How do I convince my husband to go to WDW?

[Disneymom77]

Hello! I've been lurking on the Dis for a few months. I, just like the rest of you daydream of Disney all day, everyday. Yes, I live in NeverNeverland! My dilemma is that I would like to go back to Disney next year for my(our) 10 year wedding anniversary, but my husband(who likes but not loves WDW ), does not since we were just there in October 2007. We honeymooned in Disney, celebrated our 5 year anniversary in Disney, so I feel it is only natural to be there for our 10 year anniversary My DD's share my adoration for WDW , so they too have been trying to convince my DH to go on another Disney adventure. With the new 2009 promotion, I thought he'd agree, but he's playing hardball! I'm sure there is at least one of you out there who has been in my situation a time or two before. So, if anyone has a suggestion on how to convince my husband to go back to Disney, please let me know!! Thanks!!

 

[ILoveMagic]

I have sort of a similar situation. The only thing is my DH has never been before! I usually take my DS everytime I plan a trip. My Ds absolutely loves disney. I take advantage while he is still young and wants to be with his mom! I give my Dh the option to go everytime , but i get the same thing. He days he doesnt think he will like it. He is one of those men that if you can get him to go he will have a great time. Its getting him to go..............
So................DS tried out for a select baseball team that plays at the wide world of sports between Xmas and new years. He made the team and DH agreed to go watch him to play baseball! I have planned an amazing week beyond the ball diamond! So hopefully (with some pixie dust) this will be the beginning of some family vacations. If not I will stick to just me and my DS!

 

[ToddyLu]

What did he or didn't he like about your previous trips. Did he maybe wanted to stay back by the pool and relax while you guys went to the parks? Is he there for the food and crowd watching or does he want to ride ToT and EE? Was it the "theme park" atmosphere? Can you give us some more details? I am sorry to say that my DH loves Disney as much as I--he just doesn't like having all the planning done. I have tried to tell him that if we want to eat at certain places we have to have an ADR. So I plan TS meals everyday and certain events like MVMCP and the rest just falls into place. He really likes photography and there is nothing worse for me than following him around while he gets that perfect shot . So each year we go he is free for a couple of days to take all the picks he wants without me--last year me and MIL did other things while he was out. Made it great for both of us, we just meet up for meals and there is no pressure. Does your DH like to golf or boat or something? Maybe that would help.

 

[indiesgirl4ever]

bribe him with something he loves XD sorry that i dont have a more complex answer for you. not very good at answering questions. also what ToddyLu said try finding the source of why he would dislike going (how could anyone dislike going to disney?XD) and try to avoid it for your next trip. hope everything works out!

 

[Disneymom77]

Thanks for the suggestions! He does enjoy Disney, just not as much as me and myDD's. I think the bottom line is that he wants to try some place new. And while I love to travel to new places too, I always love being in WDW! I will keep trying to convince him! Wish me luck and send some pixie dust my way!!

 

[tinkslite]

My family has done Disney vacations almost exclusively for years. I am a disneyholic and there are no 12 step programs for this, so we just go where my support group is-Disneyland/Disneyworld.

Last year my husband was really on a NO MORE OF THIS WE MUST VACATON ELSEWHERE kick. He has always griped about the disney price tag ("why don't we just sign over all my paychecks to the mouse, and be done with it"), but last year he really put his foot down. SO........

We planned a trip he'd always wanted to do (an adventure vacation river rafting in Idaho), and we tried a couple of short day/weekend trips to other parks/themed hotels to check out the "competition". Our experiences were:

Our river rafting trip was a mixed bag. We hired a guide co. to handle our trip and they supply all the equipment food etc. That was nice, except that I have a child with severe food allergies and the co. had to be first educated about allergies and even then my son was not always full after meals (not like we could just run get him something else either). My daughter hated sleeping outside, was actually frightened and so did the majority of the trip in a state of sleep deprivation (which meant she was a grouch).
It was really beautiful and fun. The guides were knowledgeable and safety conscious. But they were not very friendly and I got the feeling a couple of them didn't like working with kids (interesting, since they specialize in Family Vacations).

