Getting Husband Excited About Disney

[RN01]

I've been planning a trip to Disney for about 6 months and my husband just doesn't act like he is excited about it at all. I try not to talk about it too much but I'm excited and I want him to be too. Has this happened to anyone else? We have 2 daughters ages 6 and 9 so I know they are excited too.

 

[onecoolmama]

My Dh is a huge Disney Fan..he gets excited right away. However, my girlfriend's husband didn;t get excited about it until they almost couldn't go on the trip. Her brother died two weeks before and it was suppose to be the whole fmaily going. That was the first time he had expressed that he was looking forward to the trip. But, he LOVED it there!!! He had such a great time that he really wants to go back. So, plan your itnerary and be excited without him. He will jump on the bandwagon soon enough.

Maybe you and the girls could sit down and talk about what rides you dont want to miss the shows that you really want to see and the characters that they HAVE to see. Then casually ask your husband those questions. If he answers you know he is thinking about it..if not..just enjoy the planning yourself. He'll come around...most do!

 

[Jasminesmommy]

My husband wanted nothing to do with the trip and hadno desire to go. I made the plans without and told him we were going. He ended up loving it and wants to go for his 30th birthday this comming August

 

[Jordan's MOM]

DH is not the huge fan that DS and I are but he has learned to really enjoy our trips. What I do is to make sure that I include things that I know he will enjoy. His favorite part of WDW is the transportation. He LOVES not having to drive on vacation so we always use that even if it would be quicker to drive. I mention to him a few resturants I think he would like and then make sure we do them. He is also not a ride person so i try to intermingle shows and rides so he is not stuck waiting for us all the time. I researched all the "chicken exits" for this trip so he can go through the line with us with out doing the rides. I also try to plan a little down time at the resort for him because that is his idea of a vacation. I also try to make sure we do other trips that are places he wants to go. Has anyone else been to GRACELAND??? Just keep the disney magic going and I bet he will come around.


Jordan's mom

 

[helenm29]

Actually, my DH is CRAZY about Disney! the first time we took the kids he did all the research to find out where to stay and what you HAD to see...he loved it! my brotherinlaw and his family went with us 3 years ago and WERE NOT impresses at all! they are from southern Caifornia so they go to Disneyland all the tine and they just thought DW was Too BIG! for my DH and my family, it's never enough!

 

[jenny2]

But it wasn't until after our first trip that he "got" Disney. Now, he gets SOOO much more excited than I do about trips!

 

[Jynohn]

I've had this same problem. My husband doesn't dislike Disney, he just can't understand why I get so excited about it so far in advance. He's also pretty sick of hearing me talk about it. I used to try to get him involved in the planning, where to eat, where to stay, etc. but his attitude has always been "just tell me what day we're leaving and that's all I need to know."

It used to be very frustrating, but I know now that he has a great time when we're there and that's all that matters. That being said, I had a breakthrough last night when I put on our old vacation videos for the kids and I to watch. DH pretended he wasn't interested, but finally sat down on the couch to watch with us. Later after the kids went to bed he said to me, "now that our trip's getting closer, I'm really starting to get excited about it."

Triumph!!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I went to Disney once as a kid in the late 70's and then for 3 days in 1993 with my DH. We had a great time but he now thinks he's seen it all. I've been back 6 times without him-last year with our DD (was 3 1/2). After MUCH debate and pleading we are all (me, DH, DD(4 1/2), DS(3), DD(1) and another adult) going in January. He doesn't think a trip to Disney is worth the risk of putting the kids on a plane. I tried to explain that its riskier to drive to his Mom's every Sunday than to fly but he doesn't believe me-he "thinks" he's got more control in a car. So I tried to explain that it is much more than just a frivolous trip to Disney; we are creating family memories for our children. I don't know if I got through to him or not but he reluctantly said I could buy the tickets. I try not to talk about it too much-the less I remind him the less he'll worry. I am hoping that concierge at the Polynesian and the kids can convert him to a real Disney fan. With another adult along to help me with the kids he can sleep in late or see a few things he'd really like (American Adventure, Hall of Presidents...) I've also made a PS at Boma for the first night because I think he'll love that-rather than Chef Mickey's which might turn him off (and scare DS & baby-want to see characters from a distance at first).

I wish you luck converting your DH!

 

[Disneymom2AA]

I thought on our first trip that I would love seeing the smiles on my DSs faces but seeing my husband smile and laugh at everything Disney was the greatest for me. I did all the planning, PS, and learned FP. He always joked and laughed at all the time I put into our trip planning, but to know that my family was happy and enjoying themselves was well worth it.
Your husband will find what he likes whether it's the food, the rides or the shows. There is something for everyone! One of my favorite things was sitting at Epcot and watching the ducks and the people go by-it was so relaxing ant the weather was great! At one time I was tired and wanted to go back to our resort to take a nap with DS1 and he said go ahead I'm staying here with DS7 because we don't want to miss anything!!! I thought I was going to faint!!!
I wish you all the fun and hope you have a magical time!!!!

 

[disneydude]

You mean there are actually people who don't get excited over disney trips??????????

Diney princesses live and in person.

Two words for your DH, AERIAL & JASMINE !!!!

