Best strategy to convince DH you are going to go to Disney next year?

[NYCgrrl]

Ah yes, the "we can't afford it" excuse My husband tried to use that on me few years ago.
But in all fairness, we were a little tight with money and I did understand why he was reluctant on spending money on a trip to WDW after we just came back from one a year ago.
But we both work hard and and I get really tired and look forward to my yearly vacations. So I really wanted this to happen.
Well I did what any Disney addict would have done. I found a way to go. I told him: "If money is the only reason we can't go, I'll find the money". So that is what I did, I found extra money on my own. I sat down calculated all our expenses and tried to see where I could save money for this trip.

I started changing how I did my groceries, using coupons and buying no name brands. If I did not need the item right away, I would not buy it. Next, I called my phone and cable company and saved a few hundred dollars by cutting some options. Took that money from our bank account and transferred it into a vacation fund. I stopped going to the aesthetician and did all my own waxing/pedicures/plucking, etc. I also stopped dying my hair at the hairdresser and did my own hair dye. Took the money it would have cost me each month at hairdresser and aestethician and transferred it to my account. We also stopped going to restaurants and the movies. We started doing movie night at home each friday, with Neflix movies, popcorn and treats (a tradition that my family has adopted since then). I also took on a cleaning job on the side (I work full time so this was extra work for me). I cleaned someone apartment once every week. A small sacrifice for reaching my goal. I also did small things like put a jar to accumulate all the loose change from each day and stopped going to the coffee shop on the way to work and brought a travel mug with coffee from home instead. Money was accumulating quickly in my travel fund. My husband was actually really impressed with my determination to make this happen and I did make it happen. We ended up going to Disney for a week with the kids. We stayed at POFQ and had an amazing trip and I even had extra money in that fund after the trip was done.

For years the man used to tell me that he trusted nobody else to watch his cats, as I went off on my solo vacs and business trips.
When all his cats had died off and I forbade him to get anymore (he thought it was cute funny that I came home one night and the cats were clawing a newly upholstered piece of furniture instead of their carpet poles...pfft) we were supposed to go on a trip to Switzerland and he transferred his anxiety to my parrot. Told him the bird really dinna care who fed him as long as he knew I was coming back and didn't suffer from the same neuroses as his now dead cats.
We had a lovely time in Zurich and Basel.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I don't know your financial situation- only you and your DH do. And if one of you doesn't- it's time to adult up and share the load.
The two of you need to have a serious discussion about your short and long term goals in order to resolve this lifestyle difference as soon as possible.
Some might tell you one idea that worked for them and others a different but the bottom line is this is YOUR marriage and you get to fix any possible differences in approach to life.
JMO.

This is better for them to resolve it. I have no idea how he will respond and I would not want to be in the middle of what comes down to a couple needing to resolve this issue. I am just saying how many spouses would like it if they knew the other spouse was coming to people they dont know to resolve problems. You need to learn to speak with the spouse.

 

[Kara19840]

It's the last holiday before your kid starts kindergarten. Although I am English so this isn't really a thing over here but it sounded like a great reason to get one last Disney holiday in before my little one goes to primary school. Plus it means we can go outside of school holidays without paying a fine.

 

[Kara19840]

Thanks again for the fun responses. It's hard with forum posts to set the tone but I was really looking for some light hearted suggestions. We do talk about our finances and I am the sensible of who manages it all and earns most of it. I am sure he would be happy to go. He is just a worrier. But no need really. If we couldn't afford it I wouldn't suggest it.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Thanks again for the fun responses. It's hard with forum posts to set the tone but I was really looking for some light hearted suggestions. We do talk about our finances and I am the sensible of who manages it all and earns most of it. I am sure he would be happy to go. He is just a worrier. But no need really. If we couldn't afford it I wouldn't suggest it.

Excellent to know on many levels.
And since you are looking for light hearted responses.....Pedro Almodovar's "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! springs to mind...oops.

 

[Kara19840]

Excellent to know on many levels.
And since you are looking for light hearted responses.....Pedro Almodovar's "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! springs to mind...oops.

Sounds good. Never seen the movie but might give it a go. Lol

 

[Alexsandra]

The way I see it, if you know you can afford it, I would try and push your husband for it. Your kids are at that perfect age for WDW. They really appreciate family vacations at that age and you are making memories that will last a lifetime. WDW is the perfect place to do so.

How many more trips will you have to travel together as a family? My boys are growing up fast and my oldest is already hanging out more with his buddies and less with mom and dad. At one point he will be at an age where traveling with his parents will not be his highest priority because of a girlfriend, school, friends, part-time job, etc.

You never know what will happen in the future. Sickness, job loss, injury, etc. It's better to do the things you want to do now so that you don't regret the past and say, I should have done that before "this" happened. I think if you don't take this trip, you will end up regretting it.

As for convincing hubby, I would sit down with him, explain why you want to go so badly and find a compromise. A value resort, staying off property, there are many ways you can make this an affordable trip. Discuss it with him and tell him how much it would mean to you. That usually works for me.

 

[Lvsdisney]

Hmmm.... Any favorite beer he can get at WDW but not at home?
Mention Flower & Garden and the concerts... maybe somebody he'd like to see!
Remind him that the kids won't be little forever, and even 1 year can lessen the "Disney Magic"
Tell him there will be cheerleaders around
And the most conniving... tell the kids you're going and then leave it up to him to tell they aren't! (actually not serious, BUT I can't stop you....)

 

[hsmamato2]

Make it fun for hubby. Whatever it is he likes, make sure he gets to do it while you're there. Most hubbys enjoy a good vacation, but they all have their own idea of what fun stuff is....(mine likes to drive rental cars and look at stupid little stores around town for hours) Then just set it all up,along with your plan to pay for it,and go over it with him.

 

[Vickilynn307]

Sounds more like a financial decision than anything people here will be able to help you solve.

If it's a money thing, stay offsite. We always stay offsite, have never stayed onsite...have zero desire to. We spend a fraction of what people spend staying onsite and have a 3 or 4 bedroom apartment with all the comforts that come with it.

This! We have never stayed onsite either, and I can honestly say that unless someone was paying for us to stay onsite, we probably never will. We have three grown kids, usually end up taking one of their friends, and my MIL. The cost for all of us to stay onsite, even with any specials, would be outrageous. We rent a condo and have our own kitchen, plenty of space, washer and dryer, two bathrooms. It's great! Last time we spent less than $900 to rent it for 6 days, 7 nights plus we were able to cook many of our meals there to save money. For 8 people that's a great deal. And my kids would rather be able to go more often than stay onsite and have to save for a longer period of time. At 21, 23 and 26 it's still their favorite place to vacation and no one is missing out on any magic! So if money is an option, considering staying off site! Good luck, I hope you can talk your husband into it!