From "Clueless" DH: I Don't Get It... Why?

[traciedee]

You don't have to feel bad if you don't get it. For me WDW is just a really fun place to go on vacation. We have 3 teens that are amusement park freaks and this is going to be some great family time for us. We still have fun together and this is someplace they thought would be pretty cool. But I have to admit I don't get tears at the thought of seeing Mickey or pixie dust dreams about WDW. I just know it's going to be a blast.

 

[MartDM]

Seems like a lot of DHs are like you Dan, but I thought I'd toss my two cents in as a chick who (dons flame retardant frock) doesn't really get it either. We've visited WDW several times in the past six years and have had a good time, but I don't get it being a family's sole vacation destination all the time, every time.

We visit Orlando each fall for the primary purpose of attending Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. So the attractions don't lose their lustre for us, we alternate each year between staying at Universal and at WDW and typically don't "do it all" in each place while we are there. Even so, some of the lustre has worn off some things.

Honestly, if it weren't for HHN, we probably wouldn't even visit Orlando more than a few times a decade because there is so many other wonders our world has to offer. Some incredible non-Disney things we've done in the past several years:

-A helicopter to the bottom of the Grand Canyon? What a rush!

-Hiking the Mayan Ruins in Mexico? Fascinating!

-Winding your way through the cloud covered cliffs over the Pacific Ocean? Breathtaking!

-Everything in Las Vegas?? Viva Las Vegas!

-Standing in the midst of the Redwoods in Muir Woods? Humbling!

-Lounging on a semi-private beach with a fruity frozen drink in the Caymans? Heaven!

-Kayaking through the caves in the ocean cliffs of La Jolla? Thrilling!

-Shopping, eating, visiting museums, and seeing shows in NYC? Rockin!


You get my drift I'm sure. While I think WDW is a wonderful place with great service, lots of fun, and plenty of memories to be made, I just don't think it's the ONLY place. While we've had a good time at WDW, we've also seen, learned, and experienced so many fantastic things in each of the places that we've visited, I just couldn't imagine limiting ourselves to a theme park all the time. It's a great place, but there is so many fabulous things in the real world that people may never see if they refuse to vacation anywhere but in WDW.

 

[goofyernmost]

Seems like a lot of DHs are like you Dan, but I thought I'd toss my two cents in as a chick who (dons flame retardant frock) doesn't really get it either. We've visited WDW several times in the past six years and have had a good time, but I don't get it being a family's sole vacation destination all the time, every time.

We visit Orlando each fall for the primary purpose of attending Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. So the attractions don't lose their lustre for us, we alternate each year between staying at Universal and at WDW and typically don't "do it all" in each place while we are there. Even so, some of the lustre has worn off some things.

Honestly, if it weren't for HHN, we probably wouldn't even visit Orlando more than a few times a decade because there is so many other wonders our world has to offer. Some incredible non-Disney things we've done in the past several years:

-A helicopter to the bottom of the Grand Canyon? What a rush!

-Hiking the Mayan Ruins in Mexico? Fascinating!

-Winding your way through the cloud covered cliffs over the Pacific Ocean? Breathtaking!

-Everything in Las Vegas?? Viva Las Vegas!

-Standing in the midst of the Redwoods in Muir Woods? Humbling!

-Lounging on a semi-private beach with a fruity frozen drink in the Caymans? Heaven!

-Kayaking through the caves in the ocean cliffs of La Jolla? Thrilling!

-Shopping, eating, visiting museums, and seeing shows in NYC? Rockin!


You get my drift I'm sure. While I think WDW is a wonderful place with great service, lots of fun, and plenty of memories to be made, I just don't think it's the ONLY place. While we've had a good time at WDW, we've also seen, learned, and experienced so many fantastic things in each of the places that we've visited, I just couldn't imagine limiting ourselves to a theme park all the time. It's a great place, but there is so many fabulous things in the real world that people may never see if they refuse to vacation anywhere but in WDW.

You have completely described yourself as an outdoors person. Hiker, kayak-er, mountain climbing and so on. I, being almost 60 and out of shape, would not attempt any of those things unless I had a death wish. So it's Disney for me because it fits my personality. It's whimsical, fun, immature and can be done at any pace I like. Mickey is just another 5 foot mouse but the theme park is just my cup of tea. I have traveled all over the world and the only place that I have ever wanted to return too was WDW.

