My Father Does Not Want To Go?

[n0cturnalbynature]

Hi! My name is Lauren. I'm in my 20s, but I am a Disney nut. I did the DCP in 2010 and I REALLY wanted to enjoy Disney World with my family. They haven't been since our one trip there in 1996 and we barely did anything but go to Magic Kingdom for half a day and Universal Studios.

Now, I want us all to go again as adults. My mother wants to go as well and we settled on a day in September. My 21 year old brother seems indifferent, but he doesn't mind coming along and I'm sure he will enjoy it once he gets there.

However, my father says it doesn't seem like something he'd want to do again. He is still on the fence about it, but he feels like he won't enjoy it. I tried to tell him that it will be different because my brother and I aren't small children anymore and we are going in late September so it won't be as crowded or hot.

Money isn't an issue because my mother and I have saved up the bulk of the money. He would need to add on $600 at most.

I told him it was fine and I don't mind if he doesn't go, but honestly, I don't want him to miss out on something I think he might really enjoy. Do any dads have any advice on convincing him? Or maybe it really wouldn't be any fun for him and a lot of men feel the same way?

Anyone have any advice?

 

[Allison]

Go with your mom. Don't force someone who isn't interested.

 

[Darcy03231]

There are just some people who don't enjoy WDW. My husband is one of them. He went once, about 25 years ago and hasn't been back since.

I go every year (or two). I took the kids when they were young, mostly by myself, I've done trips with my sister and her family, and with my mom.

If you dad doesn't want to go, go with your mom and brother.

 

[krayzmelmel]

Haha my dad's the same way! My mom and I have passes and go 1-2 times a month. My dad says that he just has to go every ten years and he's fine. he does like Epcot though, so thats the exception. My mom bought him an Annual pass one year and he went like, twice (never again!).

 

[mm1971]

Hi! My name is Lauren. I'm in my 20s, but I am a Disney nut. I did the DCP in 2010 and I REALLY wanted to enjoy Disney World with my family. They haven't been since our one trip there in 1996 and we barely did anything but go to Magic Kingdom for half a day and Universal Studios.

Now, I want us all to go again as adults. My mother wants to go as well and we settled on a day in September. My 21 year old brother seems indifferent, but he doesn't mind coming along and I'm sure he will enjoy it once he gets there.

However, my father says it doesn't seem like something he'd want to do again. He is still on the fence about it, but he feels like he won't enjoy it. I tried to tell him that it will be different because my brother and I aren't small children anymore and we are going in late September so it won't be as crowded or hot.

Money isn't an issue because my mother and I have saved up the bulk of the money. He would need to add on $600 at most.

I told him it was fine and I don't mind if he doesn't go, but honestly, I don't want him to miss out on something I think he might really enjoy. Do any dads have any advice on convincing him? Or maybe it really wouldn't be any fun for him and a lot of men feel the same way?

Anyone have any advice?

I'm not sure forcing someone to go that is not interested is the best way. Maybe discuss with your dad and see if there are things other than the parks he may be interested in. Maybe approach it as a family vacation, not a Disney vacation. If he still has no interest, then go without him if he is oK with that and maybe take a different vacation somewhere else all together.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Disney isn't for everyone. But there are other things to do around there besides the parks, so perhaps if he just makes the trip with you, but there's no pressure to go to the parks and he can do other things he might enjoy more whatever that may be. Then you can spend your evenings together as a family. Or make one or two ADRs at other resorts if you are staying onsite and you can have those meals together. Then if once you get there he wants to get a ticket and join you he can.

We are planning a big family trip for next summer. My sister and I are planning it for my dad, stepmom, my sister, her husband, my brother, my adult nieces and their 3 children, my children and me. It will be 4 generations going from my dad and stepmom, down to my nieces' chidren. We are going for a week and staying in a big house in Windsor Hills.

Now when my sister called him, my dad responded true to form with, "Just let me know how much to send and when to show up." But my dad and stepmom are 60 and I am not expecting them to spend nearly as much time in the parks as the rest of us, and the rest of us surely won't stick together the entire time, but in the evenings we'll all be in that house together, we'll share breakfasts together, pool time (pool is attached to the house), and probably try to get one picture of everyone in front of the castle. I guess what I'm saying is perhaps offer him an alternative where he can enjoy the vacation and his family. If he still doesn't want to go, you'll have to decide if you're okay with going without him.

 

[nhmommy]

If he won't mind spending time alone chilin at the pool or whatever you should push him to go if he doesn't like the parks he can stay at the hotel and relax. If he's not one to be alone or he will go along to the parks and mope I would leave him home.

 

[GoldieLocks5]

my dad has zero interest in any type of theme park - i would never try to get him to go bc he would be miserable.

just go with people who want to go.

 

[SpartanMommy]

Just go with your mom and have a blast! If he doesn't want to go, don't make him or he might end up ruining everyone's fun.

