Advice needed! DH is not a WDW fan

[luckycharliegirl]

I'm wondering if anyone has had this issue. I would like to go to Disney next February for our anniversary but my husband doesn't care for Disney. He had 2 bad experiences there as a kid and then in his early 20's. He said he would go if I really want to (which I do) but it won't be any fun if he's not happy. Any advice to "convince" him we'd have a lot of fun would be aprreciated. OR... do we just not go? TIA

 

[Metro West]

 

[yensidgirl]

I would ask him specifically what it was that made his experiences bad? Was it who he was with? Where he stayed? Crowds? Travel? or is he just not one for theme parks in general?

If it's something specific you can work around it or maybe you can compromise and plan a vacation to FLORIDA which just encompasses a day or so at Disney and then take advantage of other things the area has to offer.

Sometimes when people think of Disney they strictly think of Mickey, Princesses or animated movies for kids. There is obviously a plethora of things to enjoy without ever stepping foot into one of the parks. I was there 2 years ago with work and alone without my family. I stayed at a Disney resort and enjoyed the pool, spa, dining and my time at my resort as well as time in Downtown Disney. It wasn't any of the typical Disney activities one associates with Disney but it was still a great time. Maybe if you present it to him like that it might help.

I'd make sure you did some sort of compromise though so that he enjoys himself as well and if you think he's miserable the whole trip that's going to dampen your trip as well.

Good luck!

 

[luckycharliegirl]

thanks for the advice. I think him helping to plan a lot of the details, things to do, places to eat, etc would be good. And finding a small, quiet resort outside disney to get away from "the mouse and his chaos!!" would help.

 

[bits-n-pieces]

Welcome! My DH had the same problem convincing me to go to WDW for our Honeymoon trip 15 years ago and now 7 WDW trips later I let him know he has atleast been right about one thing in 15 years!. I was definately thinking why would I want to go see Mickey on my honeymoon. But DH got me involved in planning and pointing out the great resorts and dining.

I like the idea of making it a Central Florida trip with a day or two at Disney. That might be a great compromise.

Good luck

 

[hunterandtannermom]

I have been married for 15 years and my hubby is the same. Beg, Beg, Beg!!! Try the DC as my DH usually enjoys himself on it! Good luck!

 

[ToddyLu]

If he loves photography do like I do and give him a day to himself to take as many pics as he wants while you enjoy the spa. If he is into sports, let him enjoy a game at ESPN while you shop around the Boardwalk. If it is golf, well you get the idea. Most of the time when someone is dead set against something there is a reason. I would do like the PP and ask him.

Buy him a pass porter, leave it in the bathroom and he will look through it on occasion. This will help him get comfy with all the thiings to look for and do at WDW. Let him help you pick the restaurants. Allears.net has the menus and keeps the list of places updated. htey also have a great website for first trips in general.

My DH likes to eat later in the day, so when it is just us on a trip we eat at 7 or later. If he wants to sleep in the morning, I quietly get on my clothes and go down to the outside areas, sit and watch the sun come up or watch the families with little ones head to breakfast. He gets time with his Ipad, while I go down to the pool. But what ever you do just allow him to guide the activities. You are like me and will just be happy to be there. I mean we do things I want too but we aren't commando park people any more.

 

[ToddyLu]

I love value resorts but if he wants to get away from Disney do not stay at those--theming and families are the staple there. I love Port Orleans French Quarter as a quiet moderate resort. It is New Orleans theming and not Disney theming and very quiet. My MIL prefers Coronado. There may be less kids there because it is one of the Convention resorts.

What about getting a home at Bonnet Creek to rent. I understand that is a lovely area and right on the edge of Disney property. He may prefer the space of a home rather than hotel room.

If I were staying on property and he had a few issues with his last trip I would definitely stick to moderate resorts.

If lines are aggrevating explain to him about fastpass and rope drop.

Sending pixie dust your way.

 

[disneychic2]

Take him for one of the carriage rides at POR...very romantic. There are lots of neat things for a couple to do. DH and I go every year and have a blast! I like the idea of just a few days to get his feet wet, though. Good luck!