 

[newman7501]

My DH is exactly like you, Dan. He too never went as a child and I just chalk it up to him not understanding the "magic". I even asked him the other night if he is not even the slightest bit excited for our first family trip. He replied, "How can I be excited for something that is over 6 months away?" I am really hoping once he gets there he will be excited especially when he sees the kids faces the first time they see the castle or the characters. There is nothing I can do if he is not excited. At least I know he will be happy to be with his family.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

Long story short, DW and I have been going to Disney many years, and our closest friends, a married couple over 50 'ish, always remarked about us vacationing at Disney, well they had never been, we took them with us on a trip, the DH did a fishing excursion, round of golf, also all of us visited the parks, rides, and enjoyed all the fine dining, and shows. We even made our way down and visited all the clubs one night. Now, the two of them continously talk Disney, they own DVC, and everything around their house relates to Disney in some fashion. As a matter of fact, they are in Disney right now all alone just the two of them. Enjoying what they originally thought was childish, having a great time WITHOUT us.

 

[MartDM]

You have completely described yourself as an outdoors person. Hiker, kayak-er, mountain climbing and so on.

HECK NO!!! I'm actually an overweight and out of shape 40 something gal. Never kayaked besides the time mentioned and never climbed a mountain. The hike to the top of the ruins was the only time I've hiked and it really wasn't any more difficult than a day hiking around WDW (and you might be interested to know that the majority of our group consisted of your generation more so than mine!).

You definitely got the wrong impression - just because I tried a few things, don't paint me as a fit outdoorsy type! Most of the activities I listed were done from a comfortable seated position, many times with a drink in my hand I was just trying to illustrate some of the interesting things that lie outside of Disney property that prevent me from devoting all my vacation time to the resort, that's all. To each his own!

 

[First-timer]

heres what my dh had to say......... he still cant believe his first thread got to 5 pages.... we still laugh about it.... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1024529 vicki

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

I dont think we could really explain it, if you dont understand then you wont. Oh well. At least you have fun when you go. Im so glad my BF loves it too.

 

[DrTomorrow]

MartDM - gotta be impressed with an overweight 30- or 40-something who'll try kayaking!

Above and beyond all the pixie dust and lime green ribbons, one of the big appeals of WDW is that it offers "excitement and adventure" in a comfortable, safe and predictible way. For many people, new and unknown can be stressful and unpleasant - not the makings of a relaxing vacation. Look at the DIS - people want to plan, to know what to expect, to avoid lines, to arrive at the right park at the right time on the best day. These folks (with whom I identify a bit) aren't the kind to go poking through "cloud covered cliffs" - unless it is on Soarin' It isn't as odd as you seem to suggest; growing up in Metro Detroit, many people had a "cabin up north" that they owned or rented for generations, heading up every summer. While some (you, perhaps?) see the "same old same old" as stifling, to others it yields a comfortable feeling of continuity and nostalgia.

Some of the things you did, I like, too: Viva Las Vegas (but if you think LV is in any serious way different from WDW, think again). Others - shopping & eating as vacation activities - aren't for me. And I will NEVER understand the lure of the beach (guess I see enough sand here in Phoenix, AZ ).

To recap: when it comes to vacations, some folks are world travellers, looking for - and checking off - new adventures in different countries. Others are looking for comfort and relaxation - and a few thrills - in a safe and predictable package; that's WDW.

IMHO - YMMV - Be well!

 

[Eeyore2003]

We travel alot and have been to most tourist and non-tourist places over the years, including WDW when the kids were little. We enjoy our yearly trip to Estes Park, CO where we spend a week in a cabin relaxing, and we also enjoy 1-3 Disney trips a year. It's "getting away" and spending time relaxing with lots of fun things to do at your fingertips, OR if you don't feel like it, just relax at the pool or take naps, whatever.

To the DH point, I'm definitely more of a Disney freak than he is. I'm sure he wouldn't go if it weren't for me, but he has a great time there and we have lots of relaxing and fun.

For us, Disney World has meant different things at different times. When the kids were little we went maybe every several years and it was a great fun time, now we go more often and it's all about getting away from it all. Dropping our problems off at the gate and picking them up on our way out. I guess that's the beauty of it for us.

 

[laura001]

My DH doesn't get it either, but he does enjoy it when he is there, that much he will admit to. We go because I want to go and he enjoys things when I enjoy things, we always have a good time.

He really puts up with my talking about what I read today on the DIS etc., but that is what makes him such a cutie.

 

[Harvest02]

You have the same attitude as my DH. He doesn't get it either! He says it costs too much money, is too crowded, and just doesn't like to travel. I guess , for me, that it is the excitement of seeing my kids faces when they see the place! It really is amazing. I also traveled alot with my parents when I was young. We took family trips quite often, and many times it was to Disney World. I want my kids to experience the magic like I did when I was their age. Yes, it is expensive, but it is worth it to me. After all, they are only young once and we can never get that time back! I agree with some other posts on here also, it is one of the few times we can have family time without cell phones ringing every ten minutes and where we can actually communicate! Just enjoy the time at Disney! It goes by so fast. We are leaving in 16 days!