We visited a park owned by a co. with several flags in its name and were SORELY DISAPOINTED!!!! The park was dirty, the staff was rude and surly, the experiences were ALL ABOUT CHARGE EXTRA FOR EVERYTHING!!!! They were even charging for the fast pass privelege. At lunch, my hubby ordered food for the 2 of us and 5 kids (hamburgers, french fries no drinks a price tag of $80, more than 10 bucks per person!). He approached the counter after giving everyone their lunches and asked for cups of water (just tap) for the whole bunch and was told he could only have 1! Outrageous! He was singing the mouses praises all the way home (a 4 hour drive).

In July we visited a chain hotel property that has themed hotels w/large indoor waterparks attached (you must stay on property to use the park). They had very clearly borrowed many ideas from the mouse, but had not worked out WHO the demographic really is.
That is to say if your guests are paying top dollar to have a seamless everything is here vacation experience, then on property amenities need to be top of the line! The rooms were themed and large sized, no room service available. The only restaurants were 1 very small (20 4 seater tables) table service restaurant and 1 very large cafeteria style buffet restaurant. There were snack bars in the park area.
Thay had alot right. They had a "key to the world card" style wristband for everyone in the group (we loved that they were wristbands, as there were no Lost Keys). The wristbands opened the hotel rooms, they were charge accounts for the giftshop, snack bars, and restaurants. You could block the charging priveleges for kids). There was a fun magic quest scavenger hunt electronic game spread out all over the property. The kids were able to purchase "magic wands" and work out the clues, gain points and power and be displayed based on rank at the "magic shop". Very cool way to separate parents from their money, and entertain the video game generation. My youngest son loved it.
There was a teen club with evening dance and video game parties.
The chain is called Great Wolf Lodge and has several locations. WE would do it again, but don't go expecting a Disney experience. It was better than the flags, by a long shot.

My hubby is a lot more enthusiastic about Disney, now. He recently gave a speech at a meeting with his staff (we own a small remodelling company) about that he wants to be the "Disney of home remodelling." We also charge top dollar for our services. lol.
Guest Service is worth something. Disney Magic is worth something. Seamless vacations are worth something.

You decide how much.

 

[Seewhatimesdone]

Why does your DH have to go? If he doesn't want to then okay, go with your daughters or by yourself. You can still do things you like even if your husband doesn't enjoy them!

 

[ToddyLu]

Thanks Tinklite for summing it up. Every time we consider the price of Disney against a 10 day trip anywhere else...all others fail to meet the grade.. Of course there is only one Las Vegas, one Washington, DC and one New York City. Just think, you get all of that somewhere in a Disney park. We went to DC earlier this year and New York last year---but where do we go EVERY YEAR!!! Woohoo, Disney!!

 

[Disneymom77]

The thought has crossed my mind more than once to just go with my DD's! But I really wanted it to be our anniversary trip. My husband is a beach bum. So to him vacation = beach. I also love the beach, but we will be going to Aruba in May 2009, and Bethany Beach, MD in August 2009. So I think I must start getting creative. Or just take my girls LOL!! I hope they do free dining again, that may help too. Thanks to all of you for your input!

 

[ToddyLu]

Hey what about the 4/3 deal they are running. Certainly he could not complain about the price. Check it out.

 

[Disneymom77]

Yes, that 4 nights get 3 free is soooooooooo exciting!! It can only make it harder for him to say that he doesn't want to go!

 

[MapleGirl]

Hello! I've been lurking on the Dis for a few months. I, just like the rest of you daydream of Disney all day, everyday. Yes, I live in NeverNeverland! My dilemma is that I would like to go back to Disney next year for my(our) 10 year wedding anniversary, but my husband(who likes but not loves WDW ), does not since we were just there in October 2007. We honeymooned in Disney, celebrated our 5 year anniversary in Disney, so I feel it is only natural to be there for our 10 year anniversary My DD's share my adoration for WDW , so they too have been trying to convince my DH to go on another Disney adventure. With the new 2009 promotion, I thought he'd agree, but he's playing hardball! I'm sure there is at least one of you out there who has been in my situation a time or two before. So, if anyone has a suggestion on how to convince my husband to go back to Disney, please let me know!! Thanks!!

