He said yes (I think?!?!)

[Maine_Belle]

I've been back on the DISBoards the past month or so, plotting and scheming and planning, in an attempt to convince my husband we should go to Florida this August to visit his family in Tampa and visit Disney for a few days. I went 8 years ago with my mom for an awesome Mother-Daughter birthday celebration, but he hasn't been in probably 25 years. Our kids are 7 and 3 and we've got a big extended family vacation already planned for next year, so this year is the time to do Disney while the magic is still at peak, DS is still child age, they won't eat as much or need bigger beds, and it spaces another Disney vacation out for a few years from now.

He was totally unconvinced.

• It's expensive. (Yes- but I have found every possible way to shave off the costs and I run the budget and I think we can do it.)
• It will be hot. (Yes- we lived in FL for a few years, so we know what to expect. But if my always-sweltering mother managed to live through 7 days during the first week of August, we can do this too.)
• It won't be fun. (Dude? Really? It's Disney World! It's SOOOO fun.)
• Ok, the kids will have fun, but it will be horrible, stressful no-fun for us. (It won't be relaxing and napping by the pool all day care-free with adult beverage in hand, sure. But DUDE! It's Disney! Every single thing is designed to be entertaining for all ages. The kids will be entertained, the rides are fun for all, and I promise to plan it so we can keep it casual.)
• It's expensive. (ARE THESE PRECIOUS FAMILY MEMORIES NOT WORTH A LITTLE INVESTMENT!?!?!)

I've been working him for a few weeks now with numbers and logic and general prodding. He wants to say no. He is still not convinced. But he also knows I'm relentless and reeeeeeeaaaaally want this.

Tonight, after I asked him if he had given it any more thought, he said, "Why do I always have to be the bad guy? [answer: because I say yes to his big purchases that are boring and dumb whereas he says no to my desired big purchases that are awesome] <sigh> If you think we can afford it..."

AAAAAAAGH! I think that's a yes! We need to see if his parents are ok with us descending on them on either side of WDW and I need him to say yes a second time, but it's looking like we'll be doing a budget-friendly compromise trip to the House of Mouse Aug 24-26. 2 days at MK, 1 day at Epcot, 2 nights in a Value hotel... it's not ideal to what I'd REALLY want (and can't afford), but by god I think I get to take my kids to Disney!!!!

(I have no questions or advice to offer here. I just wanted to share my excitement with people who I know would "get it.")

 

[cnavarrete]

Any trip to Disney is a great trip! Good luck and have fun planning!

 

[pinkprincess30]

Our first trip after our kids were born was my idea and DH was "ok" with it (I guess...if we can afford it) "for the kids".
We have been back TWICE since then, both at HIS suggestion. He had such a great time! Seeing Disney through your kids eyes is AWESOME! Hopefully you have the same experience! Congrats!

 

[Maine_Belle]

Our first trip after our kids were born was my idea and DH was "ok" with it (I guess...if we can afford it) "for the kids".
We have been back TWICE since then, both at HIS suggestion. He had such a great time! Seeing Disney through your kids eyes is AWESOME! Hopefully you have the same experience! Congrats!

Yes! This is exactly what I'm hoping happens! I don't personally want to go to Disney every year- there are so many places to see and experiences to have. But I really hope this taste will help him understand modern Disney vacations and rekindle the kid in him. Then next time he'll be totally on board with spending the full week and shelling out for the whole experience.

And in related news, I booked our flight tonight! Woo-hoo! We're on our way!

 

[pinkprincess30]

...And in related news, I booked our flight tonight! Woo-hoo! We're on our way!

So I guess you got your second YES! I'm happy for you. Have a great time!

 

[Nancyg56]

WHen we were planning a trip with my 4 YO DGD, my DD was along for the ride. She was okay with going, but it was only because Kady thought every DIsney character was her friend. My DSIL had been raised in FL but had never been to Disney. So the two of them grraciously, well my DD not so quietly, were in agreement that we all woudl take a fmaily tip together, but they did not agree to like it.

HOLY DISNEY CONVERSION!!!! 11 years later, and many many trips in that time, these two are DIsney's biggest cheerleaders. They love the place, and rarely travel anywhere else. I bet your DH may have the same outlook once you all go as a family. Things change all the time, and I have found that sometimes the biggest naysayers are the hardest hit. You have a great time! And I bet you will need to peel your DH off the exit door when it is time to leave.