I just hope your not the jealous type!! LOL

 

[Kewz1]

RN,

When my husband first started going to WDW he didn't get excited about it either. His family didn't do vacations like that and it kind of overwhelmed him (my family has that effect sometimes ). That was at first. With lots of patience on my part (complaining on the boards helped!!) and an attempt to always plan something that I knew he would really enjoy -- GOLF -- I now have a tried & true Disney lover on my hands. He travels to Orlando on business about once a month and has an AP so he can go by himself. He loves to go now and participates more in the planning. He just got back today from Orlando/WDW and he rode Mission: SPACE while there. He said it was great! I'm so jealous -- it should have been me!! I hope this gives you some hope! Have fun planning and don't worry! You'll all have fun!

Kristen

 

[Castillo Mom]

I can definitely relate to your situation! Thought my hubby was a lost cause. I began planning our trip way in advance and have been excited since the day I made our reservations. At first my husband didn't want to hear about all of the planning and had been pretty neutral on the subject. Even now, he doesn't want to be in on every little detain, but that's because he doesn't want me to spoil then fun. He hopped on the WDW bandwagon as soon as he saw a couple of specials on The Travel Channel. Now he can't wait to get there. He became especially enthused once I purchased our airline tickets because that pretty much means it's a done deal. Keep hope alive. If you have statellite or cable, keep your eyes open for profiles on WDW on The Travel Channel. There's one particular one that I can't remember the name of that talked about little known activities (except on the DIS) like the Richard Petty Driving Experience, fireworks viewing from the California Grill and scuba diving at the Living Seas, etc.

 

[HitchhikingGhost]

Guys are really different for a variety of reasons. Your husband may not wish to show excitment for the "kid thing", but once he is there, he will most likely be bitten by the "Disney Bug" that previous posters have mentioned.

There is something about seeing it through the eyes of your children, and I have no doubt that once there, he will be glad he went. Just remember your camera, take lots and lots of candid shots, and don't try to do too much in the short time you are there. So many people get stressssssssed trying to get their "moneys' worth" that they end up ruining the trip.

You sound like you are doing the right thing: Mention here and there but do not let this upcoming trip dominate your life until then. Guys are wired different than women in that they cannot relax until they are away from work completely. Be very patient, and you will be glad.

Hope this helps, and have a wonderful time!

 

[crisi]

I agree, don't have high expectations for pre-trip excitement. My husband doesn't like the compulsive planning - but he will sit down before the PS window opens and help me pick restaurants - he just really doesn't want to discuss it and pour over menus with me for the previous six months. He will help me make a to do list, but he doesn't sound excited when he does it (although he is-just at a different level).

In my husband's case, he only has so much energy. He has a difficult job, two children, his own hobbies. I have a difficult job, two children, and Disney is one on my hobbies - planning trips another. Him getting excited about Disney is like him expecting me to get excited about baseball. I enjoy baseball, and he enjoys Disney - but I don't have the enthusiasm he has for baseball (even with the Twins in a tight pennant race and playoffs this year) and he doesn't have mine for Disney.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

After our last trip (husband's 1st) he thanked me for all of the hard work and planning I had put into our vacation.

We're going again in Dec. and I try not to talk about it too much with him. I can tell that he is getting excited though.

Lori

 

[helenm29]

Crisi: I know what you mean about your husband being busy and not having a lot of time for "Disney" stuff. We have 3 kids, he drives 130 miles a day too and from work and he's tired too! the only difference is that he's a compulsive planner! he started planning the restaurants and what we were going to see and do from the minute we reserved this trip A YEAR AGO! I am just starting to get excited and we have about 5 weeks to go! he's like a little kid....just can't wait!

 

[crisi]

Sounds like you got lucky enough to have a hubby who chose Disney planning as a hobby.

Mine will put hours into running a RPG convention, a fantasy baseball league or playing computer games. But compusive Disney planning he doesn't have time for - that is my job.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi ALL!
Just received a post card from WDW with a trip planning kit application.
I ddin't request it.
Suggest you call WDW res and request the DVD, why?
DVD will flag your spouse.
IMHO guys like new and improved things and hands on items.
ENJOY!

"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!" AAARRR!!!"

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi Again:

Sorry I drop the ball, the following is the address on the request post cardATA PROCESSING,
PO BOX 539001,
SAN DIEGO, CA. 92153-9986.

The back side requested Name, Address, # trips to WDW,last trip year, day + month plannig to visit, year of your birth, and the year of births of your children, request VHS or DVD.

At the bottom of my psost card in small print: two to three weeks for delivery and one kit per household.

If no luck with WDW RES, try writing the above info on a 3x5 card and mail in an envelope, I always send post cards in an envelope, my type of low level security.
ENJOY!!!

"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!" AARR!!!"

 

[Musky]

Been there, done that, just like the rest of you. I was so frustrated when I planned our first trip to Disney because all I wanted to do was talk about it and DH just didn't want to hear it. I'm assuming this is the first trip for the OP and her family. If so, it's hard to understand what WDW is about until you've been there. It's like childbirth - it must be experienced to be understood. My DH thought it was just another amusement park but bigger, and despite my attempts to teach him otherwise, he just didn't get it. However, by our third day there, he insisted that we all buy silly hats and wear them all day (and this is a man who was born old). Then when we came back he wore his Eeyore ears to work! Now we are planning our second trip and he is much better about talking to me about it, although he still thinks I spend too much time planning. I'm sure as the time for our trip draws nearer he will get much more excited than he was last time. Don't worry, your DH will have a good time once he gets there, and in the meantime, we're here for you to talk to!

Musky