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

[Kendra17]

Hi,
I'm Kendra's DH, and I don't get the whole "disney thing".
I'm not sure why, but I don't.
Every day I hear, "WOW, only XX days till we go to Disney!! WOOOHOOOO!"
And I say, "uh huh".
I went with everybody two years ago and had fun. Yes, it's true, I had fun.
I could wait another 20 years til I go back without any adverse problems. My family on the other hand MUST go back every year!
There is some talk about my "disney deprived childhood" being at the root of my ambivalence on disney matters but I deny this vehemently.
So, I thought I would interrupt my wife's Disney Internet surfing for a moment to post this little thread to the Board.
When replying please be kind.
Thanks,
Dan

 

[miss missy]

Hi ya Dan! You crack me up! My DH is right with ya pal! He went once, before we married and has NO interest in Dis at all but he does let me and DD go ... he just DOESN'T GET IT! DDand I are on our 4th trip in 2 years and DH is like, again?? He keeps saying " I just dont know get why you want to go again, you just went" He really is stunned! But god love the man for letting his wife a dd go off like this. He really is a love for letting us spend all this money and driving us to and from the airport and dealing with all the city traffic. Aaaannnndddd he really hates planes and the thought of us out there alone... so I hand it to him for being so great about it. He is a !! And me and DD have such a blast running around, hopping, skipping and jumping through the parks! It is such a great time for us girls!

So hey pal .. my hats off to ya! Thanks for being a love to your family too!

And its ok, you dont have to "get" everything ya know

p.s. our trips are 9 and 10 day trips too.

p.p.s. Kendra make sure Dan gets a lil something for himself in all this... keep it fair and keep him happy!!!!

Dan you ROCK for letting them go!!!

edit: did I misunderstand or do you go along too?

 

[DeterminedOne]

Think of it this way. At least you're blessed enough to get the opportunity to go to Disney over and over again. For some people it's just a dream that may not ever come true. Enjoy it for the folks who can't.

 

[Florida_Mom]

My DH is right there with ya! He'd be happy to go once a decade. Maybe you all should start a spouse support group or something.

I live in Florida, so it's a quick drive for us and less of a committment, but we go several times a year for 1 or 2 night stays, and DH happily stays at home. It's his chance for some quiet time at home! Usually my mom, who enjoys Disney too, will come with me and the two boys, and we have a blast!

Have fun, and remember, there are worse ways to sacrifice.

 

[sassyredhead]

I love Disney because it's the only time my husband isn't attending to his two pagers and working late. This may sound corny, but it forces us to spend lots of time together with no annoying distractions like dishes unwashed, grass unmowed, and bathrooms unscrubbed.

So, when I ask my DH for another trip, he understands I'm not just asking for a week-long trip to an amusement park. I'm asking for some uninterrupted attention at a place where family is the focus.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

Let's face it, we all just can't be the same. That's what makes the world go around. But I think your great Dan for understanding their addiction.

Michele

 

[mickeysaver]

Oh, I am sorry that you don't "get it"! WDW for me is my little trip to heaven. Yes, I go through a lot to make it there, but it's so worth every penny. Financially, we are lucky to get back every 15 months to 2 years. But, when I am there, I am carefree....I don't think about work, bills, health issues, our pets, family drama, etc. Basically, the focus is on my honey and having fun as a couple.

Do you see that statement over there underneath my screen name that says, "I am a large toddler!" Well, at WDW I am just about the happiest toddler that you ever did see. Yes, I love character meets, rides, Mickey Bars, and all the little touches that make it oh so magical. I love just being in that pixie dust bubble where more people are happy and smiling than any other place on Earth. I love the atmosphere....I love the Mouse....and most of all, I love Walt.

I can't force you to let your inner child come out and play. But, if you can find it in you to lighten up and look at it all through the eyes of your inner child, WDW is indeed Heaven on Earth. Maggie

 

[eeyore45]

Im sure my dh is in the same boat - but he likes to indulge us!! and I think sassyredhead said it perfectly - that is so true here also!!