 

[LISmama810]

• Ok, the kids will have fun, but it will be horrible, stressful no-fun for us. (It won't be relaxing and napping by the pool all day care-free with adult beverage in hand, sure. But DUDE! It's Disney! Every single thing is designed to be entertaining for all ages. The kids will be entertained, the rides are fun for all, and I promise to plan it so we can keep it casual.)

Uh...are ANY vacations with kids relaxing??? I mean, I always have fun wherever we go, but it's never relaxing for the adults. At least at Disney it's okay for the grown ups to be kids, too. (A bit)

 

[richmo]

No, sometimes Disney vacations aren't relaxing with kids, but they're totally worth it and they're some of the vacations we've talked about years later.

Especially since you have a car, if you're looking to shave a little more $ off, you could always stay offsite. There's some really nice moderate type properties you can get for Disney Value type prices. (but remember you'll also have to pay $20 to park if you don't stay there)

 

[Maine_Belle]

Pinkprincess30- I sure did! Or as he said, "You're probably never going to get an actual Yes out of me, but if you think we can afford it..." Good enough for me!

Uh...are ANY vacations with kids relaxing??? I mean, I always have fun wherever we go, but it's never relaxing for the adults. At least at Disney it's okay for the grown ups to be kids, too. (A bit)

RIGHT!? We went to my IL's Cancun timeshare 2 years ago when DD was 1. Aside from having kids that were younger and more work to handle hour-to-hour, the family dynamic had us working extra hard to keep them entertained, the resort was as family friendly as it was for couples or retirees (not nothing, but certainly not geared towards younger visitors), and we missed a connecting flight on the way home due to airport fault. So that's his only frame of reference for family vacations with our own kids. Of COURSE he's traumatized!

This will be SO different. No more connecting flights and we'll either be hanging out at his parents' pool in Tampa or at the most kid-centric, yet also adult entertaining place on the east coast!

Especially since you have a car, if you're looking to shave a little more $ off, you could always stay offsite. There's some really nice moderate type properties you can get for Disney Value type prices. (but remember you'll also have to pay $20 to park if you don't stay there)

This was one aspect I was actually surprised that DH preferred being on site. He likes the idea of not dealing with parking (costs or logistics) and being that much closer. Fine by me! I've got POR or ASM all priced out with excellent rates from CheapTickets.com in my spreadsheet for him to decide on tonight.

 

[happymommy]

I'll be there at that time too! My DD and I are going alone (again!) and are at Pop Century 8/23 - 8/31. Free dining starts on 8/23 so we got 8 nights of free QSDP.

Did you look to see if you can get the QSDP for free for your trip? We honestly prefer quick service meals anyway, so it was great for us.

 

[richmo]

...This was one aspect I was actually surprised that DH preferred being on site. He likes the idea of not dealing with parking (costs or logistics) and being that much closer. Fine by me! I've got POR or ASM all priced out with excellent rates from CheapTickets.com in my spreadsheet for him to decide on tonight.

Although, bus riding at Disney can get frustrating. You do have a car, so parking would be free at the parks since you're staying onsite. At least you'll have the option.

And...if you're weighing POR vs. ASM, if the cost works for you, I highly recommend POR...beautiful place and it'll be a lot quieter than ASM.

 

[Maine_Belle]

Although, bus riding at Disney can get frustrating. You do have a car, so parking would be free at the parks since you're staying onsite. At least you'll have the option.

And...if you're weighing POR vs. ASM, if the cost works for you, I highly recommend POR...beautiful place and it'll be a lot quieter than ASM.

That's an excellent point that we eliminate the cost part of parking by staying on site. We probably wouldn't drive for MK with all the hullabaloo of the Transportation Center, but it might make a lot of sense for Epcot. Thank you for that reminder!

I sent him POR and ASM prices and pros/cons this morning and POR totally easily won. He liked the idea of being maybe a little closer to the action and having queen beds PLUS the trundle saves a lot of sleeping problems up front. The deal I got through CheapTickets was for a Garden View too, so I'm really looking forward to a relatively tranquil spot. (And I really want to try to pool slide, ha!) We got our 2 nights for just a little more than the rack cost of one night and there is no cancellation fee if we change our minds for something.