Um, adult favors? Offer him one (fill in the blank) every time you see Mickey. It's kind of a couples' drinking game!

 

[Disneymom77]

LOL!! I am getting pretty desperate! Just kidding!! I will definaltly keep that idea in mind.

 

[Sukie]

Hello! I've been lurking on the Dis for a few months. I, just like the rest of you daydream of Disney all day, everyday. Yes, I live in NeverNeverland! My dilemma is that I would like to go back to Disney next year for my(our) 10 year wedding anniversary, but my husband(who likes but not loves WDW ), does not since we were just there in October 2007. We honeymooned in Disney, celebrated our 5 year anniversary in Disney, so I feel it is only natural to be there for our 10 year anniversary My DD's share my adoration for WDW , so they too have been trying to convince my DH to go on another Disney adventure. With the new 2009 promotion, I thought he'd agree, but he's playing hardball! I'm sure there is at least one of you out there who has been in my situation a time or two before. So, if anyone has a suggestion on how to convince my husband to go back to Disney, please let me know!! Thanks!!

Hi there.

This will be my DH first time going to WDW. He doesn't like crowds He is going for me and the grandkids. We will be joining our DD and SIL, two grandsons ages 11 and 7. I had gone with the same family back in 2006.

My suggestion would be a Disney Cruise. The choices are endless. Take a 4 day cruise ,3 days at WDW or the other way around. Maybe a 7 day cruise. That way you could get the best of both worlds.

I hope that my DH will like the cruise idea as well. Our "35th" anniversary is next year. Maybe we will see you there. .

 

[lisaanddenny]

Hubby gets to go to fishing in Canada for one week a year with the guys, he goes hunting after Thanksgiving, but he never gets a deer , he goes trout fishing every April, he never misses a Pittsburgh Steeler game during the fall...........he gets to go to the beach every year for a full 2 weeks a year in Cancun with all of us..hubby sees highschool football games many Fridays in the fall, hubby never has to cook or shop ..so you ask, how do I get Hubby to go to WDW? I just tell him when and I pack for him and he goes, it is really that simple........ .

 

[Disneymom77]

Hi there.

This will be my DH first time going to WDW. He doesn't like crowds He is going for me and the grandkids. We will be joining our DD and SIL, two grandsons ages 11 and 7. I had gone with the same family back in 2006.

My suggestion would be a Disney Cruise. The choices are endless. Take a 4 day cruise ,3 days at WDW or the other way around. Maybe a 7 day cruise. That way you could get the best of both worlds.

I hope that my DH will like the cruise idea as well. Our "35th" anniversary is next year. Maybe we will see you there. .

The cruise sounds fun We've never been on a cruise! I will suggest it to him, hopefully he'll go for it! Congrats on your upcoming 35th!!

 

[Disneymom77]

Hubby gets to go to fishing in Canada for one week a year with the guys, he goes hunting after Thanksgiving, but he never gets a deer , he goes trout fishing every April, he never misses a Pittsburgh Steeler game during the fall...........he gets to go to the beach every year for a full 2 weeks a year in Cancun with all of us..hubby sees highschool football games many Fridays in the fall, hubby never has to cook or shop ..so you ask, how do I get Hubby to go to WDW? I just tell him when and I pack for him and he goes, it is really that simple........ .

Sometimes I wish that's all it would take! LOL! But my husband likes to give his opinion on where we go on vacation I usually can talk him into things, but he's being a bit more stubborn this time Sooner or later I think he'll give in! He's usually happy about the outcome in the end. Aren't we women almost always right?

 

[ksunnenberg@hotmail.]

Hello! I've been lurking on the Dis for a few months.

"lurking", LOL! I feel like that is what I'm doing, too!

 

[lisaanddenny]

i hear ya, but my hubby knows I dont ask much of him and he truly is the sweetest man on earth but he doesnt like disney at all but this will be his 5th visit........................my brother has CP and he helps get him into and out of his wheelchair or else he could stay home so he usually dont mind since my brother needs us

 

[Disneymom77]

Hello! I've been lurking on the Dis for a few months.

"lurking", LOL! I feel like that is what I'm doing, too!

That's a term I learned here on the Dis! I thought it was funny too!