How to plan trip with husband who doesn't like Disney?

[DisneyFave]

My husband wants to come on our next trip because he wants to see our son light up at all the magic, but he can only handle about 1/3 of the park time I want before he gets cranky. How do you handle that? He's not into golfing or shopping. Do I just give in and go to fewer rides than I want to? I want park time but don't want to do it all alone :/

 

[Magical2017]

Can he stay with you part of the day and then go enjoy the resort pool? What about scheduling some non-Disney time, like a trip to Kennedy Space Center? What things DOES he love that you can add or include? Would he enjoy the Boardwalk area?

Another option is to go early, then go back to the room midday as a family, and you and DS head back together for some evening hours. Maybe a few days you give up some park time and he adds a bit more park time. I would not want a cranky person in my party while touring, though! I hope he finds it fun.

 

[westie55]

My DH was originally a Disney cynic. He viewed WDW as too touristy, too hot, the lines were too long, expensive etc. Now he actually really enjoys it but the key to that is giving him some of what HE views as a vacation. Let's face it... Disney isn't everybody's version of a relaxing vacation. While I think it is THE HAPPIEST EVER (lol), I had to understand that my husband is more of the relaxed type. He doesn't want to be up really early for rope drop every day. He doesn't like thrill rides or anything that would make him motion sick. What he does like: relaxing by a pool, dining, seeing the kids happy, and generally marveling at the cool things Disney has created. I know that I can't make him rope drop every day, so we compromise. We either go back and take breaks or I can enjoy the parks alone with the kids for a while. The first time we split up was when my son was only an infant and I was surprised that I actually enjoyed going on rides just as much, just me and the baby. We always plan some really nice meals at great restaurants. He loves the California Grill. He likes the nighttime entertainment. On our last trip we stayed at the GF and he enjoyed going to Mizner's and the hot tub on his own while I stayed with the sleeping kids. Try to build some things into the trip that you can all enjoy and don't be afraid to spend some time alone with your son. The other thing I do is take trips with the kids and my sister that my husband doesn't attend. It gets me my Disney fix with someone who has the same touring style as I do and keeps Disney fresh for when he comes with us

 

[GillianP1301]

Our solution was to leave him at home. He went twice with my son and I and it was just not his thing at all. There really is nothing worse than spending time on your vacation worrying about somebody who is not enjoying themselves and trying to figure out how to make it better for them. After that he declared he was done with it, but I love it and so my son and I now go for yearly trips ourselves and have the most amazing time. My husband gets a week of peace and quiet at home, so it's a win-win for us. I don't expect him to spend time/money on something he doesn't enjoy anymore than he expects me to give up something that I love and enjoy.

That being said, if he truly wants to go for the sake of enjoying the park with your son, then it will really be up to him to figure out what he wants/doesn't want in order to have a good time and if the two of you can talk about that and figure it out ahead of time, then it should work out for all of you. If he's more passive aggressive about it and not wanting to put in the planning time and it's falling on you to figure it out, then I would plan for you to only spend some of the time together. Maybe you all do a park in the morning, go back to the resort for pool time and then hubby stays back at the resort for the evening while you and your son enjoy the parks in the evening. Try to choose some meals that your husband would be excited for as well, that may help keep the cranky at bay.

 

[marmar]

Send him off on a tour or two. Any of the animal kingdom tours or keys to kingdom,etc. he might even enjoy the Segway tour at ft wilderness. The tours are mostly adult oriented. And they can help him find the magic. Everyone wants to see the tunnels under MK

 

[ScrampShopper]

My hubby doesn't care much for WDW either so we leave him home, and on long trips, he comes for the last 3 or 4 days with the understanding that he will do as I say. We do much of what we want without him, and then only do the really big stuff when he comes, and spend more time at the resort and table service dining. If he chooses to not follow my plan when he is there, we leave him at the resort, and he meets us when he wants to. He's not into WDW so the tours don't appeal to him, or anything that involves getting up early!! If you are staying on property, it's easy to send him back to the resort when he has had enough, and you can still stay as long as you want.

 

[lborne]

Definitely go early before it gets hot and then leave after lunch during the hottest time. Try some other things outside of the parks - he might like to take your son out on a sea raycer, or take a guided fishing trip, or spend time at the water parks. Date nights without the children were a necessity and I looked forward to it all day. Unfortunately, Disney has severely limited the babysitting options - I don't think there are any child care centers available now - only in-room sitting at select resorts. But if you happen to be at one of those resorts, or your son is old enough to leave in the room later at night, you could bribe your husband with a date night.
While I love Disney and US/IOA, my kids are now old enough that they prefer to go off alone, and several times I've taken them myself while my wife stays home, shops, etc. So I will tag along with the kids until about lunch time, then I have several things I love to do - most involve drinking. If any good sports games are on, I can be found at the ESPN sports bar. If not, there are plenty of other places to grab a drink - many inside the theme parks. I almost always strike up conversations with strangers. If it is a nice day, I'll hang out by the pool and read a good book. Sometimes I'll just go back to the resort and take a nap during the hottest time of the day. Or get a massage at the spa. Or go to AKL and sit in the rockers and watch the animals. Anyway, there are plenty of things - what things does he like to do?