I'm SO excited!

 

[paceyswife]

I don't know if this helps or if you've already booked, but I just booked a "magical vacation" through an online travel site that is offering an end of August deal. We are only doing a two night stay with two days in parks. We originally booked Pop through Disney but requested a quote ... We are now set for Beach Club for only $106 more total and they included a water park pass!
My husband dreads going to Disney but even he was impressed with this deal!

 

[happymommy]

I don't know if this helps or if you've already booked, but I just booked a "magical vacation" through an online travel site that is offering an end of August deal. We are only doing a two night stay with two days in parks. We originally booked Pop through Disney but requested a quote ... We are now set for Beach Club for only $106 more total and they included a water park pass!
My husband dreads going to Disney but even he was impressed with this deal!

That is a great suggestion! For our trip, we had originally booked the Beach Club, but since it's just the two of us, and with free QSDP, this worked out better. It would have been about $100 more per night for us, so we didn't want to spend that (plus we wouldn't have gotten our free dining). For a family that's a great suggestion!

I would be so rushed for only two nights, so not sure if it's worth an upgrade - BUT for being at an Epcot resort and with a family that would be a great suggestion!

 

[Ensusieasm]

I've been back on the DISBoards the past month or so, plotting and scheming and planning, in an attempt to convince my husband we should go to Florida this August to visit his family in Tampa and visit Disney for a few days. I went 8 years ago with my mom for an awesome Mother-Daughter birthday celebration, but he hasn't been in probably 25 years. Our kids are 7 and 3 and we've got a big extended family vacation already planned for next year, so this year is the time to do Disney while the magic is still at peak, DS is still child age, they won't eat as much or need bigger beds, and it spaces another Disney vacation out for a few years from now.

He was totally unconvinced.

• It's expensive. (Yes- but I have found every possible way to shave off the costs and I run the budget and I think we can do it.)
• It will be hot. (Yes- we lived in FL for a few years, so we know what to expect. But if my always-sweltering mother managed to live through 7 days during the first week of August, we can do this too.)
• It won't be fun. (Dude? Really? It's Disney World! It's SOOOO fun.)
• Ok, the kids will have fun, but it will be horrible, stressful no-fun for us. (It won't be relaxing and napping by the pool all day care-free with adult beverage in hand, sure. But DUDE! It's Disney! Every single thing is designed to be entertaining for all ages. The kids will be entertained, the rides are fun for all, and I promise to plan it so we can keep it casual.)
• It's expensive. (ARE THESE PRECIOUS FAMILY MEMORIES NOT WORTH A LITTLE INVESTMENT!?!?!)

I've been working him for a few weeks now with numbers and logic and general prodding. He wants to say no. He is still not convinced. But he also knows I'm relentless and reeeeeeeaaaaally want this.

Tonight, after I asked him if he had given it any more thought, he said, "Why do I always have to be the bad guy? [answer: because I say yes to his big purchases that are boring and dumb whereas he says no to my desired big purchases that are awesome] <sigh> If you think we can afford it..."

AAAAAAAGH! I think that's a yes! We need to see if his parents are ok with us descending on them on either side of WDW and I need him to say yes a second time, but it's looking like we'll be doing a budget-friendly compromise trip to the House of Mouse Aug 24-26. 2 days at MK, 1 day at Epcot, 2 nights in a Value hotel... it's not ideal to what I'd REALLY want (and can't afford), but by god I think I get to take my kids to Disney!!!!

(I have no questions or advice to offer here. I just wanted to share my excitement with people who I know would "get it.")

I bet you would all be happier to take a bite out of winter and go when it's snowing up north and just warm, not hot, in Orlando.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I don't know if this helps or if you've already booked, but I just booked a "magical vacation" through an online travel site that is offering an end of August deal. We are only doing a two night stay with two days in parks. We originally booked Pop through Disney but requested a quote ... We are now set for Beach Club for only $106 more total and they included a water park pass!
My husband dreads going to Disney but even he was impressed with this deal!

I was going to mention the same. I was INCREDIBLY impressed with their quote.