Dh-is a little enthusiasm too much to ask?

[goofyshell]

Okay-just venting here. We're leaving next Thrusday for Disney. I'm really glad my dh agreed to the trip (Disney is fine with him, but definately not his pick.)
I just don't want to get there and spend the whole time feeling I've dragged him there. Two of the kids are really excited too, but the other one is still disappointed we're not taking the cruise. (we had to change that for next year due to work schedules).
Would one of you like to go with me and dh can stay here? Just kidding. Sort of.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I'm going in December and April, but I would be glad to join you.

Let him know that it is a family trip and it's for all to enjoy! Keyword: ENJOY!

 

[BeccaGrace]

I feel your pain. My dh has no interest in Disney and is only going because of the kids. I am hoping that he will get swept up in the pixie dust and love it (which isn't too far-fetched because he never wanted anything to do with Disney movies and now loves them!)...I hope both our husbands have great times or at least don't detract from our great times!!!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I"m sorry- enthusiasm for a trip planned by someone you love is never too much to ask. Luckily my boyfriend is a huge Disney fan, but would prefer not to plan, as he says he * loves everything * and wants to do * whatever you want * That's tough, too. I think that once your DH is there he will definitely come around- how could anyone be miserable in Disney? Just in case, throw in some things you think he might like and if even that doesn't work, leave him with the kids, and go to the GF Spa- when you come back, he'll have a newfound appreciation for the magic of both Disney and his wife, lol.
Good luck! I think everything will turn out just fine.

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

With a husband reluctant to go??!! My husband says "I'm sure we'll have a good time but, there are other things we could do. Well, we can do other things at another time!! WE ARE GOING TO WDW!! Sorry, just had to vent. Hopefully he will perk up when he hits the warm FL air!

 

[disney1990]

I feel your pain. I took our randdaughters to Disney World 2 years ago -- they were 3 and 5. In November, my DH and I taking them back (with their parents this time). My daughter (28) grew up going to Disney World, but her husband has only been once as a young teenager. He's not really gung ho about the upcoming trip. I'm doing everything I can think of to make his first Disney trip as an adult a magical trip (hoping that he too "gets it" by the time the trip is over). I have planned the Fantasmic Dinner Package (so he doesn't have to enter the theater with the masses. I have planned the Candlelight Processional and dinner in Germany. He will get to see the Osbourne Lights and the Magic of Disney decorated for Christmas. I have planned dinner at Bomas (which is such a fantastic restaurant). And, I have planned dinner at 1900 Park Fare so he can see how excited his now 5 and 7 year old daughters get when they see Cinderella. Not since I planned our very first trip in 1990, have I spent so much time planning a trip to Disney World. I'm trying so hard to show him that Disney is fun for children and (adults that never want to grow up). I hope you can do the same for your husband so that he will understand why "the rest of us" keeping going back.

Have a Magical Vacation.

 

[dis-happy]

Well, you never know. My DH was the same as yours; we were meeting friends there a year ago in August (dh: "it's going to be hot" duh...our only chance to see our best friends that moved away..). Anyway, he didn't say much while we were there (he's kind of quiet), but I found out afterwards that he had the TIME OF HIS LIFE! He said when he retired, he wanted move to FL. and work for Disney. Who would have guessed? We ended up buying DVC after that trip; got AP's this past January and have been 4 times this year already, with an additional Christmas trip planned in December. So, never say never. Maybe Tinkerbell will sprinkle some dust over your dh as well.

 

[TomB'sWidow]

That's a shame he is not into Disney, I was fortunate when my Dh was alive he loved it as much as I. We had wonderful times planning & going on the trips. I really miss those times, heres' hoping your Dh get's the Disney bug

 

[bigmac5]

I hear your pain. DH, and DS14 really weren't interested in going. DS13 was sort of interested and DS11 said he was excited. They were all doing this for me. This was our first trip (DH and I did go about 20 years ago but so many things have changed). We got in on the free dining and I booked all our ADR's. DH said "I hope we don't spend all our time going to and from restaurants. I don't want to spend a lot of time eating" I was scared that we wouldn't have a good time. Why can't anyone get a little excited about the planning?

But at Disney, we were at the parks when they opened in the morning. Saw everything we wanted to see by noon. Ate lunch ,saw a show, went back to our room, got ready for dinner. Sat and enjoyed our meals and had the most magical time.