 

[jsmla]

DH doesn't get it and he's definately in touch with his inner child, deeply, deeply in touch. It's just that his inner child wants to grow up to be a cowboy. Disney is simply not for everyone. I'm another one of those frumpy out of shape 40 somethings that has done an amazing amount of adventure travel. Thanks to DH I've done so many things I never would have attempted on my own. A few of them (kayaking!!!!!) I won't be doing again but I'm glad to have had the experience.

That said, yes, we go to Disney at least once a year but in the past year I've also been to Paris and Bejing as well as Mexico and lots of places here in the good old USA. There are lots wonderful, exciting places to see in this world. WDW just happens to be one of my faves and I've been just about everywhere.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Dan...you need to talk to my DH. He gets it all the way and while I do all the planning, he loves Disney as much as I do.

Here's why:

We get to see what the great and powerful Walt envisioned through the eyes of our kids. It's the greatest thing to see a 2yo brighten up at the sight of the "moddowail" or Cinderella Castle, or any number of characters. It seems at every turn, there is something to get excited about. I've teared up a number of times, as has DH. While my 16 yo is tiring of it, my 2yo and 12 yo DDs are(and I have no doubt will always be)Disney fanatics.

We bond as a family. DH works alot of hours and 2nd shift, so when the girls are in school, he doesn't see them much. This is also one of the only times my 16yo and 12yo get along. We love it.

When we drive onto WDW property, I cry. We are finally at the most magical place on earth. The place where we can forget all the stresses back home. Everything about Disney is magical. They strive to make sure you feel that magic everywhere you go. We love looking at all the little details put into making the magic. Disney is more than just an amusement park with rides and characters. As Walt desired, it's a place where parents and their children can enjoy spending time together. WDW isn't made for kids. It's made for the kid in ALL of us.


WDW is about innocence and enchantment. It's about remembering your childhood and bringing it all back(whether you ever visited WDW or DL or not). It's about showing not only your children, but YOUR inner child, that the world is still a place to go where people are good to each other(okay, okay...ignore the woman yelling at her kids, and the dad who keeps pushing the stroller over your ankles). I think WDW is beyond description. You just have to FEEL it. I feel sorry for those that struggle to "get it". They sure are missing out.

DH and I(guilty as we may feel) look forward to the time that we can go down and spend a week by ourselves.

Next time you go, slow down and really take a look around you. Look at all the details. Read about the parks and their secrets, such as how the Imagineers used forced perspective to make things look larger than they really are as you look up Main St. Then when you go, take a look at these wonderful details. If you don't have little ones then watch others'. See the excitement run thru them from head to toe as they see the castle, or their favorite character.

...that, Charlie Brown, is what Disney is all about...


ETA: "getting" Disney doesn't mean you can't visit other places and have other life experiences. Having other life experiences and traveling to far off lands also doesn't mean you can't "get" Disney. To each his own, I understand...but if you can get it, it just makes it that much more enjoyable while you're there.

 

[MartDM]

MartDM - gotta be impressed with an overweight 30- or 40-something who'll try kayaking!

Hey, thanks...it certainly was a challenge and both DH & I were questioning our sanity in attempting it for the first 1/2 hour but, once we got going the other hour and a half was fun!

One of the big appeals of WDW is that it offers "excitement and adventure" in a comfortable, safe and predictible way...it isn't as odd as you seem to suggest...it yields a comfortable feeling of continuity and nostalgia

I completely understand that and am not suggesting it is odd (in fact, it's rather non-odd in it's predictability) so much as I am lamenting that some people miss out on a lot of other really great things because they won't break out of their comfort zone ever.

but if you think LV is in any serious way different from WDW, think again

I never stated it was and certainly don't think that...LV and WDW are both fantasy lands! It was just another way to illustrate my point that there are a lot of other really fun (and sometimes similar) experiences out there for people to try and that speaks to why so many DHs are unenthused about always going to WDW.

IMHO - YMMV - Be well!

Uh, duh, sorry...what is YMMV???

You be well too!!!

 

[pinchy]

it was actually my DH who put me on to Disney. Him and his family have been going for years. I wanted to go when I was a kiddywink but my parents couldn't afford it. Before I went for the first time (aged 22!) I thought I was going to find it cheesy and tacky but I had a great time. I wouldn't want to go every year because I have so much of the world to see. I think it would be a waste to spend my holidays going to the same place everytime. But I am happy to go back to Disney again once in a while.

 

[katytrott]

Dan (the OP) said it has been mentioned his lack excitement was due to a "disney deprived childhood". I really think it does make a big difference. I clearly remember how disney made me feel when I was younger. I don't think this type of feeling could ever leave you. My husband enjoys WDW but does not get that same wonderful feeling in the pit of his stomach as I do. He also believes that is because he never went as a child.

He does, however, get those emotions whenever he listens to Universal's jingle at the start to any Universal film. It reminds him of Star Wars. I don't get that - I was too busy watching Disney movies as a child (I do get them to the opening "when you wish upon a star" jingle with the castle at the start of a disney movie though)