My Father Does Not Want To Go?

[Ladygoldenhair]

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

This!
If he doesn't have the Disney bug, don't force him. I made that mistake two prior trips, no more!

 

[Hayliesmom]

I just wanted to warn you that it is still extremely hot in September. We went the last week of September last year and I felt like I was going to pass out at Epcot and we all ended up with sunburns.

 

[Bob NC]

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.


Anyone have any advice?

Is there somewhere else that everyone can agree they would have an enjoyable vacation?

 

[crisi]

Saw the update - glad he has come around.

 

[robinb]

Frankly, it's better to leave him at home than for him to come with you and make your trip miserable. We used to call my step-father "Mr Grumpy" since he hated WDW and grumped about it the entire time. He toured WDW by walking from one smoking area to another. It really brought my mother's spirits down and you know what they say: "When the Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" .

Whoops! I just noticed this was an old thread that was updated. I'm glad that he's now onboard! Have a great time .

 

[squirrel]

I saw your update. I have a few other ideas that might make it more interesting for him-fishing, golf and the speedway track. Downtown Disney also has a lot of other things that aren't so Disney that he might enjoy.

I'm sure I won't ever get my dad to go to WDW. #1 he hates to fly so driving would take so long.

 

[cheshireqt]

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.

That is wonderful news!

I was reading through the thread and before I saw your awesome update was going to say that my DH had no concept of what a week at Disney would be like, which was why he was so resistant to it.

background: We had done 3 half days at MK (1995, 1998 and 2000), always at super hot, super crowded times and dates, and always with his parents, who lived in FL at that time and only wanted to ride 3 rides and then leave. Oh and they would complain the whole time about the heat, and crowds and expense, even though we paid.

Anyway in late 2005 I ordered the planning video and the unofficial guide to Disney and read him excerpts, also made him watch the video. He started getting excited about the new ride at AK (Expedition Everest) and the rides at Epcot and DS. Of course I talked constantly about Disney! We went in 2006, the entire week before labor day, stayed at AKL and rode every ride, including both waterparks. Kids were 6 and 9 and the perfect age to fully enjoy it. Also his parents were not invited It was not crowded as most schools were already back in session. It was hot, but we had a plan and it worked! He was amazed that we walked onto some rides and usually had only a 15 min wait on others, even Soarin' and Splash . We ate at several character meals and also went to the Luah show at Poly. Some days we swam at AKL pool during the hottest part of the day, other days we went to a water park for a half day, having already packed 4 to 5 hours in at one of the big 4 parks, and then we park hopped to another park for the evening. WE were exhausted by the end of the week, but we had a blast! My DH? He was like one big happy kid the whole time! In fact he asked to go back the next year! We took the kids out of school in Sep 2007 for our 15 year anniversary and had as great a time the second time around as the first.

I hope you have a splendid time and that he starts helping make plans to go again as soon as you get back Is it crazy that I can be so excited about someone I don't even know going to Disney?

 

[RHMH]

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.

That is great news - very glad it worked out for everyone.

You and your family will love AKL. We stayed there this past July and enjoyed every minute of our stay.

May be sprinkled over you and your family.....

 

[n0cturnalbynature]

Thanks for the support!

I just wanted to warn you that it is still extremely hot in September. We went the last week of September last year and I felt like I was going to pass out at Epcot and we all ended up with sunburns.

Oh no! I don't know why I didn't remember that. I did the DCP in fall 2010. Well, I should be okay as well as my brother and dad (they are very active and outdoors all the time). But I better tell my mom to hit the treadmill... And pack loads of sunscreen...

I was reading through the thread and before I saw your awesome update was going to say that my DH had no concept of what a week at Disney would be like, which was why he was so resistant to it.

I think that's the case with my dad. Once he saw the actual game plan, that there is more than the Magic Kingdom and there wouldn't be a 5 and 8 year old screwing up the pace (my brother and I insisted on amusing ourselves for hours during our 90s trip at an average park with a few slides and a swing outside of Disney World property. Then we insisted on returning the next day), he was much more into it. He's excited to try Test Track and he loves the Jurassic Park ride at Universal

Is there somewhere else that everyone can agree they would have an enjoyable vacation?

Well, we actually haven't taken a family vacation in years now and no one had offered to make any plans. So I decided to. I pitched the idea to my mom- who had wanted to visit since I was a DCP. My brother IS indifferent, but he would have been indifferent about anything. It's just how he is. He doesn't get excited about things until they are right upon him. Lately, he's been saying things like "Three weeks til Disney World!" so I know he'll enjoy it.
My dad is a pretty easygoing guy. He doesn't take initiative to plan most vacations on his own, but he never minds going along for the ride and usually ends up enjoying himself. If we have to worry about anyone, it'll probably be my mom. She can be a liiiiiiittle bossy on vacation.

I saw your update. I have a few other ideas that might make it more interesting for him-fishing, golf and the speedway track. Downtown Disney also has a lot of other things that aren't so Disney that he might enjoy.

I'm sure I won't ever get my dad to go to WDW. #1 he hates to fly so driving would take so long.

Thanks for the advice! My dad is weird though. He doesn't golf, fish or care much for cars (my brother on the other hand would LOVE the speedway track so I'll tell him about it). My dad is a big music man. He likes performances and a general respect for music. So I think he'll like some aspects of The World Showcase. He and my mom are also old Hollywood fans so Hollywood Studios should be fun for them.

And aw. My dad is actually scared of flying too... But he figured he might as well do it because he has to fly later this year with his band. But a nice road trip isn't the worst thing. You can make a longer trip out of it. When I was younger, we stopped in Tennessee and Atlanta and saw Graceland and the Coke Factory

 

[Jessica14]

I just want to say how lovely and special it is that two adult children are vacationing happily with their parents. Your memories of this trip will be so amazing!