 

[luckycharliegirl]

Oh wow! some great advice, i have to write these down! Im thinking a one bedroom condo, that way there's opportunity to "veg out" if needed. My onsite choice would be the Coronado resort as we live in Southwest Colorado area (originally from the tri-state area, hence the 'hatred' of crowds and traffic).
Not sure what a 'pass porter' is? I like the carriage idea or even a horse back ride. And letting him pick the activities and schedule, well then he won't feel like im making him do things!! Great ideas, hope for more, thanks again!! I think this can work and we'll both have a good time.
Oh Toddylu, we are both spa people so that'll be on my list.
Does anyone know a good website for requesting all kinds of different brochures to be mailed? I tried 'visitorlando.com' but just got a lame book and that coupon card that expires in a few weeks.

 

[ougrad86]

Passporter is a guide book; that and Unoffical Guide are my bibles for Disney. Between them and these boards you can plan a great trip!

My DH was not a huge fan, although he did like World Showcase at Epcot. Although it is in Disney, it does not scream the mouse like other parts of the parks. We try to spend some quality time there. But I planned carefully, picked a quieter time of year when it was not too hot or crowded, and make sure I had a touring plan (although the crowds were so low we did not need it).

Go to the Disney Website. You can order their DVD which is awesome to watch.

Good Luck!

 

[luckycharliegirl]

Passporter is a guide book; that and Unoffical Guide are my bibles for Disney. Between them and these boards you can plan a great trip!

My DH was not a huge fan, although he did like World Showcase at Epcot. Although it is in Disney, it does not scream the mouse like other parts of the parks. We try to spend some quality time there. But I planned carefully, picked a quieter time of year when it was not too hot or crowded, and make sure I had a touring plan (although the crowds were so low we did not need it).

Go to the Disney Website. You can order their DVD which is awesome to watch.

Good Luck!

Thank you. I did get the DVD but he did not want to watch it. (although, honestly our trip is not for another 10 months so he's not ready to 'plan'). From what i've read, beginning of February is one of the quietest months and not hot at all, although I'm hoping a water park (with the snorkeling) is possible! Epcot is definitely on our list as DH said it sounds pretty cool.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We are not into all the scheduling, index cards and laminated sheets for daily use.....really a turn of for me.....I don't want to be lead around and being told I have to be here at such in such a time or I have to eat at, again, such in such a time and place.....

We like our trips to have the spontaneity of adventure....if I'm hanging at the pool, cooler full of beer and had the day before full of a park....I just might want to relax there for a couple of hours and not hear, it's going to throw off the schedule...

We're going to be on property long enough to see most of the parks, we do make other trips to WDW so living and dying in the parks opening to close is a big turn off...if I just want to breeze about...take a park in a relaxed state and not feel like I'm storming an enemy's beach...I'm happy....when enough is enough in a park, it's time to go......

We've done over 40 trips to WDW, and have probably made a total of 5 ADR's in all those trips and still ate well, no complaints, and never were led around by ADR times and places....we both enjoy the freedom it affords us..we take time out every day to enjoy the resort, pool, surroundings and not travel with that go.go mentality and feel better for it....

Resort choice is important....we will not compromise our resort choise...we want deluxe, like certain areas, prefer seclusion, non crowded compact resorts with different options for getting around....our choice has been the WL...off the beaten path of day visitors but in the MK area, and on the lakes...great theme, very compact and has the privacy we like in a resort...

Given all that....we do make a few plans...a couple of places we want to eat at but no ADR's....park picks are the day before we're going...don't care about park hours at all....if we're walking thru a park and spy a hot dog stand or pop corn wagon...we're going to have some and not hear...we're going to eat in an hour with some ADR...it's not what we want.... keep it simple, keep is relaxed and keep it stressless....

 

[3LittleMonkeys]

Take him for one of the carriage rides at POR...very romantic. There are lots of neat things for a couple to do. DH and I go every year and have a blast! I like the idea of just a few days to get his feet wet, though. Good luck!

I wish there was a like button on these boards. This is a great idea.