But for me, its so hard to describe, that first moment, seeing the castle - how emotional an experience it gets - for me, its a "happy ending' and life just doesnt give us happy endings... but all things are possible, and Disney takes me to "possibilities"

Let me also add, where I come from "Venus" very emotional... dh is very analytical, so he just goes with the flow... yet, somehow the magic does flow through for him also, he is always open to "possibilities"

So, try not to 'analyize" just let it be....

 

[ctnurse]

My DH is the same. We went for my 30th bday almost 4 yrs ago and I am dying to go back. We are going back in Sept. I had to make a deal with him. I wanted to go last yr but he want to go to Jamacia so we went to Jamacia with the promise of our next vacation being WDW. I think it has to do with doing disney as a child. My family went every 2 yrs to WDW and DH family never went. In fact his 1st time was with me. So now we have a DS and cant wait to take him and share the magic I remember as a child.

 

[maxaroni]

My dh is the same way, just doesn't "get it".

While we don't go to Disney, as much as many on the Dis board do, this upcoming trip will be our 4th in 6 yrs. DH could take it or leave it. However, as another poster said, it's one place that we can go as a family, we are all having fun (happy child, happy parents) and we do get immersed in the whole Disney feel. It is a destination that we can come home and say, that was a great vacation. We feel (even dh) that we are away from our problems, issues and concerns and we relax. It may be an 'on the go' relax, type thing, but our brains are relaxed. The stresses from back home, are left home. Any other destination, we tend to bring our stresses with us.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

I love Disney because it's the only time my husband isn't attending to his two pagers and working late.

So, when I ask my DH for another trip, he understands I'm not just asking for a week-long trip to an amusement park. I'm asking for some uninterrupted attention at a place where family is the focus.

This is exactly my answer also. We took our frist Disney trip last June. It was the first time in 8 year that I didnt have to hear my Dhs annoying pager go off. For a whole week the kids and I got his undivided attention.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

My husband is the same way. I am not Disney obsessed and I personally do not plan to go back to Disney before doing some other vacations, but I love it. If he never goes back again, he does not care.

For me, Disney is about being a kid again and not having to worry about grown-up stuff.

 

[Kira G.]

Well, it can't be a result of going to Disney as a child, because my first trip was at 38, and I'm as obsessed as the rest of you! In fact, I was one of those overly-intellectual Disney haters until I actually got there - then I was completely won over.

What is it about Disney? I think it is for all the reasons others have said:
- it is one place where all 4 of my kids (ages 5-14) have fun at the same time;
- it has got to be one of the most perfectly realized fantasy environments ever created by humankind;
- it is a place where I can forget about my job and my cares and focus on being with my family.

But there is also something more for me. I think it comes from Walt's vision - however people feel it has been diluted or even damaged by recent Disney management. How many other places that you visit with your family came from a sense of mission or vision? I think that that vision permeates the place, and continues to inspire the people who work and visit there.

But as others said - you don't have to get it! It is more than enough that you encourage and support your family, and you can enjoy their excitement vicariously!

Thanks for asking!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Kira said it all...

Unfortunately my DH is also one who doesn't get it, but I do have to admit that when our kids were younger, we were there as a family at least once a year. Now that the kids are almost 13 and 17 and still as obsessed with Disney as I am, DH doesn't get it. The last 2 trips were unfortunately without him and even though we had a great time, we really did miss him.

I think it's really hard for him to separate "riding Dumbo or Peter Pan" with fishing/parasailing/smell the roses type things at Disney. He sees Disney as an amusement park, not an all-inclusive resort/destination. But we have not given up on him yet!

 

[Kendra17]

Hi, I'm the wife-- Kendra!
Dan will come with us, but he thinks it's just 'disney', and it's not. . . it's spending time together as a family, etc. I don't think I'd even enjoy it just with the kids. . . I love being with HIM and the kids. . .
Disney is romantic with him!

