Any ideas on how to convert a DH?

[eeyoresmom]

My DH is not a big fan and I usually end up taking the kids(4 of them) by myself every year.Has anyone ever succesfully converted a spouse? I just returned to full time work last year and was fortunate enough to buy into DVC!!!not expecting him to come with us very often,but with 4 kids it makes financial sense(we always need 2 rooms) He enjoys the long weekends we've taken alone,but not the 7-10 day trips with the whole family.I don't think he enjoys that much activity(disney with 4 kids ) I've overheard him say that he likes it for "2 or 3" days . Any ideas???

 

[CarolA]

Personally, I think you are doing good on the 2 or 3 days. That may be all you can get.

What about having him join you for just part of the long trip> Maybe in the middle and make it a "slow" paced few days as opposed to "commando". Maybe if he saw that one of the DVC benefits is that you don't feel like it's go go go all the time he would be more open.

I am taking my long term boyfriend in late August with my best friend's family. He is NOT the Disney fan. (We have been dating for something like 15 years and this is is his first visit. I am still in shock he said yes) I have PROMISED him that he doesn't have to do anything but lay by the pool. I actually think he will kind of be on the every other day plan. (I am not encouraging him to go to MK. He really doesn't like little kids or crowds LOL! My friends kids are bigger so he is cool there!)

 

[snowbunny]

I think you're doing great also -- you have your DVC, and your DH is willing to come for a few days every so often.

My DH has been to WDW twice, decided he hates everything about Orlando and won't go there ever. So the kids and I go!

 

[maelstrom]

My dad has started coming down for a few days at the end of my mom & I's trips. It works out well.

 

[stashf]

I know how you feel! we are Disney nuts (kids and I) and my husband who says he likes Disney is just not into it like us. The last 3 years I have went with the kids and my mom and we've had a wonderful time, next year DH says he wants to go with the kids! The one time we all went we also had both grandparents with us and it was just too hectic and frustrating with so many for him, I even booked the last 3 days at the AKL for just us and the kids after the grands left and we took it much easier but by then it was hard for him to enjoy himself! One thing he has said is he doesnt want to go on my "itinerary". He is fine sitting by the pool or relaxing etc and enjoying the park at his pace. So my intention is for the kids and I to do some of the character breakfasts etc we love and I will give him the choice to come or relax at the pool. He's happy with that and so will we be, the only thing I will do is to book a "lively" hotel for him - he like the GF but also really liked the atmosphere of the Boardwalk. So maybe your hubby could come along but just dont expect him to spend as much time at the parks as you - let him pick his own pace, if he wants to relax by the pools and is happy doing that on his own everyone will benefit. Slowing the pace and relaxing a little more will probably do the trick! Good luck.

 

[TAKitty]

My DH is not a big fan and I usually end up taking the kids(4 of them) by myself every year.Has anyone ever succesfully converted a spouse? I just returned to full time work last year and was fortunate enough to buy into DVC!!!not expecting him to come with us very often,but with 4 kids it makes financial sense(we always need 2 rooms) He enjoys the long weekends we've taken alone,but not the 7-10 day trips with the whole family.I don't think he enjoys that much activity(disney with 4 kids ) I've overheard him say that he likes it for "2 or 3" days . Any ideas???

This is my very story! However, since owning DVC my Dh said something the other day about using our points to go to another place besides WDW!

I have just come to the conclusion that he is not going to love WDW like me. In fact, I am starting to enjoy the trips without him. My Dh hates heat and will complain at times while at "the happiest place on earth." I would rather vacation there with the boys and my family and be with people who really enjoy it.

I also told him on our next trip (in a couple of weeks), that he can stay in the hotel if he wants until we come back to the hotel for lunch. This gives him time to relax and read while we have fun. He likes going out to dinner at night and seeing the fireworks etc. so this might be our perfect plan.

Whatever you do, don't let your DH's lack of excitement wreck yours!

 

[Harvest02]

I think you're doing great also -- you have your DVC, and your DH is willing to come for a few days every so often.

My DH has been to WDW twice, decided he hates everything about Orlando and won't go there ever. So the kids and I go!

Same boat here! We just got back from our trip in June, and my DH says it is a tiring trip. He says too much walking and it costs too much! He actually got sick on this last trip too, so that didn't help. The kids and I enjoy Disney TREMENDOUSLY, but I have come to the conclusion that my DH will never enjoy it the way we do. So, I am planning another trip for me and the kids in October 2007 so we can attend the MNSSHP. If my husband decides to come with us, great. If he doesn't that is fine too. I hate having him whine and complain the whole time time we are there, so might as well just take the kids myself. We stayed on site at AS Mo this June, so probably will stay there again. Being on site is great and I would feel fine taking them by myself. I figure why waste the money on his park ticket and airfare if he really doesn't like it! I am sad he can't enjoy it, but that is just him. My parents took me to Disney quite a few times when I was a kid and I guess that is why I enjoy it so! I really have no ideas for the original post since I am still trying to figure out how to convert my DH also!

http://www.***************.com/ticker/user_tickers/8072006185830.gif http://www.***************.com/ticker/user_tickers/8072006185830.gif.png

 

[Simba's Mom]

If it helps to know, I didn't convert DH, but DVC sure did! DH was pretty much "Disney-tolerant" before DVC, only went because I was the family vacation planner and I loved WDW. So I just made it plain, "As long as I have to plan the vacations, we go to WDW. If you want to go to [any of the other places he mentioned], you plan it and we'll go." He had so little interest, I even went on the DVC sales tour alone (bless my guide for taking me as a serious prospect) and when he saw all the stuff, he was sort of "Whatever you want to do" since he was at least convinced that it wouldn't cost money in the long run.
Now, he proudly displays a DVC tag on his laptop, tells everyone about this great Disney Vacation Club WE chose to join, and after every trip, it's not long before he wants to go again. Yes, he golfs every morning while I go to the theme parks, so we happily do some things separately, and he likes to relax away from the parks a little more than I do, but he suggested we go to a character meal last time, going to Disney movies ("Cars"), wanting to know where he might see his favorite characters in the parks, and last year he even bought an Annual Pass (something I never thought I'd see!).
Sorry this is so long, but this change took a long time, too-almost 20 years. But I'm so glad it's happened I had to share!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

My best advice to get him to enjoy the longer trips is to SLOW DOWN.