 

[Rory607]

Personally, I would want to have a discussion where we each laid out our expectations for the trip. I would (nicely) say that while he doesn’t enjoy Disney so much, there are certain things that are important to you. Then, list your top priorities. Let him explain his priorities; maybe he would have input on dining? Or making sure there is downtime each day? I wouldn’t plan the entire trip myself and just expect him to go along with it. If he helps plan might be more excited.

If he’s there to see your son enjoying the magic I would assume he wants some park time? I like the idea of spending the morning in the parks, maybe going separate ways for a while, then meeting for dinner.

What I would not be okay with is him coming on the trip knowing he’s not into Disney and then complaining the whole time! You will both have to compromise, but I would be upset if he ruined the trip with a bad mood.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

What are his likes? My dh loves Disney now but hates people, heat and spending money. He stated liking Disney after going to a disney after hours party. Half the people and night time so it was cooler. Each park has its place to hang out. If he wants to go with you but just hang back... you get a beer at epcot. I'm sure he will like the stuff he knows and remembers like star wars or your little ones favorite things.

 

[dancergirlsmom]

My daughter (19) and I both love Disney and go sometimes without my husband (including this August). He can take it or leave it but does enjoy coming down every couple of years. However, he hates the character meets which my daughter loves to this day. He would also rather sleep in and spend more time at the pool. When I am planning the trip I always plan most of the character meets early in the morning so that DD and I can get a lot done before he meets up with us in the afternoon. He will spend the morning at the resort working out, going for a run, laying by the pool then meet up with us in the park later. We also plan an evening at Disney Springs which he always enjoys. I schedule the FP for the rides that he likes to do with us at a time when he will be with us. Years ago when she was smaller I used to schedule our trip around the Funai Classic (PGA golf tour) at Shades of Green golf courses and get tickets for him. He loves golf so he would wander over and watch golf and catch up with us later.

 

[katyjeka]

I'm a HUGE Disney fan and enjoy our trips immensely however the rest of my family would prefer to go elsewhere. I tried to be fair one year and we split our trip with Universal but I walked around with the feeling I was betraying WDW, no kidding.(It must be the Disney bug) To keep peace in our family we starting traveling to different places and as much as I don't want to admit it I've enjoyed the trips. My dh and I have a goal to visit each state with our kids before they leave and we are getting close.(4 states to go) I'm not trying to talk you out of a Disney trip but maybe if you would take a trip somewhere else and do Disney every other time he would enjoy Disney more. It worked for my family. Happy travels.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

My husband wants to come on our next trip because he wants to see our son light up at all the magic, but he can only handle about 1/3 of the park time I want before he gets cranky. How do you handle that? He's not into golfing or shopping. Do I just give in and go to fewer rides than I want to? I want park time but don't want to do it all alone :/

You shouldn't have to give up on anything. I'm pretty sure there's a compromise in there somewhere. Back in 2015 my family went on a Disney trip that was not as happy or successful as I would have liked. My son was 7 then and he was very apprehensive and/or scared of most of the dark rides. We could talk him into a couple of them, but the rest....nope. He was more into the characters back then. On the way home, my husband knew I was still sad about our trip and suggested I do one of two things next time....go with a girlfriend who enjoys Disney as much as me or wait till our son is older and try again with just the two of us. I was surprised he suggested for just the two of us to go. Typically, he wants to be there for safety and things like that. Disney is NOT his thing. He goes strictly for me. Now there are rides he enjoys, Test Track, Kilimanjaro, Spaceship Earth, Dumbo...but if it were up to him...he'd prefer to be elsewhere. He also REALLY enjoys the World Showcases in EPCOT and I make adjustments to spend a bit more time there. So what's happening in about 30 days...my son and I will be in Disney without my husband. I'm a little sad about it, but still excited because my son and I can tour differently without him. I called some old friends and asked if they would come hang out with my son and I for a couple of days while we are there and they said absolutely. Both the guys were in the military together so we've known each other for well over 20 years. I did that so my husband wouldn't have to worry as much. I figure as close as the two of them were, I know he would trust him to keep us safe while we are there. All that was said to let you know there are ways around a husband who isn't into Disney like you are. Mine is staying behind, but I can handle our 11 year old without him....at least I think I can! He may surprise me at Disney and outdo me! Ask your husband what he thinks he would like to do while there and when the time comes that he feels himself getting cranky, then maybe he should head back to the resort and just chill. GOOD LUCK!