I think he got a little of the bug. A friend from his work is going in Dec. and he has been telling them things to do and talked them into the dining plan. This from a guy who was going along for the ride(actually he drove but you know what I mean)

You too will have a magical time

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I know how you feel. My Dfi agrees to go, and has a good time while we are there, but he is no help whatsoever in the planning/getting excited about the trip department. Anytime I bring it up or try to set up ADR's, tours, etc he just rolls his eyes and changes the subject, but when it comes down to it and we actually land in Orlando, he will get excited. (or is that anxiety to just get off the dang plane?!)
Hopefully your DH will come around when he is smack dab in the middle of the most magical place in the world.

 

[mhf]

My DH doesn't really express bouncing enthusiasim about much (sporting events are the exception!). It may be a "guy thing" for some to be the very stoic male. When I sprung WDW on him for his birthday he didn't run and hide so I count that as a victory. I knew he always liked Pooh and Eeyore and took the chance.
I just cut my DH some slack and don't expect

MHF
aw: aw: aw: aw:

PS we're celebrating our 20th anniversary next year so this must be working...

 

[isyt]

Don't worry if hubby is bringing you down I will be arriving next thursday also!!!!

 

[wiggles]

Well If I wasn't going next Tues. I would go with you since you are a neighbor of mine. (I live in Russellville) My husband is exactly the same. We also had a cruise booked for next May but I talked him into going because of the free dining. We just moved our cruise back a few months. I always stress about him not having a good time but he always does. I have even caught him talking to the girls about the trip the last few days. Have Fun!

 

[goofyshell]

Thanks all. I just wanted the sympathy I knew I would get here! I know dh will have fun, I just want to share some of the planning excitement with him. Oh well, I am excited!! Five more days!!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I"m sorry- enthusiasm for a trip planned by someone you love is never too much to ask.

This sounds like it is coming from someone who hasn't experienced a grumpy spouse. There are people that would argue that you shouldn't force someone you love to go on a trip they don't want to take....

That being said, I also have a Grumpy spouse. I started a thread about this about a year ago, and I was surprised at how many spouses out there could care less about WDW. And going there does NOT melt their hearts with pixie dust and change their minds. They tolerate it for those they love. Enthusiasm is a luxury.

My DH would rather go anyplace but WDW. But he goes not because he loves all the rides ( he likes most of them OK, -he flat out refuses to go on "it's a Small World"), but because he enjoys how much our DS5 and DS7 enjoy the rides.. He would never go to WDW again if we didn't have the boys.. We have recently moved to Savannah, so we have a 5 hour drive now. I am planning a trip in December, which he is aware of -quite unenthusiatically, I might add- and one in February in lieu of birthday celebrations for DS5(January), myself (January), and DS7 (March). When my boys are a little older and more controlable, I may even give DH the option to stay home. But you know what, I bet he will still come along...
I should clarify, DH doesn't sit around and pout the whole time he is at WDW. I just know that if I said, "wanna go home?" he would think about it.....
WDW just isn't his thing, I still love him!!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I'll go, I'll go !!! My husband and DS 17 and DS20 had NO Desire to go with me and my DD9 to WDW in August .....so guess what ...DD9 and myself went just the two of us . It's not worth all the complaining from my husband and sons ,so I decided that if I wanted a trip I might as well plan it for just the 2 of us ! It was wonderful...we did what we wanted ,free to come and go as we please and it was also less exspensive with just the 2 of us .Life is too short ...next time just plan a trip with whoever wants to go with you....trust me you'll have more fun and not feel guilty about dragging someone around the parks who doesn't want to be there !!!!

 

[Skroops]

I hear you! I don't really get the enthusiasm either. I guess my DH loves me though, because he never verbally complains. His body language sometimes protests, but it is then how much I can see he loves me.
So I am okay with not getting enthusiasm from him. At least he's going along with me...and he'll genuinely have a good time when we get there.
That's enough for me. I'll take what I can get.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

This sounds like it is coming from someone who hasn't experienced a grumpy spouse. There are people that would argue that you shouldn't force someone you love to go on a trip they don't want to take....

That being said, I also have a Grumpy spouse. I started a thread about this about a year ago, and I was surprised at how many spouses out there could care less about WDW. And going there does NOT melt their hearts with pixie dust and change their minds. They tolerate it for those they love. Enthusiasm is a luxury.