It wasn't until we started no park days, spending entire days by the pool, discovering the great spas & yes, dare I say it, things outside of WDW that DH really started getting involved.

Don't get me wrong, I don't ever think he'll be as "in to" Disney as I am (or DS12) but he gets progressively better with each trip as long as he feels he's had some time to really relax!

He told me the other day that while he doesn't LOVE WDW he has come to love FL & he LIKES WDW.

Good enough for me!

 

[seven dwarfs]

I do not know about a husband because (thank goodness) My husband loves it as much as me. But my father is not as excited. We have to beg him to come to disney with us. Last time we made a schedule and let him pick what he would do with us and places he would like to eat. This gave him his time to sit and relax, watch tv or whatever made him happy. We did not make him feel bad for the times he did not come to the parks with us and enjoyed the time he was with us. It made everyone happy. Also, once he gets there he seems to enjoy it more then he says he does! Here's hoping he comes around for you..

 

[DVC Mary]

Find the resort(s) that fit his personality & that he might enjoy relaxing at while you guys head back out to the parks or maybe he wants to spend some nonpark family time. Possible choices: AKL for the animals, WL for the feeling that you are somewhere else, & BW for the activities.

Plan activities he'll enjoy into the trip. Possible choices: a quiet day w/ more pool time, a water park day, a trip to somewhere *GULP* outside Disney midtrip (my DH loved going to Sea World), minigolf/golf, fishing excursion, rent water mice, combine WDW w/ Vero Beach

Make sure to include some of his favorites into the trip. My DH works very hard & sometimes felt like WDW was geared towards the kids only. It's his vacation too. We make sure to include lunch at Brown Derby for his favorite Cobb Salad, dinner at Jiko (he loves South African wines), & usually I plan something special always that makes each trip different. A behind the scenes tour, Star Wars weekend (DH loves SW as much as kids), surprise last 2 nights Concierge level at AK w/ special safari & dinner, etc.

Mix up what you do. He may not tell which things he likes most. You may have to be more low key in your efforts. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[cworld]

If he likes to golf, or fish give him a (almost) Disney free day and let him sneak away for a golf day or a fishing day. There are lots of things like that available. Racetrack, tennis, horses...

It might be a way to get him to enjoy the family time more.

If all else fails there always the shame factor. "I always have to take the kids myself..." (Use as a last resort only, could backfire)

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

My husband is a convert.

He didn't abhor Disney but he would much rather go other places on vacations. He went on a behind-the-scenes tour and that did it. He was converted. He looks foward to Disney vacations now. He looks for hidden Mickeys and spouts Disney trivia.

As long as I don't tell him how much the vacation costs, he loves it.

 

[figmentfan704]

The Dining plan converted my DH!!!

He grew up spending every day in the summer at Six Flags ( Which is NOTHING like WDW! ) and just does not care for any kind of 'amusement' park. We went during free dining last september - it was awesome! I think he was a little skeptical that each time we signed for a meal that it was getting charged to our room! He came back telling everyone about how great it was and how he 'ate like a king'! We are going again this September and he keeps telling people about it (he is in sales ). That is why we have a 'grand gathering' !!! He would give out my cell # or our phone # for them to call me and get more info.
I wish I was a WDW travel agent!!
I also have learned NOT to go 'Commando'. It is O.K. if we don't get to 'do' everything. This was hard for me!!!! We take a day off and allow for some pool time after the parks.
He can be just as grumpy (or grumpier) than the kids!

 

[jeankeri]

My DH really enjoyed our trip when we stayed at the Polynesian. It was during the Salute to Veterans and I was able to book concierge for 40% off. Well, between the lounge with fresh coffee in the morning and the tropical feel of the resort, he had a great time. We bought DVC shortly after and stayed in a 2BR, with the kids having their own room and kitchen/laundry in the room. Well, my DH hated it!! He really liked the feel of the Poly resort (even though he spent the week sleeping on the day bed- go figure). So- we will probably rent our points to stay on $ at the Poly (hoping for great discounts). Our last trip I took the boys for SWW and left DH at home with the dogs. I can't imaging DH having the least bit of fun in the heat, so we will probably travel without him if we travel to WDW in the summer.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I can't believe that there are sooo many of us in the same boat! I'm the Op and after I posted that I was sure I would get a lot of responses like "why would you vacation without DH?",or "why would you buy dvc if he's not that into it?" My kids all LOVE disney and that's saying alot considering they range in age from 9 to 18 and in college! And even the older kids have never once thought about skipping a trip or going somewhere else.(we have family in California,New Mexico,New England,NYC and Italy so they have been to other places !) Disney is the only place they ALL get really excited about going to. Back to DH,not that I'm wishing this problem on others,but I'm really relieved that other families are like mine.All the advice is really good.He does really enjoy the restaurants and other non-park stuff(like the gyms ) Now,he hasn't been since I bought dvc and I'm thinking with the separate bedrooms for the kids,larger accomodations,etc. maybe he'll feel more relaxed.I don't ever put any pressure on him to join us,he would come if I "made "him,but who wants that?