 

[bigbabyblues]

My DH has always enjoyed our trips but he liked it much better when we started staying offsite in a condo. More room to spread out, ability to cook sometimes, much easier to relax with 4 people in a place with 3 bedrooms instead of a cramped hotel room.

 

[SwanVT2]

My husband wants to come on our next trip because he wants to see our son light up at all the magic, but
he can qonly handle about 1/3 of the park time I want before he gets cranky. How do you handle that? He's not into golfing or shopping. Do I just give in and go to fewer rides than I want to? I want park time but don't want to do it all alone :/

My DH is not a morning person nor a fan of MK (too many people) but he loves the Disney resorts and DS. We alternate pool days and park days.He likes epcot for test track and soarin, aquarium and food. So he does some park with us and some without.

 

[Nancyg56]

My question would be what is he willing to compromise on the trip? WDW is not for everyone, but if he only wants a short time over day in the parks, what does he want to do the rest of the time? I think a family trip should involve the entire family, and I would have no issue if my DH wanted to join us on one, (he does not go every time) and asked us to give up some park time, but he would need to provide suggestions for the rest of the day.

 

[NYCgrrl]

My husband wants to come on our next trip because he wants to see our son light up at all the magic, but he can only handle about 1/3 of the park time I want before he gets cranky. How do you handle that? He's not into golfing or shopping. Do I just give in and go to fewer rides than I want to? I want park time but don't want to do it all alone :/

There's a lot of different activities at Disney that are outside of the parks besides golfing and shopping.
Depending on the resort you choose there is:

tennis
bowling
movie theaters
fishing
boating
biking
all resorts have at least one swimming pool
horseback riding
archery


and prolly a lot more that I can't think of for the moment.

 

[tinkerjo]

My DH likes WDW but I love Disney everything with a passion. We go about every couple years. My DH is a very early morning person. He is up at the crack of dawn daily so we try and get the EMH park for the day. He enjoys that early morning excitement and enjoys the rides BUT he is done by 2. He wants to go back, watch TV, and drink some beer. I will break with him in the afternoon and take the kids swimming. We will eat supper as a family and some nights I go back with the kids.He is perfectly happy with some downtime. I have also learned he loves to sit and people watch so we will get a drink or desert ( dole whip with rum) sit and talk while the kids go and ride( ours are all older except for DS11 but he is with his adult brother and sister usually) I have really learned to enjoy going a little slower from time to time and I know DH does. He has a very demanding job so the last thing he wants is stress on vacation.

 

[Hikergirl]

My husband wants to come on our next trip because he wants to see our son light up at all the magic, but he can only handle about 1/3 of the park time I want before he gets cranky. How do you handle that? He's not into golfing or shopping. Do I just give in and go to fewer rides than I want to? I want park time but don't want to do it all alone :/

OP there are alot of trips listed in your signature, has your dh accompanied you on them?
My dh isn't a WDW fan, he tolerated it when the kids were young for them but looking back I wish he didn't feel pressured to go on trips he really didn't want too.
Now that they are older we don't go to WDW as one big family anymore, but when they were younger going on separate "family" vacations wasn't an option.
If he is going to WDW for you and your ds, then I think you also need to make some compromises. Cut your park days short and do any number of non-park things as a family.
Or, if your dh is OK with separating then go to the parks with your ds and let your dh find something he wants to do, and meet up later in the parks, or later outside of them.

 

[2019TripIdeas]

Maybe avoid the kind of "lame" rides as much as possible (I hope that doesn't come off as offensive). My husband is NOT a Disney person whatsoever (and I'm not a crowd/line person, so you know....) but he loved seeing our kids happiness so much on the last trip that I think he's converted and fully bought in now. We tried to vary lots of fun "thrill" rides with our eldest (and lots of rider switch so we could both enjoy those!) with the more tame rides for the littler guys. I think he really had fun on Splash, Space Mountain, Soarin, etc and seeing the joy on the kids faces made him happily willing to wait in character lines.

That said, I could see his joy draining out when having to sit on Small World and listen to that music over and over again, ha! He actually did enjoy Jungle Cruise this time (and did not on our previous trip) because we did it at night so it was a little more fun. Next time we go, I think we'll skip Small World all together.

 

[cmarsh31]

My husband loves tours, scheduled meals and regular snacks (he'll say where's the nearest dole whip - having a quick answer is always the key!) and NOT doing rope drop, plus hard ticket events. Sooo, we go for shorter trips, but spend more on special events - dessert parties, EMM, Caring for Giants, Behind the Seeds, all things he's loved. He also loves a nice shady place to sit with a frozen treat while the kids go on all the roller coasters. If I say what do you want to do, he has no answer, but he does better if I say do you want to do A or B. I'd suggest a couple special things that are a break from the normal crowds & such.