first experience. Plus i have already made/pd for reservations its a done deal- especially when it come to the tickets non refundable discounted tix using his corporate discount- he has to be present to redeem i was just wondering if anyone else has dealt with similar issues and what you did? THANK IN ADVANCE!

 

[KalamityJane]

Wow, you sound like you are married to my dh! We went in nov and it went amazingly, and dh, dare I say it...had FUN! He prob won't be excited until you get there, but I bet he will enjoy it.

 

[sonnyjane]

My DH is for sure not a Disneyphile like I am, and he doesn't like crowded places at all, but I can manage to get him to go to the parks at least once a year with me... for a day or two tops lol. I'll take what I can!

I focus on the stuff that really appeals to him... like FOOD lol! He would make the trip for Plaza Inn's fried chicken alone I think, as would I. I also focus a lot more on the thrill rides when I go with him, but since you'll have your little DD you can't really ride those all together... he can still do it alone or with rider swap though.

I don't know your DH, but I'll say based on my own personal observations at amusement parks over the years, that some people just aren't "into it", and I wouldn't force him necessarily to do full days in the parks if he's just not comfortable with it. I feel like I've seen so many grumpy families that I'd rather go alone sometimes than with a grump! I'd compromise with him and make sure he is at least around for your DD's first visit to Fantasyland, first Mickey sighting, and first character breakfast etc. - you know, those big milestones - but then if he wants to break off and do his own thing or head to the hotel room to rest, I'd let him.

You never know, he might surprise you and really get into the Disney spirit once he is there! If not, just take what you can Not everybody "gets it", but not everybody has to

 

[Susie63]

Gee....we are married to the same man.but seriously....I went through this before our first trip.The more excited I got..the more grumpy he got.In fact the first thing I bought at DL was a grumpy shirt
The last couple of months before our trip I gave up trying to talk to him about our trip and spent A LOT of time here talking with people who love DL.I told him he didn't have to go but that we would be on the plane and I left it at that.
When we got to DL,I started pointing out things like the hidden Mickey's and the horticulture.We talked about behind the scenes and how DL works and just about the stuff I learned on here and through reading books.
Of course once we were there he had a blast.If you have never been to DL or WDW you can't imagine what Indiana Jones or Haunted Mansion is like.I think he thought it was going to be like our local fair.
Some nights when we would get back to our room he would comment about how there wasn't even a blade of grass in the planters or in the grates around the trees.No leaves or anything that wasn't supposed to be there.He found that hard to wrap his brain around.
Of course,he would never admit that he had a great time.....it was ok
but when we got home,a commercial came on for Disney.The one where the pirates come out of the basement....and when it got to the end it was for WDW....to which he commented"oh darn...it's for Disneyworld"
Gotcha!I laughed my head off.
This time we go for 12 days.He is all for it and will even go back in sept for my 50th.
So my advice.Come here and chat about DL and how excited you are.WE know where you are coming from and there are a lot of people here who are walking in your shoes.Arm yourself with info and just drop info here and there on your holiday.
Maybe our paths will cross and they can pretend they don't like it together
It will all be great in the end.The first week of feb is an awesome time to go.You will love it.

 

[mgrace79]

He hasn't been since he was in grade school so id say 25+ yrs and last time I went I was in HS so a good 14-15ys for me. This will be DD first trip-she is currently 42 1/2 in tall so can ride the vast majority rides and she's fearless. Loves roller coasters and whatnot at state/county fair. So I'm not concerned about that. Just trying to figure a way out to get him excited! I can always leave him at espn zone at dtd I suppose!

 

[KalamityJane]

Does your hubs like thrill rides? DH thought Screamin was great and has a soft spot for Nightmare Before Christmas, so he really enjoyed HMH. Plus seeing the kids so excited just melted him, I think. The kids were super into the characters and rides, and how can you not smile, kwim? Honestly, dh is normally a grumpy butt, so this was rare, but Disney really worked its magic

 

[mellers]

So has anyone encountered this issue with their hubby. I got the ok to plan our first family Vaca to Disneyland for DD bday(will be 5 at time of trip). Hubby was okay with it but the more I "plan" and try to discuss with him he gets annoyed and states he's not looking forward to it. i know he's not a crowd person, hence why we are going the first week of Feb and during the week. I realize it means reduced hours and attractions but thats ok if we get less crowds and an overall more pleasant experience for him. I just wish he could be a little excited and see the joy it is going to bring for DD. I wish i could just go w/out him but i don't want him to miss out on that magic of her first experience. Plus i have already made/pd for reservations its a done deal- especially when it come to the tickets non refundable discounted tix using his corporate discount- he has to be present to redeem i was just wondering if anyone else has dealt with similar issues and what you did? THANK IN ADVANCE!

The first time we went, my husband was the same way. Now he's like a big kid there, too. Give him a chance to warm up and he may. If not--send him golfing next time. ;-)

 

[julieheyer]

You're not alone! My dh isn't very into it either. I have to ask for 2 days to be my Christmas present for him to agree to a 4-day hopper! He thinks I'm nutso for posting here. But he does like the suggestions I've picked up and shared. He'll probably be more excited once we're there, but he is not anywhere near excited for it. Sigh.

