My boyfriend doesn't seem interested in WDW?

[OhThePain]

I was in a similar situation as you with my girlfriend. I had been several times. She had never been. I decided to celebrate the holidays, her graduating college, her birthday and our 1 year dating anniversary, to take her to WDW for NYE. I tried to get her involved in the planning, like things she would want to do or ride or see and she just didn't care. I tried to get her to help choose restaurants and she just didn't care. I tried to get her somewhat excited and she just didn't care. She would smile and ask questions, but that was more just to try to make me happy. We landed at MCO and got on ME, I was excited and she just didn't care. We checked in to our resort and she just didn't care. We got on the bus and pulled up to MK and she just didn't care. We walked in MK, under the train and out the other side, in full view of Cinderella's Castle. I looked down at her. She had tears rolling down her cheeks. At that moment, the Disney bug hit her and she finally understood the excitement I had for all those months. A couple of trips later, we got engaged there and part of our honeymoon was to WDW.

Now, I'm not saying your boyfriend is going to start crying at first site of Cinderella's Castle. However, for those who have never went before, they just may not understand until they get there. Keep trying to get him involved with the planning, but don't push too hard. Suggest to him to read a WDW planning book or watch any of the numerous WDW specials that are out there. If he is still not interested, try to plan a few things that you think he might enjoy (don't make the trip just about you). There is bound to be a few somethings at WDW for him to enjoy.

 

[JanaDee]

It's ok if he goes and still doesn't like Disney. Really.

 

[welshraz]

I know where you're coming from. Since my first trip in 2013 I have become obsessed with Disney and trips to WDW. My husband? Not so much. I will talk about Disney all day everyday, and would happily go to WDW every year if I could. He just lets me get on with it. My Disney crazy has gotten so bad that last week I was stood waiting for Stars 'n Cars at Disneyland Paris whilst making my ADRs for WDW on my phone (my 180+10 window had opened up!)

I have learned that he just doesn't want to be involved in the planning or chatting or obsessing, and is happy to let me deal with the "hard" stuff. I try not to push him, and I know he'll have a good time as along as I don't get too Disney crazy on him.

The hubster has put his foot down and had said that we will most definately not be going to WDW next year. But he did also say that last year, and we have already been to DLP we are off to WDW in November. I will find some leverage/bribe, and I'm sure we'll be off again next year!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Most of my traveling party does not want to talk about the vacations I plan, Disney or not as much as I do. At least with Disney you can come to the boards to chat.

 

[margot31]

It has taken a bit for my husband to enjoy disney.

Last Oct was my 30th birthday but I didn't get to celebrate the way I wanted to. I had a baby instead 2 days before my birthday. This year I had plans for something else but couldn't get my head wrapped around the idea so I thought DISNEY. I need my disney fix now that I don't live in FL and can't go as often as i would like. My husband was not too pleased with the idea and was trying to suggest a place like Perto Rico (which don't get me wrong I really enjoy it down there) but it was MY BIRTHDAY trip. He got one for his now its my turn.

Today I just booked our hotel. Granted not going in Oct which is fine with me but at least its MY Trip and we are going to the MVMCP.

After having our first kid even he can't wait till he is 5 when we take him for the MNSSHP.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Tell him he can plan the next trip but that you want to try this trip this time. Or make it a combo and see some other things like the beach or whatever he likes close to the area when you come. Be aware of hot times of the day, people tend to remember being miserable. Make it enjoyable, come after 3 and stay thru sunset and the awesome night life, don't drag him around at dawn and make him sweat to death. Make it fun and enjoyable. If he likes rides, get some great FPs and make the wait times app work for you. Most people who complain get too hot and wait in long lines and think its a waste. If he likes entertainment or whatever he likes, plan that. Plan some good food, and an evening at DTD.

To get him to go, look up YouTube's of the attractions or better yet, one of those Park Destination specials. Maybe he will see that its more than just IASW....

And if he decided AFTER he's tried it that its lame and he doesn't like it, dump him. Hehe. Just kidding...maybe.

Thankfully, I have a honey (just had 12 yr anniversary) who was willing to try living here (his idea, I swear!) And who says midway thru work on a Friday "will you book a safari for us for after work?" Or "let's go check out the new fireworks tomorrow." We don't agree on everything, but he has a lot of A-D-D energy and parks are great for that. Our idea of fun is not sitting at home on a Friday night playing video games or watching TV. We toss on our magic bands and off we go! Thank goodness we have that in common!

Hopefully your dude will come around too...

 

[Hudson Hornet]

I would suggest that you avoid overwhelming him. Don't force him to go on every ride and see every attraction. There is enough and more to do to accommodate all types of people. Just try to find a good balance and plan on some down time.