My DH would rather go anyplace but WDW. But he goes not because he loves all the rides ( he likes most of them OK, -he flat out refuses to go on "it's a Small World"), but because he enjoys how much our DS5 and DS7 enjoy the rides.. He would never go to WDW again if we didn't have the boys.. We have recently moved to Savannah, so we have a 5 hour drive now. I am planning a trip in December, which he is aware of -quite unenthusiatically, I might add- and one in February in lieu of birthday celebrations for DS5(January), myself (January), and DS7 (March). When my boys are a little older and more controlable, I may even give DH the option to stay home. But you know what, I bet he will still come along...
I should clarify, DH doesn't sit around and pout the whole time he is at WDW. I just know that if I said, "wanna go home?" he would think about it.....
WDW just isn't his thing, I still love him!!

You're right, I haven't experienced a grumpy spouse- however, I've been on the other side (sort of) my boyfriend is a snowboard instructor and Eagle scout- I am soooo not into camping or athletics, but when he planned a ski trip and a camping trip, I went along, and tried my best to have a great time- and I did because I gave it a chance- would I rather go to WDW- of course! but it was fun and I'd go again because I love him.

Similar to what you clarified- that your DH doesn't sit around and pout, etc. My point was that if someone is all excited about a trip- WDW, camping, anything, then their partner should try and give it a chance. Sometimes it will end up being "tolerating it for those they love" some end up going the whole pixie dust route and loving it themselves. Either one is fine- it's a *type* of support/enthusiasm. I wouldn't want anyone to have great excitement dashed by a *Frank Barone* type spouse, lol, who argued about the money that was spent, or resented that the spouse took the trip or whatever.
I don't think anyone was forced to take a trip here, I just wouldn't want anyone to be forced to give a up a passion like WDW. Just hoping all partners are supportive of what their loved ones like to do, whether they themselves love it or not.

 

[ncbyrne]

I have 5 grown kids - all married - 6 DGKs. Only one of my 5 kids likes WDW trips as much as I do. However, her DH wants no part of it! Works out perfectly for ME. I go with DD and 2 DGDs, then on the next trip, I go with just my DH and me. If someone doesn't want to go...leave them home, go, and have a grand time without them.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

You're right, I haven't experienced a grumpy spouse- however, I've been on the other side (sort of) my boyfriend is a snowboard instructor and Eagle scout- I am soooo not into camping or athletics, but when he planned a ski trip and a camping trip, I went along, and tried my best to have a great time- and I did because I gave it a chance- would I rather go to WDW- of course! but it was fun and I'd go again because I love him.

Similar to what you clarified- that your DH doesn't sit around and pout, etc. My point was that if someone is all excited about a trip- WDW, camping, anything, then their partner should try and give it a chance. Sometimes it will end up being "tolerating it for those they love" some end up going the whole pixie dust route and loving it themselves. Either one is fine- it's a *type* of support/enthusiasm. I wouldn't want anyone to have great excitement dashed by a *Frank Barone* type spouse, lol, who argued about the money that was spent, or resented that the spouse took the trip or whatever.
I don't think anyone was forced to take a trip here, I just wouldn't want anyone to be forced to give a up a passion like WDW. Just hoping all partners are supportive of what their loved ones like to do, whether they themselves love it or not.

ITA with you on those points!! And this year with us will be a little different-it will be the first trip with DH working his new job as a college professor rather than in corporate "we own you and ALL of your free time" advertising. He will be in the middle of his Thanksgiving/Christmas break, so he will not have his cell phone glued to his ear the whole time walking around the parks, and his computer going while in the room. (I know, it's very sad.) It will be interesting to see how it goes when all he has to do is have a (reasonably) good time.

Last year, the boys and I were standing in line for the Winnie the Pooh ride, which DH declined to go on. He got on a business call and stretched out on a bench (sitting, not laying down..) with his earphone on and phone not in view. The call was quite animated, too. The boys and I watched the "crazy guy" ("i don't know him, do you?") talking to himself on the bench, and pointed him out to people in line with us...

I think that if you can get the Grumpy spouse into the park, that is most of the battle. It really IS hard not to smile once in a while when you are in WDW...

LuLu, you are a good sport. I don't know if could have done all that snow stuff, all in the name of love. There would have to be a big WDW payoff after that for me.....