 

[luckycharliegirl]

Pepe, thank you for this point of view. I'm a planner and he isn't but I don't want an hourly schedule either. A good reminder to keep things "open".
On a positive note, since i can't not keep talking about our trip every night, DH DID say he is excited for the snorkeling at TL! Hopefully it's warm enough!!

 

[mouse2mouse]

There are lots of great activities at FW campground that may be of interest for him.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

And finding a small, quiet resort outside disney to get away from "the mouse and his chaos!!" would help.

I would suggest Port Orleans Riverside. My husband loves it. It has a nice bar there too with Bob the piano guy who will just crack you up. That would eb fun after a day in the parks. Also there are carriage rides that you can take which would be romantic. Then there is a boat that will take you to Down Town Disney. It's very relaxing.

If you don't want to stay at a Disney Resort, check into Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We are actually staying here in Nov for the first time. It is on Disney property right next to CBR but it is not owned by Disney.

My DH is excited about that for something a little more relaxing. He is a lot like your DH and I have to pretty much beg him to go. He is actually looking forward to staying there to have more space. With three kids a little hotel room can eat away at your nerves. He likes to relax with a cold one each night.

Pepe, thank you for this point of view. I'm a planner and he isn't but I don't want an hourly schedule either. A good reminder to keep things "open".
On a positive note, since i can't not keep talking about our trip every night, DH DID say he is excited for the snorkeling at TL! Hopefully it's warm enough!!

If he is excited about snorkeling, maybe check into Discovery Cove for the two of you. That would be something very special that you could even surprise him with.

http://www.discoverycove.com/

 

[Pluto0809]

My DH doesn't like vacations at all. That being said, I do a lot of stuff for/with him that I don't particularly like so I don't feel too guilty dragging him on vacation once in a while. We are going to go in Oct 2013 for our 15th anniversary and I've already starting "preparing" him.

I've been slowly mentioning things I think he will enjoy and then gauge his reaction. If the reaction is good, it goes on the "to do" list. Also, I'm preparing myself to slow down at Disney. My usual Disney trip is go, go, go but I know it will have to be different with him. There will always be a next trip with other family or friends where I can see things I miss with him.

He is also one that doesn't want to have anything to do with the planning. Just says whatever you want. I still like to get him involved but do it in small bits. For example, I will look at all of the restaurants in one park and narrow it down to maybe three options that I know we will both like. Then I will e-mail him descriptions and menus from the three so he can look at them on his time schedule. He may say doesn't matter but sometimes he surprises me and picks one. Then I wait a week or two and do another park.

One thing I already picked that he actually seemed pretty interested in was the Segway tour in Epcot. Of course, he seems more interested in driving the Segway than the actual tour, guess it's a guy thing.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Pepe, thank you for this point of view. I'm a planner and he isn't but I don't want an hourly schedule either. A good reminder to keep things "open".
On a positive note, since i can't not keep talking about our trip every night, DH DID say he is excited for the snorkeling at TL! Hopefully it's warm enough!!

Yes, simplier the better...let him graze and roam....

As for snorkling.....that pool, Shark Reef, is kept at around 70 degrees and is salt water....we've done it a few times and let me tell you, though it maybe in the 80-90's out...sure is tough getting into there with the cold temps....Ha...but it's great fun and very interesting....

Also wanted to add....adding activities for me to do is a bummer...I feel it's spending more of my money, I just wanted to relax, see some of the parks.... now that's to a certain extent (I'm not that cheap, but it does come to a point) ...I'm not one to spend money of say a fishing excursion or fireworks cruise....way out priced for me...there's alot of things in Disney that can occupy my time, cheaper and free...big pleasure for me is just to go to the beach movie at the resort a couple of nights (free)...pop some pop corn, take some beer and wine, gra a lounger and enjoy...no fuss, no muss...at the resort, close to the pool....and free...simple pleasure..

 

[graceesmom]

Regarding snorkeling at TL - I don't know your exact dates but beware that Disney generally closes 1 waterpark for a significant portion of the winter for refurbishment. I don't know that the refurb schedule is out for 10 months from now, but that is something to keep an eye on.