 

[pepe of ohio]

I get it, have got it and continue to keep doing it. Nough said, but since our first visit in 1977, we didn't know what to expect at a Disney Park. We've done the ones around home, Cedar Point, Virginias Busch Gardens, Euclid Beach Park and Idora Park, even as a kid my parents like to go to amusement parks. So in 1977, my parents decided we should all go and see this Disney Park. My dad got discount through work, Magic Kingdom Club, and off we went and the rest is history.

My dad's gone now and moms 84, but my wife and kids have gone down to WDW over 35 times since 1977. Daughter did the College Program, and even moved there for a year to see how Florida life is. She's back in Ohio and now married and we still plan our vacations together. She met her husband in WDW, we were there for the engagement and it will be remembered for all time.

Mention Disney and I'm ready to go. Some years we go 2 to 3 times but at least once for 10 nights. We can't get enough of Disney. Not just the parks mind you, but the atmosphere and ambience of the resorts. The special care they do to themeing and the extra touch they give to your vacation is priceless. We could spend our whole stay just around the resorts.

We have been to Myrtle Beach and thats nothing compared to Disney. The most bang for the buck, without driving anywhere to see or do anything, its got to be WDW hands down. We used to drive to WDW, 1200 miles and stay on the beach one night to unwind from the drive, we now take Amtrak, and get to the World as fast as possible, just to start our magic as quick as we can. Yes, we have it bad but what else is there in life that can compete and satisfy all our dreams and fantasies while letting us become kids again ourselves than a vacation in Disney World.

 

[aksunshine]

I am so lucky, because my DH enjoyed our trip in January so much that if we could afford it we'd be going again on the free DDP! He had been once when he was 5 and didn't want to go at all, but he happily obliged me and DD(4). He is still bragging about the magic!!! I have told my DD that this will probably be an evry 3-4 year vacation (we like other places too), but DH says we'll go back sooner than that!

I think it's great that you don't give your wife a hard time. Go and have a good time! Enjoy the magic and do something just for you while you are there.

 

[2princes&1princess]

I love Disney because it's the only time my husband isn't attending to his two pagers and working late. This may sound corny, but it forces us to spend lots of time together with no annoying distractions like dishes unwashed, grass unmowed, and bathrooms unscrubbed.

So, when I ask my DH for another trip, he understands I'm not just asking for a week-long trip to an amusement park. I'm asking for some uninterrupted attention at a place where family is the focus.

This is the same for us. Well, not the two pagers part, but my husband is a partner in his company, and is ALWAYS either on the phone to somebody, or having to check e-mails, or something. When we went to DW last year as our first time as a family, it was so great for him not to have a phone attached to his ear!

BTW - I went to DW almost every year growing up, but this was my husband's first trip ever. It took me 11 years of marriage to convince him to go. (He never went as a child, either - so I'm sure that deprivation did have something to do with his reluctance! lol!) But he loved it so much, he was already planning this year's trip on the way home. And we only have three more days to go! WOO HOO!!!

I don't know how to explain it, but there is something magical there for me. I'm sorry you don't feel that way too, but think it's great that you "endure" it for your family. Here's wishing you some pixie dust that your next trip will be magical!

 

[DisneyTarheel]

I think it has to do with doing disney as a child. My family went every 2 yrs to WDW and DH family never went.

I suspect for some the magic is enhanced by the association with trips they took when they were kids themselves. Both DW and I went as children with our families when we visited our grandparents in Florida and have many fond memories of those times. Seeing it now with our own kids just adds to the magic.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I am a very lucky lady indeed. I was ho-hum for Disney, but married a repeat visitor. The first year we could afford a real vacation, WDW is where we went and have come back every year since.

DH is a workaholic. Even on Sundays, if he sleeps a little late, his day is ruined because he didn't work from 7 am to 8 pm. At Disney, while he still may take phone calls, it is literally impossible for him to physical work. So, Disney is down time for us, even tho we are running around and stuffing ourselves to the gills.

For me, and I am guessing for your wife, 1/3 of the fun is in the planning. And since discovering the DIS boards, well it borders on addictive. But I suppose there are many worse things to be addicted to. 96,508 others can't be wrong!