How can I make it magical for a "non-believer"?

[mama2girls]

My ds (10) and I went to DW for the first time in Jan of this year, and loved it so much we went again in Sept for free dining.

But DH has stayed home both times, I couldn't have PAID him to come with us, he was that much against it. He didn't care if we went, but he had no desire at all to come with. I kept telling him, "If I could just get you there, I know you'd love it" And he replied with, "If I could just get you camping deep in the middle of the woods (his idea of a dream vacation), I know you'd love it".... .....ok so after that I backed off. LOL

Well, when I was at DW in Sept, after my being there a few nights, he told me on the phone that he was lonely, the house was too quiet, and that he just kept thinking that he could be on vacation right now.

So anyways, he's agreed to come with on our next trip!!! I can't believe it!!! But we won't be going until probably Jan of 2010. I am trying for 2009 but he feels 2010 would be better financially, so we'll see...

What I need help with is this: He hates crowds (don't we all), he hates sleeping in hotels, he hates rides that make him sick.... yada, yada, yada... so I am trying to plan very carefully to make sure he has a wonderful time and loves it at least half as much as I do!

We will stay at a value resort, so far I have only stayed at POP and I liked it, but it was pretty busy in the food court, etc. Should we stay at an All Star resort to avoid crowds more? If so, which one?

Also, does anyone have some good tips on how I can make this a great experience for everyone?

Has anyone been able to turn a "non-believer" into a Disney lover?

Ok, here is my story...I am a HUGE Disney fan and have been since I was a little girl. I finally convinced DH (a bah humbug when it comes to all things Disney) that our DDs needed to see the place. He agreed to go and make the most of it. He hates crowds, he hates the heat, he haates lines...etc...anyway, we werent even there for half a day and he was skipping down main street with Mickey ears on!! I was amazed! He even took 9 pictures, yes 9 pictures of the back of our door at POP because Jiminy Cricket was on it!! On our last night at MK, as we were watching the fireworks, he turned to me with a tear in his eye and said, "Let's come back in 2 years." It was amazing! Now he is eagerly awaiting the day when we can start planning for our Aug. 2009 trip. So, the moral of this story is it is possible! Every now and then an Eeyore will fall in a huge pile of pixie dust and become a Disney lover!! Good luck and what ever happens, make the best of it. It is such a magical place. Have a fantastic trip!!

 

[Darcy03231]

Instead of staying on site have you thought about renting a house or condo off-site. You can find them for about the same price as a value resort, or less. We traveled with a large group this summer and rented a pool home. It was wonderful! We loved having all the room, our own pool and full kitchen. If DH hates staying in hotels and you really don't like to camp this might be a compromise you can both live with.

 

[ehrn]

We went in Sept with my dad who is a huge pain to travel with--and I'm talking day trips! He had never been on a REAL vacation and we were pretty sure we might all be totally miserable the whole trip because he wasn't having a good time--but he said he wanted to go so we let him, lol. I think having a wide-eyed 2yo with him(it was his 3rd trip to WDW, lol) probably helped, but he is now a believer and we had a WONDERFUL trip. The heat was terrible but the crowds were light. It truly was magical. There is hope!!

 

[crisi]

We have taken a number of non-believers, few have found "magic" but they've all enjoyed themselves.

My mother in law - an old hippie who is anti corporate anti consumerism (every ride ends in a store drives her batty), really enjoyed wandering through the countries of Epcot, talking to the CMs from the different countries and shopping (yeah, it isn't a consistant anti-consumerism - she loves stuff - it just has to be special stuff, not plastic light up Mickey Mouse spinny things). She loved the good dinners we fed her.

We just took friends - and we figured this would happen. She really wanted to go - loves thrill rides. But she didn't handle the heat well and Disney really doesn't have a lot of thrill rides. Her kids were too timid for most stuff and they didn't enjoy it as much as she expected (I would have created a different travel plan for her kids had I realized HOW timid they were). But her husband, who was dragged along being a good sport had the best time - like my husband and I, he is a logistics and operations geek. He loved watching how Disney manipulates the "magic" - how they move people, how limited counter service menus let them serve ten thousand people over two hours.

So, know your audience.

You know he dislikes crowds - how about making travel plans that put you in the parks for a few hours in the morning and evening, but spending lots of time at the pool when the crowds pick up? Make sure you have a park touring plan that avoids the lines - even for the mornings and evenings. You may never catch the 3:00 parade.

You know he likes camping - would he enjoy taking the kids to POR one afternoon for some cane fishing? How about spending a greater than average amount of time back in the trails or at Planet Watch at AK?

He doesn't like hotels - is it worth it to rent points for a DVC one bedroom (I don't usually recommend renting points) that would put the kids in a different room and give you space to spread out? Or, as mentioned, a home off site?

 

[eliza61]

How about appealing to his desire as a father to see the joy on his son's face as he enjoys WDW? I would think that if he is a working Dad, that he would want to spend the family's vacation time bonding with his kiddo - but maybe that's just me.

Please, please no guilt jobs. So if they don't go to Disney, he won't be able to bond with his kid. aagh..
Sorry, I just hate when people use kids to guilt their spouses into doing what they want. His not wanting to go to disney doesn't make him an ogre. I hate going to my kids soccer games, so my dh does soccer duty. I still like to think I'm a good mom.