Like the previous post, he enjoys watching the kids, riding Screaming, and Nightmare HM, and eating . We're going to try New Orleans Square this time. He requested a sit down meal to have a break.

It's magical for me every time!! Dd's are into it,so the 3 of us plan and talk about it. I think the less I talk to him about it the better it'll be. Once we're there he'll enjoy it, I'm sure!

 

[Susie63]

It's always different when they see how excited their little one is too!

 

[smiles33]

Echoing the PP, wait and see how DH reacts once you're in the park. Mine grudgingly went along, thought I was "psycho" for spending so much time here planning, but then saw how much our girls loved their experiences and admits it was a great trip.

He even wrote a TR (of sorts) for one of his college football sites, Disney on Wheeeeeeeels. Note, he's not very politically correct so don't read it if you might get offended when he refers to the obese guests who use ECVs as having "fat passes."

 

[siburdue]

Welcome to the club. My husband doesn't want to know about all of my research and planning, he only wants to know the final decisions But seriously, I have discovered that he does want to be included, so I always try to find something that is special for us to do together that he will like. For instance, he loves pirates of the caribbean - guess who's family is going as pirate's to the halloween party? aargh Wouldnt be my first choice, but I know he will enjoy it and the pirate's league. A few years back, on one trip I booked a Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, as he loves history, so he really enjoyed learning about disneyland's history.

So, keep on planning, and don't share the processes with him. BUT make sure that you include something special 'just for him' during the trip (even though it is really about DD). He will love you for it.

 

[Geemo]

Save your energy.... My DH is the same way.

Make your plans and see how it goes when you get there.
For some people the pre planning detracts from the trip its' self.

Maybe by not discussing plans or talking Disney with him before will make the difference once you are there.

Good luck

Geemo

 

[wannagoback]

My DH is the same way. He doesn't engage in conversations about it at all. We took our kids three years ago and he confessed that it was one of the best times of his life, but you would never know by looking at him! He's very laid back about everything, it's just the way he is! I hope you can enjoy the planning process and I hope he has a good time once you arrive! While I thrive on the planning and dreaming process, I have to realize that it's not enjoyable for everyone. Talking about it with my DH probably just brings up thoughts of airplanes and crowds, which he hates both!

 

[Mouser172]

My hubs is the same way. When me and the hubs go to disneyland dh is not very excited but once we are there and doing things the hubs enjoys himself. And seeing the disney daughters and dear son and dear grandkids having fun really makes the hubs happy.




=The Hubs
=disney daughter
= dear son

 

[furb & dez]

Stop harping on it.

This works for other aspects of relationships as well. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just drop it, already.

 

[LauraEadon]

Bring your best girl friend...

Your hubby will be uber exited then...

But in all seriousness, my Husband goes with me once in a while (bigger family trips mostly) but it's just not his thing. It's my favorite place on earth so me and my best friend go a few times a year (just long weekends so hubby doesn't miss me for too long)

He loves having the house to himself to make a mess in and I get to enjoy Mickey Mouse, Parades and food!

 

[mgrace79]

Echoing the PP, wait and see how DH reacts once you're in the park. Mine grudgingly went along, thought I was "psycho" for spending so much time here planning, but then saw how much our girls loved their experiences and admits it was a great trip.

He even wrote a TR (of sorts) for one of his college football sites, Disney on Wheeeeeeeels. Note, he's not very politically correct so don't read it if you might get offended when he refers to the obese guests who use ECVs as having "fat passes."

Thx for sharing. That's sooo my hubby!

 

[smiles33]

Glad you liked his TR! We're going AGAIN in April 2013 (he absolutely refused to make it an annual trip, so he's not a DLR convert...yet). So there's hope that even if DH never loves DLR as much as you, he may go along more willingly once he's had a successful trip.

When my girls are older, I may just add a couple days extra inside the park (beyond our 3 days now) and let him go golf. Right now I don't feel comfortable letting my 6 year old ride alone and there are rides my 3 year old won't get on, so I still need that second adult. But in the future, letting him off the hook after 3 days will mean we don't stretch him beyond his comfort level and we still get to have fun on the days we're together.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Mary09]

Once as adults, my sister and I went to Disneyland and went on two rides and left. We just weren't into it at that point in our lives.

I suspect when he sees that he's seeing it all through your daughter's eyes, it'll be a whole new experience for him.

But I also agree with letting him be a grump if he insists and not letting it affect your own enjoyment.

I've left my daughter's father home for several DL/WDW trips. I don't mind that he doesn't love it like we do.

 

[Pesky]

I agree with pps -- stop talking to him about it and just plan the trip as you think you will both like. Consider even splurging and surprising him by letting DD go to P's Workshop while you guys hit the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose. My DH is the same way. Of course, I can't blame him as I'm talking about our trip now and it's over a year away! I just plan out what I want and we go from there. I know that once he is there and sees the kids' faces enjoying it, he'll love it.