 

[Canooknic]

My stepdad was the same. My sister and I wanted to plan a big family trip (her, hubby and 2 kids, me, our younger brother, mom & stepdad) but he could not have been less interested. We talked to him a couple of times about it, and gave him info on stuff he could enjoy but he was adamant so we all went without him and he had a couple of weekend fishing trips with his buddies while we were gone.
Everyone was happy and loved hearing all about it when we got back

 

[scrappinginontario]

I'd go with whomever wants to and have a great time!! My dad goes occasionally but not nearly as often as my mom and I.

Have fun with your mom and brother! Your dad may change his mind but if not, you'll have a great time regardless!

 

[wiigirl]

Go with your mom. Don't force someone who isn't interested.

 

[TinkerBelle920]

Hi! My name is Lauren. I'm in my 20s, but I am a Disney nut. I did the DCP in 2010 and I REALLY wanted to enjoy Disney World with my family. They haven't been since our one trip there in 1996 and we barely did anything but go to Magic Kingdom for half a day and Universal Studios.

Now, I want us all to go again as adults. My mother wants to go as well and we settled on a day in September. My 21 year old brother seems indifferent, but he doesn't mind coming along and I'm sure he will enjoy it once he gets there.

However, my father says it doesn't seem like something he'd want to do again. He is still on the fence about it, but he feels like he won't enjoy it. I tried to tell him that it will be different because my brother and I aren't small children anymore and we are going in late September so it won't be as crowded or hot.

Money isn't an issue because my mother and I have saved up the bulk of the money. He would need to add on $600 at most.

I told him it was fine and I don't mind if he doesn't go, but honestly, I don't want him to miss out on something I think he might really enjoy. Do any dads have any advice on convincing him? Or maybe it really wouldn't be any fun for him and a lot of men feel the same way?

Anyone have any advice?

I feel your pain I was also a CP and really wanted my family to visit with me this past year. My Dad was less than excited but the first time we went it was in the summer and very hot and crowded. Now I am actually a Disney Vacation Planner so I said that I would gaurantee he would not have to wait in long lines and if he did he could just hang out at the resort. We went last Sept when crowds were low and I had everything planned out really well so that we did not wait in lines and we had some great dining experiences. My Father can be very closed minded but he loved the trip and has already been asking when we can go again. So I would suggest plannig it out really well with some things you know he will enjoy!

 

[Disneymom2kiddos]

I wouldn't force him to go. Just go with your Mom and brother, and have fun.

 

[kcchief]

I would educate your Dad more on what Disney World really is. You said you all had been once but only to the Magic Kingdom. To a lot of people who have never been to WDW they think all there is to it is MK. They don't realize there are 3 other parks and many other activities/resorts to experience as well. Epcot is a great park for adults on the more serious side. So I would get him some info together such as guide books and maybe the free vacation planning DVD you can get from Disney. Maybe even turn him on to this website. There is lots of good info here. After he gets a better idea of what Disney is really about he can make a better decision for himself. Then if he still does not want to go at least you have tried your best. Because if he doesn't really want to go you will have a better time with thought him anyways.

 

[jasonflk]

Obviously I don't know your Dad.

But depending on what he likes he could do a whole lot of other things, just leave printouts in the bathroom or on a table with "other" orlando things to do, he has to want to go and join the family himself.

A a personal note if I didn't want to go to a theme park (unlikely), if i knew about "drinking around the world" Behind the scene tours I could be convinced to change my mind

 

[jpessa]

My husband is one of those crazy, impossible to understand people who don't really love Disney. In fact, he doesn't like it at all. In his defense, he has ADHD and he gets overwhelmed by the crouds and loud music.

That being said, we've been twice in the past 2 yrs. First trip was a disaster, we fought constantly. Second trip in November was fabulous because even though we were there on a family trip (DD was 2.5), the rule was "if you don't want to come to the park, don't come to the park". That way, he only came when he felt he could handle it. The rest of the time, he spent it alone relaxing in the pool, watching football at ESPN, etc. Maybe your Dad is into Golf?
We still often went to the pool in the afternoons together and ate out (had FD so did TS each night). It worked out great for all of us!
I'm now planning my next trip for October with DD, no DH. He said he didn't want to come, and I didn't push it. If he changes his mind last minute, that's OK too. But I know that if I force him to come, nobody will have fun.
I'd say give your Dad the option to go if he wants, don't push him, explain him his options and see what happens. Enjoy your trip with the people who will love it as much as you do!

 

[okeydokey]

Don't try to convince him. He is an adult and can say not to going to Disney if he wants to. Please just respect his opinion, even if it is different than what you want it to be.

It sounds like you and your Mom are on the same page, so go and have a great time.

 

[n0cturnalbynature]

Hey, sorry to bring back a super old thread, but I just wanted to let anyone know who cares that my father actually wants to go now! I didn't force him. He just came to me a few months ago and asked exactly what we were going to do. So I told him and I showed him some of the videos on the planning website. He said he would go!

I also let him know that he didn't have to go to the parks when he didn't feel like it and that he could rest up in the hotel room or just do his own thing with my mom. He likes animals a lot and we are staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think he'll enjoy it.

Thanks everyone for all of your advice. We are leaving in 22 days! I can barely contain my excitement.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

YAY!! How wonderful. I am glad it will work out in the end and you will make such wonderful new memories with your family.