 

[WEDWDW]

If all else fails,take him to Rose & Crown Pub for a Guinness or 2 or 10!

 

[SJSloan]

I have converted my husband to a Disney lover, not that he was a Disney hater just hadn't experienced it yet.

However I will note that he does not get excited about the trip until about a month ahead of time. I try to discuss things with him, ADRs, FP+ but generally those conversation last about a minute. I make all of the plans and discuss with people here to get my Disney fix while waiting on our trip. About a month before our trip he will log onto his MDE account and review our ADRs and look at menus, see what park we are going to each day, etc.

Some people are just like that. While I cannot tell you whether your boyfriend will love Disney or even like Disney...(there are Disney haters out there ::gasp: maybe he just can't get excited for something so far away.

Also, if he has never been he has no idea what you are talking about. It is hard to understand when you have no knowledge or reference.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

My DH loves Disney. But he's not that much into planning trips. He'd rather be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful vacation experiences I arrange for him. It's possible you DBF is the same way.

Or maybe he's just not that into Disney. Take heart in the fact that he likes you enough to suffer through it.

 

[Cee]

My daughter won't bring her fiancé to WDW. She said if he didn't "get it", she'd have to kick him to the curb! LOL

 

[skibum25]

Dump him!

 

[Belleandtinker]

I've been thinking about this thread. It reminded me of planning a wedding. Do grooms really care about the planning a wedding - flowers, food, etc.? Mine didn't, but we both enjoyed it.

 

[JosieMouse]

My family will be taking our first trip next month, and my husband isn't interested in anything Disney either. He sees the trip as more of a chore then a vacation.

 

[mrsclark]

When DH and I were planning our wedding and honeymoon, I suggested doing a 10 night honeymoon at WDW despite the fact that he had never been there and I wasn't sure if he would like it or not. Lucky for me, he fell in love with it and we have been back five times since then AND on a Disney cruise.

However, he is NOT into planning at the same level that I am although he is getting a little more into it as time goes by. So, I get on these boards, obsessively research resorts, restaurants and tours and reserve, cancel and reserve ADRs like a 100 times. Some of it I discuss with him like getting a reservation for the Wishes Dessert party which we have never done and he really wants to try, but a lot of other stuff I just keep in the background or post about on the Dis boards.

That being said, also be prepared if your boyfriend doesn't like it - despite the fact that I call WDW my mothership, my genetics would have you guess otherwise - my mom would be fine visiting once every 4-6 years or so and my dad just doesn't get it, it isn't his type of vacation at all and cannot understand why we go back every year (although once he retires he and my stepmom want to take us, my stepbrother, his wife and their children because he wants to give their children - his grandchildren great family memories!)

 

[Jing]

At this point in our marriage, I don't know what I would do with myself if my husband had one iota of excitement toward any vacation more than a few weeks out, let alone want to plan for it. I'd say he is a typical man that way, except I get my ridiculous planning genes from my father (who still has his yearly planners with notations from our trips to Disney in the 80s - mom and big bro love teasing us by playing compare and contrast!).

While hubs enjoys destination resorts and big city getaways, he really loves fishing/camping. I care nothing for that kind of vacation. Just like with Disney, there are many Internet forums dedicated to theses kinds of trips filled with people saying they can't believe their SO isn't into it. If roles were reversed and he was planning a big woodland expedition over a year out, my part of the planning would probably consist of looking up weather for the time of year, researching bug spray, and praying he changed his mind. I might love it, I don't know, but the more he might talk about how great it would be, the less I would be able to feign excitement/bite my tongue, particularly if he came to me for opinions on options I know nothing about.

All that to say -relax! Be excited here all you want, plan within reason, and don't focus on the outcome.

 

[larryz]

Dump him! Just kidding.

Agree. And NOT kidding...it will be a major source of contention.


ok... I am kidding, but not about the friction...

 

[itchin2go]

My husband doesn't care to talk about Disney planning but has a good time once we get there.

THIS.

My family humors me in the planning stages. It's my thing and they're not interested in the miniutiae. However, they love it when they get there, and after the fact, I know they appreciate my planning.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

It doesn't sound like the boyfriend wants to plan, no problem there. It sounds like he doesn't want to GO. Talking lots of $ to fly over the pond.

I agree with the guy that said contentions and friction. You need to have similar downtime and vacation styles just like you need to work out budget, spending styles, or other sources of contention. If you choose to compromise and it works, thats good too. (He likes Germany or Asia, you like Disney, you both get to switch on and off). But its even better if you guys both like it!

If he doesn't want to go and doesn't want you to go, ew.